Old Collegians Rugby Union Club

 

 

Luke Callaghan



 

Willing helpers answer the call


THE AUSTRALIAN Friday January 7th 2005
.. Samantha Maiden, Tom Richardson


DOCTORS, nurses, counsellors and engineers are being urged to volunteer to help the long-term aid operation in tsumani-devastated areas across Asia.
Australian Volunteers International confirmed yesterday it was dealing with about one call a minute as 2000 people offered to register to assist the relief mission.
And the Department of Health and Ageing said about 4300 volunteers had also registered through the tsunami hotline.

Among those who inundated phone lines with their services yesterday was Luke Callaghan, 24, of Adelaide.
"I don't even know if they'll want me - I just knew I wouldn't have enough cash to fly over there myself if I went for a couple of months to lend a hand," he said.
Mr Callaghan, who studied medicine at Adelaide University before moving into research, said he would go "wherever I'm needed".
"Everyone I know who's in trouble is someone's mate, or someone's mum, or someone's dad - I just wanted to see if I could do anything to help."




 

Eulogies from the memorial service held at 5pm on Tuesday 13th November at Pembroke School chapel, Kensington Park


Jaimie Holland

Firstly, on behalf of Brian, Paula and Simon and the extended Callaghan family I would like to thank you all sincerely for coming to the memorial service for Luke Callaghan, and for your presence, friendship and love throughout Luke's life. It is wonderful to see so many people here: current and old scholars, boarders, teachers, team-mates and opponents, members of the Old Collegians Rugby Club, friends and family. Sam, Tom and I aim to celebrate Luke's life by sharing our observations and some of the better stories that have come to us - of which there are many.

"You can shed tears that Luke is gone or you can smile because he has lived". Hopefully some of the stories and photos today will bring a smile for the way Luke lived.

Luke James Langdon Callaghan was born on the 26th April 1980, in Hobart. Luke started his life in a beautiful little cottage house, with good neighbours, a huge backyard, amongst the foothills of Mount Wellington. With the warm and comforting love of two wonderful parents it seemed an idyllic start to an eventful and fulfilling journey. The arrival of Simon two years later completed the family and provided Luke with a lifelong companion and friend, as well as a much-loved brother. Those early years in Hobart, sheltered and nurtured in the loving home on Curtis Avenue provided the roots for the courageous, caring and gentle young man who embraced these opportunities presented in his youth.

Moving from Hobart to Adelaide in 1984, the Callaghan Family started to become fully involved in their other significant family, Pembroke School. This community has been a part of their lives for the past 29 years, providing a level of care and friendship that has been so valuable to the family. This has been particularly evident in the past weeks through the thoughts and well wishes for Brian, Paula and Simon, from many within the School Community.
I humbly aim to do justice to Luke's amazing contribution to this community. For those of you who know the "awesome foursome" as Helen Bourchier used to call them during their time in the boarding house, you will understand that the Callaghan boys have a strong sense of social justice and a deep care for their friends, family and the environment - no doubt the products of having a nurse for a mother and teacher for a father.
Luke began his schooling at St Thomas' at Goodwood, completing Reception to Year 3, not far from the family home in Kings Park. In 1989 Luke started his education at Pembroke under the guidance of Mr Burton in Year 4. The memorable class photo from that year shows the beginnings of that smile. It was one that radiated warmth, friendship, care and with a hint of mischievous humour; a smile that naturally attracted people to want to be his friend. It also shows a young boy who is eager; keen to learn, keen to please, keen to be the best that he can be.
Preceding that photo in the magazine is one that portrays Luke the Aussie rules footballer. This lasted one year but followed a family tradition for those Callaghan's younger than 60, who would later wish to play rugby. Rugby was a major love of Luke's, evident while he was at Pembroke and later as member of the Old Collegians Rugby Club. As a state under age player, as Old Collegians' Junior Club Captain for two premiership years and as Captain of the 1st XV in his final year at Pembroke, Luke loved the game. Like most who play sport, the challenge of the contest is invigorating, but it pales compared to the magnitude and joy of the mateship formed by working as a unit. Luke loved his mates at the Rugby Club, and the students that he met at Pembroke, the closest of whom are here today, remained friends for life. Thank you for sharing that gift of friendship with Luke.

