Hi Daddy, Sorry I haven't written to you lately, I miss you so much. I recently graduated high school and have just started university. I got into the university I wanted and the course as well, I also came first in the state in one of my subjects, I really hope you are proud of me. It has been a bit hard, graduating without you by my side, I wanted nothing more than to boast to you about my atar and achievements. I hope that one day when I see you again, you tell me that you are proud of me one last time. I still think about you every night, I still say good night to you as well, even though I have been trying to keep it all in for the last almost year. I cried today, I haven't cried in almost a year, I've tried to keep myself together but I think its only fair to let myself go for just one day. Anyways, I've started uni recently, although I wanted to go to UNSW because you taught there, the university has changed since you worked there so it wasn't as appealing as it once was, instead I'm studying commerce and advanced computing at the university of sydney and Angela is studying law and economics there as well. Being in university and listening to all the lectures from my professors, I cant help but wonder how your lectures would have been, I would love to listen in on them . It was also recently St. Patricks day which reminded me of you since you are the half of me that is Irish, I wonder if you still celebrate it. I also am now 18, so I'm pretty much an adult now, and that also means that its been over 12 years since we last saw each other. I'm voted on behalf of you, Mum said that you always voted Liberal so they got my vote this year. Although im not exactly religious, although maybe just delusional, I know that one day I will see you again. For once when I look at you, you'll be looking back. Goodnight now Daddy, I love you more than you know and miss you everyday. -Maryjane

Hi Dad, Its your birthday today, Happy Birthday!! Again, I'm so sorry that I could not go see you because of covid and that Mum is in China. Mum has stayed in China for the past six months but I try to empathize with her as much as I can because she is staying so that she can take care of her own Dad, if that was something I could have a choice to do for you I would take it. I miss you endlessly and I would do anything even just to relive those last few moments with you so I hope that Mum gets to do that with her Dad. I sometimes think about the textbooks that you wrote, sometimes we still get a letter in the mail about them, Mum says that people still buy them. I'm not surprised, even though I may not understand half of the books, I cant help but pick them sometimes when I think about you. I'm so sorry Dad, I can't help but feel guilty for not knowing you were sick. I guess I was a child but I still may never understand that I never realized anything after all the hospital visits. I still remember the apple juice cups that you would save for Angela and I when we would visit, but I do not recall being aware that cancer was slowly taking you away from me right under my watch. One of my friend's Dad had cancer but survived it, I can't help but be jealous, I wish you were here with me today like everyone else but that choice is out of my hands. One day I will see you again, although I am not completely sure if I am religious because if God's plan was to take you away from me then I would most certainly not be, I still hope that one day we will meet again and you can be with me, your Daughter forever even if it were with the worst circumstances possible I want to be with me again Dad. I love you so much, I hope you have a wonderful Birthday! Love, Maryjane

Hi Dad, Happy Fathers Day! Because of Covid, I think this is the first year that I haven't been able to visit you down at woronora for Fathers Day. I wish there was any other way to go and see you but sometimes there just isn't, I miss you so much and I hope you know I love you endlessly. Although I may have been very young I know you were and still are an amazing father for me, even though you may be up there. I miss you everyday and still say goodnight to you everyday even if there is a small chance you'll hear me. Its been more than ten years and not a single day passes without thinking about you, I still remember sitting on you lap in mums clothing watching golf with you even though I didn't understand a word of what was going on. There isn't anything I wouldn't do to see you again, even just for a chance to thank you for everything, even for a chance just to hug my own Dad again. I used to hate fathers day and still sometimes do because it would just remind me of not being able to see you again, everyone else's posts would just taunt me, showing me that they had what I couldn't have ever again. But I guess that I have to come to realize that Father's Day is for celebrating, for celebrating your life and not for all this pain. I hope that if you somehow ever read this that you know that you are the best father I could ever ask for and will always be my Dad no matter where life takes me I will always love and remember you and I wont ever stop hoping that even though you arent, that you are still somewhere out there waiting for me. You are forever in my heart, you're in a different world but I'll see you again someday. I Love You, from Maryjane

