Brian Robert Carn
4/8/1941 - 30/9/2017
The following was written and graciously supplied by Tim Baker, Secretary of the Canberra Historic Engine Club and who, I think, knew Brian better than anyone else....... Thanks Tim, RP.
Brian joined the Canberra and District Historic Engine Club in the early nineties and became a very well respected member.
He was always helpful unloading and loading other member’s engines and with advice if an engine wouldn’t start.
He always displayed several, very well presented, engines at each of the displays the club attended.
I got to know him very well as he was easy and interesting to talk to.
He helped me with things like winches for the trailer, loading ramps and welding etc.
In 2001 we both experienced family tragedies.
At weekend rallies after that we did develop a special bond, as we would “cry in our beers and talk about getting over our loss”
We would travel together for the long distance rallies and book into the same motel. The Rally with the most laughs was the National Rally held at Murray Bridge. We booked on to the Paddle Steamer Marion but had to wait for it to tie up every evening so were quite pizzled by the time we got on board and then had to get changed to go and meet the other Canberra members for dinner.
Oh how we laughed!!
During this time Brian always asked me to drive his beloved Ferguson tractor in the tractor treks that the Yass club held. I now think that his knees were starting to really become painful.
About 5 or 6 years ago Brian moved to Batehaven and joined the Moruya Club.
We still attended many rallies together I would stay at his place or he would drive to Canberra and stay at my house and drive off to a rally the next day.
As time moved on, Brian had 2 serious stays in the Canberra hospital and it became apparent he was in a lot of pain constantly.
I know that members of both clubs were always trying to get him up and out but to no avail.
We often sat on his porch and sang "Oh Lord it’s hard to be humble" while drinking stubbies of VB in the evenings. That was the first music that was played in the Chapel last week and for me that brought back many happy and hilarious memories. RIP Mate.
Brian joined the Canberra and District Historic Engine Club in the early nineties and became a very well respected member.
He was always helpful unloading and loading other member’s engines and with advice if an engine wouldn’t start.
He always displayed several, very well presented, engines at each of the displays the club attended.
I got to know him very well as he was easy and interesting to talk to.
He helped me with things like winches for the trailer, loading ramps and welding etc.
In 2001 we both experienced family tragedies.
At weekend rallies after that we did develop a special bond, as we would “cry in our beers and talk about getting over our loss”
We would travel together for the long distance rallies and book into the same motel. The Rally with the most laughs was the National Rally held at Murray Bridge. We booked on to the Paddle Steamer Marion but had to wait for it to tie up every evening so were quite pizzled by the time we got on board and then had to get changed to go and meet the other Canberra members for dinner.
Oh how we laughed!!
During this time Brian always asked me to drive his beloved Ferguson tractor in the tractor treks that the Yass club held. I now think that his knees were starting to really become painful.
About 5 or 6 years ago Brian moved to Batehaven and joined the Moruya Club.
We still attended many rallies together I would stay at his place or he would drive to Canberra and stay at my house and drive off to a rally the next day.
As time moved on, Brian had 2 serious stays in the Canberra hospital and it became apparent he was in a lot of pain constantly.
I know that members of both clubs were always trying to get him up and out but to no avail.
We often sat on his porch and sang "Oh Lord it’s hard to be humble" while drinking stubbies of VB in the evenings. That was the first music that was played in the Chapel last week and for me that brought back many happy and hilarious memories. RIP Mate.
Brian was a fastidious restorer of machinery, as can be seen in the photos below.
Farewell old friend