Vale Noel McEwan - 1935-2025

Noel McEwan, a driving force behind establishing the Wamuran National Servicemen’s Memorial Park, will be farewelled on Friday.

Mr McEwan – who was born, lived and worked in the Somerset and Moreton Bay regions - died at Woodford Manor Nursing Village on May 24, aged 89.

He was a big supporter of the Nashos and deeply involved - from “planning through procurement to opening” - in establishing Wamuran’s war memorial.

Mr McEwan helped secure the land, raise funds, develop the area and every day for 22 years, “hail, rain or shine”, raised and lowered the Australia flag.

As curator of the park, he could also be seen regularly cleaning the memorial with a barrow, rake and blower – even when forced to use crutches.

Noel David McEwan was born at Monsildale on November 2, 1935 and followed his father as a timber cutter in forests around Jimna, Beerburrum and Kilcoy.

He won trophies as an accomplished shooter (with his father) and ballroom dancer before being called up for National Service aged 17.

Mr McEwan’s service was delayed as timber cutters were needed for power poles. But from 1954-59 he served with the 4^th Platoon at Wacol Barracks.

On returning he met Cecile Giles. Together they won dance trophies and in April 1961 married, settling in Wamuran and having three children Steven, Kerri and Janelle.

The couple brought and ran The Railway Snack Bar on Railway Tce, opposite Caboolture station, from 1976-1991 before selling and travelling for two years.

On their return to Wamuran, the McEwans helped “fight for a monument to the gallant citizens of Wamuran who answered the call for National Service”.

The Creation of the National Servicemen’s Memorial Park in Wamuran tells how Noel and Cecille took their concerns over land to State Member Bill Feldman, who was “totally aghast”.

Two years later Wamuran won its monument battle and Mr Feldman paid tribute to Mr McEwan, saying he had “the tenacity of Moses, strength of Samson and heart of King David”.

Mr McEwan will be farewelled at Traditional Funerals, 636 Morayfield Rd, Burpengary, at 2.30pm on Friday June 13.

Nashos and ex-service personnel are invited with a request for full uniform and full-sized medals to be worn as a Guard of Honour will be formed.