Rick was born and raised in Gladstone Park in Victoria. His mother Maureen and Father Wayne were strong influences on Rick's life. Rick was the second eldest of six kids (Shaun, Ricky, Corey, Jordan, Jarrod and Jessica). The Bannister family have sport in their veins. Wayne, Rick's dad, was an Australian Welterweight Boxing Champion. Jordan, Rick's brother, played AFL for Essendon and Carlton and is now an AFL umpire.

Ricky was also a great sportsman of his own, winning a Best and Fairest with his home club Therry Penola and representing Victoria in the VAFA. Rick was an accomplished boxer with an undefeated amateur record and was a state champion. Ricky excelled in business with his self proclaimed wit and charm.  

He was employed at Heidelberg Australia for almost twenty years and met many life long friends. Heidelberg Australia has had a large impact on Ricky's life and gave him a great opportunity from such a young age.

He was always a lover of all things horses. Rick owned horses from an early age and was involved in many equestrian events. He and his wife Emily resided on a farm in Kilmore where they rode horses daily and lived their passion. Ricky and Emily had their first child William on September 4, 2013.

On April 15th 2013, Ricky was involved in a horse jumping lesson at a property in Kilmore. His horse fell while attempting a jump and caused Rick to fall head first into the ground. The impact left Rick with no feeling below his shoulders. He was immediately rushed to the Austin Hospital where his diagnosis was a complete dislocation and fracture of the C5 vertebrae. Ricky was induced into a coma where Doctors inserted plates and pins to stablise his spinal column. As a result of this horrific fall, Ricky also severely damaged his spinal cord and was left a C5 complete quadriplegic. Rick spent 4 months at the Austin hospital battling health issues. On July 25th, 2013, Rick was moved to the Royal Talbot Rehabilitation centre. After suffering from many severe health issues, Rick was moved back to the Austin Hospital shortly thereafter. His family stuck by his side every step of the way. In particular his mother Maureen who quit her job and practically lived next to his bed. After 1 year and 6 months of fighting, Ricky sadly passed away on the 5th of September, 2014. It was the day after his son William's 1st birthday. Rick was 39 years old. His humour, strength and loyalty will be forever remembered in our hearts.