Malcolm Vivyan Dunn was the backbone of the Kernot community
By Rob Parsons
MALCOLM Dunn died on Saturday November 17 doing what he loved best … riding his beloved motor bike with his Vietnam Veterans MotorCycle Club.
I first met Malcolm when I became his neighbour in July 2013, so I have only known him for the last five years. He was the first person to welcome me into the district, introducing me to the local Kernot farmers lunch group, and helping me with his tractor to lift a heavy fountain into place in my front garden.
Since then I have found out that Malcolm has been the building block of this small community in the hinterland of Bass Coast. With his tractor and bulldozer (his father had one of the first in the area) he helped build the local Kernot Hall, church, tennis courts, playground and covered barbecue. In fact just about everything except the Kernot store. Only a few weeks ago he was helping clean up the Kernot railway reserve with his tractor. He was always helping his neighbours with cutting hay and looking after their cattle and property.
MALCOLM Dunn died on Saturday November 17 doing what he loved best … riding his beloved motor bike with his Vietnam Veterans MotorCycle Club.
I first met Malcolm when I became his neighbour in July 2013, so I have only known him for the last five years. He was the first person to welcome me into the district, introducing me to the local Kernot farmers lunch group, and helping me with his tractor to lift a heavy fountain into place in my front garden.
Since then I have found out that Malcolm has been the building block of this small community in the hinterland of Bass Coast. With his tractor and bulldozer (his father had one of the first in the area) he helped build the local Kernot Hall, church, tennis courts, playground and covered barbecue. In fact just about everything except the Kernot store. Only a few weeks ago he was helping clean up the Kernot railway reserve with his tractor. He was always helping his neighbours with cutting hay and looking after their cattle and property.
Malcolm Dunn with his silver tray, August 2018, 50 years after it was presented to him at the Kernot hall before he was sent to fight in the Vietnam War.
In March 1968 both Malcolm and Thomas Loughridge were called up for National Service in Vietnam. During a presentation at the Kernot Hall, the Shire President, Cr D. Atkinson, wished both boys “God’s speed and a safe return”.
The presidents of the Nyora and Bass RSLs, Geoff Brook and Bernie Shackelford, presented each man with a leather wallet and Cr George Garry, on behalf of the residents of Almurta and Woodleigh, presented each with a cheque and a silver tray. Malcom’s was inscribed “Presented to Malcolm Dunn from the Residents of Kernot and District on his departure for Service in Vietnam 1968”.
Malcolm was a genuine warm-hearted good guy. The best neighbour you could possibly ask for and loved by so many people. He was taken away from his family and so many other farming and bike riding friends well before his time, and leaves a big void in our little community.
His funeral in the Kernot Hall on Wednesday was the biggest event in Kernot for many years, possibly ever. An estimated 500 to 600 turned up, mostly locals but also scores of Malcolm’s friends from the Vietnam Veterans MotorCycle Club
Thank you, Malcolm, for everything from your Kernot community and your Kernot farmers lunch group. May you rest in peace. You will be very sadly missed.
The presidents of the Nyora and Bass RSLs, Geoff Brook and Bernie Shackelford, presented each man with a leather wallet and Cr George Garry, on behalf of the residents of Almurta and Woodleigh, presented each with a cheque and a silver tray. Malcom’s was inscribed “Presented to Malcolm Dunn from the Residents of Kernot and District on his departure for Service in Vietnam 1968”.
Malcolm was a genuine warm-hearted good guy. The best neighbour you could possibly ask for and loved by so many people. He was taken away from his family and so many other farming and bike riding friends well before his time, and leaves a big void in our little community.
His funeral in the Kernot Hall on Wednesday was the biggest event in Kernot for many years, possibly ever. An estimated 500 to 600 turned up, mostly locals but also scores of Malcolm’s friends from the Vietnam Veterans MotorCycle Club
Thank you, Malcolm, for everything from your Kernot community and your Kernot farmers lunch group. May you rest in peace. You will be very sadly missed.
 Malcolm Dunn's funeral was the biggest event in Kernot for many years, perhaps ever. |  Malcolm's fellow veterans and motorcycle club member form a guard of honour at the Grantville cemetery. |