Skewes, Mr I.

The Hon. A. PICCOLO (Light) (15:17): One of the great things about being involved in public life is that you get the opportunity to meet some wonderful people in our community: people who touch the lives of many and make the world a better place. The late Ian Skewes was one such person. The devastated family of Ian Skewes has discovered how many lives across the state he has touched, after the Gawler and Roseworthy community stalwart died following a short fight against cancer. The funeral held today was attended by hundreds of family members and friends, with standing room only at the Taylor and Forgie Chapel on Adelaide Road, Gawler South.

Born in Adelaide, Ian was adopted by Mr and Mrs Skewes as a baby, but he always recognised them as his parents. A few years ago, almost by accident, he was able to find his biological mother and developed a very strong bond with her as well. Ian passed away on 6 June, aged 67, having learned less than six weeks earlier that metastatic cancer had spread throughout his body.

Ian had a varied working life, commencing with a carpentry apprenticeship, then working in security and later in life joining the South Australian police force. I met Ian when he was elected as a councillor at the Town of Gawler at the same time I was elected as Mayor of the town. It was not easy chairing council meetings when Ian was present, as his one-liners and dad jokes were very distracting—yes, they were funny, but made concentrating on the matters at hand challenging.

Ian loved life and could see the humour in everything. He lived life to the fullest. While Ian loved his police and community work, his true love was his family—his wife, Suzy, daughter Brooke and sons Anthony and Alexander, and later the partners of his children and, of course, the two grandchildren.

Ian was well known for reviving and serving as the chairman of the Gawler Blue Light from 2004 to 2016. It was an event that meant a great deal to his family, and his family had all pitched in. It was painful when the program was cancelled. He also started the SA Nomads Police Softball Club and worked in other community groups, including the Gawler Rangers Baseball Club and the Adelaide Plains Kennel and Obedience Club.

Ian will be remembered for his drive and his enthusiasm, especially encouraging young people through the Gawler Blue Light's camps and leadership programs. The funeral this morning was attended by many who had benefited from Ian's work with young people. A lot of the messages received by the family have been from these kids who are now adults, who have extremely fond memories of the camps they went on and how that impacted their lives and the people they have become today.

At the service today, his family spoke fondly and lovingly about the husband and father Ian was. While he dedicated a great deal of his life to community work, he always found time to care for his family. Many memories were shared at the service, many reflecting Ian's zest for life, his sense of humour and his inability to read a room, with his humour often getting him into trouble.

It was clear at the service that time spent on family camps was treasured by both Ian and his family. The lack of skills never stopped Ian from trying anything, often with disastrous results and embarrassment for the family. He was a real hater of people who would sit back and do nothing. His catchphrase was always, 'Nothing is achieved by doing nothing'. Nothing was impossible for Ian. His humour knew no bounds, so it was not a surprise when he recorded a video message for those who attended his service today. He loved to have the last say, and he did so today but with a wry smile. How can you not love a person who thanks all those attending his service today but says he cannot see us because he is in the box at the front of the service?

It might sound cliché, but Ian was larger than life, the centre of a party and had a real talent for connecting and engaging with people. Everybody felt important when they were around Ian. My condolences go to his family and friends. While Ian lived a full life, it was a life cut too short. Goodbye my friend, or, as he would say, hooroo for now.