Thank you all for being with us at this difficult time. I am speaking today on behalf of Mum, Anne, Richard, and our families.

Dad, whose Hebrew name was Yehuda ben Avraham Arie v’Karindel, was born on 26 June 1932 in Munich, Germany. This date was to become very significant for me later in my life. When I married, I received a gift of a wedding ring from Vicki’s grandmother, which her husband had worn. The ring was inscribed with the date of their marriage: also 26 June 1932. By a remarkable coincidence, Vicki’s grandparents were married on the very day that Dad was born, just a few hundred kilometres away. 

Dad was five when he arrived in Australia in 1938, together with his parents, sister, and brother, escaping Nazi Germany. Like many other Australian Jewish families of that era, this birthright provided a strong identity as well as a deep desire to work hard and make something of himself in his newly adopted country. 

The most valued item that the young family did manage to smuggle out of Nazi Germany was the sefer torah, which has since been housed at Temple Beth Israel. Seven generations of the Lustig family have layned from this sefer torah, including Dad, whose bar mitzvah was at TBI.

Money was tight, so the kids had to wear the thick European clothes that they had managed to bring out with them. The clothing was not comfortable to wear during Australian summers. Dad’s mother, Kate, couldn’t understand why Dad’s socks disappeared. You can imagine her surprise when the chimney sweeper arrived at the start of winter, and discovered the socks that Dad had hidden in the chimney!

For a while, Dad’s parents ran a restaurant called The Spotted Dog, located in Collins Street. His father, Adolf, who had been a well-respected solicitor in Germany, was initially barred from practising in Australia, so he waited tables in the restaurant. This was not perhaps the best use of his abilities. On one occasion, when a customer inquired why Adolf’s thumb was firmly in the soup bowl delivered to the table, he retorted, “Well, at least you know there has been some meat in this soup!”.

After a few years, Dad’s parents bought a newsagency in Glenferrie Road, Malvern, and the family lived behind the shop. Dad helped out after school by delivering papers and working in the shop. 

Dad did well at school, and was invited to attend Melbourne High School. In due course he commenced studying dentistry at Melbourne University, with tuition costs fortunately sponsored by an uncle. 

During his uni summer vacations, he earned money in the countryside, as a fire spotter. In 1955 they received the tragic news that his brother Bernard had died in a car accident. Later, Dad became a life trustee of the Bernard Lustig Scholarship, which has provided almost 100 scholarships for university-age students. 

Upon completion of his dentistry studies, Dad left on a two-year contract to work as a dentist in England. One day, when out for a walk, he observed a crowd of people standing silently, watching a beautiful woman as she tripped and fell. Dad, ever the gentleman, rushed to assist her, only to be greeted by abuse! Unbeknown to him, he had stumbled onto a movie set, and interrupted the filming of a scene.

Dad returned to Australia, and in 1960 was ready to set up his own dental practice. He drove to the end of the earth; namely, Doncaster Road, Greythorn. He entered an estate agency to enquire about suitable properties in the area. Nothing was available, but as Dad turned to leave, the estate agent said, “Wait, you can have THIS property if you like!”. That shop became Dad’s dentistry practice for the next 45 years. Dad worked there unfailingly, five and a half days every week. His work as a dentist was part of his caring approach to others. 

Before leaving for London, Dad had gone on a couple of dates with the young and lovely Eve Spitz. Upon his return from overseas, they recommenced dating, and on 15 December 1960 Dad married the love of his life. 

It is beautiful to see one’s parents continue to hold hands during their entire relationship. Dad almost seemed surprised by his good fortune of forming such a loving relationship with someone so well matched with him. We recall how he secretly hand-crafted a gift for her: a tiny pure gold ornament of a house, an expression of his feelings. 

Mum has always been Dad’s confidante and companion: providing a loving and warm home, with tasty meals, and sharing his ideals of family and contributing to the community. 

Dad was incredibly proud of Mum when she was selected as an Olympic torch bearer for the 2000 Olympic Games, in recognition of her Vision Australia and other community contributions. 

In 1965 Dad’s sister Ruth moved to America with her family. Ruth passed away two years ago. 

Dad worked hard to ensure that the three of us had a stable and secure family life, a clear value set, enjoyable holidays, a love of sport, and access to the strongest of educations. 

Dad supported extracurricular activities such as Anne’s involvement in the Netzer youth movement, her subsequent Aliyah, and my and Richard’s interest in cricket. There is some irony in the fact that Dad has passed away at age 87, the number widely known as Cricketer’s Curse.

Dad was delighted with our choices of life partners, and enjoyed deep connections with Matti, Vicki and Sharlene. Dad also enjoyed a genuine relationship with his machetonim: Gary & Evelyn, Chuck & Judy in the US, and Paul & Sarah.

Dad loved his grandchildren: Jeremy, Tsafrir, Steven, Ishai, Kate, Monique, Roi, Brayden, and Juliana. Jeremy, Ishai, and Roi are overseas and deeply regret that they can’t be with us today. 

During his more vigorous years, Dad loved playing competitive tennis and table tennis as a left hander, and skiing. He enjoyed chess and bridge, as well as his community involvement with North Balwyn Rotary and B’nai Brith. 

Dad didn’t expect us to do something that he himself couldn’t. For example, when Anne was in Year 12, Dad went back to school to sit the Year 12 maths exam. 

In 1995, Dad successfully bid for a beautiful two-bedroom apartment in the coastal town of Point Lonsdale, without Mum even having seen the property! That well-judged decision has provided 25 years of pleasure and enjoyment for the extended family. 

It was from Point Lonsdale that Dad made his recent trip to hospital; never to return to the apartment in Orrong Road, North Caulfield. In this home, he and Mum have happily spent the last 17 years, with a host of friendly neighbors. 

Mum’s severe illness in 2007 and subsequent repercussions would have tested anyone’s patience; however Dad’s love, loyalty, and compassion shone through. Dad took inspiration from her courageous approach to adversity. 

Dad’s car number plate was SUN934. He loved the links to our old home in Sunburst Avenue, North Balwyn, of 9 being the number of his grandkids, of 3 being the number of his kids, and of him being one of 4 grandparents for each grandchild. 

There are many aspects of Dad that feature strongly in our minds:
- his interest in history, especially family history
- his pride in educational achievements
- his love of poetry and dad jokes
- his love song for mum starting with the words “A, you’re adorable”
- the other love of his life, Collingwood 
- his delight in cats and dogs
- his warmth, kindness, respect and generosity, and deep sense of right and wrong
- his enjoyment of a beer, and sweet tooth for minties, jubes, licorice, and Cadbury Dairy Milk chocolate, which is ironic for a dentist

And he kept his sense of humor: on one of the last days of his life when the nurse enquired why Dad had called for her yet no longer needed her, Dad said “I just wanted to see your face!”

It has been said that old age isn’t for sissies; yet Dad never complained about the challenges of aging. We express our appreciation for the care and loyalty shown by the home carers. 

It is not easy bringing up your parents. However, we hope you agree that the three of us have done a pretty good job. 

Dad leaves behind a strong legacy, a large family, and a good name. We will miss him forever.