Family Tributes
Lorna
Dad was one of my best friends who I could turn to whenever I had a complex issue to work through, required someone to soundboard an idea, or for a laugh.
Dad loved telling me the story of my birthon a Friday evening. Whilst mum slept, hewent to the pub and shouted everyone adrink to celebrate the first of hischildren’s births. He often joked howconsiderate I was to have been born on aFriday, the same day as him and Grandma.
I will miss our Sunday yarns where we would explore many topics, debating the implications of outcomes and determining the strategy behind political and public service decisions. We would often joke that we would send each other our consultation bill afterwards, especially for those 3+ hour yarns. Sometimes when we came across a topic of which we had limited knowledge, we would agree to discuss the following weekend using the week to do research.
Dad was there for every one of my university graduations, either virtually or in person,and I will miss his physical presence for future ones. This will be felt the most during my PHD as we had made a pact to be “Dr Woodcock and Dr Woodcock” as a way to motivate each other throughout our research.
I will miss being able to talk about work but will cherish his comments “Lorna Aramina,just like your daddio” when I told him about the work I was doing and my motivation and aspirations. I’m proud to continue his legacy of creating and holding space for others and advocating for Mob in the workplace.
I was fortunate to have facetimed Dad for the last time on Sunday, the day before he passed. I still cannot bring myself to listen to my voicemail in case I do not have a recording of his voice – but know that like Grandma, Grandpa, and others I have loved so dearly his voice will eventually join theirs as they guide me.
Lullie
My Dad had many songs and enjoyed singing them loudly with the biggest grin. He wouldpick me up from school and would have Pump It by Black Eyed Peas playing. He wouldput his fists in the air every time we got to the chorus, he would always tell me it was hisgym song and every time it comes up I am brought immediately back to driving with himwith the windows down singing together. I have so many songs that bring up thesemoments that are hard to listen to at the moment but I know those memories will live onforever.
My Dad was happy that I ‘followed his footsteps’ when we moved to Cairns, he would always say ‘Ah Edge Hill and then Trinity Bay just like your daddy’. I would laugh and roll my eyes at this every time. He tried to teach me Cricket but I never listened. I loved to watch him fall asleep on the couch and then get grumpy when I changed the channel. He knew I was not a sports fanatic but this never stopped him.
Dad was a storyteller and a really good one. I'd ask him what time I was born and he would tell me the same story. ‘You were born at night, I took you for a walk in the halls and I would be looking down at my Lullie. I tried to go out to find a pub but they were all closed because it was Good Friday so I got a bottle of Jim Beam and celebrated your birth.’ He always explained the background of my name and how proud he was to call me Lullie.
He never cared what time my flight back to Brisbane was, it could've been 3am and he would be at the front waiting to take me there without hesitation. Some trips home were short and this would be the only time I got to see him and I always apologised and he met me with ‘I know you are a busy girl’ and ‘I will always love you my daughter’
​
Dad taught me passion, he taught me to be competitive and he showed me how to love people. I will cherish our 15 minute goodbyes,where we would compete to say the last Yawoor the last Love you or the last goodbye. I would always wait 2 seconds before hanging up for his last ‘love you millions’.
My Dad was everything to me and I admired him.
Our Gentle Giant.
Paul
Dad met Mum in Brisbane where he took on the role of being my Father when I was 4 years old. I can’t remember a time where he wasn’t in my life.
We had a house in Holland Park, Uncle Mark came to stay with us and continued his schooling. Dad, Uncle Mark and I always played backyard sports together. Dad trained myself and my friends in the cricket club in Canberra when I was young.Dad always showed a hands-on interest in my Childhood sport activities.
I remember when Dad taught me to play chess and never went easy on me. He taught me to play better and not give up on the board-game. I still wish I could have had that one match where I beat dad in chess.
Dad was always there for me no matter what happened in my life. Even when I got into trouble, he was always there supporting me no matter what. He often told me to focus on my studies and my music.
I know he was proud of me and never talked me down from anything but did the opposite and showed he believed in me. He supported me with his encouragement with finishing my studies and starting my own business. I will always take this approach that dad told me ‘Don’t just talk about it, but do it’ and he is one of the main reasons I have gotten this far in my life. I will always miss having this strong pillar who met me with acceptance and belief in my abilities.
I feel honoured that he was my father and I will love and miss him for the rest of my life.
My Brother
As kids, we lived together
We fought, we laughed, we cried.
We did not always show the love,
that we both had inside.
We shared our dreams and plans,
and some secrets too.
All the memories we share,
Is what bonds me now to you.
We grew to find we have a love
that is very strong today.
It’s a love shared by our family,
that will never fade away.
You are my brother not by choice,
but by the nature of our birth
I could not have chosen a better one
you were the best on earth
