Tribute to Dad

My dad, Neville Rylah was born July 2nd 1945 in a town called Kingscliff which is at the southern end of the Gold Coast in Northern New South Wales. Dad was a very adventurous or should I say mischievous boy as he was growing up, so much so he was sometimes tied up to the clothes line in his backyard to prevent him wondering off as he often did. His mum would sometimes receive a phone call to come pick him up after he'd been on one of his joy rides on the local bus. And this was at the age of only 5 or 6.

Since Kingscliff was a coastal town dad spent most of his youth at the beach. Eventually becoming a surf life saver (lifeguard) and progressing to the high level of chief judge at the Australian championships after his competitive days were over. Dad competed in many events in his younger years and then the march past in his later years. He was also a champion swimmer missing out on Olympic qualification one year by only two places, he came in fourth and they took the first two. Dad was also a very good rugby player, reaching 1st grade representative level in Sydney by his early 20's.

Dad was a very giving man always trying to do good and gaining much personal reward from it. He gave blood 150 times receiving a plaque from the Australian Red Cross for his contributions. He coached many kids rugby teams even becoming club president and taking the club out of financial troubles, that was a big job. One of his proudest moments was teaching an elderly woman who was petrified of water how to swim. He told me this on one of the occasions we had one to many beers at the pub together, a few tears of pride were shed that day!!!

He was always the life of the party, always cheerful and everyone loved him, everyone!!! He was a devoted husband and father and always put the needs of his family before his own. I am very thankful for the upbringing, support and guidance he gave me. If I can be half as good a man as him I will be proud.

Dad was diagnosed with lung cancer in August 2003 and only given 9 - 12 months to live. We gathered as a family and vowed to fight with everything we had. It was a huge shock and very sad for us all but we did just that and fought hard. No-one could believe how positive he was through the battle, never giving up and never complaining. He even kept competing in the march past right up until he could barely walk without getting out of breath. He was an amazing man!!!

He was completely defiant to the disease. I remember him telling me with pride the day 12 months was up and he was able to tell the doctors 'well, I'm still here and according to you I'm not suppose to be, huh'. Dad always talked about the pelican and the frog. It was a picture he showed me of a pelican trying to eat a frog but the frog not giving up holding the pelicans beak open with defiance even while it was half way down the pelicans throat. That was dad!!!

Sadly dad passed away on March 7, 2005. He will never be forgotten, his legend will live on forever. He is missed by many many people who still can't believe he is gone, dad was only 59.

We miss you dad!!!