Page 27 - The Outdoor Showman magazine January-March 2023

Into the Sunset
May they rest in peace.
Gone but they will live on in our memories, reflections, and stories forever.
George Edward Kennedy Pink 30 June 1943 –8 October 2022
Georgie Pink, husband, family man, friend, Showman,
George loved life and lived it to the fullest, whether it be travelling Europe with the Australian Rugby Union side or fishing for Marlin with his sons Glenn and Garth off the Forster coast.
George lived and breathed the Showmen’s Guild. Born in Carlton Victoria to showman Charlie and Cathie Pink, he lived through the horse and cart days in the tent show era up until the prime movers and mechanical rides we know today. He believed so much in his Guild that he spent most
of his adult life as a delegate, then trustee and ultimately president of the Showmen’s Guild of Australasia (SGA).
George was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather and
uncle George to all of his large family. With all of the wonderful friends and family he had, by far his greatest love
of all was for his wife Barbara. They shared 60 wonderful years side by side.
He had a flair for clothing and shoes and in his younger days was known as a lair. You never knew if he would turn up in ostrich skin boots or bright red loafers. He could smash a Bloody Mary and enjoyed a good whiskey.
George was based in Newcastle for many years of his working life where he turned his hand to building; everything from food canteens to rides and dodgem cars, even a hovercraft (which sank straight to the bottom of the lake). Because of his positive and fearless attitude, he instilled confidence all around him. Backed up by George you, could take on the world.
At around the age of 40 he took his young
family to Queensland where he built their home in Loganholme. He would spend the next 40 years there.
Boisterous and staunch, George stood strong by what he believed in.
He tried his hand at cattle breeding, loved fishing and had a passion for birds.
He loved to travel and
meet new and interesting people. Once he attended a ball with Prince Charles and Princess Diana. He drank whiskey with the Duke
of Scotland, and toured Europe with his cousin
John (Jake) Howard and the Wallabies rugby union team.
George was comfortable in anyone’s company, be it David Campese acting as his Italian interpreter as they toured the ride factories in Europe, walking onto the field at Cardiff arms Stadium to open a game of Rugby or sitting around a campfire with his extended family.
Never short of a story or someone
to tell it to, as George had friends in every town he visited from cattlemen in North Queensland to fishermen
in Mullumbimbi, retired policeman and show committees all over Australia. There was always a friend in every town at our caravan door.
George was a large, colourful person who lived a large, colourful and wonderful life.
We will miss you Dad with all of our hearts, Love you forever.
By Rebecca (Pink) Cronk
Victor Marinovich
“Be not sad with my passing
For I have lived a full and rewarding life
Remember me as one who left a mark in this world
Acknowledge my achievements if you will
I do not seek accolades or notoriety
I wish only for good in this world
I know that if we show kindness, this will be returned twofold
If I have created a legacy, may the recipients enjoy its offerings”
THE OUTDOOR SHOWMAN 25