Michael Bryce

We first met in the early seventies. Pat, a partner in Queenslands largest specialist civil engineering practice Coffey & Hollingsworth – soils engineers - I, a young architect commissioned to renovate an old warehouse as their new offices and to their surprise – a new look a smart burnt orange logo – the Herringbone (a play on Hollingsworth – I think) which survives today as Coffey & Partners. Peter Hollingsworth remains a good friend today.

To my view at that time Pat was a pleasant, patient and witty man, but I suspect always sceptical about the need for an engineer to have a logo.

His cultured accent was a surprise among men of the soil.

Born in Umtata in the Traanski, of English heritage, he graduated from Wittwatersrand University, (Witts) Bachelor of Engineering. In 1956 he escaped the apartied world of South Africa to London where he met his soul mate Pam Watkins and he was drawn back to Australia. But his escape from South Africa and its condition was something he never really escaped from.

He was a fighter for social justice, a voice of the ex-pat South African. Tormented by reason and disappointment that even now in a post apartheid world, things were not as they should be. He returned to South Africa in 1975 only to confirm in his mind that he was now an Australian.

His concern for right continued in his opposition to the Vietnam War and the shame of Iraq and the refugee crisis in Australia.

He became a prolific letter writer mostly to the newspapers, Stephen says - a kind of Henry Root of Australia, but it went deeper that that. If he was a stirrer it was always being on the side of the underdog (refer to Cricket support for anyone except Australia).

Patrick was a well mannered crusader, a modest conservative, a self confessed Luddite, a man of old fashioned values in a commodified world.

But this was his veneer – part of his personality to cover his anger at certain things. This was not to be seen as disillusionment - no – it was his role - his mission.

When we met we would say “good to have you aboard” a kind of reference to gentler times.

He exposed his irascibility with that witty phrase "there is nothing like facts to ruin a good argument" and a chuckle.

Patrick was ever the civil engineer – practice partner – scientific thinker, lecturer and mentor. Many, many successful engineers owe their start in the profession to him – Professors, Heads of Department, senior consultants – he is highly regarded around the world. [Nev Morrison]

We, like you, became friends and soon came to enjoy the warmth and hospitality of the Wilson home.

We had many holidays at Dicky Beach as many of you might have. Our children will never forget the timber and shells and sand of that beach shack by John Railton.

The Wilson house in Mt Cootha, by award-winning architect John Dalton became a centre of the arts and debate and food and wine. We were privileged to sometimes be part of this.

Pam the artist, the chef, the mother and potter of note. Pat the well read, the critic, the observer the expert on Jane Austen’s novels. [Book – "Where's where in Jane Austen and what happened there". Written and printed on an Apple computer – a gift on his 70th birthday]. They brought together artists and academics and professionals in a suburban environment where interesting views could flourish.

Pam's exhibitions, at the Craftsman Market and The Johnson Gallery. Pats radio presenting and the Johnsonian Club. He believed in education as his boys will attest, gently encouraging never criticising (well only once eh Stephen).

The children attended the alternative Brisbane Independent School, Pat sometimes President of the Board, and brought new concepts in study and management – It paid off handsomely.

And then Johanna’s illness which consumed their lives. How that family poured its love and efforts into that little girl’s short life.

Patrick, and I dare say Pam and the boys, never recovered from her ultimate death at age 13 and this seemed to bring a new tone to his personal values. He strengthened in opposition to the superficial, of hypocrisy as if he now knew the real meaning of life.

But never shrill or rude – always clever, always witty, always logical (while despising logic as a virtue – he would prefer the perverse).

Most of all we will remember Pat the man, cultured, gentle, charming, selfless, passionate, modest to a fault and generous of spirit.

Pat and Pams unconditional love and support for their god daughter Chloe became a beacon in her life and Patrick the father, so devoted to his sons Stephen and Paul and so proud of their achievements and the father in law with such affection for his new daughters Margie and Lizzie – words like "precious" so fondly recalled and grandfather (Papa) of four wonderful children Alistair, Louisa, Nikola and Thea.

Alistair has a lasting memory of “M’boy”

Though not a religious man he led what some would say a very Christian life.

But - I think he would be happy to be described as a gentleman and a scholar.

Quentin and I will never forget you.

Vale Patrick Wilson