26th August 1931 - 2nd September 2009
“Kate, I recall your twenty first, and your Dad inviting me to the cellar- Grange, “Help yourself”.
Dr Hipwell had a profound influence on my nursing.
My IBS ward was 9B, opthalmology. Following him around on the ”round”, he asked, “why doesn’t the cornea reject like other tissue ?”
I muttered, “not much blood supply”- he blew me away with “spot on, the student nurse got it”- so early in my career, his recognition of my knowledge inspired me not to be afraid of “Doctors”.
That attitude has served me well over the years.”
Matt Barneveld
Poppa, or as some of you knew him Dr Hipwell or Geoff.
My poppa was a wonderful man, a wonderful husband, a wonderful father to his 3 daughters, a wonderful friend to all of you, and a wonderful grandfather to Joseph James Oscar, Louie, Meghan and myself.
Every fortunate time we got to see him, we would always go out for dinner, mostly Chinese. There were a few rules you had to follow being a Grandchild of Poppas and as we grew older we learnt these. Like, never ask the waiter for the dessert menu unless you ask your host (poppa) first, always look directly in the eye when talking to the waiter even if he scares you, when having roll and butter always rip a bit of a the roll and spread the butter on a little bit, never just spread over the whole roll I don’t know why I never asked and never ever ever put your elbows on the table, ever.
As we grew older we learnt these rules, and I would say from 4-10 poppa would tell you gently what to do, then from 11+ he would just give you a little look across the table and you had to find out what you were doing wrong. If you couldn’t figure it out his look would grow stronger and stronger until he would gently say, “Sarah elbows of the table”. I have to thank Poppa for this, for always making sure my manners were perfect, because of this we are the most well behaved children in Restaurants right Mum.
The last time I saw Poppa was 4 weeks ago in Perth. He and Deirdre watched my Basketball and Netball games I won both, and watched Meghan School Musical he loved being part of our achievements.
On our last night we went to Poppas favourite restaurant in Perth Kailis Seafood Restaurant. That night he didn’t give Meghan or Myself the look. He simply asked us about school, friends, and family. He always sat between us when we went out and was always so interested in all we were doing.
I have been told that my Poppa was a brilliant eye Surgeon and a wonderful doctor but to me he was the best Grandfather ever.
The night I found out about poppas death, I cried, I cried and I cried. But then I realised something. Maybe this was his time, his time to be with grandma. And every time I think I am about ask God why, I tell myself, they are together again, I get this picture of my grandma and poppa up in heaven, grandma wearing something yellow, and poppa wearing a woolly jumper, and them both dancing to “What A Wonderful World”. It was his time to be together with grandma again. And although poppa isn’t here with us, he is in our hearts and that s where he will stay.
The last night I saw Poppa as he got into the taxi, I gave him a kiss and said I love you, and I do. I love you Poppa.
If tears could build a stairway and thoughts a memory lane
I’d walk right up to heaven and bring you home again
No Farewell words were spoken
No time to say good-bye
You were gone before I knew it
And only God knows why
My heart’s still active in sadness
And secret tears still flow
What it meant to lose you
No one can ever know
But now I know you want us
To mourn for you no more
To remember all the happy times
Life still has much in store
Since you’ll never be forgotten
I pledge to you today
A hallowed place within my heart
Is where you’ll always stay
God knows why, with chilling touch
Death gathers those we love so much
And what now seems so strange and dim
Will all be clear, when we meet Him
Dad we were so immensely proud of you and felt blessed to be your daughters. You made us believe that anything is possible.
You taught us to seize what we can in life and to have a sense of everlasting discovery.
Life at 29 Cleveland St ranged from Dinner parties to Pool parties it wasn’t unusual for Dad to walk in at the end of a long hard day to house full of boys we were never sure if the attraction was us or Dads welcoming and generous nature that brought the boys as they all held him in such high esteem.
Dad never lost his temper reported sightings of one of the Hipwell girls hanging around Turramurra station when they should he at Fellowship classes at St James church didn’t faize him.
Through disastrous Perms, near expulsions broken engagements and marriages, car accidents and credit card bills Dad always remained stoic.
You were an incredible man, what you did tirelessly and happily for so many others was inspirational, and yet you always managed to make us feel most important in your life.
We watched you burst with pride at everything your grandchildren said, unless they were speaking with their mouths full. You were completely biased about us overlooking our short comings and always there to help pick us up and dust us off.
My sisters and I are so grateful to Deidre for the love and support she gave to Dad over the last few years they had a wonderful time travelling to the UK and to Perth and Singapore to his Grandchildren and I know you had many more plans. We all did. We all thought Dad would be with us a lot longer but I think Mum had other plans for him.
Deb, Nik and I would like to give special thanks to all our dear friends and family and especially to o Pauline Hayes my Godmother who has given us unlimited love and support since mum passed away .
Selfishly Dad we didn’t want you to leave us however, we know you are with mum your arms wrapped around her tightly and, our darling dad that gives us great comfort .I am sure you are up there wondering who you need to talk to to get a stiff drink.
We hope the oysters are fresh and the champagne is chilled, give mum a kiss form all us.
We will Love you forever
I first met Geoff Hipwell when I started on my first ward as a student nurse back in 1983.
He made sure we student nurses were included in all parts of the care of his patients, and he would regularly test us at the end of the bed, on our ophthalmic knowledge. I saw him treat patients, educate and operate and he was always a kind caring and professional to all his staff and patients.
His teaching skills were consummate, and as I progressed through my career, I adopted many of his methods. Namely asking questions of the students and helping them finding the logical and correct answer. As a clinical educator and consultant the things I learnt from Geoff Hipwell stood me in good stead.
He was a great man, a great doctor, and a great teacher.
He will be missed
David Higgins R.N.
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