If you've lived in Gilgandra, you knew Quentin (Big Q). He was at the footy and at the netball courts, at the Services Club, at working bees and fundraisers and anywhere else the town needed a pair of hands. He never waited to be asked. He'd just turn up, sleeves rolled, usually cracking a joke while he worked.

Quentin was full of life and full of love. Always a happy face. Down to earth. He was a proud New Zealander and he never hid it. Gilgandra was lucky enough to witness his rendition of the New Zealand national anthem at our community ANZAC services and his haka, and nobody who saw either one has forgotten it. He carried that pride every day and passed it on to his kids, and this town was lucky that he chose to make his home here.

Most of all he was Luu's partner and a dad to Kapene, Missy, Ariki and Huni. He was the one on the sideline yelling encouragement, the one in the kitchen feeding whoever turned up, the one who made the house loud and warm. He was a loving uncle to a big crew of nieces and nephews, and a role model to far more young people than he ever knew. Plenty of kids in this town grew up watching how Quentin treated people and decided that was the way to do it.

Losing him has left a gap this town won't fill. It has also left Luu and the kids facing costs and pressures they never expected.

Where your donation / Koha goes

-Funeral and tangi costs, including bringing whānau together from New Zealand and across Australia

-Rent, power and groceries over the coming months

-Keeping Kapene, Missy, Ariki and Huni in school and in their sport, and getting them support as they grieve

-Replacing the income Quentin brought in, so Luana can be present for her children so she can take as much time as she and her children need.

Luu didn't ask for this page. Those of us who love this family set it up, because Quentin spent his life lending a hand to everyone in this town and now it's our turn.

Any amount helps. If you can't give, share the page, or call in on Luana and the kids with a meal and a bit of company. Both count.

To Quentin: thank you, mate. We've got them from here.

Moe mai rā, e hoa.