JIMBOOMBA lost a community leader, animal lover and old school personality when Stan Wells died on Tuesday, November 6, while battling lung cancer.
Mr Wells, 78, was the area coordinator of Jimboomba Neighbourhood Watch and belonged to the organisation for 17 years.
He was involved in Logan Country Safe City group meetings where he advocated for Mount Lindesay Highway upgrades and sounded the alarm on the impact of rapid growth in housing estates.
Stan was married to Maureen Wells who passed earlier this year.
The couple joined the Animal Welfare League in NSW and purchased a property in Jimboomba with a kennel licence so they could continue to care for vulnerable animals in Queensland.
Mr Wells had a close working relationship with former Jimboomba Police Senior Sergeant Bill Sheehan, who had him on standby to collect animals belonging to victims of domestic violence.
In his capacity as Jimboomba Neighbourhood Watch area coordinator, Mr Wells supported safe plate days to install one way screws on registration plates, attended white candle events for domestic violence victims, and offered security audits for local businesses.
Mr Wells was awarded for his work as area coordinator at the Neighbourhood Watch State Conference in 2012.
Jimboomba Neighbourhood Watch zone coordinator and Flagstone resident Bob Wiley said Stan had an old school personality.
“His main passion was Neighbourhood Watch, he just loved working for the community. He did not have a mobile phone, he preferred to meet people face to face,” he said.
“We clashed at Neighbourhood Watch meetings...he was old school and I had newer ideas. We used to joke about it and I let him have his way. He was a top bloke.”
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Neighbourhood Watch secretary Clive Shield said Stan was a passionate community champion.
“He was very interested in community affairs and he was passionate about protecting the more vulnerable in the community,” he said.
“He was strictly concerned with domestic and family violence. He was very respectful of police, elected representatives and members of emergency services.
“He was good friends with Senior Sergeant Bill Sheehan and was particularly fond of Senior Sergeant Peter Waugh and highly respected him.
“He read the Jimboomba Times cover to cover and kept on top of the news.”
Councillor Trevina Schwarz said Stan worked behind the scenes to help anyone in need.
“Stan missed his wife terribly...at least now he will be in the arms of his beloved wife,” she said.
“Stan was one of those heroes where you don’t hear about all the great work he and his wife did. He did the very best to help people and the animals.”
Community tributes have flowed from community leaders including rural fire fighter volunteer Bernard Savage, Scenic Rim MP Jon Krause and Chicks Conquering Cancer president Kathy Smith.
Former neighbours Tracey and John Barry shared kind thoughts on social media.
“Stan was a lovely man, a hard worker and an amazing friend and neighbour. Stan put many hours into the community even when he was very unwell himself. He was often giving support to others (and) he will be sadly missed by us,” Ms Barry said.
“I will miss Stan. He always made a sad day brighter with his dry wit and sense of humour,” Mr Barry said.
“The few years we lived next to both Stan and Maureen was just a small bit of the life, we appreciated having them in our lives. He was a good mate to all who knew him.”
Mr Wells is understood to be survived by a brother and sister living in NSW and West Australia and two step-children.
