Read by Tony’s sons, Nicholas and Simon INTRODUCTION - NICHOLAS Thanks to our very close family friend, John Sierakowski, for those words. On behalf of our mum, Margot, and sister, Amy, Simon and I wish to say that this community has been an incredible support to us since dad’s passing. Thank you to Fr Michael Stoney for having travelled down from Sydney to be with us today. Fr Stoney is a highly respected figure in the Xavier community, and dad would be very pleased with your presence. To Fr Renshaw and the school for allowing us to celebrate dad’s life here in the Xavier Chapel – given dad’s extensive involvement with the Xavier community since the early 90s, it is a most appropriate venue. Many here today have travelled significant distances. Thank you, it means a lot to us. Dad was a humble man, who would be embarrassed by the outpouring of emotion and support, not only today but throughout the past week. But, deep down I’m sure would be a little bit chuffed. CHRONOLOGY OF DAD'S LIFE - SIMON Anthony John Hulett was born in Sydney on July 9, 1948, to Bette and Lloyd Hulett. Half an hour later his twin sister, Jenny, arrived. Dad spent some of his formative years living in the NSW Blue Mountains with his parents, sister and younger brother, Paul, while his father was with the Australian Navy. Then, the family moved to the Melbourne suburb of Beaumaris, and eventually settled in Aspendale in the early 1960s. Dad attended St Bede’s College in Mentone, graduating in 1966, the year of his beloved St Kilda Football club’s one and only flag. Dad was a dedicated and talented university student. He attended Monash in Clayton where he earned a Bachelor of Jurisprudence in 1970, a Bachelor of Laws in 1972, and a few years later he returned to study, earning a Master of Laws in 1976. All that academic achievement considered, the most significant moment of dad’s time at Monash came in 1970, when his mate, John Sierakowski, introduced dad to a young lady in the Monash Cafeteria named Margot Christine Doyle. Mum and dad married four years later at the Monash University religious centre on January 25, 1974. The reception took place at the RACV Club on Queen St, a club dad remained a member of for the rest of his life and enjoyed many lunches and good times with friends and family. Professionally, a large proportion of dad’s legal career was spent at Mayne Nickless. While there dad spent considerable time travelling the world in his role as General Counsel. He was so well regarded that the company sent him to Lausanne, Switzerland, to an elite international management training course in 1992. Dad went onto start his own legal practice, and most recently spoke fondly of his years as Special Counsel at Lord Commercial Lawyers. At a family level, dad, at just 30 (the same age I am now), suffered the tragic loss of his father in 1978. Three years later, a new chapter in mum and dad’s life began when the first of their three children arrived. Dad embraced and truly valued fatherhood and the meaning of family. DAD'S INTELLECT, ACADEMIC ABILITIES AND ELOQUENCE - NICHOLAS You only had to look at his list academic achievements to realise Dad was quite exceptional in this field. Dad’s intellect and academic abilities were complemented by a real gift for precisely articulating his thoughts. Slang and clichés weren’t in his extensive vocabulary. In his speech at my wedding in 2012, he had the audience scrambling for dictionary.com on their smartphones when he described me as being insouciant. Around the dinner table, he’d quietly chuckle after one of us had summarized our day and in doing so tried to match him for eloquence. He’d sit forward and use one of his succinct catchphrases, such as “Nicholas, you win the tautology award”. Dad’s ability to choose his words carefully benefited what is now one of Australia’s biggest brands. In his role at the time representing a major shareholder, dad drew upon his extensive knowledge of Latin, and came up with the name ‘Optus’, derived from the Latin ‘Optare’, which means to choose. Never one for fanfare, this achievement was not something he shared, but his proud family occasionally did. Dad’s thirst for knowledge was demonstrated by his desire to devour huge quantities of non-fiction literature, with a particular appetite for the world wars, and significant world leaders. If you gave dad what looked to be a thick and challenging book for Christmas, chances are he’d have just about knocked it over by the time we left for the MCC members dining room on Boxing Day. RESPECT/PRESENTATION - SIMON Dad took great pride in how he carried himself, and his impeccable presentation. He was always well groomed and neatly attired. Casual Friday didn’t exist for dad. He was also always clean shaven. As I am now, I prefer to go for the designer stubble look, and whenever I saw dad