Norm Golding was carried out with fellow CFA members in attendance. 49730
By Mara Pattison-Sowden
NORM Golding has been remembered by his family and friends as a man who always stood up for what he believed in and had a profound sense of “a fair go”.
More than 150 people filled St Mary’s Anglican Church in Warburton last Wednesday for his funeral, just weeks after celebrating Mr Golding’s 103rd birthday.
The day was akin to a local “state funeral”, with Tammy Lobato, MP, Yarra Ranges mayor Len Cox, councillor Chris Templar and Warburton and surrounding fire brigade members paying tribute to a man who made such a difference to his local community.
Mr Golding’s funeral was a celebration of not only his many achievements, but also his cheeky, kind-loving nature and steadfast determination.
Mr Golding’s son Ronald said it was uncanny his dad “was always in the right place at the right time”.
“From saving people from the bushfires, lost in the snow, or diving in and saving a young girl from drowning in a lake, dad was there,” he said.
Mr Golding questioned his father’s “unconfirmed” 104 boxing wins, but said “he was always looking for another one.”
Craig Woods spoke on behalf of the nine grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren, saying his grandfather taught us “everything is worth something – I’m sure I’ll use it some day”.
Mr Woods said he loved spending time with his grandad, who would take the children to the tip and bring home more things.
“He had five sheds of junk – a paradise for any kid,” Mr Wood said.
He said summers were spent with their grandfather back-burning the forest around his house.
“As kids, we loved watching it burn – we had a ball,” he added.
CFA Region 13 Operations Manager Graeme Armstrong spoke about Mr Golding’s time in the CFA, when he started as captain of the brigade at Strathmerton, before his transfer in 1949 to the Warburton Rural Brigade.
He said Mr Golding’s passion for the job was what earned him an honorary life membership with the CFA.
Mr Golding’s body was taken atop an old fire truck to the Wesburn Cemetery.
One to have the final word about back-burning, Mr Golding’s last request was for his grandchildren to throw matches into his grave “so I can back-burn the devil’s fire”.
•Norm Golding obituary, Page 27
