Some thoughts expressed by Shane's family
Shane had a fascination for a bunch of quirky things - English comedians from the 60s and 70s, the Kennedy assassination, rugby league in the 70s, things that frankly no one else in the world gave a damn about.
Because his last few years were somewhat aimless it's easy to forget,that for his first 25 years Shane was extremely good at life. By nature a happy, upbeat person he was sporty, creative, popular, talented and had enormous drive. He was very gentle and focussed on what could be achieved. He didn't dwell on the past or blame people.
Tennis was probably his best sport and he won a number of local tournaments as well as a state championship. He was an excellent cross-country runner and a good enough sprinter to win a bronze medal at State athletics.
He was an organiser. When our parents, Bev & George, moved to Inverell for Shane's last couple of years of high school he organised a High School table tennis championship which he promptly won.
He was popular. At Inverell he was a prefect at high school, had the lead in the school musical and founded his first band "Doin' Time". It's fair to say that Doin' Time did not have a great sound, but boy did they have cred. Doin' Time boasted the first of what became a tradition in Shane's bands - a t-shirt designed by George.
Shane went to Southern Cross University in Lismore and struck up a friendship with Chris Crouch. He and Crouchy landed themselves a show on university radio which quickly became popular on campus combining irreverant humour, stunts and an understanding of music. Crouchy and Shane scored a six month exchange to Nebraska in the US and transported their radio show with them. When a couple of irrereverant Aussies with a skewed sense of humour started commentating on US College Football games, the yanks didn't know what hit them,
Back at Southern Cross Uni Shane founded another band, what was to become the Simpletons. Legend has it that Shane entered the band in the University Battle of the Bands competition first, and then started putting the band together.
In those early days Shane was the driving force behind the Simpletons. He showed phenomenal drive, enthusiasm and energy. He recruited band members, wrote the songs, organised gigs, and perhaps most importantly, borrowed money from Bev & George so the band could buy a van.
The band achieved success quickly, winning the National Battle of the Bands competition. Shane took unadulterated joy in their success. Bev reminded me of the phone calls she received from Shane after each success the Simpletons had "Mum, can you believe it! We won!"
The first few years of the Simpletons were really very special. The lyrics were intelligent, quirky and seemed to tug at your shirtsleeve, engaging you at a level not many bands were at. It wasn't usual for bands to write songs about prostitution, pensioners or what it would feel like being the second man on the moon. The band had the confidence to be different to other bands, a tradition Darren Hanlon carries on today. Combined with the band's vitality and enthusiasm they truly were an extraordinary couple of years.
Shane had a happy knack of getting himself into jobs that he knew nothing about - As well as being a musician, singer and songwriter he earned money as a sound engineer, teacher's aide, taught English as a second language, tennis coach, barman, worked in an abattoir, babysitter, investigator with a legal investigation company, cotton chipper and head chef at an old people's home.
For someone who didn't do much traditional work life he had a long and varied resume.
The last few months of his life were good ones. He finished Deep Backward Square, had a good trip to Melbourne and rediscovered enjoyment of the simple pleasures - going for a surf, enjoying a meal, having a game of cards. As a family we had a wonderful Christmas together with kids, the beach, games of tennis and a great deal of laughter.
Shane lived for much of the last 18 months with my family. My 1 year old daughter Madeleine was very fond of him. She'd toddle up to him, holding one of her books, grab his leg and repeat "Shane, Shane, Shane" until he read her the story. After Margot and I, Shane was her next favourite. He was pretty chuffed with that.
So Shane crammed a lot into his life. He achieved a lot of success and did a lot. Experienced a lot of highs. There was a lot of happiness in his life. I'll always remember him as popular, sporty, enthusiastic, ambitious and creative.
