
In memory of: People we lost in 2015
In memory of: People we lost in 2015

Doug Ralph
Born 1948
"Doug wasn't scared of labels. He gave his religion as Bush Baptist."

Elsie Lynette Martin
Born 2011
"Boats, planes, trains, cars. If it had an engine and it went fast, Elsie was on board."

Lorna Wilson
Born 1928
"She held on to say her last goodbye. She was always stubborn. And strong."

Brenda Lee Kealy
Born 1959
"She would pull you in, spin you around and dance her heart out to the music she loved."

Jett Jeremiah Monika
Born 2015
"A spirited little fighter born three months prematurely inspired courage and the love of many."

Richie Benaud
Born 1930
"If cricket had ever anointed a pope, it would be Richie Benaud."

Ken Clifford
Born 1942
"He loved to watch his young charges move up the sporting ladder."

Judy Cassab
Born 1920
"It was an all consuming passion she had. She was completely obsessed with being an artist."

Nick Greening
Born 1967
"Little brother, what happened? Why did you go so early?"

Mark William Tomkinson
Born 1967
"I buried you on our wedding anniversary... Your life was lived large, extinguished in a moment."

Lottie Wright
Born 1923
"Lottie was a live-wire, adored by her family. She had a love of fun, pinkness and champagne."

Johnny Japangardi Miller
"It was a rough time. Kardiya (white people) in the old days were really hard."

Christine Greiner
Born 1961
"We will never forget our last memory of Chris in her white bikini."

Terry Pratchett
Born 1948
"I would like to die peacefully with Thomas Tallis on my iPod before the disease takes me over."

Sam de Brito
Born 1969
"In a crowded field where most prove one-trick ponies, [he] stood out as a thoroughbred."

Isobel Varley
Born 1937
"It was like a drug, tattooing, for her; she went right down to her feet."

Rocque Fonseca
Born 1936
"Dad loves all animals but most of all, he likes cats. 'They don't backchat when you converse with them', he once quipped."

Ernest Hugh Grimshaw
Born 1930
"Ernest fondly recalled watching the battered warplanes flying over."

Joan Kirner
Born 1938
"She was our first female Premier. Because of her work, she won't be the last."

Hannah Davies
Born 1935
"Singing was her passion."

Con Maounis
Born 1939
"Con was a family man born on the island of Paros in Greece."

Sandra Sessions (Van de Sande)
Born 1962
"Sandra would always say 'just go with the flow'. She loved music, her garden and family holidays to the beach."

Colleen McCullough
Born 1937
"When we press the thorn to our chest we know, we understand, and still we do it."

Kate Alexandra Turner
Born 1988
"Kate endured pain every day of her life. Not that you would ever know. She always put on a brave front."

Susan Adelaide Ayres
Born 1947
"You were such a beautiful, strong person and loving mother to me."

Bart Cummings
Born 1927
"I keep my horses in the weakest of company and myself in the best of company. It's the best recipe for success that I know."

Nicholas Duncan MacBean
Born 1985
"Nic didn't care too much for money and the symbols of status — but he did care about people."

Faith Bandler
Born 1918
"She was just a hero for everyone and particularly for Aboriginal people in this country."

Kevin Schubert
Born 1930
"For Dad to share an adventure with his family was his greatest pleasure in life."

Daryl Leigh McManus
Born 1959
"Daz, my chemo buddy, I miss you."

Dr Ruth Hilary White
Born 1926
"My Auntie Ruth.. ..what a woman."

Thomas Paul Kikkert
Born 1969
"Tommy was not a fisherman, not ever. Golf was his sport. He hated fishing."

Bryan (Fred) John Smith
Born 1969
"Put him in the middle of a city and five minutes later, he would be engrossed in conversation with a stranger."

Robert E Locke
Born 1967
"He was a passionate advocate for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander issues and social justice."

