Passing of my best mate

Hi guys,
I'm not a particularly active member on this site, and neither was my best mate Mark Galton, however I'm sure there are a plenty of you who, if you cast your mind back to the 2012 Merimbula Classsic fancy dress party, will recall the big hairy caveman who had a pig on the end of a stick. That was Mark.
Mark was a short boarder originally, and was actually the longest serving president of the Ulladulla Board Riders - having brought the club out of the dust and turning it into one of the largest and most successful clubs in the country - but found a huge love for SUP about 4 years ago. At that time, he was a Hot Glass artist, with his studio and gallery on the banks of beautiful Burrill Lake. Ever the one to see an opportunity when it presented itself, Mark was quick to realize the future popularity of the sport and after securing the necessary accreditations, he bought a fleet of Hobie Dura SUP's, and Burrill Lake Stand Up Paddle was born, offering tours, tutition and of course hire.
Having a property on the waters edge, next door to the fish and chip shop, and with 3 large tourist parks less than a couple of minutes walk away, it was always going to be a success!
His business boomed, and with some assistance from yours truly, he was soon retailing boards as well. It was great to see him spreading his passion and introducing so many people to the sport he, and we all love.
One thing was undeniable though - Burrill Lake is a very busy and popular place during the holidays, but outside those times, Burrill reverts to a tiny, quiet and peaceful village on the South Coast, and not the place where a Stand Up Paddle business like his was quite enough to make ends meet.
He and his beautiful wife Dominica had plans, big plans for their future - and as big plans generally do, he needed to keep the money flowing. He'd planned for this though, and whilst running the SUP side of things, he put himself through several more courses, picking up various rigging and construction tickets - he even got his Dogman ticket!
With all these qualifications under his belt, and as he'd hoped, it opened up yet another opportunity for him, and he secured construction work in the mines in Northern NSW and Queensland.
He and Dominica kept the Stand Up business ticking over when he was away, and when he came home, it was all systems go - heaps of demo's and rentals. It was awesome to see him really living the dream.

That dream ended on Wednesday of last week, as Mark, my very best mate, Dominica's treasured husband, and a king pin of our local community, was tragically taken from us in a freak work place accident at the mine.
He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
His funeral will be taking place on Friday, 30th May at the Mollymook Surf Club at 10:30, and there will be a Paddle Out at The Entrance of Burrill Lake on Saturday morning at the same time, with a simultaneous Paddle Out happening for him on the Gold Coast.
All are welcome.
Thank you.
Greg

Thanks for passing that information on GL

You never know when your time is up but it looks like Mark made the most of his.

Paddle on.

ET.

A life well lived by the sounds of it. RIP.

Your mate would be stoked about the write up you just gave him. RIP and condolences for your loss

That is so tragic and sad , thanks for sharing that would have been tough but beautifully written. Mark would be stoked and nothing will ever replace your best mate , so just hang on to those great memories and keep sharing them and the big fella will remain forever young.

RIP Mark

Great paddle out pics..

I see deaths so much at my work [ICU] and when I meet family and friends it seems like there's no words that seem appropriate..

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