Trev proposed during parade
TREVOR Joseph Twidale was born on January 21, 1929, the eldest of two brothers and two sisters.
He grew up in Millmerran during the depression and hated school, so he left. Following his departure from the education system, he was told by his father if he could get a job he didn’t have to go back. He had a job at the local fish and chip shop the next day.
His parents ran the Millmerran Picture Theatre and his mum played the piano for the silent movies.
Trevor met his wife Ivy when his family moved to Toowoomba.
During a Carnival of Flowers parade he was driving a float and as he was passing a jewellery store the parade stopped. He said to Ivy let’s go in and buy a ring, so they were engaged in the middle of the parade.
The couple married in St Stephen’s Toowoomba in 1950 and soon after he completed an apprenticeship as a mechanic.
He returned to Millmerran and raised three children, two boys and one girl.
Throughout his career Trevor worked for a local garage, International Harvester and the local shire council as a mechanic. Helped build the Bowling club and first green in Millmerran, a merry-go-round for the local church and three caravans.
Later, he moved back to Toowoomba and was involved in the vintage car club, where he restored a 1927 chandler, and with a mate instigated the Toowoomba swap-meet.
Trevor was also a successful businessman, running Twidales Corner Servo.
The community-focussed man was also involved in the Carnival of Flowers and built and maintained floats. He was a life member of the association.
He was involved in Speedway and with a band of brothers built Charlton speedway complex. He received a trophy for crashing a grader at the track long before a car ever put a wheel on the dirt. He was a life member of the Downs Speedway club.
Despite his love of speedway, he was a very slow driver. He only got a ticket once but that certainly was not for speeding.
He had a bad temper at times, which mellowed in later years. He swore a lot, that didn’t mellow.
He was generous and a problem solver.
Trevor, known by family members as Trev, Twid or grandad, built things which were very functional and lasted several lifetimes.
He has seven grandkids and eight great grandchildren.
He was honest, ethical and faithful.
He saw the glass as half empty and draining quickly and was absolutely hopeless with the birds and bees talk.
He always had a better way to do it an was always there in the time of need for all and sundry.
He was someone you’d want on your team as long as it’s done his way.
He was a loyal friend, a great dad, a good provider and a good man.
He achieved everything through hard work.
Trevor Joseph Twidale died on September 16, 2017.