General News
20 February, 2025
Beloved great-pop honoured with 'fireman's farewell'
A "fireman's funeral" paid tribute to Noel Tempest after his sudden death on January 4.
On January 14, a large number of Warracknabeal and district firemen and members of the local ladies' auxiliary farewelled Noel and formed a guard of honour at the cemetery.
Pall bearers Tony Winsall, Darren Winsall, Ron Zanker, Neil Adams, Colin Newell and Clinton Jonasson carried the coffin from the church to a vintage Austin fire truck from Horsham.
On the way to the cemetery he was taken for one last trip past the new fire station, the garage where he worked, the old fire station and his beloved Anzac Park (of which he was a trustee for 30 years).
"We were also comforted by the attendance of so many people from the Warracknabeal community and family and friends from all corners of Victoria," Noel's daughter Julie Scott said.
Ms Scott and her sister Jennifer descrubed their father's funeral as "not a solemn occasion to only
mourn Noels; passing but also a celebration a wonderful life 93 years long".
They said Noel Tempest "decided to make a spectacular entrance into his family’s world by being born at home" on Christmas Day 1931.
The story within the family is that his birth ruined Christmas dinner and the doctor declared after having had to leave his own table that the new baby boy must be called Noel, or Now-ell as some people pronounced it.
Noel was the youngest child of Allan and Sylvia, who already had two daughters, Evelyn and Elaine.
His big sisters were ready and willing to spoil the little boy.
The family had settled happily at Warracknabeal after moving from Melbourne.
Only once did Noel’s own children ever hear him say that he should have lived elsewhere – Warracknabeal was always where he wanted to be.
Noel attended the local primary school but school wasn’t his priority: he wanted to be out working so he started a motor mechanic apprenticeship with Amor Motors at the age of 15.
Noel went on to work for Amor Motors (which years later became Morrow Motors Aubrey Truck Sales), holding several different roles and responsibilities within the business.
During his working life he enjoyed participating in the many social events held, loved the camaraderie of his workmates and along the way made several lifelong friends.
Noel remained there until his retirement when he turned 65.
By then he had worked for the business for 50 years.
However, never one to be idle, he jumped at the opportunity to take on a caretaking role at Warracknabeal Cemetery.
This combined his need to be busy and his love of gardening: a win win.
Along the way Noel met Shirley Argent, with whom he shared a love of dancing and thoroughly enjoyed all the balls and cabarets on offer during those years.
The couple was even invited along with some of their friends to demonstrate new dance steps as, according to Noel, they were excellent dancers.
They married in 1955 and over the next seven years welcomed Jennifer, Julie and Roger.
Life was very busy with three young children, work and establishing a new home but they still managed to spend a lot of time with their extended families and ensured their children had
ample opportunities to be around their Argent and Tempest grandparents, aunts and uncles and Bell, Goad and McIntyre cousins.
Although they didn’t make a big deal of it, family connections were very important.
Life was busy but Noel and Shirley always made time for Noel’s other love: Warracknabeal Fire Brigade.
Noel joined with his friends Digger Winsall and Ocker Jonasson when they all turned 17.
Much of the Tempest family life revolved around the fire brigade.
Noel participated as a runner in many fire brigade demonstrations over the years, a particular highlight for him being competing in Western Australia.
The number of trophies in his collection showed that "they must have done all right" his daughters said.
Many family holidays were attached to such events – a bonus for his children.
Noel was a member of Warracknabeal Fire Brigade for 75 years.
One of his proudest moments was receiving the National Medal awarded by the Governor-General, recognising "long and diligent service for the protection of life and property".
He was also honoured with life membership of Warracknabeal Fire Brigade and honorary life membership of the CFA.
Noel (along with Shirley, who was also involved in the brigade) made many lifelong friends among the fire brigade family.
They supported each other in the good and the bad times and spent many a Saturday night in epic battles over card tables, with the kids left to fend for themselves.
There was also many camping trips to Lake Fyans, barbecues and Christmas parties.
Noel and Shirley always encouraged whichever sporting activities their children took up.
However, when Roger began swimming the support escalated to an entirely new level.
Along the swimming journey Noel took on role of coach for Warracknabeal Swimming Club.
Despite knowing nothing about swimming, he was not to be deterred: he bought a book, sought the assistance and advice of other coaches in the area and proceeded to coach the club.
Noel was a quiet achiever and whenever he joined an organisation he gave it his all.
He never sought recognition but worked diligently, often taking on office-bearer roles.
While a committee member of the Anzac Park Trustees during the challenging years of the drought he spent many hours simply volunteering his time working in the garden with the caretaker.
Noel loved to network and enjoyed his time whenever or wherever he was interacting with others.
He was a popular man with a great sense of humour and loved to tell stories.
If anyone complained about the dusty weather he would exclaim, “Call this dusty! Back in the '50s we got real dust."
Recalling images of disappearing fencelines he would say: "I went to work one day, the dust was blowing that hard I could hardly see.
"It blew all day.
"When it was time to go home I couldn't find my house.
"I looked this way and that and no house.
"Then I turned around, took a step and fell down the chimney.”
Noel was always well informed, giving his daughters a rundown of guest speakers at Men’s Probus (of which he was a member for 25 years) – his family was constantly amazed by just how knowledgeable he was about the town and its people.
Noel was thrilled at becoming a grandfather when Lauren arrived, followed quickly by Claire, Timothy, Simone, Amanda, Ryan and Kayla.
With only four years and three months separating the eldest to youngest it was a busy time.
The greatest upset in Noel’s life was the sudden loss of Roger in 1993.
The support he and Shirley received from their families, friends, workplace, community and neighbours certainly helped them to deal with their loss.
Noel was a "great-poppy" to 10 great-grandsons.
While he was thrilled with his great-grandsons, he would gently hint that a great-granddaughter might be nice.
He had his fingers crossed for number 11, a baby who is due to arrive shortly.
Noel's life was peppered with some significant events.
In 2010 he cheated death thanks to a couple of paramedics who happened to be in the supermarket where he collapsed.
He was subsequently gifted another 14 years of reasonably good health.
In 2015 he lost his beloved wife Shirley.
Noel filled his time in with his garden and enjoying the company of others for daily lunch at the
Royal Mail Hotel and the activities, company and support that PAG provided.
Noel was supported by his family in his wish to remain at home for as long as he could manage, and as his need for assistance in the home increased he also was well supported by the local council home-care service and his caring neighbours.
Noel moved to Yarri Lodge in October 2023.
His health deteriorated gradually, and the family was extremely grateful to Yarri Lodge for the care provided to Noel.
Noel was "a great role model and example on how to live life", his daughters said.