Hundreds farewell much loved GHM local
OVER 400 people packed into the Gregson & Weight Chapel at Caloundra last Monday May 27 to celebrate the life of Lorraine McNamara.
By all accounts a beautiful and brave woman who fought her untimely illness until the end. Lorraine will be remembered by many; especially throughout the Glass House Mountains community, as someone who dearly loved her family, fast cars (including her beloved mustang, ‘Black Pony’) and family history.
Lorraine Jennifer McNamara (nee Morgan) was born March 30, 1952. Fondly known as Lol, Lorraine was born at the District Hospital in Maleny, and was the fifth and only daughter of George and Thelma Morgan and sister to her four older siblings, Des, Barry, Glen and Keith.
Growing up on the family farm in Glass House Mountains, Lorraine enjoyed a childhood of fun and freedom; swimming in the creek with a rubber tube from a car or tractor, playing hopscotch in the sand and playing games of cricket.
As a teenager, Lorraine enjoyed sewing and making her own clothes, and like many young people of the time, spent most of her socialising days at the Drive-In movies or at the beach.
Lorraine worked at various places in Glass House including the local 4Square store. This is when she bought her first car, an Austin A30, just the start of her life-long passion for cars.
Eventually Lorraine moved to Brisbane for work and met her husband Kel at the Souths Rugby League Club one Saturday night.
Describing the initial meeting to long term family friend Brian Machin who delivered the eulogy at Lorraine’s service, Kel said he saw Lorraine’s beautiful face and long hair.
“I asked her to dance and the rest is history,” Kel recalled.
In 1973 Lorraine was given the opportunity to visit her family in the UK, which ignited another passion – Lorraine’s love of family history.
On Lorraine’s return from England, Kel was waiting with a ring and a proposal.
Their first child Callan was born in December 1975. and in January 1981, their daughter Kele-Jane was born.
The family of four lived on the Gold Coast for several years but always made time to come up to Glass House Mountains to visit family.
Eventually Lorraine and Kel moved back to Glass House Mountains and built a home on their own piece of Morgan family land.
In 1999, Kel and Lorraine took a gamble and founded their own business KLM GAS.
One of the benefits Lorraine would say of having their own business was being able to look after her beloved seven grandkids.
Lorraine’s passion for the area led her to become involved in the community, especially with the RSL.
Her father George, along with others, was a founding member of the Glasshouse Country RSL Sub-Branch, serving as an active member for over 50 years. In 2020 a refurbished room at the RSL was named in the Morgan family honour.
Family friend and President of the Glasshouse Country RSL, Brian Machin said Lorraine would be sorely missed by everyone who knew her .
“She fought the fight, was stoic until the end, and never complained. She felt great comfort in being surrounded by her loving family and friends,” He said.
Member for Glasshouse, Andrew Powell gave a heartfelt reading of the poem ‘Do not stand at my grave and weep’ at Lorraine’s service.
“Lorraine was a superstar. One of those true locals that our hinterland is built on,” he said.
“She gave so much back to her community in so many ways, and her warm personality drew everyone to her.”
Daughter Kele-Jane said her mother was a ‘lead foot’ and a ‘rev head’ who was loved by all.