LILYDALE RSL

Vale Don Parsons

The Lilydale RSL President, Don Parsons sadly passed away in early May. Don was a great friend to Lilydale High School. He was instrumental in developing the idea of utilising Ralph Goode, the first man in Lilydale to enlist in World War I in our mural, located on the side of the Administration Building.

Don involved all of the local schools in the commemoration events that he organised such as Anzac Day, Remembrance Day, Vietnam Veterans’ Day and also the centenary of the deaths of those Lilydale men who died whilst fighting for Australia in Gallipoli and on the Western Front.

To assist our students who visited our sister school in France, Don and a local historian spoke to those students about how to research a soldier from the local area. When in France, our students held a short commemorative ceremony at their grave or memorial site to acknowledge their service.

Don served in the Royal Australian Navy for 34 years, was a Justice of the Peace, loved a strong cup of coffee and the chance to talk at length about every topic with great passion. He will be missed.

Don with Shelby Parsons (no relation) at the commemorative service for the centenary of James Drummond Burns’ death in WW1.

Don at the commemorative service for the centenary of Thomas Henry Goodall’s death in WW1.

Kristy Mays

VCE Humanities Teacher