recently, one of the first comments he would make would be: “Simon, you look disreputable.” Dad genuinely respected others, without being overly emotive. He valued looking someone in the eye when he shook their hand, which he considered a major sign of respect one could show for another person. This is something he instilled in us from a young age. Firm handshake, look them in the eye. He valued that handshake, and he almost always remembered names. I was lucky enough to share a special weekend with mum and dad in Sydney the weekend before he passed away. It was mum and dad’s first trip to visit Jess and I in our new home town, and there are a lot of lifelong memories that I will carry with me from those three days we spent together. My final memory of dad in person was looking each other in the eye at Sydney Airport and exchanging a typically firm, meaningful handshake. This always demonstrated the mutual love and respect between us. I’d like to share with you the final email I received from dad that week. In typical dad fashion, he chose his words carefully, and kept it to the point, much like how he would communicate in a professional sense. Simon, Our thanks to you and Jess for taking such good care of us and providing such a range of hospitality over the weekend. Principally, it was so good to see you both and spend time with you. That was it, and that was dad. ST KILDA FOOTBALL CLUB - NICHOLAS Some of our earliest memories of spending time with dad revolve around the St Kilda footy club, which was a big part of dad’s life for a long time. Dad used to take Simon and I (and occasionally mum and Amy) to Moorabbin. After Saturday morning VicKick in Glen Iris, my brother and I would keep our full Saints kit on - jumper, shorts, socks pulled up, and boots - and with a packed lunch made by mum arrive in time to watch the second half of the reserves so we could scout future Saints stars. Dad, wearing his distinctive bone-coloured sports coat, would proudly display his social club medallion and take us through the main stand where he'd say hello to a few fellow diehards, then we'd watch big Plugger Lockett usually demolish full backs half his size. We’d kick the footy on the ground after the game, and beg dad to let us wait outside the rooms to grab an autograph or two from our heroes, which he never refused. Even through St Kilda's really tough years, the Saints often won down at Moorabbin, and even though dad witnessed a lot more failure than success (including attending six unsuccessful grand finals, and missing the sole triumph in ’66), he loved that club, stuck by them for so many years, and I know will crack a very slight smile from above, when the club eventually, one day, wins another flag. TREVOR BARKER/EMOTION Dad was never the most overly demonstrative person in terms of his emotions. But I did see dad shed a tear once in my life. It was on ANZAC Day 1996, the day St Kilda champion Trevor Barker lost his battle with cancer. I vividly recall seeing dad having a quiet moment to himself shortly after we found out while watching the news together. Trevor Barker and dad were quite different in many ways. But, Barker showed qualities, such as fierce loyalty and commitment, that dad admired and exhibited throughout his own life, which I believe is the reason why he was deeply affected. PORTSEA - SIMON Little did we realise that, when we made our first family trip down to the newly purchased family holiday home in Portsea in 1986, it would become such a significant part of our family life. A typical summer’s day included mum and dad cherishing an early morning walk along the pier. Then, dad would go and leave the car in the best parking spot at Portsea back beach so the family could make an easy departure much later in the day. After a hit of beach cricket, dad would often stand at the shoreline in his oversized Okanui board shorts and ‘fluoro’ t-shirt. He loved just quietly watching the surf, waiting for the perfect moment to throw on the rash vest, grab his prescription swimming goggles, strap on his boogie board, and catch some breakers. Portsea is also where mum and dad developed close relationships with many of our friends and entertained their own friends. Dad thoroughly enjoyed generously opening up his house to all. It’s fitting that we’ll be burying dad tomorrow at the Sorrento cemetery just down the road from our place. Not far from there is the Sorrento tip… Dad spent hours at that tip, where he’d dispose of car loads full of garden waste (and a few empty beer bottles courtesy of us and our friends) after a hard day keeping the back yard looking immaculate. Like his work and his family, dad took great pride in his garden, and often worked himself to exhaustion maintaining it. Attention to detail. High standards. Nothing left in the tank. That was dad. LEGAL LIFE/AMY