Chippy remembered

Loveable larrikin passes away

Paul Makin

Journalist

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Chippy at his favourite watering hole the Four Mile Tavern IMAGE Supplied

54-year-old Chris McMullen or ‘Chippy’ as he was known in Port Douglas, was a true soldier of fortune who had a handshake you could trust.

Chippy was your genuine Aussie good bloke who loved the Far North and the people who live in it.

But now he’s gone, and his many friends say the world is a lesser place for his passing.Chippy died from what’s believed to be heart failure after not feeling well in recent weeks.

He complained to mates he was having a few chest pains but thought things would come right. They didn’t and now friends and family are mourning a man who made everyone around him feel better.

Born in Temora

Chippy was born in Temora NSW and shares his birthplace with just about the best pacer Australia has ever produced, ‘Paleface Adios’. He went to Primary and High School there but as soon as he could make his own way in life he set out for faraway places like Darwin and Kalgoorlie. He worked in the mines of the West Australian gold town because Chippy was never afraid of a bit of elbow grease. As his name suggested he was a carpenter and plied his trade all over Australia, including places like Wagga and Wollongong. But it was Port Douglas that finally captured his heart and he became a local virtually overnight. His sister Lisa says Chippy loved the Douglas and it was as if he’d lived here all his life. She told Newsport from her family home in Temora, that her brother was married once but that ended in divorce and was a confirmed bachelor after that experience. There are no children to mourn his death but there is his Mum and Dad, Aileen and Paul, who are understandably taking his passing very hard as is Lisa and her sister Michelle. It’s the second time Aileen and Paul have had to mourn a son, they lost Chippy’s brother Wayne 30 years ago. However, his sisters and parents visited him in Port Douglas and could see he was very content “We all know how much he was loved up there and we’ve received many messages of condolence from friends and acquaintances on our Facebook page” said Lisa. She also told us that when he wasn’t feeling well recently, people were dropping off food and taking care of him “That’s of great comfort to the family” said Lisa “We know he died peacefully surrounded by love and that’s a beautiful thing”.

His favourite place

Chippy had a couple of watering holes, but Four Mile Tavern was the place you could always track him down if need be. Not that he really wanted to be found. Chippy was a very private person according to sister Lisa “Sometimes if we told people to go to the Tavern to find him, he pretended to be annoyed” she said with a laugh. Cara Stevens, who works at the drinking spot once went out with Chippy. She told Newsport today that he was a real down to earth human being “He would do anything for anyone, a hard worker and loved a beer” she said with a laugh. Regulars at the Four Mile Tavern were shocked to hear the news of Chippy’s passing and during the week there were over a 100 people gathered there to raise a glass to his memory. “There was a big turnout” said Cara “it started in the late morning and wrapped up around 8 at night, with a lot of stories being told about Chippy, I think he’d be smiling down in approval”. One of his best friends, local tiler George Schreiber told Newsport “Chippy was dry, different and a one-eyed supporter of the Parramatta Eels, so it wasn’t much fun watching the footy with him” he said “I always told him he was a redneck, I mean he’s from Temora and only rednecks come from Temora” George said with a smile. Underneath the jokes George like so many of Chippy’s friends was hurting.

Loved man and beast

Another mate Bob Francis told Newsport Chippy was a free spirit and one of the nicest people he’s ever met “The last time I saw Chippy he patted my new puppy 2 Bob because he loved dogs as well as human beings’ said Bob. In fact, Chippy had intended to look after a Jack Russell for a mate who was sick, but unfortunately, he couldn’t fulfill that act of kindness.

Final word

The final word comes from Chippy’s sister Lisa who told us “If anyone is getting chest pains or not feeling well, men or women, get it checked out straight away, life is precious” she said. It’s expected a memorial service will be held at some time in the future. The atmosphere at the Four Mile Tavern has been a little different in recent days, but we’re sure the spirit of Chippy will be around for some time looking for a cold one.

Vale Chippy.

Friend George Schreiber and Chippy would always have some friendly banter IMAGE Paul Makin|FAB FM
Cara Stevens went out with Chippy at one stage of his life and they remained firm friends IMAGE Paul Makin|FAB FM
Bob Francis says Chippy loved dogs and was excited to meet Bob’s new puppy 2 Bob IMAGE Paul Makin|FAB FM
(From left to right) Chippy’s sister Michelle, Chippy and other sister Lisa IMAGE Supplied

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