Vale Ted Young

Greetings to St David's Members and friends including those from the wider Parish present and past.

It is with much sadness that I write to advise that Ted Young passed away earlier this afternoon with his family at his side.  A few days ago I was told that Ted was being moved to the palliative care section of Cabrini Malvern.

Ted was 100 years, 5 months+ Young.

Ted was heavily involved in the Hughesdale Congregational Church prior to Union in 1977.  As his congregation joined the Uniting Church, Ted continued his involvement.  Later the Parish of Balkara was formed including Hughesdale Uniting but they initially remained a separate congregation when four congregations merged to form St David's.  In October 2006, due to dwindling numbers, the congregation decided to hold a huge service to celebrate its life over many decades.  Most of the local members including Ted and wife, Esma, moved to St David's.

Ted was a Lay Preacher and would take the pulpit when a minister was not available.  He continued to take services until the last couple of years when his mobility challenges increased.  He was also involved in the Bible Studies and in earlier years was involved in the activities of the church and maintaining the property.  He was involved in the dioramas in front of the Hughesdale Church at Christmas and Easter.  Ted's wife and daughters were also active participants in the life of the Congregation. Ted served as an Elder and Church Councillor for many years and continued in these roles after joining the St David's congregation. 

On Sunday 3rd April, 2016 at the St David's AGM, his service was acknowledged as he retired from the Church Council.  We give thanks to God for the generous and valuable service you have given to the St David’s Congregation and the Parish Church Council as and Elder and Representative and for your prior service to the Hughesdale Uniting Church. God bless you in your future .

Ted was also well known in the community including:-

Mensland Shop in Atherton Road (held the franchise for decades)

Local Council elected member for several years - not sure if it was Oakleigh Council as the boundaries have changed over the years

RSL (Oakleigh) - as a returned soldier from WWII (I'm sure he "led" the ANZAC Day parade to the Shrine in 2023 - it was on the ABC promo's for the 2024 parade).  

His 100th Birthday celebrations were held at Oakleigh RSL.

Masonic Lodge (Oakleigh) - member for decades.

Probus - Oakleigh Mens which merged then folded but the 'members' still meet for lunch on last Tuesday of the month and hold film days which Ted attended with the help of family.

Oakleigh Rotary (now Oakleigh, Clayton, Huntingdale Rotary) - member for decades

As a result of his Rotary background, Ted arranged for Rev Mano and Rev Arnie to visit a Oakleigh Rotary meeting to talk about the proposal to hold Carols in the Park.  This was formed by St David's and the Parish and encouraged local churches and schools to participate.  It relied on community support to enhance the Grants by the City of Monash. They were presented with a $5,000 donation from Rotary which rolled over each year and greatly supported this community event.  Ted was also on the Organising Committee for Carols in the Park which continued to 2019 as COVID the next year made it impossible to hold the event. in recognition of his work in this area Ted was awarded an Ecumenical Award by the Synod of Victoria & Tasmania.  

Another pet project of Ted's was the Weekly Bread Run from Brumby's Bakery in Mt Waverley.  This had been going for many years and Ted was keen that it did not fold so he and his supporters would meet at the Church each Tuesday to sort through the donations and prepare them for Oakleigh CSIS (CAB).  This continued until the Bakery closed down!!

I have not been around as long as Ted so I have probably missed other aspects of his life for which I apologise.

Funeral details are still to be made but will be circulated when I receive them.

As granddaughter Ruth said when she contacted me today, Ted will now be with his beloved wife Esma and daughters Heather and Gail.

We extend our sincere sympathy to the family at this time.

Please keep them in your prayers including his remaining daughter Lyn, son-in-law Ian, and numerous grandchildren.

Blessings

Faye Sanderson

Parish Secretary for 

St David's Oakleigh UC