SCOTT HARRIS

In remembrance...

"God must be running out of angels up there so he needed Scott to be our angel"
Sarah Campbell

This webpage is in memory of Scott Harris of The Hills area, Sydney who tragically died of a stroke on the 18th of May 2003.

This page started 21/5/03. Edited 12/7/04.

Scott and I first crossed paths when we were both new to the Hills area, Year 4 Mr Bawden (mice and silk worm fanatic). Being the two new kids and Scott being the 9 year old stud that he thought he was, he had to know every girl, hence our friendship began. Even at that early age Scott was aware of ways to impress a girl and ultimately showed his kindness.

One memory that really sticks out that shows that kindness is Xmas Day 1986. There was a knock at my front door and Scott was standing there with a big grin on his face. He had biked it, in the heat, up the hill to give me a huge jar of Minties. He wished me Merry Xmas then promptly rode back, not even stopping for a drink (I think he was scared of my Dad, us being
all of 10!).

Even though I don't know Toni and Jacob my heart goes out to you both,it's tragic to lose someone you love so soon. Knowing him, I'm sure he's watching over you, keeping you safe.

Kylie Olcayto

I was privileged enough to have been able to call Scott Harris my friend for over 15 years. It is clear from speaking to many different people over the last week and reading emails etc that Scott had a huge impact on many peoples lives, he made people laugh, he made people cry but of all the stuff that he did in his life and don't think he managed to not be respected by anybody he ever came across. Although there is no doubt that Scott's live has been cut short I'm sure you will agree that he as achieved more in 26 short years than some people have achieved in 100. It has been widely remembered over the last week that Scott lacked a bit of co-ordination, was a very poor driver etc etc. But what i will remember most about him is the fact that he was an extremely good bloke, a terrific husband to Toni and most important of all a terrific father to Jacob. I guess what I am trying to say is that even though he is not with us anymore as we get on with our respective lives we will still be able to gain positive things from knowing Scott Harris.
R.I.P. my friend.
To all those living abroad at present, stay safe, stay healthy and I will look forward to seeing you soon,

Phil Halpin

Memories in general are what keeps that smile staying on my face…..and I have a few funny memories of Scott.

One that comes to mind is primary school days, I remember Scott telling me once that he would never hit or kick a girl and I guess you could say I saw it as a challenge to prove him wrong! After frustrating him with silly girly crap, he had finally had enough, turned around and kicked me in the leg before lifting up a chair and throwing it (not at me)…needless to say I had proved my point and years later we were able to laugh about it…..

Only having just said ‘goodbye’ to a friend late last year and now this, I have been only able to come up with this……God must be running out of angels up there so he needed Scott to be our angel.

Sarah Campbell

I have spent the last couple of days pondering over the times I spent with Harry and all I can come up with are Happy memories. I most fondly remember his joy at embellishing a story and making it not only come to life, but indeed become larger than life. He certainly made me laugh. And though he may have lacked a little coordination at times he didn't half make up for it with a large dollop of passion, and that's what made him so endearing. His passion, for everything.

My next few drinks will most certainly be raised in his memory.
To a great champion.

Nathan Porter

I will remember scott for always knowing what he wanted - he always made his own mind and lived his own life the way he saw fit. there are some of us who are followers- scott was not one of these people. scott harris- what a character huh?

love to all, Juliette Arent


Let's face it, it was rare for me and Scott to ever get along. From the time I met him in 1987 when I commenced at Castle Hill Public School to the time we left Castle Hill High in 1994, it was rare that we would agree about anything. Be it an attempt by me to hit him with a cricket bat on the way home from the bus in Year 6, Scott smashing me in the head during a Year 8 English class, or his claim that there had been a tidal wave a mile high upon the eruption of Krakatoa, there was always some disagreement between us.

But as time goes by, you look at these things and have a right royal laugh. Until Halpo's bucks night last year it had been quite some time since I had seen Scott. I have to say all our disagreements were well and truly put behind us and we were able to enjoy a quiet drink together.

The number of funny (actually hilarious) stories that can be told about Scott is endless. Just mentioning things such as driving, co-ordination (or lack thereof), not requiring to attend school at the age of 18, sending himself from class, telling a teacher she was ugly (she was), fits of violence...they instantly bring out funny stories about Scott.

Whilst I may not have been the best of mates with him, it's impossible not to recognise the positive influence he has had on many people throughout his life.

My thoughts go out to Toni and Jacob at this time. It's so unfortunate that Jacob's memories of his father will be purely based on stories he is told but if more and more can be placed on this web site , maybe at some stage he will understand the influence his father had on so many people.

Phil Baitch

Scott wasn't in my year and I can't recall how we met and yet I remember Scott so clearly and how friendly he was to me and how he would always stop and chat and have some story to tell usually resulting in laughter. After all these years, I'm glad to have such great memories and it shows how far he reached.

It's the hardest thing in the world to keep going at times like this and with all the rain lately, it's too easy to be downhearted . Someone said to me once that the rain when it falls refreshes the earth and renews life somewhere and beyond the clouds, the sun is still shining.

