19 September, 2022
Recreation area honours Walters couple
HOWARD Walters and his late wife Jenny have been unofficially called ‘The Mayor and Mayoress of Wamuran’, and now they have a local recreation area named after them.
The H and J Walters Recreation Area was recently unveiled, about 24 years after Howard and Jenny moved to Wamuran.
“I just love the community and the people,” Howard said.
“It was 1700 people, now there’s 7000.
“A lot of them call me the mayor. That’s fine, I don’t mind.”
Howard said he felt humbled to have the recreation area named after him and his late wife, a few years after they had a street named after them (Walters Court).
Howard said it was in his nature to “give to the community”.
Howard moved from Queensland to Sydney as a youngster, and later met Jenny who resided in Liverpool while Howard resided in Glenfield.
From the age of 15 to 23, Howard was the treasurer of the Glenfield Boys’ Club which he said “kept kids off the street”.
“We did boxing, played cards and other stuff,” he said.
After Howard and Jenny were married when Howard was 36, they spent time in Randwick, Dee Why, Leichhardt and Hornsby, before moving north of the border.
“We’re both Queenslanders, and we wanted to be in Queensland,” he said.
“Jenny’s mum was at Stafford Heights, and we wanted to be somewhere near.”
Howard said he and Jenny visited Caboolture, and that a real estate agent showed them a few places including Bribie Island.
“He also said there’s a new estate opening in Wamuran,” Howard recalled.
“The moment we came down the hill and over the bridge, I said to Jenny ‘this is it’.”
They never looked back, as they became immersed in the Wamuran region and spent much of their time helping out various community groups and being involved in various activities.
Howard’s roles included treasurer of the Wamuran Sporting Association, chairman of the Wamuran Co-Op (now Wamuran Produce and Hardware), and chartered president of the Lions Club of Wamuran. He also did things like checking security, and mowing the sporting field.
Howard continues to be involved in Neighbourhood Watch, and he is also the treasurer of the Lions Club of Wamuran.
Jenny’s involvements included volunteering at Sunnymeade and Neighbourhood Watch.
Now 77 years of age, Howard said Jenny’s passing in July 2019 had not slowed him down nor changed his community involvements.
Recently, Howard handed out brochures mentioning the upcoming Wamuran F.A.M Festival.
Moreton Bay Regional Council (MBRC) councillor Tony Latter said, “It is good to recognise members of the community who go above and beyond, and Howard and Jenny have both done that over many years.
“It is great to see the excitement and pride Howard and other members of the community have had with the park being named after Jenny and Howard.
“Jenny suddenly passed away a few years ago but her service to the community will be remembered.
“I have big plans for this park and am chasing further investment to see a district level park built in Wamuran that will become a designation park for the surrounding area.”