I first met Luke when he was in the Junior School and I started teaching with Brian in 1989. Very soon, Brian and I became good friends, and he has been a wonderful mentor and uncle of sorts, seeing things in me and others that we sometimes don't see in ourselves. Brian, Luke and I organised a boys camping weekend down at the school's former outdoor education property at Clayton, having a wonderful time kayaking, camping out and sitting around the campfire. During this trip, Luke discovered a bluetongue lizard, which was promptly named "Bruce". Brian and I spent some time around the campfire that night trying to trick Luke with lizard-shaped logs in the fire. To this day, there is another Bruce the Bluetongue, which Luke kept, who will go to a good home. It was clear then and on following school camps, that Luke had a great love of the outdoors, adventure and the environment.
On return from this trip, Luke approached Ms Anne Wood, (who is here today), and asked her if he could join Smith House as he moved to the Middle School. I was honoured that Luke wanted to do this, despite having his father running the uber-house of the time, Wright. This was fortuitous, as we needed every able-bodied swimmer, athlete and sportsperson we could get our hands on in those times! What a great recruiting coup! Luke proved to be a reliable, courteous and adventurous young man, making the most of his opportunities at school. He would sign up for everything and never be afraid to take on a new challenge.
Luke embraced his academic challenges, but was also somewhat of an all-rounder: A member of the Middle School SRC, a Prefect then a member of the Staff Student Executive. As Brian mentioned, Luke was also a distinguished sportsman - a Second XI cricketer, and athlete (specialising in pole vault), gaining colours in 95 and Vice-Captain in 97. Luke scaled new personal heights, coming third in the pole vault at the National Schools Athletics Carnival in 1995. As mentioned Luke's greatest sporting love was rugby, captaining the First XV in 97 and earning colours in 96 and 97.
Tom will talk of Luke's academic and career endeavours shortly, but Luke was destined for roles helping people. An article in the Australian in 2005, featuring Luke as he volunteered to assist with recovery efforts following the tsunami, quotes "I will go wherever I'm needed; everyone I know who's in trouble is someone's mate, or someone's mum, or someone's dad - I just wanted to see if I could do anything to help."

Luke also worked in part time jobs as builder's labourer and at Pembroke in the boarding house as a tutor. He loved both of these roles, further increasing both his practical skills and his love of other people. The building game made Luke a wonderful handyman, and as recalled by his mates during a visit to the Callaghans last Monday, enjoyed the opportunity to work in a practical field, while enjoying a touch of roguish humour. At a tutor in the boys boarding house, he tutored the students with diligence, taking pride in the success and accomplishments of his younger charges. Luke also provided guidance for those students at Campbell House, away from home, comfortable in the role of being a surrogate big brother. In this particular aspect Luke followed in the footsteps of both Brian and Simon, completing the circle.
Luke's gentle nature, incredible care and consideration for others has been evident through the stories, cards, emails and anecdotes that have come to us in recent days. I'd like to invite Evan Shillabeer to share a couple of these with you:
Luke was such a kind, thoughtful person who made everyone feel relaxed and comfortable. He will be dearly missed by many.

Thanks Evan and thanks to all of those boys and Campbell House staff for their kind words and love for Luke and his work.

I thank Brian & Paula for inviting me to be one of the other adults in Luke's life. He was always an incredibly respectful, interested and interesting kid to talk to and work with. It must have been a tough gig being the son of a teacher, but Luke wore this as a badge of honour, and I am sure that he knew how incredibly respected Brian is as a compassionate teacher, tutor, Head of House and rugby coach. I am honoured to have been Luke's tutor and teacher and a family friend.

