Editor’s Note: Neil Joiner was a significant influence in Trafalgar and his passing is a great loss.
Traf District News will honour Neil with an obituary in next month’s issue. In the
meantime, three people who knew Neil well, share their recollections.
He made us feel that the museum was a part of all of us –
Jen Middleton – Holden Museum Volunteer
Most mornings I would get a call from Neil ‘How are you going? Are you around today? We need to talk. Pop in and I’ll shout you a cuppa.’
Nothing was too much trouble and no problem could not be solved, was how Neil worked. His patience with people was amazing and he was always telling me, ‘It will be okay, we will sort it.”
As the years went on (8 years in total) I noticed it was me saying, “We will sort it”, without realising he had given me the confidence to do the work.
He was a great leader and everyone loved his passion. It was infectious. We all loved working for him and achieving our goals. Be it a new display, or just a general cleanup ready for an event. He made us all feel that the museum was a part of all of us and our achievements were well received.
Neil never stopped and I’m sure never slept, receiving emails at 2am was not unusual, I would say, “Don’t you sleep?” and he would say, “Sleeping is for the dead.”
Sleep now Neil, knowing we are keeping your dream alive.
Discussing the world over a beer – By Brendan Kingwill
I first met Neil about 25 years ago. Quite an intimidating character, a little standoffish but friendly enough. He referred to me as “upstart” and never allowed me to get ahead of myself.
I soon realised how business savvy Neil was so I started to take note of his opinion when it came to business. This became a great resource and often a sounding board for me.
As the years passed on, not only did Neil become a great friend, he allowed me to become close with his family. I got to see what a wonderful father and grandparent he was and how much he loved and cared for his famiy. This certainly made him a great role model. Neil was never short of an opinion and he expressed them with great passion. He loved a good argument and shared his sense of humour regally.
He was an extremely generous soul who backed up his passions with action.
His wisdom and humour will be missed on a Friday night as we regularly discussed all the world’s events over a beer.
His plan to have a “Common Sense” Political party may never happen, but the dream will continue.
The loss of Neil is devastating to his family and friends, but also an extreme loss to our small community.
A determined optimist with a vision – By Mary Aldred – Federal Liberal Candidate for Monash
S
ome people dedicate themselves completely to their family, some people dedicate themselves completely to their community and some people dedicate their all to a vocation. Neil Joiner’s heart was big enough to dedicate himself to all three.
It was an honour to have known Neil for over 20 years through the Liberal Party and his community work in Trafalgar. Contributions he volunteered because he believed in them. Neil loved Trafalgar. And he loved Holdens.
Neil had a vision to bring the Holden Museum to Trafalgar. For a number of years he was told why it couldn’t be done. But Neil was one of those special people in life who choose to focus on getting things done, instead of how difficult they are. Neil persisted and achieved his dream, and we are all the better for it. The Holden Museum is an ornament not just to Traf, but to our great Gippsland region.
Neil loved his family and his friends. It has been a privilege to join the table 33 crew at the Criterion on different occasions that included Neil and Annette, their son Andrew, BK of course, and Maria and the late, great Graham Davey.
Neil was a practical, no nonsense person. He was also an optimist. Every time I would phone Neil about something he would answer with a cheery; “G’day Mary, how are you?” I will miss that cheery optimism. I will also miss the persistence and practical nature of Neil. All of us are enriched by Neil Joiner’s legacy of dedication to his family, his community and his vocation. Vale Neil.
