Obituary

Vale Lawrence Parry

It is our sad duty to advise of the passing of Lawrence Parry.

South Australian Plastic Modellers Association has lost a true stalwart,  a long-time member, a modeller of exceptional skill and as Expo Director a driving force behind the South Australian Scale Model Expo we now enjoy.  Lawrence was a dynamo, his dedication, devotion to the hobby and the SA Scale Model Expo was boundless.  He had a vision for the SA Scale Model Expo to be the best model event in the country, maybe not the biggest, but the best it could be. He did everything absolutely 100% and was a force to be reckoned with.

A warm, friendly man, with a great sense of humour, always willing to share his skill and take the mickey out of those he considered a friend!  Lawrence wasn’t prolific in his modelling output, he had a full and busy life, a loving family and a successful business to run, but the quality of his work was peerless.  Consistently winning Best of Show awards in SA and Nationally at the Melbourne Expo - if he entered one of his major projects you were looking at a winner!  Who can forget the workmanship of his Rescue Helicopter, WWI Bristol Fighter, the Hawker SeaFury or the Kenworth truck that was his labour of love.  

He will be remembered for his humbleness, talented modelling skill and knowledge, enthusiasm and most of all his valued friendship. His willingness to pass on and share his skills helped many a modeller over the years. Lawrence was a dedicated family man, who valued the importance of family and friendship.

Another gentleman of the hobby is lost to us, and we are poorer for his passing but richer for having known him.  The growth of both SAPMA and the Expo is his enduring legacy.

David Couche and Stephen Portelli

June 2020