April 21, 2015
The chronicler of all things Kumbia, Wally Thamm, passed away peacefully on Sunday.
Walter Herbert Thamm was 85.
In 2012, southburnett.com.au interviewed Wally at Orana and he shared with us some of the details of his long life.
Wally was one of a family of 10 and grew up on a dairy farm at Yamsion.
His jobs included working as a blacksmith, a farm labourer and co-owning an engineering firm.
But writing was his favourite hobby.
He moved to Kumbia in 1951 and began recording the changes he saw over the years.
These he detailed in his self-published book “Kumbia Recollections”.
“It’s been popular with family, friends and people who knew who I wrote about,” he told us humbly.
After he retired, Wally produced a newsletter recalling the day-to-day happenings at Kumbia.
Even after he moved to Orana in 2009, Wally continued to write and continued to take part in the activities of the Bunya Mountains Natural History Association.
In 2012, he was a special guest at Kumbia’s centenary celebrations.
He believed that everyone had a story to tell and if they were not shared, they would be lost forever.
“Younger folk will know little about their heritage unless we pass on the stories from one generation to the next,” he said.
“It’s a bridge that keeps people together.”
Wally is survived by his wife Dorrie and children Russell, Christopher, Philip, Gregory and Carolyn.
His funeral service will be held at 11:00am on Monday, April 27, at the Peace Lutheran Church in Kumbia.
So sad to hear he has passed, thoughts are with you Dot & Family and to his many friends.I wish I could attend to pay respects, but I shall think of you all on Monday. RIP Wally, you were a wonderful man and so full of knowledge and stories. You shall be missed, but remembered well.