General News
20 February, 2024
Badger remembered as a helping mate
IAN ‘BADGER’ MERCER 1944-2024 TWO years after his birth at Boort Bush Nursing Hospital, Ian Mercer was given the nickname of Badger that would stay for the rest of his life. Ian attended a fancy dress as a jockey, he was hoisted onto many...
IAN ‘BADGER’ MERCER
1944-2024
TWO years after his birth at Boort Bush Nursing Hospital, Ian Mercer was given the nickname of Badger that would stay for the rest of his life.
Ian attended a fancy dress as a jockey, he was hoisted onto many shoulders during the evening and called “Badger”. One of the famous jockeys at the time was Harold Badger.
One of four children to Mavis and Donald Mercer, he attended school in Boort and later Ballarat College where he was a member of the cadet unit.
Badger then commenced work as a clerk at New Zealand Loan in Boort, a stock and station agency which then amalgamated with Dalgety, working there for 10 year.
He meet the love of his life when a group of friends were going for a night out - future wife Lorraine was relieving as a telephonist at the exchange and they married in 1965.
Badger transferred to Bendigo to gain further skills in the stock and station agent sector at the Bendigo Stockyards, then again to Pyramid Hill, Wycheproof and back to Boort.
In around 1973 he joined the State Rivers and Water Supply Commission and worked as a water bailiff until his retirement.
He had a strong involvement with the Boort Fire Brigade. In 1962 at the State Demonstration in Bendigo, Gav Holmes, Dave Rawlins, Frank Storey and Badger gained a third place in the C Class fours. Boort had not had a place in the State Demo since the 1930s. Frank often recalled driving down View Street with trophy in hand and Badger going yah hoo!
Badger took on various roles - secretary for four years and then captain for two years, where he obtained a trailer to house a lighting plant/generator, stretcher, quick fill pump and associated equipment. During this time, he also visited other brigades to gain ideas to help protect the community.
He joined the trotting club committee as assistant secretary as a 17-year-old and continued in the position for almost 50 years. He was awarded life membership in 1982
He was a player with Boort Football Club but breaking his nose was probably what ended his playing career. Badger once again was on the committee and awarded life membership for his services.
Badger also worked on the 100-year celebration committee.
He started playing social bowls in the 1980s and after retirement, was a member of pennant teams.
At his funeral last week, Badger was remembered as a good mate to those in need, driving people to medical appointments and being someone to talk too.
Badger also had a short involvement with Apex Club, badminton club and golf.
He was the long-time secretary of the Boort Park committee, involved with the transition to council ownership and spent many hours weed spraying around the park, cleaning, taking room bookings.