TRIBUTES are pouring in for Fr (Adrian) Paul Rheinberger, known to many Queenslanders as the face of this year’s Brisbane Ekka.
Fr Rheinberger, 77, whose face appeared on bus shelters and advertising billboards throughout Brisbane to promote this year’s Royal Queensland Show, died at his Canberra home on October 3.
The photograph of Fr Rheinberger used in the promotion was taken at last year’s Ekka.
Archbishop Mark Coleridge of Canberra and Goulburn was principal celebrant at Fr Rheinberger’s funeral Mass which packed St Christopher’s Cathedral, Canberra, on October 19.
More than 40 priests attended, some of whom were in the same class as Fr Rheinberger at Manly Seminary. One of these was lifelong family friend, Fr Paul Foley also an ex-Bega boy.
The down-to-earth priest was well known for his love of the show circuit, travelling throughout Queensland and NSW offering his time-keeping skills, enjoying showjumping tournaments or following the dairy and beef competitions.
Fr Rheinberger’s sister, Norma Allen, of Cobargo, NSW, said that among the many tributes paid to her brother had been an article in the Land newspaper headed “Farewell to the father of shows”.
“To quote from this write-up: ‘Show patrons across the state were shocked to hear of the sudden death of the Reverend Father (Adrian) Paul Rheinberger. The retired Catholic priest was a familiar sight ringside at Sydney, Canberra and Brisbane Royals and countless country shows across the state, wearing his Akubra hat, blue shirt, white dog collar sporting a hand-written ‘Father Paul’ nametag and trusty camera in hand’.”
He was ordained a priest by Archbishop Eris O’Brien at St Patrick’s Church, Bega on July 18, 1959.
