By Abbey Cannan
Rotary International and the Noosa community have lost an irreplaceable member in Geoffrey Bone, who passed away on 19 May at the age of 91.
Geoff gave 55 years of service to communities throughout Queensland, and Noosa locals were lucky to have him as the former president of Noosa Heads Rotary Club and chairman of Noosa RYDA Committee.
Rotary Club Noosa Heads president Charles Priest said, “Rotary has lost a significant member in Geoff, actually, it’s an irreplaceable Geoff.”
“Geoff was our club president for three straight years just before I took it on and I think the club wouldn’t have survived until now if it wasn’t for Geoffrey.
“Not only am I a better Rotarian for knowing him, I’m a better person.”
Geoff was born on 19 November 1932 and first joined Rotary in Darwin in 1969 and has been a Noosa member since 1992.
He founded the Noosa RYDA program in 2009 as a commitment to youth road safety in and around Noosa.
“He was an impeccable and extraordinary man of service,” Eliahi Priest said at Geoff’s funeral on Thursday 6 June.
“The man was simply unstoppable. I would like to say Aussie battler, but the term is overused and actually doesn’t fit.
“You see Geoff didn’t battle, he had an air of grace, of fortitude, dignity and peace about him that when he spoke, the rest of this knew to shut up and listen.
“He commanded our respect from the example of his service, so he didn’t need to battle, he led from the front.
“He was our Elder. And I can say as a Rotarian for Rotary. He is a great, great loss to us, our clubs and our community.”
The last time Eliahi stood to speak in this very place, Geoff was in the audience.
He was giving the eulogy for his late wife, Kristy-Elle Shepherd Priest.
“For those who know how much I loved her, it was all the way deeply and she was just 36 years old,” Eliahi said.
“Just over two years ago, I poured my heart out in poetry to her and those of us who loved her, and I gave my very soul to that eulogy. It was all that I had left.
“Afterwards, and in those moments of raw brutality, men look for strength in their peers, they look for purpose and I looked for leadership.”
That’s when he first properly met Geoffrey, who said to him, “You know, I’m 89 years old. So you can imagine that I’ve had to come to a lot of these and have had to say goodbye to a dear many people… I’ve heard a lot of eulogies, as you can imagine. But never in my life have I heard of one so good as the one you just gave Kristy.”
Eliahi said, “Age and wisdom is something and he had it in spades.”
“So not only is speaking here for Geoff today one of the great honors of my life, but Geoff’s words on that hallowed day will forever remain one of the greatest compliments I have ever and will ever receive.”
Geoff’s youngest daughter Diane said her Dad was a man of many talents and infinite charm.
“He began his life as a talkative and inquisitive child, and that trait stayed with him throughout his life,” she said.
“Dad was ambitious, articulate and particular about everything he did.
“No stone was left unturned when it came to his benches and projects. And boy, he could talk. Those who knew him well can attest to this. He always had an interesting story to share or an opinion to express.”
She said his adventurous spirit thrived on travel, whether he was exploring vibrant cities around the world or enjoying the tranquility of the countryside, each journey fueled his curiosity and enriched his life.
“Dad’s success in business was only a part of his legacy,” Diane said.
“He had an unwavering commitment to his community and a passion for service that lasted his entire life.
“In Dad’s final years he faced many challenges, but true to his nature, he refused to let his age and illness hinder his day-to-day life.
“Dad’s involvement with Rotary and his dedication to serving the community remained unwavering until the very end.
“Dad’s determination was truly inspiring, reminding us all to live each day to the fullest, regardless of the obstacles we may face.”
Friend and fellow Rotary member, Tony Oxley, said Geoff remembered everything right down to the finest detail.
“He had a way with words, often saying the same thing several different ways. So his addresses tended to take a long time and he was mercilessly teased about this approaching meetings,” he said.
“He was a stick of protocol. Turning up at meetings when he first joined the club in jacket and tie.
“He took several years of persuading before he would join the crowd and turn up to meetings Noosa-casual style.
“Geoff was a life well lived.”
