Lost my hero.

[digger]

You may have (or not) noticed I've been off the forum a few days. It is because just after midnight on the 4th June 2013 my hero passed away.

He was an ordinary bloke but in so many ways was extraordinary!

I am speaking of my father, the father of 6 kids, grandfather to 11 and a good bloke and mate to many people. He was married for 51 years.

Dad was brought up on a station- dry land and stock farming, then was a publican, insurance salesman, storekeeper, and finally a company director. Dad was a member of the Lions club, Knights of the southern cross, Probus, meals on wheels , a courier driver and postie and he and my mum were heavily involved in fauna and especially Koala rescue, and shortly, as a result of lots of hard work by them and their friends soon the ADELAIDE KOALA HOSPITAL will open and operate.

Dad was very handy with tools and a welder and didn't mind a beer or wine and at 70 was the same weight
as when he turned 21. He had very few illnesses over life and was always fit as a fiddle.

In the last five or so years Dad has fought hard against cancer.

He fought against prostate cancer, beating it when his prostate was removed.
He then fought bowel cancer and beat that when eventually they cut his bowel mostly out.
He fought again and won when his bladder become cancerous.
Spots of cancer were found in his lungs and after treatment the spots were also gone.

Dad had been attacked by cancer 4 times and after each was declared in remission. Dad over the last 10 or so years has had a crook back, two weeks ago he was hospitalised when the pain became intense. After a few days they diagnosed cancer again, but this time there was to be no battle. The cancer was up and down the spine and in all the muscle surrounding it. Simply put the bone was that destroyed by cancer the dr described it as flaking away quite quickly.

Dad the active fun outside loving bloke was told that he couldn't walk again, and very soon wouldn't be able to sit up. He was given two months to live and my family started making plans for getting back here to see him. But this time we wouldn't all be able to make it as it was faster than everyone thought.

My older sister works in Burma, my older brother in Queensland, my two younger sisters live in Melbourne and one was on a long planned holiday to America. My younger brother lives in metro Adelaide.

They couldn't do much for Dad in hospital and as he hated hospitals Mum brought him home and nursed him herself. Dad deteriorated quickly and on Monday night my mother was sitting with him as she had for the last 36 hours, he seemed to settle so mum went out of the room returning a few minutes later to find Dad had died.

I believe although mostly unconscious in the last day Dad chose when mum left the room to go to avoid "fuss". He fought a bloody good fight but there wasn't anything left in him, he had just turned 75.

Like a lot of people my father was a hero to me. It didn't change as I got older and he remained that hero right through. His dignified no nonsense way of approaching things was never more evident than in these last years when he was crook.

Dad loved sunflowers, he reckoned they reminded him of the edge of the paddocks and roadways when he was on the station. At his funeral on tuesday everyone is being given a bag of sunflower seeds to plant to remind them of dad, it's something mum thought would be a nice reminder.

So, although I am in one way gutted, I am also relieved, selfishly I'm gutted as I didn't want to lose my dad, but using common sense tells me that dad was all quality over quantity of life so is much better off now.

Ok, if you feel the urge, throw a few sunflower seeds in some empty ground when you can and think of those who you have known that have been taken by cancer. I know that officially it's daffodils but a sunflower is bigger and I reckon fits the bill. When you see a sunflower hopefully it will bring back great memories of those already passed.

Cheers.
Digger.

[Disco Muppet]

Digger, so sorry to hear of your loss :(
Your dad sounded like a truly top bloke, and I'm sure his passing will be sorely felt.
You have my most sincere condolences
May He Rest In Peace

[Chops]

G'day Digger,

So saddened to hear of your loss, so very similar to my own fathers passing.

May he rest in peace.

He certainly sounds as though he had a good outlook on life and fought for all the right things and definately a good win with the koala hospital.
I hope you, your family and friends can get through the next few months well, it's never easy, but gets better to handle with time.

Take care.

[Bearman]

My condolences Digger. Always sad to hear of the passing of a good man.

[snowbound]

So sorry mate, choking back the tears writing this. Australia has evidently lost another great bloke.

[landiematt]

Sorry for your loss. Our thoughts are with you .
Matt

[bob10]

Sorry to hear of your loss, Digger. I understand your grief. Bob

[87County]

Thanks for sharing so much with us Digger, you wrote a fine tribute for your Dad, he must have been proud to have you all as his family.

