This speech was delivered at Adrian's memorial celebration on July 29, 2013, by wife Liz.
About Adrian
Good morning & welcome to this lovely place. I don't know if I can do this, but I heard Adie saying "Lizzy, you wimp!", so I'm having a go - I know you'll all be supporting me.
Thank you for being part of Adie's life - remarkable as it was for the range & depth of his interests, knowledge & passions. He always had absolute enthusiasm - some might say obsession - for his current interest, and then his focus would move on to another project. His knowledge was encyclopaedic, broadening & deepening over time, and with that, there was personal growth as well. He was a big man in more ways than one!
He grew:
- From a Mallee country boy to a lover of cities around the world
- From a person defined by sport to one who found equal pleasure in intellectual challenges. At university, he spent so much time at the Beaurepaire Centre that he had no time for lectures or tutes. He failed British History 3 times... but over time developed a passion for European history, along with incredible knowledge in that field.
- From an encyclopaedic knowledge of jazz, he moved on to a love of Vivaldi & Bach. In most areas of music, he had an amazing ear: he was able to identify not only songs, but lyric writers & arrangements, as well as immediately recognising singers & instrumentalists.
- He was a classroom teacher with no wish to go into school administration - in fact he asked me if I minded if he didn't mapply for promotions (I didn't). He became founder principal of the biggest secondary school in the state. By reputation, he was also one of the best principals in the system.
- Adie's parents separated when he was 4. After his father left, there was no car in the family. He knew nothing of cars or driving, but he managed to learn to the point where he could completely dismantle and restore his MGTF. During the long process all the parts were stored on the shelves in his shed - some of them in labelled jars.
- He had no early role model in handyman/trade skills and was very much in awe of skilled friends - but gradually learned in this area too. He could fix almost anything. Recently, one of his greatest pleasures has been developing amazing skills in amateur wood work & producing beautiful furniture.
- He had not much interest in travelling outside Australia - I think our first trip was made to humour me. He became the inveterate European traveller, with vast knowledge & real affection for Europe. He had seen more of Germany than most Germans.
- Religion - he was brought up a Catholic, but as an adult had no time for religion. Then he became an expert in Romanesque & Gothic church architecture. When we were travelling , pursuing our separate interests as usual, we would frequently meet by coincidence in the cathedral.
- From a preferred diet of chips & tomato sauce, he developed an eclectic taste in food & wine. The culinary highlights for him were our visits to 3 star Michelin restaurants in France.
- In recent years, he changed from Mr Invincible, strong, tough & in control, to someone who had come to terms with his mortality - this was a real struggle, but he made it.
- From a boy who grew up in a home where there was no husband or father, no male role model, he became the most loving husband and the best father.
More than anything, he valued his friends and his family, and was absolutely loyal to them.
- He was very proud of each one of his children and felt privileged to have an ongoing friendship with them as adults. They were never in doubt of his love for them and their families.
- For his grandchildren - he was slightly nervous of them as new babies, but once there was "somebody home", he enjoyed their crawling all over him and delighted in watching their development. As they grew up, he ensured that they understood that he wouldn't be around forever:
- he talked with Sam about ideas, technology and history - sometimes for longer than Sam anticipated - try 3 hours on the history of civilisation!
- Most recently, he watched and discussed "Singin' in the Rain" with Stephanie & Jack, and designed a desk with Alexandra. His last job in the shed last Saturday was putting finishing touches to Alex's desk. It is inscribed Made from recycled Australian red cedar for Alexandra Williams, by Adrian Bennetto, 2013. How precious will that be!
- For me -
As most of you will know, we were very different people.
He was often infuriating, but could always make me laugh, even when I didn't want to.
He gave me the freedom to follow my own interests - do my own thing - knowing that I could always rely absolutely on his love and support.
If I was going to do something stupid, he told me in no uncertain terms, and I probably went on to do it anyway... but I was never in doubt of his unconditional love.
For me, he was always there: the constant in my life - my love, my anchor, my rock and above all, my friend. I cannot imagine life without him.
- Liz Bennetto
("Pennies From Heaven", Frank Sinatra)