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Vale Paul Lockyer

Graphic from the ABC memorial site

The world lost a gentleman yesterday.  His family lost so much more.

Paul Lockyer was a friend of mine in the mid 1970s in Canberra.  He was working for the ABC and I was working in Malcom Fraser’s press office.  He was about 5 years older than me.  And we became friends.  He encouraged me to achieve more than what I felt was possible.  When  I went to Perth to assist my family, and then decided to “migrate” he was one of the few friends who understood…he was a West Australian.

Some years later I met him again.  He had married his Maria and I had married a West Australian;  we met at the home of mutual friends.  And as friends, we picked up where we left off….

Time passed.  And on Christmas Day, last year, outside the Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Nedlands, our eyes met.  And it was such a pleasure to encounter such a friend…again, we picked up where we left off…and had the joy of introducing our children to each other.

The last twenty four hours have reminded me about the importance of friendship…and kindness…and old fashioned values that are so often overlooked.

Because Paul Lockyer, and two colleagues,  died tragically yesterday filming a segment on Lake Eyre for the ABC.  As you will read if you visit this site, he was highly regarded …and he is missed by me, and so many others.


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  1. DamienAugust 21, 2011 at 1:45 PM

    My thoughts are with you.

    ReplyDelete
  2. LouiseAugust 21, 2011 at 2:20 PM

    Thanks for your kind comment Damien. Yes,true gentlemen must be considered and remembered for the ways in which they touch our lives....

    ReplyDelete

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