BORN on 1 August 1927, Nev Harm was the sixth child of Ben and Maria Harm of Lowood.
With Maria’s passing 10 days later, Nev was taken in by her sister and husband to be raised on the Prenzlau farm.
As the first student from the Prenzlau State School to win a scholarship, Nev was able to go to high school, then the Railways in 1943 on a six-year apprenticeship as an electrical fitter and mechanic, studying and working his way up to become the Senior Electrical Engineer – Rollingstock before his retirement in 1987 after 44 years of very proud service.
During the 1940s, he actively took to pushbike riding, often racing the workers’ train from Ebbw Vale to the Ipswich Workshops and usually beating it.
With his quiet attitude of “always do your best”, he went on to set the Australian 20-mile record in 1947.
His competitive bike riding took him to Townsville, and he met the Scown family who had a daughter, Daphne, just a little younger than he.
She was not too impressed on the first visit, but his commitment won, and they married in 1952 – celebrating over 72 years married.
In so many ways, they were kindred spirits – caring for one another and everyone they meet – helping anyone who needed a little hand up – always quietly, without fuss or need for praise, with a smile and friendship always on offer.
They built a shed to live in at Booval, then the house that is still their home to this day. They grew their family with Kevin in 1956, Mark in 1961, and Wendy in 1964. And then five grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
Nev’s thoughtful approach, knowledge, and experience made him a very skilful and talented person.
He helped build the family build houses and extensions, repair cars, engines, pumps, and rewire houses. He taught that anything can be achieved by looking, learning, and trying.
He was so proud that all his children and grandchildren became successful professionals in their own studies and careers.
He has been part of teaching the family how to do that, and to be caring and loving at the same time.
Each of those children and grandchildren were taught the pleasure of fishing with Nev or the pleasure of a train trip – often for important tasks like getting a doughnut at Toowong.
Many photos of Nev show him lying on the floor or sitting on a tiny chair with his grandchildren or great-grandchildren – always at their level and an active in whatever is going on – reading stories, eating imaginary cake, building models, or just cuddling – and loving every minute of it.
Little people are the best judges – and they all loved him dearly.
After the 1974 floods, Nev and Mark voluntarily worked to make flooded houses in North Booval electrically safe to be reconnected to power. Nev was quietly very proud of this and his many other acts of community service.
For 60 years, Neville was a proud member of the Knights of the Southern Cross – the group that founded Southern Cross Care, the Catholic organisation that built, among others, the St Mary’s Aged Care facility at Raceview.
With Daphne, they worked for many years supporting the Little King’s Movement for the Handicapped – making monthly half-day respite possible for families with disabled members.
He is remembered for helping in the kitchen, serving meals in St Mary’s Hall, or doorknocking around Ipswich asking for donations.
Both Daphne and Neville loved their gardens with many people rewarded with roses, thorns removed and wrapped to keep them fresh.
The family is not sure which they enjoyed more – growing the roses or the smiles people gave them in return.
Neville was certainly a happy person with a cheeky smile and a greeting that just made you feel better – and it made it easy to love him.
He recently sat thoughtfully and proclaimed that he was truly satisfied with his life, family, and achievements.
Summed up by the son of a great friend of Neville’s on the whiteboard next to his hospital bed: Married to Daphne, Father of Kev, Mark, and Wendy, Engineer, Friend, Legend.
