Happy Birthday Chief.... forever missed and always be in our hearts....

I knew John in the early days. And attractive fellow always a hard worker. In Australia he had interesting and challenging ideas that he brought to fruition. Very self disciplined and showed devotion to my sister to the very end. On our several trips to Australia and Tasmania he was always enjoyable company. John was a real trooper.
Australia was lucky to get him.

Such a beautifully written tribute.
It’s hard to think of John no longer being here. Both he and Eira played such a significant role in our lives as our two families were so close especially when we all lived in Victoria.

Mums earliest memories of John are when John and Eira lived in Lower Withall. John would always be making everyone laugh.

My first impression of John - up in Mogill were that he was slightly terrifying! So tall and with a big deep voice.

I fondly remember our family meals together- especially Christmas. John had a hearty appetite ( all that hard work I suppose) and loved his bread especially! If John was coming over for a meal there had to be at least half a loaf sitting on the table just for him!

It didn’t take long to see the kind, sweet and loving man behind that boisterous exterior. The years he looked after Eira will forever stay in my mind as the ultimate example of true love.

Creative, strong, dependable, energetic, hardworking, mischievous , loving, compassionate are some of the words that come to mind when we think of John.

But it’s impossible to sum him up in words so we’re glad we have so many memories to keep him alive in our hearts.

We like to think he’s now singing a rousing version of Cwm Rhondda in heaven with Alan. Eira will be loving it.

Sending all our love

Helen and Mary

Dear Mark, Sian & Simon and family
I have had a few off line discussions with Simon who kindly advised me of Mr Dodd's passing.
From 1966 he was my commercial father & we had so many great times at Sweet Meadows. The most memorable being planning a Christmas party in 1967 or 1968 when Alan Tossell & his wife were visiting from Wales.
Mr Dodd had his junior officers, Darry Stewart, Bruce Playsted and me as his backup but when the singing started the Welsh swamped us.
The preparty was one of my most memorable events. I think Mark Sian & Simon probably wished we would go home because they might have had school tomorrow but I cherish the memories.
He & Eira were always Mr & Mrs Dodd to me & always close to my heart.

Dear Simon, really sorry to hear the news of your dad's passing, It is always sad to see our love once pass away.
To the Dodd family my deepest condolences, hope you are all well on this sad times.
Lots of love from Rosa

Dear Sian, Mark and Sim,

Please receive my deepest condolences for the tragic loss of your Dad and my father in law, John. His sudden and unexpected passing has left us all deeply shaken and emotionally broken.

My earliest memories of John and Eira go back over three decades ago when Sim and I started seeing each other. As a very young lady and very new to Australia I was quite in awe of “Mr & Mrs Dodd”, so very different to what I was used to. Spanish parents tend to be loud and argumentative while John and Eira were the complete opposite. Your mum was always very gentle and sweet. As a professional painter, her ability to paint true representations of the Australian bush was very unique and admired by many. Her style was so distinct that when we saw one of her paintings proudly hanging in Eltham College’s main office we recognised it immediately as your mum’s. John always had the distinct role as head of the family, with strong beliefs and a clear sense of duty. He dedicated his days to arduously working outdoors – coming in for a morning or afternoon cup of tea. Another of the Dodd traditions that I acquired. John was always very kind to me, easy to engage in conversation, always had a great big smile and was full of life. I always felt very welcomed to the family and during my first years in Australia before they moved to Tassie, “Wirreanda” became my home.

I always believed that John had strong values. The dedication with how he nursed Eira during her illness was extraordinary and without doubt those years would have been the toughest years of his life. I remember many times talking with him about trying to expand his life beyond the nursing home. He always replied that he would, one day .... but not yet. He was very well aware of his state of mind at the time, but what was clear to me was that while Eira was alive he would dedicate all his time to her, heart and soul. And that he did, till the very last minute. Not many people can claim that commitment and dedication.