Raymond Reece Wells
Born 1930
"I am sure if there is a life after death Mum and Dad are together and at peace."

Adele Horin
Born 1951
"Dear readers, my luck has run out. I'm not going to be one of those feisty octogenarians I so admired."

Leslie John Burroughs
Born 1951
"Les was not only a police officer but an avid campaigner for people and kids that were less fortunate."

Judith Ann Jenkins
Born 1947
"I met and loved an amazing new part of my mum, and for that I am thankful."

Grandpa Ball
Born 1917
"This is my Grandpa. He died last week, age 98. He was a truly wonderful man."

Kingston Brendan James Smith
Born 2012
"Kingston was a very happy little boy when he died."

Jonah Lomu
Born 1975
"Jonah was a legend of the game and [was] loved by his many fans."

Ray Behsman
Born 1950
"A great Aussie bloke with a million stories to tell."

Henry Lewis Gerard Ford
Born 2015
"A little boy and his bear will always be playing ..." (A.A Milne)

Hanh Tran
Born 1954
"A generous and inspirational teacher and a talented photographer."

General Eva Burrows
Born 1929
"She pleased God'. That's one very important thing to me; that my life has been pleasing to the God I serve."

Kevin John Warren
Born 1927
"A family man, a man of poetry and fishing, the patriarch of a well known fishing family in Eden, NSW."

Maree Healey
Born 1952
"I'd like to introduce you to my Mum. Always smiling, she had a natural remedy for everything!"

Felicity Wishart
Born 1965
"All Australians, whether they realise it or not, owe a debt of gratitude for her work."

Nick Russell Miles
Born 1992
"He cooked meals for his brothers and me, his father; vindaloo was a favourite."

Priscilla Kincaid-Smith
Born 1926
"Her research endeavours and education endeavours are almost unparalleled in renal disease."

Jude Townson
Born 1948
"Jude was warm, funny, talented and non-judgmental."

Andrew MacDonald
Born 1952
"He put all his energy into making a happy childhood for his children and grandchildren."

Terry John Finn
Born 1955
"He was very wise, loyal, a great listener and observer."

Brenda Bartlem-Ward
Born 1941
"Mum would've given you her last 20 cents or the shirt off her back if you needed it."

Malcolm Fraser
Born 1930
"What we do not know, we often fear. What we do not understand, we fear. And what we fear becomes a threat."

Greg O'Shea
Born 1964
"Greg's happiest years were his last, when he too had created a family in the footsteps of his father."

Godfrey Daniel
Born 1923
"He was a man of great humour and warmth who loved life."

Carol
Born 1959
"I will help you choose your Year 6 Dinner Dress. I will enjoy doing all these things for you. I will be missing My Friend - your mother."

Alice Catherine Prior
Born 1930
"I hope she is having a ceilidh with the rest of the Prior clan."

Leonard Nimoy
Born 1931
"We return you now to the stars, Leonard. You taught us to 'live longer and prosper'."

Mason Tsai
Born 2009
"Only six years old and yet, so many [stories] to remember and tell!"

Warren Brettschneider
Born 1965
"At the mere age of thirteen my brother was diagnosed with a brain tumour, but that never stopped him."

Jackie Collins
Born 1937
"If anything, my characters are toned down — the truth is much more bizarre."

Kim Piddington
Born 1960
"Feral tracker," as Kim called himself. "An extraordinary photographer and bushman.."

Nathanial (Natty) Reece Guymer
Born 1988
"Natty was a great man of big things. Big laugh, big smile and a big heart. I will love you forever my love."

Michael Stimpson
Born 1973
"Left behind six children, five stepchildren, a wife. And a life."

Bobby Smith
Born 1926
"Who was this special man who made people happy with his persona and talent?"

Geoffrey Thomas Simpson
Born 1950
"He was strong, a comic, a terrible punter, a lover of the footy and a good golfer. A proud family man."

