Family farewell: Jill Heinze with daughter Jean look on as family members, from left, great-grandchildren Zack, Charlotte, baby Gaby, Alex, Nicholai, William, Jericho and Emma; Susan Shortis, Troy Shortis, Stephen Shortis, Brett Shortis and Rebecca Johnson, accompany the coffin.OBITUARY
Kevin Carl Heinze O.A.
Born: 1 April 1928
Died: 1 September 2008
KEVIN Heinze would have loved his final cheerio.
It started with three cheers in a stadium packed with more than 500 people and finished with heartfelt applause.
And, of course, there were tears for the loss of a beautiful man.
Since Mr Heinze’s death on 1 September there have been many tributes for the man who became Australia’s garden guru.
He was best known as the host of the ABC’s Sow What, Australia’s longest-running gardening show, which he hosted from 1967 to 1988.
His gardening wisdom was heard for over 30 years over the airwaves as part of a weekly gardening segment on ABC radio.
He wrote regular gardening articles for magazines and newspapers.
But on Tuesday 9 September, at the Kilsyth Sport Stadium, his farewell was very much about family and community.
As the large crowd took their seats in the stalls, his much-loved clutch of great-grandchildren played quietly, scuttled around the stage knocking the odd cyclamen from its perch, rolled toy cars back and forth and just socialised with their cousins.
Their role, played with delightful innocence, reinforced much of what was later said of their much-loved and loving Pa.
Kevin Heinze was born in Yarra Junction on 1 April 1928. He moved to Auburn when he was two.
He and wife, Jill, lived and raised their family at Montrose and several years ago donated two acres of their famous garden to the Shire of Yarra Ranges to be shared by all as “The People’s Garden”.
His eldest grandson, Lieutenant Commander RAN Adam Shortis, was among family members who paid tribute.
Writing from aboard HMAS Anzac, he said his Pa was a genuine person who cared about people.
Mr Shortis said Mr Heinze had a number of tragedies in his life.
“Some inspired him and none stopped him from accumulating the many achievements he gathered over his 80 years of loving, living and giving,” he said.
He was the recipient of many awards, including the Order of Australia.
He spoke of Mr Heinze’s love of football. He played 300 games for Kilsyth Football Club and was a life member of the club and the Eastern Districts Football League.
With the support of Jill and daughter, Jean, he coached the reserves and juniors and served on the committee.
He was instrumental in the setting up of the Kilsyth Youth Club.
The sense of humour, which endeared him to so many fans, was described by Mr Shortis as “roguish” and to nods of recognition gave some humourous examples.
“From prisoners in Pentridge, innumerable school kids, countless Rotarians, disabled kids to the Queen, Pa gave inspiration to everyone he met by simply caring about them and really listening to them,” he said.
Long-time friend Ron Pierce spoke of the tragedy, which saw Kevin and Jill become involved in fundraising for cancer research.
“Kim’s Cancer Research raised over $500,000,” he said recalling the day in 1975, when 40,000 people turned at their Montrose garden for an open day.
He was appointed special adviser on school gardens and grounds shortly after and held that position for 18 years, he was instrumental in setting up the Schools Garden Competition and establishing the Kevin Heinze Garden Centre.
His role as adviser saw him visit thousands of schools.
“He loved this job as it enabled him to talk to students, not just about gardening but also about self belief,” Mr Pierce said.
“He believed that a person’s worth came from within and that everyone, with the right guidance, could be a good person.
“Kevin had a large circle of good friends accumulated over his lifetime and they enjoyed many social gatherings at each others’ houses, playing cards or just enjoying each others’ company,” he said.
He said that above all else he was an inspiration to his family.
He was a regular at his grandson’s sporting events and loved Sunday evenings when the whole family would be at Montrose for tea.
As great-grandchildren arrived, Mr Pierce said his friend’s Sunday evenings were filled with the joy of taking the smaller children for a walk in the garden, pushing them on swings or sharing stories with them, he said.
Federal Member for Casey Tony Smith said Mr Heinze had given so much for the benefit of his community and the nation.
“He will live on as a national icon and a local hero,” he said.
Yarra Ranges councillor and friend Len Cox spoke of his generosity and love of the people.
Mayor Tim Heenan recalled the late ‘70s, when he was among the locals allowed to watch as Sow What was being filmed in the Montrose garden.
“He was a very kind and generous man and it is with deep sadness that we mark his passing,” he said. “In Australian terms, he was a giant of a person.”
Mr Heinze is survived by his wife Jill and daughter Jean and family including grandsons Troy, Brett and Adam and great-grandchildren Nicholai, Alex, William, Emma, Charlotte, Zack, Jericho, Sophie and Gaby.
