Life of Norm Hills

8/14/2019 Life of Norm Hills

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A LIFE WELL LIVED

NORMAN ARTHUR HILLS RIP

29/8/1927 25/11/2008

The Clock of Life is wound but once,

No man has the power to tell just

When the hands will stop,

At late or early hour

Now is the only time you own,

Live , Love, toil with a will

Place no faith in tomorrow for the

Clock may then be still.


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Norman was the 3rd child to Arthur James Hills and Nellie

Hannah Harding. Arthur started his naval career as the chief

Stocker in an English naval warship, (powered by steam) and

ended his career as a Chief Petty Officer.

Arthur and Nellie lived near Essex in the UK and were

married in 1915. After the War they left the UK for New

Zealand with their 3 year old daughter Jo (Norms eldest

sister). Connie was born soon after they arrived, and Norm

was born in 1927. Nellie was 32 years of age when she gave

birth to Norm and Arthur was 34.

Norm was born in a sleepy railway town of Ngaruawahia

(pronounced Narrowahia).

Norms Mother Nellie Hannah Harding

Norms father far left as a young stoker


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Normans childhood was a happy one, he trecked and

tramped across New Zealand on foot and by pushbike having

all sorts of adventures. Norm and his mates had all sorts of

adventures, including the time they were rewarded 2 pounds

for alerting railway authorities that a large stone had fallen

on the railway line, little did the authorities know that Normand his mate actually placed the stone on the line, then

feeling guilty the boys alerted the authorities to the trains

imminent plight! Luckily all passengers and the train were

fine.

As a young man, he commenced his 4 year apprentiship as a

Motor Mechanic in 1944 completing his qualifications in

1947.

Norms mother and father


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Mum and Dad were married in the East Kew Presbyterian

Church in Melbourne 3rd Jan 1959. Not long after they were

married they headed back to New Zealand for 3 months,

saving a little money. They then returned to Australia and

bought a caravan and started their life of adventure together.

They both hated the cold so decided to head north. Mum hadworked on Sth Molle Island for a while before she met dad so

she liked the tropics. They travelled through Queensland and

WA, working in canning factories, and other mechanic and

dressmaking/cleaning jobs as they went.

Mum and dad on their wedding day

They purchased a caravan and named it the ReluctantDragon as it was a large green beast. This was also my home

until the age of 7.


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I came along in 1967, mum was 37. We travelled

throughout QLD and Western Australia. Dad and

mum were never out of work . Dad secured many

mechanical type positions including work at the

Texada Salt Mines as a diesel mechanic and crane

operator. Mum had various jobs from dressmaking working as a cleaner, in the kitchen or as a waitress

Dad still held a heavy truck license and crane

operators license at the age of 81!

After travelling around we settled in Darwin after living in

Katherine and the Mindil beach caravan Park.

Life in Darwin was enjoyable, with mum and dad livingsimply but managing to still have a great time.

We moved from the Caravan Park where WOW now stands

to the block at Howard Springs in 1972.

Dad had also secured a position with Transport and Works

and I started School at Berrimah pre School and then

Berrimah and Howard Springs Primary School.

School holidays usually incorporated a camping and fishing

trip to the Daly, Manadorah, the Finnis or Corroboree.

They purchased the block at Howard Springs for $11000. All

that was on the block was a donga-which still stands today.

In 1974 Cyclone Tracy came along and blew Darwin away.

We were in the caravan. I can remember mum using an old

potty of mine for dad to go to the toilet in, as he was holding

a mattress up to the window of the caravan which had blown

out, he had to go but couldnt move from the window.

During Cyclone Tracy only one sheet of iron was blown off

the donga. We remained on the block after the cyclone as we

had a generator for power and the bore still pumped water.

It took 3 days to clear the block of trees to get to the front

gate.

Dad fishing on the Daly River


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Christmas and New Years generally involved a party

with many family friends who are with us today.

Mum and dad were excellent dancers.

Photo of dad and a friend erecting the Horse stable.

Dad also became an Australian citizen 25th May 1999. Gerry

Wood presented him with his certificate.

Dad was generally a fit man, however 14 years ago he had

heart trouble, this resulted in a triple bypass, however,

within 6 hours of the operation the grafts failed and he had

to be re-operated on. He was in a coma for 10 days, this was

a hard week. Against the odds he pulled though extremely

well. Cups of tea at mums were always a challenge from then

on with the powdered skim milk she used in the tea!.

Many family friends came and went during their time on theblock, the Nunans and Bickertons (now in QLD) and many

friends from mum and dads working life. Retirement was a

happy time for mum and dad-having worked dam hard all

their lives. The bowls and garden club were a big part of

their life, as was fishing. Most importantly they valued their

friendship with family and long time friends Derek and Carol,

Lyn and Kevin, Aloha and Ken, Ros and Gary, Joy and Col and

those of you who are with us today.

Dad and Frank Nunan.


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On 27th April mum passed away from a stroke. We said

goodbye to her. We were all in shock. Dad was relieved it

was quick. My cousin Ann was with mum when she passed

away. Ann has been a pillar of support this past year, we

love and thank her for this. Ann is a diamond.

In May I had Sam. Dad was chuffed. He told me many storiesover the past 7 months, some that I had never heard before.

He came out sailing with us and held a baby turtle for the 1st

time in his life. He even started learning how to sail!

However, he missed mum terribly. She was a driving force in

his life. Now they are together, on the block nourishing a tree

together.

Heres

Cheers!

Les Parents (George and Marj) with dad and Sam.

July 2008

On Bare Sand Island August 2008


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Sam July 2008

Sam August 2008

Dad at Mums wake May 2008

Mum and dad 1987


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Christmas 2007

Mum, Dad and Frank

Wedding September 2008 From Left Tanya, dad, Auntie Norma, Auntie Del, me

Les & Sam, Janice, Kerry and Pat.

Me and Dad August 2008

Wedding 2008


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I would like to thank everyone for their support, love and actions during 2008. You are all gems.

It has been one of the biggest years of my life with a mixture of elation and sadness.

Lets all look forward to 2009 and remember Pat and Norm with a smile, they were wonderful and

kind hearted people.

Life of Norm Hills

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