Bruce Neal, leading Men’s Probus in the big parade in 2018 along Belmore Street to celebrate Yarrawonga’s 150-year-old birthday.
World War II veteran Bruce Neal of Mulwala, who delivered so many addresses to thousands of students at Yarrawonga and Mulwala schools about Anzac Day, passed away on February 8 aged 96-years.
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A Memorial Service was conducted by The Venerable Neil Hicks of St Cuthbert’s Anglican Church Yarrawonga last Friday at 2.00pm, concluding at 3.00pm with a fly over organised by Yarrawonga Mulwala RSL Sub-Branch, above Kennedy Park opposite the church.
Wonderful tributes were delivered by daughter Sue, sons Rob and Andrew, and oldest granddaughter Bianca. Bruce and Joy moved to Mulwala 35 years ago.
“It’s a wonderful community and Bruce had a widespread involvement,” Rob said. That involvement included Yarrawonga Mulwala RSL Sub-Branch and Men’s Probus where he was made a Life Member of both organisations, Mulwala Progress Association and St Andrew’s By the Lake Anglican Church Mulwala.
A long time ago! Joy and Bruce Neal.
“He had humour. He was a giver and had all the good qualities in bucketloads,” Rob said.
Andrew thanked everyone who knew his Dad and singled out Wandoo Court next door neighbours Judy and Peter Barlow for their wonderful friendship, especially Peter’s jobs around the house over many years, and carer Candy Hammond for her excellent help.
Sue mentioned the children’s upbringing in Melbourne, describing her father as “an outstanding and amazing dad” who showered all his children and subsequent grandchildren with so much love.
“At school he loved sport, particularly football and cricket.” That football ability resulted in him playing a handful of games at the highest level in Australia, with Hawthorn. “Bruce was in AWA radio for 42 years, becoming Victorian State Manager,” Sue said.
Fr. Hicks said his more recent relationship with Bruce and other parishioners was unfortunately and sadly reduced in person because of Covid restrictions and recalled the phone calls made by Bruce during those times. “Father Neil, it’s Bruce Neal here!” he’d start off.
“Bruce was generous, loving, caring and would fight for causes. He’d get wound up. Only very recently he wrote to the Prime Minister to pipe water from Lake Argyle (WA) to provide ample water for all of southern Australia. He donated to Fred Holland Foundation. It’s good to be passionate about the right things. His love of God shone through.”
An RSL Service was conducted by sub-branch president John Burn who outlined Bruce’s war history. That included enlisting with the Royal Australian Air force on June 18, 1943 employed as air gunner and upon discharge, on December 12 1945, as flight sergeant.
The highly decorated war veteran loved educating students about Anzac Day and students learnt so much from Bruce. For many years, he imparted substantial knowledge to students throughout Victoria.
Bruce’s wife Joy, passed away in 2015 at the age of 88, with the also largely-attended funeral conducted at St Cuthbert’s Church. Joy was a brilliant golfer, the lady president and seven-time lady club champion at Riversdale Golf Club. In 2017, she was posthumously made a Golfing Legend at Riversdale.
Joy and Bruce were well regarded performers on the big Yarrawonga Town Hall stage with Allegro Theatre Company Yarrawonga. Joy was also a leading light in the Yarrawonga Mulwala Ecumenical Choir.
Five Cessnas, led by a Cessna Bird Dog, flew over Kennedy Park as a mark of respect to Bruce. Fly over pilot John Williams at Tocumwal described Bruce as “a lovely old man” whose company was enjoyed by all the aviation pilots.
“He trained as a pilot at Narrandera and came back to Tocumwal. We took Bruce on several trips late in his life to bring back some memories for him. He loved them.”
Following the funeral service by Yarrawonga Mulwala Funeral Services, mourners recalled fond memories of Bruce Harley Neal over refreshments at ClubMulwala.
