Vale Bill Moyes
12th July 1932 - 24th September, 2024
A letter to my dad.
Dear Dad,
You left this earth at 7 pm on the 24th September, 2024 after a short 30 hour stay in hospital. During those 30 hours all your kids, grandkids and great grandkids came to say their last goodbyes to you. There were 3 generations of your family by your side as you took your last breath. The whole family came together to comfort each other. We spent the next 6 days cooking, eating, laughing, and crying. Sharing memories, telling stories, and listening to Molly recall the last 73 years of your life together. It was so special . We set about arranging a celebration of your life rather than a funeral with a “paddle out” to scatter your ashes in the waves at Bronte where you were born and breed.
You were cremated on Monday, 30th September 2024, in a basic casket dressed in a plain shroud. Sorry, we couldn't arrange for the hang glider box casket like you wanted! Your ashes were placed in an urn created by your ceramicist grandson, Finn Lea, and a 2nd smaller urn for Molly.
We sent an Open Invitation to anyone who wanted to attend. Hundreds of people gathered to pay their respects and to honour your legacy. Family, friends, Carers, hang glider pilots from Italy, Denmark, USA and locally from Queensland, Victoria and Forbes. People from all aspects of your life, people that you touched one way or another.
At 10 am on the 1st October 2024, on a glorious Spring day, with a light North Easterly wind blowing, we gathered at Bronte near the train tracks. Hannah had arranged a String Quartet to play your favourite Classics on the beach. Two of your grandsons, Rob and Jack, took charge of the Paddle Out and Rob opened with some very sentimental and funny words about you.
We lined the shore while Molly walked towards the water's edge, supported by her Grand Daughter Maddy and Great Grand Daughter Layla. Mum spread some of your ashes in the waves at the water's edge and saved some to be later scattered from a Dragonfly at Forbes.
The Paddle Out was tremendous with about 75 people, including some of your great grandchildren either on boards or swimming. Everyone was given a daisy, and we paddled out to behind the reef. Ben, Steve, Deb, Jen, and I were in the middle of the circle. Jack said a few tender words and then we had a minute’s silence as a gesture of respect and reflection.
Then one of your mates in a fire engine parked up on Tamarama Marine Drive starting honking their horn and sounding the siren. The Paddle Out erupted into cheers!
The time had come to release you into the waves. The 5 of us took turns scattering your ashes, around a wreath in your honour, while everyone scattered their flowers. We finished with very loud yahooing and splashing!
Steve had paddled out on the 1950 replica of your Bill Wallace wooden surf ski and caught a wave back to the shore to everyone's cheers.
Jono Whitty filmed the event by drone, and it's just amazing.
The Celebration of your Life took place at the Bronte Surf Club, and as a show of respect the Club had lowered the Australian flag to half-mast.
Hannah and the Bogey Hole Cafe catered for a delicious supper after the speeches.
Brendan and Jeremy, our close family friends from Innovative Lighting and Sound, set up the audio and visuals for the live streaming of the event.
Gui and Ivan from If the Florist, decorated the surf club with bright coloured bouquets and all the grandchildren helped to set up the event.
Your nephew, Pastor Ryan Carr was the MC.
We had seating for 200 family and friends with plenty of standing room behind.
Your 5 children with Ben in Suzy’s place sat up at the front to deliver your Eulogy. Yes, it took 5 of us!
Ben was first up and spoke of your early family history followed by your ideals for genealogy - tongue in cheek.
I was next up and spoke of your childhood and falling in love with your childhood sweetheart.
Steve followed with your flying exploits.
Then Jen spoke about your showground days.
Deb rounded out with your later years.
Jonny Durand and Richard Nevins spoke of their personal flying connections with you.
Then back to family and 3 grandkids, Maddy, Hannah and Kjell spoke of their life experiences with you.
All in all, we had planned proceedings to take 1 hour but with everyone feeling the emotions of the day we stretched it. Mostly we were laughing and crying at the same time.
You will be so so missed but never ever forgotten.
Your legacy is safe and will continue with all the hang glider pilots around the world.
I'm collating a book of all the emails and cards from your admirers into "The Book of Bill"
I hope we made you proud.
Vix
