Vale Allan Childs (1941-2024)
Life is mostly froth and bubble,
Two things stand like stone,
Kindness in another’s trouble,
Courage in your own
Allan Alfred Childs was born at OB Flat in the south-east of south Australia, where Adam Lindsay Gordon spent 14 years of his short life. Since taking on the caretaker/curator role at Dingley Dell Cottage and Museum, Port MacDonnell, Allan and Jenny Childs have devoted more than 26 years to promulgating the life and works of Adam Lindsay Gordon.
However, Allan admitted than when they took on the lease of Dingley Dell in 1997, they knew nothing about Gordon but, as he had to talk to people while showing them through the cottage, he did some research. With the help of his grandchildren, he was introduced to the computer and the internet … and that was it! He became a walking encyclopedia about Gordon, even taking on the persona of the poet when talking to visitors, and he loved reciting the poet’s work!
Allan was instrumental in forming the group Friends of Dingley Dell to raise money for the betterment of Dingley Dell Cottage, and both he and Jenny maintained and improved the surrounding gardens and grounds, earning them the Port MacDonnell Red Cross Award for gardens. Then, in 2001, the cottage received a High Commendation for its gardens in the KESAB (Keep South Australia Beautiful) awards.
Dingley Dell Cottage and Museum, the first building to be listed on the South Australian Heritage Register (on 24 July 1980), in 2002 received a $15,000 heritage grant to undertake restorative maintenance work on the cottage, grounds, and the nature trail. Also that year, for his efforts in restoring the cottage and the ongoing preservation of its history and that of Adam Lindsay Gordon, Allan Childs received an Australia Day Citizen of the Year Award.
Phone calls to Dingley Dell would always be met with Allan’s greeting, ‘Adam Lindsay Gordon here’!
I first visited Dingley Dell on 14 and 15 December 2001 to gather material for my book Gordon of Dingley Dell. Allan and Jenny were most hospitable and made me feel at home during my visits. Allan was also influential in my writing a book about the Admella, convinced there was a connection between the wreck and rescue efforts and Adam Lindsay Gordon. This proved to be the case, substantiated by many who witnessed Gordon’s involvement, both on the beach and in riding dispatches to Mount Gambier. Sadly, Allan didn’t get to see that book completed. Reef of Despair: the wreck of the SS Admella is due to be printed in a few months.
Allan Childs and the late John Adams were instrumental in organising through the auspices of the Penola Cultural Fund and several other local benefactors, a replica bust to that featuring Gordon in Westminster Abbey being installed in Penola, in the district where Gordon spent many years. The bust was unveiled in Church Street, Penola, on 26 October 2005 by the Dean of Westminster, the Very Reverend Dr Wesley Carr. This became the Poets’ Corner of Penola, with the addition of the busts of two other Penola poets – John Shaw Neilson and William Henry Ogilvie – unveiled on 2 December 2018.
When the Adam Lindsay Gordon Commemorative Committee was formed on 26 January 2006, and held its first meeting at Dingley Dell on 7 October 2006, Allan, an inaugural member, was elected the first President. In June that year the first Froth and Bubble Festival was held at Federation Square, Melbourne, to remember Gordon, and was promoted by the Australian Racing Museum and Hall of Fame. This began an annual tribute of laying wattle sprigs at the Adam Lindsay Gordon statue in Spring Street, Melbourne, each June on the Saturday closest to the date of the poet’s death.
Allan and Jenny Childs were made Life Members of the Adam Lindsay Gordon Commemorative Committee in 2020, at the end of which year they reluctantly retired from Dingley Dell due to health issues, Allan having served on the committee for more than 14 years.
Thanks to their daughter Shelley, Allan and Jenny were able to enjoy a day at the Coleraine races last August, a memorable day for those attending who knew him, and saw him so happy and thoroughly enjoying the experience.
For Allan’s 80th birthday in 2021, a loving granddaughter Eboni penned a beautiful tribute to him:
80!!! How bloody good are you Paradara?*
You’ve shown your 3 children, 8 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren what it’s like to kick ass!
You’re a fighter, the head of the family, the leader of your pack.
You’ve taught us about the ghost with one black eye, the giant gorilla on the walking track and the bird that couldn’t fly.
About how life is mostly froth and bubble, the right way to back a trailer, and to always head to Pa’s when we’re about to get in trouble.
But most of all you’ve taught us how to live life to the fullest even when it’s telling you to sit this one out.
You’re an inspiration to everyone and there isn’t a day that goes by that we aren’t proud of you!
I hope you have the most amazing day and celebrate your 80th birthday in style!
I love you always and forever! Eboni.
* Hindi for ‘one who watches over, to keep safe from harm or danger, protector’.
Paradara is at rest now, he no longer has pain, but he will be forever remembered, especially by his wife Jenny, and their children Shane, Gaynor and Shelley and their partners, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
But Allan’s soul will only rest when Dingley Dell Cottage and Museum, which he and Jenny watched over and protected for 23 years, is once again in the hands of genuine custodians who will preserve and promote their legacy, and that of Adam Lindsay Gordon as Australia’s national poet.
Following some lovely family tributes at a well-attended service on 17 January at Carinya Gardens Chapel, Mount Gambier, the cortege did a ‘loop’ around Dingley Dell Cottage before Allan was laid to rest at the Port MacDonnell Cemetery, adjacent to the Cape Northumberland Lighthouse.
As the coffin was lowered, a large flock of pelicans flew over in a ‘V’ formation, to which Jenny Childs said, ‘Allan did that!’
