10/05/2026
Mr & Mrs Friedrichs | 9th May 2026 š„
Youād probably recognise the surname, because this is my little brother Herb & his WIFE Dusty. I was fortunate enough to photograph their wedding yesterday and honoured to deliver a speech at their reception, which Iāve shared an excerpt from below ā¦
āā¦Herb was only eight months old when we lost Dad, so life for him has always been shaped by Mumās strength, and the little world we built together as kids. And honestly, that world was pretty special.
We spent our childhood out at Old Koreelah riding push bikes until the sun went down, adventuring through the sandstone cliffs down the bush, playing Matchbox cars in the dirt underneath the house, fishing yabbies out of the dam, pottering around behind Uncle Steve while he tended to his mob of motley cattle, spending endless hours at the Bloomfieldās jumping off the back deck into the pool, playing backyard tackle footy with the Van de Sande brothers after a day of getting firewood and getting involved in anything that had to do with cattle.
Looking back, it wasnāt fancy but it was full, full of everything that mattered. And a lot of my best memories have Herb right there beside me.
Now, Iāll admit something tonight that I probably havenāt said out loud beforeā¦
Iāve always been a little bit envious of him.
He has this natural way with people, it doesnāt matter who you are, you just end up liking him. Making friends has always come easily to him, which is something Iāve never quite mastered the same way.
And itās not just people, itās animals, kidsā¦ they all seem to gravitate toward him like heās got some kind of built-in magnet.
Then thereās his work ethic. If something needs doing, he just gets it done, no fuss, no shortcuts, but most likely some colourful language. If something needs building, fixing, or engineering, heāll figure it out. Usually better than whatever the original plan was.
Although I will say, for someone who can build just about anything spelling has never quite been his strongest skill.
So if you ever get a message from Herb that takes a bit of decoding just know it was sent with confidenceā¦.
But jokes asideā¦
What I admire most about him is the kind of person he is at his core. Heās steady, heās loyal, and he shows up for the people he loves, every single time.
And thatās exactly why, when it came time to choose a godfather for my son Clae, there was never a question in my mind.
Someone who shows up, who cares deeply, who leads by example and who I trust completely to be there for him as he grows.
And that means more to me than I can really put into words.
Some of my fondest moments of us together have involved agriculture.
So Iām incredibly proud of the leap he took when he stepped away from his boilermaking trade to try his hand at being a livestock agent. Even though there were those who doubted his abilities.
Thatās not an easy thing to do, walking away from something secure to back yourself in something new. But if thereās anyone it makes sense for, itās him.
Because it brings together everything heās always been good at - people, animals, hard work - and I truly think heās found his calling.
For those who grew up with Herb will know heās always been a kid of few words, until he found this job with George & Furhman of course because Christ he can yarn on the blower. But even though he may be slightly more reserved in most instances heās always had a fantastic sense of humour and a truly infectious laugh.
Anyway, in all honesty Herb, Iām glad Mum & Dad were adamant that I ācould absolutely notā be the last child, because life without you is unfathomable.
So many years down the track now, Dusty came along.
And it just made sense.
Dusty Jo Friedrichs! Darlinā, you fit into his world so naturally, like youāve always been there. You bring out the best in him, and more importantly you see him for exactly who he is, and love him for it. Thank you. As his sister, thereās nothing more I could ask for than knowing heās found someone who stands beside him the way you do.
So to my little brother, Herb.
Youāve grown into someone Iām incredibly proud of. Not just for what youāve achieved, but for the person youāve become. Donāt ever doubt yourself mate, youāve made such a wonderful life for yourself, youāre a truly rare breedā.
