Harry Boyle
Harry Boyle was a distinguished ex-teacher who loved to talk philosophy and his ideal of how the world and its people should live.
He lived as he felt we should all live, helping one another and being aware of the strength of the community working together to improve communications, and the world around us.
Harry was born in Corowa on February 23, 1922, to Glen Ovens Boyle and MarVine Boyle, nee Wilson.
He has a brother David and sister Catherine OAM, Gertrude and Mary.
Only Cath and Trudy survived him.
He attended school in Corowa, Jingellic and Albury where he had to stand on his own feet very early.
His father was headmaster of Jingellic school and Harry had to board for three years when attending Albury High School, only seeing his parents and siblings every few months.
He was not a sporty type, but was obsessed with fitness and swam and walked regularly.
He was a thinker and spent a lot of time thinking of how things could be done better.
He attended Sydney Teacher College in 1940, and joined the Sydney University regiment in 1942, which became part of the 2nd 5th division.
Later they were sent to New Guinea after training in jungle warfare in Canungra.
Harry joined the commando unit as a trooper, and when in New Guinea, the squadron was located at an observation post watching Salamanca and Lae aerodome.
The Japanese found an old miner's trail from Salamanca to Wau, so the observation post had to be abandoned.
Subsequently they were moved to Atherton Tablelands before being sent to attack the Japanese in Balikpapan.
They moved through the jungle parallel to the coast to locate Japanese camps and disrupt supply lines so the Brigade knew where to attack.
Before returning to New Guinea, Harry married Helen Mills.
At the close of WW2, the Commonwealth Reconstruction Scheme provided the opportunity for Harry to attain a Bachelor of Economics from Sydney University and a Master of Education degree.
His wife Helen gained a BA as a returned Air Force Service woman.
Harry taught Economics and Geography at various secondary schools until his retirement.
Helen and Harry built a house at Seaforth.
Their daughter Janet was born when Harry and Helen were visiting England and Europe.
They drove their Peugeot from England to India, certainly a challenge with a baby so young.
They also spent happy holidays at the snowfields and throughout the Eastern states of Australia.
Harry and Helen later divorced.
Harry became a community representative to Warringah Shire Council meeting quarterly with councillors.
This group later became assigned to Manly where Harry joined the Manly Citizen and Rate Payer Association and was duly elected to Manly council.
His focus was community facilities- sport fields and art centres.
The bandstand was converted to a regional gallery which is now part of the Regional Art Gallery Network.
The Town Hall was converted to a Women's Rest Centre.
In 1970, Harry moved to Albury to care for his mother, and worked on the Council for the Ageing.
He joined the Albury Citizens and Ratepayers Association and during this time the old Town Hall was converted into the Regional Art Gallery.
In 1988 Harry moved to Phegans Bay on the Central Coast, 'an oasis' he said, with a National Park behind his house and which looked east to Bouddi where he watched the sun rise.
He joined the Volunteer Fire Brigade but was pensioned off when he turned 70.
He founded the Bays Progress Association for the communities of Woy Woy Bay, Phegans Bay, Horsefield Bay and Woy Woy.
They later became affiliated with the Combined Progress Association, attending council meetings, and meeting with council officers to find out what they intended to do in the next six months of the year.
He worked tirelessly visiting 20 affiliated association meetings each month.
He encouraged women to become delegates because "male-female leadership is more holistic in its approach".
He supported the building of cultural facilities within Gosford; the moving of NAISDA Dance Company to Kariong; supported the establishment of environmental Aboriginal and historical sites and encouraged Council to establish a grants officer.
His philosophy encompassed a firm belief that everybody is responsible at some level to become involved in community and he believed some people were social catalysts who as stirrers, created a quality of life for their communities to maintain an array of communication to become vibrantly alive.
Harry was a member of the Democrats, Amnesty International, Reconciliation, Friends of the ABC, Community Environment Network, Woy Woy Community Centre, NAISDA and the Multi Arts Confederation.
He loved experiences such as hot air ballooning, sailing, and travel with friends.
He regularly attended concerts in Sydney, the Australian Opera, local concerts and plays, often with his friend Beryl Collier, who in the past few years relied on Harry to transport her to various events and appointments.
He was also a great friend to those in need, with many depending on him for advice, support and transport.
He enriched many lives with the unselfish sharing of his time.
He was a man who thought war solved nothing.
He had a strong desire to protect our democracy and a healthy skepticism of the elite. He devoted himself as a school teacher, as he wanted to help create thinking citizens.
Harry died aged 87 years from a stroke in April 2009 living and sharing his life with many right to the end.
Book extract, 10 Dec 2009
Significant Men of the Central Coast