On Sunday 21 April many of Roy Mackay’s long-time Paluma friends and acquaintances joined the Mackay family to celebrate and pay tribute to Roy’s long and wonderful life.
Duncan and David Mackay spoke about their father’s life and work, outlining some of their childhood experiences and reminiscences growing up with their naturalist and explorer parents in the wilds of Papua New Guinea. The Mackay family presented a photo essay of Roy’s life, with some unique and remarkable photographic images capturing Roy’s absolute passion for his family, nature, wilderness and the people of PNG.
The afternoon of remembrance was bittersweet as Roy is no longer with us, but sharing his memory with others was a happy and heartfelt occasion.
The overwhelming theme of Sunday’s celebration was that Roy Mackay was a true gentlemen – he was a devoted family man and his time and generosity in sharing his vast knowledge of the natural world was extended to all people from all walks of life. Roy’s passion for nature and for making the world a better place was ever-present right to the end of his life.
The admiration and respect for Roy Mackay is enduring in the village of Paluma. His spirit resides in all those who loved and admired him and he will never be forgotten by the many people whose lives he touched.
The Paluma community sincerely thanks the Mackay family for arranging this celebration of Roy’s life, for sharing their memories and for the wonderful luncheon in his honour.
The following are some selected photographs from the event.
On behalf of the extended Mackay family we would like to thank all the members of the Paluma community who joined us on Easter Sunday to help celebrate Roy’s long and productive life. We also thank the many others who were not able to attend on Sunday but who sent their condolences and apologies. Roy touched the lives of many over his long life, and was rewarded with generosity, friendship and love in return. It was a very sad occasion for us, to mark his passing, but a tremendously uplifting one as well to see how many people in the Paluma community felt love, admiration and respect for Roy. It was a pleasure and honour to celebrate his life among such a friendly and inclusive community.