Redcliffe Peninsula mourns loss of former mayor, much loved community member Ray Frawley

THOSE who crossed paths with former Redcliffe City Council Mayor Raymond Frawley are paying tribute to man who was a “true blue character”, a man of his word, a visionary who saw opportunities not problems.

The Peninsula is preparing to farewell former Redcliffe City Council Mayor Ray Frawley, who passed away on August 11, 2017.

RAYMOND JAMES FRAWLEY

● May 24, 1928-August 11, 2017
● Born in Brisbane on May 24, 1928 to Stanley and Alice Frawley (nee Campbell)

● Four brothers Desmond, Brian, John and Bede

● Married Molly in 1948, had seven children, raised a niece\

●Redcliffe City Councillor 1973-1997

●Mayor of Redcliffe City Council 1976-1985

Ray Frawley.

HE was a quiet man, but his actions spoke louder than any words could.

Raymond James Frawley, known to most as Ray, was elected to Redcliffe City Council in 1973 and served a controversial three-year term during which time he was directly responsible for the introduction of open council committee meetings and rate remissions for elderly residents.

In 1976, Frawley was elected as Mayor and spent the next nine years working to improve the Peninsula he loved so dearly.

During his time as Mayor, the council had the Redcliffe Library and Cultural Centre built and the development of sporting fields around the Peninsula. The rugby union playing fields at Clontarf are named after him.

He was also involved in the development of the Clontarf Foreshore Reclamation project and the relocation of the PCYC to its present site, which allowed the club to grow beyond expectations and allowed the softball club to expand.

Ray served on the South East Queensland Electricity Board with distinction during a time of turmoil and change and served on the Brisbane Area Water Board as chairman of the finance committee for that authority. He also served as the local government representative on the Works and Housing Minister’s Advisory Committee from 1979 to 1982.

He stepped down as Mayor in 1985 but continued to serve on council until he chose to retire in 1997 — becoming the longest-serving Redcliffe councillor.

Part of his decision to step down — even though he remained so popular among the community — was to care for his young family he had with wife Molly, who he met in 1946 and married in 1948.

Molly remembered Ray as a “quiet and thoughtful” young man. They just clicked. His mother-in-law adored him and Ray blended into Molly’s family beautifully.

Molly and Ray started their own family, raising seven children — Rae Frawley, Janice Charlish, Patrick Frawley, Deborah Willett, Desleigh Fisher, Melissa Laurent, and Sean Frawley.

Their niece, Victoria, was also a part of the family after her mother — Molly’s sister Zoe — passed away.

His children remembered their father as a kind and caring man who always put the needs of his family first and foremost. His word was his bond.

Even before Ray joined the council, he was a well-known and respected member of the local community.

Ray and his new bride took over the management of the Woody Point Garage for 25 years. In the early days Molly called the garage the “confessional” because so many people called in to ask Ray for help or to solve their problems.

After completing his schooling, Ray initially began an apprenticeship as a blacksmith / welder but his love of motor cars influenced him to become an A-grade mechanic.

Throughout most of his life, Ray continued his passion for collecting antique guns, particularly colts and a joint passion with his brothers, he also enjoyed restoring old cars.

Ray’s other passions included recreational shooting, clay target shooting, horse riding, and motorbike riding. He was also an avid reader of historical books and reading good Australian poetry.

In his younger years, he was a member of the Fabulous Frawleys — a name bestowed upon Ray and two of his brothers, who excelled in athletics and competed for Queensland many times — winning gold, silver and bronze year after year.

He hung up his spikes in 1952 but not before he had won 13 State titles in long jump, triple jump, javelin and the pentathlon. One of his greatest athletic feats was winning the Queensland pentathlon team event with brothers John and Des three years in a row.

Ray was a self-confessed maverick — afraid of becoming a bureaucrat — and had a reputation as a fair-minded, straight shooter with a tenacity and bluntness that has been known to leave fellow aldermen stunned.

It was that attitude to helping others rather than himself, that saw the former mayor continue to be an integral part of many community groups during and after his time in council.

He was patron of the Murrumba Dog Obedience Club, president of the Redcliffe AH&I Society, warrant officer and president of the Redcliffe District Scouting Organisation, patron of the Lapidary Club.

He had a close association with the local Lions and Rotary clubs, was instrumental in starting the Redcliffe Toy Library, was involved in the Twelfth Flight Air League, Clontarf State High School Army Cadet Corps, instigated the Leukaemia Foundation on the Peninsula, was a prime mover in the formation of the Clay Pidgeon Shooting Club at Clontarf and in the 1960s he became joint patron of the Redcliffe Historical Society with dear friend Marle Juster.

He was awarded the Queens Silver Jubilee Medal on the August 1, 1977, an OAM in 1993 and Centenary Medal in 2001 for long service to the community through local government.

Ray was known as “Mr Wonderful”, “Mr Mayor” and in later years, his favourite title of “Pop”.

He was cared for at his home — the one built by his father — at Short St, Woody Point, by his family during his illness until the end, just as he wanted.

Family, friends, colleagues and community members have paid tribute to man who was a “true blue character”, a man of his word, a people person who believed in others, a visionary who saw opportunities not problems and a storyteller who loved the Peninsula as much as it loved him.

A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, August 23 at 10.30am at Holy Cross Church, Chelsea St, Kippa-Ring, followed by a celebration of life function at Redcliffe Leagues Club at 1pm.