World War I veteran loved life on the land JACK MAYNE 1895-2000 One of Australia's last World War I heroes passed away peacefully in his sleep at his home in Toowoomba on October 20. Jack Mayne had celebrated his 105th birthday with his family in September. Jack saw service on the Western Front as an artillery gunner. He hated the futility of war and could not wait to resume his career on the land which had started pre-war as a jackaroo on Banget in western NSW. When he bought his first selection in the Gayndah district in 1926 he felt he had started on his boyhood dream and ambition of owning and running his own property. This dream culminated when he bought Wealwandangie, a top property in the Springsure district which is still in the family. Jack and his wife Kitty (nee McDiarmid) had four sons, and he was immensely proud that he was able to start each one on properties in the Springsure/ Rolleston area. Jack retired to Toowoomba with his second wife Kathleen (Kitty passed away in 1955). He continued his constructive role with his advice and knowledge on all the family properties. He set high standards, in particular his commitment to leaving the land more productive than when he acquired it and, importantly, environmentally safe. This dedication to the land and care for the well-being of future generations is the legacy he would most like to leave. Jack was a very private person who shunned publicity. He described his greatest achievement in life to be the respect and love of his family, his friends, his love of the land and abiding love and faith in the future of Australia. His sons said the following passage described Jack to a tee: "There is no failure except in no longer trying, There is no defeat except from within, No really insurmountable barrier Save our own inherent weakness of purpose." He lived by this belief in himself, strengthened by self-discipline and commitment to excellence. Printed in "The Chronicle", Toowoomba 7 November 2000. We use and recommend NOD32 Anti-virus software