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Entry: EULOGY Submitted by: Directors |
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Webmasters Note: Mark WilliamTonkin was innocently run down by a car driver whilst attending the 2001 Birdsville Races. MARK WILLIAM TONKIN - 19/7/1976 to 1/9/2001 It would be fair to say that most of you here today are in
disbelief that Mark William TONKIN, always known as Mark (and
sometimes Tonks or Digger), is dead before his
twenty sixth birthday! Further, it is likely that you have personally
struggled with the questions of Why him? This may be causing some to feel angry, guilty, and the like;
and those are natural reactions to something as difficult as
what we are facing today. But ultimately we need to come to the
realisation that there are no answers to those questions and
that guessing is futile, causing unnecessary emotion for all
concerned. My name is TREVOR GUNTHORPE and I am a Nationally Accredited
Funeral Celebrant and Loss & Grief Counsellor. The staff
of Peter Tobin Funerals and I will endeavour to apply the next
few moments as a Celebration of Mark's shortened life, sensitively
using some significant events and music to assist in that endeavour,
giving him the due respect that he deserves. His family appreciate your kindnesses over these past days
and value all the ways in which they have been remembered. Thank
you, too, to those who have come a long way to be here today;
some from overseas!! So let us begin that journey into the future together, setting the memories in place for you to continue his story later at the Crown Hotel, Buninyong. You are all invited to attend his 'wake` there after the committal. Please come if you are able. IAN wishes to sing for us as his tribute to his brother, "Streets of London". A poem, written for the occasion by UNCLE MAX (Harris)
says this:- The golden glow of sunny skies Mark William Tonkin 1976-2001 and beyond. Mark William Tonkin was the first of three boys born to Ross and Kaye Tonkin in Ballarat on 19th July, 1976. Great grandparents, on both sides of his family, obviously had a great influence on Mark,s deep-seated interest and love for horses, especially the heavier quadrupeds! One side used to drive stage coaches the family having arrived in and around Ballarat BEFORE GOLD!! The others had a horse drawn Bus line out from Eureka Street; the vehicles called charabancs, also drawn by the four-footed draught species... Schooling for Mark was at Brown Hill Primary, then Mount Clear. Memories of these years, from Mark's family, range from smoking in the back yard, having a horse named "Poppa " which was supposed to be of racing stock, "Pony", and "Tow", the goat. Now "Tow " had a saddle and harness, but often Mark would get a stick to some of the animals. Ross watched him one day when he was quite young get stuck into "Tow` and laid a blow between the goat's eyes. Too late! Tow reared up on his hind legs and butted Mark quite forcibly!! From then on they respected each other!! The Tonkin boys also had a reputation of contesting each other as well as taking on any other family or group. It is suggested that the all-in wrestling on the lounge floor (at home) is where these skills were developed!! Throughout his schooling, Mark showed that he had the brains to do well but often the social side of life interfered with his ability. This was borne out when he entered University and began Mechanical Engineering; but he had the knack to get grades 'just over the line`; so why study hard?? He did have some 'challenges`, though, during his studies; ask about making a bridge out of icy-pole sticks which would withstand the weight of an adult!! Ironically, he was close to graduation! It would seem, however, that over-riding all this was his interest in [and love for] the bush and all that is associated with it; fossils, horses, camping, having an ale or two or more., and shooting (have you seen his 'spud gun`?). He was "full-on" for anything he liked; mates, work, and study?? Well..... Working part-time for Sovereign Hill with the horses for almost eight years endeared him to his four-footed friends AND a waitress, named SIOBHAN, who worked at the Victoria Hotel. And while we are in that area a story needs to be told NOW about a recent Christmas Day. That is the only day which this tourist attraction is closed, but the horses still need attention. On that day the boys went there together and finished up horse-racing down the street;... Mark won! Occasionally Mark would go down to the Yarra and help Captain Matt on the "Showboat"; but we are not sure if he liked the black and white uniforms more than being able to break time-table records!! Apparently, Mark's cooking draws many stories, which Siobhan could tell, but he was not overly adventurous. Often when home, though, he would ask his Mum, whom he loved dearly, for the recipe, so that he could (perhaps) try later. Birdsville, had been visited last year, and since then he had talked and planned about going again this year - to enjoy the freedom of the outback lifestyle, horses, and with the male-dominated visitors! Matthew Sullivan (SULL) and DANNY Attard would like to share a few thoughts. Another collection of memories from friends says this:- (comments read.) A tribute from SIOBHAN. So it was a shock to you all when you heard of his death last Saturday, (1/9/2001) in the very area he had looked forward to revisiting!! Mark's immediate family was not large from a biological perspective, but you have shown that he had a considerably wider "family" who appreciated the contrasts in his character, as is shown in your high opinion of him today. His thoughtful and kind- hearted approach; his appreciation of flowers and nature, as was portrayed in many of his photographs; and his genuine affection towards all whom he met has already been expressed; is a rare quality these days!! MATT wishes to say a few words, then play "Amazing Grace" on his trumpet as we reflect on what Mark's life and death meant to us, at the end of which I will lead you in. The Lord's Prayer. So together with ROSS, KAYE(dec), MARION, MATT, IAN, and SIOBHAN, we are all mourners; recognising that we never mourn alone. Consider the tragedies on our roads or the turmoil surrounding merciless overseas bombings - killing innocent children, affecting whole families. Each of these are saddened by the death of their loved ones too! What we are encouraged to do is to continue to talk about - and share our feelings concerning - Mark's death. In so doing we will often find it to be helpful - to all concerned!! Why not try it?? Shortly we will be taking Mark to his final resting place,
but before we do so I have been requested to read Henry Lawson's
poem, Perhaps this portrays Mark better than we all have been able to do; see of its fits?? The music to be played as we carry Mark out is a collection of his music. Would you please take your instructions from the Director. At the graveside. It is with reverence and love, then, that we commit the body
of Mark TONKIN to the elements from which it came, grateful for
the life that has been lived, and for what his "full-on
" approach to life has meant to us. May the road rise to meet you "Goodbye, Mark; thank you for all you have taught us
and left us to consider. You will be greatly missed, but you
are reunited with your Mum, Kaye, and other friends." Return to top of page |