1974-2007

2007 All Round Champion Cowboy
2007 Champion Bareback Rider

He climbed every mountain
Crossed every stream
Followed every rainbow
Till he found his dream

We are left with a memory of a very staunch cowboy, devoted to his family and his sport.

Greg was the Bull Riding Director of the National Rodeo Association for the last four years. He gained respect from the association, contractors and fellow competitors for his devotion to the sport.

2007 was Greg"s year. He strived so hard to achieve his goals.

Greg became the 2007 NRA All Round Cowboy and 2007 NRA Bareback Champion.

Our sincere condolences to Shelley and his family - Greg will be greatly missed in rodeo circles.

Thank you from Shelley

To Our Extended Rodeo Family,

I wish to extend my sincere thanks to everyone for their kind thoughts and wishes in this my darkest hour. Greg was my best friend and the love of my life.

Although I am struggling through this difficult time it helps to know that his passing has touched so many people.

I see through the amount of expressions of sympathy and offers of help that I have received that he will not be forgotten.

Unfortunately, I cannot thank you all individually so please accept this as my personal thank you.

Regards,

Shelley, Travis & Dylan

FAMILY EULOGY

I'd like to thank all who have attended today (funeral service) and all the support from not only distant and close friends but all those who have sent condolences from around the globe. Your love and support has been overwhelming for my family and is greatly appreciated. I am certain my brother Greg would be chuffed and raising a Bundy in thanks.

Greg was the first born son to Susann and Trevor. Greg was born at the Royal Woman's Hospital on the 1st July, 1974 at 5.33 in the morning, weighing 5 pounds 1 ounce. Greg was small but healthy. 18 months later, I came along. Greg was a proud big brother and took his responsibilities seriously, even at 5 years old he would take on any kid in the street who was doing wrong to his brother. This is the Greg I knew. Always considered the safety and feelings of his family before himself. Greg may have been small and wiry but by Christ he could run - although Mum was just a little bit quicker.

Greg was 7 when Mum and Dad gave us a little sister, Rebecca. She was such a tiny and noisy little grub. I could never understand all the fuss but Greg was smitten and fascinated by her and doted on her every whim. "That's what big brothers do Tub" he'd say. Rebecca remembers exactly how seriously Greg took his big brother duties. When Greg was 11 years old, he wanted to show his sister just how brave her big brother could be. Greg asked Rebecca to lay down on the ground while he got warmed up on the push bike to jump her. So, obediently, Rebecca layed down on the ground in front of the jump in readiness for Greg to prove his courage. :Ready Bec?" "Yep" Greg takes off with almighty speed, adrelenine pulsing through his veins, Rebecca could hear Greg pedalling with all his might as the bike drew closer, Rebecca, by this time wasn't too sure and began the inevitable and got up out of the way just as Greg had approached the make shift jump. Smart girl, Greg came down with an almighty crash slicing open his shin with the bicycle pedal. Greg was brave alright, this incident proves that Greg was willing to get hurt and risk life and limb for the little sister Greg adored so much.

Whilst Greg, myself and Rebecca were still young, Mum and Dad packed us up and we all moved to Warwick to be with Pop as Pop had had an accident by falling off a horse whilst tending to the farm. Greg was in his element on the farm helping Pop tend to the animals and quickly became keen in all aspects of Pops hobby which was the Trotting Industry. Greg's willingness to learn overjoyed Pop and they became very close. Pop was a well respected member of the local mini trotting club and soon encouraged Greg, myself and Rebecca to join the club in the junior division. Although Rebecca and I did compete and receive ribbons, Greg excelled at the sport. Many of Pops peers congratulated Pop at introducing the next generation to the sport and Greg was welcomed to the mini trotting community with much admiration and respect as the next "Archie Sugden" and obtained his trotting licence.

Greg was 14 when William was born. His big brother responsibilities must have been exhausting by now, but he never fumbled and took on our newest family member with great enthusiasm. Will remembers Greg as not just his brother, Greg was his mentor. Greg was there to teach William how to be a man. Although Greg wasn't directly involved in the process, Greg didn't notice the admiring eyes William had donned on him. Greg tried to encourage William to ride "poddy calves". "No way" says William. "You're much braver than me; I'll just watch you Greg." And William did with much admiration. William remembers Greg being at as many soccer games as he could and yell and scream and cheer William from the sidelines, pushing William to do his best. Greg was louder than Mum, How, we don't know, but louder all the same, that was Greg's big brother duty, encouraging us to excel at our chosen sport, no matter how much it embarrassed us, or himself, as family was more important to Greg than any social standing. We will cherish those days with Greg and miss them terribly.

As William grew, so did Greg's imagination. His curiosity for life and all its pleasures tempted him, called to him. Pop sensed Greg needed more and contacted a trainer to discuss a possible career in the Equine Industry that Greg could pursue. Hence, Greg's Jockey Apprenticeship was launched. Greg left the family home and began his apprenticeship. Many embraced Greg's new talent and horsemanship, but many also didn't. After approx 2 years Greg couldn't find the excitement he was craving, the rush just wasn't there. So Greg abandoned his apprenticeship to gain valuable experience behind the scenes, becoming an all rounder at a Spelling Farm. Greg tended to the horses, feeding them, doing track work with them, general hand to his beloved horses, all the while dreaming of much more. Greg knew he would be certain of something great, he could feel it. Greg had the passion; he promised Mum he would make her proud. "You already have son," she'd say, but he knew he could be more. After a few years of tending horses, examining their different personalities, their different temperament, Greg knew when they had had enough work, or when they were in pain, or just scared of what was expected of them, Greg knew, he would console them, talk with them, comfort them, gain their trust, Greg became one with them. It was Greg's love and commitment to his horses that gained him mush respect from his peers in the industry and opended many doors, but Greg was still unsure how to combine his love for his horses and a career that would make mum proud.

