FOR almost three decades, Katherine Public Library was at the centre of former resident Tom Tunstall’s universe.
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And, in his passing last year, the colourful Katherinite further demonstrated how important he believed the facility was by leaving it the 1100 shares he owned in the town’s community bank.
Mr Tunstall, a decorated serviceman who was best-known for his outlandish fashion sense and “true gentlemen” manners, volunteered at the library for 27 years and was a familiar face between the rows and rows of books for many Katherinites as they grew up.
Following his death on November 6, 2014, it was revealed that he had bequeathed the Katherine Community Bank shares to his beloved library.
The share registry certificate was transferred last week and Katherine Community Bank board secretary Merrilyn Stopp said she believed Mr Tunstall’s gesture provided a measure of how importantly he viewed the library.
“The library was one of his favourite places, probably favourite wasn’t the right word for it; it was a place where he could enjoy being with people,” she said.
“These shares show how important he thought the library was to the community, and they link back that connection between the town and the community bank.”
During the recent upgrade of the library, a wall – Tom’s Wall – showcasing some of his achievements was installed, and manager Colleen Kerr said getting the shares at almost the same time had created “mixed emotions” for the staff who worked alongside him.
“Being told that he had left his shares to the library was fantastic,” she explained.
“He loved the library and he was a volunteer here for more than 20 years.”
“The plan is just to leave the shares where they are.”
As Mrs Stopp handed over the share registry certificate on November 26, both she and Mrs Kerr reflected on the generosity of the man who was unmissable in a crowd.
“He was a lovely man and great character, and always in his colour-coded clothing,” Mrs Kerr said.