VALE - Noel Watson

[Christos]

My condolence for the passing of Noel.

[springwater]

Oh no

Rest in peace good man

[RETIRED]

All the above.

[Ironwood]

I'm saddened to hear that news.

RIP old Mate.

[wheelinround]

condolences to the family

[Cliff Rogers]

Bugger.

[Cliff Rogers]

More here.

Noel Watson - YouTube

[Handyjack]

So sad to here.

[Allan at Wallan]

I have very happy memories of Noel, it was always a pleasure
to meet up with him at various events.

My niece lives next door to Noel's house and I frequently joked
with him that she was keeping an eye on him to keep him on
the "straight and narrow".

Apart from the Forum activities over the years he was very
involved with the Mens' Shed at Avoca in more recent times.

R.I.P. mate.

Allan

[Chesand]

There were notices for Noel in this mornings Herald-Sun.
"In accordance with Noel's wishes there was a private cremation"

[Bob38S]

Never knew him personally, however, I classed him as a forum mate.

Condolences to all his family.

Bob

[crowie]

Only every had contact with Noel in the early days of me joining the forum were he showed me great generosity.
As then, thank you sir, Rest in Peace and may your family always remember the goods times with much love.
Cheers, crowie

[Allan at Wallan]

I notice that Noel is still showing as "Moderator" for the
Renovator entries. May be time to amend it when possible?

Allan

[CAG]

Never had the opportunity to meet Noel but I can still remember seeing his wonderful rendition of Waltzing Matilda as a kid (we didn't even watch VFL in Newcastle.)

Que Sera Sera was a fitting tribute at the top of this thread. Watch it if you haven't yet.

[Clinton1]

ahh... bugger.

In 2006 Noel sniffed out that I wanted to buy some Ironbark timbers he had, PM'd me and that led to a phone conversation.
I never managed to buy the timber from him, but in the conversation he, like a gentleman, got me talking about myself and found out that I was a soldier and was off to war again.

Noel used the saying 'use your third eye' as a reminder to me to not only watch out for my physical safety, but to also look out for my mental health.
I adopted that as my forum signature.

I ended up working with veterans of a nasty civil conflict and used Noel's saying to promote an awareness of the need to look after their mental health. The rude joke crossed cultural divides and 5 years later we still remind each other to 'use the third eye'. (Imagine lying behind your rifle.. looking foward over the sights... where is that third eye? )

Over the 2 years I spent in that conflict zone, Noel would email and phone me with a 'how are you'... a much needed life line in a situation of many very disturbing and deeply saddening events.

So, from pm to conversation to many contacts checking in on my situation in some of the darkest periods of my life... to a gentle nudging to seek support for PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder). His caring and lack of judgement is something I rarely experience.

A gentle man and a gentleman... while I will miss him, I'll follow his example and ask 'how are you?"... and follow through on the caring.

Vale mate.
I've shed a tear or two hearing of your passing, and I look forward to seeing you again.
Thank you Noel.