Media stalwart dies

Media industry stalwart and dedicated Pakenham community man Ian Thomas has died, aged 88.
Ian was the third generation of his family to run what is now Star News Group, publisher of titles including the Pakenham-Berwick Gazette, and was actively involved in the newspaper industry for 49 years. He is a past executive committee member and president of the Victorian Country Press Association.
Ian was heavily involved in the Pakenham community over many years and in 2002 he received a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in the Queen's birthday honours for services to the newspaper industry and the community.
He is a life committeeman and past president of the Pakenham and District Agricultural and Horticultural Society and long-serving member of the Pakenham Chamber of Commerce. Ian served on the Cardinia Shire Youth Taskforce, was patron of the Berwick Pakenham Historical Society, was a member of the PB Ronald Memorial Trust committee and served as a scout and cub leader for many years.
He was a member of the Pakenham Young Farmers Club and was involved in the Presbyterian Church for many years.
Ian played football for Pakenham and Officer and in 1983 he received the Pakenham Shire Australia Day Award for services to the community and the newspaper industry. Aside from newspapers and the community Ian's other great passion was spending time with his wife Dorothy, children and grandchildren.
Ian is survived by his wife Dorothy, children Kerrie, Helen and Paul and grandchildren Tom, Ben, Kate, Simon, Hannah, Will and Oliver.
A funeral for Ian will be held at Cardinia Cultural Centre, 40 Lakeside Bvd, Pakenham, on Friday at at 11am.