The 250 people attending the funeral at St Brigid’s yesterday heard Cyril’s great nieces Jayanne Ney and Michelle Hill reveal glimpses of his life.

Cyril was born in Trangie to Kathleen Flood on January 27 1923. He was struck two hard blows early in his life, firstly with poliomyelitis, then the loss of his mum at the age of five.

His mother Kathleen was only 26 when she died from suspected kidney disease. Following his mum’s death Cyril was taken in by a neighbour Mrs Marion McGovern and her family.

In 1930 and 1938 he had visits to the Far West Home in Manly for treatment on his legs.

When Cyril was 17 he and his mum (Mrs McGovern) moved to Dubbo where they lived together until 1953, when his mum moved back to Trangie.

Cyril then lived with parents of his friends - the Forrester and Bell families.

During this time he had more operations on his legs in 1954 and 1956, both being very successful.

Cyril received a lot of help and support from the Dubbo community, which aided his progress.

Charlie Kraus, a former well-known Dubbo barber, had a shop at the front of the old Club House Hotel and gave Cyril a job selling cigarettes and tobacco.

Charley was a great friend to Cyril and it was while working for him that he went on to selling raffle tickets for charities.

Cyril was a regular sight in Dubbo’s main streets for many years.

Rugged up on cold winter days with his beanie and blanket and being well looked after with hot cups of tea and goodies from nearby shop owners, he sold his tickets with a permanent smile.

The spirit of the man was well demonstrated in 1959 when from his savings he purchased a Malvern Star tricycle, which he rode daily around the town.

Cyril’s smile also became synonymous with the basketball movement in Dubbo.

He was a regular on the door at the Police Citizens Youth Club for 20 years greeting people, collecting their fees and selling raffle tickets.

The new basketball stadium in Sheraton Road was later named in his honour, as well as the Church Street rotunda.

Long-time friend and Apex Club member Peter Snare said Cyril was responsible for single handedly selling more tickets in this town than the rest of the volunteers combined.

He sold about 5,000 tickets each year for the Venetian Carnival alone.

So impressed was Apex Club president at the time Brian Engaman that he lobbied the head office to make Cyril an honourary life member.

Mr Snare believes Cyril was possibly the only person in Australia ever to receive this rare honour.

After an operation on his palate in 1991 Cyril began to slow down his charity work.

He became very conscious about his speech and worried that people would not understand him but his family and friends assured him everyone would.

In June 1994 he was awarded the prestigious Order of Australia Medal.

Dubbo MP Tony McGrane well remembered the day as he received the same honour alongside Cyril.

“As proud as I was to receive the OAM, I felt more pride for Cyril,” Mr McGrane said.

“It made me proud knowing someone like Cyril who truly deserved this type of recognition was being rewarded.”

Comments from those gathered yesterday agreed Cyril Flood was a proud, courageous gentlemen who whose life has been a constant inspiration to others.