The Australian Macquarie dictionary defines 'unique' as: 'of which there is only one' , 'having no like or equal' , 'remarkable, rare or unusual.' All of which applies to Brett as all of you would agree. It's been a priviledge to have known Brett since those first days at kindergarten right through to every school year since then and up until now at uni where he's studying advanced science and working part time at Bankstown as a Security officer. Brett and I have forged a strong friendship, so much so that coming around to visit him is like popping in and saying hello to a brother. And like many friendships that have their 'ups' and 'downs' ours seemingly have only ever had 'ups'. Well, except for that incident that happened last year on a cold autumn night at around 2am. We'd just gotten back from having scaled up the Padstow Heights water tower for the umpteenth time when the challenge was made to race. Brett would ride and I would run, with a headstart, of course. However Brett had other ideas, this is where one of the downs in our friendship comes to light. Brett stacks his bike in the gutter and goes down quicker than a $2 Hook, line and sinker. The only thing that saved Brett from the full force of the impact was his face and chin. At 2.30am we were back at here, calling a taxi to take us to Bankstown Medical Centre. At 3.30am we were back here again, Brett with a few stiches. Most teenagers are rebellious at some stage and also 'experiment'. Apparently Brett's rebellious stage comes when people come to visit him and he threatens to clean his room. Brett's experimental phase wasn't too long ago... However this experiment was more a demonstration of some of the properties of water, steel and electricity. Brett's younger brother, Lucas, was also interested in the effect that this demonstration might have. If the electric stove is on and the tap water is running, what happens when you hold a stainless steel knife to the element and with your outstreched hand, put it under the water? -Lucas???- we are not amused.

In more recent times, Brett and I have ventured down towards Huskisson to visit his grandparents. Like any friends would we went fishing, saw some of the local wildlife and went swimming at Hymes Beach, at midnight. Just testing if the water is cold or not bordering on winter time. I've never seemed to be able to inconvenience Brett at home when he's typing away on the internet with his uni friends, Dominic, Laszlo, Scott, Mason, Ian, Darren, Rudolph, Clement and the Dobson's. Or if he's watching either media-watch or the X-files. Maybe I've disrupted some plans when he really did need to complete his uni assignment or study for an exam, but he always says it never inconveniences him. All he says is, "Would you like a cup of tea?" Of course I would, we all would. Unfortunately, I haven't been able to inconvenience him, nor have any of his other friends or family, although we'd all like to be able to, that is, of course, if Brett HAD a girlfriend. Brett's mother has asked me, "Adam, when is Brett going to get a girlfriend, he needs one." Maybe that's because Mrs Hall might be faced with another 21 years of Brett living at home. But I'm sure it would be a blessing. However there are some who are aware of a time back in 1996 at university when it seemed that Brett's heart was captured for a fleeting moment. Her name was Lidija, and according to Brett, she was perfect, flawless in every detail. She was very intelligent, like Brett. Good looking, like Brett. And she was unique, like Brett. Unfortunately, such is life that a stranger happened to stumble into this young lady's life and at the same time deliver a blow to Brett's love prospects. But we all know Brett to be resiliant amongst other things. All his love at the time went towards his little cat, wuss, which unfortunately didn't get to see Brett and his amazing feat of having survived 21 years on this planet with the support of his mother and father. But I'm sure Brett can sometimes still imagine the cat clawing and tapping on the back sliding door waiting to be let in. Or is that me when I sometimes come around. To conclude, I'd like to say to Brett that having the chance to be able to make a speech for you on your 21st is an honour. And like your friendship it will be held in high regard always. So, to you Brett, even though you don't drink, because, "you don't like it", I'd like everyone here to raise their glasses for you and to wish you a happy 21st.