Community farewells Bangalow hit and run victim

HUNDREDS of mourners — many dressed in red or wearing footy jerseys and scarves — filled St Kevin’s Catholic Church in Bangalow on Thursday to farewell much-loved local Paul ‘Campo’ Campton.

People from all parts of his life, from the Bangalow Rebels Rugby Club to the Shire Choir, came together to say goodbye to the 64-year-old, who died in a hit-and-run incident on Raftons Road in early July.

In honour of his lifelong passion for the St. George Illawarra Dragons rugby league team, his family had asked attendees to wear red or their favourite team’s jersey. One young girl even wore a red dragon costume to the service.

“What a turnout,” Father David Gilbey remarked as he opened the ceremony.

The service began with REM’s Everybody Hurts echoing through the church, before his wife Jannine Campton and daughters Kristy Jamison, Marlie Campton and Brianna Campton delivered heartfelt tributes.

They spoke lovingly of his sense of humour, passion for sport and love of a beer — describing him as someone who would “chew the ear off anyone who would listen.”

Jannine shared how the couple met while working at the Commonwealth Bank in Manly before moving north to the Northern Rivers, originally to Binna Burra.

Campton continued working casually for the Commonwealth Bank for another three decades. Several branches even closed for the day so staff could attend the funeral.

“Retirement was just around the corner for him and we are heartbroken he won’t get to live that dream,” Jannine said.

She recalled how, when their daughters were at school, Campton would spend almost every Saturday running sausage sizzles outside Hernes Butchery to raise funds for their athletics pursuits. In tribute, the family arranged for a sausage sizzle to be held at his wake at The Bowlo, where he was a regular.

“We are all so grateful to the support and love shown to us over the past few weeks,” Jannine said.

Jamison recalled how Campton burst into tears when he discovered he was going to be a grandfather.

“It’s so surreal what has happened,” she said. “The shock hits out of nowhere.”

Marlie reflected on his challenging early life and expressed deep gratitude to the Bangalow community for providing a safe and loving place for him. She also spoke of his love for his children.

“It didn’t matter what my sisters and I were doing in our life, it was always big deal to him,” she said.

Brianna lamented the fact they would never get to embark on their planned Outback adventure next year, or watch every State of Origin game next year at The Star in Sydney as they had planned.

“You should have been here to watch me get married, or at least get a half decent boyfriend,” she joked.

She also extended thanks to the woman who found Campton injured, and the first responders who stayed with him until the end.

NSW Police are urging anyone with information — especially CCTV, dashcam or mobile phone footage from the area at the time of the incident — to contact Crime Stoppers at 1800 333 000 or visit nsw.crimestoppers.com.au