Hey dad, I'm in quarantine right now and have way too much time by myself with just my thoughts, I've been missing you a lot lately. Mum has taken me and Angela to some golf lessons, she talks about you so happily and I can tell how happy she was with you. She tells me countless stories about different times, my favourite being the one where she accidentally crashed the gold cart. It mesmerizes me how you had such a passion for a sport, Mum said you would go many times a week and even sustained some injuries from playing so often, but it seems it was worth it to you. Every time I practise any golf it makes me think about you, there's nothing more that I would want than for you to teach me some golf and just to see you again. I often think about how the world would be with you, a thought that stings is not having you at my wedding, not being able to have my proper first dance. I've considered that in the many years to come I may have my wedding in the Cronulla golf club, where part of you lies. I know I am thinking way ahead like I'm only 16, but I don't know either to be honest, I just look forward to the day that I can be as happy as you are with Mum. I have to go now but I love you soso much dad and you are forever in my heart, Love you - Maryjane

HI dad, I hope you're doing well, I miss you more than anything and nothing would make me happier than to see you again. I hate how life is, having to see people come and go hurts more than anything. I was reminded of the times that my sister and I would visit your hospital bed and you would give us the apple juice cups that you had saved for us. I was so naive, I wonder often that if I understood what was going on what a difference it would make. I would be so happy to see you and not once do I remember realizing that one of those visits would be the last. I don't remember my last words to you, I really wish I could say that I do, so I've started saying I love you a lot more often to those who I do so, so that they would leave me with knowing that. I chose that phrase because I would have wanted nothing less of my last words to you to be, I want you to know that I love you, that I always have and always will. I see you in my dreams sometimes, and I wake up to tears to the thought that I cannot relive the past, however, I still have the tiny spark of hope in me that you are still out there somewhere waiting for me. I love you Dad, MaryjaneWootton

Michael, it has been 10 years that we did not have you with us for Christmas. There is no single day we did not think of you. we feel you are still around us and forever with us. Love you Kisses from Aiping , Angela and Maryjane

hi dad , its me again, i thought of writing to you because I couldn't seem to sleep and I realized that it was in this month that you were taken from us and this world. I wish I could remember times from when I was five other than sitting at your funeral, however I really can't seem to. I read once that when you go through a sad patch or time in your life that your brain blurs it out so I always figure that's why. It is my birthday in a few days, it will be the tenth birthday that I've had to endure without you. It really does hurt, I want nothing more than to see you again even though it seems impossible. 8 used to be my lucky number until I realized that it was the day that you were taken from us. I hope I have made you proud in the past and now, I have tried and somewhat succeeded in improving my studies and myself as a person. As hard as some of my friendship problems that I keep to myself have been I've kept them to myself because if I speak up about them I fear that it may be selfish of me. SInce I've discovered this page I've visited every so often when I have you heavy on my mind, I've read of past memories about you from family and friends, you are such and amazing person and Dad you did not deserve to leave this earth so soon. I read of your battle with cancer and how it overcame you, it confuses me how naive I once was that not once in the four years that you had your ongoing battle did I realize until after when it was too late. I really don't remember the last words that I said to you and I wish I did, I decided after you passed that after any interaction or when I am leaving a family member even for a few minutes that say I l0ve you incase anything bad happens so that I remember the last words from me to them. I really hope that my last words to you were that I love you, because I really do and I think about you every minute and every second, you are always in the back of my head. It seems dumb but I have said goodnight to you every day since I can remember and will continue doing so, its probably unusual to some but it makes me feel closer to you aswell and serves as a daily reminder. When I was younger Mum would always tell me that when anyone passes they become a star in the sky, so when I try talk to you I always look up and into the stars, I still remember as a kid staring up into the sky at our old house in Glenmore Park and looking at the stars where you are. Anyways, I'm going to sleep now Dad, I love you and miss you more than anything, good night -Maryjane

