Thank you all for coming here today to pay your respects and help us send David on his final journey. This is for you 'Big Dog'.

I once wrote to Dave, “We only waste time idly with the ones we love”… we use to just spend time. He knew this. One of his good mates reminded me the other day that Dave had time for everyone. Mum and I have spent a lot of time talking about David’s passions. Overwhelmingly, he was passionate about his loved one’s, his family and friends.  

David was born on the 31st of May 1981, at Hornsby Hospital to his parents Gail and Ian. He was their first son and a younger brother to me!  He attended Maraylya Primary School and Arndell College, Dave finished off his primary schooling at Kurmond Public School, before attending Colo High school, where he acquired his higher school certificate.

Mum and Dad recall his birth as a joyous event but also one of the ‘extreme’ nature. Mum remembers how he popped into life like a champagne cork, the mid wife catching him with one gloved hand. He bungeed into life and thus began his love of extreme sports!

Dave was a Jack of all trades, and fabulous at everything! He turned his hand to real estate, turfing, advertising and marketing, mechanics, carpentry, landscaping, brickies laboring, truck driving, he was an entrepreneur and boy did his make us drool with his cooking!... The boys also tell me he missed his calling as a hairdresser. See Shaddy and Ski Boot for examples of his latest handy work!

I only have fond memories of my childhood with David. We used to say to mum, “We are not arguing we are talking loudly”. We played well together provided he let me be the teacher when we played schools.

Dave has always loved cars and when he was too young to reach peddles, Match Box and Tonka had to do. I have endless memories of Dave dumping out his Lego on the floor in front of the fire at our home in Maraylya and playing for hours. Poor Mum and Dad would have to trip over the Monopoly board all holidays as Dave and I would set up a never ending game. It always ended the same way though. Dave owning all the good properties and him lending me money so I could buy my way back into the game.

Now this one is just to embarrass you Dave. We also loved joining our He-man and Shera castles together and battling with the powers of grey skull on our side!  These were times when he was my little brother. But that didn’t last for long. As he started to grow into a man it was pretty clear who was the ‘Big Dog’. 

I’m now going to read to you from a card that I wrote for Dave explaining a phenomenon called “The Dave Wave”.

Ever since we were little I get the impression that you were born to be cooler than me. The Dave Wave started on your first day of primary school. All of my friends rushed up to me giggling about how cute my little brother was. Your first day at high school the “Dave Wave” gained speed again as all my girlfriends rush up to tell me what a cutie my brother was and how he’s going to be a heart breaker. Now I’ve moved on to Uni and not much has changed. My friends still tell me how good looking you are. So what has become of the Dave wave? Well it’s crashed on the sand with never ending phone calls, people following you around everywhere… and the last few years I have increasingly become known as ‘David MacDougall’s sister’. What’s all that about? Well I think people have discovered what I knew all along… you’re a pretty cool guy to be around. I love spending time with you whether it’s five minutes before school, ten minutes when you stick your head in the study or driving to Penrith. I love being Dave MacDougall’s sister!

I have never been prouder to have my brother stand up for me than at our wedding last year. I was so happy that I had David’s approval. Dave liked Dan from the beginning and as the years went by Dan morphed from his sister’s boyfriend, to his mate and eventually his brother. Over the years, I often questioned who he like better, him or me! It was undoubtedly Dan, who he loved watching the footy and having a beer with.

David is a much loved son and is sorely missed by both his parents. I find it difficult to find the words to express what David means to them and they mean to David. They loved him with all their hearts, ‘If love could have saved you, you would have lived forever’.

Dad has lost his mate. Someone he could work or relax with. Dave loved barbies with dad. It was a time to catch up have a couple of beers and share some stories. He would also take Dad out bike riding and throw him around on a bike like he was one of his young mates… much to the expense of poor dad’s body.

Speaking of which I recall a camping trip, Dad, David and I had. I remember how pleased Dave was when he thought he had caught a huge fish. Dave had cast his line. Realizing in seconds it was attached to something, he pulled up hard. Dad screamed… we turned. He had caught a big one all right! Dave’s hook had gone into dad’s bare chest. Dad, he was always hooking you in for something, business ventures, bike riding, boating or fishing. He loved spending time with you. 'Say not in grief 'he is no more' but live in thankfulness that he was'.

