Tasmania bids farewell to much-loved politician Bruce John Goodluck

THE church at Lindisfarne was packed as Tasmania bid farewell to one of its most loved politicians.

Former premier Ray Groom talks about his great mate Bruce Goodluck. Picture: LUKE BOWDEN

THE church at Lindisfarne was packed as Tasmania bid farewell to one of its most loved politicians, Bruce John Goodluck.

Current and former state ministers, a High Court Judge and “the little Aussie battlers” Mr Goodluck so cared and fought for filled every pew.

Father Peter O’Loughlin told the congregation Mr Goodluck would be looking down saying: “Now, don’t tell any porkies”.

“Bruce was never one for a porkie,” he said.

“You got what you saw: reliable, no double standards, come as you are, no fuss or bother.”

Former premier Ray Groom held back tears as he described how his best mate “Brucey” put a bet on race 7 at Moonee Valley two days before he died — and won.

Bruce Goodluck died last week, aged 83.

Mr Goodluck was home being cared for by his wife Cynthia until three days before he died in the Royal Hobart Hospital’s Whittle Ward last week, aged 83.

Mr Groom said Mr Goodluck was one of the state’s most popular politicians.

“He was so approachable — swarms of people would go up to him in the street, most of them asking him to help them,” he said.

Mr Groom said Mr Goodluck’s personality lit up every room he entered and he was a “great mood lifter”.

Mr Goodluck owned a garage in Lindisfarne for 15 years before he entered politics, which he served at local, state and federal level.

“He was never once defeated at an election he stood for,’’ Mr Groom said.

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Father O’Loughlin said his longtime parishioner was such a talker that once, while changing a tyre for a young lady, he talked so much he forgot to screw the wheel nuts back on and the wheel came off around the corner.

Father O’Loughlin said the record of who he had helped could never be written fully.

Mr Groom said Mr Goodluck loved his pets — chooks, a kookaburra and dogs and cats, but his great love was his family.

“He was such a kind-hearted loving man,” Mr Groom said.

He said the last three years had been a challenge for the family.

“You showed so much courage, well done Brucey — thank you, good friend, for allowing us into your life.”

Mr Goodluck is survived by his wife Cynthia, five daughters, three grandchildren and four great grandchildren.

Originally published as Tasmania bids farewell to much-loved politician Bruce John Goodluck