hi dad its maryjane, i know i should be studying for my maths test right now but i couldnt help but create an account and write to you, i miss you everyday and i want nothing more in this world for you to come back even for just a day. Sometimes i wonder if you are still with us, i have made up the most absurd scenarios in my head just because theres always going to be some part of me who wants you to be out there. I have come so far from when i was just a toddler sitting on your lap watching golf with you, sometimes me and mum go to rosebay golfcourse and it always reminds me of you. I hope i am making you proud, i may not be doing the best at my studies but i really do try and i want to make you happy, I havent chosen chemistry for my elective sadly, however i still take interest in it. Sometimes in my free time i go and flip through the text book you were a part of and read it, half of the time i cant understand much but it still makes me feel close to you. Every year Angela, Mum and I have been going to visit you on the important dates, we always make sure we leave some of your favourite chocolates for you to hopefully enjoy somehow. Last year on my birthday i paid a visit to you along with my family because in the past few years I have really been missing you. Everyday before i go to bed i think about you, the last thing i want to do is forget about you because you have had such an amazing impact on my life and I love you so so much and i always will. I remember seeing my cousins with their Dad and it really reminded me of how much i miss you, i would give anything just to have you back. i could write to you for the rest of my life but now i need to go to bed and get ready for the maths test , Love you and miss you more than anything Dad. -your daughter Maryjane

Michael, you live in our heart forever. We miss you ! love from Aiping, Angela and Maryjane

Michael, it has been three years since you left us, there is no single day we did not think of you, we visited you today and made wishes for you.. You are so caring for the our girls and picked them up everyday since they started the school, then you would take them to supermarket to buy some food they love. Angele and Maryjane still remember that you let them choose their favourite ice-cream, drinks... Michael you are a loving husband and I remember that you bought the cream for me once my arm got little burnt ... Michael I am so proud of you --the book you published when you were sick is so popular and the publisher made copies as textbooks again and again. Michael you will live in our hearts forever, love you! Aiping

You were taken from us two years ago Michael and I miss you and all that you did for your family when we were growing up. We were blessed with your exceptional love for us and we are still so proud of all you achieved in your short life. Love Nicki

Michael Wootton – My Brother. The last few years of Michael’s life really showed the fighter he was. His survival for four years after being diagnosed with the insidious beast were of deteriorating quality of life but also of remarkable resilience that typified the man I knew as my big brother. Looking back on Michael’s early life it is understandable that he had such characteristics. I would like to talk about our life as children and teenagers, our formative years if you like. I don’t think it is unfair or inaccurate to say that our childhood years were difficult and hard, both in the financial sense and in the attitudes to life that were imposed on us. In those times our mother worked miracles with the “housekeeping money” she was given. I will let people draw their own conclusions about the use of this phrase. Even Microsoft Word put one of those funny green squiggles under it. Over all, particularly the 1950s things were pretty grim for us Wootton kids. There were five of us Michael was the oldest, then there was Nicki, myself, Toni and Stephen. Michael, being the oldest, copped the brunt of it and so protected we younger ones. Some years later it was Malcolm Fraser who came out with “Life is not meant to be easy.” I am not aware that he knew of Michael, but there is a real possibility it was where he got the idea, Malcolm was not the most creative of politicians. During these times, Michael led Nicki and me on many “adventures”, particularly during school holidays at Granma Alice Rose Griffiths whose gardens we would do and get the chance to go to the pictures, or should I say supposed to go. Luna Park was much more fun. In those days it was a penny to go anywhere on the trams and it was free to get into Luna Park and kids got four free ride tickets. Michael had us go out of the park when those tickets were used and change clothes between ourselves and go back in to get more free rides. In Cronulla backyard cricket was the thing and while having a sister to get out made it twice as good, Michael gave his younger siblings a pretty fair go. At the same time Michael excelled on the academic side, completing high school and entering university at the age of fifteen. In these more “enlightened times”, young people of enhanced academic ability are nurtured and given appropriate consideration. Michael was to complete his undergraduate studies part-time while working full time to cover his living costs. During this time Michael and Val married. Michael completed his postgraduate studies and his academic career developed. During this time Nicki moved and settled in the USA and my work took me out of Sydney and I saw Michael Val and Robert and Lauren far less frequently. I found visits to Pandala Place were the nearest thing to coming home, besides being just around the corner from where we grew up, the hospitality of Michael and Val’s home was wonderful, and when coupled with Michael’s wit, the experiences will never be forgotten. Michael’s wit!! ... I often wonder if the king is still upset because his son is revolting. Bob Hawke stole Mrs Ghandi’s fruitcake story. (It possibly explains Michael’s great dislike for Labour politics.) Over the years I have not had the chance to know too much detail about Michael’s academic career and it was not until ten years ago when I was in Melbourne on business when Michael was able to join my business partner, his brother and myself for some fine Melbourne pizza on a wonderful mild evening that only the Victorian capital can provide. The highlight of the evening, which is often spoken about by those present that night, was Michael’s short discourse on the five main food groups: Salt, Sugar, Fat, Caffeine and Alcohol. (I believe we partook of all five that evening) It could be said that Michael’s life ended too early and over his last few years his quality of life was not the greatest, but he partook of life to the full in any of the things he did. Michael can now take the good rest he has earned and not be bothered by the things he found so annoying. Thanks Michael, for so much. At this point I would like to extend the deepest and most sincere gratitude to the medical and nursing staff for their exceptional and loving care they provided to Michael, particularly over the last six months of his life. My special thanks to Meg for her support, she has been a tower of strength for Michael and Aiping during very difficult times. Jeune, Aiping’s sister, and Mark, her husband, have been fantastic in their help for Aiping, Michael and their two girls during the difficult recent times. I extend wishes of the very best to all the very special family members Michael has left behind, Val, Robert, Lauren and grandchildren Michael, Max and Nickolas, and to Aiping, the second wonderful lady in Michael’s life and their children Angela and Mary Jane.

