WWII vet was a true Lion heart
ONE of the Gold Coast’s last surviving World War II veterans has been remembered as a “generous” and “caring” man.
Army vet and former international director of Lions Clubs International, George Higgs was just a few months shy of his 96th birthday when he passed away at his Gold Coast home last week.
Born in Melbourne in 1925, Mr Higgs enrolled in the Air Training Corps and enlisted in the RAAF in 1943. He was 17 years old.
He was discharged three years later and returned home to Georgina (Jean) O’Toole, a girl he had met on a dancefloor in Tasmania during basic training.
She would become the love of his life. The pair were married on May 29, 1948.
They moved to the Gold Coast in 1966, where George became a builder, property developer and investor.
He was a foundation member of the BroadbeachMermaid Beach Lions Club – having first signed up with the Lions in 1961 – and devoted his time to the community.
He organised everything from Christmas morning visits to nursing homes, Meals on Wheels deliveries at Easter, support for elderly mums and dads on Mother’s and Father’s days and countless fundraisers.
He remained a member after Jean’s passing several years ago.
Lions director general Narelle Parkins said Mr Higgs was her mentor when she signed up with the group.
“He had 61 years in Lions,” she said. “He had a passion for the community.
“The people at Kmart would cringe when they saw him coming because he’d go down there and buy as many teddy bears as he could to
give to kids in trauma.”
He also helped with multiple national disasters – getting volunteer plumbers, electricians and carpenters to fly to help Cyclone Althea victims in 1971 and organising music concerts for Cyclone Tracy victims in 1974.
The same year, despite his own home being flooded, he arranged more than $250,000 in aid for those affected by the Brisbane and Northern NSW floods.
Carrara club secretary
Bonnie Guilford said Mr Higgs was a “character”.
“He would slice onions for our barbecues and if you phoned him he would answer the phone, ‘the Onion Factory!’
“He was a very generous, caring and giving man. Always greeted every person he met with optimism and keenness and made each person feel special.
“He will be sorely missed by many people, here and around the world.”