General News
17 June, 2025
Remembering Chalky
Over 50 people gathered in the Carisbrook Senior Citizens Centre last Friday afternoon with music and memories to farewell a much loved friend and local icon.
Born in 1932, Thomas “Chalky” Chalk grew up in Brisbane, and spent many years moving around and teaching himself endless skills including art and mechanics.
In the early 60s, he moved his family to New Guinea, only to later leave the humidity back to Brisbane, followed by the long journey down to Dunolly, and later Maryborough.
The service was attended by his family from interstate, who shared heartfelt insights of Chalky’s life before living in the goldfields.
His daughter, Karen Bowyer from Perth shared heartfelt memories.
“Always with a pen and paper in his hand, he could whip up something in seconds,” she said.
His nephew, Bryan Chalk from Brisbane also gave his personal account.
“I always held my uncle fondly in my heart, we had a lot of good times and good memories. I know where ever he is now he’s drawing cartoons of angels if he’s not out looking for that loose nugget of gold,” he said.
Chalky was not only known for his creative spirit and presence in the community, but also for the iconic ute he drove, as his neighbour, Kevin Bowden recalls.
“I remember years ago driving on the way to Woolies, I saw his ute, and I thought ‘that is absolutely awesome’. I even told my wife about it. Next time we saw it at the shops, even she said ‘that is so cool’,” he said.
“Little did we know, five and a half years ago, we actually moved in beside Chalky. I stood on my back verandah and went ‘there’s that ute, next door’.
“I went to have a closer look and we introduced ourselves. Not a Christmas or Easter went past without a gift, or a card, we had many yarns over the back fence. He was one of the best guys I ever met.”
Another long time friend Peter Bulluss recalled an interstate trip to the Ettamogah pub in Cunderdin, Western Australia, including an event on grand final day 2010 when Collingwood played St Kilda.
Chalky went outside to entertain the children uninterested in the televised football game.
“There were about 30 kids that Chalky was teaching to draw,” he said.
The grand final that year resulted in a draw, meaning the match would be televised again the following weekend, with Mr Bulluss and Chalky asked to return.
“It was a draw, so we had to come back again the next week, the publican put the grand final event on again,” he said.
“When word got around, there was more than double the kids. As the car pulled towards the pub, about 90 kids came running to us.”
This was not an uncommon occurrence throughout Maryborough.
With his own accounts of his life with Chalky, Donald Young fondly remembered his talent and vibrant presence.
“He taught himself his art and skills, he taught children and everyone else how to draw. He did it all himself. He was always kind and courteous to everyone, regardless of who they were. He never had a bad word to say about anybody that I know,” he said.
It’s a recollection Mr Bulluss shared.
“Chalky never had an unkind word. He never swore, and never had a bad word to say about anybody. In the 35 years that I knew him, I had never seen him angry once. I never saw him grumpy.”
Another family member, Tania Taylor recalled the nearby day trips they would go on.
“We used to go on adventures, like trips to Avoca Falls. Chalky and my grandmother at the time, they just loved it, just being there, in that moment, always happy, always smiling,” she said.
While Chalky may have passed, his legacy endures, etched into the hearts of Maryborough and surrounding towns.
His spirit can be found in countless pieces of his artwork that can still be found in many local homes, shops and schools.