Obit: Richard Mills (Australia) 20 Oct 2005

Subject: RE: Obit: Richard Mills (Australia) 20 Oct 2005
From: alison
Date: 09 Nov 05 - 01:13 AM

I thought that too at the funeral. Jen (Richard's partner) sang a very touching song and the congregation joined in the chorus.

Richard always loved the acoustics and the way the audience sang at the Loaded Dog - it was a very apt way to say goodbye

alison

Subject: RE: Obit: Richard Mills (Australia)
From: JennieG
Date: 08 Nov 05 - 02:05 AM

Unfortunately I didn't get to the funeral, I didn't read the email until it was too late.

I was Richard's caterer for part of the time he ran The Loaded Dog. I owe him a debt for encouraging me to sing - after being put down I had lost a lot of confidence, but Richard kept at me until I had a go and I thank him for that.

And that train trip to Katoomba was great!

Cheers
JennieG

Subject: RE: Obit: Richard Mills (Australia)
From: Little Robyn
Date: 08 Nov 05 - 12:21 AM

He's here:
Richard
But I don't remember him in Wellington.
Robyn

Subject: RE: Obit: Richard Mills (Australia)
From: GUEST,Gerry
Date: 08 Nov 05 - 12:02 AM

About half-a-dozen folkies were among the mourners at Richard's funeral. I think his family appreciated our presence. One of us sang a song & invited the assembled to join in on the chorus. The first sing-along funeral I've ever attended.

A very moving occasion, and I think much as Richard would have wanted it.

Subject: Obit: Richard Mills (Australia)
From: alison
Date: 07 Nov 05 - 08:04 PM

Richard Mills (1948 –2005)

I have to admit to not knowing Richard as closely as many others, but he supported me when I was first starting off in the Australian Folk Scene in the mid 90's, and in various clubs & festivals which I have helped to organize since, (Western Suburbs Folk Club, Cursed Toongabbie Festival, & St Albans.)

I first met Richard when he was running the Loaded Dog in the early 90's. It wasn't long after that when a carriage full of folkies boarded the train at Parramatta and sang all the way to Katoomba and back, to watch Tom Paxton perform at the Clarendon Hotel. That was the night Richard got Tom Paxton to autograph his guitar, something of which he was very proud.

I have a really vivid memory of one particular Loaded Dog Saturday night when Richard had signed himself out of hospital (against medical advice) so he could be there even though he was due to have bypass surgery a few days later. I watched him go to the front and do his floor spot as usual, and as a nurse I worried (as did many of the audience) as his colour got worse and he was obviously struggling to breathe. But "the show must go on" attitude kicked in, and he finished his set. Typical Richard!

Sadly it was a heart attack which killed him 0n 20th October 2005.

The last time I saw him was when I booked him as a performer for St Albans in 2002. I remember him clearly saying "This is how folk music is supposed to be, I got disillusioned with it for a while, thanks for encouraging me to be a part of it again."

Thanks for the music and the chats Richard. Rest in Peace.

Richard's website is still online at http://songmaker.bravehost.com/main.htm which contains many of his poems and songs, & photos of the nude skydiving!!