Hero fanfare for Fred
HE WILL insist he has done nothing extraordinary and palm off any accolades, but Fred Hyde is a special man with a giant heart.
Kicking and screaming, he was dragged along to a civic afternoon tea at the Warwick Hotel yesterday to honour all he has done for disadvantaged communities on Bhola Island, Bangladesh.
"I've never been so embarrassed," Mr Hyde said as speeches of praise and admiration filled the room.
Councillors, community representatives and friends gathered to show their appreciation.
Mr Hyde has been at the helm of Co-operation in Development for more than 20 years, building schools and educating children in one of the most devastated parts of the world.
Southern Downs Regional Mayor Peter Blundell opened the ceremony and told of some of Mr Hyde's achievements.
"The work Fred has done with Co-Id is nothing short of miraculous," Cr Blundell said.
Mr Hyde's friend Len Willet also addressed the afternoon tea and gave guests another spin on Mr Hyde's life.
"He goes crook at us if we speak about his successes and we just say 'there's only one Fred Hyde'," Mr Willet said.
"I call him the Mother Teresa of Bhola Island."
At 92 years old, Mr Hyde is hoping someone will soon come along and take the reins of Co-Id so he can finally have a rest.
