Grieving family patriarch Lin Gigney in midst of a pandemic

Hobart businessman and five-time Tasmanian Rally champion Lin Gigney should have had thousands at his funeral, but COVID-19 restrictions meant even two of his children couldn’t attend. Read their emotional tribute >>

Hobart motorsport identity Linton "Lin" Gigney, pictured with his daughter Maria and son Mike in the early 1970s. Photo: Supplied

LONG-time Hobart businessman and five-time Tasmanian Rally champion Lin Gigney should have had thousands paying their respects, but COVID-19 restrictions heartbreakingly meant even two of his children couldn’t attend his funeral.

For Tasmanian Whisky Academy director Anne Gigney, saying goodbye to their beloved patriarch in the midst of a pandemic was a bittersweet affair.

“In some ways, the privacy of the process made it easier for Mum and me,” Anne said.

“But it also didn’t give everyone the chance I had to share stories and what Dad meant to us all.”

Anne Gigney pictured with her father Lin.

Lin passed away aged 83 last month at the height of COVID-19 restrictions, with his son Mike, now living in Western Australia, and daughter Maria, in New Zealand, unable to get home before he passed away or attend his funeral.

So what is it like remembering and grieving for one the most important people in your life in a global pandemic?

“It’s just a little strange,” Anne explained. “The funeral was tiny and only available online to our family.

“While we have had a lot of support from our friends and people via Facebook and over the phone, the connections and support network you would normally gather around you at a service is not the same.

Lin Gigney and wife Kaye. Photo: Supplied

READ MORE:

• Have funeral restrictions permanently changed the way we mourn?
• REVEALED: Tassie’s road map out of COVID-19 restrictions

“Mike, Maria, Mum and I have been able to talk about Dad online and Mum arranged for us all to get bottles of the same Tasmanian whisky so we could ‘share a whisky’ with Dad via Zoom.”

Linton John Gigney was a successful businessman alongside his wife Kaye, together running Shell Beltana in the 1960s, Lin Gigney Automotive in the 1980s in North Hobart, Shell Highfield and then LGA again in Harrington Street Hobart, as well as a car rental business.

Anne said her dad would have serviced many kombis, VWs and exotic everyday drives over the years.

Lin Gigney Automotive during the 1980s in North Hobart. Photo: Supplied

Lin cut his teeth driving fast with the Volkswagen Car Club in his early years from the ‘50s to the ‘70s, and then in a rally-spec 1970s Lancer and a Rotary Mazda in the 1980s.

In later years he was appointed Clerk of Course for the Targa Tasmania and was a member of the Australian Rally Commission alongside daughter Anne.

He is five times Tasmanian Rally Champion and for his children Anne and Mike the motorsport gene carried on and both competed, Anne most famously with Peter Brock, in Targa Tasmania.

Australian rally driving legend Ed Ordynski paid tribute to his “great mentor” on social media, saying he was an “outstanding driver and one of the most respected members of Australian motorsport”.

Racing driver Ed Ordynski at Australian Rally Championship 10 Jul 2002.

Ed Ordynski pictured November 04, 2010. (Mark Horsburgh)

“I first received help and advice from Lin in the early 1980s and that friendship and being welcomed like part of the Gigney family continues to this day,” Mr Ordynski said.

“Lin is true ‘rallying royalty’, a genuine legend and properly awesome. I struggle to think of a finer person in our sport.”

For Lin’s family, the loss of their patriarch has hit hard.

His son Mike misses the connection with a man who was also a mentor and friend to grandson Aaron.

Daughters Anne and Maria agree that “Dad was not only a great mentor, but the best friend you could have”.

“In 2007 I did the Australian Safari with Peter Brock and Dad was also on the event in his role with the Australian Rally Commission,” Anne recalled.

Motor Car Trial Shell Dealers Southern Safari Ian James, left, checks in the winning car, a Volkswagen driven by Lin Gigney, centre, and navigated by Terry Lobban, right. Photo first published 8th August 1967.

“For me the event was really tough on my body and Dad, although he was there to do his official job, also found time to look after me and make sure I could make it to the end and keep focus on what we were doing. It’s such a great memory.”

The Gigneys associate the memories of Lin with times in the forest, just enjoying a drive, a bushwalk or a picnic in Tasmania’s far flung places.

Lin’s sense of adventure epitomises most people’s memories of Lin, both on the water and in the forest.

And after the effects of coronavirus has passed and the family is able to get together, they hope to travel to one of his favourite places and scatter his ashes.

“What we’re really looking forward to is finding a time when we can all be together and enjoy a big party at the end of all this – it’s exactly what Dad would love,” Anne said.