Geoff Ablett

Geoff Ablett was many things to many people—a champion on the football field, a devoted councilman, a loving husband, a proud dad, and the kind of man who made everyone feel like they'd known him forever. But to those of us who were lucky enough to share his life, he was simply Geoff: warm, stubborn in the best way, and always there when you needed him. Born on March 13, 1955, Geoff's love for Australian rules football began before he could even walk properly. He played with that natural grace and determination that would define his entire career, winding up at Hawthorn, then Richmond, then St Kilda—each club getting a glimpse of what made him special. But football was just one chapter of his story. After hanging up his boots, Geoff found a new way to serve his community, dedicating his energy to the Casey City Council where he worked tirelessly for the people who called that area home. He had a way of listening—really listening—and that made all the difference. Anyone who knew Geoff would tell you about his laugh. It was big and infectious, the kind that made you smile even on your worst day. He was the guy at the family barbecue who always took the time to ask how you were really doing, who remembered the small things—your kids' names, your recent promotion, that project you'd been worried about. His door was always open, his cup of tea always ready, and his advice, though sometimes unsolicited, was always given with love. In recent years, Geoff faced challenges that would have broken lesser men. Living with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is no small thing, but he faced it with the same grit he showed on the field and the same grace he brought to everything else. He never stopped caring about others, never stopped asking about their lives, never stopped being Geoff. He is survived by his loving family, who will miss him more than words can capture. But we find comfort in knowing that his legacy lives on—in the community he built, the lives he touched, and the love he gave so freely. Goodbye for now, Dad. We'll catch up soon.