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House of Assembly - Fifty-Second Parliament, First Session (52-1)
2010-09-29 Daily Xml
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SARGENT, MR A.V.

Mr VENNING (Schubert) (15:21): This house from time to time expresses condolences to its past members and notable citizens of the state. Angas Victor Sargent, a gentleman of the community and a high achiever in many areas of South Australia, died on the 28 August 2010 at Crystal Brook.

Angas Victor Sargent was born at the old Crystal Brook hospital on 4 October 1923 to Henry Victor Sargent (known as Vic) and Linda Agnes Davidson. Angas married Una Roberts in 1951 at the Church of England, Clare. Angas grew up on the family farm, Brook Park, our neighbour at Crystal Brook, just west of the town, and resided there for almost 80 years.

After leaving school, he went home to work on the farm and in 1942, after being rejected from the aircrew because of colour blindness, Angas joined the Royal Australian Air Force as ground crew and was posted to Darwin and Laverton to work on aircraft engines. In that time, he had his first experience with militant unionism—they would only work on one engine per shift when he could manage one and a half engines per shift. He said it made him cross when blokes were risking their lives at the war every day up north.

Angas joined the Beetaloo Valley Agriculture Bureau (later to become the Crystal Brook Bureau), becoming secretary and president and organiser of field days—two on our farm, Montrose, and one on his own. This was a forerunner to today's very successful Paskeville field days. He was later awarded life membership of the agricultural bureau in 1965.

During his time as president with the North-Western Agricultural Show Society, the old grandstand was burnt down. Besides fundraising for the project, the architect became insolvent necessitating building supervision. This caused Angas considerable angst. In 2003 he was awarded life membership, recognising his efforts. The grandstand will forever be testament to his considerable efforts.

He was secretary of the Liberal and Country League for 13 years. He had many a night-time conversation with my late father, Howard Venning, the local MP, the 'cocky from the rocky'. They were very good friends. Over time he became the Worshipful Master of the Crystal Brook Lodge and Port Pirie Chapter Lodge and joined Grand Lodge. He was a member for almost 60 years.

Some of Angas's other high achievements include 18 years as chairman of the Crystal Brook Hospital Board, with a total service of 24 years; and 14 years (including nine years as chairman) of the State Council of the South Australian Hospital Association—not bad for a country lad. He served on the Nurses Registration Board for seven years. The South Australian Hospitals Board awarded him life membership. He was a foundation member of the Crystal Brook St John Ambulance for 37 years, president for 20 years and received a Priory Vote of Thanks in 1980, and he was appointed a serving brother of St John in 1992 and a life member of St John in 2001—again, not bad for a country lad.

For 49 years he served as a Justice of the Peace going on to be president of the Royal Association of Justices of South Australia and president of the National Council of Justices in Australia. He became a life member of the State Council of the Royal Association of Justices—amazing achievement. For four years, he was the president of the South Australian Wheat and Wool Growers Association of Crystal Brook. Angas also served for two years as president of the Crystal Brook RSL, and he was a member of that for many, many years.

In October 1982, Angas Sargent was awarded the British Empire Medal, for service to the community—what recognition and duly deserved. Later, on Australia Day 1996, he was awarded the Crystal Brook Citizen of the Year—an award he really valued.

Angas gave a lot to the community, but so did many of his generation. Maybe it was the war, but whatever it was, they all got into it and did it. From collecting mallee stumps at Cowell for the hospital heating, because they wanted to reduce the power bills, or building the halls, swimming pools or bowling greens, they were all very generous in their communities.

Angas Sargent was my neighbour, my father's first cousin and a loyal friend. We were all very fond of him and proud of his achievements. I will certainly miss him and memories so very graphic. I will always ensure that the flag flies on the grandstand, Angas.

Crystal Brook, and South Australia generally has a lot to thank Angas Sargent for and that is why I make note of it here. To his wife Una, daughter Meredith, and sons Malcolm and Brian, and families, our sincere condolences.

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