UNIVERSITY of Newcastle stalwart Dr Bernard 'Bernie' Curran AM had some of the last words at his own memorial celebration in the Great Hall.
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"I think connection is key to everything that we do, whether you're talking about connectedness to the natural world, connectedness to your family, connectedness to your friends," Dr Curran said in a video tribute.
"I think that's the ultimate source of strength and that on the basis of that connectedness you have a better view of the world, a better understanding of the world... the hardest thing is building community and that's one of the things I've tried to do."
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Dr Curran's ability to connect genuinely with people of all ages, backgrounds and standings, plus bring others together, was his legacy and the common thread as nine speakers reflected on his 50 year contribution to UON and the community.
He enrolled as a student, but became one of UON's fathers, a rugby player, sports leader, advocate, academic, mentor, fundraiser, alumnus, donor, researcher, patron and, above all, a friend to many.
He was a son, brother to 11, husband to Jeannie and Mary, father to three, grandfather to eight and uncle to many. He died aged 76 on July 30.
Residents of Evatt House - Dr Curran was its foundation warden - and university rugby club members formed a guard of honour as guests entered the hall, where his portrait, academic gown, rugby jerseys, fishing rod and books were displayed.
Master of Ceremonies Professor Frances Kay-Lambkin opened the service, which was also livestreamed, by paying tribute to Dr Curran as "great of heart, mighty of spirit and a champion of the university for all of its days", a family man who had a "love of humankind".
"Bernie was deeply committed to the community and his genuine warmth, encouragement and caring nature really allowed him to build and to maintain connections and to bring people together for a common purpose," she said.
"He championed the sharing of knowledge and guided those at the start of their journeys to alumni volunteerism and mentorship of students.
"He advocated tirelessly for equitable access to higher education and was extremely passionate about the power of philanthropy to change lives, just like it did for him as a young country kid from Denman."
Pro Vice-Chancellor Indigenous Strategy and Leadership Nathan Towney said Dr Curran had a "unique ability to light up a room".
"If he did not know everyone's name in the room when he got there, he did by the time he left," he said.
"He had that unique touch to make everyone in that room feel valued in some way."
Chancellor Paul Jeans, who first met his friend Dr Curran when they were UON students, said his "genuine interest and undivided attention was a gift he gave to all, whether you were the archbishop or a first year student".
He said Dr Curran championed the education of refugees through the Mentor Support Network.
"You might be far from home, you might feel lost or overwhelmed, but when you had Bernie in your corner, you felt heard and seen."
Mr Jeans recounted how Dr Curran had arrived at UON in 1963 to study arts, but his "untamable social spirit" saw him fail and lose his scholarship.
Dr Curran's brother Michael later said Dr Curran had described his first year as "an inglorious year for academia" and he "had no idea" where the library was located.
His brother passed one subject, which he had believed was "a sympathy vote from the lecturer who was a rugby supporter".
Dr Curran went to work for Denman dairy farmer Bill Lieschke, who supported him to finish his degree and graduate with first class honours.
He completed his PhD in Roman religion and politics and was an academic from 1976 to 2001.
Mr Jeans said Dr Curran believed in the importance of developing both body and mind and was president of the sports union, helped established the Forum Sports and Aquatic Centre, was chair of NUSport and as a rugby player in the 1960s and 1970s "dazzled with his skills but also with his sportsmanship".
He was awarded a university blue in 1966 and colours in 1987.
"It is sometimes said that one man can contain multitudes and we certainly saw that in Bernie," he said.
"Where else could you find the paradox of a fearless rugby forward who was also the chair of the NSW Latin Board of Examiners?
"These apparent contradictions reflect just two of the many aspects of a life fully lived."
Mr Jeans said it was difficult to encompass all of the many facets of Dr Curran's life and remembered Dr Curran's reflections when delivering the eulogy for Professor Godfrey Tanner.
"He said 'This is not the sum of the parts, no, that is there with you in the minds, the memories and hearts of those who knew the man, that is your story, your eulogy'."
Mr Jeans said Dr Curran lived his life in accordance with a deeply held set of values, drawn from his own upbringing and the classics.
"These values were his constant guide, loyalty, community, service, respect, a door open to all-comers, the unbreakable bond created by giving your word and humanitas, the wonderful concept loved by the Romans... combining the duty to strive for wit and wisdom and virtue with an intense concern for the welfare of others, a love for humanity forming the foundation for a right and proper life."
Former premiership winning UON rugby captain Brian O'Shea and president of the University of Newcastle Sports Laureates Association Gabriella Sainsbury spoke about the impact of Dr Curran's lifelong dedication to sport at the university.
Mr O'Shea said Dr Curran was the club's 'go-to man'.
"I consider Bernie was a once in a lifetime club member, with a broad range of expertise, largely devoid of self interest and professing considerable interpersonal skills," he said.
"I doubt whether the rugby club or the university will ever see quite his like again."
Former Evatt House residents Siobhan Gleeson and Adam Mowbray shared Dr Curran's legacy on the college's residents and culture. Ms Gleeson said Dr Curran embodied the house motto Carpe Diem and encouraged residents to be the best versions of themselves.
She said residents would continue to say his name and share his stories.
"When I moved away from Newcastle, Bernie said to me 'You will not be with us in person, but always in spirit', and now that is [true] for Bernie."
Dr Curran's brother Michael said Dr Curran was "a very private man and very ordinary man in some ways" but always had a "larrikin element".
He spoke of the siblings' upbringing, moving between country towns due to their father's job as a school principal before settling in Denman.
He said all the siblings usually went to the town's Catholic school, except for Dr Curran.
"I'm not sure whether it was to protect Bernard or the people in the Catholic school," he said.
"In Denman the Currans went to the Catholic school but Bernard simply turned up at the public school on the first day and that was also Dad's first day as headmaster of the school. Bernard got the cane on the first day."
He said his brother got a scholarship to St Patrick's College at Goulburn, but spent holidays with the Curran clan, including summers in Wollongong.
He said Dr Curran approached everything "with optimism, zeal and passion".
"We are poorer for his passing but far richer for the legacy he has left us."
Vice Chancellor Professor Alex Zelinsky AO said he had only known Dr Curran for a few years, "but the impact he had on me was nevertheless profound".
He said Dr Curran was modest and humble and generous with his time and advice.
He said the outpouring of grief at Dr Curran's passing was "simply astonishing" and he received emails and calls from around the world about the contribution he had made to people's lives.
"These are the small actions that can change a person's life. In his humble way I suspect Bernie would have viewed his contribution as a privilege... you were one of the university's finest and without a doubt a great Australian and [one of] Newcastle's finest citizens".
UON has established the Dr Bernard Curran AM Memorial Fund, which will provide an annual scholarship for students who have overcome barriers to education.
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