The door closed gently on the long and well-lived life of David Hastings Haire on July 23 at the age of 99.
David passed away peacefully at Gunnedah Hospital surrounded by his family and his large funeral at St Joseph’s Catholic Church, on August 1, was a testament to his gentle humility and deep sincerity which touched many lives.
David and his wife Carmel built their lives around family and their 68 years of faithful marriage brought joy, hardship, triumph, sadness and above all love.
A man of great faith, David was a devout Catholic, a stalwart of the church and one of its true believers. His faith played a central role in his life because it gave him and his wife Carmel energy and power through structure, connection and spiritual wellbeing.
David was born in Narrabri on March 16, 1926, to parents Anita, a petite lady of refinement and learning and Patrick a wheat farmer of resilience and stern demeanour. He was the youngest brother of Patricia, Jack, Margaret, Jim, Ron and Marie.
The Haires were farmers at Turrawan on their property, Mentone, and being closest to the village they walked across the paddock to primary school each day.
David later attended De La Salle College in Armidale and after completing his education he entered the Rural Bank in Narrabri as a cadet, boarding in town during the week and riding his bike home to Mentone along the 23kms of gravel road each weekend.
A ‘high attention to detail’ person, David Haire revelled in the columns and rows of the bank ledgers.
After the war David worked for 10 years on his father’s property, learning and developing a full suite of farming skills on his personal journey to evolve into the quintessential Australian Cocky.
David met his future wife Carmel Gleeson, of Larola, Tambar Springs, through a church organisation known as the National Catholic Rural Movement.
They were married at St Joseph’s on September 3, 1957.
David and Carmel purchased, Argyle, Tambar Springs, a small farm of 650acres and joined a generation of proud young farming families developing the wheat growing country of the Liverpool Plains. Like their fellow battlers, their opening circumstances were humble but with the concerted support of the extended Haire and Gleeson families they set about developing their farm and raising their family. David turned the unlined farm hut into a cottage; building rooms, installing a slow combustion stove for cooking and hot water and even a flush toilet in the bathroom which was unusual in the district at the time.
David joined the district working bee to install the telephone wires and poles up to the Tambar Springs manual telephone exchange. Lifelong friendships were formed with all the neighbours as they bonded over shared projects.
Next David took on share farming and raising pigs to further supplement the family finances.
In 1964 he also began a contract haymaking business, and he was now a very busy man.
David displayed his unstinting love for his wife and family through service and duty. He devoted his life to ensure their needs and wants were met before his own.
Like many other families, David and Carmel Haire experienced the tragedy of losing their first baby Benedict who was stillborn. This was heartbreaking for the young couple on so many levels. The extended family gathered them in a big warm embrace and carried them through the healing process. Ten years ago, they lost their youngest son Damian who was struck and tragically killed by lightning. Once again, the extended family and the wider community provided the healing energy.
David and Carmel’s faith has been astonishing and in the practical areas where they interact with people in day-to-day situations that it becomes most apparent. They would meet and treat people as equals and display kindness and compassion to those who need it.
David was the story teller in chief – the oral historian par excellence. Now he has gone but not his stories because they contain people. People he loved. People who helped make his life so rich and fulfilled.
If a parent’s greatest wish is for their children to reach their full potential – parents Anita and Patrick can be well pleased.
Following the farewell Mass, family and friends gathered at the Tambar Springs cemetery where David was laid to rest.
The late David Haire is survived by his wife Carmel and family members Patrick and Denise, Timothy, Brigid and Chris Hirst, Gerard and Raji, and daughter-in-law Penny Haire. He is also survived by grandchildren Allister, Georgina, Isobel, Jack and Alex.
