Callum Silvester Gill

Thank you all for coming to this site to help us celebrate Callum’s life, that has been cut way too short. It is a really sad and tragic situation that has brought us here, however I think we all know that Callum would not have wanted us to dwell on the sadness but rather celebrate his life and those valuable memories. I feel privileged to have seen Callum develop from an amazing boy into a smart, caring and fun-loving young man. I would like us all to reflect what made him special to us. I have been proud of Callum all through his life as a toddler, boy, teenager and adult. I will concentrate on my memories on his early days as I’m sure all of you will have memories at different points in his life.

Callum Silvester Gill came into this world on 16 November 1995. He entered the world as he meant to continue, with minimal fuss. He was well loved by his older sister, Emma, who would give him huge smothering hugs, that his grandparents were concerned he wouldn’t survive, and drag him into all her games. Then along came his younger siblings, Rachel and Hayden, of who he has always been very protective of. 

His siblings have always considered Callum to be the “Golden Boy”, my favourite. However, that is not the case it has been more that up til now he has been the least trouble, flying smoothly through school, teenage years, university and work with little fuss. He was a young man that had huge potential and it makes me sad that it won’t be realised. 

Callum has always achieved well at school with his inquiring quick logical mind and interest in new learning. Even as a toddler, he liked me reading him his “learning books”, books on dinosaurs, environment and flight. He knew exactly what was needed to pass exams and what was being asked. If asked how he had gone in an exam, rather than OK, I would get, I think I got about 85%. He was also very happy to share that knowledge in ways that everyone could understand. 

In some ways I am even more proud of how he achieved in sport, as a young boy he thought he was great at everything, it was often embarrassing, watching him turn cartwheels in the softball outfield or fall flat on his face in soccer, however with sheer determination he developed into a proficient sportsman, heading the soccer ball with ease, sliding into homebase or that sneaky back hand waterpolo goal. 

Callum was always challenging himself and everyone to achieve and learn new things. Whether it was taking Rachels bike trainer wheels off or answering Emma's maths questions. I remember the spring he spent practicing backflips on the tramp so he could try them wakeboarding. I am glad he never tried in the end. It was on those magical summer holidays with Crawfords at the lake that Callum really came into his own, encouraging everyone to try new skills on the wakeboard and learn new boardgames. He was very patient with us all but also very competitive once we had learnt. 

Callum has always been laid back and calm. I have always considered him to be our child that has more of the calm pragmatic Payne genes with flashes of the Gill fire when frustrated. I remember at school camp, him being referred to as “Iceman” as nothing fazed him. There are very few times, I have known him to be upset. This calmness and pragmatism held him in good stead with his recent challenges. 

Of course, Callum was not perfect. I guess what jumps out at me was his disorganisation, maybe it was due to his laid-back nature or because he always had me or lately Claudia to organise him! I remember having to collect the 7 sweatshirts from his school chair, that he just kept leaving there or from the lost property. Also, when he turned up to his 21st party, saying he realised he didn’t know what had been planned! 

As Callum developed into adulthood, I have admired his open and accepting nature. I could always rely on him to give a very balanced assessment of a situation. He wasn’t one to get pulled down rabbit holes and was very well informed. He respected everyone’s opinion and supported their choices. 

Callum enjoyed travel, a good way for him to widen his horizons. Travelling first to Europe on a Contiki and then independently. I am so glad that last year he was able to travel with Claudia and have some awesome experiences.

In the last couple of years, it has been beautiful to see his relationship with Claudia develop. They have been so lucky to have each other, and I am sad to not see that relationship mature further. The strength and support Claudia has provided over the last 6 months has been nothing short of incredible. Thank you, Claudia.

 I will love you always Callum. You will be sorely missed, but I am grateful for the lasting memories.