A life well lived.

- our thoughts, and I'm sure the thoughts of all who read this, are with you, your Mum and all your family.

[justinc]

Digger, Such a great raft of memories, By reaeding your account he will be sorely missed by those around him, 'Leaving the world a better place' is a great way to live your life.

Obviously, it sounds like he will live longer in all who knew him, what a full life he must've had :)

I'll also toss some sunflower seeds about,

JC

[Dinty]

Condolences to you and your family, Dennis n Dianne

[banjo]

Very Sorry to hear of your loss, Digger.



I lost my father not that long ago to cancer.

But where totaly opposite to you & your Dad..I had'nt seen him in years before he passed..


Very sorry for your loss..

Take care.

[Basil135]

Digger,

He sounds like a true gentleman. And the sort of bloke that helped to build this great country into what it is.

Our deepest sympathies to you and your family. He will live forever in your hearts and minds.

[mick88]

Digger,
it certainly sounds like your dad's journey through life was a wonderfull one!
My sincere condolences to you and your family.

Mick.

[BMKal]

So terribly sad to read this news Digger. I can relate strongly to the feelings of being gutted and at the same time, relieved. Your dad sounds like a great bloke and no doubt you, your family and many others will be left with many great memories.

Our condolences to you and your family.

[ramblingboy42]

I'm with you Digger....I too, love sunflowers and will plant a few extras this time.....

[Sleepy]

Sorry to hear of your loss Digger. Don't forget to put pen to paper and write some prose - I know how you are good at that. Please share it here.

[disco_goose]

Digger, our condolences, prayers and thoughts go out to you and your family during these tough times.
Goose

[incisor]

Condolences to you and yours from me and mine Digger.

[sheerluck]

Sincere condolences Digger.

Reading your tribute brought a tear to my eye and a lump to my throat. There's not a day goes by that I don't think of my hero, lost nearly three years ago.

[Chucaro]

Sorry for your loss. Your dad is and was and example to follow and he will be with you and your family for ever.

[Landy Smurf]

so sorry to hear about your father Digger.
An absolute great story about him though.
Wishing you and your family all the best during this time

[iClick]

Digger, my condolences to you and all your family also.

The way your express your feelings towards your father greatly reflect how I feel towards mine. I think that many who read what you've written will stop and consider how grateful we are to our parents and how sometimes it is easy to either take for granted or forget how much support we've been given from them over many years.

My father is battling cancer in the form of multiple myeloma and it saddens me to see the effects of the disease which is slowly crippling a once very proud, fit and active man.

It is heartening to think that your father will forever be so fondly remembered.

I'll plant sunflowers with my two boys and we can dedicate them to all the hero dads :)

[jerryd]

My thoughts are with you and your family at this time Digger. Your father sounds like mine....one of a kind......and will always be fondly remembered.

When my father died my boy's planted two trees and his favorite flowers, six years on they are pretty tall and are a constant reminder of him :) Playing his favorite music now and then helps too.

[steveG]

What a great tribute to your Dad, Digger. Certainly sounds like he lived a quality life.
My wife lost her mum to cancer in a similar way a few weeks ago. She always loved rainbows as they were happy and colourful - much like she was.
There was a large one outside work this morning.

Its great to have something special to remember our loved ones by.

Steve

[digger]

No Cookies | thetelegraph.com.au (http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/national/warmth-and-cheers-greet-prince-charles-and-his-wife-camilla/story-fndo2izk-1226512590765)

This is my parents with a few Koalas and Prince Charles and Lady Camilla in Nov last year at SA Government house.

(If it doesn't work try a search for image of Charles and Camilla and koala)

Thanks everyone for your understanding.

[Tank]

Sincerest Condolonces on the loss of your beloved Dad, Regards Frank.

[Tombie]

Digger,

A wonderful post about the life of a remarkable man.

I hope you and your family find comfort in the wonderful memories, some of which you have shared with us.

My sincerest condolences and well wishes to you and your family.

May your Father Rest in Peace.

Mike

[numpty]

My condolences to you and yours Digger.

We miss them so much when they are gone and I think I speak for many when I say........Fathers..........mmmmmmmmm:(

[munro]

Digger. Thanks for your story. My condolences to you and family. I was very teary eyed after reading. Sometimes my emotions are overwhelming. Reminded me of my Dad. He was also my hero so I know how you must feel. Take care.

