Ex-service stalwart remembered

FORMER president of Sydney Legacy, the NSW (NAJEX) and federal (FAJEX) Association of Jewish Ex-service Men and Women, Wesley Browne – who passed away on August 5, aged 97 – is being remembered as “a stalwart of the Jewish ex-service community” who was “renowned for his compassion”.

Following in the footsteps of his father Roy, who served in the Royal Australian Air Force in WWI, Browne eagerly enlisted on his 18th birthday.

When diagnosed as colourblind, he became a wireless operator in the air force, serving in New Guinea in 1944, and Borneo in 1945.

His war service inspired him to become involved with Legacy for more than 60 years, culminating in his presidency of Sydney Legacy in 1983.

As Rabbi Dr Benjamin Elton noted when delivering Browne’s eulogy on August 8 at the Sydney Chevra Kadisha, “His compassion and caring nature made him an ideal legatee, and he cared for many families and widows over the years, and treated them like they were part of his own family.

“He taught us that it’s not the recognition you receive, it’s the impact you make, and the legacy you leave behind, that is most important.”

Browne’s involvement with NAJEX also spanned more than 60 years, including serving as its president from 1991 until he became the 19th and longest-serving president of FAJEX, from 2000 to 2013.

A recipient of the Order of Orange Nassau from the Dutch government, and a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) honour, Browne also chaired the Spirit of Australia Foundation, and was a patron of the Centenary of Jewish Anzac Program, for which he was presented by the program’s coordinator, Peter Allen, with the NAJEX Spirit of Anzac Award, in recognition of his service and impact.

Browne also succeeded in business, joining the firm Stuart Alexander in 1941 as a messenger boy, going on to work there for more than six decades, rising to managing director and chairman.

A devoted family man, he was married to his “soulmate”, Sari, for 65 years, and was a proud father, grandfather, and recently a great-grandfather.

NAJEX president Roger Selby, who recited the Anzac Ode of Remembrance at Browne’s funeral, described him as an outstanding leader of the post-war Jewish ex-service movement, “renowned for his compassion and his determination to look after WWII veterans and their dependants”.

“He was also highly creative and forward thinking.”

FAJEX president Dr Keith Shilkin said Browne’s service and contributions are “an example to us all”.

“He was proudly Jewish, a true patriot, and a fighter for the very best of Australian values, and our way of life.”