Vale Dear Brother Vic

Dear People,

I am so sad not to be able to come to a final farewell. I offer these words instead.

My loved brother, Victor Henry Levi, has long been an important part of my life. I think I was four when Vic was born. This means I have known him longer than any other living member of the family: eighty-seven years.

Our school days together are especially memorable. For example I vividly remember skating with him on frozen golf greens on our way to school in Blackheath. We were both good at sport in those early days. The Blackheath principal seemed slightly embarrassed reading out our names so many times at an end of year function.

I was very proud of Vic’s selection in a Combined High Schools Rugby team. I watched him play with great respect and delight. A team mate and friend in that team went on to captain Australia.

We had boxing gloves as children but we never fought with malice. He has always been very kind to me and we have shared many happy times. I have watched him grow and change the world in his own way.

He was married to dear Meg long before I wed. They achieved a wonderful family life with Chris, Scott and Matt always a source of affection and pride, an inspiration to me.

One great source of respect has been Vic’s career in journalism. I watched his early days with great respect but also compassion. It was a tough life. His skill with words and his intelligence saw him rise to a high level of journalistic success. I was conscious of this on reading his accolades when his paper closed down.

Vic was a good university student. His maturity among other things increased his awareness and his assignments revealed his wisdom. We had many a happy time comparing notes, especially regarding literature. I was very proud on learning of his recognition by Newcastle University with an honorary doctorate.

Vic and I shared a love of sport. We played cricket together with the Golden Oldies and against each other in earlier life. Once as a wicket-keeper he caught me. The umpire missed the snick and I didn’t walk. I’m sure he would forgive me now.

My life in Sydney meant I was apart from our parents more than Vic. He was a loving son to both and an amazing golf buddy for Dad. Meg and he were wonderful companions for our father during his final illness.

In sport, Vic was a skilful and benevolent player, especially in golf and cricket. As a fan, first with Newtown Jets and then with Newcastle Knights he was loyal and dedicated.

As a figure of love to Chris, Scott and Matt and their families, he was caring and dedicated, as he was to his dear wife Meg and his own mother and father Marge and Roy. His family, in his safe-keeping has flown high to many achievements.

For me, his elder brother, he has been often an inspiration and always a friend. Whenever we met we always had things to talk about, ideas to share and from time to time, achievements to praise.

For the rest of my lifetime he will be with me constantly in my thoughts, and by his very nature still giving me advice. That is something even death cannot change.

With love,
Royce

For Vic

So
You thought you could leave me
What arrant nonsense!
When I am bored with the present
And escape to the past
You walk with me in countless ways
We learn to swim together
Go fishing
And catch them when the sun is setting
You are in fancy dress again
At school in the Forties
Dressed as Austerity
With your hessian trousers and bottle-top buttons
You bowl your wronguns to me again in the yard
And I cheer for you the Rugby star
On distinguished schoolboy playing fields
I carry you once again along a beach for a mile
After a rock has fallen on your foot
We two dine together
At Carlo’s Grill in King Street Newtown
When you are in my care
And Mum and Dad are away on business
You are a respected Fortian
Like me a student at Fort Street High School
I read again your first newspaper article
Wondering at your awareness
And courage in seeking out a story
I laugh with you again at your funny faux pas
When you describe yourself to a Frenchman
As “un homme de papier”
You were certainly not made of paper
I salute you once again
For your distinguished university award
And I run with you still
On Golden Oldies cricket playing fields
I chat with you in our old age
So many memories to share
So many political fools to condemn
So many ways to confirm our brotherhood

That’s it then, no more nonsense
No thought of leave-taking
You’ll be in my company
As long as destiny extends my own existence

________________________________________________