I would like to begin by saying on behalf of the family that we are all immensely grateful for the amazing support that we have received over the past few days. I know it can be extremely difficult to know what to do or say but just know that your love, encouragement and mere presence has brought us through allot of pain. David Sarnoff once said “We cannot banish dangers, but we can banish fears. We must not demean life by standing in awe of death.” Such a young and incredible life taken away is such a big shock, yet it is a reminder to us all of the limited and fragile time we have on this majestic earth and if ever there was an example of how to make the most of our experiences and to live life without the fear of death, it was Tegan. Thank you all so, so very much for your support.
When it comes to describing Tegan, it becomes very difficult to find the exact words to use because he was so unlike any other person I know. There are no perfect people in this world because a perfect person can’t be defined. Yet Tegan maintained a balance of characteristics, humility and strength, humour and seriousness, wisdom and experimentalism, maturity and fun, beauty, passion and a composure about himself that anybody in his presence could enjoy which made him the perfect person to keep you company.
He always brought out the best in me, I couldn’t have felt more comfortable with anyone else. If I ever wanted to be happy I’d just have to spend some time with him. We shared a sense of humour that became personal to us both, being together always brought it out and it would instantly dissolve the worlds problems and cheer me up. My Mom, brought us together more than ever after the tragic passing of our Dad. We never really discussed it with each other but we both had an understanding and a bond that was unbreakable. That is thanks to you mom, your compassion and understanding of our relationship made us closer than we ever could have imagined. It is through your astonishing love that he became the incredible person we know and although his heart seemed shadowed and strong at times, he loved you with every single part of it.
There are allot of us that will spend an entire life searching for a passion in life, we know that Tegan definitely wasn’t one of these. From the time he was born his eyes went skyward, before he could say look, he’d say “Gook, gook oumie , ehpwane!”. Before he finished primary school his ceiling was covered in model aeroplanes that he’d spent his spare time methodically building and painting. As soon as he had taken-off and landed on just about every airport in Flight Simulator, remote control planes were on the Christmas list. Our wonderful Oumie, had made one of his long awaited dreams come true with one of the best kitted training planes on the airfield. We were laughed at because it is apparently known that your first remote control planes never stay in one piece. The very same plane is still running and unscathed, testimony to his incredible understanding of flight without even being on-board. With the great support of our uncles and his pilot role models Raymond and Craig, he was in a pilot’s seat before even finishing school. His immense happiness and complete dedication with anything to do with aeroplanes had launched him into a career he had always dreamed of. His colleagues always complemented his precision, hard work and outright talent he had for the job and there is no doubt he was on his way to being the best damn pilot in the sky. I’d flown with him a few times when he’d just got his licence and not once did I doubt his abilities, because the happiness and confidence that shone through him when he was around an aeroplane instilled trust to everyone around. We can be happy for him, knowing that his life was fulfilled with doing exactly what he so passionately loved, giving him a sense of freedom that takes many a lifetime to achieve.
Tegan always promised that one day he’d teach me how to fly. And now I realise that he was teaching me his whole life. He always managed to show me the path of life with is incredible wisdom, always seeming to know about something before it had actually happened. He recently told me when I was feeling down. “Boet, the more you think about the things that worry you the more they’ll become part of your life, tomorrow is another day brining new experiences, learn from your problems and move on.” I never expected that from him but it shows how he managed to stay so strong through many hardships that he experienced in his life. Although the both of us were often home alone, I never once felt unsafe in his presence. That confidence and strength he had became a part of me and has strengthened me to what I am today. His sincerity and genuine personality is embodied in the amazing friends he has. The memories of when I started at Boys High are filled with being in that quad with Tegan, Aidan, Drian, Matthew, Carl and Darrin. Even though I was so much younger and had to hang with my brother for support, they still made me feel welcome. Together they were incredible, always filled with laughter, throwing figs at eachother and putting my lunchbox in the pond, proof of the great people that associated with Tegan. The remarkable bond he had with Aidan extended through their mutual love for flying, they were always so involved in each other’s interests and I know he loved nothing more then to spend time with him. Aidan, although you might not find a friendship like that, know that Tegan held your friendship above everything else and he was always grateful for all the time spent with you. Now we sit with this massive amount of friends that have come together, I know he held each and every one of you dear to his heart and everyone of us has learnt a little something from his personality and wisdom.
When we were kids I was the one who was always interested to carry on with the tradition of playing the bagpipes. Perhaps it was the dedication it took that intrigued him and disinterested me but somewhere along the way we mix interests and he became one of the best pipers this school has seen. He wedged a firm spot in the piping community and I’m sure Richmond Avenue are going to miss the sheer talent, dedication and enlightenment he brought to the band. Through this community, Tegan met his beloved Kim. Words can not express my heartfelt sympathy for what you have lost. Know that you gave him the opportunity at a young age to move out of a lonely house and experience a small family of his own and that everyday you made him express that smile that we all loved so much. His love for you will never die and I know he would want the best for you.
It’s hard to sift through all the incredible memories I’ve had with my brother and share with you the times we had together because they were all so wonderful. We both loved the bush and I believe anyone who is taught to appreciate nature as he was becomes truly appreciative of life and it instils a calmness in them that was so evident in Tegan. Being the eldest, he was always the gang leader amongst our cousins, and the fun memories and lessons we learnt together will always be a part of us. His guardian angels, Greg, Marylou, Craig, Marry-Anne, Lyndsay, David, Ramond, Clare, Trish and Margie, you brought into light so many aspects of life that made Tegan the mature and confident person he was. David Evans stepped into our lives at a time when our little family needed the fun and laugher that he so amply provided. He also instilled a love for mountain biking in Tegan that gave us the brotherly competition we so enjoyed. His daughter Kelly quickly formed a strong bond with Tegan and she became the beloved sister we never had. Thank you two for being such special people in his life. He now flies high in the sky with our Dad Andrew, and two Grandfathers, Ted and Don, who taught Tegan the many things that gave him the brilliantly bright mind that he had.
Stand tall, remember that all of you were a special part of his life that made him who he was. We will never meet another person like him, there is nothing we can do to hear him play the pipes for the last time, have one last beer with him, see him fly once again or just to sit and laugh at everything. But if everyone had to take their favourite quality of Tegan and live up to it, his presence will live on forever and this world would be a much, , much better place. Good bye and rest in peace my brother, my best friend.
By: Rowan McKenzie