Vale Mick Beard: Outpouring of grief for former Guardian Angels and Aquinas College teacher, and Javeenbah Theatre Company actor
A long-time friend of popular teacher Mick Beard has spoken about the fierce battle with illness of a man described by colleagues as irreplaceable. READ THE MOVING TRIBUTES
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LOSING his fierce and long battle with Parkinson’s disease on Monday, much-loved teacher, actor and mentor Mick Beard, 74, never ignored the importance of his role in students’ lives, says his best mate of 50 years Barry Gibson.
“I directed with him in several shows, acted with him in several shows. He was always a bundle of fun,” he said.
“He was also very easy to direct, he had a very innate ability where he could immediately pick up what a character was like.
“He had a great speaking voice, it was superb.
“A mate of ours had done some work online in radio plays recently and he had Mick and I doing voice work, including Australian poetry which was one of his great loves.”
As Mr Beard’s condition worsened, diagnosed with Parkinson’s several years ago, Mr Gibson said he looked after his mate before he was ultimately moved to an aged care facility.
But even as his teaching career ended, Mick never ignored the importance of his role in all his students’ lives.
“It’s a position where you can affect the future of kids very much,” Mr Gibson said.
“I think he was told (how he impacted kids) so many times it had to have sunk in but he wasn’t the sort to dine out on it.
“That wasn’t his aim at all, he just had that ability to get messages across to kids. I think he was very proud of it, but he didn’t boast.
“The (Guardian Angels) secretary said to me yesterday, the day Mick left some of the teachers said he’d never be replaced. She said, ‘to this day, he hasn’t.”
Mr Beard is survived by two older siblings, a former wife and a stepdaughter.
EARLIER …
TOUCHING tributes are pouring in after the death of Mick Beard on Monday, a Gold Coast teacher and member of the Javeenbah Theatre Company known for his “wicked sense of humour”, “generosity” and “incredible mind”.
A former teacher at Aquinas College and Guardian Angels Primary School, Mr Beard has been remembered by former students as “the absolute king of teachers at Guardian Angels” and as an “absolute gem of a man and such a brilliant educator”.
Former colleague Diana Pinckney described Mr Beard as a “charismatic person and teacher”. “He was definitely unique and was loved by teachers and parents. It was a privilege to have known him while teaching at Guardian Angels school,” she said.
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Such was his influence, a few years ago the school created a speech competition award in his honour, with parent Karen Dobozy saying that her son had just taken part it in it and came home in second place. “He was enormously chuffed”.
“Mr Beard judged the annual Mick Beard speech competition for Guardian Angel students, but last year was to be his last time in that role,” she said.
“The annual competition will be just one way in which his name and legacy will live on.”
Kevin Whittle knew Mr Beard during his time at Aquinas and recalled how he “generously gave his time to direct a play I was privileged to have a lead role in, which went on to win several awards in the Gold Coast Drama Festival in 1981, Year 11.”
“I never forgot that time. He was exceptionally good at bringing out our best. RIP Mick.”
Guardian Angels Primary School posted a tribute to Mr Beard on social media on Tuesday morning.
“Mick was one of the longest serving staff members at Aquinas and Guardian Angels (GA) starting in 1971 at Aquinas and 1985 at GA until his retirement in 2015,” said the post.
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“During this time he inspired generations of students and colleagues with his incredible mind, sharp wit and his talent for using humour and anecdotes to impart wisdom.
“Our current students are aware of the legend of Mick through the legacy of the “Mick Beard Public Speaking Competition”, which serendipitously started yesterday, but many of our past students and staff remember him fondly and the tributes have been flowing.
“Rest in peace old champion.”
Gaven Labor MP Meaghan Scanlon shared a post on social media of herself with Mr Beard, who taught her at primary school, and spoke of the role he had played in her life and her sadness at his passing.
“The world has lost a giant teacher today and one of my favourite people,” Ms Scanlon said.
“Mick Beard’s teaching method was not ordinary and the impact that he had on students was extraordinary. He is the person who inspired me to critically think, challenge the status quo and be a part of reforming public policy.
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“While changing minds and laws can feel painfully slow at times, Mr Beard is the person who taught us that changing the world one step at a time is a worthwhile endeavour.
“This election will be different without him. In 2017, despite being very unwell, he was insistent that he help hand out how to vote cards for me on the pre-poll booth.
“The last time we saw each other was filled with laughs and a couple of drinks at Javeenbah Theatre Company where he was loved and known by many in our community.
“Mr Beard leaves behind a legacy of students who are better people because of him.
He will be greatly missed.”
Fellow thespians at Javeenbah shared a photo of the actor and director taken back in 2012, when he appeared on stage in Proof directed by longtime friend and collaborator Barry Gibson. It was his final Javeenbah appearance.
“Thank you Mick, for your many GC theatre contributions, over so many years. Our love and thoughts are with his friends and family.”
Amy McDonald spoke of Mr Beard’s patience when helping her learn lines.
“Your belief that I would one day understand how cryptic crosswords work. Your ability to tell a joke but then barely making it to the punchline before cracking up. My world has been better for knowing you,” she said.
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