Touching tribute

About 30 people attended, including Mr Rose’s wife Lyn and daughters Kellie Seymour and Fiona Petersen, and a special morning tea followed the unveiling ceremony.

Mr Rose, who died suddenly from a suspected heart attack in December 2017, worked the afternoon shift driving the Mayrung bus, picking up students from the school and dropping them home each day.

Mrs Rose, also drives the bus route, in the morning for the school drop-off, and has done so for the past 26 years.

‘‘I know every pot hole and corner on that bus route, and so did Ken,’’ she said.

‘‘I’d drop them off to school and he would drive them all home.

‘‘The unveiling was just fabulous. We had four generations of Roses out there to help celebrate the occasion.

‘‘Thank you to Mayrung Public School for such a touching tribute.’’

The Ken Rose Memorial Garden features a plaque, three standard iceberg roses and four rosemary plants.

The memorial garden was suggested by the Mayrung Village Committee.

‘‘When Ken died, the school wanted a memorial of some kind to pay tribute,’’ MVC executive Phyllis Ball said.

‘‘One thing led to another and we now have this beautiful display that Lyn will be able to see every day when she does her bus route.

‘‘This is a little tribute for the service the Roses have done for the Mayrung community, and our way of showing our appreciation.

‘‘The safety and care taken by both Lyn and Ken over the years has been outstanding.

‘‘Education for country kids is crucial and they have both played a big role in ensuring the kids have access to education.

‘‘The service was a fitting tribute, with Matthew and Deb Purtill also in attendance to represent Purtills and members from Dyson Group who took over the buses from Purtills.

‘‘Matt read a special message from his father, Neville, which was also lovely.’’