Mr TARZIA ( Hartley ) ( 15:55 :25 ): Today I rise to speak about the life of Clarence Charles (Clarrie) Pollard, who passed away recently. He was very much a statesman and a community legend of our local area.
He was born in 1924 and was an absolute legend of our local community. He was educated at Payneham Primary School and had an array of local and also worldwide experience. He served Australia in the war. He enlisted in the Royal Australian Air Force at only 18 years of age and served for many, many years. I believe he served in South-East Asia, Morotai and Tarakan South Islands, as well as the Philippines and Japan.
From a Returned and Services League point of view, Clarrie served on the Payneham RSL sub-branch as a member for over 60 years. He was a committee member for much of that time, including 14 years as president, and was awarded life membership. He partook in organising many projects, including the remembrance garden at Payneham, the pathway of remembrance, the federation arch, clubroom renovations and the cross of sacrifice repairs.
From a church point of view, he was a member of what was formerly the Luhrs Road Uniting Church congregation. He was an elder of the church for over 20 years, as well as an Eldercare board member for 14 years. Not only that, but his community service to our local area was phenomenal. He was a Payneham football club player and an official for about 40 years, as well as a life member. In fact, this year on ANZAC Day—and he could always be seen following the Payneham Norwood Union Football Club—Clarrie tossed a penny at the start of the football match of that club where he was a life member. He also served on the Payneham Sports Association, the Payneham Probus Club for many years, some of those years as president as well as a tours officer, and the Payneham cricket club as a player and supporter.
From a local council point of view, Clarrie was part of the 150 year jubilee (in 1986) committee from 1984. He was an organiser for the community choir and he always used to partake in the thanksgiving service, the Carols by the Creek and the grand procession, as well as other events like the bicentenary, the community choir, the Christmas carol evening and the Australia Day procession. Workwise, he served with the Adelaide City Council for over 30 years, as well as being on the ACC Employees Sick and Accident Fund Committee for 29 years, and chairman for 12 years. He went on to participate in many other activities with the Adelaide City Council.
Clarrie was zone leader for six years with Neighbourhood Watch, he participated for nine years with the Payneham and Dudley Park Cemetery Board, as well as being awarded volunteer of the year for the City of Payneham council in 1989 and the commonwealth volunteer of the year in 2001. He was also awarded an Order of Australia on 13 June 2011 for his services to the community, in particular the Payneham RSL.
Clarrie will be sadly missed. Obviously our condolences are with Clarrie's family on the passing of a good and genuine mate, and a legend of our local community. Vale and may he rest in peace.
