Tribute to Dave at Olympic show
IT WAS billed as the greatest show on earth and watched by billions of people around the world.
And the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games certainly gave one family a magical and moving experience.
The Schulz family was "honoured" when an image of late Lowood man David Schulz flashed up on a memorial wall during ceremony.
David Schulz was a Lowood councillor and family man who died in 2001.
He was remembered along with hundreds of other deceased people during a sombre moment of the ceremony.
Paul Schulz submitted the image of his grandfather after he was asked by ceremony organisers if there was "someone important in his life who he had lost," said Paul's father, Bernie Schulz.
"Paul lives in London and had some tickets to the opening ceremony," Bernie said.
"He asked me if I could send him a photo of my father, David, that could possibly be used.
"It was still a big surprise to see his face on the wall."
The giant memorial screen activated as singer Emeli Sande performed a rendition of Abide With Me and 50 dancers delivered a moving routine about life and death.
Bernie and his wife Cynthia watched the live ceremony broadcast from their lounge room, while Paul and his wife were able to attend the event.
"It was a special moment for all of our family," Bernie said.
"Lowood people who watched the ceremony may have also recognised David's face."
He said Paul had a great respect for his grandfather.
"Dad was very important to Paul, he was a family man and was always good with children," Bernie said.
"Paul went to boarding school and loved visiting Dad on the farm during holidays."
Bernie said his late father had farmed land in Prenzlau and Lowood, and also served as a councillor on the Esk Shire Council for 15 years.
The wall featured many other images of people missed by members of the general public.
