My Speach.

So today I attended the funeral of Desmond Mann. After the funeral I then returned to school and was Supposed to make a speech, with Morgan, at his memorial that our school was holding. But I didn't get there in time, so Miss. Christiansen made a speech in my place.
Not the same effect.


So in case you were curious as to what my speech said, here is a copy. I hope you enjoy.


Desmond Mann was one of the most brilliant people I knew. He would always listen when you had a worry. He would always be your friend. He was involved with every school event, especially Volleyball and the Vision Generation Group.

Des, being the kind, generous, helpful, happy, selfless, influential, knowledgeable, spiritual man he was, would want us all to be happy, to smile, to celebrate the life he lived. He would not want to see us cry. He would want us to realise that he has done everything God planned for him to do on earth.

Des' role in this school was obvious. He was our shoulder to cry on, our person to lend a hand, our mentor, our coach, our chaplain, our friend.

He played volleyball, read books and donated to charity. With his booming laugh and bird whistle, we knew he was near. Every corner you turned you would see his happy, friendly face. He spent lunch breaks with students, he bonded with them. He was one of us.

There were many happy moments we shared with Des, and these are the memories that will not soon be forgotten. Volleyball trips will never be the same without Des to take us on continuous Maccas runs to fuel our appetites, to whistle and distract us while we are playing, to spike the ball dangerously close to us, and most of all no-one to support and encourage us even when we make the silliest of mistakes.

Des would do everything and anything for a friend in need. We often took him for granted, not realising what a wonderful person we had before us, never thanking him enough, or expressing our gratitude towards him. As I have spoken to many of my fellow peers and as messages have been passed onto me, there are words that have a common recurrence, three in particular; Inspirational, Happy and Helpful. So on behalf of everyone, we thank you. You have left a large hole in our school and it will be very hard to fill.

A day won't go by in which you will not be missed. You have impacted on so many people's lives, you certainly have changed mine. You were a great man.

Rest in Peace my friend; I hope to see you again someday.

Megan Jane Thomas