[Davo]

Thanks for sharing that with us, Digger. Though you're feeling so low, don't forget to be glad you had someone in your life who you could truly consider to be a hero. That's a lucky thing and not that common. My sympathies to you and your family.

[Redback]

My condolences to you and your family, he sounded like an amazing Father and friend, may he Rest in Peace.

Baz.

[Mick_Marsh]

Sorry to hear of your loss, Digger.
My sympathy goes out to you and your family.

I lost my father to cancer as well quite some years ago.

[V8Ian]

My deepest condolences Digger. I think you left out one of your Dad's great attributes; he moulded you into a man who I am grateful to have met, and with whom I still enjoy exchanging banter. I suspect he and your Mum did an equally good job with your siblings. Rearing children to become decent adults is one of the most honourable gifts that anybody can bestow upon a community.

Rest in Peace Mr Digger (Snr), you've surely earned.

[sdt463]

Verry touched by your post it brings back memories.
my condolences and verry best wishes.
Dave

[shorty943]

Very sorry to hear this news digger.
My condolences and best wishes to you and your family.

[33chinacars]

Digger

Condolences to you & your family on the lost of a great Father & Friend

May he stay in your memories

Gary

[Sandgroper]

Very sorry for your loss, I don't know you but you have my sincerest condolences. I lost my dad in a similar way, I know exactly how you feel. Your dad sounds like an amazing bloke and you have certainly written a terrific thread to Honour him, I'm sure he would think that was pretty good.

[digger]

Thanks everyone for theunderstanding and kind words
Spending time with my brothers & sisters writing the eulogy has been
very cathartic. Lots of old stories bundles of old photos and a bit of
a laugh too.
Hopefully my brother and I can do it justice.

We also bagged 400+ bags of sunflower seeds to be given out at the church..each bag. has abt 40 seeds in it.r

We have the service at 1030 tomorrow.. checking the weather hr by hr report
it say rain until 10 then cloudy until 11 and rain after that! Bit lucky really
but if anyone complains about the rain Dad would've said "nah the cockies need it" :)

Thanks again people.

[Killer]

So sorry to hear of your loss Digger, The world needs more heros like your Dad. I will be thinking of you all this morning at the time of the funeral.

Cheers, Mick.

[Pickles2]

I'm glad you have so many happy memories of your Dad, who was obviously a very fine, & very much loved "Dad".
When you lose such a special person like this, it's not good, it never is, but in your case you have got so many fantastic memories, & so much love for your Dad.....and these will NEVER leave you....so he'll always be with you....I guarantee you'll still be able to talk to him when you want to.
I lost my Dad when I was quite young (25)...a long time ago!!!...but my thoughts of him have never changed....nor will yours.
Many many happy memories, Pickles.

[clubagreenie]

I hate hearing of someone's loss, but more so when it's someone so worthy of a life well lived. I feel for everyone who has lost someone as I certainly won't be feeling anything when my father goes.

[Davo]

I hate hearing of someone's loss, but more so when it's someone so worthy of a life well lived. I feel for everyone who has lost someone as I certainly won't be feeling anything when my father goes.

x2!

[Barefoot Dave]

Digger, I feel your loss.
I farewelled my Dad less than a year ago.
I am happy for you, as you seem to be, that you knew and appreciated him.
It took a funeral for me to find out much of my dads history.
I don't expect that to make anything easier for you, it is never easy to loose family, even if you aren't close.
My thoughts and feelings,
BDave.

[digger]

Thanks everyone for your well wishes etc. I really do appreciate it!

Everything went well and there were about 400-450 people there so
afterwards we got to hear even more stories about dad when he was
at boarding school or when he had the pub and of before he met mum!!

Some were quite surprising.

I'll post the eulogy on here at some stage (its on a computer in Adel so when I get it..) so you can see a bit about him anyway.

So, thanks again!

[digger]

as promised.

EULOGY FOR DAD

Dad always said – if you have 3 real friends when you die, you’ve done remarkably well. Looking around, he’s clearly been more than remarkable – but this is something we all know!

Dad was born in 1938 - the youngest child of Gilbert and Lucy Campbell, following his sister Maxine and brother Bevan. He grew up on a property named Lone Oak – 101,000 acres near Wirrulla, on the West Coast. It was a mile to the letterbox, and took him a week on his horse to check the fences which included the dingo fence on one side. Dad told us the property was so big that the holes in the flywheels in the shearing shed weighed a ton each!