Fortunately John was able to get a new lease of life and find happiness again in the latter 15 years of his life. His first trip to Hong Kong allowed him to meet baby Alysha and his love for her was immediate. We spent many days wondering around the streets of Hong Kong with him very proudly pushing Alysha in her stroller. It was an opportunity for us to get very close and have very deep and meaningful talks including discussing his thoughts of being able to meet new friends that would bring happiness into his life. And that he did by meeting Trish first and years later Tricia, both of whom were able to bring vitality and much happiness into his life.

As a Grandpa, John showed much love to both Alysha and Alex, very proudly teaching Alex how to ride a lawn mower and teaching Alysha to be his “assistant” while collecting and opening his mail. He was always very patient when they were babies and very proud of their prowess as they grew older.

John was always very supportive of our life decisions but never hesitating to give us sound, level headed advice. I felt he always knew what would be right for us and us returning back to Melbourne was one of his strongest desires.

With a very heavy heart we now know that he won’t be there physically but he will always be in our thoughts and hearts. Alysha has mentioned that we should plant a rose bush in our new Australia home in memory of Grandpa “he always loved roses, mama” so we will definitely have a special place in our garden in his memory.

We will always have John/Grandpa in our memories and our hearts. He will be remembered always.

May you rest in peace John.

We love you
Chris

When I was informed of the sad new of John’s passing what first came to mind was the first time I met him in Kangaroo Ground, when I went to see him in Eltham and had to remove a possum, the many Christmas spent together, all these are nice memories I’ll have of him, he was a beautiful person who will be sadly missed. My condolences to the Dodd family and wishing the family all the best.

Always be remembered Johnny

Hi Mark, Sian and Simon,
Wonderful to read about Uncle John in the beautiful tribute you have written. I have felt such connection to you all through the years. As life chugs along, times passes and we still haven't made to Australia, however it is lovely to experience it through your words. Love to all of you and so sorry for your loss. Lots of love, Jen

Dear Grandpa

The memory that I most recently remembered with you is your 90th birthday when we went to a club and we went to have lunch there but the best memory from that day is when we took a photo in front of a massive tree and the branches of the tree was so long with the family.

When we go back to Australia the family will go to watch a football game of Carlton for you because in the birthday card you sent me for my 13th birthday you said that we had to watch a football game together when we get back.

Love Alex

Dear Mark, Sian & Simon and family
Reading your really remarkable tribute to your father brings back a flood of early memories. Not just of John but his memory is inextricably linked with those of my eldest sister, your mother Eira. Eira was simply the most artistically talented and above all the kindest person you might ever meet.
John was, in my memory, always, always active and enthusiastic on his latest project. At Morfa Lodge in Glangryney his passion was Danish pigs, reared, bred and sold. All this done outside his regular work with Wibberlys.
It was John who took me to sit my entrance exam at Monmouth School, taking me around the buildings and saying ' memorise the mottos on the coat of arms', you will probably be questioned'. Then later staying at Lower Wythall near Ross-on-Wye, a great beast of a half timbered house without electricity, with John working, always working. I don't think he was ever still.
You can't think about John without (and this has already been said) his absolute devotion to Eira as she declined. So steadfast, so determined.
But you, Mark, Sian & Simon can proudly hold both your father and mother in your hearts, treasuring their memories.
With Love to you all.
Chris

Dear Grandpa,

The memory that to this day lives clearest in my memory is your 90th birthday, we went to this beautiful stop on the most perfect day, they had amazing views and fresh air. We walked for a while and then went to a restaurant as well, I look back at the photos today and remember almost every second like it was yesterday.

Whenever we all went down to Melbourne to visit the family, I would always ask and wonder when I was going to visit you. I loved coming to see you and will always remember that one conversation we had about the gorgeous roses you loved and cared for so much. We always said that when I finally moved to Melbourne we would have a rose garden like yours.

And when we do finally move to Melbourne, outside there will be a beautiful little garden of roses just for you.

Words can't describe how much I miss you.

Love you from the moon and back thousands and thousands of times...
Alysha