Tribute to Rick Friswell
Spoken by Alan Friswell 16th Dec 2016
On behalf of my mum, Ros, and my sister, Suzy, I would like to thank you all for coming
along to reflect on Dad’s life.
Richard Stuart Friswell, born on 23rd February 1948 in Brisbane, was the first of four
children to George and Letty Friswell. He spent his early childhood in Chermside, then in
1955 moved to Coorparoo where he went through primary school and then progressed to
Cavendish Road High School. During this time, Dad formed a lifelong friendship from
5th Grade through to today with Ken Hart. Dad would often tell us about the many fond
memories, of the all good laughs that he and Ken shared.
During his school years, Dad was a very keen sports person, captaining many sides and
excelling at cricket as a pace bowler, as a front row forward in rugby league and AFL, as
a state representative high jumper and as a soccer goal keeper. Dad’s best cricket
performances included taking 8 wickets for 4 runs in one match, and hat trick bowling a
side out to finish them off for only 5 runs.
Dad was also selected to play Mens A-Grade Cricket in Brisbane as a 17 year old,
holding his own against some professional cricket greats in their early years, including
Graeme Meares, Wesley Hall, and Peter Burge, who all went on to play at Sheffield
Shield and International Cricket levels. Dad played age-grade Rugby League for Easts
and AFL for Coorparoo club, both at the same time for three years, taking up most of his
weekends.
Dad missed selection into the Qld under 21s by 2 spots and became ineligible for
selection the next year, after changing competitions to play with his mates. Dad also
played for Brisbane Easts Reserve Grade for a couple of years but became bored and left
the club to focus on his college instead. Peter Burgess, Captain of the A Grade side,
asked Dad to reconsider because they had Dad earmarked as a standout junior to join the
top side, but Dad declined the offer.
Dad always reflected that he should have made the same commitment to his high school
education that he had made to his sports. That being said, he still achieved 10th in the
state for his QLD Commonwealth Entrance Examination out of several thousand. This
reflection resulted in Dad always impressing upon Suzy and myself the importance of a
good education.
As a result, Suzy attained a Bachelor of Arts Degree majoring in Spanish and Applied
Linguistics, and then went on to complete a Masters in Science, in Teaching English as a
Second Language. Dad was also pivotal in encouraging my further education, resulting in
a career in mining and construction and a wide range of qualifications including
Diplomas in OHS, Security & Risk Management and Paramedical Science.
Dad commenced work at the Commonwealth Health Department in 1964 and while he
was there he met mum, Ros Baines. Dad was immediately taken by Mum and during this
time he couldn’t stop talking to Ken Hart about how great she was, eventually building
up the courage to ask her out.
Mum and Dad became engaged in 1969 and married on the 8th May 1970. Dad was
sporting a full length plaster cast on his left leg for the wedding, after dislocating his knee
playing football the month before. It was also during 1970 that Mum and Dad put a
deposit down on a 28.4 perch block of land in Daisy Hill as an investment for $2550.
In January, 1972 he commenced working with the Bureau of Meteorology at the Brisbane
Airport. Dad described his first day at the Bureau as incredible as he was taught codes
and asked to plot synoptic charts. Being a fast learner, Dad picked things up immediately
and was thrown straight in the deep end covering all Weather Observer duties, with
mentoring from the OIC Fred Bell. It was these tough challenges that Dad always seemed
to excel at. On the advice of fellow staff members at the Bureau, Dad attended night
college and attained his formal qualifications as a Weather Observer.
In early 1974 Mum and Dad moved to Everton Park and in August that year they
welcomed the birth of my sister, Suzy. Mum and Dad then built a house on their block of
land at Daisy Hill and moved in in September, 1977. In May, 1978, I was born to
complete our very close family unit.
Dad’s work with the Bureau of Meteorology took our family to various postings around
Australia, including Melbourne, Townsville, Mackay, the remote town of Forrest on the
Nullarbor Plain in WA, Gladstone, Rockhampton, Weipa and finishing off with 17 years
in remote Western Australia in the townships of Carnarvon and Exmouth in the Shark
Bay and Ningaloo regions. Mum and Dad’s commitments at some of these remote
postings included taking on airport management and aircraft refueling contracts, along
with various other small family owned businesses.
During our family postings over the years, Dad became increasingly involved in
Volunteer Rescue organisations, with them becoming a major part of his life in 1994 at
Weipa, where he joined both the SES and Volunteer Air Sea Rescue. Dad’s commitment
with Sea Rescue continued for a further 15 years while stationed in Carnarvon, Western
Australia. Dad also volunteered his time with the SES and the Fire Brigade during this
time, but his dedication to Sea Rescue saw him eventually take on the role as President
and was subsequently awarded a lifetime membership of the Carnarvon Sea Rescue.
During the many years of active service with Carnarvon Sea Rescue, Dad was personally
involved in a large number of rescue operations to which numerous people owe their
lives to Dad and his boat crew. A cherished memory that will never leave my mind, was
when I was five years old, being taken by my Dad to see an SES rescue helicopter do a
training demonstration in Daisy Hill. It was this introduction that sparked my lifelong
passion with Emergency Services Organizations. A mutual passion that Dad and I have
shared very closely, both physically and mentally.
Dad was also a well-known local celebrity in WA, doing regular live interviews and
reports for ABC radio about seasonal weather patterns and conditions, which many
farmers, plantation owners, professional and recreational boat operators relied upon
heavily.
Dad’s commitment and support to Mum, Suzy and myself over the years has been rock
solid and lovingly absolute. Then in 2009, with the birth of his only grandchild Alicia, we
all witnessed the big tough guy melt a little, to reveal his softer side. Throughout our lives
we have also witnessed Dad’s commitment to the support of friends and extended family,
resulting in him becoming a highly respected mentor to numerous people over the years,
who are all deeply affected by his passing.
In early 2013, Dad started experiencing some serious health issues whilst stationed at
Carnarvon. This resulted in numerous trips for Mum and Dad to Perth for specialist
medical treatment. As a result of these ongoing health issues, Dad retired after 50 years
of government service, moving to Mooloolah Valley on the Sunshine Coast with Mum.
Sadly Dad’s health issues returned resulting in his passing on 12th December 2016, with
his loving family by his side.
Mum Suzy, Alicia, Tony and I feel so privileged to have been blessed with such a loving
and supportive Husband, Father and Grandfather and we will all miss him terribly.