Four Funerals and a Poetry Slam
It’s been a beautiful and busy week with four funerals and a poetry slam.
Roslyn McMaster
Last week on Wednesday 24th August the McMaster family said goodbye to Roslyn.
These are some of the words of remembrance before I closed the ceremony.
Roslyn’s kind, thoughtful and supportive nature will be how you remember her. She was adventurous and fun to be with. You’ll remember Roslyn working hard in the paddocks, relentlessly picking out the fireweed in the paddocks, chopping firewood—farming was in her blood and she loved everything about being outdoors in the garden—far better than doing housework which, we know, she just tolerated.
You’ll be reminded of her when you hold close her quilts or travel to familiar places that you loved sharing. You’ll miss Roslyn’s humour, bright eyes and smile… and her way of bringing joy and happiness to everyone she met. Roslyn will be remembered for her legendary scones, her sage advice, and the contribution she made to discussions… always putting a positive spin on things. She was a woman of common sense, integrity, fairness and tenacity.
Roslyn’s love and devotion were ever present in all she said and did. She was an amazing wife, mum and the best nan ever. May your thoughts and hearts be nourished by Roslyn’s capacity to love and her deepfelt generosity of spirit.
The recording of the ceremony can found here. Dated 24th August 2022.
On Thursday, a large ‘flock’ gathered at The Jetty Beach House in Coffs Harbour to say farewell to the Sawtell Birdman, Peter Higgins, whose unexpected death was a huge shock to his family and community. Peter’s obituary can be found here from the Sydney Morning Herald.
From the Words of Remembrance for Peter:
The Birdman
May all the stories shared be as a standing ovation to this man, words of praise for a life of love.
We honour his devotion to his wife, Jill, his daughter, Nell and Charlie, the family dog. Peter treasured the time with his siblings, Cathy, Chris, Sue and Tony and their families and with Jill’s family. Peter loved his family; he loved his friends; he loved the earth.
Peter will be remembered for his love of nature. He walked the arid country and thrilled to a sighting of a flock bronzewing or gibberbird in the grasses; ambling the subtropical rainforest, he listened for the lyrebirds. Picture him on the beach spying birds of prey along the headlands, t home seeking out the cause of an upset among the noisy miners on the washing line.
We grieve what we loved. And with Peter it was love itself, enthusiasm, generosity, tenacity, passion. It was care and silliness.
The desert night may seem quieter, the beach a little more wild and the birds will surely miss him.
May the square-tail kite, osprey or songlark or the birds you cannot name stir in you a sense of peace, thrill, joy and connection and, if you hear their song or sight their presence and sadness stirs within you, may you feel lifted, gentle like a feather, by Peter’s love.
As Jill said in her eulogy, Peter was a good man.
May he be at peace.
Henry Bray
On Friday 26th August, family, friends and community gathered to say goodbye to an old Coffs Harbour local, Henry Bray. The family had lived in the same house for 48 years in Bailey Avenue—a classic old neighbourhood—where there were gates in each of the three side fences, neighbourly drinks were shared weekly and community care sustained and nourished the close neighbours for years. As part of the opening of the ceremony, I wrote,
When I visited Dave and Sam a few days ago at their family home in Bailey Avenue, I felt the sense of security and humble abundance that was their life together—a safe place of familiarity, of knickknacks and stories, of comfort and ease surrounded by caring and kind neighbours who have also lived there for decades. The Bray home was a welcoming place… the door was always open, kettle on and biscuits ready!
Here is the link to watch the livestream. Henry’s daughter, Sam, read, the poem, My Hero
Daphne Rudd
And yesterday, the family of Daphne Rudd honoured the life of their 97 year old mum. A life story of adventure….
This morning we will share stories, tributes, photos and music that will give acknowledgement to Daphne’s long life. Being born in 1925, in the depression and growing up through the Second World War, she knew how to make ends meet, and she always made the best of the opportunities and lived a life of adventure. Daphne travelled extensively, had lifelong friendships and, as in every life, there was challenge and change. Daphne was a goer—been everywhere, done everything.
Here is the link to watch the livestream. Scroll down to 31st August.
The Coffs Harbour Poetry Slam. I was there on Tuesday 30th August. Some great poems and lovely people. The wonderful Jason John took out first place!
I’ll share my poem, Dead Awkward Conversation and the recording tomorrow!
