Hi Denis. With the surname Cox you must be related to a few people in Maldon?
Although I have lived in Castlemaine and Campbells Creek for most of my life I consider myself a Maldonite, having been born at the Maldon Hospital in 1947 moving when I was 20.
My grandparents moved from Tarnagulla to Maldon and had 14 children. My dad was the youngest. If he was still alive he’d be 101. Maldon used to be nearly all Cox’s back in the day.
Tell us a bit about your life in Maldon?
I joined the Maldon Brass Band as an eight-year-old following in the footsteps of my father who played trombone in the band until he was in his 90s. I started on a cornet and later played euphonium. I later became bandmaster, a position I held for over 25 years, retiring in 2010, after 55 years.
Over the years I played with other bands but my biggest thrill was being a part of a Maldon brass band quartet, led by renowned musician Stan Doran, who won a Victorian Championship.
When I was about 13 I was offered a weekend job at the Ampol Servo on the corner of Main and High Streets, which started an interest in cars. This involved serving petrol, washing taxis, and repairing punctures (which I believed were saved up for my Saturday duties). I worked there until well in my 20s, servicing vehicles as I became more experienced, and then also driving taxis.
After I finished work at 1pm on Saturday I was off to play football for Maldon. My football career started as a 13-year-old when then President, Jim Taylor was driving around looking for players to play in the U18’s one Saturday. I played my first senior game at the age of 15 in a final against Talbot at Maryborough. I played in the first Maldon team in the Castlemaine Junior League at the age of 15, and because of my experience expected to be a star, however, Campbells Creek’s “Mooka” Beer made me look like a novice.
At around 14 I worked from 10pm until 7am on the manual night exchange at the Maldon Post Office for a few years. This included sleeping beside the switchboard and answering calls as they came in. At 7am it was pack up the bed, head home and prepare for high school, which at times was hard if we had a stormy night and the phone shutters kept falling, and no sleep.
You’d already worked a number of jobs when you were young. What led you to work in newspapers?
My full-time working career commenced at the Tarrangower Times in Maldon as a 15-year-old. The proprietor (Mr Smith) saw a painting of mine at the Maldon Show. They felt I had an eye for design and approached my father to see if I wanted a job, and there commenced my newspaper career as an apprentice hand and machine compositor, which included melting lead for the linotype (it was all hot metal in the printing industry those days) and I also operated the printing press.
Mr Smith was unwell and passed away later in that year which led to me joining the Castlemaine Mail to complete my apprenticeship under the management of Charlie Almond and the start of a 51-year career with the Elliot Group of Newspapers, a family company, still operating today.
I later moved to Kyneton as foreman, back to Castlemaine as branch manager, and then became general manager of Kyneton and Castlemaine in 1989. It was a fulfilling career, working with some brilliant people, and very supportive bosses and our papers were recognised for journalism, photography, and newspaper presentation awards from Victorian Country Press Association.
What other interests do you have?
When I retired I joined the Castlemaine group of Bendigo Legacy, a group of people I was always in awe of for their care of the widows of returned soldiers and their children. I am the current chairman and get enormous pleasure working with this group of dedicated people. My wife Gail keeps close contact with the five ladies in the group to ensure they are not forgotten.
These days I am trying to live a relaxing life around the house and love to spend time playing with my cars. In my retirement I joined Castlemaine Historic Car Club, attending classic car events, and going on coffee cruises with Castlemaine Hot Rod Club.
Who are your three dream dinner guests?
My son Brendan. He died when he was 25. I’d give anything to just have five minutes with him. Peta Credlin, a policy adviser to the Howard government, and my primary school teacher, Jack Daniher.
What are your pet peeves?
I hate spelling errors in newspapers.
Favourite musician
Eric Clapton.
What are you reading at the moment?
I like reading car magazines.
Finally Denis, what do you enjoy most about the place you call home?
We just love the outdoor areas and sitting out the front looking over the hills and having an ale.