Ian's Story by his wife Barbara

Born in Warragul on 16 February 1940 the third child to Jim and Kitty Madill.

Ian lived at 65 Lockwood Road, Drouin East.  He went to school at Drouin East Primary School and followed on to Warragul High School. Ian liked learning but in 2nd form his father became sick and at 14 years of age Ian left school to work on the farm.

Ian was good at sport.  He won “A” grade tennis, he played football and at night he played badminton.  Ian was also a very good dancer.

Ian worked on the farm with his brother Noel.  Together they bought a square bailer and did contract work bailing for neighbours.

Besides milking cows, rearing calves, planting crops they were both very good sportsmen.  When Noel turned 21 he left for Melbourne to work with their brother Allan.  In 1965 Ian continued on the farm and his parents, Jim and Kitty moved to 61 Clifford Street, Warragul.

Three days before Ian’s 25^th birthday he married Barbara Cook on 16 February 1965 and they lived on the farm.  They had four children.

Ian had lots of hobbies.  He was a keen foxhunter and had a clubhouse on the farm where a group of men met to go hunting.  Ian also liked flying with his mate Mal.  They spent a lot of time at Broken Hill flying around the dessert with John.

Ian was a 1^st Lieutenant in the Drouin West Fire Brigade.  He won fireman of the year, a “Dale Award” in 1999.  On the 25^th June 1999 Ian was on the Australian Honours List and awarded the National Medal, 1^st and 2^nd clasps for diligent long service to the community in hazardous circumstances, including in times of emergency and national disaster, in direct protection of life and property.

Ian had the rare blood group of B rh-positive which has a frequency of just 8% in Australia.  He was a blood donor and gave over 100 litres of blood.

Ian gave up milking cows and built a house where the old cow shed stood.  He ran beef cattle and then sold them and rented the farm to Ray and Sue.  He had a clearing sale and sold his tractors and farm equipment.

Ian was a quite man, a deep thinker and he never judged anyone.  To him everyone was equal.  He was a well-respected gentleman.  Always ready to help anyone at anytime.  He was really old-fashioned.

Ian died in his sleep in July 2008 from a heart attack.