It’s wonderful that dad’s legal legacy lives on in his beloved daughter and our sister, Amy. Amy and dad shared a very special relationship. From the moment she was born, dad told mum that his life was now complete. Amy was dad’s special little girl, and in recent times was dad’s protégé as a young lawyer, something that made dad very proud. Amy often called upon dad for assistance, and he would go out of his way to help, occasionally offering a tongue-in-cheek, “I’ve already got my law degree” or “I’ll send you an invoice”. Nothing was ever too hard for dad when it came to assisting any of us. Not even a groan. It’d just get done. Nicholas and I are in admiration of Amy and her commitment to achieving everything she puts her mind to. MUSIC Dad, a man of simple pleasures, loved his music, mainly of the classical and operatic variety. After a hard day at the office, he’d pour himself a glass of wine, head to the front room of our house at Derby St, and crank the latest addition to his collection. Pavarotti, Vivaldi and Mozart were the big musical names in our household. In more recent years, mum and the neighbours were pleased dad embraced headphones. He’d be thrilled that we’re able to share some of this music with you today. XAVIER COLLEGE COMMUNITY - NICHOLAS Since mum and dad chose to send their sons to Xavier College, it became a big part of dad’s life, and until his passing, dad was immersed in the Xavier community. In most recent times this was evident through dad’s involvement and contribution to the Xavier College Foundation and the Old Xaverians Football Club. Whether it was as a member of the footy club committee or handing out lollies and oranges at games (if his sons didn’t get to them first on a Friday night), dad gained immense satisfaction from knowing his off-field role made a small but significant contribution to the incredible on-field success the club has enjoyed. Dad’s contribution was formally recognised in 2010 when he was awarded the prestigious William Denton Trophy, an honour that meant a lot to him. He loved the long lunches at the end of the season celebrating premiership success, and turned the tables on us as we’d collect him from the long lunch venue, and the distinctive aroma of Sauvignon Blanc would permeate the vehicle once dad got in. The club paid respect to dad on Saturday by wearing black armbands, and importantly won, in what could just be the catalyst for a big second half to the year. He would’ve been proud. He loved the club. Many Old Xavs footy club people may not know that dad was heavily involved in one of Xavs’ modern-day rivals, the St Bedes old boys footy club, as far back as the 70s. This Saturday, not far from where dad went to school, a crucial Premier section clash takes place. St Bedes v Old Xavs. A DAD, A HUSBAND AND A GRANDAD - NICHOLAS Simon, Amy and I couldn’t have asked for anymore from mum and dad. As loving parents, they devoted their lives to ensuring we were given every opportunity growing up, instilling important values in us along the way. Dad always took so much pride in our achievements, and there was pressure to not let him down. This week a number of people have made mention of how he always seemed to be there for us. And that’s because he was. A new chapter as a grandparent beckoned for dad, with his first grandchild due in August. Dad had already upsized the car to ensure adequate space for his new grandson, and was planning his trip to Singapore to meet the little fella. He had discussed with mum he didn’t want to be referred to as granddad, or grandpa. He simply wanted to be referred to as ‘Tone’. I’m so glad dad was able to come to Singapore last year and visit Victoria and I, along with mum. These memories now take on special meaning. I will strive to emulate my dad, and as a father, live up to the standards he set, when my son is born. CONCLUSION - SIMON All that said, the biggest part of dad’s life was mum. His soulmate. Earlier this year, mum and dad celebrated 40 years of a wonderful marriage, and they were truly inseparable. It’d be impossible to summarise 40 years here and now, although I’m sure mum would give you the full version if you ask her. We love you mum and the three of us will be with you every step of the way forward. Dad touched so many in this room in different ways. His unwavering sense of selflessness, loyalty, integrity and generosity were hallmarks of his 65 years. We carry no regrets as we celebrate his life today and in the future. Dad, now that you are watching over us, we would simply like to say thank you. Thank you for being a good man and a good father. We will always keep you in our hearts and be eternally grateful for the time we spent together. The future will be harder without you, however we will carry your strength and spirit with us everywhere we go and in everything we do.