Dad also told us stories of his first toys – his Mickey Mouse and wooden blocks. Mickey used to disappear every November to re-emerge, bright and new again, on Xmas day.

He’s taken most of us back to the station – a huge and beautiful place with a massive salt lake that moves from one side to the other of the white bed depending on the way the wind is blowing. He was a keen footy player in the local team but made minimum weight only by eating copious quantities of ice-cream!

As a boarder at Rostrevor college, he caused quite a stir when he and his friends – some of whom are with us today - nearly blew up the science lab. He was also memorably booted from the choir back to French class when forced to sing solo after months of miming the songs.

His well-hidden crystal radio set came out when the lights went out…and his father was ent a bill to repair a car when Dads attempt at getting the weighted aerial into the tree missed and it fell onto a parked car! Dad and best mate, Bill, were desperate for mail as the people who recieved the most letters received were looked on as very popular, so they subscribed to various companies to ensure a steady stream of letters – but even they were horrified when called to Brother Mog’s office to meet the Singer sewing machine rep who’d come in response to their letters to demonstrate his products.

His first job off the station was at the Lord Raglan Hotel as South Australia’s youngest Publican - a step that actually took a tribunal to approve. Here he quietly took the habit of looking after his favored customers well pastthe mandated 6 o’clock closing time! And it was during this period - while somewhat tipsy, and beating eggs on the stage of the Theatre Royal that he somehow managed to charm Mum. They’ve been best friends for 53 years and recently celebrated their 51st wedding anniversary. They did everything together and always found the most amusing side of anything!

They moved to Wilmington as newlyweds where they owned and managed the Wilmington Hotel – the only 2 storey building for miles around and the cultural and civic centre of town. Here they added, added, added, and added to the town’s population of around 200. Stories of their 11 years in the pub would fill a hugely amusing book, and some of the ventures they helped begin – the Wilmington Caravan Park and rodeo – are still thriving …

4 kids later – with Shon, Daryl, Nigel and Naomi - (4% of Wilmington’s population) moved to the big smoke. He worked at first in pubs where he’d vault the bar at the drop of a hat to dispense justice, and then sold insurance with Colonial Mutual Life. Dad was one of the first to embrace progressive technology, proudly toting his then state-of-the-art Motorola phone and battery pack the size of a small briefcase. Dad taught himself to programme a Commodore 64 computer by planning the traffic management and arrangements of his own funeral – this involved 700 police, military bands, helicopters, grandstand seating along the route and around the grave and trucks to clean up the flowers cast by adoring admirers along the way.

As good Catholics(!), the family continued to expand with the youngest, Lia, born in 1975 and again expanding when fostering our brother, Thuong. While continuing to reminisce about tractors and penning mechanical inventions in the sidelines of newspapers, he and Mum started their own successful cleaning and maintainance business. He was less successful in retiring though and was soon befriending – and entertaining - a host of people as a courier.

Dad had a number of special skills: His mechanical prowess extended to an astonishing variety of vehicles ranging from the sublime to …..… well, others.
He had the first Studebaker Hawk in South Australia – it was salmon pink – he said he had no choice in the colour, but also a few Cortina wagons and a Vauxhall Victor– also pink. The Vauxhall, well past its prime when we got it, spent time running with Mum’s stockings in place of a fan belt, an elastic as an accelerator spring and 5 cent piece in place of a small welsh plug. He could do almost anything mechanically, even chopping up a tricycle to create a ride-on mower from your regular standing reel mower variety, and he powered a pedal car using a lawn mower motor. We never used the third of the three sized pulleys as the second was that quick it could prove fatal! Finally after many cars and a few Mercedes he found and settled into his beloved black Merc.

But even the Merc couldn’t pull their treasured 25ft caravan – complete with everything you could ever need - a mirror ball, coffee machine, wine rack, roll-out grass and koala cages. Throughout he kept his touch with the outback, transporting and setting up mobile homes for teachers in remote areas of northern South Australia.
____________________________________________
Another of his special skills was to make animals more human than people… his dog, POD, famous throughout the neighborhood – was renowned for driving forklifts and had to be hidden by Dad after taking a dip in the Port Adelaide public pool. POD also ran up huge bills with the Mr Whippy man, insisting on chocolate flakes with his vanilla whips. And it must also be said that POD shouldered the blame when Dad somehow set fire to the clothesline with the Weber – at least, for a while until Dad fessed up.

