Friends, Lex lived his life in a way that gave life to others.
To Sue, his children and grandchildren, we extend our sincere love and condolences. To many others, Lex was a loyal friend, a fellow Christian, a respected businessman and a servant of the community.
Lex wasn’t motivated by recognition, but by the effect he could have on people. He encouraged. He supported. He quietly helped build stronger families, stronger organisations and a stronger community, without fear of failure or hope of reward.
Lex’s faith in Jesus was both spiritual and practical. It motivated the way he treated people and served others.
Many people knew Lex through business. In fact that’s where I first met him in the early 90s, when I was a college student who loved computers. More than three decades ago, Lex founded what became Eaglecrest Technologies, building a successful company that continues strongly to this day.
The current owner recently described Lex with affection, saying he worked incredibly hard, made decisions carefully, and had “a heart of gold.”
I think that captures Lex beautifully.
Lex saw business as a way to succeed, as well as a way to support worthwhile causes. He believed good communities and good government depended on good people being willing to serve. He quietly supported charities, community leaders, candidates and MPs over the years with encouragement, advice and practical help.
Every Liberal MP in Bass over recent decades knew Lex on a first-name basis. Thankfully for us, he was never the sort of constituent politicians dreaded seeing coming! When Lex came over for a conversation, it was usually to encourage you, offer a good idea or help solve a problem.
A giver, not a taker. An encourager, not a critic.
Service really was one of the defining marks of Lex’s life.
Many people here would know of his enormous contribution to Rotary. In his time, the West Tamar Rotary Club became deeply involved in practical community support.
One initiative that especially stands out is the Rotary Community Shop at Beauty Point, established during the pandemic. Lex understood that helping people required more than good ideas and intentions. It required organisation, business principles and hard work.
The shop raises money for great causes locally and overseas, but Lex understood it was equally about helping local people with dignity and supporting families through difficult times.
Lex was driven to bring communities together and rally support from local businesses and politicians. He helped revive the Launceston Carols by Candlelight and later helped establish the West Tamar Community Carols, because he believed in celebrating together and that community events should be accessible to everyone.
Although Lex didn’t seek recognition, recognition certainly came. In 2005, he received a Citizen Award from the Launceston City Council. Then in 2023, West Tamar Rotary Club was recognised as Volunteer Group of the Year.
The truth is, Lex wasn’t just part of the community. He helped create it.
Today we mourn because Lex mattered deeply to so many people from all walks of life, both here and abroad. But we also give thanks.
We give thanks for a life lived faithfully. For a man who served generously, worked diligently and cared for people.
And for a man who left Tasmania better than he found it.
He will be very, deeply, missed.
