Noel: A lesson in the importance of risk taking!

You would have liked Noel – a ginger haired life of the party guy who never sought self-aggrandisement but just sought fun! From head to toe Noel was born to laugh and move. He was a great dancer and learnt to play the piano by ear – couldn’t read a note. Everyone thought he was gay, Noel didn’t care. He had a lovely wife Jeanette and two lovely children. Noel reminded me very much of that great under-rated Australian singer, composer and song writer, Peter Allen, of I still call Australia Home fame.

I first met Noel when we were both teaching in the Riverina in NSW. I was only 19 when we met; he taught in town and I had my own one-teacher school 20 miles out in a rice growing farming area with 19 kids ranging in age from 5 to 14. Back then, our school had no electricity but I thought it was only proper that my motley crew marched in to school the way they did in big schools. So I bought some super cool red bongos and would sit on the school verandah and beat out a marching rhythm that would co-ordinate their footsteps and stop and foot draggers.

It worked well but of course the bush tom-toms couldn’t wait to spread the word about this crazy teacher and his bongos. So the word got to Noel who had started up a band in town. Their drummer had left for saner pastures and he was desperate as the musical talent was sparse in this small town. Noel gave me a call, didn’t ask if I could play, didn’t ask if I had ever drummed before – just reassured me that I didn’t need to worry, just look the part and he would cover the beat with his left hand. So we travelled as a band to all the larger town down near the Victorian border and Noel singlehandedly won everyone over. Noel had that magic charisma but he had more than that, he was prepared to have a go, to trust his arm, make mistakes and learn from them.

Noel and I lost all contact for about 50 years. Eight years ago, out of the blue, Noel gave me a call and asked if he could call in for a chat. He and Jeanette stayed over for the best couple of days ever – you know with true friends how the years melt away. But his news wasn’t good. He had an aggressive form of prostate cancer and although he was prepared to line up for even the experimental drugs, the prognosis wasn’t positive. We caught up several times in the next few years and each time we’d be around the piano, bursting into whatever took our fancy, especially gospel music.

Just before Noel died a few years ago, we went to see him and he still staggered out of bed and indulged my wish to sing a few more gospel songs together. I was privileged to be allowed to say a few words at his packed funeral service.

But Noel taught me so much about chancing my arm, giving it a go, making choices that energize the soul, being prepared to make mistakes. I so miss Noel but what a wonderful legacy he left, hopefully there’s someone like Noel in your life, too. Noel had no great faith, no great expectation of where he was headed in the afterlife but wherever he is, even in my soul, Noel is making music!