Bruce Brisbane 10th April 1939 ~ 26th October 2015
Over 400 people attended the Thanksgiving Service held for Bruce Brisbane at Murchison on Saturday 31st October. Bruce died the previous Monday morning (26/10/15) after a long battle with cancer, at home surrounded by his family. Bruce was a much loved and active member of our church and the Murchison community. A loving husband to Beth and a devoted father to his children Robyn, Julie, Karen and Stuart. Father in law of Neil, Mick and Marni. A loving grandfather to Janita, Troy, Kelsey; Lucas, Zaine, Sarah; Nicholas, Jorja and Jackson. Affectionate brother of Margaret, Rosemary and Elaine.
Such was the crowd of mourners that the Murchison church, the hall and the adjacent Catholic Church were needed to accommodate everyone.
The Thanksgiving Service, led by Rev Brian Spencer, celebrated Bruce as a man of great substance; a leader within the wider community; and the heart of the Murchison church – a man whose positions on committees and boards that have wrought great changes for good defy understanding in terms of their breadth of interest and length of service. Those in attendance gained a few glimpses of that life through the eyes of those who knew him. Eulogies were given from family members, community organisations and the church community. Eulogies from his nephew Robert Brown on behalf of the family, grandsons Lucas Allen and Nicholas Brisbane, Tony Owen from the CFA, Susan Whitelock from D.P. Jones Aged Care and Clem Furphy from the Waranga Uniting Churches painted a picture of a person of with great leadership qualities, faith and perseverance. Bruce Brisbane was an active lifelong member of the Methodist, Presbyterian and Uniting Church in Murchison and served in many representative roles within the wider church, including serving as Chairperson of the Goulburn Presbytery. He was an elder, a worship leader and treasurer of the Waranga Uniting Churches. He was a fine Christian man who lived out his faith.
You can download and listen to the Thanksgiving Service by clicking on any or all of the following links:
02 – Opening remarks and prayer
03 – Lighting Christ Candle by Helen Newton (Elder of Murchison UCA and family friend)
05 – Psalm 23 read by Karen Brisbane (daughter of Bruce)
07 – Family Eulogy read by Robert Brown (Nephew of Bruce)
08 – Grandchildren’s Eulogy read by Lucas Allen and Nicholas Brisbane
09 – Tony Owen from Murchison CFA remembers Bruce as a community and CFA leader
10 – Susan Whitelock from D.P. Jones Aged Care remembers “Bruce the Boss” read by
12 – Music that played with the photo montage of Bruce’s life – “Time to say goodbye” Andrea Bocelli
13 – Sullivan Family Band play “Make me a channel of your peace”
16 – Minister’s Reflection – Rev Brian Spencer
17 – Prayers for the family and the Lord’s Prayer
18 – Hymn – Love Divine, all loves excelling
19 – Poem “He is gone” read by Diane Jones (family friend) written by David Harkin