General News
6 September, 2022
District Obituary: John Martin Brennan
JOHN Martin Brennan was born at the Warracknabeal Hospital on September 2 1929 to John (Jack) and Kathleen Brennan.
JOHN Martin Brennan was born at the Warracknabeal Hospital on September 2 1929 to John (Jack) and Kathleen Brennan. He joined his oldest sister Phyllis, and the family was completed in 1933 with the addition of brother Michael Geoffrey, better known as Geoff.
John attended Brim State School and one year at Warracknabeal High School before becoming a full-time farmer where he commenced education at his favourite institute- the University of Life.
John loved the farming life. He loved to plant, grow and create. He always had a pencil and a paper or a timber off-cut nearby so he could sketch out his ideas, and record his measurements, always searching for a better way.
John was self-taught in everything he did, from building sheds to reconditioning engines, making his own farm equipment...the list goes on and on.
He would read as many books as he could to learn these skills then simply adapt them to what he needed. He became a font of practical knowledge which he was willing to share with anyone who asked for his help.
In 1947, John commenced playing football for Brim and was part of the 1948, ‘51 and ‘52 Premiership teams. He was voted as the most Consistent Player in 1951 and the club’s Best and Fairest and League Runner-up Best and Fairest in 1952.
He represented BRim playing in Southern Mallee interleague teams and in 1950 he played with Warracknabeal under a permit arrangement but injured his knee four games in putting an end to the season,
Little did he know then that these two clubs would combine in his future and four generations of his family would eventually play for both clubs.
John married Margaret Mary Scott Granaland at St Mary’s Catholic Church on April 12 1958 and they became parents in January 1950 with the birth of Tony, followed by Tim in July 1960, Sue in February 1963 and Cate in April 1969.
John enjoyed playing golf with the Brim Golf Club where he also held various club positions including President, and he achieved success as both the A and B Grade Champion and was honoured to receive a Life Membership in 1969.
In 1970 the Brennan family moved from Brim to Warracknabeal and John fondly remembered the Brim and Warracknabeal years as a time of laughter, love, family and friends.
At heart, John was a caretaker and he enjoyed working alongside St Mary’s school and Church communities as well as the Warracknabeal and Brim Cricket and Football organisations where he took on many roles and responsibilities.
These roles and responsibilities included collating and writing the clubs’ histories, ‘100-year history of the Warracknabeal Football Club’ launched at the club's centenary celebrations in 1986, and ‘The History of the Brim Football Club 1982-1996' launched at a social night in 1998 where John received a Life Membership to the Club.
John was also honoured to be a Board member and then President of the Warracknabeal District Hospital and enjoyed writing the hospital’s history in his book titled ‘One Hundred Years of Tender Loving Care’ which was launched at the Hospital’s Centenary celebrations in 1991.
In 1983 John accepted the role of Acting President of the Warracknabeal Football Club and welcomed his first grandchild, Daniel Brenna, to Anthony and Debbie Brennan. Sadly, three days after Daniel’s birth, Timothy passed away from a six-month courageous battle with leukaemia.
John would become a grandfather two more times with the addition of Chelsea Brennan in 1986 and Harley Brennan in 1989, to Tony and Debbie Brennan.
After 75 years of living in the Wimmera and Southern Mallee, it was time for a substantial change and in 2004, John and Margaret relocated to Clifton Springs where they created another beautiful home. In that same year, John welcomed a son-in-law when Sue-Ann married Gavan Inkster and three years later another son-in-law when Catherine married Steven Schreck.
In 2013, John became a GreatGranfdather for the first time and at last count he was Great Pop to seven Great Grandchildren- Sonny, Franklin, Isaac, Lenny, Olivia, Jacob and Gigi.
In 2016, John and Margaret moved into a smaller home at Bellarine Lakes in Moolap and in 2018, they celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary which was a great celebration with family and friends gathering to share memories and to toast the loving couple.
Over the past 10 years, John experienced several health issues that slowed him down physically but in no way did they stop him mentally as his mind and memory remained sharp.
John continued to research Warracknabeal and Brim histories as he was enthusiastic about keeping records and reminding future generations of what was achieved before them.
In March 2022, John was diagnosed with leukaemia and with Margaret and his family close by, he made his way to heaven on the evening of Sunday, August 7.
John will be remembered as a kind man who was dedicated to his family.
Although John didn’t like the spotlight, his spirit was never stronger than when he could help others and his smile never larger than when his family was together.