Lindsay Supple was an ordinary bloke who has left an extraordinary legacy. A bequest from his estate of $300,000 has been donated to Ballarat’s, Fiona Elsey Cancer Research Institute (FECRI) to support life-saving cancer research.
Lindsay died in 2019 in the house he was born, in the township of Paradise in the Wimmera, aged 91 years. Lindsay provided bequests for cancer research, the St Arnaud Hospital, Paradise Hall, and Guide Dogs Victoria.
Mr Supple worked hard in many trades including contract fencing, wood cutting, cutting wheat, burning charcoal, sheering, and driving trucks. In World War 2, Lindsay was called into the ‘Manpower Army’, and his first job was at Cope Cope silo carting wheat. He also went to Mildura fruit picking as part of the war effort. In 1960 he purchased the farm at Kanya and continued shear sheep across the district.
Mr Supple was a character and man of his era, well connected and passionate for the Wimmera area. Lindsay loved his mates, a beer and a chat, with his family recalling many funny stories of fishing, shooting and trips to the footy in Wedderburn. He was a member of the Country Fire Brigade, past captain and Safety Officer at the St Arnaud Rifle Club, St Arnaud Golf Club and Landsborough Bowls Club. Lindsay joined the St Arnaud’s Lions Club and helped with wood cutting working bees until he was 90 years old.
Mr Supple never married and wished to use the funds accumulated over his lifetime to give back to community and causes that were important to him. Developments in cancer research, treatment and care were close to his heart, with many close and dear family members and friends impacted.
“Lindsay was one of a kind. A true gentleman in every way. He had a great memory, sharp as a tack, great for local history.
Neil Supple, nephew of Lindsay
Professor George Kannourakis, Institute Director at FECRI, said “Lindsay Supple’s generous legacy to cancer research, makes a real difference in supporting our researchers to continue on with their work. We are very grateful.”
“Our research is focused on the immune system and cancer. Cancer is thought to arise when mutations occur in normal cells leading to uncontrolled growth and spread throughout the body. The immune system is complex and typically destroys any mutated cell from the body. Cancer cells are clever and develop proteins on their cell surface that creates a “fog” around them so that immune cells cannot “see” them, hence evading the immune system. We are looking for treatable targets that will get of this ‘fog” so the immune system can get rid of the cancer.” said Professor Kannourakis.
The donation goes to supporting researchers to continue to work on life-saving cancer research.
Lindsay Supple Lindsay as a young man Niece, Sheree Supple, Professor George Kannourakis (FECRI) & nephew Neil Supple
