Noel Laming was a fully paid up member of the generation that shaped Campbelltown in the past 50 years.
These were community giants who worked hard both for their families and their community.
Noel Laming, who was 85 when he passed away last Saturday, was a successful businessman, running the Richardson & Wrench brand across Campbelltown for many years.
But he was also keenly aware of the need to keep making Campbelltown a better place.
As a keen cricket enthusiast, Laming helped establish the Camden Campbelltown cricket club, more commonly known as the Ghosts, in the early 1980s.
The club has gone on to produce NSW and Australian players over the ensuing years, while Noel Laming kept a close eye on its progress. He was made a life member of the Ghosts, one of just 13 people in almost 40 years.
Eventually he was appointed to the NSW Cricket board where he also made a great contribution.
Laming was a generous benefactor of the WSU School of Medicine, and in the last few years after succumbing to cancer, he and wife Maree became big supporters of the local charity 24 Hour Fight Against Cancer Macarthur.
Former Campbelltown councillor and businessman Frank Ward paid tribute to him on social media this morning.
“As a former close business colleague of Noel I am deeply saddened by his passing as he made a great contribution to cricket, the real estate community and his church. My condolences to his family and the Richardson and Wrench real estate group who will miss his leadership and friendship greatly.’’
The federal member for Macarthur, Dr Mike Freelander, also posted a social media tribute this morning.
“Macarthur has sadly lost a true community leader and sporting stalwart with the recent passing of Noel Laming, who was the inaugural president of the Campbelltown Camden District Cricket Club and a passionate advocate for our national sport.
“I am deeply saddened to hear of Noel’s passing; he was a wonderful and charitable man who was dedicated to his family and the cricketing community in NSW and Macarthur,’’ Dr Freelander said.
As for me I will always remember Noel Laming as quietly spoken, a true gentleman, a man from a different era, a giant of Campbelltown.
Noel Laming, RIP.
