Remembering Darby Paxton

WHEN a young man embarking on a career as a mechanic lost his life at work, his Newtown Football Club and St John’s College Year 12 cohort were overcome with grief.

Our tribute to Darby in January noted the thoughts of the club he had joined to be with his mates a few years earlier. The Facebook comments spoke of a gifted bloke with a heart for others.

“Darby was a committed young man with a massive amount of potential, not just in football, but in life itself. He was an absolute top bloke who encapsulated exactly what it meant to be a ‘Townie, a highly respected member of Dubbo Newtown Soccer Club.

“He possessed the qualities of a person you wanted to be around. He was funny, gave respect, earned respect. Darby was understanding and most of all, he had a big heart. Those are just some of the things we will miss about him,” the Facebook posts stated.

They were sentiments echoed throughout the community – at school, at East Dubbo KFC and his hometown, Geurie.

On Saturday his coach Brandon Samuela arranged for the team to gather at Darby’s final resting place ahead of their first match.

“We promised Ross and Karen, Darb’s mum and dad, that he would never be forgotten. Darby’s always with us at training and we went to share some quiet reflection at his grave,” the man known as “Gampsh” told me.

Karen spoke of their son’s outreach to others at the time of his passing.

“Darby was always thinking of others. He wanted to be the best for people and directed his choices with that in mind. He always played soccer, starting with Westside who were incredibly successful then with EDU to be with some mates and was really enjoying his time in black and white with Newtown,” she recalled.

Darby is remembered as a talented basketballer with representative aspirations who chose soccer because he could be at home more often and spend time with friends.

Newtown’s third grade teams are drawn in a local derby this weekend. They will no doubt play with heavy hearts, buoyed by their memories of a smiling mate and their vow to keep Darby’s memory alive.

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Some of the Newtown soccer team who came to visit Darby before their first game. “It was a special moment and Brandon Samuela, Darby's coach, spoke beautifully,” Karen and Ross Paxton. Darby celebrated his HSC graduation last year. PHOTOS: CONTRIBUTED

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