My contact with Luke was not as frequent after he left school but I did follow his studies and progress keenly whenever I bumped into him or I saw Brian and Paula. Luke was kind enough to invite me to his 21st birthday party at the Alma; in typical Lukey-fashion, he was making sure I had been properly introduced to everyone at the party, was being looked after and it was great to share in this celebration with Luke and his mates.

One of my fondest recent memories of Luke was a chance encounter on a Friday night in Rundle Street; I was sitting outside on a balmy evening and Luke and his then-house mate were heading into the city to see a band; I saw his huge grin through the beard from over 100 metres away. We must have talked for almost an hour, catching up on each other's news; It was great to catch up with him. I always came away feeling better for having talked with Luke.

On behalf of all in this wonderful community, thanks Luke, for the time we shared with you, and for all you have done for us and others. We are better for having known you.

I would now like to introduce Sam Harrold who will share the next part of Luke's journey with you.

Thank you Jaimie


Sam Harrold

My name is Sam Harrold and I have been privileged to know Luke since I started School here at Pembroke in 1991.

As Jaimie mentioned Luke was an outstanding athlete and at school my earliest memories of Luke are when I would have to work my butt of to compete against him at the various athletics carnivals.

I thought gee this guy can do it all.... He can do everything! Run incredibly fast, jump, throw! and to top it of be incredibly smart!

It wasn't until after school though that we (through tom) became very close friends and enjoyed so many amazing memories.

Luke had such a huge circle of friends it was difficult to pin him down to one spot in a night, always of to another birthday party, or gig with mates. One spot he loved was the German Club on a Friday night with friends, which was a regular for a while and I know he loved those times.

Luke was an outstanding scholar and sportsman we are all aware of this but he also had other personal traits and achievements that made him, I believe, an even more lovable and special person.

As most of you would know Luke loved and was addicted to Kangaroo Island.

He loved nothing more than getting on the ferry, buying the local newspaper, the Islander and catching up on all the local news. As the trip went on Luke would start talking about one story or another informing us that someone had made another century, or kicked another bag of goals, of course he knew the player and couldn't wait to see him and congratulate him.

Lukie's favorite activity on the Island was abalone diving. He loved spending as much time in the water hunting Abalone as he could, in any kind of conditions at any time of year.
Some times we would sit on the shore just watching in amazement as Luke would take on the roughest seas in order to score an abalone or two.
Even coming out one day saying that it was so rough in there it was making him seasick!
Of course Lukes obsession with abalone was not a selfish one, he always had someone else in the back of his mind for whom he wanted to prepare the abalone in an amazing new way. It was never just for his pleasure.
He was - and shall always be - the abalone king!

But Luke's achievements didn't end there on the water, he was also the king of tangles. Every time we went fishing there would be a race to get our lines in the water to catch the first King George whiting.
However lukie would often go very quiet and with his head down over the reel. We would all know what had happened and just ask.... "Hey old mate.... You got a bit of a tangle hey?" Lukies response would always be the same... naa she's alright mate ill get it out... Of course most of the time he did and always went on to catch his share of fish for the day.
At the end of every trip to the island he would state, with his big Cheshire cat smile "that was the best trip ever" even if it rained all weekend and we didn't catch a thing!

Luke may have been athletically gifted, but he also had an innate ability to trip over things, spill food, and smash glasses. His record for quickest glass smashed is just under 2 seconds after entering my house, and I know that all of us keep a separate "lukie selection of glasses" in our cupboard holding especially for him.

Lukie's ability to be on time is also something that impresses me and makes me laugh. The general rule of thumb for Luke was to say 6pm for everyone else but 4pm for luke.... And even then he would still be late. His usual excuse was "Im just going to pop my head under the shower" The longest we ever waited for him to turn up after an invite was two days! He sure did love a good wash!