Holly the Roo was hooked on her morning coffee – white with 1 sugar, and toast and vegemite, taken hot and alongside Mum and Dad. And as a one-eyed North Adelaide roosters and Crow’s supporter, Dad taught birds to swear - probably during the football. This fact that came out somewhat unfortunately during the visit of one of our Parish priests.

He’s been a staunch supporter at Mum’s side in saving South Australia’s koalas even meeting Price Charles and Lady Camilla with Koalas. As part of his legacy we hope to support some equipment at the new Adelaide Koala hospital he and mum have been instumental in starting. That equipment would not be the coffee maker…

Dad loved a party – he dressed up memorably as a crocodile for Shon’s 21st, and he fielded Lia’s marriage proposal dressed as Puss in Boots which made the task somewhat harder for Dean.

He was extremely proud of his 6 children and took great delight in walking his 3 daughters and accompanying his sons down the aisle - though he did always question the fact that weddings take place the same day as the football.

Dad was equally proud of his 11 grandchildren – now aged from 6 to 18 - and loved his 2 "grand-dogs". Even so, he never was a great nappy changer and tended to pass the kids back at the earliest opportunity!

Dad had many interests. He loved planes and learned to fly, owned a couple of boats and was once, many years ago, part-owner of a race horse – so unsuccessful, it may still be running…. He enjoyed a drink and a yarn – and the stories livened up with red wine, beer, port or a good scotch!

After he quit smoking cold turkey, he was perpetually chewing Lifesavers so if you’ve got stocks in Rowntree-Hoadley, now’s the time to sell. Nevertheless, Dad was always available to lend a hand and he’d drop everything at anytime to help someone even people he'd never met.

He and Mum travelled extensively throughout Australia and overseas over the years, and have left their mark and made friends in at least 4 continents. Even with all he has done, seen, said and led, part of his heart always stayed on the farm in Pimbaacla and Pinjara and this is where he asked that his ashes remain. Dad scanned the obituaries daily in case his was there and was fascinated by the fact that everyone died in alphabetical order – it’s ironic that he only missed his own by a couple of days after all those years of checking.

One of our symbols is a coffee cup – Dad often insisted we get him another cup of coffee and countered resistance by saying “one day you’ll be looking down into my grave and wishing you got me that last cup of coffee”!

As a family we are blessed to have had someone like Dad – and Mum - in our lives, and we’re so grateful for their love and support. Dad passed away peacefully at home last week after a 6 year battle against cancer. He beat 4 different types of cancer but the last was so ferocious and quick no-one- not even Dad could beat it. He remained stoic, stubborn and resolute … and lived and loved to his full capacity right to the end.

Dad died at home, as he wished, with Mum looking after him. We will all miss him dearly, and love him forever.

Dad always loved sunflowers saying they reminded him of when they had good cropping years on the station and sunflowers self seeded along the edges of the paddocks. Please take some of the sunflower seeds with you and plant them somewhere to remember him or maybe give them to someone who might do so. Whenever we see a sunflower we'll think of Dad.

Dad’s loss is as large as his amazing and rich life. We’re thankful that you’re here with us to celebrate, and we sincerely hope the traffic congestion outside doesn’t live up to his earlier plans!



This is Mums eulogy for Dad...

Warren and I would have celebrated the 53rd anniversary of our engagement last Friday. He proposed to me over dinner at what was and will always be our favourite eating place, Paul’s Fish Cafe in Gouger Street.

We married at St Francis Xavier Cathedral, and that the venue for the baptism of several of our children
We were both fiercely proud of all of our 6 children and 11 grandchildren and he always told them so

Over the years we travelled extensively overseas and enjoyed some wonderful caravanning holidays with friends, and with acquaintances who have become friends

Even during his last days, he was planning a caravan trip to the Kimberleys, and even bought a 7KVA generator, which he decided would power our caravan, but on reflection would power the entire caravan park.
I should mention too that to achieve this purchase he used my Paypal account, and then phoned me to tell me so

He worked very hard on plans for the fundraising for the Adelaide Koala Hospital and I am thankful that he knew that our shared dream is becoming a reality
Although he will not be here in body to see its completion he will be with us in spirit, and he will always be beside me on my eucalypt collecting missions

Thank you for being a part of Warren’s life

To all of you Warren was a good friend, but to me he was my best friend and my soul mate and the sun will not shine quite so brightly any more

[Killer]

Digger, thanks for sharing your story of a life well lived, obviously one of Australia's great characters, I am sure you will miss him greatly. I can see where you get your sense of humour from.

