June Wicks

A Tribute to June Wicks

At one time in her life, June Wicks was sending out 700 birthday cards every year. To some, it would be the only card they received.  

Giving, serving and helping people was the "greatest joy in June's life," her grieving children told family and friends who gathered at her thanksgiving service on March 31.  

Born in Rockhampton in 1930, June married Bill Wicks at the Rockhampton Salvation Army in 1956 and they had four children, David, Jenny, Wayne and Derek.  

A member of the Rockhampton Salvation Army for 70 years, June was recognised for her community work with a nomination for the Volunteer Award for the Central Queensland Region.   "

She has left a beautiful legacy in her four children, nine grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. One we treasure and will honour," mourners were told.  

Read the Wicks children's heartfelt tribute to their mum.

The greatest joy in June's life was giving serving and helping people.  

June was born and raised in Rockhampton. Her father Jack was a war veteran and worked in labouring jobs in Rockhampton. Her precious mum Nelly kept a well-ordered household and was a delight.  

On December 7, 1930, June Ann Bowman arrived into the loving arms of John and Sarah Bowman. Her two brothers Colin and Edward arrived over the next decade to complete their family.  

She went to school next door to the family home and the teachers told her parents she talked a lot.  

One memory she had was of her Dad taking her for a ride on his pushbike at ages five or six.  

She started playing the piano at 12-years of age and practised on the table with a paper keyboard. After a few months her parents went to her piano lesson and realised she was very good, so they bought her a piano. She loved playing the piano. Right up until 2020.

At 16 she went to work for a seamstress and learnt how to sew. You could wear her clothes inside out as she was so particular. Over the years she has made quite a few wedding dresses for Jenny, Sharon and a number of Jenny's friends.  

She spent all her younger years in Rockhampton until going to the Salvation Army Training College at the age of 18. Her year were called the Peacemakers.   S

he was a part of the Rockhampton Salvation Army for 70 years.  

Her first appointment out of college was to the Toowoomba Girls Home. She then went to the Toowong Girls Home where a highlight for her was on her day off she would borrow a bike and peddle to a slow flowing stream and spend the day there.  

She married Bill Wicks on March 3, 1956, at the Rockhampton Salvation Army.  

Their first appointment after getting married was to Clermont and then to Charters Towers where David Kenneth was born on December 3, 1958. On June 23, 1961, Jenny Ann was born in Goulburn.  

Wayne Lee arrived two years later on September 1, 1963.  

Derek John completed the family on March 15, 1969.  

Jenny married Richard on March 1, 1980, and they have three children: Jason, Alizia and Benjamin.  

Wayne married Sharon on May 25, 1985, and they have six children: Thomas, who is in the loving arms of Jesus, Drew, Teri-Anne, Braden, Jake and Noah.  

Derek married Tracey on September 19, 2015.  

June became a widow on July 22, 1990, when Bill was promoted to glory.

Like the tenacious and determined woman she was, June worked through her loss and got on with life. She continued to serve in various areas. She was active in the Corp and Home League. She played piano and took devotions at Bethesda a few times a week. She would tell us "I helped set up the chairs for the oldies" which was funny as a lot were 10 years younger than her.  

She loved talking to the youth at church and encouraging them.  

She also helped at the Baptist Bookshop every week for quite a number of years.  

She was nominated for the Volunteer Award for the Central Queensland Region and was featured in The Morning Bulletin.  

She used to send and give birthday cards every year to family and friends. At one time it was up 700 a year. But on average it was about 30 - 35 a month. She loved doing it. I know one year someone said to her, that her card was the only one she received for their birthday and that they felt loved. She said that was why she did it.  

She often put $5 in a card for a child. She loved giving. She continued to give and love even when she went into the Aged Care Facility. Towards the end even though she couldn't talk, she would smile, and your heart would be warmed. Even up to her last breath she was smiling.  

She mainly lived at 248 Campbell St until to moving to Brisbane in July 2015. She embraced the move and lived with David. She went to the Carindale Corp and loved going to Home League and catching up with her friends. She loved the drive to Vicky Point where they would often go, look out and watch the boats. She loved driving and seeing all the pretty flowers.  

October 2020 saw June move to an aged care facility near David.  

She has left a beautiful legacy in her four children, nine grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. One we treasure and will honour.  

Mum, we love you.