Neil died recently, aged 93.

After a career in engineering and mechanics, he moved to his Jerrara property more than 40 years ago and made a name for himself as a strong environmentalist, forming a particular passion for Jerrara Dam.

He was also extremely active with the local RSL, the Church of the Resurrection in Jamberoo, Kiama and District Historical Society, Kiama Men’s Probus and the Illawarra Weeds Authority.

He was born in Western Australia, the fourth son of a family of seven boys and one girl, before the family moved to NSW and settled in Cronulla -  his parents believing it was a great place to raise boys in the 1920s.

However the Great Depression saw them move to a small dairy farm in Pambula and they set up a market garden. They established a bartering system with neighbours, helping each other through the Depression and they always welcomed World War I veterans who were down on their luck.

At the age of 14, Neil set out on his own to work and travel Australia on his beloved Indian motor bike, gathering knowledge and life’s lessons.

In 1942 he enlisted in the RAAF and began training at Ballarat in Victoria and in 1944 and during his service in England be married Maye Marsh. Daughter Derinda arrived soon after.

He served in the war as a navigator and radio operator on bombing raids over Germany in the 460 squadron and after leaving the army obtained Associate Membership of the British Institute or Engineering Technology and a Diploma in Refrigeration – stepping stones for his working career.

After returning to Australia he received a Bachelor of Engineering in Mechanics and Electrical from the University of Sydney and followed that with Air Conditioning, while son Geoff and daughter Jill arrived.

He served 28 years with Beverley Hills Lions Club and this was just a start, as several speakers at his funeral shared their reminisces of his involvement on many community groups, where he was always a hard worker and up front when it came to suggestions of ways of assisting the organisations.

His work in eradicating water hyacinth, which was choking his beloved Jerrara Dam, was also applauded.

The regard with which he was held with the RSL saw him afforded an RSL service and a rendition of the Last Post.