Follow this tribute and get updates
User avatar
jenny.walley
13 years ago

As our knowledge of Frank goes back to the time when we joined the T.O.S in the late 1960's. Yes he did a lot for orchid growing in North Queensland, especially while staying with his wife Jean in Townsville each year with Maurie and Jean Watson. They were great friends. Maurie passed on many years ago from a sudden stroke but Jean is still here and lives in a St. James Retirement Village. She is a lovely lady and Maurie was a great gentleman. Frank Slattery was notable amongst Nth Qld. orchid growers for not only being successful in assisting the beginings of the still successful "Tropical Queensland Orchid Council". He was Patron of this Council and he and Jean returned every year to enjoy this great weekend with us in a different town (city) each year. He was a delightful man to know and his knowledge of orchids was great. He was like God with us on those 'Queens Birthday Weekends' in early June. We listened to him and his interesting lectures avidly. At these times, he especially liked to engage in the State of Origin football being held, usually a game was on while they were up here. He would give us heaps about the Cockroaches (NSW) beating the Canetoads (Queensland). The Saturday night 'Presentation Dinner' was hillarious at times with frank threatening a win by NSW. I (Thelma) first met the Slatterys around 1968 at one of the conferences, held in Townsville that year. My husband had recently joined the Townsville Orchid Society as he and his mother grew beautiful tropical orchids up here. In the year 1974 (I think) I passed the orchid Judging exam, held here. Maurie was our teacher and Frank examined us while he was up here. Mick and I went on to start an orchid nursery which we operated for some thirty years with our family involved in later years. We had our own Quarintine houses and imported as Frank was also doing in the south. Our nursery grew fast with orders from all over Australia and we often met Frank and Jean at National or International orchid conferences. Today we are retired and our nursery large area has been sold. we are happily still growing orchids and other exotic plants and just attended the TQOC Inc. Conference last weekend, this year held in Townsville once more. Mick was President and I Secretary of the Council for four years some years ago but our business was too demanding to stay in these positions. Frank received an O.A.M. in Sydney on 29th May, 1992 and as President of The Tropical Queensland Orchid Council, Mick attended the testimonial dinner.

User avatar
jenny.walley
13 years ago

Your beautiful orchids of course. Your lovely home, which as a kid, I thought was a huge and fascinating place to play in, and, as an adult, still found it fascinating. I look back on it as both an oasis and a sanctuary, as I always felt a sense of of calm there. Other memories are of the photo of you and I when I was 3 which was on the front page of the Herald with the heading "Expert guide for Jennifer" taken at the orchid show at the Sydney Town Hall - you guided me then, and guide me still. Your pianola, which I will always associate with you as I knew of no other home which had one. To me, it was such a magical thing and always made me geel good. I remember the postcards you would always send to us whenever you travelled, and your slideshows which were so interesting. You would sometimes bring us back presents when you travelled - and one time when you returned from USA, you gave Wendy and me a toy fridge which was a scaled-down exact replica, and I have never seen anything like it to this day. It even had miniature plastic food in it, like eggs, bottles of milk and even a turkey complete with paper frills on the ends of its legs - you sure had a fine eye for quality. I remember your kindness, your wisdom, your gentleness and manners, your intelligence, and all the hard work you put into your business. You loved your work, but, above all, you loved your family. You never played favourites, never judged people, never held a grudge, were generous with both your time and money, never arrogant or selfish. I never heard you yell or say anything bad about anyone - and I never heard anyone say anything bad about you. Pop, you never let any of us down, no matter what. You were really the perfect Grandfather - and I miss you terribly. I wish I had been able to spend more time with you - just to be able to hold your hand one more time. I learned so much from you, and it has made me the better person for it. To be your Granddaughter is a priviledge and an honour - Mum and Aunty Yvonne sure had a great Dad and I had a great Pop. I wish you were still here, and although you are no longer with us, the memories will last forever. AND THEY ARE ALL GOOD MEMORIES. LOVE FROM JENNIFER

User avatar
jenny.walley
13 years ago

User avatar
Greg Hollingsworth
13 years ago

User avatar
Rod Hollingsworth
13 years ago

Frank Slattery was the most wonderful man I have ever known and I am so proud that he is my Grandfather. Some of my happiest childhood memories are of visiting Pops place and exploring his Orchid Nursery I was amazed at all the unusual plants and it was like walking through another world in his huge glasshouses. When I think of those times I can still here the wind blowing across the glass roofs and the sounds of water trickling into ponds. He has always been an insperation in my life and thinking of him always puts me on track. Thankyou Pop I love you and will always miss you. Rod

User avatar
Greg Hollingsworth
13 years ago

Giving all the kids 50cents as they left. (He loved Kids) Readers Digest magazines. (He subscribed and read them for years) Watching Sunday night football with Rex Mossop commentating on his 26" bigscreen (He was a Dragons man of course). The Holden Statesman arriving at our house on Christmas Day. Afternoon Tea with fresh homemade fruitcake made by Jean. Yummy MOST OF ALL HIS ADVICE .. Get up early and you already have more hours to do more and inturn acheive more. (Shame it took 20years to sink in that it was great advice). I know you are looking down on us POP as we still feel your love and wisdom. You were an awesome role model and much good in my life has come from you. RIP

User avatar
Gavin Morris
13 years ago

Being taken on a tour of poppy Frank's nursery each time that I visited with my grandparents. He would teach me about every variety of orchid in his nursery. He would make sure I left with a box of orchids each time. Much to the disgust of his second wife Jean. He fueled my passion to grow orchids myself :)

User avatar
Greg Hollingsworth
13 years ago

×
We use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. We do this to improve browsing experience and to show (non-) personalized ads. Consenting to these technologies will allow us to process data such as browsing behavior or unique IDs on this site. Not consenting or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions.
Functional Always active
Statistics
Marketing
Accept Deny Manage Save
Privacy Policy