It was fitting that the funeral service for Yarrawonga Mulwala Golf Club Resort Life Member Ben Nowell was held in the club’s Willow Room on Monday, May 15 directly overlooking the Lake Course’s 18th hole with superb fairway, bunkers and green.
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As the course curator/superintendent from 1961 to 1990, Ben made a major contribution to that Gold Nine Par 5, 18th hole; in fact, all 45 holes of Australia’s largest public access golf course.
“You couldn’t get a more perfect backdrop,” club president Laurie Bridgeman said in the Willow Room, in a special tribute to Ben who passed away on Wednesday, May 10 and who would have turned 93-year-of-age on June 5.
Mr Bridgeman outlined Ben’s career which started in 1959 as the ground staff, head greenkeeper 1961, retired 1990, active member of the club’s bowls committee, club director six years and Life Member in 2000.
“Every person I spoke to about Ben, a continuing theme wove its way through the conversation; ‘outstanding role model, excellent technical skills, humble and honest, respectful, never remonstrating or raising his voice, held in high esteem, highly regarded, gave people a chance, always supportive of others and their community, a gentleman, a quiet achiever who got so much done and contributed so much’,” the president told a packed Willow Room.
Ben’s daughter Jan Davis of Rennie delivered the eulogy, which included the following:
“Henry Benjamin Nowell was born in 1930. The war years dominated Ben’s childhood. His father Fred was away in the RAAF and Dad his sister, Florence and brother, Bob lived in Camperdown with their mother, Mary.
“Ben grew up surrounded by neat, manicured lawns and meticulously cared for gardens, both at home and on Talindert Estate, where his father worked as a professional gardener. That love of order, and attention to detail, stayed with Ben throughout his life.
“Ben had scars from falling out of billy carts careering down the hills around town, camped with scouts and fished for eels in the Hopkins River. To Dad the only negative of his childhood was milking the house cow. He hated being smacked in the face with her mucky tail, on bitterly cold mornings.
“Dad played the E flat base in the town band, had fun driving tanks in the Citizens Military Forces, became a scout leader and trained as a St Johns ambulance volunteer. The theme of community service was already well entrenched in his life.
“Forced to leave school early due to war time labour shortages Dad worked for a supply merchant then the grocery chain Moran and Catos, a job that would change his life when in 1952 he was transferred to Yarrawonga.
“There he met a young cub leader, Shirley Willett. My parents married in October 1953 and set up house behind the mixed business Dad had bought at the lake end of Belmore Street.
“The business had a milk bar on one side and fresh fruit and vegetables on the other. Dad drove his little side valve Morris Minor to Albury and Shepparton each week to pick up fresh produce and took pride in his milk shakes and service.
“I was born in 1954 and was to be their only child. Sadly, my mother died in 1957. We moved to live with my mother’s parents, Bill and Irene Willett, at their home in Tom Street, along with their sons, Bruce and Bernie. Dad lived there for the next 30 years.
“In 1959 Ben sold the shop, and, after trying his hand at a few things, took a job at the Yarrawonga and Border Golf Club telling family, “It will do until something better comes along”.
“And something better did come along – Ben discovered his passion for turf management.
“Ben was involved with scouts for 32 years and I think the scout motto ‘Be Prepared’ epitomized his approach to life.
“The desire to learn and strive for excellence motivated Ben’s long involvement with the Victorian Golf Course Superintendents Association.
“From the time he joined in 1963 Ben looked forward to the chance to discover innovations and developments in his field. He served on the state committee and was awarded a Life Membership for his service to the Turf Industry in 1994.
“When Ben was made curator of this golf course there was little equipment or money. The shed was an old dairy where comatose possums fell out of the roof overcome by fumes from the ancient grey Fergie tractor. Only the 18 greens and tees were watered and three staff took care of it all.
“Slowly the course developed with the first watered fairways being sown using a combine and tractor borrowed from local farmers.
“Under Ben’s guidance of the course slowly expanded to 45 holes and staff increased to 20 by the time he retired.
“Building the Gold Nine in the early 80s was challenging as it required not only new construction but reconfiguring of some of the existing 18 holes, all while the course was in use.
“Ben enjoyed his harmonious working relationship with course designers Peter Thompson and Michael Wolveridge, who in turn appreciated Ben’s skill at growing grass.
