Life membership

13 Aug 2013

The Probus Club of Launceston has made Stan Merry a life member in recognition of the great contribution he has made to the club and to the community generally. Stan joined the Launceston club in 1983 and was president in 1996-97. 

Stan retired in 1983 from the position of workshops manager of the Launceston Railway Workshops, a position he had held for 15 years. 

He joined the railways as an apprentice electrical fitter in 1939 and attended night studies at the Launceston Technical College, completing a Diploma in Electrical and Mechanical Engineering and gaining membership of the Institution of Engineers, Australia.

With the introduction to Tasmania of diesel electrical locomotives in 1951, he travelled with fellow-engineer, Charles Smith, to the UK and USA studying locomotive maintenance methods and on return trained staff in operation and servicing. 

In his private life, Stan is always involved in outdoor activities especially walking. He joined the Launceston Walking Club in 1947 and married one of his fellow walkers, Mollie Branagan, in 1951. They have three children and a number of grandchildren, all of whom live in Launceston. 

Stan has contributed to the community through many other activities and responsibilities. For twenty of his twenty-four years in scouting, he was scout master of the First Launceston YMCA troop and as a member of the Northern Tasmanian Alpine Club he did a good deal of skiing and assisted in its building programme through its works committee. Another of his enduring interests is music. Stan participates in his Pilgrim Church choir and in local operatic productions and he is an organist for his lodge.

In the School for Seniors, Stan has undertaken many responsibilities and has enjoyed many of its activities especially singing for pleasure, Scottish country dancing and science courses. 

In the picture: President John Wright pins the life membership badge to Stan’s collar.