The saying “the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree” perfectly captures Adrian Funston’s life—a story of steadfast dedication and community spirit inherited from generations before him.
“To act with consistency, credibility, and continuity,” he says. “When I drove away that last day, I knew I’d done my best,” he said.
When Adrian Funston (known as Funno) closed the gates after mowing his final lawn, he paused to take a photograph. It wasn’t just a picture of a tidy yard. It was a moment 38 years in the making—one last look back at work he was proud to have done, day after day, season after season.
“The work of the day and the previous 38 years had been heading towards this moment,” Adrian said.
“I had done my best to be able to drive away proud of the work I had undertaken/achieved.”
Born at the Berwick Bush Nursing Hospital in 1951, Adrian grew up with deep family roots in Berwick. He attended Berwick Primary School and later Doveton High School, but didn’t have a clear plan after graduation.
The Funston family’s connection to the area dates back to the 1860s, when Adrian’s great-grandfather, James Funston, emigrated from County Tyrone, Ireland. James and his sons farmed several properties around Berwick, including the dairy farm “Sunny Brae.” He also operated a boarding house on Peel Street and was active in the community as a trustee of the Berwick Cemetery and a deacon of the Church of Christ. Four generations of Funstons have since called Berwick home.
Adrian’s father, Allan Funston, was a prominent figure in Berwick’s civic life, carrying on the family tradition of community service.
Allan began by delivering milk by horse and cart before moving into management with Associated Dairies. He was deeply involved in local organizations—serving as Secretary of the Berwick Church of Christ for 25 years, Secretary of the Berwick Cemetery Trust for 36 years, and as a Rotary Club member for 26 years, including President in 1967–68. Allan also contributed to local landmarks, with the rotunda at Berwick Cemetery and Funston Court in Pakenham named in his honour. In 1972, Funston Street in Berwick was named in his honour.
After school, Adrian followed in his father’s footsteps by joining Associated Dairies. He started at the ground level—washing milk bottles, cleaning cans, and delivering milk by horse and cart.
Over time, he advanced to become a brand manager, overseeing depots across Melbourne’s southeast and managing dozens of drivers.
“I learnt a lot about time management and planning,” Adrian says. “It held me in good stead later on.”
When the dairy closed several sites, Adrian and the company parted ways. Unsure of his next step, a new opportunity soon appeared—a local retiree offered to sell him his small lawn mowing round of 15 customers. Adrian decided to take the chance.
That modest list of clients blossomed into nearly four decades of lawn care work across schools, factories, countless homes and Berwick cemetery.
“It was a bonus to get out of bed every day and be outside,” he reflects. “I’ve picked up so much knowledge—plants, pruning, fertilisers—things I never imagined I would know.”
Though often solitary, his work brought quiet connection. He remembers one customer who left their front door open while shopping. When their child worried the house wasn’t secure, the mother reassured them, “It’s all right, Adrian’s been here.”
“It made me feel pretty good actually, knowing they were trusting me to look after the place while they were away,” Adrian said.
Lawn care also taught him patience and persistence. “To act with consistency, credibility, and continuity,” he says. “When I drove away that last day, I knew I’d done my best.”
Adrian was an active member of the Rotary Club of Berwick for 41 years, serving as President in 1999–2000 and becoming a Paul Harris Fellow. Whether helping with cemetery clean-ups, community events, or fundraising efforts, he never viewed volunteering as optional.
“If it wasn’t for the volunteers, this country would fall apart. You get more out of it than you put in,” he said firmly.
“To be a volunteer is to have the desire to do something to help others. You can develop your skills, broaden your networks, grow your understanding and knowledge, enjoy the camaraderie/fellowship of like minded people and build life long friendship.”
Reflecting on recent times, he noted the challenges volunteering faces. “Volunteering is really lacking now. The Rotary Club was doing all right until COVID knocked people off. There’s so much bureaucracy and liability these days. People also have to put food on the table.”
“Volunteering is really lacking now. The Rotary Club was doing all right until COVID, it knocked people off.”
He understands why some hesitate. “There’s so much bureaucracy and liability these days. Also time has always been tight. People have to put food on the table.”
One of the lowest points in Adrian’s life was losing his father on Christmas Eve in 1987, a loss made even harder by falling during the holiday season. Yet, the example set by his father shaped Adrian’s values and gave him confidence to trust his own path.
“Life was not harder—it was just different not having the assistance or that voice behind you, just to confirm that what you were doing was the right thing. Along the journey, those foundations were laid, so I knew I was on the right track.”
From generations of Funstons who delivered milk, farmed the land, and served on local councils, Adrian inherited a simple belief: that showing up for your community matters.
“My father Allan instilled a great sense of community service. He was involved with many and varied groups. Served the local council shire of Berwick as it was then for 3-4 terms and was shire president in the centenary year of 1968-69.
“‘You get more of it than you put in’ dad said. The fellowship with co volunteers in activities that lead to a beneficial result to people and communities is a bonus.”
Adrian continues that tradition, maintaining cemetery clean-ups and bowling games his father instigated decades ago.
“Just carrying that on, and helping out with the different activities the club undertakes, has meant a lot to me,” he said.
Adrian’s love of the outdoors extends beyond work. As a boy, he won the district 100-yard sprint and played cricket well into his 40s. He is a life member of the Berwick Cricket Club and has spent 35 years taking annual trips to the Murray River with friends and family.
“Last year, my 13-year-old grandson came along for the first time. It was magical to share camping and fishing with him,” he said.
Looking back, Adrian says the moments that stand out most are found close to home.
“Fatherhood is great, but being a grandfather is special,” Adrian said.
“My daughters would say having the privilege of watching both of them marry and become exceptional mothers.”
These days, he admits he sometimes enjoys a slower start in the morning—a “hurkle-durkle,” as he calls it. There’s always another project around the house, and perhaps even a long-dreamed-of trip to New York.
Retirement has also given him space to reflect on life lessons: “Life is short although in BJ (his mother) is 101. Make the most of it. Treat people as you would like to be treated.”
What Adrian hopes to leave behind is a legacy of integrity, service, and connection—values rooted deeply in the land and community he calls home.
