Just 3 years ago The Times finished its Local Legend story about Nic Nadycz with the following Quote. “Nic, your life of involvement in and service to the community of Harden-Murrumburrah is unsurpassed. We thank you. Indeed”
Nic has just been announced as an recipient of the Medal of the Order of Australia.
Nic said, “It’s a bit overwhelming, when I first got the news, i’m stoked, you plod along all of these years and you do these things and your not looking for recognition. I love this town and it’s been good to me and hopefully I have put a bit back.
We will catch up with Nic in this week’s Twin Town Times.
Read his story from 2016 here.
“No running on the concrete!” These immortal words are imprinted on the minds of what must be thousands of Harden- Murrumburrah and district progeny, who attended the town’s Memorial Swimming Pool over a period of 2 decades when Nic was in charge of the facility. Even now, these past patrons of the Pool remember Nic’s famous and oft-repeated direction.
Nic was born in 1947 in Ausburg, Germany – his Mum (Anna) and Dad (Myron) met in Germany, but were from the Ukraine. Nic and his parents migrated to Australia in 1950 and, for a time, were resident in a camp at Bathurst.
On arrival in Australia, one of the biggest problems for Nic’s parents was the English language, although his father spoke Ukrainian, German, Russian and Polish. There were other European migrant families in mid-20th Century Harden-Murrumburrah: the Boshinoks, Ilchicks, Zmudas and Wiznuks.
Nic’s family lived in Galong, Murrumburrah, and then at Demondrille. At Demondrille, Nic’s family was virtually self-sufficient in food – they had their own vegetable garden, chooks, ducks and milk with bread being pretty well the only main food staple they had to buy. Their house in Demondrille burnt down in 1962 and they moved back to Murrumburrah.
Nic has 6 sisters (Cathy, Helen, Mary, Christine, Patricia and Olga), all of whom were born in Murrumburrah. Nic’s Dad learnt English in his work at the Hume Pipeworks, but Nic’s Mum found the language more difficult, especially when shopping for groceries. Nic’s Mum worked for a time as a cleaner at the then Paragon Cafe (now the Chinese Restaurant) and later at Batinich’s Orchard, but in the main his parents raised 7 children on a single income.
Nic completed his schooling in 1962, at the Murrumburrah Intermediate High School. His first job was for 12 months at Ron Reid’s Garage (opposite the Mill); Nic then spent 2 years at the Pipeworks, before being called up for National Service.
Nic’s National Service was for 2 years (1968-70), with 13 months in Malaysia in the Royal Australian Artillery. After National Service Nic spent 11 years as a Garage Attendant at McKinnon Motors (then next to Murrumburrah’s Court House).
Nic joined the Harden Fire Brigade in 1979, and did 21 seasons working at Harden’s Swimming Pool. Of his time at the Pool, Nic said, “Those were the good old days … everywhere I go, [even] the pub at Binalong, ‘No running on the concrete!’ I get that all the time, so I’ve actually brainwashed a lot of kids. I keep saying, “Oh, that was a recording; didn’t you realise that?”
In Nic’s time at the Pool, he was it, as in the only one, by himself. Nic managed the pool, maintained its chemical additions and cleaning, ran the kiosk, mowed the lawns and supervised the kids. Rumour has it that more than a few parents used to use Nic at the pool, as an unofficial babysitting service.
Indeed, the attitude of those parents and the still-current chant “No running on the concrete!” are tributes to Nic from (i) parents who had such great faith in him to keep their children safe, and (ii) former child pool patrons whose mantra in effect recognises Nic’s care of and for them.
Nic said, “I knew all the kids, I knew how they could swim, where they could swim. I knew who were the mischievous kids … it was a responsible job. I had the respect of the kids.”
There had to be some funny stories from Nic’s time at the pool. One day an adult pool patron approached Nic and said, “”I’ve lost me eye,” he had a glass eye. I had to send a kid in [to dive, find and retrieve said eye].” A 2nd patron lost his false teeth in the pool – again, the child diver was sent in to the rescue. A 3rd patron, who had had part of his leg amputated, used to remove his prosthesis at the edge of the pool prior to entering the water.
Special fun times were had with the kids sliding down black plastic spread over the slopes adjoining the pool. On 1 day of low patronage, a young bloke brought his boat in and set sail in it in the pool. Sometimes, on the last day of the swimming season, young patrons would ride their pushbikes into the pool. As Nic puts it, “Now, you wouldn’t be allowed to do that.”
On one notable occasion Dawn Fraser visited the Harden Pool. For many years organised social bar-be-cues were very popular at the pool.
Nic commenced as a General Assistant at Murrumburrah High School in 1999. Nic said that he enjoys this job, “I don’t believe in doing it half-hearted, it’s got to be done right.” Nic has worked as a barman at local drinking establishments, at the Binalong Hotel and also does bar work at private functions. Nic has particularly enjoyed doing bar work at Binalong, due to the nature of the people there.
Highlights of Nic’s community service work are as follows:
In 1964 he was selected to represent the youth of Harden- Murrumburrah to meet the Royal Family at the Trocadero in Sydney.
