Well, a final note.
Yesterday we celebrated Gordons life with respect and dignity. We came together to mourn Gordons passing, but instead we celebrated his life!
The turnout was overwhelming, the chapel was full to overflowing with people spilling out into the portico, evidence of the friendship and respect for Gordon and support for Annie.
It was so poignant to see Gordons bike, his ski paddle, his Magpie scarf, flippers and the photo presentation, the Kakoda memoirs, and to sit and listen to the words of those representing Interlloy and the steel industry, his friends and family. :) All the speeches were wonderful, the respect, the jokes, the laughs, the tears............................ and finally the bagpipes..................
Annie and Clare and Anna, so dignified, so together as a family, our thoughts go with you all. Please know we will think of you all often in the days, weeks and months to come, we may not see or speak with you, but we will all be thinking of you.
Thankyou to all in the industry who adjourned back to the office. What a wonderful turnout and even tho there was such sadness, there were so many stories, anecdotes, laughs, toasts, and wise words about our friend and colleague. The void left is huge, but hopefully in time the pain will ease and we will always remember with a smile, the good bloke Gordon was.
Fromage mate!
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Monday, January 19, 2009
Funeral arrangements have now been finalised for Friday morning. Please check Wednesdays paper for details.
Annie has asked for donations to the Lorne Surf Life Saving Club in lieu of flowers please. Hopefully through Gordons legacy some badly needed quipment can be purchased and more lives will be saved in the future. (Envelopes will be available at the funeral, or can be made directly to Interlloy.)
Thankyou for all the messages of support and friendship.
Annie has asked for donations to the Lorne Surf Life Saving Club in lieu of flowers please. Hopefully through Gordons legacy some badly needed quipment can be purchased and more lives will be saved in the future. (Envelopes will be available at the funeral, or can be made directly to Interlloy.)
Thankyou for all the messages of support and friendship.
Friday, January 16, 2009
Sadly, earlier this afternoon, (Sat 17th) Gordon slipped quietly and peacefully away to the land of eternal sun and surf, no doubt with a golf club in one hand and a glass of red in the other.
VALE Gordon. God Speed mate.
Our thoughts and condolances are with Annie, Clare and Cam, Anna, and Gordons parents and sisters, Annette, Barbara, Glenda and Judy and extended families.
VALE Gordon. God Speed mate.
Our thoughts and condolances are with Annie, Clare and Cam, Anna, and Gordons parents and sisters, Annette, Barbara, Glenda and Judy and extended families.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
To add your comments, please scroll down to the word 'comments', a window should show, type your message, then preview, then hit Post. Please ignore the 'select a profile'. :) If you have any trouble, please email me kristeen.bon@interlloy.com.au Thankyou.
Please keep Annie in your thoughts and prayers today. It will be the most difficult day for her.
Please keep Annie in your thoughts and prayers today. It will be the most difficult day for her.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
It is with much sadness and regret that this post is written.
It has been decided that unfortunately Gordon is unlikely to recover consiousness and that Gordon has now passed on. He remains on life support waiting for international family to arrive.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Annie as she now faces some very tough decisions on Friday.
Should you wish to mail cards and or condolances, please contact me on the email (kristeen.bon@interlloy.com.au) or on my mobile 0411 635 611 for details.
Gordon was full of humor and loved and lived life to the full. He greeted every day with enthusiasm and faced every challenge with strength and determination.
I remember a big man, with a big booming laugh, a big appetite, and a caring nature. :) A man with a zest for adventure, a fit and healthy man who loved to swim, who loved to challenge himself. A man to whom family came first and who adored the three women in his life. :)
Please feel free to post here, all those funny injokes and anecdotes and there are tons of them, Annie and the girls will need this in the future.
On a private note, I'd like to thank Annie for her generosity in sharing Gordon with us, allowing us the opportunity to say our own personal goodbyes. Annies strength and dignity at this time is admirable.
Thankyou for all your support and remember to say I love you when you walk out the door.
It has been decided that unfortunately Gordon is unlikely to recover consiousness and that Gordon has now passed on. He remains on life support waiting for international family to arrive.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Annie as she now faces some very tough decisions on Friday.
Should you wish to mail cards and or condolances, please contact me on the email (kristeen.bon@interlloy.com.au) or on my mobile 0411 635 611 for details.
Gordon was full of humor and loved and lived life to the full. He greeted every day with enthusiasm and faced every challenge with strength and determination.
I remember a big man, with a big booming laugh, a big appetite, and a caring nature. :) A man with a zest for adventure, a fit and healthy man who loved to swim, who loved to challenge himself. A man to whom family came first and who adored the three women in his life. :)
Please feel free to post here, all those funny injokes and anecdotes and there are tons of them, Annie and the girls will need this in the future.
On a private note, I'd like to thank Annie for her generosity in sharing Gordon with us, allowing us the opportunity to say our own personal goodbyes. Annies strength and dignity at this time is admirable.
Thankyou for all your support and remember to say I love you when you walk out the door.
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Hi Everyone,
By now most of you know of Gordons accident. We are hoping to use this blog to keep you all updated on Gordons journey, through the ICU and then throughout his recovery.
