This speech was delivered at Adrian's memorial celebration on July 29, 2013, by daughter Karen.

On winning

Most people here know Dad loved his sport, and excelled in many different sports when younger. In his first year at University he participated at a National level in diving, basketball, water polo and boxing. No wonder he failed the first year of his studies.

Diving began in the early days at the Swan Hill pool. He became the first person to do a reverse somersault, and a triple somersault - crowds gathered to watch. He completed in the diving nationals until he found his body frame was too large for a diver. For a brief time he still appeared at the nationals, but as the entertainment. He dressed in a clown suit and executed his reverse & triple somersaults - I reckon that would have been better viewing than the actual competition.

Boxing began at University but flourished at his National Service in Puckapunyal. He said quote - "although I was slow of foot, I was fast of hand". He knocked out everyone he fought in two rounds. He almost became a professional boxer but reconsidered at the last minute when he thought about how most boxers ended up - dribbling messes.

Basketball was, in Dad's own words, "an all consuming passion" for him. He used to practice 24 hours a week, that is, 3 hours a day on perfecting his set shot. And it was perfect. Again in his words "I was two handed, too strong under the boards for most, and saw opportunities earlier than most." Gerry Tickell (a great friend of his) who coached him in Melbourne in the early years put his success down to quote:- "strength and a certain cold-blooded but aggressive approach". He played basketball for many years, and in basketball circles he was known as "Hank".

Football; he was convinced to play professionally at Prahran football club after someone explained that he could actually earn some money by participating - something that Dad hadn't encountered before - he had to pay to play basketball. At the tryouts he wasn't aware, but he was continually out marking the selector (probably not wise) but still managed to be selected. He played for Prahran for a while but then moved to Mildura and joined up with South Mildura football club. He won the best & fairest with South in 1965. He transferred to Mildura football club in 1968 and won best & fairest with them. Then returned to South again in 1969 where he won the best & fairest again, and also two premierships in 1969 & 1970. Then finally back to Mildura football club in 1971, and won best & fairest in 1972 & 1973. In Dad's own words: "I understood the game, and how to get the ball". He was known in football circles as "Big Ade". There are many many articles he has kept in his skite book from those times, and of course the best & fairest trophies are on display in the shed. He was, and should have been, very proud of his sporting achievements.

When he stopped playing sport, he still loved watching sport, particularly champions. Football and Collingwood (go pies), Basketball & Charles Barclay, Cycling & Cadel Evans; just to name a few. However, due to his own strong style of play, dad couldn't tolerate sportspeople being wimps. A comment we often heard was "get up you wimp" as well as a few other choice words. He used this comment on me once at my basketball game when I was 8 years old. He became quiet only when the doctor confirmed my broken arm. It was quite normal for dad to play on with many broken bones, to him they were just flesh wounds.

Fishing was one sport that continued for him. There were many many fishing trips throughout his life, it really was one of his greatest pleasures. The holiday house he built at Skenes Creek with Roger Duncan was a particularly great joy for him, and he would often recap many funny fishing story with "Uncle Roger" as well as other friends. These long friendships meant so much to dad.

In closing - Dad, to us you were a champion on & off the field. You are, and will always be, our lucky star.

- Karen Bennetto