Obituary - Ernest Moody | Taranaki News | Local News in Taranaki

Sadly, local identity Ernest Moody passed away on September 7, 2006.

Known as Ernie, he was born on April 11, 1930, to Jack and Phyll Moody in New Plymouth. He later moved east of the mountain to Matau, where he grew up and learned to love the surrounding land. Only educated till Standard 6, Ernie acquired other talents such as playing the piano accordion after he left school. He began shearing at the age of 16, a trade he continued for most of his life and one that brought him many friends. He attended dances in the eastern community with these friends.

Ernie had a talent for dancing and attended many functions before he became engaged to Sue on February 20, 1959, the same year he took over the family farm in Matau. Ernie and Sue were married exactly a year later and the couple had three children, a son and two daughters. To accommodate his new family, Ernie built a new house on his 250 acres of land when he took over the farm. The house was closed in and had doors that swung; and electricity, a novelty that Ernie hadn't known till he was 26.

After 13 years in the Matau district, Ernie moved his family to Te Popo to enable his children to attend secondary school as there was a bus connection. The Moody family spent nearly two decades at Te Popo, eventually selling the farm in 1991 and buying land on East Road.

During his lifetime, Ernie was known for his dedication to tasks and willingness to help - qualities that made him an active member of several institutions throughout the region. He was a dedicated member of the Whangamomona Masonic Lodge which met at Toko, joining in 1969. He would make the journey from Matau, and later Te Popo, to monthly meetings regardless of the weather and the conditions of the road, and was so dedicated to the cause that he only missed a handful of meetings during his entire time as a Freemason. During his time with the Lodge, he held most offices and was installed as Master of the Lodge in 1976. He worked his way up the chain and held the rank of Senior Grand Warden on his passing.

During his 37 years of service, Ernie was always in the thick of projects and never liked to see a shoddy job. He regarded his time with the Lodge as an opportunity to help others.

Not only was he dedicated to the Masonic Lodge, Ernie had a long involvement with indoor bowls. Known for his organisational skills, he held all the executive positions at the Midhirst and Avon Bowling Clubs. Not one to abandon duty, Ernie took on the role of green keeper at the Avon Bowling Club when he felt he had served his time in office, a position that he was enthusiastic about and enjoyed immensely.

Over the years, Ernie also served on the Matau, Wharehuia, and Skinner Road Hall Committees, the Te Popo Domain Committee, the Stratford Swimming Club, the Stratford and Districts RSA and was a charter member of the Toko and Districts Lions Club, a long list of accomplishments deserving of a man who was recognised as a hard worker. Throughout his lifetime, Ernie followed the motto that people should 'put something back into what you belong to' and his life was evidence of that.

He will be hugely missed throughout the community, but his contributions will not be forgotten.