Robyn Mapley honours former workmate and friend Brendan Moreland in touching tribute
About 12 months ago Brendan Moreland gifted his former supervisor an orchid, now it is a beautiful reminder of a thoughtful and caring man taken far too soon.
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About 12 months ago popular Mackay traffic controller Brendan Moreland gifted his former supervisor an orchid before she went into hospital for major surgery.
Now it is a beautiful reminder of the thoughtful and caring man Glenella mum Robyn Mapley had worked with for almost 14 years as she deals with her grief over his shock death.
The 35 year old had been moving traffic cones at the northern end of the Ron Camm Bridge when he was struck by a car in a suspected hit and run incident about 4am on Tuesday, October 26.
Mr Moreland’s housemate and workmate Nezzy Falzon had been there when it happened and she was among a group who visited the site later that night to say goodbye to their friend.
Ms Mapley, who was also among the group, learned of Mr Moreland’s death about 6.30am the day it happened – she said they were meant to catch up on Sunday.
“He was just a fun, awesome fellow to be with,” she said.
The pair had met when they both worked at East Coast Traffic Control and Ms Mapley said they had worked together across a number of companies.
At the time of his death Mr Moreland had been employed by Workforce traffic control, she said.
Ms Mapley said Mr Moreland showed a lot of respect towards his colleagues, especially the women.
“He was always there for us,” she said, describing him as a larrikin and fun-loving character with a cheeky sense of humour, who was always up for a laugh and a joke.
“He’d do anything for a laugh.” Including wearing fishnet stockings to a party.
“But when it comes to work, he worked,” Ms Mapley said.
“Brendan knew his job … he was so safety conscious.
“And he loved his family, he was forever talking about family.
“He was way too young.”
Ms Mapley said her treasured friend “made the best coffee” – they would catch up about once a month.
“I only saw him last Sunday,” she said.
She recalled on one occasion when he showed up at her home with an orchid before he was due to have major surgery “so I could have it before I went into hospital”.
A beautiful curtain of white flowers spills from the thoughtful gift that she said would not stop blooming.
“This is precious to me,” she said.
“He’ll always be with me.
“He was a beautiful person.”
Mr Moreland’s death had hit the community hard.
“He’s worked with so many (traffic) controllers in this town,” she said.
On Tuesday night a number of Mr Moreland’s workmates visited the site where he died to pay their respects where a growing floral tribute now lies.
“It was our way of saying goodbye to him on our own before we actually say our final farewell,” Ms Mapley said.
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