Tanya Chivers

I didnt go to school with Scott but being married to Phil I have known him for some time know. Being a new face back in the early days of knowing Phil i didnt know anyone other than Phil and Scott ALWAYS made the time to come and have a conversation with you and make you feel welcome. I always thought Scott was one of Phil's more sensible mates even after I turned up at Bens to find the three of them rolling drunk on the roof of Bens mums house he seemed to move through this part of his life lets say quicker than others to becoming a loving husband and awesome father he is a role model to any new husband or young father he was a respectable loving man whom his parents, Toni and Jacob should be very proud of. I know that you will be happy where you are because you will not have it any other way but you will be truly missed .

Melanie Halpin

I have heard about Scott and how terrible it is for his wife and son. After reading your touching web site I saw a couple of names who I haven't seen in years I was inspired by you to get in contact with these people to drop them an email to say hi as it takes no time at all.

I didn't know Scott well however do remember him from school remembering thinking how reserved and funny he was. It's times like these that you think back about how we lost a good friend Steve. I must say that there isn't a week that goes by that I don't think of him. Your year has seen and gone through some hard times and even though you are not altogether at "the Hill" your year always comes together in some way and form.

Sarah Reid

I have some wonderful memories of Scott also. I loved reading everyone else's memories! Especially about him being uncoordinated!! They certainly made for some funny stories. Scott would never give up though, always gave it 100%, even when it was clear he was not very talented at a particular task or sport!!

The memory that sticks out for me is a party at Michelle Holder's. We must have been 14 or 15 years old. Scott and I stayed out the front on Michelle's neighbours lawn in sleeping bags - watching the sky and chatting all night. Scott pointed out a shooting star to me. It was the first shooting star I had ever seen! (Actually, we ended up seeing 3 that night.)
So every time I see a shooting star, I think of Scott. Maybe now you will too :)

My heart goes out to Toni and Jacob. May their friends and family help them through the tough times ahead.

Katrina Caesar (Byrne)

It sent a shock straight me, that such a good man is no longer with us.

At least I knew him and will have fond memories of the 'offshore, 10 foot and going off man'.
He sure was a great laugh and a friend.

He was an inspiration, to the School Captain that followed in his path.

I really hope that Jacob and Toni are ok.

Daniel Humphreys

I have just smiled every time i've thought about Scott in the past few days. he drove fast, he had four cars in the first year of having his licence. he was the first to get married, the first to have a baby, the first to buy a house. he squeezed so much into his short life - it's kind of like his soul knew.

hopefully us londoners will hook up for a drink this week, in honour of old friends, past and present.

although we are all over the world, we are together as long as we remember each other.

Finley Macleod

I'll always remember the time that I was told Scotty put his hand out the window of his moving car on the way to the beach and sincerely declared "It's offshore!" The next time I went to the beach with him I asked him if it was true. "Yes, and I gotta say it is one of the most stupid things I have ever said!" But even when saying this, there was no embarrassment or resentment at me bringing it up. He admitted it with a smile and shared the laugh with me.
That's how I think of him, proud and noble, with a heart that had alot to give.

While I obviously wasn't in his year at school, that didn't stop him being in quite a few of my school (and post school) memories. By this, I guess what i'm trying to say is that you'll never be able to measure just how many people he influenced and left a positive impression on. He'll be missed by many.

Craig Rasmus

To all CASTLE HILL HIGH people and friends of Scott Harris


I just wanted to say to everyone how shattered I am at hearing the bad news about Scott Harris. If you are an overseas Castle Hillian that I keep contact with and finding out for the first time here now on this website, Scott unfortunately passed away at the beginning of the week for unknown reasons at the time of my writing this and from what you Aussies have told me.
He was a truly great man.

I feel so sorry for Toni and his child. He was the first person that I knew of after school to set up his life early getting married, a house, and a child. He didn't deserve to die.

These days we have all moved our separate ways after school and don't see as much of each other compared to everyday at CHH. Even if you hadn't seen Scott for a while, you must surely have some great memories of him. He touched everyone at school in one way or another. He was a popular guy! He didn't get School Captain in year 12 for nothing!

My fondest memories with Scott would have to be wagging school alot (some captain!) to go bodyboarding whenever the surf was good, being in a car crash with him and Facey, having a few beers or and having a laugh at him trying to throw tennis balls across the quadrangle and see them go totally off target!! His co-ordination sometimes lacked...!!

I feel like I need to express these feelings as I haven't been there in AUS to express this with everyone everyday. Because I won't be able to come back to AUS to pay my last respects, I feel that I need to do something.

So that's why I've started this WEBPAGE tribute for Harry. If you have any photos of him, please send them to me. If you also have any thing that you would also like to write about him, send it to me to put up the site. Then if anyone wants to reminisce about him they can go to the page.

http://www.sssenc.com/scottharris.htm

The craziness of this world the past couple of years definitely proves that you don't who, how, when or where things might happen to you or a loved one. Ring someone you haven't talked to for a while or reply to someone's email who's group list you are on. Your on that list for a reason, you're considered a friend.

Next time you have a drink dedicate them to Scottie!

RIP big man

Brad Rasmus (webmaster) www.ssspt.com