Born at Southport Thursday 14th May 1936
John franklin, eldest son of Sam and Dorrie Franklin, was a member of one of Mudgeeraha’s pioneering families.
He lived and worked at Mudgeeraba all his life, married Merna Spann a schoolteacher, raised a family, Matthew, Amanda, and Christopher and saw them all married. All three share their father’s interest in competitive horse events as tent pegging, polocrosse, and other equestrian activities.
He attended the Mudgeeraba School and then entered the butchering trade. Although he had retired from that business. John was affectionately known as the local butcher. Always very involved in community life he was encouraged to nominate for the Albert Shire Council to fulfil his desire to serve the local people. John franklin was a true Australian, an all-around good bloke. A keen sportsman, he excelled in everything he did, but he did it passionately, eagerly and with no expectations of glory. He gave much more than he received. He epitomised all that was honest and good in local government, arguing without fear or favour on issues in which I believed. John Franklin was a world champion axeman and inaugural Albert Australia Day Foundation Ironman. He was a churchman, Rotarian, bush fireman and active leader of almost every sporting and community group in Mudgeerahs district. And he did everything he did everything well. In 1978, he was one of the first to be awarded the Albert Shire Community Service Award only six have ever been issued.
Albert Shire Council
Cr John Franklin was elected to Council in March 1982, to represent Division 6, covering the areas of Carrara, Worongary, Merrimac, Karridale, Tallai, Mudgeeraba, Reedy Creek, Bonogin, Austinville and Springbrook.
Some of John Franklin’s achievements include:
World Tree felling Champion 1979
Australian Tree felling Champion 1982 and 1985
Inaugural Albert Australia Day Foundation Ironman winner 1981
President, Vice President and Handicapper Queensland Axemen’s Association
Captain Australian Axemen team to Indonesia and Hong Kong 1977
President Mudgeeraba Rotary Club
Member Burleigh Heads Rotary Club
President Mudgeeraba Rotary Club
Member Burleigh Heads Rotary Club
President and Chief Instructor Mudgeeraba Pony Club
Chief Instructor Zone 2, Pony Club Association of Queensland
President and Chief Instructor Mudgeeraba Pony Club
Chief Instructor Zone 2, Pony Club Association of Queensland
President Mudgeeraba Hall Committee
Referee Mudgeeraba Swimming Club
President Mudgeeraba Parents and Citizens Association
President Mudgeeraba Tennis Club
President Mudgeeraba Rugby League Club
Life Member and former President Mudgeeraba Show Society
Member Scouting and guiding Associations
Member State Emergency Service
Member Albert Lancers
Founder Mudgeeraba Progress Association
Warden of the Uniting Church Mudgeeraba
South Coast Representative Tennis player and South Coast Junior Champion
South Coast Representative Rugby League
Fire Warden and First Officer, Mudgeeraba Rural Fire Brigade
Acting Officer – in – charge Auxiliary Fire Brigade
Member 14th Mudgeeraba Light Horse
His Australian Axemen’s jacket and contributed to the Sportsman Hall of Fame on the Gold Coast Queensland February 2002
Killed in freak accident age 56.