A letter written in 1943 by a former Buderim resident asking for his wife’s hand in marriage has been found in a book bought at a second-hand bookstall in Melbourne.
The letter, written by the late Stuart Weir, is addressed to the Reverend and Mrs Green and seeks permission to marry their youngest daughter, Loloma who, as the letter states, ‘has captivated my heart’.
The Melbourne book buyer, Intrigued by the letter, searched the internet for Stuart Weir and found a link to the Buderim Foundation ‘Gifts in Memory’ page.
Stuart and Loloma have been strong supporters of the Foundation and Stuart’s Gifts in Memory story was written shortly after he died in 2004. The story includes details of Stuart’s graduation from Duntroon Military College in 1942 and his marriage to Loloma Green in 1944.
The Melbourne gentleman telephoned Buderim Foundation Board member John Devers who contacted a Weir family member.
Loloma, who now lives in Buderim Views, was delighted to receive the letter and to hear the story of how it was found in a book which must have belonged to her father, the Rev Robert Green. Loloma knew Stuart had written to her parents asking for her hand in marriage but had not actually seen the letter until now – 72 years later.
“This is very special for me and I really appreciate the effort this gentleman has made to trace my family.”
Loloma is extremely proud of her late husband.
“Stuart has been recognised as the only officer to have commanded troops in combat in four wars,” she said. “He was awarded the Military Cross for bravery in Papua New Guinea in World War II and the Distinguished Service Order for his action in the Vietnam War.”
Stuart joined the Buderim Historical Society when he and Loloma moved to Buderim in 1977. He led walking tours of Buderim’s historic sites and, in 1983, he identified and listed Buderim’s historic trees, some of which were subsequently listed with the National Trust.
In 1986, he painstakingly researched the origin of Buderim’s street names, and arranged for the publication of a booklet called ‘Beautiful Buderim: origin of street names’.
Stuart’s ashes were buried under a frangipani tree in the grounds of the Historical Society’s Pioneer Cottage.
The Sunshine Coast Council recently recognised Stuart’s dedication to Buderim by naming the viewing area overlooking Martin’s Creek in Lindsay Road, Stuart Weir Place.
You can read more about Stuart Weir and the Buderim Foundation at www.buderimfoundation.org.au
