By Mikayla van Loon
Mount Evelyn community stalwart and champion of the new pavilion, Bryan McCarthy, died on Wednesday 30 November after battling an illness for quite some time.
A man passionate about providing for his community, Mr McCarthy led the charge in getting better facilities for Mount Evelyn’s sporting clubs which was a six year battle.
As president of the Mount Evelyn Sports and Community Hub (MESCH) he came to be an integral part of the local community, galvanising the relationship between the four clubs.
The news, while expected, came as a shock to those who worked so closely with Mr McCarthy and also his wife Maria.
“A major reason we are in this position is the work of the Mount Evelyn Sports and Community Hub committee, and in particular the hard working, professional, and knowledgeable leadership that Bryan provided this committee,” Mount Evelyn Cricket Club said in a statement on social media.
“It is the greatest shame that Bryan did not see the fruition of his work, but he leaves knowing that his vision will come to realisation and that it will service our community for many years to come.”
Passing on his condolences to Ms McCarthy, a former mayor, and the family, Yarra Ranges Council Mayor Jim Child said he was saddened to hear of the death of a wonderful man.
“Bryan had given so much to our communities, more so in recent times, suffering with his illness he continued his unwavering support and leadership for the Mount Evelyn Sports and Community Hub,” he said.
“Thank you Bryan, Rest In Peace. ‘A lost community treasure’.”
On Thursday 1 December, MESCH acting president Mal Darke announced the new community room within the Mount Evelyn Recreation Reserve pavilion would be officially named after Mr McCarthy.
“We’ve already passed a motion through the MESCH committee that the community room will be known as the Bryan McCarthy Community Room as a tribute to Bryan’s service to the club and to the community,” he said.
“He served not only our club but a multitude of other community groups with his community service for many, many years.
“One of the last conversations I had with him was that he was devastated he wasn’t going to see this project finished. So I think it’s really nice there’ll be a living memorial to Bryan that the community can see everyday.”
While in recent years Mr McCarthy’s focus was on getting the pavilion built, he was very much someone who helped in many aspects of life.
Mr McCarthy was someone who gave his all to others, supporting people at every turn, taking on roles as a dedicated volunteer firefighter with the Coldstream CFA and a longstanding member of local Rotary clubs.
“Bryan was a larger than life Lilydale Rotarian – a wonderful role model for all of us at Lilydale.
He had been an active member of both Chirnside RC and Lilydale RC since 2014 and was our President three times,” Richard and Jenny Selway posted to social media.
“Thank you Bryan for giving so much to so many through Rotary.”
Mr McCarthy will be farewelled with a funeral at 11am on Tuesday 20 December at Heritage and Heritage Pioneer’s Chapel in Woori Yallock.
