“We’ve lost a lion”

Date: 23 May 2003

Obituary for CPSU National President Matthew Reynolds

The irony that CPSU National President Matthew Reynolds died the same week he was re-elected - and his ACT government members finally got their long-awaited pay rise - would have, no doubt, appealed to his own mischievous sense of humour.

Matthew Reynolds was a deeply loved and respected part of the CPSU family. A fact confirmed by the hundreds of heartfelt tributes the union has received over the last 48 hours.

These kind words of support for his wife and his family, come from an astonishingly wide spectrum. Former workmates, union officials, employers, senior public servants, politicians, delegates, sporting buddies and rank and file members have all expressed the shock and sorrow we feel.

As CPSU member David Adams from AFFA puts it, "we've lost a lion."

Matthew died as a result of a massive and irreparable brain aneurism. He was only 38. He is survived by his wife Jenny and young children Tayla and Joel.

Matthew is held in great affection and esteem by public servants across Australia as well as in Canberra for his tireless work on their behalf. He always fought individual causes with the same passion that he applied to collective ones.

Though raised in the Catholic tradition, Matthew was no choirboy and he certainly knew how to celebrate his many victories. While he could be a shrewd and tough political operator when it was needed, he will mainly be remembered as a decent trustworthy person with an deep core of human kindness.

Born and raised in Hobart, he grew up in the northern suburbs and attended St Dominic's College.

Tasmanian friends remember him as a keen, if rowdy, Australian Rules football player who thought nothing of sprinting the length of the field to support his team-mates in a melee. He was also an enthusiastic indoor cricket player who became notorious for wearing a unique and ribald Garfield T-shirt whenever he played.

His association with the union began in 1983 in Hobart where he was employed first in the Department of Veterans Affairs and then the Commonwealth Employment Service.

He became an activist in the then Australian Pubic Service Association and rose to be PSU Tasmanian Branch Secretary in 1996.

He made the move to Canberra in 1998 after being elected National President of the merged Community and Public Sector Union. His big smile and slightly rumpled suits quickly became familiar hallmarks of his personal style.

In Canberra he also threw himself into community life and was very proud of his role coaching boys and girls in the Belconnen Junior Australian Rules Football Club's Auskick program on Sunday mornings at Giralang Oval.

Over the last two years, he led a successful campaign re-building the CPSU in the ACT Public Service and delivering long overdue improvements in pay and conditions. During his career he also represented CPSU members in the Professional Division and Food Inspectorial Group.

What should have been a week of election victory celebrations has turned to tragedy for a man who made friends easily and influenced many.

One moving tribute from CPSU former National Deputy President Mal Larsen said, "Mathew was a gentle man who gave space to those around him. He had a cheeky smile that made you want to know what he was thinking about and he had a unique way with words. His care for his people and love of his family were palpable. If there is a heaven, he'll be organising it. Farewell comrade."

More tributes can be found at http://www.cpsu.org/Mathew_messages.html.

The CPSU has set up a Trust fund to provide for the benefit, advancement and education of Matthews's children Tayla and Joel. To get involved, contact the CPSU on 1300 137 636 or make a donation at any Westpac Branch from midday Monday 26 May 2003.

Details:
CPSU as Trustee For Tayla and Joel Reynolds Trust Fund
BSB no: 032 000
Accont: 127 155

A funeral service will be held at St Christopher Church in Manuka in the ACT at 2pm on Wednesday 28 May.

(Parts of this obituary originally appeared in an article by Verona Burgess in the 23 May edition of The Canberra Times

For further information

Contact:	Dermott Browne
Union:	CPSU - National Office
Phone:	93349200

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