Of course these traits made us love him even more! He was also the favorite amongst our mates' mothers for one simple reason.... He always asked them how they were doing? And what had they been up to.... And actually showed a true interest in the answer.

I'm sure it's not surprising to anyone here that I believe Lukes' most amazing trait was to always think of others first.

On one trip to the island there was a nice lady who for a while worked in the local cellar door in Penneshaw. We decided to go and do a few tastings, and she and Luke hit it off right away. Chatting about their favourite wines from different wine regions while the rest of us enjoyed a glass she gave us for free.

We went home none the wiser but Luke was chuffed with his new mate. About 6 months later and after Luke had been to the Barrossa we went back to the Island. Luke always brought over some amazing wines and this time he had more than normal. When we asked him if we could open a certain bottle he grabbed it saying no! That's not for us..... We were shocked and disappointed and asked who is it for?

Luke's response was that it was for his new mate he met up at the cellar door! He had remembered on his last trip to the Barossa that she loved a certain bottle and bought it for her. Not for any other reason than they had enjoyed a good chat about wines on his last trip, and he knew she would love that bottle. This reflects the Luke we all know and will all miss.

With the circle of family and friends that Luke had it is hard to imagine that we are here today in this position celebrating the man that we all loved. If anything is to be learned from this experience its that we are to cherish every moment with the ones we love and always ask (as Lukie would) "how are you going"..... But more importantly care about the response.

Luke you were and will always be the most amazing, giving, thoughtful friend anyone could have, your Cheshire cat smile, big laugh and long stories will live with us forever. Everyone here today has been touched by your kindness and know that you enjoyed many more good times rather than dark ones, may you rest in peace now mate we love you dearly and always will.


Tom Lynas:

Old Mate / Lukey or Uncle as we liked to call him was a true friend.

I became close friends with Luke in year 11, when we discovered we both shared a passion for music and a good chat. I was constantly in awe of Luke's endless knowledge and enjoyed our humorous chats immensely.

The years rolled along including study, work and countless good times. At one stage Luke and I moved into what we called "the Ranch" in Beulah Park in with a fellow friend Kristien. This gave me a chance to learn more and listen more about the incredible man that was Luke.

As mentioned, Luke loved adventuring be it South Australia, Australia or the World, Luke was keen to explore and learn. Luke's intellect and communications skills allowed him to sustain meaningful conversations with anyone who was ever lucky enough to meet him on his travels.

One of Luke's most notable qualities was his acceptance of others. Be it animals, the environment or people, Luke loved everything and I think that's one of the ways Luke made mates everywhere he went.

Luke met and touched people in a variety of ways. As a student, worker and community figure Luke made numerous friends in places such as:

Among other things, Luke was influential in implementing and facilitating a number of environmental sustainability programs throughout South Australia. This to me is one of the lasting examples of Luke's positive and selfless work. Be it work or play Luke had the rare ability to connect with anyone and make him or her smile.

I have so many wonderful stories and memories times spent with Luke:

Some of Luke's other interests included:

After completing his Bachelor of Health Sciences at Adelaide Uni with Honours Luke moved onto Carnegie Mellon University where he completed a Masters of Science in Public Policy and Management.

One of Luke's final group assignments at Carnegie Mellon on Solar Generation Sites was published in the Heinz Journal. I remember Luke telling me to his surprise that the Premier had rung Carnegie Mellon after learning of the article to congratulate Luke and his fellow partners on their great work.

Luke's passion for the environment, led him to his most recent studies where he was a PhD Candidate at Adelaide University looking at the impacts of climate change on rural South Australian communities. Luke was indeed a keen academic but more importantly a teacher.

I believe we were all very privileged to have known Luke, all be in our own individual, unique and special ways. That grin / smile is and all will be truly unforgettable. The world has lost a brilliant man, but he will forever remain with us smiling in our hearts.