Charlie Rundell’s business nous was only surpassed by his kind nature and community spirit.
OBITUARY
Charles Rundell
Born: 1936
Died: 3 February 2012
FORMER Pakenham Shire president Charles ‘Charlie’ Rundell has been remembered as a “genuine, sincere bloke”, an astute local businessman, and a local community man with a heart of gold.
Mr Rundell passed away earlier this month at age 75, following a short battle with cancer.
Close friend and former shire CEO Ray Canobie paid tribute to Mr Rundell, giving a eulogy at his funeral.
“He had this unique character that married a bush background with city living,” Mr Canobie explained.
“He left school early, became self-taught and was later an extremely successful local businessman.
“He was an inspiration to today’s kids.”
Mr Rundell was elected to Iona Ward in 1986 and returned unopposed in 1989. He served as Pakenham Shire president in 1991/’92 and deputy president in 1992/’93.
Cardinia Shire Council spokesman Paul Dunlop said the current day shire “noted with regret” Mr Rundell’s passing.
“He was a passionate advocate for his community,” he said.
Mr Canobie said bushcraft and country music were two of Mr Rundell’s great loves, and said he once famously mixed the latter with his council involvement.
“One night after a volatile council meeting, he pulled his guitar out to lighten the mood,” Mr Canobie said.
“That’s the sort of guy he was.”
Mr Rundell was also a member of Dandenong’s Southern Country Music Club and a former president of the Victorian Country Music Club and Bunyip Football Club.
“Charlie was always one of the first to say ‘how can I help’,” Mr Canobie said.
“Whether it was the footy club, the fire brigade … he touched everybody in a low-key kind of way and I really respected that about him.” Mr Canobie said he admired his great friend’s “great practical understanding and business nous”.
“He once decided he’d buy a house boat on Eildon when it had no water in it,” Mr Canobie laughed.
“But it soon did and the value of that thing went through the roof.”
Mr Canobie said: “Even when he was sick in his final few weeks, he never wallowed in his own fate.
“He had this tremendous vitality.”
Mr Rundell is survived by his wife Lorna, four children, 10 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
