Matthew DUNN Obituary

22nd November 2013
Tribute by Scott Summers
How we remember Matt and what he meant to us Me, Lisa and family.
I heard stories last night from Matt's past and that helped and over the proceeding days there will be more stories.
For me the Matt story started purely by chance. About 10 years ago I used to work for a company called B & H Australia some of the guys here in this room also worked for B & H Australia. Matt started work there shortly after arriving in Australia. I had already left not long before Matt started.
One day when walking through a car park I noticed a B & H van and thought it was my brother's- in- law so me being a cheeky sod left a note a business card and put it under the wiper. I didn't think anymore about it until a few days later the same van pulls up outside the front office and this strange guy with an accent gets out, waves the card about and said who is this Scott Summers guy and why did he leave this note and what does it mean. I told him I thought it was my brother-in-law's van. Naturally we started talking about B & H and how I used to work there. Basically it was just a chance meeting.
In some ways kind of reflects the kind of life Matt had in Australia. It was just a series of chances, some, that went right and some that didn't go right. There had been lots of sad times and lots of very happy times.
For example Manie and Anastasia their meeting was up to Matt. If it wasn't for Matt we wouldn't have Sammy, Joshua, Nadia and Anastasia in our lives at all and I kind of think of all these chance meetings that were up to Matt and say thank you to Matt.
I would just like to tell a couple of stories about Matt. The first one kind of goes along with what Nigel was saying about his ability to make something happen despite people saying it wouldn't work don't waste you time. When he moved into a house in Sydenham he couldn't get fast Broadband. He knew a friend a couple of streets away with Broadband and set about setting up a wifi system. He said I know what I will do get a couple of devices and set them up to work together. Well I said it wouldn't work, but a couple of satellite dishes, capacitors and transistors and aerials later it was working. I couldn't believe it worked. Even today I can't believe it actually worked but I saw it working!
Sergei often said Matt had golden hands and nothing could be more to the truth Golden Hands everything that he wanted to get to work he got to work.
The other story I have is a little bit on the cheeky side of Matt. Not long after he came to work for us at AV Australia we were working on a project for Collingwood Football Club. Everyone in this room knows Collingwood Football Club apart from the New Zealanders. They are the biggest football club in Australia.
We were working away at the beginning of the season and there were jumpers, hats and all that sort of things laid out on tables in the room we were working in and over the proceeding days and following days the players had been filing through signing the jumpers and things like that, that were to be sold.
Well there are a couple of jumpers and things out there with Matt's name on! Matt thought it was hilarious. At the time I had the responsibility of the business and I thought My God if I get caught! but Matt thought it was funny and it was funny, and I sit back now and laugh and I often think of some Collingwood supporter looking at his jumper thinking I've got them all but who is this guy? But this was him and I choose to remember him that way.
Matt has also led Lisa and I to his family. It is a shame that we have met Elaine, Colin, Nigel, Howard and Chris and Barbara under these circumstances, but we now have life long friends
Lisa and I are also looking forward to meeting at sometime the rest of the Dunn clan again Thank you Matt - that is something he has done for us.
In the end I know Matt was at peace and that gives me some comfort. I was often like a blind man's Uncle Ben. With great friendship comes great responsibility. Unfortunately he did not take responsibility too well but you had to take the good with the bad with Matt we know that and in my mind I focus on that.
I choose to remember the fun times we, and my wife have had that is all thanks to Matt. So Thank you Matt.

Melbourne 22nd November 2013
My name is Elaine Matthew's mum.
I had four lovely boys now I have only three.
This is every parent's worst nightmare.
Life for me is like a fork.
We walk the handle with our parents and as we get nearer to the prongs we have choices to make for our life.
One road may be like concrete wide, straight and smooth.
Another like rough tar seal with no shoulder where you can easily veer off if you don't pay attention but quite easy to get back on and continue your journey.
Another is gravel, looks interesting at first but it is narrow, and winding up and down hills with many blind corners. There are many hazards on this road and along the way we meet people coming back towards us saying I wouldn't go any further it gets worse from here on. There are people there that can't turn around. They are going to need serious help to get out.
At this point we have another choice. To take the advise of those who have been there or to continue on.
Continuing on this dark and desolate road is very depressing and before you know it you are lost. You can hear the voices of the people telling you to turn around but you can't - all you can see is a big black hole.
Matthew was very depressed and had reached his big black hole.
We as a family had offered help but ultimately the choice was his.
The love of his family and friends was no longer enough to keep him with us, as along this road he had chosen, which was littered with pit falls, he had lost love for himself.
I would like to thank Matthew's friends Scott and Lisa for taking him into their home, their hearts and family at this very difficult time of his life. I, and my boys can't thank you enough for all that you did for Matt.
I am very, very sad to have lost one of my lovely boys they have taught me so much and I love them and their families very dearly.
Svetlana you are the mother of Matt's lovely little boy Dylan. I will always be his Nana and I hope you will allow me to keep in contact with you and Dylan so as he will always know his New Zealand family.
Rest in peace Matthew My little Bunny Rabbit. 10th Nov 1975 15th Nov 2013

