My Brother Tim
My brother Tim Goodlet
My brother Tim. My brother Tim Goodlet was known and loved by many names, Tim, Timmy, Timbo and the well earnt moniker of The Wiz. When he was in trouble with our dear mother Dame Patty, she would arch her eyebrows and sternly, draw out his full title of Timothy Ronald! Guaranteed to send Timmy running to safety.
But no matter what name you knew Tim by you knew he had a heart as big as Pharlap. Timmy had the ability to make you feel valued. Like you were a truly significant part of his life. His eyes always sparkled with joy, edged with a touch of mischief. His weekly phone calls were always warm entertaining and whimsical with the occasional reminder that he had had to call me once again. I’d give anything to be able to call him now.
Timmy was number five in the Goodlet family. Which made him the middle child and to compound matters in Tim’s mind, Dame Patty in true Patty style once let it slip that Timmy was the only mistake!
The delightful mishap in mum and dads plan of having a child every two and half years was possibly related to a fun night on the gin and tonics with John and Maureen, playing havoc with their rhythm method.
I think Timmy as a result meant they got their rhythm just right. Tim was a Wiz on the dance floor! Personally, I think Timmy just couldn’t wait to make his remarkable entrance to our world.
The biggest bonus of Tim’s early arrival only eighteen months after his brother Tony was the close bond the two brothers shared their whole lives. Tony didn’t even want to start school without him and took to hiding in the dog kennel to escape such a fate.
Once he got to school Timmy like most of us Goodlet children had a rather relaxed approach to attendance and education in general. He did make it all the way through, but his major subject was social studies. Here he focused on having a most excellent time and dressing up for the young ladies drawn to his unique style. Timmy also had a unique style when it came to sport. He was an outstanding high jumper and his Frosby Flop had to be seen to be believed. Tim was also an excellent footballer and even tried out for his beloved North Melbourne. Unfortunately, professional sport and Timmy’s flamboyant lifestyle didn’t quite go together, but he had fun in the process, and it gave him an excellent story.
Tim like many of the boys went into the building trade with dad’s excellent mentorship. Though I do seem to remember terse calls from the trade school enquiring of Timmy’s whereabouts! Nevertheless, Timmy was an excellent craftsman and always fun to work with. The worksite was never dull, and lunchtime was always dedicated to doing the quiz and reading our horoscopes.
Tim took his trade and ran with it working all over Australia. We worked together on some of his jobs and even though carpentry didn’t come easily to me Tim was a patient teacher and an excellent foreman. Tim accepted you for who you were, and the days were always filled with stories, practical jokes and the odd horse race. Sometimes the job had to wait. I remember one day were listening to an exciting test match of England versus Australia. Yes I know I just said a game of cricket was exciting but Timmy’s passion for the game was contagious and Greg Chappell and Dennis Lillee were batting! Suddenly at 3pm we downed tools, jumped into the panelvan and hooned into the MCG carpark and then ran to the cricket! Such was Timmy’s enthusiasm for sport and life. We didn’t win but we had an excellent adventure. Timmy was just impressed that he’d got me so excited that I had actually ran towards a sporting event.
Timmy loved a punt. His firm belief that horses with the letters in their names that could spell Tim were bound to be winners! When it comes to punting Tim’s unique theory is probably as good as any other. Lately when walking back from a swim with my dog Oscar he flies past me and I took to calling out go My Little Wiz! It dawned on me that this was the perfect name for a racehorse owned in Tim’s name. I can see My Little Wiz bringing home the Melbourne Cup and Timmy cheering the loudest.
Tim used his excellent building skills to take him on many adventures including a stint as a fly in fly out worker in the Flinders Ranges. But the place he really shone and found his home was in the magical world of making movies. Tim was a set building superstar. The fabulous Wiz. Tim’s practice of Geomancy was well known in the industry, and he proudly answered to his title of The Wiz. One of Tim’s proudest creations was the caravan for the excellent Australian movie The Dressmaker. The love and respect for Tim was beautifully demonstrated at Timmy’s last great birthday party. His much-loved fellow set builders flew to his side, and it was lovely for us as family to see the love and respect for our brother Tim shining in their eyes.
But no one’s heart shined with love more than the love of his life! His partner Lisa. Timmy’s years in Akolele with Lisa were some of the happiest of his life. Here he was surrounded by nature and love. He got to walk wild beautiful beaches and bath in his early morning Starwater, looking over a magical lake. Timbo had found his place. Lisa’s love and care for Tim in his final earthbound journey was above and beyond what any of us could hope for in our lives. Thank you, Lisa, for sharing with our dear Tim the love he so rightly deserved.
Tim so totally deserved all the love in the world and even the universe. He was mystical, magical, and an excellent if slightly longwinded joke teller. Yes …..Timmy I can hear you… I know …I can talk…wrap it up!
My darling brother we love you and miss you more than even you can imagine. Have the most excellent Astro travelling adventures through the cosmos and know that you are loved.
