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VALE NOEL PORTER

The shock of losing a great mate like Noel Porter isn’t something that I or the NRFA board will ever forget, as a contributing member and friend to everyone in the NRFA he was one of those people you had to love, his infectious personality and wicked sense of humour endeared him to all that had the good fortune to meet him.

I have many great memories of Noel from every encounter associated with the NRFA, be it Board meetings, AGM each year (and he never missed one) his performance at the Rockhampton AGM where he was the appointed Auctioneer for the donated items, that is a time I will never forget in my lifetime, I have never laughed so much in my life as I did on that night, those people fortunate enough to be there will hold those memories dearly.

I support the great things people are saying on JG, and is a testament to the greatness of our mate Noel Porter, yes, he was a Larrikin with a cheeky grin, he was also blessed with a boyish charm that allowed him to get away with murder, he was the most patriotic Australian you could ever wish to meet, his sense of fun always made him the centre of attention, and his loyalty to his mates is legendary.

Noel Porter was everything to everyone and the memory of his life will linger in our hearts forever, as the President of the NRFA for four years I count my blessings that Noel stood shoulder to shoulder with us through thick and thin, his commitment and belief in the ‘Convoy of no Confidence’ inspired everyone, I’m proud to call Noel my mate, and I will miss him.

Rest in Peace Noel Porter.

To read another tribute to Noel Porter on the NRFA page [click here]

Tags: Noel, Porter

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Melbourne 17-20 March 2010 068.JPG, 626 KB
Melbourne 17-20 March 2010 038.JPG, 635 KB
Melbourne 17-20 March 2010 063.JPG, 706 KB

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Permalink Reply by jacques Coomans on June 14, 2012 at 8:34pm

A Great Bloke, A true Friend and a great supporter of all things right.

Hi, I've just joined up and wish to say something about Noel.

I had worked for Noel but for a short time, and on the 25/06/2011 I met up with Noel in Roma where he met up with people from this forum, and then went on a pub crawl. I had so much fun that night

Boy did Noel open my eye's to a lot of things.

I recieved a call today(14/6/12) to tell me the bad new, my heart literally stopped, I am deeply saddened and my heart aches for his family and all those he touched through all of his travels. Noel wasn't short of a joke and Phar laps heart was just a pea in comparison to the one Noel hid in his chest.

Noel was one of the sincerest and most kind hearted person. I knew him but for the shortest amount of time, but quickly worked out they dont make blokes like him anymore,. I feel priviledged to have known him, and god knows I would have liked for him to have been around for a lot longer to spread his jokes and view, be it political or general, to so many more people.

Noel left a mark where ever he went, everyone knew him, and if they hadn't met him, they would yearn to meet the man behind the name.

I stand here with my hand on my chest, and think of the memories I have of Noel Porter and am proud to say " I knew the man behind the name "

My condolences to his wife and family, his extended family, this forum and all those his humor and mind set had touched.

I guess someone upstair saw fit to take him upstairs for some serious debating.

The memories I have of him will last an eternity as will his name.

R.I.P. Mr Noel Porter

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Permalink Reply by Elizebeth Flower on June 14, 2012 at 10:30pm

Thank you Mick for your wonderful tribute to our good friend Noel Porter - not to mention the great photos. Noel certainly touched lives wherever he went. I didn’t have the privilege of meeting him, but felt I knew him from his written communications, this big-hearted, frank and forthright man.

But what a shock it’s been and so hard to accept that Noel has ‘reached the end of his road’! Like others, I found myself in a state of total disbelief when a kind JG friend emailed me with the news. Couldn’t be, not Noel - our unique and vital, ‘larger-than-life’ JG and NRFA member – how could he so unexpectedly and without warning have been snatched away like this?

Doubtlessly Noel will live on in the hearts and minds of those who knew and loved him, and in our memories through that inspirational motto that others have mentioned also. Those words, “Never surrender” will go on helping to motivate and inspire us all to persevere to the end – a great man whose memory will never die.

And Jacques, welcome to Just Grounds and thank you for sharing your thoughts also. I found your heartfelt and meaningful words very moving. It’s been comforting to read the many sincere comments, including Cate's heartfelt tribute in her thread.

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Permalink Reply by Janet H. Thompson on June 15, 2012 at 3:32am

Noel was not only a great friend to many, but the kind of man Australia was built on. The type of bloke that saw problems and got after fixing them . I feel very priviledged to have known him. Noel went out of his way to help me and many others. A tower of strength fighting.to save his country and way of life. I will see if I can come up with a short video clip and with permission post it here.

