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Don Houston, having been a backbone of the RSL in Bulahdelah since 1995, is looking for someone younger with his commitment, to care for the War Memorial.
Don and his wife bought 650 acres in 1969 on the southern side of Bulahdelah with frontage to the Pacific Highway. They cleared the bulk of the land of Tea-Tree scrub and pasture improved over the years. In 1985 before they made the move to the property, they called 'Houston Springs', they built a two story home on the western boundary near the tree line.
Don's wife died in 2003 after a long illness which confined her to the property in the latter years. Don has gradually sold down his acres to the present house block holding of 100 acres. The proceeds he has used to buy an ideal 3 bedroom unit in a retirement complex on the waterfront at Tweed Heads near the Queensland border.
Don reported in April 2005, when the photo at right was taken that he was having a 34 foot 'Clipper' cabin cruiser fitted out in a Taiwanese ship yard. The 'Clipper' has a 225 hp Cummins diesel, with a fuel range of 600 nautical miles. He takes delivery on 25th May 2005 after it's exhibition at the Brisbane Boat Show. Don has plans to spend many hours at sea with his son Steve who is an ardent fisherman.
Don leaves Bulahdelah concerned for the prospects of the RSL sub-branch in Bulahdelah. Don spent many years building up the RSL sub-branch from being penniless entity some years ago to one in a healthy financial state. Bulahdelah has a War Memorial and meeting rooms. Don trusts that those running the sub-branch in the future will be just as focussed as he has always been on the true ideals of the RSL. Don reported that the recent raffle raised $1965 to pay for the Anzac '90th anniversary dinner'. He was somewhat disgusted and disturbed to learn that the liquor bill amounted to over $800.
The following article written by Sarah Price in 2004 for the NOTA:
Tower of strength finding it tough to carry the weight
For the past 10 years, Don Houston has been the backbone of the Bulahdelah War Memorial Trust.
The 79 year old World War II veteran has worked to maintain the Bulahdelah War Memorial Reserve, the land for which has been in public hands as a memorial since 1944.
But now, the youngest war veteran in the town does not believe he can continue with the job and the trust is in danger of dissolving.
“Everybody’s too old,” Mr Houston said. “I’ve been running it for the last 10 years. I’m 79, I don’t want to keep doing it forever.”
The trust’s main responsibility is the reserve, on which stands a hall, now used mainly as the meeting place for a weekly playgroup.
The trust expired in March and the call has gone out for new members, sadly with little success. “I want to resign but I don’t want to see it [the trust] fall over,” Mr Houston said.
Great Lakes Mayor John Chadban said the fate of the Bulahdelah War Memorial Trust was not as isolated incident.
“These sorts of trusts are dwindling with the passing of time all around the place,” Cr Chadban said.
He said that should the trust dissolve, the council had agreed to take over the responsibility and control of the reserve.
Cr Chadban said Mr Houston had been a ‘crucial figure” in the work of the trust over the past decade.
“He’s been at the forefront of the management and care of the building,’ he said.
“He works very quietly and assiduously for the returned servicemen.”
Mr Houston has been largely responsible for the maintenance of Bulahdelah’s cenotaph.
Six years ago, he raised $12,000 to improve the memorial and he prepares it for Anzac Day commemorations every year.
Mr Houston said he wanted to do that for as long as possible but he was not sure what would happen to the trust.
“It’s just one of those terrible things,” he said
Special resident recognised for achievements as reported in the NOTA 2004
Bulahdelah resident Donald Houston was nominated for the Australia Day Citizen of the year Awards, and although he wasn’t named the winner last week, his life story and experiences make him a rare and very special man.
Mr Houston’s list of achievements are long and varied, with his roles within the community including working as Honorary Secretary and Pension Officer for the Bulahdelah SL Sub-Branch for many years, as well as the War Memorial Reserve Trust Secretary and caretaker of the War Memorial Cenotaph.
Mr Houston has also helped many people obtain their right entitlements by obtaining war graves marked with headstones for their loved ones, helping war widows get their pensions and representing the sick and ill at courts.
Yet the above list is simply just that, a list, whereas anyone actually listening to Mr Houston’s stories of selfless hard work would be stopped in their tracks.
He has waded through piles of bureaucratic red tape and multiple legal complications for countless hours, helping war veterans, war widows and their families obtain their rights.
“I’ve done lots of work for veterans all over the country,” Mr Houston said, who like all heroes, is very modest about his vocation.
“The work never stops for them even after they’ve died, because their widows and families still need to be looked after.”
Mr Houston, himself a 79 year old war veteran and a stalwart of the Bulahdelah RSL Sub-branch, has been looking after others for 10 years, and shows no signs of stopping.
“Sometimes I’m up till midnight work on claims,” he said.
“But this work keeps me alive.”
“The jobs I do are good for the public. The harder they are, the more I like them. I even dispute death certificates, which are pretty tricky, but as an investigator, I know the law and I know the facts.
“It’s often very complicated, but I always have a law book under my nose.”
The law in this case is included in a heavy tome entitled “Veterans Entitlements Law,” as well as in many other similar books.
“I read every one and keep up to date,” Mr Houston said, not at all daunted by all the intricate legalities he has to know.
Mr Houston is also not daunted by the fact that he often puts his own money into the cases and claims he investigates.
Money is not the main issue for him, he simply aims to help those who can’t help themselves.
“I couldn’t give up because it was costing me money,” he said.
“I just like to see the people’s faces.”
“When you do voluntary work, you really put yourself out. I don’t expect anything back, the reward I get is helping people.”
And where do all these people come from?
Amazingly enough, from all over the country, including Sydney, the Gold Coast much further afield.
Even more amazing, Mr Houston doesn’t advertise his services.
His ‘”clients” have all heard about him through word of mouth.
Australia Day celebrates a special country and its special people, and Mr Houston would have to be one of the most special people in our area.
It’s clear that the beautifully peaceful view from his verandah, overlooking the paddocks on the outskirts of Bulahdelah, complements his beautifully peaceful and very special view of the world.
Helping your neighbour and doing unto others as you would have them do unto you is not a rule but a way of life for Mr Houston.