SPORTSMAN, family man, good man, punter, prankster, funny bloke, good mate to many, loved by more than he knew – Matt Bowden was the sort of bloke everyone wants to call their friend.
Brad Bulow knows Matt’s funeral on Thursday will be a very sad day, but also a day to reflect on the wonderful person Matt was and the positive impact he had on everyone’s life.
Matt – most people knew him as Bowdy – was his classmate, teammate and best mate. The prankster, the punter, the best friend ever, he called him in a poem he read out.
Another great mate Michael Hillier also wrote a poem for Matt. Part of it read:
“It’s just not fair that we’re saying our goodbyes to the man we’ll always treasure as our humble captain and number one.
“There is some comfort to be found though, because there was always endless fun.
“People really care because you did – you were always helping others.
“Which is why all of this is just not fair, love always from your brothers.”
Michael’s wife Rebecca Hillier remembers Bowdy not only as Mick’s best mate, but also as their son Sam’s godfather and an unofficial uncle to their kids.
“He was always there for anyone that needed it – a true gentleman with a big heart,” Rebecca said.
On November 25 Matt’s partner Lauren Thompson posted a picture of Matt with their daughter Milla on Facebook.
“This picture was taken two days before our perfect world completely collapsed. The very next day our much loved and adored Matt was again diagnosed with a highly aggressive cancer,” Lauren wrote.
“Since that time our brave and strong warrior has undergone countless treatments, surgeries and procedures. He has stopped at nothing in his gallant fight for the chance to watch his perfect little person grow up. Sadly yesterday Matt’s battle finally ended.
“Matthew was the most amazing and adored partner, daddy, son, brother and friend.
“We are heartbroken and devastated beyond measure but know that Matt will live on forever in our hearts and will be keeping a watchful eye on us all from heaven.”
Matt was born in Ipswich Hospital on February 23, 1979, the first of two sons to Dan and Julie Bowden, with Jon arriving two years later.
The Marburg Pub was in his blood and his heritage. Dan took over owning and running the pub from his father Yub and Matt was the third generation to take the reins of the hotel.
Matt started at Marburg Primary School at the age of four, a year earlier than normal because the school was worried it wouldn’t be able to keep its doors open without his enrolment.
Putting others first was a quality Matt obviously learned from his parents.
In those early years Matt showed signs of being a budding mathematician; being good with numbers helped later when working out how much he would win from one of his extravagant bets.
Cricket and league were Matt’s main sports although he could do anything – he could hit a golf ball more than 300m. Often he played up in age and was captain of the team.
In getting Matt ready for high school at St Edmund’s College, Dan and Julie sent him to St Mary’s Primary School where he joined many representative teammates from his schoolboy league and cricket days including Ben Vellacott, Aaron Steenstra, Danny Blocksidge and Daniel Trevorrow.
Mr Bulow said it didn’t take Matt long to settle into his new school and become a leader, class joker and centre of attention.
“Growing up was fun and Matt and Jon got along great but in terms of personalities and interests they were chalk and cheese,” he said.
“In their 20s the Bowden brothers combined to have a couple of cracking years playing rugby league together for the Fassifern Bombers.
“Whilst different people, Matt loved Jonny and they were each other’s number one fans.”
High school years were fun years for Matt and he threw himself at any sporting opportunities the school offered.
At times he didn’t exactly put his schoolwork first and would leave things to the last minute with the motto: ‘She’ll be right mate.’
“Going through school years I personally was never short of pocket money as usually the day before something was due Matt would turn to me and ask: ‘Bules, here is twenty. Can you knock me up this assignment – and a C will do?’” Mr Bulow said.
Another highlight of Matt’s school years, he said, was being nominated as the Minden Bus captain, being a role model for many of the local youngsters like Paul Cairns and Dale Chalk.
“He did lose the title of bus captain at one stage due to an alleged wedgie incident and fruit throwing assault, however Matt talked his way out of that one and had his mantle reinstated not long after,” Mr Bulow said.
One thing about Matt was he was always a worker and this shone through in his early years when he had part-time jobs while still at school.
“Matt’s first job was selling tokens at the Ipswich greyhounds, then he quickly got promoted to being a kennel attendant at the greyhounds’ starting boxes at Albion Park,” he said.
His love for all forms of racing was evident at a very young age and he owned plenty of greyhounds; some not so good, but others were beauties. Grafton and Beenleigh cups were won with Jack the Pole and Black Lawman.
“In fact, the night of Matt’s passing, a dog he owns with the Barbour brothers (Scott and Darren) and Rob Hillier – We’re Back Boys – won in Rockhampton. Captain picked her up and got her to the line that night,” Mr Bulow said.
He said Matt was best known for his wonderful cricket feats. There were not many more talented cricketers; Matt had great touch and a very good eye.
“Matt’s great mate Mick Hillier, who played a majority of his cricket with Matt, recalls Matt as a player for special moments,” he said. “When the team needed him most, he’d stand tall. When runs from Matt weren’t as vital, he’d be happy to watch others get them.”
In 2003 he played a leading role in his beloved Marburg winning its first premiership against the might of Northsiders who set a testing score to win.
While Matt was a keen sport watcher, loved a prank and prized a punt, those closest to him knew there was always a softer, more serious side to him.
Like Grant Lowe, who died a fortnight earlier, Matt was a founding member of Swich On, an Ipswich organisation established to promote awareness of men’s health issues.
Lauren is a board member of The Swichettes, the women’s version of Swich on.
“He loved his charity and fundraising work,” Mr Bulow said.
“Whether it be coordinating a 32km walkathon, raising money for Ipswich Hospital Foundation, being a founding member and major driver of the success of Swich On Inc or setting up a fundraising dinner for a young Sam Truloff to go on a tour of the West Indies as a teenager, Matt loved seeing others succeed and do well.
“Nothing Matt did was for him, it was always for others. This is what made Matt the happiest.
“Matt was the best of publicans. Much like his parents did and passed on, he would always light up a room, was always calm, could spot and resolve a problem that he could sense from a mile away.”
While Matt never had many girlfriends, Mr Bulow said, there was one woman, Lauren Thompson, who grabbed Matt’s attention instantly.
“Lauren was Matt’s rock,” he said. “She gave Matt stability and a purpose; she made him into an even more vintage and top shelf man than he already was.
“The way Lauren cared for Matt post his diagnosis and in particular Matt’s last few weeks was indescribable and the respect and admiration for Lauren’s patience, strength and love in such a horrible awful time of Matt’s life, words cannot describe.”
On October 26, 2016, Matt and Laurens’s pride and joy came into the world, a beautiful little girl called Milla.
“Nothing made Matt prouder and more honoured to be able to call Milla his daughter, his little princess,” Mr Bulow said.
“Their bond and relationship were beautiful. Matt was the most active of dads – showed all of us other dads how it is done.
“Milla went everywhere with dad. She would sit in the trolley at Dan Murphy’s, they would sing together, wrestle together, she would tell stories to the patrons at the pub; everyone knew Bowdy’s girl.
“Matt spoilt her rotten; Milla knew how to pull a favour from her dad. In Matt’s last days he proudly wore a Frozen sticker on his arm, carefully planted by Milla.
“Matt loved his family, the Victors, and the family holidays. His aunties who went by many names – Karen, Donna and Jacqui – were like mothers to him.
“Uncle Howard, who took Matt to golf, spoke proudly of all those relationships plus more. We all loved Matt and will continue loving and honouring the great man.”
