In 1972, my wonderful older brother Brendan (now deceased) invited his 13-year-old brother to join him on a trip to York Peninsula. One of the highlights of the trip was us watching, in the Ardrossan Pub, the 1972 Grand Final between Carlton and Richmond. Carlton was victorious, in a high-scoring game, with great names like the high-flying Alex Jesaulenko starring with 7 goals. Man of the Match was awarded to Carlton centre half-forward Robert Walls, who kicked 6 goals. It much such a brilliant game, and it left me with an indelible memory of special time spent with my beloved brother.
I was reminded of this indelible memory earlier today, as I read a VAD Media Watch article.
About a year ago, AFL legend Robert Walls died at the age of 74 from acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. The wonderful folk at VAD Media Watch have just brought to our attention a recently released 4-part video series which poignantly depicts how Robert Walls chose to end his life on his own terms, through accessing Victoria’s VAD. The four episodes are each about ten minutes in duration.
During the videos, again and again, Robert Walls’s family members and friends highlight his courage and thoughtfulness during the final journey he undertook. He was considerate and caring to those who would grieve his loss. And he sought out old friends and, together, they managed to heal old wounds before the end.
The then Victorian Minister for Health, Jill Hennessy is interviewed in the last video, and emphasizes how significant Walls decision to share this journey has been:
“Robert Walls’s death and his use of voluntary assisted dying will have led to conversations around dinner tables, in palliative care units, in football clubs, in all sorts of places where people are not talking about death, and what some of the options might be. He has given us an incredibly generous gift, by allowing us, and encouraging us, and motivating us to talk about the end of life, and how we can manage terminal illnesses, exercising some choice, and control and dignity.”
Clearly, Robert Walls has left his family and friends with many indelible memories.
So too he has left, through his courageous exercise of choice, an enduring and inspiring legacy to so many more.
I commend the videos to your viewing.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7LU0FaRzciQ
A Time to Die: Part 1 He did it for us
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lG6GGv–zA
A Time to Die: Part 2 Poison ivy
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fB-utyYhnTk
A Time to Die: Part 3 Feuds and forgiveness
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OZBYw9w_9es
A Time to Die: Part 4 An enduring legacy