Vale: Michael James ‘Mick’ Sanderson was a well-known volunteer in the Seymour community. Photo: Supplied
Michael James Sanderson was born in the Seymour Soldiers Memorial Hospital to Jack and Gladys Sanderson of Tallarook, as the fourth of five sons.
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He attended Tallarook Primary School and Sacred Heart College, Seymour.
Mick was 18 when he met his future wife, Yvonne, at a Kilmore dance.
They married in 1961, settled in Seymour and were blessed with three children: Rhonda, Christine and Dianne.
Mick worked for the Victorian Railways from the ages of 16 to 19, beginning in Seymour as a conductor and concluding as the Molesworth station master.
He then worked for the Shire of Seymour/Mitchell Shire Council for 48 years, commencing as a truck driver, and retiring as a works inspector in 2007.
Mick was a passionate and hardworking volunteer, including serving with the CFA for 68 years.
Many locals would also know Mick as the long-term volunteer local area manager with the Royal Children’s Hospital Good Friday Appeal.
He was pleased with the Seymour District’s great result this year and was proud of the incredible work by all the volunteers, and the generosity of the community.
Over the decades, Mick also helped to raise significant funds for the replacement of Seymour CFA vehicles through contracts to check and replace fire extinguishers.
Mick received a number of awards and acknowledgements for his service.
His CFA awards include: CFA Life Member (1998); National Medal (1974) with four clasps (awarded 1984, 2000, 2010, 2022), the CFA’s most prestigious internal award, the Outstanding Service Badge (now Medal, 2006); Australian Fire Service Medal (2008) for his exceptional contribution to the CFA and the difference he made to the benefit of others; National Emergency Medal Vic Fires ’09 Medal (2014) for his tireless support and service to others during the 2009 Black Saturday fires; 65-year CFA Life Member (2022); Victorian Urban Fire Brigades Association (now VFBV) Gold Star for services to the association (1987); Seymour Urban Fire Brigade Life Member (1996); Hume Highway Fire Brigades Association Life Member (1991); Central Zone Association Life Member; and Victorian Urban Fire Brigades Association Life Member (1993).
Mick was made an Honorary Life Governor of the Royal Children’s Hospital in 1985.
While at Mitchell Shire Council, he received a plaque of appreciation for ‘dedicated service and commitment to local government’ after 45 years of service, presented by the minister for local government in 2004.
Mick also received a 2001 McEwen International Year of the Volunteer Award for his outstanding contribution as a volunteer to the Seymour community.
The life of Mick Sanderson speaks for itself; he did a lot, gave more than he got, and dedicated his life to his community.
He was a man who loved his family.
He was humble, no-nonsense and willingly volunteered to help when things needed to be done.
Furthermore, he had a fulfilling life. He followed his passions and was committed to causes that were important to him.
He will be missed, but his memory will survive though his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and many friends.
Guard of Colours: Men and women in uniform lined up at Crawford St, Seymour as Guard of Colours during Mick Sanderson's funeral. Photo: Supplied
Honour: Mick Sanderson volunteered for various groups in the Seymour Community, most notably, the CFA. Photo: Supplied
Remember: Father Ashkar and CFA Seymour Captain Gerard Hard with Mick Sanderson's uniform. Photo: Supplied
Stories: Friends, families, and colleagues remember Mick Sanderson by telling stories. Photo: Supplied
Paying respects: Many came and paid their last respects to Mick Sanderson at the Tallarook Cemetery. Photo: Supplied
Farewell: Many attended Mick Sanderson's funeral. Photo: Supplied
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