KIRAIN Dalton contributed to many aspects of the Port Fairy community but it was his behaviour as a quiet gentleman for which he was most known.
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Mr Dalton died on Saturday, June 25, at the age of 82 after a long illness.
He was a life member of the Port Fairy Surf Lifesaving Club, the Port Fairy Angling Club and the Port Fairy Urban Fire Brigade, helping them grow to become vital parts of Port Fairy’s vibrant community.
Mr Dalton joined the Port Fairy Surf Lifesaving Club in 1951 as a teenager.
He played an important role in the club as a foundation member and later when it was in danger of failing through lack of membership and interest.
Mr Dalton took on key roles to ensure the club progressed to what it has become today - the largest community volunteer group in Moyne Shire.
He led the club as president for nine seasons from 1966-1975 and was vice president for four seasons from 1975-1979.
Recent club captain Paul Buchanan said Mr Dalton was “a true gentleman and an absolute stalwart of the Port Fairy community.
“A true clubman who always maintained his interest and love of the clubs and organisations that he spent a great part of his life contributing.”
Mr Dalton was also a foundation member of the Port Fairy Angling Club in 1954 and together with other founding members provided personal loans to secure riverside land for the club in Gipps Street, Port Fairy.
A building from the then Port Fairy Racecourse was bought and relocated to the angling club’s land for clubrooms.
Club member Russell Allardice said Mr Dalton “was a dedicated member and true servant for the club,” serving as either president or secretary for long periods.
Mr Dalton initiated the club’s fishing clinics that introduced youngsters to recreational angling.The club continues to run the clinics.
He was also a member for 62 years of the Port Fairy Urban Fire Brigade, where he served as apparatus officer.
He was awarded the National Medal, given to selected members of groups whose members protect the community at the risk of death, injury or trauma.
An amusing story told about Mr Dalton’s brigade service was when he was serving drinks at a brigade fund raising dance in 1969.
Members of a visiting football club had got unruly so Mr Dalton and another club member switched the footballers’ minds to other things by serving them drinks mixed with Epsom Salts that had laxative properties.
Mr Dalton’s well-attended funeral was last week at St Patrick’s in Port Fairy and the wake was at the Port Fairy Urban Fire Brigade.
Kirain Dalton was a true gentleman and an absolute stalwart of the Port Fairy community.
- Paul Buchanan
