Lynn James Harrison, known to one and all as Sam, was born September 22nd, 1939 in the Corryong Hospital. Sam’s parents were Jim and Alma (nee Payne) Harrison of ‘Illawarra’, Khancoban. He was the second child and first born son of their four children – Maureen (Sheather) the eldest, Kay (Evans) third born and David the youngest.

Sam was a happy healthy baby and young child with the usual bumps and bruises that a farm childhood brings. He was a very placid, likeable boy who got along with everyone.

Due to the lack of transport for school children to Corryong, Sam, Maureen and Kay were home schooled by their mother Alma. The correspondence school was run by Black Friars Correspondence School in Sydney. Their education was basic reading, writing and arithmetic. Alma was kept on her toes and had to do a fair bit of leg work with the ‘twitchy stick’ to encourage them all to do their lessons.

Kay remembered that she and Sam were particularly close as children and into adulthood. They were mischievous little kids and kept Alma busy with their inquisitive ways.

Kay recalled the ‘plonk’ incident when they were in their early childhood.

Their grandfather, who was living with the family, enjoyed an after dinner drink most evenings. Because he liked to have more than one glass and drink the whole bottle, Alma would pour him his after dinner glass and then secretly store the plonk out of grandfather’s way.

One day, Sam and Kay found Granddad’s stash and drank it all, resulting in two very drunk kids! Alma had then to explain to their neighbour that the usual Friday shopping trip had to be delayed until “the kids sober up!” Punishment consisted of a promise to damnation in hell if they ever repeated this.

This may explain why Sam and Kay were only occasional social drinkers as adults. They never helped themselves to Granddad’s stash again but the same two were often caught sneaking off behind the chook yard for a cigarette. Damnation was always pending for those two.

Sam naturally moved into working on the farm with his father Jim.

After the death of his parents, Sam became the fourth generation Harrison to manage and farm on ‘Illawarra’ and lived there for the rest of his life.

Maureen and Sam had a lot in common and had a very close relationship as brother and sister. In his later years Maureen and Sam talked a lot, especially by phone, as he loved to talk and keep in touch with goings on in the family.

In Sam’s very early days there was lots of fund raising for the Red Cross during the war years with parties and dances held at ‘Illawarra’ regularly.

Sam enjoyed playing tennis and carpet bowls. Many Sundays were spent socially on the home tennis court. In later years many Sunday nights were spent playing pool with Jim Edwards and Charlie Findlay, his close neighbours.

Sam had an interest in aircraft. He purchased a gyro copter in kit form once and built it. When he first started to learn to fly the copter, it accidently became airborne. He did get it back safe on the ground again, however, that certainly raised his blood pressure and heart rate. It was sold shortly afterwards Sam relished good food and had a very sweet tooth. He especially loved the cakes and biscuits that his mother baked, also any baked goods that were delivered by family and friends to share over a cup of tea.

Sam loved his dogs. He would patiently train them to work with him on the farm. They were not just working dogs to him, they were his loyal companions and mates. When he was in hospital he loved hearing about his latest dogs, Millie and Bill.

Everyone agrees that it was a very rare occasion to see Sam grumpy or upset. It would be the dogs or cattle that could raise a spark of frustration in him but only if they didn’t do what they were supposed to do! Nothing else seemed to bother him.

Sam’s one true passion was the Bringenbrong Rural Fire Service (see inset).

Sam passed away on September 9th this year after a short battle with dementia.

He was a true gentleman, kind hearted, dependable, always hard working and one of life’s quiet achievers.

Sam served for five decades

Sam Harrison officially joined the Bringenbrong Rural Fire Brigade in 1958.

His father Jim had been present at the first meeting of the Bringenbrong Rural Bushfire Brigade held at the Bringenbrong Bridge on March 1st, 1944. Sam was five years old at the time.

In 1975 Sam was elected as a Deputy Captain, a role he fulfilled for 11 years until 1986.

Sam was elected as brigade Captain in 1986 taking over from Jack Tyrell. Sam held that position until 2014, a total of 28 years.

In that time the Brigade raised funds to purchase two second hand 4×4 trucks and Sam was instrumental in fitting them out into impressive working fire trucks, which involved many hours of his time.

Sam was well respected as a Captain as he remained very calm under pressure.

Over the years Sam received Long Service Awards for Active Service as a volunteer member of the Rural Fire Service.

In 2000 Sam received an Australia Day Achievement Award from the Tumbarumba Shire Council for service to his community as Bringenbrong RFS Brigade Captain for 14 years.

In 2018 Sam was again awarded an Australia Day Special Achievement Award for his dedication as Captain of Bringenbrong Rural Fire Brigade for more than 28 years.

In 2015 Sam was awarded a Life Membership and a Long Service Medal 4th Clasp for 56 years of service at the 70th Anniversary event of the brigade.

He was very proud of the fact that he followed in his father Jim’s footsteps by being awarded a Life Membership.

In total, Sam was a dedicated brigade member for more than 57 years.

This article appeared in the Corryong Courier, 26 October 2023.