Community & Business
9 January, 2025
Clifton loses tireless volunteer
It was a difficult Christmas/New Year period for many in the Clifton district following the death of prolific Clifton & District Historical Society and Meals on Wheels volunteer Dave Burns on Monday, 30 December.
Fellow Historical Society member and close friend Linda Nicholas shared some information about Dave’s life.
“Dave Burns was a staunch supporter of various local community organisations and was well-known and highly regarded, in particular for his roles with Clifton & District Historical Society, initially as an active volunteer; then assisting with computerising Secretarial duties; acting as President during the final years when the Clifton Museum was in limbo after the Old Butter Factory was deemed unsafe and was closed,” Ms Nicholas said.
“Dave’s other roles included Treasurer and master organiser of the new Clifton Museum build.
“He was the ‘glue’ which held everything together.
“Dave was a gifted co-ordinator, excelled in problem solving, had an amazing memory and asked for little recognition of his many achievements.
“He was awarded a well deserved Clifton & District Historical Society Life Membership in 2022.
“Dave also gave his time whole-heartedly to his roles as Treasurer and Secretary for Clifton District Meals on Wheels from 2014 - late 2022.
“Clifton M.O.W. won the Australia Day Community Group award in 2022.
“Dave spent many hours organising and co-ordinating rosters for volunteers and delivery of meals around the district, with the particularly onerous task of dealing with added paperwork during those difficult Covid years.
“He continued to personally deliver meals after he’d resigned from the main roles, right up to 20th December 2024.
“Dave became an active member of Allora Historical Society when he moved to that area, where he also made a valued contribution.
“Earlier in 2024, he joined the Allora Men’s Shed where he enjoyed helping with carpentry projects.
“Dave was a very complex and humble human being and also a caring person with a bright enquiring mind and helped many with his practical skills, a quietly brave man who passed away in Toowoomba Hospital with family members present.
“His epitaph could well read ‘I did it my way’.
“He will be sadly missed by those whose lives he touched.”
There will be an Informal Gathering to celebrate the life of Dave Burns.
(In accordance with Dave's wishes there will be no Service).
Date: Saturday 11 January from 10a.m. til 12noon at Clifton Citizens Hall, 8 Meara Place, CLIFTON 4361
For catering purposes please RSVP by Thursday Jan 9th, to Brad Jones bradjones2014@bigpond.com or 0419 767 468
Please note CLIFTON MUSEUM will be CLOSED Sat 11th January as a mark of respect for Dave.
