Dick Varley was treasurer in the Braidwood RSL Sub-Branch, says Chris Nelson in memory of his mate. “He was a great guy and kept the books by hand, in doctor’s writing, that always kept our accountant busy with deciphering it – but it was always accurate.”
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Graham Richard 'Dick' Varley (December 5, 1934 to April 10, 2018) was born in Ashgrove, Brisbane. He was the only child of Ambrose Stanley 'Dick' Varley and Helen Varley (nee Campbell). At the age of seven, Dick commenced as a boarder at Scots College, Warwick, 158 kilometres inland from Brisbane. He always spoke fondly of his school years. It was a well-rounded education, which included sport, adventure and life-long friendships.
A highlight was when the school relocated to Kingswood (the country house they were evacuated to when the Army General Hospital took over the Scots College buildings during WWII). During this time, Dick recalled being given the keys to a carpentry workshop and his passion and skills for woodwork began. His country childhood in Warwick gave him an appreciation and love of regional communities, which set the course for his life.
Dick studied medicine at Queensland University. He was a registrar at Princess Alexandra Hospital in Brisbane and then at Charleville Hospital in central Queensland. As he was 'thrown in the deep end', he described his time in Charleville as 'the year that made me'. From 1953 to 1970, Dick was enrolled in the Naval Reserve where he learnt scuba diving, navigation and all things nautical.
In 1963, Dick met Jannie (Lucille Sawkins) in Sydney. They married in London in March 1964 and then honeymooned in Paris. Dick then took up a training post at a Canadian Air Force Base in Zweibrucken, West Germany, where first daughter Jane was born. Next stop was London for further studies and then the Isle of Wight, where second daughter Kate was born. The family of four then returned to Australia via ship, with Dick working as the Medical Officer on board.
Dick aspired to make his life's work the provision of surgical services to the more remote regions of Australia. He then worked in Townsville until settling in Coonabarabran around the time third daughter Helen arrived. A fourth daughter, Anna, was born in Coonabarabran two years later.
The family lived in Coonabarabran for 21 years where Dick was a general practitioner and surgeon. Dick balanced his career with mohair goat farming, carpentry, horse riding, rockwork, German language studies, dinner party entertaining and community life including preschool fundraising, the Rescue Squad and the Bush Fire Brigade. During this time he supported environmental issues, zero population growth, the Australia Party and then The Democrats. In the 1970s he did volunteer medical work in Indonesia and Vietnam and also travelled to South Africa to gain insight to the mohair industry.
In 1989 Dick and Jannie then moved to Grafton, where he was a full-time surgeon. They both enjoyed the Grafton lifestyle for 18 years. Dick continued his farming, scuba diving, rockwork and political campaigning (now supporting Get Up and the Greens). Dick was a prolific letter writer to various papers.
Jannie and Dick created a stunning garden, including an abundant vegetable patch. During this time, three daughters were married and six grandchildren arrived: Lily, 1998; Lucy, 2000; Ted, 2001; Oliver, 2002; James (who has a remarkable resemblance to Rocky), 2003; and Daniel, 2005.
While living in Grafton, Dick had started building a self-sufficient, solar-powered stone house in Coonabarabran, with magnificent views of the Warrumbungles. When he retired, Jannie and Dick moved to Connabarabran so that he could complete his dream. Sadly, Jannie passed away from cancer in May 2009, just after the house was completed.
Dick bought a property in Braidwood in 2010. A couple of years before, he and Jannie had selected Braidwood as a place to settle for their retirement.It was in closer proximity to most of the family and the township appealed to them for many reasons. It had a friendly vibe, was a good size and offered them opportunities for community involvement. Not far from Canberra, Dick always enjoyed attending grandchildren's school functions and sporting matches; cricket, soccer, Aussie rules and rugby. He watched them keenly and encouraged them as they grew in skill.
Dick had a very strong work ethic and was always working on multiple projects. He enjoyed the journey and once he arrived at the destination, there wasn't much rest and he was ready for the next thing. Dick had strong morals and ethics, he was a man of his word, was headstrong and way ahead of his time. He held considered convictions and had a big picture, progressive view. He thought about the vulnerable and the long-game. He was onto climate change, renewable energy, electric cars, zero economic growth, recycling, reusing, human rights, ethical companies, smaller communities and assisted dying.
Dick felt he had a fortunate life and really enjoyed his final years living in the Braidwood community, including participating in the Gundillion Hall activities, the Men's Shed, Trivia at Torpeas and the RSL. He spoke fondly of the friends he made and appreciated the support they gave him.
- Thanks to Chris Nelson