It's taken some time to do this but I wanted to share the eulogy I wrote for my Dad which was read by his brother Paul at his funeral nearly 12 months ago.... "It is important to me to pay tribute to Dad today. Despite great sadness at his death, it has been hard to see him go through such a steep decline. My best wishes and warm thoughts are with Aiping and her girls Mary-Jane and Angela at this time, and I would like to thank her for her efforts to keep Robert, Mum and I involved and informed, especially over the last 6 months. My Dad was a gentle soul, who was very smart, a great teacher and had a wonderful sense of humour. I don’t really think he thought very highly of himself and he was certainly not a socially gregarious man, but he loved the people he loved, was loyal to them and believed in the kind of trust and promise signified by a handshake. The last decade or so has been a strangely distant time for Dad, my brother and I. His life took several turns away from ours, which caused a big gap. I don’t necessarily understand this, but I know he loved us very much and as always did his best to ensure that we knew it. I would like to share the things I loved and want to remember about Dad – they are warm and funny and a little bittersweet, and these things are much more important to me than anything else. He was a lethal Scrabble player, such that playing with him became known as “a flogging” – he was the only person I know who could come up with a legitimate word using the worst letters in the bag and beat anyone around the table. We persevered for many years before he wore us out, with the scrabble board bearing the scars of many late-night “floggings”, including one particularly impressive red wine stain! He LOVED food – pretty much any food - but had a particular passion for anything spicy enough to raise a good sweat! I also have great memories of his Sunday afternoon BBQ’s (Frank Hyde calling the footy in the background) and steak cooked to perfect medium-rare. He had a wonderful sense of humour, which included a love of Monty Python, Dave Allen and The Wizard of Id cartoons. He could tell a long, complex joke with great precision and timing – even I remember several re-tellings of the “All India Lottery” joke! He was a popular and well-regarded teacher at UNSW and could explain almost anything in a clear and logical fashion. When I bought my first car, he explained to me - drawing with pencil & paper - the way a manual car works, the sounds the engine makes & what you need to do to make it go. I had my licence but had never driven a manual car before and I still can’t believe how much it really helped – despite my fair share of hops & stalling! The most important memory I have is from one of our numerous summer camping holidays with the wonderful Day Family. These were always great times with many stories making it to family folklore status. One holiday in Ulladulla, when bad weather, big seas and a combination of clumsiness and curiosity saw me washed off the rocks and into the sea. I remember nothing, except a lot of fuss and a really horrible Dettol bath. But on that day, at that time, with no thought for his safety Dad came right in after me and dragged me out. That is the stuff of legend, which only now, with children of my own, do I really appreciate. It’s just what a parent does and I can never thank him enough for doing this for me."

