Farewell to Norma Plater: a life of dedication, family and community
Eulogy for Laurel Norma Plater.
Laurel Norma Plater [nee Bury] passed away on Tuesday 24th September 2024 at the age of 98 years 6 months having lived most of her life at Hospital Road, Nambour.
Known as Norma to family and friends she was born in Nambour on 19th March 1926 to parents William and Jane Bury.
Norma had three older siblings, Ron, Hazel and Colin who all grew up on the family dairy farm on Hospital Road.
Norma was the last surviving grandchild of Nambour pioneer, G.L.Bury.
Norma married Ivan Plater on 18th December 1948 and they built a new home on Carter Road, Nambour.
They lived there for only a short period until moving back to Hospital Road so Norma could care for her ailing mother.
After her mother’s passing, she stayed on to care for her father and brother Colin. Ivan and Norma sold their house on Carter Road and Hospital Road became their ‘forever home’.
Up until two years ago Norma was still walking to town and back every day to buy the paper. She never learnt to drive.
Norma’s sister Hazel was married to Edgar Plater, Ivan’s brother so it was a very close family unit.
The two couples enjoyed many travel experiences together.
Ivan had served in the Army for four years during World War II and he became involved with the Nambour RSL Sub-Branch.
After Ivan’s passing Norma kept his memory alive, participating in the ANZAC Day parade and on Remembrance Day.
Norma enjoyed her involvement with the Nambour RSL, Legacy and her many lunches at the Club with friends right up until the past few months.
Ivan and Norma’s other interest was vintage cars, joining the Nambour Antique Car Club in 1970.
Their 1925 Willys Overland car will go on display at the Nambour Museum in the near future.
Ivan and Norma had no children and Ivan passed away in 2002.
As per Norma’s wish she was privately cremated on Tuesday 1st October 2024.