Emotional farewell for Dunsborough stalwart

A beloved and integral member of the community will be farewelled this week, as tributes flow for his dedication and impact on the South West.

In a statement released last week, the Dunsborough Yallingup Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DYCCI) honoured long time local and life member, Brian Morris.

“Brian played a pivotal role in shaping the DYCCI we know today,” a spokesperson said. “As President for 19 years, he led with vision, energy, and unwavering commitment to local business.

“When the Chamber was on the brink of folding, it was Brian who stepped in-revitalising its structure, introducing sundowners, and helping grow membership to more than 200.”

The group said Brian’s legacy extended much further than the Chamber, having been associated with many local groups and clubs, as well as fostering a sense of community pride within his own family, grandson Mitch Baker serving as current DYCCI president.

“Brian was also a life member of the Dunsborough & Districts Country Club, the former Geographe Bay Tourism Association, an active supporter of Dunsborough Sea Rescue, and a dedicated member of the Dunsborough Townscape Committee. Above all, Brian was a proud family man. We know Brian would have been deeply proud to see the work he started being carried forward by the next generation of his own family.

“Our thoughts are with his beloved wife Aileen, his children, grandchildren, great-grandchild, and all who had the privilege of knowing him.”

Mitch Baker said he was grateful to have known “our incredible Pop”.

“He was a man of many words when they were needed to be said, for the sake of our community with the Chamber of Commerce and Country Club as well as shaping many of the amazing things he was instrumental in getting over the line for Dunsborough and surrounds,” he told the Mail.

“Behind closed doors, Pop was a man of very few words when it came to his family.

“He was proud of us all, he was an emotional character, with love for family at his core and he was always an intent listener regardless of what we had to say.

“Like Pop, I have been gifted with the ability to talk to and entertain for people but I also find it incredibly hard to put things like this into words verbally when I’m talking about my family. I guess it’s just in our DNA – family matters!”

Mitch said he, along with the family and countless others in the community, would never forget the “genuine, kind and honest man” he had known his whole life.

“He leaves behind a massive hole in our family as well for our beautiful Gran, Aileen Morris who Pop absolutely doted over right til the very end. If I can shape up to be half the man he was, hopefully I’ll become a person that my family will some day say the same about.”

Brian’s funeral will be held on Thursday June 12 at William Barrett & Sons in Busselton from 2pm.