Cheers, Mick.

[Landy Smurf]

What a great couple of eulogies.
The bit about the dog,POD had me cracking up.
As killer said it is very obvious where you get your humour from.
I am sure your dad would be very proud of you all.

[Cliffy]

Sorry to here about your loss Dig.
I lost my hero, my grandad while I was overseas.
Your Dad like him are not gone, they live on in our hearts and memories and in the stories we re-tell to our family and friends.

[d@rk51d3]

Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family in this difficult time, mate.

Only just saw this thread. Sorry it took so long. :(

[V8Ian]

A couple of great eulogies for an obviously great man, thanks for sharing them with us Digger. All the best to you and your extended family mate.

[digger]

It has been a year since Dad died, and in accordance with his wishes we took his ashes back to Pinjarra and to a spot on the station which overlooked three points he had spent so much time at when he lived and worked this country.

The tanks here were fed with water daily and used for sheep troughs,

The salt lake was 'scraped' for salt to take back to sheep on the home station.

The shearing shed which Dad and his brother built in the early 50's. They added a shower and a "donkey" hot water service in '55 (and left initials in the concrete)

The dams and tanks, Dad carted water from here to the other tanks using a blitz truck and drums (most ex W^D surplus)

We went to a spot only recently found by the people who've run the station since the 60's!- The station is in good nick, its currently destocked (last 2 years) and obviously the seasons been good. They have said they'll look after the memorial for us if needed.

The 'lookout' overlooks, the salt lake, the tanks (600m to the left), the shearing shed (directly opposite and to the left of the island as the photo shows), the dam which is 1.5k to the right of the island (just over the range).

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/06/1008.jpg


I designed a memorial that hopefully will last the distance out here and installed it with 50kg of rapid set!

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/06/1009.jpg

The memorial is made of steel the only exception being the ceramic tile that was engraved as the 'information plate'. The name and cross on top is cut out of one piece of steel by CNC and welded to the flat plate top.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/06/1010.jpg

The plate has a solid top hinge to reduce dust etc ingress onto the plate. The side has holes so flowers etc etc can be left by those who choose to. The scroll work was done by the local guy who helped me by building my design ... he added them to the post so it would "look more complete", the man is a legend as displayed by his work here. (better than I imagined and I designed it with him!)

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/06/1011.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/06/1012.jpg

We installed the memorial and spread Dads ashes, then visited the tanks, dam and shearing shed.
(The local footy club (well, Smoky Bay) has installed a satellite dish and a digital radio aerial so they can watch and listen to the footy on their trips here! Other than that it hasn't changed much at all!.)


It feels better to have finally returned Dad to the area that he loved so much.


The last line of the memorial reads "NE OBLIVISCARIS" this is our family motto and means "FORGET NOT" or 'do not forget', which we thought was appropriate.

[digger]

78753

78754

78755

The photos of the dams and shearing shed are too large, I'll get photobucket working and add them at some time later.

cheers

[Landy Smurf]

top job Digger, I'm sure he would be looking down and smiling and be very proud of you all :twobeers:

[Tombie]

A fantastic tribute there Digger.

Fantastic memorial. A credit to you and a lasting reminder of your father.

Thank you for sharing.

[Basil135]

Very nice indeed.

Great design & very well put together in a fitting memorial.

[Barefoot Dave]

G'Day Digger.
Not hard to see why your Dad loved the place!
What a beautiful and thoughtful memorial that will stand the test of time.

Take care mate.

[Ausfree]

Very classy and a fitting tribute to your dad. Take care, mate.:)

[V8Ian]

Good one Digger, a fitting tribute. I hope you and your family are adjusting to your loss.

[shining]

Thanks for sharing Digger. Your tribute is humbling and inspiring. Your dad qualities shine through in what you wrote. All the best for the coming months and years and the hurt turning into golden memories.

[Disco Muppet]

A truly moving memorial to an obviously exceptional man.
Thank you for sharing.