Gregory Murray Pickworth

Sweet Greg,
It was always wonderful to catch up with you at Yarra Valley and you always welcomed me with a beautiful smile, and looked for me to have a cup of tea with you. That was joy and pleasure to meet you and seeing your beautiful, loving, accepting appearance and I remember you waved to me when you were on the tractor. I’m sorry that you wanted to come to Tassie to have a cup of tea on our veranda, so now I’m having a cup of tea with you. That was your wish, so I’m having this with you in a subtle way. When you were carrying my bags to the car at Yarra Valley, I didn’t know that it was a goodbye before you passed away because every year looking forward to seeing you when I visit.

I watch the posts and appreciate as another is added, and I write a little in order to help myself process Greg’s sudden and complex death, with the intention of at some stage getting to today and add my words to this tribute page. Thank you for this choice to give us all the opportunity to speak.
My deep condolences to Julia, Simon, their families, and to all of us who loved Greg. My concern for the Yarra Valley BK community.
I first meet Greg at the Brisbane BK Centre 2002. Soon after he invited me to use Woodstock Street as my town house in exchange for watering the garden. I was commuting to Brisbane from Boonah for work. Greg has since accommodated so many of us in his beautiful homes.
He was living in Sydney and contributing his design skills to the renovations at Wilton.
As mentioned by others we will continue to be grateful and uplifted by his creations.
The spaces where the light comes in: the angles, the curves shifting consciousness and creating magic.

Dear Greg,
It was always a beautiful sunny day when I stayed with you in Brisbane, clean blue
sky with pure white clouds. Were you looking at the beautiful sky when you were
fixing the roof? Then, you accidentally fly to the sky. I miss you, dear friend, when I
look at the beautiful and sunny sky because you are now there.
2016, was the first time I met you. You looked serious, and I guess that you didn't
like to laugh heartily. You had eyes with smart and rational spots, prudent and careful
but friendly and kindly. You asked me, can you make dumplings? Of course!!! We
made many dumplings and vegetable soup. You were happy and ate a lot of food.
You ate the broken dumpling wrappers with chill sauce and said “This is good, this is
good!” I wish to cook for you again, in your wood kitchen with big window. But, you are not here any more.
Now, you are part of the Light and nature, you step on the Lightness road and fit in Baba’s golden arms,sparking and shing in the sky forever. Good bye, dear Greg.

Dear Greg
I am humbled to have the opportunity to say a few words here. Not many people give real estate agents the light of day, but you always gave me your time. You had a special love for Petrie Terrace and I fondly remember our regular chats albeit not always about real estate but sometimes about life in general. I will miss those chats and I will miss you. Rest in peace friend.

The Pickworth family have been connected to my family for at least 70 years when we became neighbours to Greg’s grandparents, Mr and Mrs Murray. Later Greg and Camille lived in the house.

Greg shared a love of classic cars with my father who helped Greg work on MG TC. Greg was one of the few people to whom Dad lent tools as Greg always returned them.

Greg was a talented architect who converted our 2 bedroom house into a spacious 4 bedroom home. Every day I am grateful for his clever design. Greg did a similar transformation on his own house adding a bedroom wing and enlarging the living space to make a light filled home.

Greg also designed an extension to my parents’ home which was built by both our fathers. The addition blends in with the original plan of the house - another example of Greg’s prowess as an architect.

Greg was a quietly spoken thoughtful man. He was determined. Greg loved his children and he will be greatly missed. Rest quietly Greg.

Ive been reading some of he heart felt reflections on Greg…all seemed to have a thread of gentleness; a kind hearted man who loved a chat, a chai and community. Ive known Greg for many years but since being at Wilton Ive gotten to know him on a deeper level.
He shared some regrets in life, a deep love and pride for his family, being an architect, work colleagues and a beautiful comfort in being part of the BK community.
When he visited WIlton in the Winter months, each morning he would come down stairs at 5am and put the fire on, and each morning we would be greeted with a warm space to come together over breakfast. It was the small things that make a difference.
He would sit for hours in the dining room, chai in hand, laptop close by and just be, and whoever wanted to come and have a would do just that.

Much love to you dear Greg, you are appreciated so much and this will be lighting the path as you journey to your next adventure.

When I first arrived in Leura Retreat Centre, in 2001, Greg was in a meeting in the Manager's cottage. I was walking in the garden outside. Greg turned to look at me. In that moment, I felt "I know this person". Beginning to connect with Greg, I found him to be very respectful, caring and accepting of me. Being new to this country's culture, I really needed this.
I consulted with him about how to improve the kitchen space and how to make the food storage area mouse and rat proof!
While spending a year at the Wilton Retreat Centre, I would enjoy Greg's frequent visits, and he would enjoy Matthew's morning coffees and afternoon chai with Siu Wan's madeira cake.
Once, when Greg drove from Wilton to Goulburn to meet up with his daughter and her friend, Matthew told me to accompany him. On that journey, Greg played loud music in the car and sang along! Seeing this liberated side of him , also helped me to feel that freedom.
I deeply feel the loss of someone l can naturally feel close to and learn from.

Dear Greg,

I'm not sure how many years since we became friends...
a couple of decades, and more.

I remember your enthusiastic firewood skills when you stayed at the Sanctuary ...

Your one liners, "follow the money, no more bikkies in the jar, don't drink the koolaide" ... just gorgeous and so entertaining.

But most of all, our shared trip to Central Australia on our BMW Motorbikes in 2016. So memorable.

This photo is of you drying your clothes on a road train hwy...
Some things made no sense but were always entertaining.

