On this day 33 years ago a Pioneer of Beerwah passed away. His name was Victor Donald Smith. His was a vital part of Beerwah’s history and contributed to Beerwah’s growth and prosperity. Missed by the grandchildren of this man, Kathleen Evan (Smith) & Diane Paes (Smith). Never forgotten, Always Loved. R.I.P. Pop Smith 02-01-1901 – 21-07-1982
The attached newspaper clipping reads as follows: The death of Victor Donald Smith, aged 81 years, in Maleny Hospital came as a shock to his family and a wide circle of Beerwah friends.
Born at Strathpine and educated at the Albany Creek State School, the late Victor Smith went to settle in Beerwah in 1924 and remained there until his death.
As a young man he worked in the timber industry for the Simpson family. His interest in horses encouraged him to take over a horse team hauling logs from Peachester to the Beerwah sawmill. Two such trips was a daily routine.
His services as a blacksmith was regularly called upon to shoe horses,and hand make chains of all sizes for the trimesters.
Later he worked in the Beerwah sawmill at various jobs, and served under manager Gordon Palmer, a well-known Beerwah resident.
Joining the A.I.F. Vic Smith saw active war service in New Guinea, and after four years in the army he returned to his job at the sawmill. He then worked there for many years.
In 1924 Mr Smith married Norah Agnes Moore, in the first wedding celebrated in the Beerwah Church of England. Mr Gordon Palmer gave the bride away and the wedding march was played by his wife.
Mrs Smith came from the St George area where her family owned a well-known grazing property “Quibet”.
The deceased is survived by his wife and five children – Gloria (Carbrook), Donald (Beerwah), Douglas (Carbrook), Ormonde (Beerwah), and Victor (Cairns). One daughter died some time ago.
Victor Smith was buried in the Beerwah cemetery amid the pine plantations where, in his youth, he felled timber to make way for pine plantings.
Victor Donald Smith (02-01-1901 till 21-07-1982)
Editors Note: This article was submitted by a subscriber to the Beerwah Facebook Page http://www.facebook.com/Beerwah
We welcome all Letters to the Editor and do our best to publish all news and information sent to us.
Kathleen Evans – Can’t believe this was 33 years ago!
Yes feeling quite old
Hi Kathleen, starting to do a family tree of the Moore side and Norah Moore (Smith) was my great grandma that I never new. I am the grandchild of one of her daughters Mary Jean Moore of Miles. Need to know a few things if possible. Please contact me, as I am stuck on a few things. regards Shandra
Hi Sandra
My name is Diane Pars I am the eldest grandchild of Pop * Nana Smith
I knew your great grandmotherary Sharp & have a Family Tree on Mana
Regards Di Paes phone available if tequired
Hi Diane,
I would love any information that you could give me about my great Grandmother and would love to have your family tree to look over as I do not know the father of my grandmother.
I would love to have your phone number, so we can have a chat or meet in person over a coffee if you live near Caboolture Qld
Thanks
Shandra
hi.
norah moore was my aunty I did not know anything of her before she married vic smith. was she married before and to who. how many children before married to vic smith and how many brothers and sister .
Hi Graham my name is Diane daughter of Douglas Victor Smith eldest grandchild of Vic , Norah Smith. My Nana had to 3 Daughters to z Shearer . She was unwed, given a Dowery by her parents while carrying the last grill. Born 25/4/1924 named Gloria. Meet Pop at Beerwah && married in October 1925. Gloria was raised as Pop’s child & 4 brothers followed Donald John Peter, , 1926
Douglas Victor 1927 Ormond 1929 , Malcolm Victor1932. To my knowledge the only surviving being Uncle Vic Malcolm
Regards Di
Hi Di .. I’m not a descendant but I recently came across a photo of your grandmother Norah and I’d really like to understand more of her life story. Could I please contact you?
hi.
nora gean smith who married victor smith was m aunt .and victor smith as m uncle and was m dads brother.i do not no an thing or her side . she had a daughter gloria before she as married and i knew her. uncle vic told her he was not her father hen she grew up gloria told me it hurt her as she loved him. so as gean married before and ho man children did she have.before she married vic smith.
can ou give me some info about her please.
cheers graham smith
Hi my name is Diane 2dt hit and child of the Smith Moore marriage. I remember Mary Sharp who was thec1 st born child to Oprah Agnes Moore the father of Mary was a Sheared& to more Faugyhrtd were born to my Nana & him. Joan ?& Gloria who was raised by Pop Smith & only found out her real Hertiage at the age of 18. When she went to enlist in WRAAF. Interesting Family Tree & have more details if required
Cheers Di Paes nee Smith 1955 model
Hi Diane .. I tried a month or so ago to get in contact with you – I’m doing a piece about family trees on ABC Radio and Norah Moore came up – could you please urgently contact me via the email on this comment? Thank you – Bern Young
my grandmother lena may moore aka joan was one of norahs daughters norah concealed her birth google search there is a police report my grandmother was put in an orphanage i dont belive norah ever spoke or contacted my grandmother anyway pass the sadness of that era there are many relatives through norah who would love to reconnect we cant change the past but can change the future so if anyone has done a dna test you will find family you never knew existed
Hi, Norah was my great grandmother and I have done a lot of research.
Norah first born was a girl named Lena (she was a little person) then she had another baby (unknown sex) which was a stillborn and Norah was charged in 1921 of a concealment of a birth. Then she had my grandmother Mary Jean in 1922 no fathers name on birth certificate. Then she had Gloria. Norah meet Victor Smith in 1924 and Victor did not want the Two older girls so they were sent off to an orphanage at Nudgee convent where she stayed until 18 years of age. Lena stayed only for awhile and then went off to live with her uncle.
I would love to get more information.
Thanks
Shandra