- 18 Oct 2007 - R.I.P MAINY.....WE WILL MISS YOU
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ON BEHALF OF ALL THE CREW AT FUNKSHEN AND FRIENDS WE SEND OUR DEEPEST CONDOLENCES TO THE FAMILY OF CHRIS MAINWARING AS WE WILL CERTAINLY MISS YOU MATE.
YOU WERE AND STILL ARE ARE BLOODY LEGEND MATE!
DAVE TULLOCH
Hundreds of mourners have turned out to pay their last respects to the champion West Coast Eagles footballer, Chris Mainwaring, who died last Monday at the age of 41.
Mainwaring's funeral is being held at Christchurch Grammer chapel which is full and many more watching on large screens outside. There is no doubt he could have filled either one of Perth's cathedrals but the family's request was to hold the service at the chapel which has breath-taking views of the Swan River.
Mainwaring's wife, Rani, and her two children are present. Six year old Zac is wearing a West Coast Eagles jumper. Every captain in the Eagles twenty year history are among the mourners and also former coaches.
Mainwaring's cousin, Brad Cripps, gave the first euology. He painted a picture of a childhood friend. A happy boy who loved growing up in Geraldton and visiting his cousin's friend. Riding motorbikes and running around the local horse racing track. His three pasions were footy, family and surfing. Mr Cripps said many believed if Mainy had not played football, he may well have become a professional surfer. He also related a story about his affinity with people. "He loved people. When he worked in the bank he would sometimes take twohours to collect the mail from the post office because he would stop and talk to everyone he knew in Geraldton - and that was most people," Mr Cripps said.
Sometimes people don't know whether to applaud in church but spontaneous applause broke out after each euology. The second was given by his sister, Wendy Mainwaring-Clarke. He had two brothers and a sister and was the baby of the four children. Growing up he shared a room with Wendy. She conveyed how she used her baby brother as a real live dress up doll, later telling him she had helped him get in touch with his femine side. They were close.
The third speaker was the former West Coast Eagles captain, Guy McKenna. Up until now, those giving the euologies held their compure. "Bluey" as he is universally known in WA, did it tough. He knew he would. He paused frequently as the emotion of the occasion took his voice away from him. Mr McKenna related what is was like to be a West Coast Eagles team-mate of Chris Mainwaring. He called him the greatest eagle he played with because he not only got the best out of himself but the best out of others. He said all clubs need star players but it was the selfless, passionate, courageous, don't stop 'till you drop players that a team needed to be successful.
The final euology was given by the incoming chairman of the West Coast Eagles, Mark Barnaba. An investment banker by trade, he related how he met Mainwaring on a beach in Hawaii when the team was on an end of season trip. They clicked as friends and ended up sharing a house and their lives together.
The congregation saw a tribute video from his colleagues at Channel 7 in Perth. The station also broadcast the funeral live around Western Australia. Viewers saw a host of former and current players, including Ben Cousins who was also a pall bearer, Chris Judd, John Worsfold, Peter Sumich, Peter Matera and former coaches including Mick Malthouse.