“The building of the Murray Course was a major logistical and planning exercise and a project Ben approached with his usual efficiency and quiet determination to achieve an outstanding result for the club he loved.
“Family was important to Dad and my childhood was full of happy times with him and I visiting grandparents, uncles and aunts, and cousins.
“Dad was a natural teacher, starting with scouts, then graduating to teaching me to drive a ute and tractor and ride a motor bike while I helped him move sprinklers on the fairways.
“When we built our house in 1982 Dad found a willing learner in son-in-law Geoff. They carefully prepared and planted a lawn that was the envy of our friends, who regularly asked where the flag and cup was. To this day Geoff follows Dad’s instructions, always mowing the lawn at a different angle!
“Service to community was a recurring theme throughout Ben’s life. Scouts, Fathers Clubs and School Council all had his support. He was a founding and Life Member of Yarrawonga Jaycees. Later Rotary gave Ben another outlet for community service and learning.
“Local bowling clubs often benefited from his knowledge. He had a long relationship with the Yarrawonga Lawn Tennis Club, each year donating his time and expertise to turn the nearby football oval into courts for the Annual Easter Tournament.
“The local Foreshore Committee was another longstanding commitment as Dad worked to balance the need for shady trees with growing grass to sit on.
“In 1987 Ben made another life changing decision. He decided to build a house for himself in Hovell Street. It was one of the first steel framed houses in the area, an innovation he was proud of.
“Dad mentioned the lady living in the unit next door, who was a keen golfer and bowler. Ironically, they met over a problem starting Myra’s lawn mower.
“Ben and Myra were married in July 1989 and Myra turned Hovell Street into the home they enjoyed living in until March this year.
“After years alone Ben had a partner to share life with. And share they did, golf, bowls, travel, community service, and, most of all, friends.
“Ben retired in 1990. He and Myra both became heavily involved in the committee side of golf and bowls.
“With retirement came another interest for Ben. He helped Geoff and I on our farm at Rennie and was invaluable driving a tractor at cropping time.
“Free time meant Ben could pursue another hobby - woodwork. He filled their home with handmade furniture, learning skills he needed along the way.
“He continued to give his time to Neighbourhood Watch, and enjoyed the fellowship of Probus.
“One of his enduring pleasures was the friendship and companionship he shared with his fellow golfers and bowlers. Even when unable to play he still enjoyed Friday morning coffee with his Morning Glory and Nine Hole Golf mates.
“In 2020, Ben was diagnosed with Mesothelioma. As the disease took its insidious course, Ben’s health deteriorated.
“In March 2023 Ben and Myra moved to Woods Point Aged Care and were just settling into a new way of life when Ben became seriously ill.
“Throughout these trying times Ben and Myra were supported by their neighbours, golf and bowls friends and, for the past the last few weeks, the caring staff at Woods Point.”
For all of his 13 years at the club, as assistant manager, secretary manager and CEO, John Wilson enjoyed a close working relationship with Ben.
“During my time, around 10 or so of the staff used to have morning tea in the lounge around 10.15 each morning – admin, cleaning, handyman, management and Ben. When we were designing and then constructing the Murray Course, Peter Thomson and Michael Wolveridge would always join us if they were in town,” he said.
“You could tell by the way they interacted with Ben how much they respected him. Our timeframe to open the course was pretty tight but we opened on the due date.
“Peter Thomson expressed his surprise that the course was in such good condition given the time frame and made the comment that ‘Ben sure knows how to grow grass’.
“My favorite green on our 45-hole complex is the 3rd on the Executive. The new greens on the Executive were built by Ben and his team to Michael Wolveridge’s plans, unlike the Murray greens which were substantially built by contractors. Each time I play this hole in the future I’ll be reminded of Ben.
“It is of little surprise that one of Ben’s assistants, Richard Forsyth is now the Course Superintendent of Australia’s number one ranked course – Royal Melbourne.
“Ben was the worthiest of Life Members of our club and simply one of the loveliest people I’ve ever met.”
Civil celebrant Rhonda Livingstone conducted the funeral service which included the opening song ‘Time To say Goodbye’ and the closing recessional music ‘My Way’ instrumental version, in both cases to the wonderful music of Andre Rieu/Johnann Orchestra; Ben and Myra attended and loved one of their concerts.
Rhonda described Ben who “had a lot of bowling and golf mates, was a good friend to many, a true gentleman with a strong work ethic, a fine, good-heated man whose legacy will live on”.
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