Greg then met Kerry and began to build a life as an adult. Kerry then introduced Greg to Clint Emes, and also Kerry & Kathy Hall who are well respected in the Rodeo Community as Bull rider and stock contractors. Greg was hooked! The guts Clint showed when he mounted that beast lured Greg to become the rider and champion that he was. Clint was a mentor of Greg's and their bond will live on forever. Now Greg just had to break the news of his new dream to mum and dad. It didn't go down well, however, Mum was as proud as punch witnessing Greg's first ride, THE LEGEND BEGAN. Our trophy cases may be full, but our home is empty with the loss of the Rodeo Champion affectionately known as "Meechy", our beloved son we will always love.

My brother Greg, through my own eyes was a combination of all that has been described today. There were 5 different sides to Greg, he was a complex man.

• There was Greg "the devoted partner" to Shelley, his cheeky love for her I"m sure will fill her heart forever and never be forgotten.
• There was Greg "the cowboy" his talent and commitment to the sport will be sadly missed.
• There was Greg "the father" his undying love to his 3 children and stepchild. His wise words to them will carry them to become the exceptional adults as he was.
• There was Greg "our brother" whose mischief as a child kept his siblings on their toes and always wanting more.
• There was Greg "our son" The only words that come to mind are, gentle, loving, compassionate, clown, proud, perfect.

We will never forget you Greg, the devoted partner, the cowboy, the father, our brother, our son. Rest in peace mate, your achievements and legacy in this life will continue to live on in your absence. I only hope that I can live up to being the big brother that you were to William and Rebecca and be the son you were to our parents. I promise, my brother, to do my best.

THANK YOU FROM TREVOR & SUE MEECH

Trevor & Sue Meech would like to thank everyone that sent their condolences to them and their family. A special Thank you to TROY & TARA PALMER for their love & support at the hospital. Also we would like to thank DEBBI HEATON for the help she has given us.

Regards,
Trevor & Sue Meech
Greg's brothers; Phillip & William
Greg's sister; Rebecca
and their partners & families.

Condolences

• I would just like to pass on my deepest condolences to the Meech family and everyone else involved in the rodeo circuit who was close to Greg Meech. The Meech family and Rodeo Community have suffered an Unfortunate and tradgic loss. He was certainly one big ambassordor to the sport of rodeo and Bullriding! We will miss you mate!
  Heath Button
  
  
• Hi to everyone at the NRA, I would like to officially pass my condolence's on in regards to Greg Meech.
  I am currently on a deployment in Afghanistan, so i cannot in personally offer any help. I wish to convey what a good friend Greg was and how he helped me start a career that blossomed and i was blessed to travel the World and achieve much success in part thanks to Greg. As it was his attitude to give anybody a chance not only helped others, and me it is now the attitude that the many who he helped now carry on with each other.
  He was always willing to pass on any knowledge he had in regards to how to ride a bull, what a bull may buck like, Greg was the man so many cowboys would go to find out about a bull, he knew so much about each contractor and their pen of bulls.
  His honesty in regards to someone's performance was a quality that few have; he would not beat around the bush.
  His personal Courage to come back from injuries that would devastate most people for life, showed what character he had.
  Greg Scored 90 + points for his ride in life, and his entry fee's are now paid in full.
  R.I.P ---Bull Rider---A rare Breed.
  Sympathy's
  Brian Ranse
  
  
• Please pass on my condolences to Greg's family, I was so sorry to hear the news today being in the USA I guess it takes time to get here, I know Greg will be missed by all, he was a great cowboy.
  Sonia-Maree Lockhart
  Australian Barrel Racer
  PRCA 2007
  308 672 9618
  
  
• Greg Meech was not just a Bull Rider. He was a Brother, Uncle, Father, a Nephew but most of all LOVING SON.
  We saw the soft side to GREG when he was out in the yard playing soccer with the Nephew's and his brothers. He was the Son any mother would be proud of Caring Supportive and a worry.
  To Rebecca he was a loving brother who made her laugh, to Will he was a brother to talk with and play with the kids, to Phil he was a big brother he looked up to.
  To Sue his Mum and Trevor his dad he was everything a parent could ask for even with all his antics and praticle jokes. To the nephews and neices he was the one they could count on to throw the ball or wrestle with. To me he was a nephew that I took delight and pride in watching all of the above.
  Greg loved the family christmas and showed his mum just how much he appreciated the family every year.
  To his friends he was always the one they could depend on.
  Greg we will love and miss you for ever
  Aunty Petula
  
  
• Hi, I met Greg about 12 yrs ago, I was lucky enough to watch him grow into a fantastic rider over the years. I have been away from the rodeo scene for years now (and miss it every day), and being at Greg's service today seeing the support and all those hat's standing there with tears in there eye's, really show's RODEO is not just a sport, it's a passion like no other, and it's held together buy FAMILY! I might of been away for a few years but today I stood with all my family and said goodbye to our mate Meechy. thanks Clare