Statue at Weary's home town of Benulla, Victoria
The People behind Three Pagodas
Keith Flanagan , Bill Haskell, Eric Wilson and the late Eddie Saleeba have devoted  their lives to tell the story of this remarkable courageous man.  These original founders of the project were joined later by Rae Hussey, a former AIF nurse.

Who are these people who have so tirelessly kept the memory alive of  what 'Weary' Dunlop did nearly 60 years ago and continue to show  how his life and work still make a difference long after he has gone?

Keith Flanagan

Keith, machine gunner, was on the same ship as Weary Dunlop in 1942.  They eventually became prisoners of war together and he became part of the "Dunlop Force" or "Dunlop Thousand" which went from Java into the Thai jungle to work the railway. 

The story of "The Quiet Lion" is told primarily through the actions of Keith (the man most responsible for creating public awareness of Sir Edward Dunlop).  Keith was on a quest, a quest to educate young Australians about these great men.  Keith was a vibrant, articulate and extremely engaging link to those horrible events that emerged out of the jungles of Burma/Thailand during World War II.

Bill Haskell

Bill, has added much to Keith's quest.  He joined him in getting the story told after their tour of the railway in 1985.  He handled the financial side and recruited people from Probus, the Polar Bears Club and his many friends.  On the tours he was the star attraction.  His vivid recall of his time on the railway was translated into articulate and graphic story telling.   He tells the story as it could only be told by one who was actually there

Bill  has made a yearly pilgrimage to Thailand over the last 20 years.  His dedication and loyalty to the memory of his former mates is legendary.  . Bill has delivered a magnificent Anzac Day address at Kanchanaburi on a number of occasions.

Eddie Saleeba

Eddie was a former POW and well-known Perth sporting identity.  He was instrumental in moving the Three Pagodas concept from a mere idea to a reality.

Rae Hussey

Rae was an AIF nurse and served in the Middle East and New Guinea.

Eric Wilson

Eric Wilson has taken over from Bill Haskell as the Quiet Lion 'story-teller'.   He is the secretary of the Burma-Thai Railway Memorial Association, and continues to contribute enormously to the message that Keith so devotedly wished to tell all Australians, but especially the children.