The sudden death of former Toowoomba Grammar School leader Tom Lyons stunned his school community and those who knew and loved him.
Mr Lyons, 21, collapsed shortly after crossing the finish line in February this year, after competing in the Hell of the West triathlon in Goondiwindi, Qld.
Toowoomba Grammar School headmaster Peter Hauser remembered Mr Lyons as “an outstanding young man and of high intellect and diligence”. He was a gifted leader, and was senior prefect (school captain) in his graduating class of 2009.
Tom Lyons: his friends have generously donated to the CEF in Tom’s honour to reflect his love of things with a ‘rural feel’. Photo courtesy of Facebook.
That year, he also captained the school’s first XV rugby union side and was vice captain of the first XI cricket team. It was said that his post-match addresses were just outstanding because he was so smart. By all accounts, he was an exceptional student leader.
Tom was a very humble young man and had the great ability to relate to everyone. He was remembered for his love of the land and the special memories he had of helping his dad on their farm at Nobby.
His close friend, Ben Maunder, said that “Tom was the ‘country kid’ and growing up on the land was a strong part of who he was.” In his memory, a group of Tom’s friends decided to raise funds for the Country Education Foundation by organising a cricket match. He would have liked that the CEF has a ‘rural feel’ Ben said.
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