Cairns farewells farming legend Alfred ‘Bill’ Wah Day, 92

Born in Cairns in 1932, Alfred “Bill” Wah Day grew up on the eastern side of the Trinity inlet next to the creek that bears his family’s name where he would take over the family farm growing sugarcane and their iconic Lychees.

Shirley and William Wah Day. Photo: Supplied

Born in Cairns in 1932, Alfred “Bill” Wah Day grew up on the eastern side of the Trinity inlet next to the creek that bears his family’s name where he would take over the family farm growing sugarcane and their iconic Lychees.

Alfred known to many as Bill or William passed away on December 4 at the age of 92 leaving behind his contribution to his families legacy as pioneering farmers in the Far North.

Alfred was remembered as a hard working and dedicated man as he was farewelled by friends and family at a well attended funeral at St Margarets Anglican Church on December 12.

William Wah Day. Photo: Supplied

Born on February 27. 1932, Alfred was the third oldest of 10 brothers and sisters.

Alfred was eulogised by his son James who told those gathered about his fathers life growing up on the family farm.

“He told us about his memories growing up on the farm, most involved him blowing things up with dynamite, repairing punctured radiators with grass, jumping off roofs using a sheet as a parachute,” James said.

“He told us about the time he and his brother George borrowed an armoured personnel carrier to pick up some supplies from the inlet and almost totalled it.

William on a Lychee ladder circa 2000s. Supplied

“Needless to say the army didn’t let them borrow it again.”

Alfred was in his early thirties when he met his wife Shirley who he would spend his life with until her passing.

“He gathered the courage to ask here to dance but she declined and went and danced with another gentleman.

“He asked again and she again declined.”

The Wah Day Farm circa 1940s. Supplied

“Dad finally got the chance her around Cairns and the great north and they soon were dating.”

Many around Cairns will know Alfred from the family fruit orchard which he and his brothers converted into a sugar cane farm retaining the lychee orchard, the fruit the family introduced to Cairns from China.

“There are pictures of the brothers moving the trees from paddock to paddock and I am told these are the oldest Lychee trees in Australia,” James said.

James recalled the family’s hand at prawn farming.

The prawn hatcheries on the Wah Day farm circa 2000s. photo: Supplied

“Dad had me fixing the net in the mangroves and he was sitting on a chair with a shot gun, it wasn't until later I found out there were crocodiles in that mangrove.”

James said his father was working hard until the end.

“Dad was at the farm everyday from sun up to sun down.

“Even at the end he was at the farm bringing in the last crop of lychees, filling up the trucks.

“When one of the nurses at the hospital asked how old he was and if he was on a pension I told her he’s not retired yet.

“We will miss you down here but we are glad you get to catch up with Mum again and we will love you always.”

Originally published as Cairns farewells farming legend Alfred ‘Bill’ Wah Day, 92