Page 29 - The Outdoor Showman OCT-DEC 2024

Into the Sunset
May they rest in peace.
Gone but they will live on in our memories, reflections, and stories forever.
Maryanne Bell
Mereana Maki Kopu, known to her
family and friends as Maryanne
Bell of Forbes, sadly passed
away on the 26th of October
2024 at the year of 78 years.
Beloved wife of the late Roy
Arnold Bell, loved mother to
Tamara, loving Nan to Jesso,
Brianna, Shannon, Braeden,
Amelia and Alex, and great-nan
to all of their children.
Rest in Peace Maryanne.
Stanley Freeman
Stanley Freeman passed away on
30 November 2024.
Shane was the oldest son of Dorrie
Freeman who sadly passed away
on 12 March 2024.
Shane was part of the Briggs &
Freeman families, and their carousel
is still operating in the Melbourne
Zoo to this very day.
Ronald Charles Girdler Ron was born 20/10/38 and he grew
up in western suburbs of Adelaide,
around the horse racing industry.
He was prolific in riding horses and
working in the stables for horse racing
trainers.
In September of 1959 he married
Coralie Marlene Lynch the daughter
of well known South Australian
Showman, Tom Lynch, and entered
the fabulous world of show business.
He alongside mum operated several
joints at country shows and the
Adelaide Royal for many years,
successfully.
In 1979 he ventured into rides and
went to Perth to purchase a Round-Up,
then he purchased a Sizzler in 1990.
He operated both rides alongside his
family for many more years.
In 1987 he was voted in as Secretary
of the Showman’s Guild of South
Australia; a position he held for 25
years. Ron made a lot of friends within
our industry, attending conferences
and Federal council meetings, at all
times conducting his business and
the guild business with the utmost
professionalism.
Ron was awarded life membership of
the Guild in 2002, and this was one of
his proudest life achievements.
In 2019, just before the world wide
pandemic he retired from the show
circuit due to ill health and sat back
and watched his family take over his
legacy.
Dad was not born a showman but
in his years in the industry he did a
bloody good job of being one.
He is survived by mum, 3 children
(adult) 7 grandchildren (adult) and 12
great grandchildren; who all miss him
dearly.
Rest in peace Dad, til we meet again!
Your son, Daryl Girdler
Shane Stratton
It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Shane Stratton. We were just informed of his
death at the time of printing. Further details will be shared in the next issue of the magazine. Our heartfelt
condolences go out to their families and loved ones during this difficult time.
THE OUTDOOR SHOWMAN 27
THE OUTDOOR SHOWMAN 27