Tributes flow for beloved Hervey Bay thespian, poet Ken Lee
Remembered as a loving husband with a passion for poetry and a devoted patron of community theatre in Hervey Bay, tributes are pouring in for the incomparable Ken Lee.
Fraser Coast
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Hervey Bay’s Ken Lee was a man of many great passions.
A longstanding commitment to community theatre, devoting many hours to Z-Pac Theatre.
A deep and abiding love for his wife of 70 years, Lorraine.
An unadulterated enjoyment of writing and poetry.
And all of it expressed with a joy and kindness that left an impression on everyone he met.
On Friday, January 24, 2025, tributes were pouring in for the much-loved thespian and poet after Lorraine shared the heartbreaking news of his death with his friends on social media, simply writing: “70 years together was not enough”.
When he wasn’t part of productions, he would write reviews of local theatre for the Chronicle and the Hervey Bay Observer.
Former Chronicle editor Nancy Bates remembered Ken fondly.
“Ken Lee saw the world with a twinkle in his eye and kindness in his heart,” she said.
“He enriched the Fraser Coast with his love of theatre, his witty poetry and a sense of humour that put thousands of smiles on the faces of people who knew him.
“Our world, too often awash with anger and negativity, needs more citizens such as Ken, whose unfailing courtesy, quiet sense of fun and innate wisdom showed that steadfast values continue to endure.
“His great love for his wife Lorraine shone through as the couple contributed selflessly to the community.”
In 2011, Ken won the Chronicle’s Limerick competition out of more than 300 entries.
His limerick, titled Prelude Billabong 123, was chosen as the winner by USQ Professor of English Literature Christopher Lee, who said he had enjoyed the twist at the end of the limerick.
Prelude Billabong 123
A swagman who felt melancholy
Ringing wet from the floods with no brolly
Waltzed Matilda for free
On the beach at Torquay
Watching whales until he was jolly
Mr Lee’s longtime friend and Z-Pac Theatre director Roger Jennings said Ken had never “had a bad word for anyone”.
“He was a staunch supporter of my efforts as a director in the Z-Pac Theatre and encouraged all that wanted to act or work at the theatre,” he said.
“Ken was for years our write up for all presentations at Z-Pac and must have put more bums on seats that anyone else.
“I used to pull his leg when I went to see a show he had written up as brilliant and it wasn’t.
“‘Are you sure you saw the same show Ken?’
“He would smile and, as usual ignore me.
“He would put out his poetry and skits on Facebook and there was no way we were going to say they were good, instead panning them unmercifully.
“He would wait for comments from me and then pounce.
“I never won an argument.
“He played many parts in plays I directed no part was too small and I would work hard to give home the very best sets we could build for plays he directed.
“Mind you, always criticising his directing style. It all washed over him and we got some good shows.
“I’m going to miss him so much and so will all of Z-Pac. Go with God my friend.”
Marjolijn Dudgeon was a theatre director in Hervey Bay for many years.
She remembers Ken’s wit and his support during her productions.
“He was a wonderful, warm human being who supported the arts in our local community,” she said.
“He was really loved by everyone in the theatre.”
Ken had performed in a couple of her shows and she remembered him being “very encouraging and very supportive”, a “delight to direct”.
“He was conscientious in everything he did,” she said.
“He’s going to be really missed by the theatre community.”
Liane Mills, a fellow life member of Z-Pac Theatre, said Ken had been an inspiration for many budding actors over the years.
“I first met Ken when he was directing Oliver at the Brolga,” she said.
“I was in the chorus with two of my children and he very generously gave me a tiny speaking part.
“His support and encouragement inspired me to follow my dream in theatre.
“Many years later when I was president of Z-Pac Theatre he was still in the wings, inspiring everyone young and old.
“He wrote reviews for the Chronicle for every show at Z-Pac for many years.
“I remember when it became too difficult for him to come to the theatre to review our shows he would send his lovely wife Lorraine who would report back and he would then do his review.
“His commentaries were always insightful, honest and very supportive of all cast and crew.
“His legacy is long and he will never be forgotten.”
Former councillor David Lewis, who shared a passion for the arts and theatre with Ken, also paid tribute on Friday.
“Hervey Bay, and especially its arts community has lost a special friend and great supporter in the passing of Ken Lee this week,” he said.
“Ken was prominent in the theatre scene, including as an actor, in his younger days in Sydney, and continued to be active on relocating to Hervey Bay.
“He and his wife of 70 years, Lorraine, were performers and supporters of Z-Pac Theatre over many years, among other involvements.
“In later years, he continued to keep his many friends entertained on social media with his humour, his poetry and his wisdom.
“Ken was one of the warmest, most empathetic and supportive people I have had the privilege of meeting. We will all miss him immensely.”
Fraser Coast Mayor George Seymour said Ken was “funny and thoughtful, deeply interested in the community and endlessly supportive of arts and culture on the Fraser Coast”.
In 2014, when the couple celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary, Ken and Lorraine spoke of their abiding love for each other and their five children.
In a twist of fate, the couple actually met when Lorraine was 9 and Ken was 4, with both of their parents actively engaged in the performing arts.
A photo was taken of the two together in 1935 at the Bankstown Opera Company.
From childhood, they were both involved with theatre and all things theatrical ranging from acting, singing and directing, to composing and conducting a two-day speech seminar for Opera Queensland.
Ken said it was inevitable they would one day meet again, but that wasn’t until 1953.
They were married on April 17, 1954, at St John’s Church of England, Campsie.
“She was absolutely gorgeous, and she still is,” Ken said at the time.
“She’s also very intelligent and very well educated too.”
It might be fitting to finish with one of Ken’s own poems, written at the end of last year.
Of Wax and Wane
Where goes the wax when the candle’s done?
To its maker?
to be re-strung?
Where goes our souls when we breathe last?
What matters
if we burn too fast?
Do you think we
Heaven offend
burning candles
at both their ends?
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