Messages from friends around the world

Below are messages sent from friends and associates of Harold Mackrell's in fond remembrance. 

If you wish to add your own messages here please send them to hmac1924 (at) gmail.com

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My association with Harold began in 1973, at St Luke's Anglican Church in North Fitzroy. 

Harold was a devoted member of the parish all his life and his deep faith underlay all his communiity service, in its many manifestations. He believed and practised the two great Christian commandments to love God with "all your mind, and with all your heart, and strength" and to "love your neighbour as yourself". To him, working towards social justice, a fairer and more equal world, was essential. What was so remarkable was the breadth of his activism; he did not just think global and act local, he acted global as well. His neighbour was anyone who needed support, whether at home or abroad, as can be seen in other's tributes to him. 

During the 50's and 60's, he was the mainstay of the parish youth work; by the 70's he was the person that elderly members of the parish relied on for practical help of all kinds, whether being driven to church or getting repairs done at home. In later years, he was a regular and reliable volunteer at the parish drop-in centre, which could not have functioned without his practical support. At the same time, he was still involved in innumerable other community activities, including offering a home to overseas students and keeping in touch with former housemates. Retirement didn't stop him - it only gave him more opportunity to serve others. 

Even in death, he did not want a fuss made, but to give to research that might benefit us all. He truly was a good and faithful servant.  

- Heather Stock

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Harold knew I was very tired and probably late in 2008 he offered to look after my Shetland Island Collie for a weekend so I could have a break.  How kind!   I think he still had three students living with him at the time.

When I left my dog he took me to show me his long walk.  And then through that weekend he and my dog Chessie ambled along the banks of the Merri Creek where he was most interested in its rejuvenation.  He knew every tree, plant and stone there and removed any litter he found. He was taking this walk twice a day then.  Harold was very happy while explaining his activity in this regard. As you might imagine my dog was overjoyed and clearly had a great time with him. 

It is a good memory of mine talking with him for several hours on that demonstration walk for me.  We covered much history in that time, ideas that had blossomed and others that were in the wind but which had not developed further yet in the political and mainly grassroot groups that had absorbed so much of his life.

Last week I was organising the remnant of CACR ( The Committee for Auatralia/China Relations) and found Harold’s attendance to all the meetings held at King Gussie, Camberwell Grammar by Miss Myra Roper in the early 70s and then by myself for Myra from 1987-1994.   Harold was a Committee member. In the early sixties and seventies he was active in caring for the early Overseas Students on weekends with CACR. He visited Myra in her retirement regularly.

At the time he also belonged to the Australian-Asian Association with fellow member Dr. Colebatch ( dec) and organised by Sir Edward Dunlop (dec). CACR members often attended with him. He was well known for his love of Fitzroy history and in his great and caring activity giving a home to Overseas Students for many, many years.

In more recent times he was on the Committee of MELCOS and I was privileged to organise the records he had kept for safe keeping when it was wound down.  They were sent to DFAT. These were recognised and saved by Miss Bai Ming for which observation we are all eternally grateful.

Harold knew I respected him and honoured him; I am glad that he slipped away gently from us in his sleep. He was indeed a gentleman.

- Bernadette Waldron

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Harold you've been a dear friend to our family and always have been an inspirational character to aspire to. I've always been fond of the times when you showed up with science DIY projects as a kid and your love for the outdoors, not to mention your approachable nature. Now you have gone to a better place and my prayers are so the good examples that you've set will not be forgotten in this generation. Rest in peace my friend.

My regards and condolences to Marie, Mark, Fiona and (probably not so little) Charlotte who must be grieving right now. May you find comfort in God on these trying times and let Harold's good memory bring the best out of you.
- Derek Soetardjo

The Friends of Merri Creek are saddened by the death of our valued Life Member, Harold Mackrell. Harold’s connection with the Merri began in 1975 when he was a Fitzroy City Councillor (1973 to 1976 and from 1979 to 1982 - becoming Mayor in his last year). He helped establish the group in 1988, he was a Committee member, a most reliable representative on Merri Creek Management Committee - until 2009, and a regular at litter clean-ups with his special hooked 14ft folding pole for hard to reach litter.
Harold always had a diary full of appointments and he used to say that he was busier in retirement than when he was employed.
- Friends of Merri Creek

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The Merri Creek Management Committee (MCMC)acknowledges the valuable contribution made by Harold Mackrell to Merri Creek and to the MCMC. Harold was a Friends of Merri Creek representative on the MCMC Board and/or one of its sub-committees from 1996 until 2009. Apart from his diligent committee work, we especially enjoyed Harold's fund of stories and the good humour that he brought to our annual mid-year and Christmas parties. 
- Merri Creek Management Committee

Harold was a true, thoroughly decent gentleman who worked tirelessly for his community and the things he believed in. He was always so busy, it was amazing that he kept up his appointments with a whole variety of organisations for so long. As Secretary of Friends of Merri Creek, I'm very glad and extremely honoured that Harold somehow found so much time to be a most active member of our group. 
- Ray Radford

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Harold George Mackrell OAM

" I pay tribute to Harold George Mackrell OAM, Honorary Life Member and long time Committee Member of the Australian Asian Association of Victoria (AAA) and former Vice President and longstanding Committee of the former Melbourne Council for Overseas Students (MELCOS).

For decades, Harold shared his Miller Street home with generations of overseas students studying in Melbourne offering them both friendship and wise counsel. In later years, Harold would be invited to numerous weddings and special occasions both here and overseas as their honorary “family member”.

Harold was a devoted contributor to AAA. For many years, he was organizer of badminton and other activities in the many AAA Sports’ Days for overseas students held at Fawkner Park. Harold was always present at AAA functions and activities sharing his hospitality, friendship and genuine interest in international affairs. Harold was the epitome of AAA’s objective of promoting goodwill, friendship and understanding between the peoples of Australia and Asia. In recognition of this, Harold was appointed one of the few Honorary Life Members of AAA.

During the 80s and 90s, Harold was a constant contributor and mainstay of MELCOS.  Harold was always there assisting in the organisation of, and participating in, the Annual MELCOS Welcome Days for International Students upon their arrival in Melbourne and in numerous MELCOS Hospitality and International Families’ Group functions for overseas students and their families. Harold’s objective was always to offer friendship and prevent isolation of international students during their stay in Melbourne.

For both these organisations, Harold was always able to find time for Committee work which was no easy feat given the time that Harold devoted to numerous local interests, other community organisations and to helping out those in need.

Harold will long be remembered for his willingness to share and contribute to every worthy cause, his strong sense of social justice, his genuine interest in international affairs and his hospitable and generous nature.

Thank you Harold, for your lifetime of giving and sharing and for your friendship to us all."

- David Weil

   Former AAA President and former MELCOS President

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"A great man with a great heart. I first met him when I was with the Melbourne Community for Overseas Students Incorporated. His passing will bring back many fond memories to many students and others now scattered around the world, who shared good times at Miller Street."

- Max Hall

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I knew Harold from my time working at the Brotherhood of St. Laurence in Fitzroy in 1978 until I left there in 1990 and we had many chats. I had earlier encountered him at Australia- Asian Assiciation functions, and later I caught up with him often at Australia- Korean Association and Australian - NorthKorean Society meetings and functions where we shared our common interests in North Asia. I visited him a number of times at his home in North Fitzroy and we exchanged emails a few times, but I lost contact after he moved to a nursing home. I remember Harold as a person with a very sharp mind and a strong attachment for matters of fairness,social justice and equality - and North Asia.
- Bill Ford