Patriots Australia Townsville

 Sean Micklethwait 

The following tribute is taken from the eulogy read by the Patriots Townsville President, Rod Bitters - December 2004

I first came into contact with Sean after a sports parade at the Wapiti one Thursday afternoon.
He told me he was interested in joining the Patriots, I said "Are you joking or what?"
There he was sitting on a postie bike. I started to laugh and told him to go deliver the mail and to come back when he had done so and his bike had grown up.
A few weeks later he turned up again, this time on a near new R6 Yamaha. I didn't get a word in before he said, "Well the mail is delivered and I have a new bike," with a dirty big grin on his face.

 

Sean and the R6

Sean went through the Chapter requirements for becoming a member, in which he did very well.
He was an active club member who participated in all club activities and was happy to lend a hand when required. He became a regular at the Vietnam Veterans motorcycle club and became a good friend to many of the members. A number of them are here today at this service.
Sean also participated in Vietnam Vets activities and rides, the last one was to Bramston beach where he won a new helmet in the competition for the best sports bike and at another club activity won $250 worth of bike service for a Harley Davidson, this he laughed at as he had a Yamaha.
Sean became a part of the furniture within the Patriots Chapter and no matter where we were or where you looked he was there somewhere, usually cracking a joke or taking the mickey out of someone, always with a smile on his face.
Sean applied for a trade change to the elite trade of vehicle Mechanic and started his on the job training in early October last year and once again was full of enthusiasm. He would have made a good mechanic as he had the right temperament and a dedicated attitude to get on with the job and he was often told to stop for smoko and lunch.
At about the same time Sean volunteered for the job as newsletter editor for the Patriots, another task he took on with heaps of enthusiasm and did the job very well. He would often beat me home from work in the afternoon so he could get his newsletter completed, although the first attempt was in a form of English no one had seen or heard of before, but the message was there.
Sean was never afraid to help out others, either financially or physically, and probably one of the most generous people I have met. Even after his tragic passing he has managed to assist other families and to save the lives of five other people with his organ donations.

Sean is missed by many people; especially those who called him mate.

 

 Michael Pickett 

The following tribute was taken from the eulogy read by the Patriots Townsville Road Captain, Mark Upson 'Mort' - October 2009

G’day every one, my name is Mark Upson but others know me simply as Mort. On behalf of PATRIOTS Australia our condolences to you Fiona, daughters Nita, and Bree, Micks sister Diane and family.
I have known Mick since 1982 when he was a Corporal in B company 2/4 Battalion royal Australian regiment, even then he had an extraordinary love for motor cycles and would often hear of the skullduggery, mischief, and exploits Mick had been up to.
Mick has been a mentor to me as a soldier and a civilian. When Mick returned to support company in 1983 as a patrol commander he put me through my paces as soldier of the reconnaissance and sniper platoon, the course was tuff and he said to me with his gravely voice we only take the best now get down and give me twenty push ups, and shove that bag of sand in your pack we don’t want slugs.
We served together in the same platoon for about 3 years all over Australia, and overseas in Malaysia where we nearly caused a diplomatic incident but that’s another story.

 

Micky P

I know Mick loved to train and mentor people as he always gave a 110%, as a soldier and these last 21 years as the senior fire arms instructor and instructor for new recruits and supervisor for correctional services, I know Mick has touched the hearts of many people from many walks of life over the years he was just that sort of bloke, he was the salt of the earth he was a mate to you all, and a brother to us.

We are not hear today to Mourn for Mick but to celebrate life of the big man with the big heart, Mick or Micky P as he was known to you and PATRIOTS Australia wide, he had a passion for life, Fiona the Girls, his dogs Sabre and Sheba and his three Cats - although he did keep the cat thing quite, that was not known to many people. He was a great bloke, hard on the outside but a heart of gold inside, he had passion for the club and its politics.
He rode with passion, he loved his Harleys, he would spend hours just polishing them, I know one of the bike shops in town who’s staff would run for cover when this wild looking dude, with steam coming out of his ears, and long beard would come in and give them a serve for not servicing or fixing his bike properly in the end he told them all to get stuffed and shove it where the light don’t shine or words to those effect.

I could go on for hours talking about Mick, but I would like to finish with a few of his favorite words of wisdom.

Only in my brother shall I place my trust, for he alone is a true Patriot.

Ride it like you stole it.
Dirty rotten stinking Bikies, or dirty bikie’s
Harden the Fuck up

My favorite was when we would talk on the phone and discuss meeting at the club, or meeting up for a ride.

See ya when I’m looking at ya.

Well bro I don’t want to be up there for a long time yet, but I know you will have the place sorted.
Ride on brother, see ya when I’m looking at ya.
Mort, 13 October, 2009

Edit by Andy, Micky P passed away on the 4th of October 2009 riding with his mates. I will miss you mate and I can honestly say that I am a better man having known you.

 

 Terrence Crompton 

'TC' aka Terrence Armitage Crompton was a true Patriot who passed away on the 10th of March 2010.

Always quick with a joke to lighten the mood, always there to listen, always a shoulder to lean on. TC was the sort of bloke you would tell stuff that you wouldn't share with your partner/wife/folks, safe in the knowledge that it would go no further.

 

TC

I have never known anyone to have a bigger range of anecdotes and stories interspiced with jokes. There was a light side to TC and there was also a serious side. What most people don't know is that his first name was spelt Terrrence with three r's, well it was according to his Driving Licence anyway. It seemed that TC had great difficulty convincing the Queensland Department of Transport that no one would be stupid enough to name there son Terrence with three r's but they were having none of it. He would have to produce an original Birth Certificate to prove it. I am not sure if he ever did sort that out.

This morning I took my mate down to the dawn service at Alligator Creek, we listened to the prayers, the speeches and the last post while I thought about my mate and the joy he had brought to my life. I thought about the legacy he had left when he passed away.

 

TC and Skins

TC had suggested that his ashes be scattered off a jetty in Townsville but when I got down to the one on the Strand at 7am it was full of fishermen so I didn't think it right to consign him along with the remains on the gutting table, as always I was looking for a sign from the old bloke and it was then that I remembered a story he once told about the Vic Bridge and the native landholders. So as the sun rose into the clear morning I stood alone on the bridge and asked that those that look over us do the same for my old mate. He went on the outgoing tide but he will always be close alongside.

It must have been the right thing to do, when I got back into the car and turned the radio on 'Bat out of Hell' started right on queue.

You will be missed mate but not forgotten, every Anzac Day you will be part of my thoughts.