SES stalwart will be ‘sorely missed’

David Thomas Thicker passed away on April 10, 2021.

DAVID Thicker has been remembered as a stalwart of the Bowen community and a backbone of its State Emergency Service.

Mr Thicker died at the weekend, aged 70, after losing his battle with illness.

Mr Thicker joined the Queensland SES in 1976, then worked his way up to deputy controller in 1992 and was the local controller from 1996.

“Due to continued health issues, David took leave from this position but remained active in the Bowen unit until recently assisting when possible,” Bowen SES posted to its Facebook page.

“David will be sadly missed, but never forgotten by the present members and those of years gone by.

“Thank you to David and his family for the many, many hours given to the SES.”

Whitsunday SES local controller Mark Connors said Mr Thicker was a great bloke, a role model to so many people and someone who never complained.

“Dave’s been ill for a while, but it’s still a shock (we’ve lost) someone with so much skills and experience,” Mr Connors said.

“He was just absolutely committed to his community, to his family.

“He was a very intelligent, caring person. His knowledge of local issues was extraordinary.

“Even recently, with some of the flood rains we had, when the Don River was rising and they were concerned about what effect it would have locally, the person who actually had the answers was Dave.

“That’s one thing concerned about.

“We’ve just lost all that knowledge and information about the area.

“He’s going to be sorely missed in so many ways.”

Queensland Fire and Rescue Service Acting Deputy Commissioner Joanne Greenfield said Mr

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Thicker was well-respected throughout the state.

“His membership spanned 45 years of service and he was appointed a Life Member of SES in 2019,” she said.

“On behalf of QFES, I extend my deepest sympathies to David’s family, friends and colleagues.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with them at this difficult time.”

Mackay Councillor Justin Englert raised a condolence motion for Mr Thicker at the council’s ordinary meeting on Wednesday.

“For those who’ve been around for a while, (David) was a mentor and driver in change in making the service more adaptable to everchanging roles,” Cr Englert said.

“Dave either came first, or sent volunteers from his unit to every major incident in the Mackay region.

“His volunteers turn up to every major incident wherever that may be in Queensland or anywhere else in the country.

“He will missed.”

Whitsunday Deputy Mayor Mike Brunker, who also raised a condolence motion at the Whitsunday Regional Council’s ordinary meeting, said Mr Thicker spent most of his life dedicated to the SES. be very much