It’s difficult to convey the sadness when an enduring member of the Upper Yarra community passes, and in such a small and tight community each passing is recognised.
That loss has certainly been felt in the Warburton community with the sad loss of father, Justice of Peace and much-loved local Keith Thomas, who on 16 October passed away peacefully at age 93.
Mr Thomas was well known in Warburton and of the 93 years he lived in the area, 55 of those were dedicated to being a Justice of the Peace.
Appointed to the role in April 1961 he was only 36-years-old when he took on the mantle – the minimum age required to apply.
“The police needed a Justice of the Peace, and they asked me, so I made an application,” he told the Mail in 2016.
“At the time I was only 34 so I had to wait as the minimum age was 35, but when I turned 35 I applied for it and on 28 April 1961 I was appointed as a Justice of the Peace.”
Right until the end he was practicing as a Justice of Peace and during his time pin the role saw it change dramatically,
In his earlier years his jobs would include signing police warrants, but later in life his main duties involved witnessing documents and certifying copies.
As one of the few Justices of Peace in Warburton he was well known by all and while he no longer lived in the area towards the end of his life he made regular trips to his home there.
O’Shannassy Ward Councillor, Jim Child described him as an absolute gentleman and even a mentor.
“He was just part of the community and was always in strong support of the upper Yarra community,” Mr Child said.
When interviewed in 2016 about his life in Warburton Mr Thomas said he had been very lucky to be so heavily involved in the fantastic community there.
“I’ve been very lucky to live in Warburton, it has given us a good living and I’ve tried to give that back to the people who live there,” he told the Mail in 2016.
A service for Keith Thomas will be held at the Heritage Pioneers Chapel, 1416 Healesville-Kooweerup Road, and Woori Yallock on Wednesday 24 October at 11am.
