We Remember

Shane William Graham10 April 1968 - 17 November 2020

Funeral Service held at Echuca Cemetery

Homan Street, Echuca

Friday, 27 November 2020

ORDER OF SERVICE

Music – Processional Stairway to Heaven - Led Zeppelin

Welcome Michael Pratt - Celebrant

Shane’s Story Michael Pratt

Reflection Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door - Guns N’ Roses

Our Tribute Vonnie & Shayne McDonald

Our Tribute Amber Graham & Gideon Taylor

My Tribute Danielle Hayes

My TributeKristy Hayes

The LoweringAmazing Grace - Glenn Campbell

Words of ComfortMichael Pratt

Closing WordsMichael Pratt

Recessional Music Collingwood Football Club Theme Song

Shane’s Story

So, where did the story of Shane Graham have its beginnings– and how did it all unfold over time?

Born on a Wednesday, the 10th April 1968 in Bendigo,Shane William Graham was the only son born to

Barrie and Heather Graham. Shane’s father worked forthe Water Board and his mother worked as a cook in Elmore.

After attending school, firstly in Elmore and then later in Rochester,Shane was keen to tackle the real world and earn his own money.After fixing motorbikes for friends as a hobby, Shane found that

tomato picking enabled him to have a more regular income.

In 1987 Shane undertook an apprenticeship in fitting and turningin Bendigo for VicRail; there followed various work placements

in both Ballarat and Bendigo.

As Sue recalled to me the other day, it was on a Saturday,the 5th October 1996 that Shane, sitting at the bar of the Taras Hall Hotel, was noticed by a friend of Sue’s, Gary, who had been keen on

matchmaking for his friend Sue. As the conversation goes,the question was asked of Sue “Well, what about him?”,to which Sue replied, “Well, the beard will have to go”.

The following Saturday night, Sue and her matchmaking friend asked for the whereabouts of the bearded man, to be told that he was down at the Palace Hotel. Disappointed? Naah, Sue and her brother Wayne hot-footed it down to the Palace where the conversation between Sue

and Shane flowed; well maybe it was a little more like Sue talkedand Shane said “OK”

And when Shane asked Sue to come back to his flat in Ogilvie Avenue, things got a bit exciting – and they sat together to watch the replay of the 1990 Collingwood Grand Final victory. Both pretty smitten by now, there was not a day that these two spent apart. By 1998, these two had blended their lives together. Sue, with her three teenage children in the house in McIntosh Street and Shane, now in his unit on the Goulburn Road. Shane would come up three nights a week, have tea, socialise with them all and then go back home. This was the arrangement for a few years until Shane moved into the McIntosh Street house and he and Sue lived under the one roof. It wasn’t until May 2004 that Shane and Sue married in an elopement style ceremony in Echuca, much to the disgust and disappointment of Sue’s friends

who would have been keen to have been involved.

Shane, as a qualified fitter and turner was working at Mid Murray Engineering, before moving onto a job that he loved, with

Eric R Bates, in Heygarth Street Shane could weld and turn his hands to fixing anything. Shane made many friends there, and Sue’s Dad, Des had previously remarked that he was so excited that Sue had found a man who would look after his daughter and a man with a trade because “everybody loves a tradie”. Shane adored Des and

Marg and he was devastated when Des passed in 2013,Marg following a few years later.

It was when the business changed hands in 2010, Shane thought that it was time for him to move on. Securing work with Manchester tanks, a company responsible for producing LPG gas cylinders, water tanks and supplies, Shane suffered a setback when he was made redundant. Conscientious about his work and with a strong work ethic, Shane was next employed by James Strong Food Packaging of Kyabram in their warehouse, as a forklift operator – or, as Shane might have explained to you “a logistics coordinator”. But then again

Shane might have been “pumping me own tyres up”.

In 2018, after attending an interview for work, the boss at SLTec Fertilizers in Tongala was so impressed with Shane that he told him –“you start Monday” in his business that produced liquid crop fertilisers. As well as his work as a maintenance fitter and running deliveries, Shane also was able to acquire the skills of mixing chemicals, and by all accounts, he was pretty good at it too, according

to Shane. But then again, Shane might have been“pumping me own tyres up”.

Shane had suffered a few setbacks in recent years that had affected his general health, but his mantra has always been “what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger”. Tragically, on Tuesday 17th November 2020, Shane was involved in a motor vehicle accident, passed away and will be greatly missed by all who had the good fortune to know him, to be his friend and to be loved by him. Shane Graham leaves an incredible collection of family friends, of happy times, memories and

stories for every person that had the pleasure to meet him.

Loved by all, Shane left us way too soon.

If Ever We’re Not TogetherA.A.Milne

If ever there is a tomorrow when we’re not together…There is something you must always remember.

You are braver than you believe,Stronger than you seem

And smarter than you think.But the most important thing is, even if we’re apart…

I’ll always be with you.

A tribute from Shane’s wife, Sue Graham

You will be sadly missed and lovedbut will forever remain in our hearts

and live in the memory of thosewho held you dear.

Shane’s family would like to express their appreciation for the thoughts,

care and support given to them during this time of loss.

A Celebration of Life

We Remember

Shane William Graham10 April 1968 - 17 November 2020