In 1975 he was Apexian of the Year.
In 1984 Nic was awarded Life Membership of the Apex Clubs of Australia – he had 18 years of service, including most portfolios of President, Secretary, Treasurer, Publicity Officer, and District 5 Governor which included the towns of Boorowa, Young, Yass, Cootamundra, Temora and West Wyalong.
In 1988 Nic was a Committee Person for the Bicentenary Celebrations in Harden-Murrumburrah.
In 1994 Nic was presented with The National Medal of the NSW Fire Brigade, in Sydney, for 15 years as a Retained Firefighter at Station 389, Harden.
In 1997 Nic was awarded the Australia Day Citizenship of the Year Award, Advance Harden-Murrumburrah.
In 2000 Nic was selected to carry the Olympic Torch at Wallendbeen, on 17 August, which he describes as his proudest moment. Nic was a Volunteer Driver for the Sydney Olympic Games (2 weeks) and the Paralympic Games (3 weeks).
In 2008 Nic was a Volunteer Crowd Marshal for World Youth Day and the Pope’s visit to Sydney (8 days). Also in 2008, Nic was awarded the NSW Fire Brigade Long Service and Good Conduct Medal.
In 2009 Nic was a Volunteer Driver for the Australian Youth Olympic Festival (10 days), a Volunteer Technical Judge Assistant at the Sydney World Masters Games (9 days), South Coast/Capital Volunteer of the Year Winner and a Finalist of 10 for the NSW Volunteer of the Year.
Nic recently celebrated 35 years of service to Fire and Rescue NSW – his co-workers sprung a surprise party on him, which was held at the Light Horse Hotel in Murrumburrah.
Nic has a large folder of Certificates of Appreciation from a multitude of local, district, and national community organisations. A thank you letter of 21 September 1997 from the 1st Australian Horse Centenary Committee, to Nic, states, “You are one of those people who are more valuable than gold to a committee struggling to run something. You are always there, always ahead of the game and 100% reliable and those are qualities which are without price.”
In 2013 Nic attended 34 concerts and live shows – over the years he has seen such acts as Keith Urban, Dolly Parton, Rod Stewart, The Rolling Stones, Cold Chisel, John Farnham, Cat Stevens, Barry Gibb, Robyn Gibb, Fleetwood Mac, The Eagles, Bon Jovi, Suzi Quattro, ACDC, Andre Rieu and The Hollies.
On one concert trip travelling back from Canberra, with Nic driving, the bus broke down at Yass. Luckily the vehicle was covered by the NRMA – the Road Service lady on the other end of the phone, asked Nic, “Do you have any animals or children in the vehicle?” Nic replied, “No, I’ve got 13 women.” Nic continued, “Well, you could hear the laughter in the background.” Ultimately, the NRMA took the bus away and Nic’s passengers had to phone their husbands to come and pick them up.
On a second concert trip to Canberra, the bus jammed in third gear. On the way home Nic had to time his journey along Northbourne Avenue so that he got all of the green lights and, so, didn’t have to stop the bus and burn out its clutch. Approaching the last set of lights, Nic said, ” “Come on you bloody Catholics, start praying,” and we got through the last lights and everyone cheered. I had Kevin Pollard and his wife on the bus, we got to Binalong and I said, “Kevin, I’m not stopping, I’ll open the door – and you jump out,” I had to stop and let them out.”
Apart from attending shows, Nic’s interests lie in swimming, diving, water-skiing, motorbike riding, photography and travel. Family is very important in Nic’s life, as he has not had the luxury of grandparents, uncles, aunts and cousins. Nic has travelled to the USA several times, China, Thailand, Vietnam, Europe, Scotland and Canada, but he hasn’t as yet made it to the Ukraine.
Nic reflected that what is currently happening in the Ukraine is pretty sad, “You know you’re Australian, but you still have that pull – the blessed thing that I can say to my parents was that we came to Australia.”
Nic recalls the generosity of the Harden-Murrumburrah community when his family home at Demondrille burnt down – the generosity of the town’s churches, APEX and people such as Frank Prosser, Noel Golledge and Lou Moses. Nic said, “We had beds and we had blankets, and we had a place to sleep that night.” Nic continued, “If you’re in the community, you should get involved in the community. It’s your town. Have your say. Get involved. You see the same [community service] groups that are getting older and older. It’s good to get the feeling of being able to help somebody.”
Nic said, “You’re not long on this earth. You leave a footprint on the world before you go – there’s a lot of satisfaction in volunteering.”
Nic has remained in Harden throughout his life because, as he puts it, “The people are amazing.” Nic said that he used to worry about being unemployed, but that he has hardly ever had to apply for a job in Harden. Nic sees Harden as, “a great town, a safe town.” His Mum used to like living in Murrumburrah because people she passed in the street would always say “Hello”.
Nic sees the Harden Streetscape as being a good start for the town, but also sees the need to be able to get industries in Harden.
Nic, your life of involvement in and service to the community of Harden-Murrumburrah is unsurpassed. We thank you. Indeed Harden-Murrumburrah can go somewhat further and pay tribute to your parents for choosing our town as your home.