Pom in Oz with Derek Goforth: The life lessons I’ll always keep with me thanks to late mentor Paul Barrett

I normally know exactly what I want to say in these opinion pieces. I often have a good train of thought and can expand with relative ease. But not today. Because today I am at a loss for words. I have lost a friend, a coach and the Geraldton community has lost one of its finest. Last week, Paul Barrett — founder and driving force behind Geraldton Boxing Centre — passed away, leaving his wife, two young kids and a legacy that will last several lifetimes. I was shocked and stunned and thought it was a hoax when I came across the news, but sadly the news was all too real. Paul was gone. Paul has left his mark on me and on the city. He was there when I needed help the most. He sat with me when I could only train for 30 seconds at a time. He sat with me when I was struggling for breath and showed a level of patience that I had never come across before. His soft tone, his calm voice, it still echoes in my ears. He encouraged me but never pushed. He showed me what I could do with my body, but he never let me get hurt. He was right there in my corner in my fight and in my life. I went to him for advice, and he always had something to say. He never judged me, he would always listen first and talk later. He was one of the best teachers I ever came across. He always believed “old school” was the way to go and I pass on that wisdom to my own students. Hard work pays off. I sit here reading the tributes flood into his page. All saying the same thing. Paul was patient, he was kind, he was generous, nurturing, consistent, strong, full of empathy, friendly and he was always there for you. I don’t know what to say to his wife or his kids, what can anyone say? I don’t even know if I should be writing this, but I just wanted to get this out. I am going to miss you Paul, we all are. You will be forever in my heart, forever in my mind. I will never forget to keep my hands up and to just keep punching. Derek Goforth is a teacher at Geraldton Christian College