Corowa lost one of its most popular, kindest figures in the early hours of Boxing Day.
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Trevor Kuschert had been fighting cancer for just over 12 months and sadly lost his battle after spending his last Christmas Day with his family.
“Trevor was very dedicated and willing to help out anyone,” close friend Reg Moloney said.
“He was grumpy, but a really great friend. He’ll be missed by many.
“Trev was very family orientated. He’ll certainly be missed at the footy club – he used to organise everything down there; boundary umpires, water boys,” he added.
“He was there from 9am to 6pm on game days and was very committed.”
Trevor was born on November 10, 1957 in Corowa and lived in Buraja. He attended Lowesdale Public School and Corowa High School and enjoyed partaking in typical country boy activities like shooting, yabby hunting and helping out his parents on the farm.
Trevor spent 29 years working as a welder at Rivalea following his windmill work with his uncle Norm and stints as a greens keeper at the golf club, bus driver, air conditioner mechanic and Sunday service station assistant.
Trevor married his partner Kerrie on February 13, 1982. Eighteen months later Kade, their first child, was born. Sons Luke and Cody and daughter Bec rounded out the family of six.
It was sport where Trevor spent most of his time.
Trevor’s eldest son Kade – a current Corowa Rutherglen Roo – read out the impassioned eulogy at his father’s funeral attended by an estimated 600 people on Saturday, December 29.
“Trev’ enjoyed a lot of his time playing footy, he started in Buraja in his junior years then he moved into Corowa to play senior footy,” Kade read at Hopefield Monumental Cemetery.
“In 1982 he moved back to Buraja to play in their premiership, had a short stint with Rand then returned back to Buraja to finish his career, ending on 400-plus games and with two more premierships.
“His biggest highlight was being able to play alongside his sons.
“Trev’ always had a strong connection with a footy club – if playing was his first passion, being a trainer was his second.
“While Trev’ played at Buraja he also prepared the rest of his teammates for the game ahead, then once his time at Buraja finished he followed us all into Corowa where he became a head trainer for some 18 years.
“He represented the Ovens and Murray league as their trainer for over 10 years, only missing this last year.
“His hard head approach to the training earned him the fitting name of ‘Cranky’. If I had a dollar for every time he told us that someone was being soft or a sook, we would be quite well off.
“Trev’ was a dedicated club person. If there was a fundraiser to be held, or a BBQ or hot chips to be cooked, he was there – most of the time he was the first there and the last to leave.”
Trevor was the games record holder at Buraja with 361 appearances, also consisting of three premierships in 1982, 1995 and 1996. He twice won the best and fairest award and was crowned the most consistent player on four occasions.
Trevor also won a Peter Bruhn Volunteer Award for his work with the Ovens and Murray league and is a life member of both Buraja and Corowa Rutherglen.
“When Trev’ wasn’t at footy you most likely find him at the river trying to catch a cod or on the lake chasing ‘yellas’ or a feed of ‘reddies’. It was a pastime he would love right up to the last few weeks,” Kade continued.
“If the fish weren’t biting there was always a fox to chase.”
Trevor’s four grandchildren, Judd, Hudson, Nate and Miley, were his proudest and fondest memories.
“Trev’s greatest hobby much to his brother’s surprise was his creative flair. From his iconic fire pits to the coat of arms made out of auger parts, I don’t think there is an animal he hasn’t tried to make,” Kade said.
“His ability to make something out of anything was extremely adored by his biggest fans and grandchildren – who were truly amazed at how he can turn any piece of scrap metal into a bird or, even better, a toy gun.
“They would often find bits and pieces around to challenge Pop to see what he could come up with.”
Trevor’s missing finger on his left hand caused plenty of mystery over the years and, in typical Trevor style, his dry sense of humour would often rule the situation.
“Two stories have come to light over the last couple of days,” Kade began to explain. “The first was way back when he asked Kerrie to be his wife and they had to purchase the wedding rings.
“When the young girl asked him which one he would like for himself he replied with ‘I won’t be needing one’ and placed his hand on the counter. The girl took one look and fainted.
“The second story came a couple of years later as he drove the Brocklesby bus home and the kids all wondered how he lost it, it took one little girl sitting up the front to get enough courage to ask him and in the only way Trev’ knew he said: ‘I picked my nose too much and my mum cut it off’.”
There’s no doubt anyone who knew Trevor would have respected and appreciated him and the impact he had on many lives.
“We will forever be better people because of you and I can only hope we made you proud of us, as we are of you. We love you with all our hearts,” the closing of Kade’s eulogy read.