John Stapleton
CHOKING back tears, serving NSW police officer Detective Inspector Brad Monk paid tribute to one of the most feared bikies in Australia, his brother Rodney ``Hooks'' Monk of the infamous outlaw bikie gang the Bandidos.
With the coffin lid off, bikies with tears in their eyes had just finished filing past the body. Large, rough, upset men in full bikie regalia embraced each other. As the leader of Sydney's Downtown chapter of the worldwide group Rodney Monk was about as close to bikie royalty as you can get in Australia.
Monk, 31, was killed last Thursday night in an alley in East Sydney by a fellow gang member as part of a vicious power struggle within the group. The only suspect, former Bandido's sergeant-at-arms Russell Oldham, has been missing ever since. The Bandidos are known as a law unto themselves and a police source said Oldham may already be dead in a revenge attack.
In paying tribute to his brother, Det Inspector Brad Monk said wryly that at one time people would point out to him the graffiti tag ``Hooks'' which had been all over Sydney. He said as a kid his brother, with two elder siblings, had to toughen up fast, but had gone on to love his sport and been a fine rugby league player, which is where he got the nickname ``Hooks''. He said Rodney had developed his first taste of the sweet things in life when he used to play hookey from school and gone round to a mates place where he would stuff himself silly. ``It didn't take long to shed those little rolls,'' he said. ``He had a great sense of humour. I will never forget his laugh.''
Rodney Monk's girlfriend of several years Stephanie Roman said the pair dreamt of marrying and having children. In her eulogy she said: ``He was the centre of my world. He was a true gentleman and a born leader. All the good times we had I will never forget, his friends, his brothers, I will miss him so much. He was truly unique. He loved the fine things in life and would never accept second best. He loved his people. I will be ever thankful I have known such an amazing person.''
Dave Hanson from the God Squad said Rodney had loved life and lived it to the full. He said he stood for many things Australian society had forgotten, including mateship, loyalty, respect and commitment to his club. He said Rodney had been bitten with the love of a big bike, the call of the open road and the joys of personal freedom, passions many of his countrymen would never know or even imagine. ``Once it is in your blood you can't get it out of your system,'' he said. ``He was a man of great character and respect. Bad things do happen to good people.''
Father Colin Blayney, who conducted the service, said Rodney Monk had been big hearted, generous person ``beloved by family and friends.'' He said everyone was reminded of the darkness in life, particularly because of his ``sudden and violent death''.
After the service a troop of more than 150 souped-up bikes led the procession to the Castle Hill Cemetery, with Monk's coffin nestled on a side car and draped with red and yellow roses, the colours of the Bandidos. He was laid to rest with the equivalent of full military honours in front of a crowd of 500 friends, family and fellow-bikers. Tributes were paid as his coffin was lowered into the ground.
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