By James Parker
More than 500 family, friends, colleagues and fans gathered earlier this month at St Mary’s Cathedral to farewell ABC radio broadcaster, Eoin Cameron.
Mr Cameron, 65, died of a heart attack on 23 June while visiting his family in Albany, a mere three months after hanging up the microphone and retiring from a lifetime career in broadcasting.
A small handwritten note left by Mr Cameron requested that St Mary’s Cathedral be the venue for his funeral service and that Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB be one of the two main celebrants.
Reflecting on the Parable of the Talents, Archbishop Costelloe spoke of Mr Cameron’s “extraordinary impact” on so many people in the community.
“I ask myself,” he said, “how many lonely people, hungry and thirsty for companionship, found it each morning in Eoin’s radio program.
“I wonder how many people, imprisoned within themselves by rejection or disappointment or a sense of failure, found a reason to move into the day with some hope because of listening to him at the start of the day.”
As the second of 10 children, a significant number of the hundreds of mourners in attendance were Cameron’s immediate family. Also present were friends and colleagues from the ABC alongside WA Premier Colin Barnett, Opposition Leader Mark McGowan, former Premier Richard Court, former Governor-General Ken Michael, and Channel 7 news presenter, Susannah Carr.
Two of Cameron’s five brothers presented the first of three eulogies.
Mr Cameron’s brother, Gerard, spoke of his budding romance with wife, Wendy, affectionately referred to on air as “the War Office”.
His best friend and confidante, Tim Bonifant, shared how “unblokey” Mr Cameron was, noting that one aspect of his character was “to show real affection with people he cared for”.
The third and final eulogy was given by Mr Cameron’s children: Jane; her husband, Andrew; Ryan; Jacinta; and “adopted son”, Brad McCahon.
His son, Ryan, said that, “as much as we are products of the king of embellishment, there will be no embellishment today. Everything being said about Dad is absolutely spot on”.
“Dad, you were crazy and eccentric. You were interesting and fun. You were intelligent. Rest in peace, our beautiful Papa. We are so glad you are not in pain anymore.”
The homily was delivered by Paul Morrison, a close family friend and rival breakfast radio broadcaster from 98.5FM.
Speaking of the “great, shambling ratbag” that he knew as “Cammo”, he described Mr Cameron as “a brilliant piece of God’s handiwork, who took not only his gifts and abilities but his hurt and his pain and together allowed them to bring joy and freedom to many others”.
“Yes, Cammo was complex, to say the least,” Mr Morrison said, “but he was gifted with a voice that was like a warm, golden, syrupy treacle that smothered your senses and resonated deep inside your chest and made you feel immediately connected to his presence.”
Mr Morrison also spoke of Mr Cameron being remembered for his love of “atrocious music”, his classic segments on the ABC with sports presenter, Ross Solly, and his “endless ability to make everyone feel like they were someone special”.
The ecumenical funeral service ended with Archbishop Costelloe leading the committal, final blessing and commendation as Mr Cameron’s coffin was sprinkled with holy water and incensed.
Archbishop Costelloe then went on to speak the final words that echoed across the solemn celebration before Mr Cameron’s coffin was led away for cremation: “Since Almighty God has called Eoin from this life to Himself, we entrust him now into the Lord’s hands… Eternal rest give to Eoin, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace. Amen.”