Peter Lorensen, one of Barry Lorensen’s two sons, shares his recollections of memories they shared during his dad’s lifetime in a candid and moving tribute.
92 – even Bradman would have been happy with that.
My first memories of Barry are asking mum if it was time yet, to run down to the top of the hill above the sawmill and meet Dad coming up for lunch, I would get there and as he got there he would scoop me up and put me on his shoulders and carry me up to have lunch.
I think he would have struggled to do that now.
I remember the first time I fired a shot gun, I was about 8 or 9 years old, the gun was too long for me so I had to put the stock under my arm pit and tried to sight up an old shag sitting in a tree, while Barry stood behind me.
I let drive, the gun flew back over my shoulder and the barrel whacked Barry fair in the nose – I thought for a few moments there I was going to end up like the old shag.
Another time there were the four of us in the 14ft boat in Tin Can Bay fishing.
I was using a hand line with a gang of hooks on it with a strip of bait on it.
As I was the only one in the boat that could fish properly, so I thought, I wanted to get my line out the furthest, so I twirled the line around my head numerous times getting faster and faster.
When I released it, I gave it that little bit extra but apparently I hadn’t allowed for the back of Barry’s head, so that’s where my gang of hooks ended up.
I can’t remember what he said now, but I do know I didn’t know what any of those words meant at the time.
About 55yrs ago, Barry made a wood lathe out of an electric motor and a car gear box.
With it he made lamp shades, bowls, fishing reels, and anything else that he could think of, and he still used it up until a couple years ago until he was unable to.
Whatever Barry did, he did it to the best of his ability.
I know he was admired for his ability playing football with people a lot younger than him saying to me “if you’re half as good as your old man, you will be Ok”.
In the sawmill he was known for the excellent timber they produced, he just loved the sawmill and working with wood.
Playing the saxophone he excelled, and was known by many for his ability and the enjoyment he and Nev were able to give to others when they performed.
As a father he did everything he could for us two boys, he even used to mow and wiper snip my yard up until a few years ago.
I think my brother Brett did better than me but I can’t complain.
As a Grandfather he was the best, and I know Kyle, Jaiden, Justin and Chase would back that statement every day of the year.
There wasn’t anything he wouldn’t do for the grandchildren, he just loved them, there was nothing they could do wrong.
Then when his first great grandchild came along a little unexpectedly, she was the jewel in the crown for him – then a few years later the next two little girls made the crown even better.
He only missed out by a week from seeing his first great grandson born, and then a couple of months off seeing his second great grandson born, but I know they will hear all about him.
We know these little fellows would have got the greatest of welcomes from him, as well completing that crown for him.
Only two weeks ago he was able to laugh and smile with pride as the youngest great granddaughter danced to music.
Actually it would be one of the last things he would have remembered.
He was so proud of them all, hopefully you all can see one of the last things he enjoyed.
I know now, Jimmy Shaw, Jackie Boyle, Percy Eaton, Harold Simpson, Bill Roddau and a few others that I just cant think off at the moment will all be saying, “Thank God Barry’s here – now we can go put these nets in and go get some mud crabs”.
Barry always loved a joke, and when his younger cousin Tony would come to visit from Brisbane he would tell him all sorts of story’s.
Tony was about 20 years younger and never came top of his class (sorry Tony).
Barry was just married and Tony was about 8 or 9 years old and up visiting, and Barry was telling him how he use to be an Indian chief (cowboy movies used to be real big in those days).
Tony sat there wide eyed and believed every word and said, “ Did you have any scalps?”
“Yeah, a whole tent full!” was the reply.
That was pretty impressive for Tony, who couldn’t wait to tell his teacher Monday morning about how his cousin was an Indian chief – he didn’t like it when the teacher said he didn’t think that was true.
Another time he told Tony he could have a holiday Monday and didn’t need to go to school.
No matter what his parents did, he would not go to school that day!
I don’t think it made much difference anyway.
One day he rang Jimmy Shaw in the middle of the day, probably to see if he wanted to go netting fish, and he got Mel his wife.
She was all upset, because she had dented the car backing the trailer out of the shed.
Jimmy had left the trailer on, and when Mel backed back she thought the trailer would go straight back, but it came around and whacked the side of the car. Thinking it was her fault, Barry explained it was Jimmy’s fault because the centre bolt in the trailer must be broken and he hadn’t fixed it.
This was all she needed, so over the paddock she went and tore into Jim telling him how Barry said the centre bolt was broken and he should have fixed it.
Jim just looked at her and said, “You should know better than to listen to that so-and-so”.
I would like to thank Roy Roddau for allowing us to use Barry’s sax (at the funeral), and dropping in mud crabs occasionally to Barry.
Barry would talk about that for months, saying how nice it was, and how Roy told him that when he got too old to get mud crabs, Barry would have to get them for him.
Last of all I would love to thank Mum (Jeanette) for looking after Barry right up until the end – we know it wasn’t easy, even though there was three of you there.
Thanks Mum.
For all he did for us, what can you say except, “Thanks Dad”.
Barry’s first great grand-daughter, Ellie penned the following moving poem to her great grand-dad.
Dear old Pop,
U meant the world to me
And now that you’re gone, it took a piece of me with you.
I wish you were here but I knew it was your time to leave,
If only I could say goodbye and see you one last time…
Thank you for all the memories
I will cherish them forever
But just know, just because you left our world doesn’t mean you’ll leave our hearts…
Goodbyes aren’t forever
And not the end
I’ll miss you everyday
Until we meet again…
I love you so much Pop
Rest in peace xx