It's not quite a year since you've been gone. However, my love will always continue for the best big brother the world's ever known. Thank you for your help and support, especially through my troubled years. I'll miss you till we reunite in a far better place. Love, Toni

Mike: how are you, our girls and i missed you so much and you never left our thoughts.we had three months holiday in China, when we came back on Jul, we found the house is empty... today is Father's Day and it was the last two days last year you stayed at home with us. we wish you could be here now and we celebrate for you again because you are a devoted father and loving husband, and you deserve all the happiness of life. our girls bought some cholates from school for you and we remember you love that so much! rest in peace love Aiping

Michael - as a brilliant scientist, when you were asked to supervise my work as an innovator you were not too proud to take up the task.. You were absolutely marvellous with your generosity of spirit in your continued interest and support. I can never thank you enough! We found in you a friend. It was a pleasure to be in your interesting company, eat meals together and have many laughs. What happy memories you have left us with. Goodbye kind and lovely man. Rhonda Selleck. Director Citrus Sensation P/L

Michael, I was lucky to know you. In 2000, I was invited by three scientists to do research, you are one of them, and fate brings me to you. I still clearly remember the day we first met in the tea room in our department of UNSW in August 2000; we recognised each other in a minute even though we never met before. You stood up and said hello to me with a sunshine smile, I like that. You looked very handsome in a red shirt and white casual pant, and I like that. I felt something special instantly. You are very witty and professional. You are well respect by all your students. I admire you. You have great sense of humour and always made me laugh. You are young in heart; age difference would never stop me loving you. We went to a blue Angels restaurant one day, you hold my hands, looking at me and sang a song “you are so beautiful”, what a wonderful moment. You are not only a good husband, but also a caring father. You knew how hard it is to raise a child, but for me you took the challenge. You gave me the best thing in the world two beautiful daughters: Angela and Maryjane, you made me a proud mother, and fulfil my lifetime dream. Thank you. Since the girls were born you worked very hard for them, you prepared formula everyday for them which you are good at, and you helped me fed them at midnight. At the beginning of this year you took girls to school and picked them up nearly everyday. You loved them so much and you told me you are privileged to have them. Every morning you would get up early to check their cover and felt you wanted to cry when you saw them. Our girls are so beautiful and clever. Like their Daddy, Angela is dedicated in her study and Maryjane is very funny. They love you so much and miss you all the time. You are very kind, and would not have any intention of hurting anybody unless you didn't realise that. Once you went to city by bus and saw a disable man without money to buy his ticket, you bought for him. Later you chased the man after he got off, and gave him some money. I asked why you did not give him in the bus, and was told you did not want to embarrass the man in front of others. Michael I am so proud to be your wife and you will stay in my heart forever. You left many happy memories to me and life will never be the same without you. Love you forever. aiping

Even though I haven't known you that well, but I know that you are one of the kindest person I've met in life. You have always offered great hospitality whenever I come visited you at your house. It was good to have known you and I will never forget you. May you rest in peace, Ricky

Thank you Michael for being the big brother you were to especially Paul and I. You were denied a true childhood but you protected your younger siblings whenever you could. Who would know that silly dog Kappi would go into that canal and get us into a load of trouble with Grandma? You were a brilliant person, scientist and educator. You loved scientific experiments from a young age. Such an amazing inquiring mind that totally lacked common sense. I believe your happiest , favorite times were on the beach at Tuncurry with Pa and at Cronulla Golf Course. Perhaps you would not receive first place for being the best husband and father but then you loved all your family members and I know this. You were a valiant old soul these past three years as you waged your battle with pancreatic cancer and I am so proud of you both as my brother and as Uncle Citerus to Julia and Brett. Rest in peace, Love Nicki