Elizebeth Flower said:

Thank you Mick for your wonderful tribute to our good friend Noel Porter - not to mention the great photos. Noel certainly touched lives wherever he went. I didn’t have the privilege of meeting him, but felt I knew him from his written communications, this big-hearted, frank and forthright man.

But what a shock it’s been and so hard to accept that Noel has ‘reached the end of his road’! Like others, I found myself in a state of total disbelief when a kind JG friend emailed me with the news. Couldn’t be, not Noel - our unique and vital, ‘larger-than-life’ JG and NRFA member – how could he so unexpectedly and without warning have been snatched away like this?

Doubtlessly Noel will live on in the hearts and minds of those who knew and loved him, and in our memories through that inspirational motto that others have mentioned also. Those words, “Never surrender” will go on helping to motivate and inspire us all to persevere to the end – a great man whose memory will never die.

And Jacques, welcome to Just Grounds and thank you for sharing your thoughts also. I found your heartfelt and meaningful words very moving. It’s been comforting to read the many sincere comments, including Cate's heartfelt tribute in her thread.

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Permalink Reply by Matt Thompson on June 15, 2012 at 3:38am

Oops I accidentally posted as Janet.

Janet H. Thompson said:

Noel was not only a great friend to many, but the kind of man Australia was built on. The type of bloke that saw problems and got after fixing them . I feel very priviledged to have known him. Noel went out of his way to help me and many others. A tower of strength fighting.to save his country and way of life. I will see if I can come up with a short video clip and with permission post it here.

Elizebeth Flower said:
Thank you Mick for your wonderful tribute to our good friend Noel Porter - not to mention the great photos. Noel certainly touched lives wherever he went. I didn’t have the privilege of meeting him, but felt I knew him from his written communications, this big-hearted, frank and forthright man.

But what a shock it’s been and so hard to accept that Noel has ‘reached the end of his road’! Like others, I found myself in a state of total disbelief when a kind JG friend emailed me with the news. Couldn’t be, not Noel - our unique and vital, ‘larger-than-life’ JG and NRFA member – how could he so unexpectedly and without warning have been snatched away like this?

Doubtlessly Noel will live on in the hearts and minds of those who knew and loved him, and in our memories through that inspirational motto that others have mentioned also. Those words, “Never surrender” will go on helping to motivate and inspire us all to persevere to the end – a great man whose memory will never die.

And Jacques, welcome to Just Grounds and thank you for sharing your thoughts also. I found your heartfelt and meaningful words very moving. It’s been comforting to read the many sincere comments, including Cate's heartfelt tribute in her thread.

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Permalink Reply by Jan Courtney on June 15, 2012 at 5:53am

Although I never knew Noel personally, I could see the man he was from my position as a supporter of the Convoy.

I am deeply saddened to learn of his passing.

Requiesat in Pace Noel.

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Permalink Reply by jacques Coomans on June 15, 2012 at 8:03am

Noel, for me, deserves to be recognised, for his contributions and achivements.

I have put some feelers out and I am getting some info on how many nominations I ( Noel) needs to have to enter him in the Truckers Hall of Fame in Alice.

I am wondering if we could all pitch in to have him nominated after I get detail.

I think it would be a testament to the late, great Noel Porter

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Permalink Reply by Rory Donnellan on June 15, 2012 at 11:58am

We could all learn a lot from Noel's "never surrender" attitude. Requiescat in pace.

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Permalink Reply by Matt Thompson on June 15, 2012 at 2:21pm

I'll never forget Noel pointing at Parliament House from the lawn during the Convoy rally.
"We're going to knock those bloody mongrels outa that shed."

This year we will finally get our chance. Let's do it for Noel.

Rory Donnellan said:

We could all learn a lot from Noel's "never surrender" attitude. Requiescat in pace.

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Permalink Reply by Barbara lee on June 15, 2012 at 6:35pm

I can't believe this what I'm reading here. I also have fond memories of him, as he stood up for me once or twice, I'll always remember him saying he uses coal dust to feed his veggies as he new how to grow them well, and that was his secret. I was lucky and was able to have taken some great shots of him and Grunta. I will go back in to my draws to find them. Still can't believe this, its been a bit of a shock, my last conversation was we were talking about how proud he was of his father in the war, as Anzac day was approaching, oh yes I was having ago at you Rory, your right "Never surrender attitude" And to add to that, I remember at a rally in coberg loved the way he had park his truck grunta for all to stand on her for a platform, Noel did that well and he spoke well at that rally, never seen so much police around, they were worried about what might happen, but didn't as we just want whats right not in the vindictive sort of way, as this goverment tries to make out we are. Noel,s Grunta was the star of that day. Now will go back in and find those photos.

He will be sadly missed.

Barb