“You filled our lives, filled our hearts and filled our glasses.”
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This was how Emma Randall described her father Phillip Alan Moon during his funeral on Tuesday.
“You filled the roles of son, brother, friend, husband, father and pop,” Mrs Randall said.
There was standing room only in Sacred Heart Catholic Church as Cootamundra residents Mr Moon.
An estimated 700 people were there to remember their father, grandfather, friend, colleague and keen golfer.
“Dad would have been truly honoured that each and every one of you were here today,” his daughter Rachel said.
Mr Moon was born in 1949 and was one of six children.
Mrs Randall said during her father’s childhood he was described as a “lovable rouge and a funny child”.
“He brought changes to the Moon household as pop’s long-held belief that you came to the table to eat dinner and not to talk did not suit dad’s personality,” she said.
Before golf became his favourite sport, he played anything that involved a ball.
“Dad went to school with the most amazing group of people, they were the guinea pigs for the Wyndham Scheme, the first high school class to complete six years of high school,” Mrs Randall said.
After completing school Mr Moon started working at Cootamundra Court House as a clerk, and worked across NSW including Sydney, Queanbeyan, Forbes, Temora, Parkes and Broken Hill.
He was appointed Coroner in Kyogle before returning to Queanbeyan and completing the first external law degree offered in Australia.
After his studies he was admitted to practise law as a solicitor and barrister and was one half of the Murphy and Moon law firm for 15 years. In 1996 he was appointed Magistrate in NSW.
“In 2010, his career had come full circle when he retired from working in the same courthouse where he had begun,” Mrs Randall said.
Mr Moon married Julie in 1971 and they were joined by Rachel, Matthew and Emma.
“He was the best dad, and he loved and supported Rachel, Matthew and I, no matter what,” Mrs Randall said.
“However it was those seven grandchildren who truly stole his heart, Jack, Ruby, Amy, Xander, Benny, George and Edward.
“Your pop loved you to the moon and back, he was so proud of each and everyone one of you.”
Declan Rurenga
Declan Rurenga was the editor of Griffith's Area News and Leeton's Irrigator until September 2023. Before landing at the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area, he reported news in Junee, Wagga Wagga, Orange and Cootamundra.
Declan Rurenga was the editor of Griffith's Area News and Leeton's Irrigator until September 2023. Before landing at the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area, he reported news in Junee, Wagga Wagga, Orange and Cootamundra.
