By Goya Dmytryshchak
John Maxwell “Max” Kidd has been remembered as a luminary of the Altona community whose passion for rugby union was exceeded only by his love for family.
Mr Kidd, 86, surrounded by family members, died peacefully at his Queen Street home of the past 60 years.
Power House Rugby Club paid tribute to its past president and life member who in 1999 received an OAM for service to the community, particularly young people and rugby.
In its tribute, the club said Mr Kidd had “gone to join the team in the game they play in heaven”.
Mr Kidd was a founding member of the Altona Presbyterian Church, Altona Apex, the Altona Macular Degeneration and Low Vision Support Group and Altona Complex Neighbourhood Consultative Group.
In the family’s eulogy, eldest son John Kidd said never could a father have given his sons
a better example of how to cherish their
wives.
“As a fitting end, only moments before dad’s passing, we could hear mum and dad deep in conversation as they held hands and supported each other to the very end,” he said.
Peter Kidd ended the eulogy by saying: “It’s full-time in dad’s game of life.
“He has run his last try, so in celebration of a truly magnificent game I would like everyone to join me in three cheers.”
Altona MP Jill Hennessy said the former physical education teacher and principal was a champion of better education for the young people of Melbourne’s west.
Hobsons Bay councillor Sandra Wilson, who met Mr Kidd as a member of the Altona Loop Group lobbying for better train services,
gave a moving tribute at last week’s council meeting.
Glancing towards a seat in the public gallery, where Mr Kidd often sat accompanied by his wife, Cr Wilson said:
“I will reserve a spot for Max sitting over there and will think of him and of his wish for us to have a softer world. We’ll miss you, Max.”
The council is considering naming a community asset in his honour.
Mr Kidd is survived by his wife of 64 years, Margaret, their children, Judith, Peter, John and Susan, and eight grandchildren.
