Danny shared knowledge and love of music
DANIEL “Danny” Thomas Moore was born in the Darling Downs town of Jandowae on October 1, 1949.
He was the fourth of eight children born to Millicent and Roy.
Before his second birthday, the family moved to Dalby where his father took a job on the local council.
Unfortunately, circumstances led to his family’s fragmentation, with the youngest children being fostered out to families and the other siblings placed in institutions.
Danny spent a short time in Nudgee Orphanage in 1956 and then he was moved to The Salvation Army Boys Home at Indooroopilly, Brisbane, where he remained until 1970.
There he had few opportunities to bond with his siblings or to develop a sense of family or a meaningful social support structure.
As well, Danny faced many challenges enduring their Spartan conditions, impersonal care, emotional isolation and deprivation of liberty.
In spite of this, he developed and grew as a person with a strong spirit.
Danny never ceased inquiring, learning and generously sharing the wisdom he acquired through his life.
He finished his primary education at Indooroopilly Primary School, and secondary education at Indooroopilly High School.
In 1968 he began studying at the University of Queensland, the first boy from the home to do so.
He focused on history and current affairs, which continued as his interests
throughout his life.
However, he was forced to suspend his studies when his health deteriorated.
Danny addressed his fragile state of physical, emotional and mental health by focusing on fresh and natural foods and holistic medicine, which lead to him to successfully develop and manage a health food cooperative.
His friendly advice and honest service enriched the lives of many people, including Hayden Sergeant, Lady Cilento and her husband.
He was well-liked and respected at Brisbane’s Rocklea Markets, where he visited regularly, casting a critical and discerning eye over the fresh organic fruit and vegetables, nuts and packaged/imported health food products.
In the early 1980s, Danny decided to move to Toowoomba for health reasons, where initially he lived in a boarding house.
This was to be a turning point in his life.
Danny often talked with his neighbour and began doing some gardening for her.
When the boarding house closed, this neighbour offered Danny a room in her house.
The neighbour was Nellie Robinson, mayor of Toowoomba from 1967 to 1981.
Danny accompanied her to many functions and assisted her in organising and entertaining at the home Glennifer Brae in Russell St.
When Nell became unwell, Danny cared for her, taking her to several health retreats and preparing healthy foods for her at home.
Nell was like the mother he had never had and he was absolutely heartbroken when she died on Carnival of Flowers Saturday in 1992.
He struggled many lonely years after her death.
Eventually, Danny became involved in community radio 4DDB, where he started with reading the news.
Then, his involvement increased and became an important part of his life.
Danny loved his time at the radio station not only as an announcer, but was manager, a demanding voluntary position, for many years.
He had a great following for his breakfast programs, as well as Drivetime, Nostalgia, Jukebox and special Christmas and Easter programs.
His favourite artist of all time was Elvis and he owned every CD and DVD made.
Danny prided himself in being able to play requests and would find hard to get music long before the internet was used.
His collection of CDs was immense.
It was while he was volunteering at the radio station that he met Sue, who presented a cooking program.
They became friends and Danny allowed her in to his private world.
During the next 19 years, they spent time listening to music and discussing current affairs, trying to solve the world’s problems, whilst enjoying a freshly squeezed juice.
Toward the end of 2016, Danny became unwell.
At this time he was fortunate to reconnect with his brother Darcy.
His health deteriorated further and, after a short time in hospital in 2017, he lived with his friend May and her family, who cared for him like a family member.
He kept his wicked sense of humour to the end and was buried in a private ceremony alongside Nellie.
Danny will be remembered fondly by those who shared his love of music and those privileged to know him well. In the words of his favourite artist, Elvis, “Danny has left the building…”