"Recently, Adrian and I drove to Bullarto to pick up a machine. It was a heavy old American multi-tool, called a Shopsmith. I'd mentioned during a phone conversation that I had one that was rusting away in the shed at Bullarto, and Adrian believed he might be able to set it up for use in his workshop as a doweling machine.

"Along the way we talked. Adrian reminisced about his student days, in particular when he was a boarder at St Pat's Ballarat. Those of you who've heard him speak of those days know that it wasn't an enjoyable time for Adrian. Of course he excelled at everything that had anything to do with catching, kicking or hitting a ball, and he topped the Matric English Lit class. But he was lonely there. He said his time at St Pat's was where he first learnt to withdraw from people into himself.

"What I remember most vividly about this discussion about school days and isolation from family, friends and home, was his reminiscence about his final day at St Pat's. He said that as he walked down the long gravel drive for the last time he was overwhelmed by the sudden realization that this was the last time he would ever have to make this walk, in either direction. When he passed the entrance and was about to commence the long walk to the station with his suitcase in hand, he said he paused, put his suitcase on the ground, looked about him, and yelled out, "You little beauty!" He said, as we drove, "I just realized at that moment that whatever else my life was going to throw at me - this wouldn't be a part of it, ever again."

"We are, each of us, in our own ways, a bigger or smaller part of what life threw at Adrian, and of course, as was his capacity, he unerringly caught us all. It is absurd to say of Adrian, "You little beauty!" But I'll say it anyway, "Adrian, you little beauty!"

"His sporting prowess was quite comprehensive and high quality - snooker, football, boxing, water polo et al. (Incidentally, his bent nose came from water polo and not boxing.) But I share with you that in golf he had a reliable immovable slice and in tennis he had a formidable kicking first serve which frequently stunned his partner on the net. One day he was partnering Liz, who served straight into his back; he slammed his racquet to the court exclaiming - well, I won't tell you what he exclaimed - and left for home.

"Ades had a very broad knowledge and love of music and literature. I found his knowledge of film also very strong. Even to MGM musicals of the Jane Powell, Kathryn Grayson, Gordon McRae and Howard Keel variety - not to mention Arlene Dahl, Ann Miller or Cyd Charisse. In fact, I would suggest to you that he probably knew the names of the brothers in Seven Brides for Seven Brothers.

"From his birthday in November 1981 he and I exchanged for each other's birthday a bottle of California Poppy suitably wrapped in tissue paper. The card merely said "Ades/Norms" or "Norms/Ades" and became clogged over the thirty odd years. He added a rosette at some stage. I incurred his wrath when I opened the bottle merely to sniff."

"I have fantastic memories of Adrian, particularly from the house in Greenhill Road, the MG and his shed. I have been thinking since you rang about our trip to Skenes Creek, fishing with Adrian, his method of filleting flathead (which I could never replicate), driving in the ute, the boat, listening to his comedy records from the '60s. So many things. When I think of Adrian, everything feels big and capable, clever, funny and certain."

"We are saddened and grieve for Adrian; we are thinking of you with love and concern for what you must bear in the coming days. Adrian was a kind and generous friend to us; he was truly a good man. When the mountain breaks, when the champion falls, words fail us and we fall back upon our feelings. We deeply regret not joining you and the family and friends when you take Adrian finally to his rest. In a few short weeks we shall stand in the nave of Amiens Cathedral on the Somme, perhaps near where Adrian himself has stood in awe of the great gothic space, and, forgetting for a moment the war dead gathered everywhere round about, we shall intone a few secular phrases in cherished memory of our dear departed friend."

"In his capacity as Principal at Mill Park Secondary College he touched the lives of so many of us.

"I will always remember Adrian as a generous-natured and caring person. He employed me in our first year of the school in 1992 and I am still here. He made our workplace feel like we were home with family. He constantly made sure that we were always happy and as a result we had many happy and fun times whilst he was Principal.

"Adrian would always write each of us a lovely note at the conclusion of each year highlighting all the positive things we achieved... I feel privileged to have worked with and for such a lovely man."

"Adrian was the most inspiring, relentlessly positive and wise person I have ever known."

"Adrian was easily the best Principal I was lucky enough to work with at Mill Park - generous, wise and kind.

"My enduring image of him will be his huge exuberance, enthusiasm and love for so many things - Liz, literature, footie, history, the battlefields of Europe and even Crocs... An unforgettable man."

"From 1964 at Mildura Tech School, a wonderful friendship lasting 50 years."

"Newlyweds, Ade and Liz settled in and we had a lifetime of highlights. Moana holidays at Xmas, Waratah Bay, Mallacoota, Apollo Bay. Football, basketball, golf, cricket, tennis and of course fishing. After school straight out to King's Billabong for a feed of red fin. So much to remember and to treasure."

"Big Ade was larger than life itself. And what a rich life! He was an admirable man, his legacy lives on in all of you and - should we be so lucky - us as well."

"He was a great friend to me, providing guidance, direction, always good advice and wise counselling together with much enjoyment and humour on many occasions throughout our careers.

"I and many others will miss him, but his legacy and contribution to our lives will remain."

"Adrian, the most inspiring Principal. We appreciated the way you gave us autonomy and trusted us. You built an amazing school at MPSC."

"A remarkable human being - even a Renaissance man! Huge privilege to work with him and his great team(s). Many fond memories."

"From the early days at Nana's in Swan Hill I looked upon Adrian in awe. So big, confident and knowledgable - 4 years older - I absorbed every word. And spanning the lifetime since, nothing really changed. Whenever our paths crossing, same impression. I miss him greatly but am entirely grateful to have been a small part of a wonderful life."

"A lovely kind bear of a man with a good heart. You changed lives."