Miss you bro.

Dad, you would sparkle with energy and ideas, making small moments and spaces seem magical. We shared tea with warmed cups & tea cosies; walked streets talking of rooflines; carried bricks & had morning teas; ate laksas & salad rolls with chilli from Miss Van’s; drove in your classic cars; hunted for old jugs & egg coddlers; watched Brisbane transform around your lovely homes. You were a complex man, who often wanted more or different, including from me. So you could be demanding & confusing, causing pain to many, whether intentional or not, and you spoke of regret. We shared tea & your sourdough in my Canberra home through this past year after mum died. And we pottered, walked to the markets, hatched plans for building a little shack in my garden. I am sorry there won’t be more tea & pottering & planning, maybe even finding an elusive rhythm. I’m shocked you are gone, in an instant, and so soon after mum. I give thanks for you both, xx

Greg was one of my best friends ever. He used to call himself my ‘No. 1 Fan’, always accepting me. We spent time together over 25 years in Australia, Vietnam, Cambodia, Taiwan and India.
He was so clever and funny. We laughed a lot. We enjoyed depth, humour, kindness and creativity.
He cared deeply for the BK community, and we often spoke of the fragility of ageing and of finding solutions.
He captured the heart of architecture, once bringing tears to a Taiwanese architect’s eyes... The Experience Room in Five Dock and the Angel Wing in Wilton are a reflection of this.
He stayed with a Muslim friend in Mumbai, going to the mosque; walked the Camino; enjoyed daily BK classes with us and studied Vedanta. He just wanted ‘to get out of his own way’.
Thank you, Greg, for your unwavering support. There are great things awaiting as you move forward on your journey.

Dad was a unique individual. He could see & feel beauty & energy from the smallest simplest cups of tea, views, ideas, structures or nature. He was quirky, different & unusual. "If we were all the same it would be pretty boring right Dad?" A life of creativity through his architectural & project design. He was still advising, creating & helping right up to the end. He had a natural curiosity & inquisitiveness towards life, & certainly drove his love of travel & adventure. He & I were lucky to have travelled together (UK, France, Italy, Peru & Myanmar) Our adventure to Machu Picchu he loved, albeit the combination of altitude & stomach bug nearly saw us both off. We saw Burma during the brief window the country was "open" to experience the wonders, sights, temples & majesty. The picture above taken at one of our favourite coffee spots in Manly, we used to share a run, swim & coffee down there over the years. They broke the mould with Dad that's for sure. Mumma Mia.... RIP Dad.

I will share some stories briefly which highlight the unique personality that Greg was/is. A long time ago the BKs were invited to start a meditation room at a still-in-renovations site in CBD Sydney. Greg joined for an on-site visit to see the space. The space was small. His creative mind kicked in and he visually described how to optimise the space. Soon after he produced incredible drawings. The second story is when we were having a social afternoon (high tea!) at the BK Illawarra retreat centre. I was tasked with doing club sandwiches (very fiddly). Sr Morni allocated Greg as my "assistant". He was so respectful; listening to the instructions and so gentle, checking in if he was doing OK. There were many beautiful sides to Greg! What stood out most for me was his ability to beautifully balance being mature (sort of serious) with being as playful as a child. He was forthright but never hurt/ ful. The passion and intensity with which Greg lived life is truly inspirational.

Firstly, Condolences to Simon and Julia. I was a close friend to Gregee. I knew him 25 of years, travelled with him overseas, lived with him in Pratten Street, he’d come and stay with me in Leura whenever he’d visit Sydney, yep we was buddies. He was intelligent, insightful, witty, kind and adolescent at times. He’d joke that he was “on the spectrum” but indeed he was!! (Didn’t bother to analyse what PD 😝 )
He was a friend. I’m missing him daily. Hard to believe he’s flown away. I think the world has lost a unique shining light.
A story that embodies Greg, I stayed with him some months. I gave him some feedback of how to make the attic more comfortable. For six months he was sending me photos of the improvements he’d made. So much enthusiasm “mama mia “ was one of his sayings.
Another, the local Cancer Charity had acquired a house and property. Her met them and then spent some weeks, free of charge, drawing up plans of how to utilise the property. That’s the type of kindness and brilliance of Gregee.

Thank you brother Greg. You brought a sensible and wise approach to your architectural contribution as Leura and Five Dock centres were emerging. Safe journey to your next life.
Good wishes from the bunnies 🙏🌹🙏🌹🙏🌹🕉️☮️🐰🐰🐰

With a quiet presence and a deep inner world, my dear spiritual brother Greg moved through life as both an architect of spaces and a contemplator of truth. He listened more than he spoke, and when he did, his words were thoughtful, kind, and purposeful—like the lines he drew.
He loved simple rituals: good coffee, warm chai, and moments of stillness where reflection unfolded. In these moments, his humble and observant soul shone through.
He offered so much of his creative gift selflessly to the Brahma Kumaris retreat centre, a place of spiritual learning and silence that became his home in his final chapter. Through his work, he shaped spaces that will continue to support many souls on their inner journeys. His service lives on in every corner he designed with care.
Though he left suddenly, there is a sense he departed in peace, surrounded by spiritual family. His presence remains—woven into the spaces he built, the lives he touched, and the silence he deeply understood.
Eduardo🌿

I was with Greg for a few days before he passed away. Every morning when I would go into the dining room at the retreat centre, Greg would be sitting in his favourite spot with his mug of Chai or coffee. "Good morning Linda" he would say with a smile, raising his mug. He always made me smile. A lovely memory.