Family farewells ‘one-in-a-million’ firefighter Mat Kavanagh
Mourners packed the town hall and spilled out onto the street as family, friends and emergency service workers came together to farewell beloved firefighter Mat Kavanagh, who lost his life fighting fires near Mansfield.
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Beloved firefighter Mat Kavanagh who died fighting the state’s bushfires has been remembered by family and friends as a “one-in-a-million kind of bloke” who made the “ultimate sacrifice” in the line of duty.
Hundreds of mourners, many of those emergency services workers, packed out the Alexandra Shire Hall today in honour of the father of two.
The service was so well attended that people spilled out onto the street, with dozens paying their respects from an adjoining carpark.
The tight knit community came to a standstill throughout the service.
Those who were not in uniform wore bright colours as requested by the Kavanagh family.
Older brother Mike Kavanagh said “the most special person in the world” had been taken away.
“It was a crushing blow for all of us,” Mike Kavanagh said.
“He was kind and friendly to every person he met.
“He was a gentleman who lived life in the sweet spot.
“He made you feel famous, the most important person in the room.
“We have lost a beautiful brother and my best friend.
“Farewell for now, we love you, we will live our lives knowing you are watching.”
His grieving mother Marise Kavanagh delicately lit a candle and placed it on her son’s coffin.
“Mat’s light will continue to shine brightly,” MC Ann McCormack said.
Mr Kavanagh, 43, died when the ute he was a passenger in crashed into a car at Thornton, near Mansfield, on January 3.
A 46-year-old Alexandra man has been charged over the fatal crash.
The forest management firefighter had helped put out seven unattended campfires before the head-on collision on the Goulburn Valley Highway.
DELWP Colleague Steve Smith said Mat was “never one to let the grass grow under his feet”.
“Although he died on active fire duty, firefighting was not one of his passions,” Mr Smith said.
“We honour and remember him for the huge and ultimate sacrifice.
“He was a one in a million kind of bloke.”
Mr Kavanagh fought bushfires in Marysville on Black Saturday in 2009, an experience which “changed his perspective” on the dangers of firefighting.
“He did it (firefighting) incredibly well,” Mr Smith said.
“He knew it was risky and dangerous.”
Mr Kavanagh was said to be a “very good guitar player” who had a passion for music that had been inspired by his father and uncle.
Mr Kavanagh played in many local bands with friends and family and obtained his teacher qualification.
He was also remembered a passionate bird watcher who had a love for the conservation of rare and endangered local species.
He leaves behind wife Jude, children Reuben and Kate and parents Marise and Mick.
His coffin was carried out by members of his family accompanied by Queen’s “We Will Rock You” hit.
Family and friends embraced outside the hall beside his coffin, some wiping each other’s tears away.
Wife Jude broke down in tears, clinging to her husband’s coffin which was decorated in native flowers.
Dozens of DELWP personnel alongside the community formed a guard of honour down Grant St as his hearse departed the hall.
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The Main Street, usually a hive of activity, was completely silent aside from the odd sniffle.
Some firefighters took their caps off as a sign of respect.
A steady round of applause broke out when his hearse departed.
The community will gather this afternoon at the Alexandra Bowling Club to continue the celebration of Mr Kavanagh’s life.