Eulogy to Kazimierz Urbanik at his funeral, 13:00, Wednesday 25 March 2008
With one hour's notice to pack, I stand proud to wear my Father's clothes.
I've been warned not to call him Dad, but old habbits die hard.
Dad had courage; he wasn't afraid of taking the plunge.
He left his home country Poland on a bicycle and fought the Nazis in France, a teenager.
He chose England as his new home, married Mum, and had six kids.
He moved to Australia when he recognised the opportunity. He had his seventh child.
He bought 25 acres of land to become a self-sufficient farmer. The failure of his orchard was not due to lack of his effort.
He built a house himself without any tradespeople. We demolished old iron-bark houses at Benandarah Mill for timber, and also Godfrey's at Goulburn.
He nailed together metal-hard seasoned iron-bark 4x2s. We built the entire house with our own hands, Dad completing much of the work single-handed.
He had the foresight to invite his children to set up house on his land, and four children live on it or close by.
He died with close support from his children and lived these last hard years of disability with loving help from his kids.
Mum cared for Dad, overcoming immense difficulties, and they both inspired us with their cheerful positive attitude, engaged with life. Older people who can carry such burdens with such a cheerful heart are a treasure to those who can learn from them.
The good that has happened from Dad's death is that we have grown closer and more loving to each other. We see that in the end, nothing matters but love and caring for each other.