15th November 2014 - Waikumete Cemetary

I would like to thank you all for coming here today but a special welcome to Matthew's special friends from Australia, Scott and Lisa and their family, Rochelle, Kayla and Mitchell. Cameron, unfortunately was not able to be here at this time. We all hope you have a great time while in New Zealand.
And a very special welcome to Matthew's little boy Dylan, and his Mum.
It is lovely that you all can be here to share in laying Matthew to rest with his Grandma and Granddad.
If any of you would like to say a few words, you are very welcome after which I will have my little say.
To my boys and their lovely wives Colin and Lexie, Nigel and Briar, Howard and Chris and all their boys, thank you for all your love and support during this past year which for me has been very emotional and at times very stressful.
This year has been one of reflection, I think, for all of us. For me, it has been the recall of all those special moments from Matthew's birth, through school, to work, to marriage and the birth of his own little boy, Dylan.
Dylan this is your New Zealand family we all love you very much and look forward to you coming here very often as you grow up.
You can count on us for support and guidance as you grow and experience life in years to come we are only a short flight away.
We all have choices in life and as much as we all wish Matt were still with us, it is time to remember the good times that we shared with him.
But now it is time to let him go and Rest in Peace.

POEM FOR MATT WRITTEN BY SARAH BLACKSTONE
OUR MEMORY LIBRARY LOVE FROM HIS MUM ELAINE, BROTHERS,
SISTER-IN-LAWS, NEPHEWS, HIS SON DYLAN AND SVETLANA

Imagine if we were given one moment,
Just a single slice of our past.
We could hold it close forever,
and that moment would always last.

We'd put the moment in a safe,
within our hearts abode.
We could open it when we wanted,
and only we would know the code.

We could choose a time laughing,
a time of happiness and fun.
We could choose a time that tried us,
through everything we've done.

If we sat and thought about what moment,
would always make us smile.
One would always push us,
to walk that extra mile.

If we're feeling sad and low,
if we're struggling with what to do.
We can go and open our little safe,
and watch our moment through.

There are moments we can think of,
that would lift our spirits everytime.
The moments which picked us up,
when the road was hard to climb.

For us to only pick one moment,
to cherish, save and keep,
Is proving really difficult,
as we've gathered up a heap!

We've dug deep inside our hearts,
found the safe and looked inside,
there was room for lots of moments,
in fact hundreds if we tried.

We're building our own little library,
embedded in our hearts,
for all the moments spent with you,
before you had to part.

We can open it up whenever we like,
pick a moment and watch it through,
Our little library acts as a promise,
We'll never ever forget you..xoxoxoxoxox

Message from David Dunn ,
Elaine, so sorry to hear after all this time, Only just heard. Brothers that don't keep in touch,Condolences from both myself and Steph. Thinking of you.

It's been a year since you've been gone. But it's still feels like just yesterday.
We miss you so much and wish you were here with us.
With lots of love
Dylan and Svetlana

Very Sad to hear of your passing. Thoughts and love go to the Dunn family from Us.
P.S Ben will be so happy to see you up there at those pearly gates. RIP Matt

Love Sarah, Kaylen and Kaiya Tattersall

Will remember his good sense of humour and kind spirit, along with his love for his family. Gone but not forgotten.

For over 50 years I have known Elaine and her family from a long distance away - through letters, photos, and now emails. Photos of handsome sons are among these keepsakes. We share the sadness in Matthew's passing from the family.

Dear Elaine and all the family,
You are in our thoughts and hearts, sending you much love.
Dear Matt, May you find your teapot...
Janette & Alan

To our dearest friend matt..
You will be missed dearly. Silently the tears shall fall wishing u were here as our friend. To laugh with to enjoy your amazing cooking and to enjoy your talks. I hope god watches over you and keeps you safe upstairs.. my prayers and thoughts are with u and your family..

To my daddy who's up in heaven now watching over me.

Dear Matthew,
We'll miss you dearly.
Love always Svetlana and Dylan

Dear Matt Matt as we affectionately called you. Your memory will always be in our hearts. You have gone at such a young age, we can only remember all the fun times and the memories of watching you grow and create and design your projects which you were so passionate about. You are at peace now, watch over your son Dylan. Lots of Aroha Always, Your Brother Colin, Lexie, Zane & Corey

Dear Elaine and family. We are so sad to hear about your son, Matthew. Know that you are in our thoughts during this very difficult time. We wish we were closer. Please take care. Love, Keith and Deb Wakelin

Matt, our hearts are breaking. What more can we say. You will always be loved and forever remembered. Your stories will be told for a lifetime. Love you always bro, your Brother Nigel and Briar, Logan and Jarrod

Matt, our loyal friend. We loved you during the best and worst times. Your cheeky smile and attitude to life will live with us forever. Thank you for being a special part of our lives. We will always remember the best of you.

All our love.

My heart goes out to Matthew's family. I imagine the shock that I'm experiencing from Matthew's sudden passing is nothing compared to what they must be experiencing.

Go well Matt.

In loving memory of my lovely boy. Brother, brother-in-law, nephew, uncle, to so many. Dearly loved daddy of Dylan. Husband of Svetlana. Very dear and treasured friend of Scott, Lisa and family. Our hearts are breaking that we were not able to help you in your time of desperate need. Forever in my heart - your loving very sad Mum xxx

DUNN, Matthew Christopher. Passed away 15 November 2013. Fondest memories silently kept, you are my Son who I will never forget. Rest in peace Matt. In loving memory from Dad.