Herbert Flesser was born in Beaudesert Hospital on July 15, 1929 to Trangote (known as Traugott to his family) and Emily Flesser.
Born in Germany, Wilhelm Friedrick Flesser, Herbert’s grandfather, emigrated to Australia in 1865 and he and his wife Maria ‘Leena’ Koplik Flesser had six children.
When Herb was three years of age Traugott bought 70 acres on Pine Creek and moved the family into a hut he had built. They were cream producers and kept some pigs. Traugott purchased another 30 acres across the road and, with the help of Sid Rhodes, moved a house onto the new acreage. The family had now grown to seven children.
Herb walked the mile with his siblings to and from the Flying Fox school in bare feet, as shoes were kept for Church on Sundays.
Despite all the hard work on the farm, there was time for dances and tennis, and this is where he got to know Joan Jope who lived further up the creek. Herb married Joan on the May 7, 1955 and they moved to Canungra in 1958. He started work with the Beaudesert Shire Council, initially as a ganger in a team of three who maintained parks and cemeteries, before moving on to the maintenance of the Council road network.
Herb and Joan bought their first home in Appel Street, Canungra in 1960. They fixed up the old Queenslander and raised their four children Janelle, Jacki, Malcolm and Raelene. He grew most of their fruit and vegetables and reared chickens and ducks to keep the family fed. Between Herb and his father Traugott, they would fill the fruit and vegetable section in the show pavilion every year.
Herb volunteered his time at the Canungra Bowls Club and at the show and rodeo each year. When the local fire brigade started in the 1970s, Herb was one of the first residents to volunteer. The fire equipment was kept in his front yard in a storage box built by George Cecil and fire practice was held once a month.
In 1989, Herb and Joan built their new home on the same block in Appel Street. New gardens were established, and Herb and Joan won many prizes in the town gardening competitions. Herb often won the local lights competition as he loved to decorate the house at Christmas.
After 35 years with the Council, Herb retired in 1993. Herb and Joan then travelled extensively and there were many trips in their campervan with friends and to visit family.
Herb joined the local Bowls Club and would always be on hand to mow and roll the green. Both he and Joan enjoyed bowling and were valued members of the Club with their voluntary work.
Sadly, on the May 10, 2014, Joan passed away, only three days after their 59th wedding anniversary. He missed her every day as they did everything together. Herb moved to Bribie Island in 2017 to be close to his daughter Janelle and her husband Barry.
Herb passed away in 2024. He is survived by his four children, five grandchildren and six great grandchildren.
Herb will be remembered as a hard-working family man, (in the minutes of the Scenic Rim Shire Council on May 24, Cr Sharp made special mention of Herbie’s contributions), and a community-minded member of Canungra, a town he always called home.
