George Lay Park

George Lay

The storyteller, the provider, the educator, the woolman, the gardener. Lover of music, deep water and high soils. George Lay was described as a true benefactor for his contribution to the Swan Hill community. Born in Melbourne in 1901, George Francis Lay was the son of the mate of a sailing ship and a piano teacher. As a result, George's first employment was working on ships at Queenscliff before qualifying as a wool classer and travelling through New South Wales and Queensland on the wool track.

In 1928 George arrived in Swan Hill to buy a shearing shed and for a period operated a dairy and firewood business. In 1943 he joined the Rotary Club with whom he served for more than 40 years. He was elected to the Swan Hill Borough Council in 1949, serving for 18 years. Other community organisations George was involved in were: the Old Folks' Home, Anglican Church, Swan Hill District Hospital, Mid Murray Ambulance Service, Historical Society, Native Children's Centre, Scouts, Community Youth Club, six housing co-operatives and the Mid Murray Water Users' Association. Closer to home, George also enjoyed the company of his wife Linda and five children. For his services to the community, George was deservedly awarded the MBE (Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire ) in 1968. In September 1987 Swan Hill lost a dedicated community and family man in George Lay.