Silent struggle

Pat and John Filmer. Mrs Filmer said herhusband was alwaysconcerned with peoplein thecommunity, even
A DEDICATED member of the Dandenong-Cranbourne RSL sub-branch passed away on Sunday after a two-year battle with leukaemia – a battle many didn’t know he was fighting.
RSL identity John Filmer, who was 2010 Greater Dandenong Citizen of the Year, dedicated many years to the welfare of others, and even as he fought for his life he was determined people didn’t know of his struggle.
Pat Filmer, his wife of more than 40 years, said it was “just like John” to still be worrying about everyone else, even in his final days.
“He was always positive, always completely positive,” she said. “It (leukaemia) was just an inconvenience. The Filmer family motto is ‘True to Life’ and that is what John was.”
Despite having chemotherapy and fortnightly blood transfusions, Mr Filmer continued to be active in the RSL and the wider community.
“It wasn’t just the RSL,” Mrs Filmer said. “He loved the South Vietnamese community and was very helpful to the Iraqi people and the City of Greater Dandenong. He was always involved and they all gave him tremendous support.”
As well as dedicating his life to his community, Mr Filmer was a hands-on father of four children and grandfather of two granddaughters.
“He was always a Mr Mum or a full-on Dad before it became fashionable,” she said. “He was wonderful with bringing up our beautiful children.”
Active in the Dandenong-Cranbourne RSL for seven years, Mr Filmer was the RSL’s aged care and welfare officer when he died, aged 77.
He was also president of the Vietnam War Memorial and was fondly known as ‘Big John’ by Springvale’s Vietnamese community.
Dandenong-Cranbourne RSL vice-president John Laughton said he had been associated with Mr Filmer for six years in the RSL.
“He was unbelievable with what he tried to do – no-one who came to him was ever turned away without help,” Mr Laughton said.
“It was a privilege to know him and Pat, and my wife Lorraine and I will always remember him with fondness and respect.”
Mr Filmer’s funeral will be held at 3pm Thursday 14 July at Boyd Chapel, Springvale Botanical Cemetery.