In the midst of a globe in pandemic mourning and unprecedented economic and social strife, we should take care to continue to honour our community traditions lest they be lost in all the noise, writes PATRICK DUFFY, in this personal tribute to Adrian “Eddy’’ Tesler, a brilliant local scoutmaster, who died this week at the age of 74.
As well as serving his country with distinction as a regular infantryman in Vietnam, Eddy Tesler spent many years in the late 1970s and 1980s as the scoutmaster at 1st Bradbury Scouts, and has left behind a lasting legacy for those of us fortunate enough to be under his charge in those long ago but cherished days.
Born in Haalem, Holland in 1946, Eddy was brought to Australia in 1949 by his parents, joining the great post WWII migration Down Under.
Having settled at Taree with the family, he enlisted as a young man of 17 in May 1963 in the 1st Royal Australian Regiment, B Company (215250), known as the “Big Blue One”, and whose motto he took to heart: “Duty First”.
He served in Vietnam in 1965 and 1966, where 1RAR became the first unit to serve attached to an American formation, the 173rd Airborne.
In September 1965 1RAR began offensive operations against the Viet Cong around the Bien Hoa area, and later operating in areas such as the “Iron Triangle”.
The unit took part in Operation Crimp north of Saigon and uncovered the CuChi Tunnel complex, the deepest and most elaborate tunnel network then discovered in Vietnam, returning to Australia in June 1966 when relieved by the first Australian Taskforce, after being visited by Prime Minister Harold Holt on Anzac Day.
After five years and 21 days of effective service, Eddy married his beloved wife Margaret and settled in Leumeah, raising their children, Craig and Amanda (Mandy).
Eventually he also became grandfather to Winona, Lotus, Oscar, Ryan and Jessica.
Eddy worked as a mechanic for GMH and a gardener and handyman until his retirement.
In the late 1970s he became scoutmaster at 1st Bradbury Scouts, which I joined in 1982.
What made Eddy special to us, and his great legacy was his adventurous spirit and vision of outdoor life which even for its day was unique and edgy, to say the least.
He decided life in a scout hall would teach us very little, that we should be outdoors, in the bush, on the rivers, in the neighbourhoods raising funds for our equipment and trips, and learning respect for our environment and to know and love our local wilderness.
Against significant bureaucratic opposition, he decided Bradbury “A” Troop would meet all day Saturdays in the bush at Wedderburn in the winter, near the airstrip, and in the summer on the Nepean River at Menangle, near the railway bridge.
What followed for years for those of us lucky enough to experience it, was that a special part of our lives became more unforgettable, lifelong knowledge, friendships and memories were gained, and we came to understand the meaning Eddy gave to his old unit motto, “duty first”.
In his later years Eddy was instrumental in the foundation and maintenance of the Soldier Settlement Museum at East Campbelltown.
He was awarded Campbelltown Council’s Heritage Medallion Award for those efforts in 2010.
Although his health declined in his later years, and the effects of the war never left him, Eddy Tesler still managed to leave an extraordinary legacy to many local boys, in the finest way he knew how.
I will miss his energy, determination, and good humour (and I owe him more than words can say for taking Craig and I to our first concert, Freddie Mercury and Queen at the old Entertainment Centre in Sydney). Our community has lost a mighty servant and mentor, who more than earned his keep on this planet, and will be so greatly missed. His passing was the more poignant, being on the 44th anniversary of the day he shipped out to Vietnam.
Eddy Tesler’s funeral service will be held at St Johns Church, Campbelltown, 10.30am on Friday, June 12.
- PATRICK DUFFY is a lawyer who has spent most of his life in Campbelltown.
