1931-2010

H UNDREDS of people farewelled a local identity at St Andrew's church in Clayton South last Wednesday.

Jim Ulbrick, former councillor at the City of Oakleigh and tireless community volunteer, died on January 27 after a short illness.

Mr Ulbrick was born in 1931 to Frederick and Gertrude Alice Ulbrick and grew up in Hampton. He was an apprentice at WADeutscher and became a manufacturing engineer.

He was well known in the community as a volunteer and the founder of many manufacturing societies in Australia and overseas. In 1986 he was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia for his services to manufacturing engineering in Australia and the community.

Mr Ulbrick helped raise funds for construction of Bethlehem Hospital in Caulfield South and was the director of the Clayton Street Festival for many years. His daughter, Cathy Ulbrick, said her father brought fresh, exciting ideas to the festival such as fireworks, a battle of the bands, talent shows and a Miss Clayton competition.

She said he always volunteered at local events such as film nights, talent quests and debutante balls.

"He had very strong values in terms of supporting the community and giving back to the community.

"He was always organising something."

In his younger years, Mr Ulbrick founded the Sandringham Social Club. The club held regular dances, which is where he met his wife Claire Veronica.

Mr Ulbrick and his wife, who died in 1994, had seven children, 11 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

On January 27, the day Mr Ulbrick died, his two new great-grandchildren - twins Joshua and Lucas - were born at Monash Medical Centre.

Ms Ulbrick said her father would be remembered best for being generous and an inspiring mentor to everyone he met.

"Dad cared for Mum while she was sick and he's now in heaven with the love of his life, Claire, dancing the foxtrot and deciding the next thing he needs to organise."