Reading over some of the coverage in today’s Queanbeyan Age and other newspapers over the last week, it’s amazing how much talent and ability Terry brought to all his endeavours.

What also stands out is the humble nature of a decent, downto- earth man who will be sorely missed by his family and friends. The Freebody family has shared a close bond with Queanbeyan stretching back to the early years of the 20th century.

Terry’s father William was a former mayor of the town, and also instrumental in developing neighbouring Canberra, including the Capitol Theatre in Manuka. Freebody Oval is named after William, and recognises the sporting prowess that runs throughout the family.

As for Terry himself and his many achievements over his 89 years, he really embodies much of what is great about Queanbeyan.

He was clearly a brilliant sportsman- a reputation the town has always prided itself on- but he was also a resourceful businessman, an industrious hard worker, and a committed family man.

He wasn’t one to blow his own horn, despite having plenty of grounds for doing so, and he was so modest that his own achievements almost went unrecognised by the Queanbeyan Cricket Club.

It was just two weeks ago that the club conferred life membership on him, an honour he thoroughly deserved but never put his hand up for.

The full details behind his untimely death probably won’t come out for many months yet, and even then, it will never make sense. The taking of a good man’s life in such a way can never be fully explained.

But what we do know is that Terry was a man who made the most of his time on this earth, and for that great life we pay tribute to him.