David Vincent McIvor
Born1969
"Often people touch our lives and we don't even know it. David was one of these people."

Terrence Josiah Williams
Born 1929
"He sang show tunes to his wife, loved Mickey Mouse, ice-cream and boating on the Mississippi River."

Dr Michael John Richmond
Born 1937
"A diagnostic doctor beyond compare with a massive heart and a zest for life."

Bob Stone
Born 1925
"A tribute to my precious grandfather Bob Stone who passed away this year aged 90."

Lynne Painter
Born 1954
"Mum's life had become one of paradoxes. She was so happy, yet so sad. So loud, yet so quiet. So open and transparent, yet so secretive."

Janet May Lamb
Born 1944
"Mum was always caring for someone. She gave up everything for her kids."

Kadek
Born 2010
"Kadek's condition was called Tetralogy of Fallot, meaning four problems with her heart."

Sue Buer
Born 1949
"Her only regret was she couldn't have a Viking funeral."

Aaron Joseph Howe
Born 1979
"My brother was headstrong and opinionated but on the flip side, he had a huge heart and massive smile."

Cam Abood
Born 1943
"He was one of the most gentle, genuine, lovely souls."

Pam Skelton
Born 1938
"My mum was the first woman to be ordained as a priest in Scotland."

Billy Williams
Born 1961
"He was 'Backhoe Bill' or 'one of the Williams's from Killarney' to most; solid-built, noisy and hardworking, a loving husband and father."

Jean Haynes
Born 1922
"As we farewelled you Nanny, we mused about one last Manly ferry ride. You loved the ferry. Especially when it was rough."

Rosalind Jackson
Born 1939
"Mum believed in being positive as this was the best way to live. Her smile was infectious."

Jacqueline Britton
Born 1981
"Jacqueline tragically lost her life in a motor vehicle accident in February."

Juozas (Joe) Girdauskas
Born 1921
"Life for Joe here has ended but now, according to his great grandson, he earned his 'angel's wings'."

Alan Bond
Born 1938
"I wanted to have 1 million pounds by the time I was 21. And I set out to do that."

Audrey Grace Cox
Born 1932
"A much loved Mum and very dear friend to many. She lived life to the fullest. Taken too soon and unexpectedly. Missed greatly by all."

Garry Paul Meister
Born 1955
"Dad had a love of music, all kinds of music. He built giant black book cases to house his extensive record collection."

Mick Harkin
Born 1933
"Much loved member of the Sunraysia U3A writing for pleasure group."
Andrew Chan
Born 1984
"I trust that this [death] isn't God's divine plan for me, and he has a better hope and plan for my life."

Leo Cussen
Born 1959
"What struck me on first meeting him was his eyes, and his character."
Bryan Williams
Born 1964
"When I look at my siblings and the people we are and becoming, I feel proud to be a part of my dad's legacy."
Al Molinaro
Born 1919
"Yep-yep-yep-yep."

Laurel Pinyon
Born 1925
"For a lady no taller than a child of 10 years old she certainly has so much spunk in her."

Myuran Sukumaran
Born 1981
"When I think back at my life, I never really contributed to anything. Now I'm doing all sorts of stuff... It feels good."

Professor Richard Cotton
Born 1940
"Around 7 million babies are born each year with serious and often deadly genetic defects ... "

Krystal Page
Born 1987
"She translated what she saw into words in such a way that I wondered often if she may be a very ancient soul returned to heal."
Donald Skala
Born 1923
"Father. Hero. Grandfather. Great-Grandfather. Craftsman. Friend."

Barry (Bas) Arter Harding
Born 1943
"Dad was an such a incredibly kind-hearted man, and would do anything to help anyone, or any animal in need."

Greg Strom
Born 1958
"He was successful in everything he did, including business, family and cars."

Rita Ann Broadwy
Born 1948
"Rita believed everyone had the potential to create, whether it be through drawing, painting."
Source: ABC News