Desmond John Pickstone 31-10-1938—10-11-2023, passed away at home with his family at Mt Samson on Friday 10th November at 11:10 am. Laid to Rest at THE SAMSONVALE CEMETERY near the LAKE Friday 17th. November 2023
About Des
1975 – 1983 Director of The Arana Leagues Club
1975 – 1983 Treasurer of the Arana Football Club
1979 Des met his future wife Maureen
1981 They were married
1984 Developed The Lyell Deer Farm
2004 Subdivided the Land into 5 Blocks
2005 Converted the deer shed to a functional area and the Lyell Deer Sanctuary was established.
From 2005 Des spent many long hours on his Drott developing Kupidabin Wilderness from the virgin bush
2011 Des started building our Cultural Centre with the help of Volunteers and Fundraising. All the structures on 7 Lyell Court Mt Samson were designed and built by Des which included moving many, many rocks.
Des WAS A PERFECTIONIST IN EVERYTHING HE DID. IF IT WASNT PERFECT HE WOULD PULL IT APART AND START AGAIN. HE WAS STILL DRAWING PLANS AND WRITING IN HIS LITTLE BOOK THE JOBS THAT HE STILL HAD TO DO UP TILL THE END.
Des was a Glazier by Trade and prior to Maureen meeting him in 1979 he had built an Industrial Shed in Queens Rd Everton Hills and was running a successful Glass business with his partner Hugh, ‘Superior Glass’, during which time he donated, supplied and installed all the glass in the First Arana Football Club built in Dawson Parade Arana Hills.
Des and Maureen Co/Founded a “not for profit” charitable Trust in 2021, Kupidabin Wilderness Charitable Trust (KWCT). It was registered with the ACNC – Australian Charities Commission and developed on 10 acres of their land at Lyell Court Mt Samson.
Des undertook many fundraising activities, including Endeavour Car Rallies, and meat tray raffles for Kupidabin at the Samford Golden Valley Hotel. For some years Des ran a successful Bingo Game for the Zonta Club of Pine Rivers.
He received an Award for Volunteer of the Year in 2001, presented by Cheryl Kernot MP at a Combined Services Dinner. He was much loved by all and in the organizations he assisted with their fundraising.
Des was truly loved and will never be forgotten. RIP Des.
Des on his Drott moving Rocks to Kupidabin New Fire Circle 2016 with the sale of Lyell Deer Sanctuary. The Boundary Fence went through the original Fire Circle
Des making his Pow Wow Drum at the Lyell Deer Farm
I asked for the ‘Wow Factor’ and got it. Construction by Des / Painting by Adriana Gimenez / Sign writing Warren Watson
Cultural Centre construction underway
Editorial written by Edith Fogg for the Dayboro Grapevine.
Vale – Des Pickstone
Des Pickstone died on November 10 th and a Memorial Service was held at Kupidabin in Lyell Court off Foggs Road, Mt, Samson and then proceeded to the Samsonvale Cemetery on 17 th. November 2023.
Des met Maureen in 1979 when he was Director of the Arana Leagues Club and Treasurer of the Arana Football Club. They married in 1981 and moved to Foggs Road Mt. Samson where they developed the Lyell Deer Farm which was registered in 1984. Des built the fences and sheds with the help of brother Graham and both Des and Maureen were very involved in the Deer Breeder’ Association. In 2004 Maureen suggested subdividing the Land and Opening to the Public and the Lyell Deer Sanctuary was established which is still operating today. The 40 acres was subdivided into five blocks. The 10-acre block when walking on the land felt ‘very special’ and Maureen and Des decided to keep it in its natural state and develop a Cultural Centre for all people. Des planned and built with the help of Volunteers the ‘Long House’ (Native American Terminology) and anyone who has visited it would agree that it is a credit to his skill and dedication. One day unexpectedly a First Nation Lore Woman called in and said we had to call our Property ‘Kupidabin’ as in the 1800’s the whole
of the Samford Valley was called Kupidabin – Aboriginal word for ‘Place of Possums’
Des and Maureen founded a “not for profit” charitable Trust in 2021 and it was registered with the ACNC – Australian Charities Commission. Des undertook many fundraising activities including Endeavour Car Rallies, meat trays, raffles for Kupidabin and for some years ran a successful Bingo Game for the Zonta Club of Pine Rivers. He received an Award for Volunteer of the Year in 2001, presented by Cheryl Kernot MP for his volunteer efforts and it was generally accepted that if Des asked, you bought some tickets. He was much loved in the organisations he assisted.
As a neighbour, I’ve had the pleasure of visiting Kupidabin many times for drumming circles and various events. Peter and I often sat in the gazebo listening to the beautiful singing coming from the valley below. Des and Maureen have built something quite unique and left it as a legacy for the entire community. He will be much missed by his mates at the Samford Pub and all the groups he has assisted during his wonderful life. As part of his funeral service, it was said by Maori Elder Nana Kiri Dewes, “He has earned his wings.”
Edith Fogg