David was happy to be a witness at Dad and Jen’s wedding in April. I don’t know what surprised Dave more about Jenny, the fact that Dad had finally found someone or that David and Jenny could sit at the pub together enjoying a beer and each others company.

As for my Mum, she has lost her little shadow that turned into her best buddy, her mate, her constant companion, her rock. Dave loved to spoil her. He insisted on cooking all the meals. He loved to wait on her. I am really grateful for Dave’s mates at this time as they witnessed the special relationship that Mum and Dave have.

Mum and Dave are two peas in one ambitious pod! They were never happier than when hatching a new plan together, whether it was a new home or business.

The memories of Mum and Dave at the kitchen table with the realty guides and the trading post, as Dave played ‘Guess how much?’ will never fade. Mum was always spot on! I’d get impatient and say ‘just tell me’ and Dan was always ready to listen.

Mum and David would always plan what they were going to do together on their days off, Manly for fish and chips, up the coast and see mum’s family, cruise around and check out new businesses or new blocks of land or just chillin with a favorite movie at home. Every moment was special. David often talked about never leaving home. Some would say he had it pretty good there. I say he loved being with Mum. He used to jokingly mention to mum “You need a rich man with a sexy daughter”. Mum and Dave are definitely a package deal.

Dave was instrumental in creating a paradise for Mum at their newest home in North Richmond. Another example of how he looked after Mum. The garden at North Richmond that he and mum worked on together is a wonderful legacy to David.

Over the last few days we have cried a lot, and If tears could build a stairway, and memories a lane, I’d walk right up to heaven and bring you home again. We have also reminisced a great deal.  When I asked mum what she wanted included in my words today, she wanted me to emphasize how well David looked after and spoilt her. 

But that is what David did, he loved and spoilt his family and friends.

David loved spending time with his grand parents, particularly when he was little. He loved going to grandma and grandpa’s orchard and following them around. He loved grandma’s cooking and outdoor activities.

He loved going to Nan and Pop’s at Pearl Beach and spending time with them. Nan also liked to spoil him with her culinary skills. He liked to play pool with Nan and Pop. No one who saw the pool shark he became could have imagined him cheating with Nan and Pop all those years ago. Pushing balls in with his hands into the pockets of their large pool table when he thought no one was watching.

Dave had numerous hobbies some that he did all his life, some as a boy and others more recent pursuits. These included bike riding, car racing, soccer, basket ball, golf, AFL, scuba diving, playing pool, boxing, movies, fishing, boating, spending time with his family and friends. As I said before he was an extreme sport fan and he loved living large.

David did a bit of travel. He loved the warmer weather and was always drawn to the coast. His deep interest in his European heritage took him to Malta. He had a great holiday. He enjoyed experiencing the food and culture with Nan and Mum and often spoke of returning.

Unfortunately, I cannot speak for everyone. You know what you mean to him and what he means to you.

David was born on the 31st of May 1981 and passed away on the 11th of July 2007.

It is now not about how quickly he was taken from us. It is about our relationship with him. He would want us to carry him by our sides as we are working, cooking, biking, sporting, and out on the town.

Any peace that I have felt over the last few days has been thinking would Dave want me to do this.

                     The Final Flight

Don't grieve for me, for now I'm free,
I'm following the path God laid for me.
I took his hand when I heard his call,
I turned my back and left it all.

I could not stay another day,
To laugh, to love, to work, to play.
Tasks left undone must stay that way,
I've found that peace at the end of the day.

If my parting has left a void,
Then fill it with remembered joy.
A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss,
Ah, yes, these things too I will miss.

Be not burdened with times of sorrow,
I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow.
My Life's been full, I savoured much,
Good friends, good times, …good wine, a loved one's touch.

Perhaps my time seemed all too brief,
Don't lengthen it now with undue grief.
Lift up your heart and share with me,
God wanted me now, He set me free. 

As long as we live, he too will live; for he is now a part of us: As we remember him!

love you forever 'Little Bro' x x x x