Long-time Theebine resident and poet Warren Dakin has bridge named after him

The naming of a new Gympie region bridge after a fifth generation cattle farmer, poet and community stalwart has heralded a change in the way Gympie council does things.

A one-lane bridge over Sandy Creek on Scrub Rd in Theebine became a landmark on Saturday after it was named after the late Warren Dakin, a fifth generation cattle farmer and poet who gave his time and life to the community.

Gympie regional councillors Dolly Jensen and Bruce Devereaux attended with a significant gathering for the town’s population to commemorate the naming of the bridge on June 3, 2023.

Memories stirred as the side of the road filled with more than 50 people standing to honour their well-loved friend and family member.

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Warren Dakin Bridge has been named after a fifth generation farmer, stalwart and volunteer who gave his life and time to the community of Theebine. Picture: supplied

“If It Don’t Rhyme, It Ain’t Poetry,” was a signature poetry book of Warren Dakin, who died in April 2022, and his wife, Kathleen Dakin followed him six months later.

Both Mr and Mrs Dakin held a special place in the community’s heart.

Mrs Jensen said the bridge was specifically named Warren Dakin because back in the 1970s, Mr Dakin, frustrated at being unable to get his cattle truck over the narrow and broken bridge called up the incumbent councillor Norris Blair to complain.

“He got high after a few beers, and right in the middle of the night called Norris Blair who said, ‘You know what time of the night it is?’” Mrs Jensen said.

“A few months later he (Mr Blair) did the courtesy of letting Warren know the bridge was fixed by ringing him at midnight.”

The story will be memorialised in stainless steel plaques beside the bridge, Mrs Jensen said.

Warren Dakin Bridge has been named after a fifth generation farmer, stalwart and volunteer who gave his life and time to the community of Theebine. Members of the Dakin family stand under the bridge in respect for their beloved relative. Picture: supplied

Mr Dakin will also be remembered for giving Gympie council a new naming policy.

When Mrs Jensen brought the motion to council to name the bridge after him, backed by 300 signatures on a last minute petition, it drew much discussion.

During the 40 minute discussion, Mayor Glen Hartwig pointed out that the council had a naming policy for structures, but not bridges.

It was a sore point for council after a seat in Tin Can Bay, named after Ron Jensen (no relation to Mrs Jensen), took almost 27 years to get cleared by council.

At the time, Mrs Dakin was sick in hospital, and Mrs Jensen pushed to have the bridge named before she died.

“Adrian Burns said that he could get a naming policy done within the month, which they did,” Mrs Jensen said.

“When the vote went through it was unanimous and Kathy was lying in hospital watching, so it was one of the last time things she remembered.”