FRIENDS, colleagues, teammates and community members joined the family of Jaron Bennett in celebrating the life of a cherished father, husband, son and mate at Swan Hill yesterday.
Less than a year after marrying his wife Tiff and just weeks after the birth of their first child Luca, uni mates, fellow AGRIvision employees and Mallee Eagles Football Netball Club members gathered to farewell a highly regarded community member whose life was tragically cut short at Lalbert on February 21.
They remembered a devoted father who adored his wife and newborn son. They remembered a dedicated agronomist who worked hard in his chosen profession. They remembered a football club identity who wore his passion on his sleeve and was never afraid to support his mates.
They gathered to remember a life taken too soon — a life cut short at just 25.
Mr Bennett tragically passed away after collapsing at footy training at Lalbert late last month. Despite being rushed to hospital in Swan Hill, Mr Bennett could not be revived.
Born at Kerang, Mr Bennett attended MacKillop College in Swan Hill and played for the Lalbert Eagles and later the Mallee Eagles.
Mr Bennett left Swan Hill in 2007 to pursue further study with a view to working as an agronomist.
While at university his easy-going nature continued to shine through as lifelong friendships were formed as well as the deep bond with Tiff.
Mr Bennett’s friend from their days at Charles Sturt University, Matt Gould yesterday recalled the passion with which he embraced life as he studied and prepared for a career in agronomy.
He spoke of a friendship formed quickly after Mr Gould, from West Wyalong in New South Wales, embraced Mr Bennett’s passion for Australian Rules football.
“We worry about making sure that we make the world a better, easier, place for our friends and family, but Jaron never had to worry about that,” he said.
Mrs Bennett’s brother Jarrod Mullavey spoke of his family’s quick acceptance of Jaron as Tiff’s partner.
“Like most brothers we thought no one would ever be good enough for our sister,” he said.
But the Mullavey family soon came to regard Jaron as one of their own, a point demonstrated, Mr Mullavey said, through the Bennetts’ support of Jaron’s widow.
“We thank them for the comfort and support they’ve shown Tiff in this difficult time,” he said.
Mr Mullavey recalled Mr Bennett’s passion for the Mallee Eagles on show during a senior game with Tiff by his side.
“He’d just finished playing reserves but Tiff soon realised his afternoon wasn’t over. His passion from the sidelines raised a few eyebrows and got opposition supporters looking,” he said.
“He apologised to Tiff because he thought he’d embarrassed her, but she told him not to worry, that every club needed supporters like him.”
And, with Mr Bennett’s support for his beloved Eagles complete, clubmates and community members joined together to form a guard of honour as the popular Lalbert lad made his final journey.
