Flood victim faces second tragedy days before baby is due
Months after losing everything in the Lismore floods, a woman has faced another loss, after her partner suddenly passed away days before their baby was due to be born.
John Lush, better known as Gruntus, regularly performed as a comedian, actor, singer, and musician and was a legend in the NSW Northern Rivers community.
On Saturday night, during the Lismore Lantern Parade that aimed to help “heal hearts”, the 43-year-old suffered a heart attack.
After being treated at the scene, Lush was rushed to Lismore Base Hospital where he later died.
Lush leaves behind his partner, Vivian, who is preparing to give birth to their first child, as well as two young children.
Ebony Scott, a close friend of Lush, told Yahoo News Australia that the couple were “overjoyed” to bring their “little bundle into the world”.
“John was particularly excited. He was an incredible daddy to his other two children and would have been amazing with this little bub,” Scott said.
As Vivian prepares to give birth “any day now”, the community has rallied behind the family, who had faced several “extremely challenging” months in the wake of the floods.
“Viv is an incredibly strong person [and] she is holding up as best as can be hoped for,” Scott said.
“She takes every day as it comes and I have no doubt she will in time enjoy a fabulous life with her little bub, embracing the cherished memories of John.
“She has the love and support of family, friends and a whole community of people behind her.”
Scott recalled how Lush was an “incredible, strong and resilient person” who always looked out for others, particularly after the floods.
“He personally helped so many people come to terms with the devastation that the floods caused,” she said.
“He was devoted to Viv and his kids. John was the heart of Lismore and is completely irreplaceable.”
After Scott set up a GoFundMe page to pay for Lush’s funeral and help Vivian raise their child, over $24,000 has been raised within a few days, with many donors leaving kind messages for Vivian and the family.
Others have paid tribute to Lush on social media, with many sharing heartfelt messages dedicated to ‘Gruntus’.
“[It was] so sudden and totally unexpected,” one person wrote. "Doing what he loved, with the love of his life, Vivian, and their unborn child.
“Gruntus is a Lismore icon, his talents were amazing and varied. He was an amazing human being with a big heart and a love of Lismore like no other."
“He was always a cheerful man, trying to see the best in any situation, even if he was going through his own stuff,” another said
“Knowing John has been an absolute pleasure.”
Image: GoFundMe