At this point Gordon is still in ICU and Annie, Clare and Anna are keeping vigil over him. Doctors are optomistic.
It is thought that Gordon somehow suffered a blackout, possibly his heart skipped a beat or two, maybe a knock from another swimmer, and he has fainted, swallowing a mouthful of water.............................. Surf lifesavers noticed Gordon in trouble, pulled him out and administered oxygen resusitation. His big, strong heart still kept beating, :):) and then he was further assisted on the beach prior to being ambulanced to Geelong Hospital.
Thank God for the Surf Life Savers, they do a wonderful job, and it does seem a little ironic that they have saved one of their own.
It is now wait and see, how long til he comes out of his coma, probably dependant on how long it takes his stomach to register hunger, :):) just kidding. :):):) Once the extent of brain injury is determined, then rehab will be in order.
We are all hoping of course, that he will open his eyes, sit up and demand to know what all the fuss is about, :):), but the reality is that we just dont know how long that will take.
We know you will all be wanting to be updated, and will no doubt want to pass on good wishes and thoughts for Gordons speedy recovery. Feel free to post your messages and we will ensure that Annie, Clare and Anna get to read them, and get to read them to Gordon himself.
For now, Gordons work load will be covered by Russell and Nik. Please cut the guys in the office a little slack, :):) not only are they dealing with all the usual day to day stuff, but also the extra phone calls and of course they then have to deal with their own emotions. :):) Here we are on Monday, 2 days later and the impact of this is already huge. Gordon is already missed badly.
If you are friends, please know that Annie will know you are right behind her, she will gladly accept all the prayers, good and positive thoughts, white spells, chants, and anything and everything else you can offer up. :) While we understand you wish to sms or call her, please be aware that she is under a lot of pressure and cannot use the phone in the ICU. She saves her battery time. :):)
Should you wish to send a card, then the Interlloy office will make sure they reach Annie and the girls asap. :) There are no flowers permitted in the ICU and at this point Annie and the girls are camped out in the waiting room at the hospital. :) We are of course in daily contact and will be making sure Annie and the girls are not left alone. The Interlloy Family will pull together to support the Briggs Family.
Once Gordon is on his way to recovery, he will hopefully take over the postings, :) after all this blogspot is named for him. :):):) Til then, we will keep you all updated daily.
Our prayers, thoughts and support are with you Gordon.
Russell and Kristeen.
Gary and Ros.
Tony and Tracey.
Nik.
Anne.
By now most of you know of Gordons accident. We are hoping to use this blog to keep you all updated on Gordons journey, through the ICU and then throughout his recovery.
At this point Gordon is still in ICU and Annie, Clare and Anna are keeping vigil over him. Doctors are optomistic.
It is thought that Gordon somehow suffered a blackout, possibly his heart skipped a beat or two, maybe a knock from another swimmer, and he has fainted, swallowing a mouthful of water.............................. Surf lifesavers noticed Gordon in trouble, pulled him out and administered oxygen resusitation. His big, strong heart still kept beating, :):) and then he was further assisted on the beach prior to being ambulanced to Geelong Hospital.
Thank God for the Surf Life Savers, they do a wonderful job, and it does seem a little ironic that they have saved one of their own.
It is now wait and see, how long til he comes out of his coma, probably dependant on how long it takes his stomach to register hunger, :):) just kidding. :):):) Once the extent of brain injury is determined, then rehab will be in order.
We are all hoping of course, that he will open his eyes, sit up and demand to know what all the fuss is about, :):), but the reality is that we just dont know how long that will take.
We know you will all be wanting to be updated, and will no doubt want to pass on good wishes and thoughts for Gordons speedy recovery. Feel free to post your messages and we will ensure that Annie, Clare and Anna get to read them, and get to read them to Gordon himself.
For now, Gordons work load will be covered by Russell and Nik. Please cut the guys in the office a little slack, :):) not only are they dealing with all the usual day to day stuff, but also the extra phone calls and of course they then have to deal with their own emotions. :):) Here we are on Monday, 2 days later and the impact of this is already huge. Gordon is already missed badly.
If you are friends, please know that Annie will know you are right behind her, she will gladly accept all the prayers, good and positive thoughts, white spells, chants, and anything and everything else you can offer up. :) While we understand you wish to sms or call her, please be aware that she is under a lot of pressure and cannot use the phone in the ICU. She saves her battery time. :):)
Should you wish to send a card, then the Interlloy office will make sure they reach Annie and the girls asap. :) There are no flowers permitted in the ICU and at this point Annie and the girls are camped out in the waiting room at the hospital. :) We are of course in daily contact and will be making sure Annie and the girls are not left alone. The Interlloy Family will pull together to support the Briggs Family.
Once Gordon is on his way to recovery, he will hopefully take over the postings, :) after all this blogspot is named for him. :):):) Til then, we will keep you all updated daily.
Our prayers, thoughts and support are with you Gordon.
Russell and Kristeen.
Gary and Ros.
Tony and Tracey.
Nik.
Anne.
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