Mells OAM (Pat) Patrick
| Type of person | Individual |
|---|---|
| Also known as: | Pat |
| Date of birth | 25-7-1934 |
| Place of birth | Kent, England |
| Date of death | 25-3-2013 |
Patrick (Pat) was born at Sutton-at-Hone in Kent England on the 25th July 1934, during the great depression, the only son of George Edward Mells BEM and Eva Joy Chitty. I started Primary School at Wilmington near Dartford in Kent in 1939. In 1941, due to the bombing in World War 2, I, with my sisters, was evacuated to a village called Offwell in Devon until 1944. On returning home I returned to my previous primary school for one year, before commencing secondary education at Dartford Secondary School for Boys. I left school a 14 and started as a day pupil at Hextable Horticultural College, while working at Ladd’s Nursery at Swanley Kent; later to take up an apprenticeship as a carpenter and joiner.
At eighteen I was called to do Nation Service, I joined the Royal Air Force and was posted to 390 MU. Seleta in Singapore. On returning to England in 1955, my family had moved to southern England to a place called Fareham in Hampshire. I then resumed working as a carpenter and joiner and eventually became a licensed builder. There I met Carole and we were married in 1961. We have two children Debra and Andrew.
We emigrated to South Australia in 1969 and lived in Fairview Park for five years before moving to Gawler; where I carried on business as a home builder.
In 1978 I was invited to join Gawler Lions Club. I have been President twice and became District Governor in 1995-6 and have been involved in many projects of Lions and the Community, recipient of James D Richardson Honor Award, Melvin Jones Fellow, Life Member of Lions International, Citizen of the Year Gawler Town 2003 and Order of Australia Medal 2007. I have been a member of Gawler A H & F Society Management Committee for ten years [President 2007-8] and currently Vice President of Northern Agricultural Shows Association.
Carole and I have five grandchildren, Alyssa, Shannon, Leighton, Garry and Renee and are now retired.
Pat Mells passed away March 25th 2013. Please read his eulogy below.
To show my faith in the worthiness of my vocation by industrious application to the end, that I may merit a reputation for quality of service. For those who don’t know that is the first two lines of the Lions code of ethics. Pat lived by this and certainly demonstrated this quality throughout his life.
According to Wikipedia Patrick means Noble man, I am sure that you will agree that fits Patrick Mells to a tee.
Pat Mells has been a friend and Lion Colleague for the past 28 years, he was a dedicated Lions and Community leader, Pat has been a passionate member of the Gawler Lions Club for the past 35 years and an extremely staunch Community Leader involved in many and varied activities in Gawler. This was Pat’s Life.
Pat was President of the Gawler Lions Club twice 1992/93 and 2001/02 he was Secretary 4 times 2004/05, 2009/10, 2011/12 and 2012/2013. He also has the honour of being bestowed a life member of Lions International.
For many years Pat had great pride in organising the annual Lions Youth of the year programme. He built a rapport with local schools and identities and each year organised the event which was greatly enjoyed by the young people their parents, teachers and our Lions Club.
Pat not only was dedicated to our local Gawler Club but took on varied roles in the Lions District Cabinet; he was a Zone Chairman, Lions District Governor 1995/1996 which he and Carole enjoyed the travel and friendship of this position.
He was State Disaster Coordinator on the Lions District Cabinet from 2002 to 2009; one of the major events in that time was the devastating Port Lincoln bushfires Pat was closely involved with this event.
Pat was awarded a Melvin Jones Fellow which is the highest honour bestowed on a Lion, he was also awarded a James D Richardson award and a Star award for his distinguished service to Lions.
He has been the Coordinator of the Lions Work at the Gawler Railway Station in the Adopt A Station programme, in latter times Pat has been very effectively using work for the dole participants with great success.
Pat in 2012 coordinated the renovation of the old Gawler Railway Station Kiosk into a Lions Den, a meeting room to be used by Lions and many other groups. This is a project without Pat Mells would not have happened.
In 2003 it was a very proud moment for Pat as he was awarded the title Gawler Citizen of the Year. In 2007 this award topped it off when he received an OAM for services to the Community, a truly deserved award.
In 1989 the Lions District Convention was held in Gawler and Pat was responsible for the functions and entertainment at the convention and as you can imagine it was an extremely spectacular event, for many years this Convention has been considered by many as the best Convention ever, thanks to Pat Mells.
Pat was very passionate and committed to the Youth programmes of Gawler like the Youth Shak, he was closely involved in the push for the Skate Park which I understand has now been accepted by Council, he worked with Council to push for the appointment of a new Community Development Officer, this was also successful just 4 months ago, he was also involved in launching Gawler as a child Friendly Town which is a UNICEF initiative.
Prior to Pat’s retirement, in his working life he was a popular local home builder and I am sure there are many people here today who would have had a house built by Pat Mells.
Pat was an extremely dedicated member of Lions and a passionate supporter of the Gawler Community he was much loved by all, and I only hope there is a little bit of Pat Mells in all of us.
Please click here to view photos of Pat Mells.
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