Lindsay Matterson, a larger than life figure who was synonymous in the Lismore community with the SES, was remembered and honoured at a memorial service on Wednesday at St Andrew’s Anglican Church. The following is a lightly edited version of Lismore City SES unit chaplain Paul von Bratt’s moving eulogy.

Lindsay was not a man of any professed faith. However, he lived his life in a way that many faiths promote and aspire to. He was a great man. I'd like to especially welcome and thank Ruth, Lindsay's wife, for sharing her husband with us in so many ways. I'd also like to welcome their children Robin, Cheryl, Wendy, and Paul and their families, spouses, partners, grandchildren, great grandchildren and Lindsay's brother Colin and his wife as together we celebrate a great life, well lived. 

Lindsay's funeral was a private family service held on Thursday the 3rd of January where he was remembered first and foremost as a husband, dad, brother, grandad, papa and outlaw. Lindsay's family have invited us to join them this afternoon to celebrate his life as family and as a loved and valued emergency service and community member and when I look out, we are a diverse gathering. Beyond family, we represent government, emergency services, business and community, all arenas where Lindsay was well known and well respected and your presence here today is a living testimony to the significance that a single life can make in the lives of many people and in the lives of community.

Lismore City SES Unit chaplain Paul von Bratt gave a moving eulogy for Mr Matterson. PHOTO: Will Jackson.

How can one possibly cram 84 years of living, loving and serving into a couple of minutes? I guess that's why they call it a life sketch, and you'll notice there's probably a few gaps, maybe a few repeats, but by the end of our sharing time together, you will have a more complete picture of Lindsay, this lovable Larrikin.

Lindsay William Matterson was born in Casino on the 22nd of June, 1934. He passed away on the 27th of December, 2018, from mesothelioma, a unique cancer caused by exposure to asbestos. He's sadly missed.

Lindsay met Ruth in 1952 at Armidale's teachers college. Unfortunately, Lindsay died two days short of their 62nd wedding anniversary. Four beautiful children, Robyn, Cheryl, Wendy and Paul, 10 grandchildren and three great grandchildren, most of whom are here today. After teaching in various locations, the family returned to the Northern Rivers in 1970 and Lindsay became a lecturer at what is now known as Southern Cross University, retiring as a senior lecturer there in 1990. 

In 1979, during the International Year of the Child, Lindsey had the opportunity of teaching for a year in Sierra Leone, West Africa. He taught country teachers mainly crafts and how to make teaching aids. Ruth, Wendy and Paul joined him for the last eight months of that year and the family then returned to Australia. 

Lindsay loved his family, no question about that. He loved his camping trips, as many of you would attest. He loved his woodwork and his shed. He was also a big part of the Lismore Hockey Club and there are lots of memories around that part of his life. But Lindsay also loved his community, commencing first as a member of the then Civil Defense and joining the SES in February of 1972. He served us and our community for just shy of 47 years. Thank you, Lindsay.

Lindsay Matterson photographed at last year's Anzac Day march. PHOTO: Will Jackson.

Lindsay served in various positions locally: he was local controller, unit controller, deputy unit controller and, most recently, at Lismore as Lismore City intelligence officer. 

In the old days, of course the unit was in the rowing club, which meant that the unit regularly had to evacuate itself in flood before helping the community, and of course when the levy was finally built, the unit was still on the river side. So Lindsay lobbied all levels of government local businesses and the community, and he did that tirelessly over many years to establish the first class facility that we have at Lismore in its current location. That project cost well over a $1 million. Again thank you, Lindsay. He never missed an opportunity to use operations, things that were happening around the place, to acquire grants or donations, or equipment. 

At times he engaged in heated debates, always striving to ensure the Lismore unit provided the best possible service to our community. And his arguments were always backed up with facts and figures. He could tell you exactly what date, what height, what damage, what storm, what event. And if he couldn't do that off the top of his head, he would consult is extensive notes and get back to you with the correct information. 

At a particular media conference, I'm told, involving the then prime minister Kevin Rudd, Lindsay had no problem keeping everyone in line and entertained the prime minister, media and everyone else present using his teacher's bellow. In fact, you often heard Lindsay before you could see him and we miss that. There are definitely lots of moments of silence. 

Lindsay Matterson will be remembered for his dedication to his family and the wider community. PHOTO: Will Jackson. 

Lindsay built the Lismore City unit from six members to its current 96 and it was his leadership determination, organizational skills and careful mentoring that made this possible. 

He was a practical joker with a wicked sense of humor and caught many of us out over the years. One of his favorite things, SES-wise, was to present awards to members at the annual Christmas party, usually for stupid things that we had done or costly mistakes that we had made. All in good humor, of course. There were a couple of occasions where he actually received some awards as well from other members of the unit who, appreciated his mistakes and folly.

He was like a father figure to many in the unit and encouraged everyone to be the best that they could be. Sadly, after the 2017 Cyclone Debbie, Lindsay felt he had failed the community. Whilst he was not personally responsible for any of the negative outcomes, he carried the burden of people loss in our community. That was just who he was. He took it personally when anger was focused on the local Lismore City unit. His unit. His community.

Lindsay, we miss you, we thank you and we honor you.