Hi Graeme, you’re a long term resident of Castlemaine, how long have you lived in the area?
My whole life. My parents and grandparents lived here too. My mother’s parents were orchardists at Harcourt and my father’s side worked at the pattern shop at the Foundry.
We built this house (located near the old Castlemaine Gaol) 58 years ago after borrowing three and a half thousand pounds from the bank. Some people said, ‘why would you build across from a jail?’ And I said, ‘if they’re going to get out they won’t be sticking around’.
Before we had air-conditioning we used to sit out on the porch in summer and we’d watch as people would drive up, wearing long coats, pulling out packages, and putting them under the vegetables in the prison yard. Then half an hour later we’d see a prisoner come out and collect it.
That’s incredible! You’ve had a long career at the Foundry, can you tell us about that?
I began studying mechanical engineering at the senior tech, but halfway through the course, there was a vacancy at the Foundry. I worked there for 44 years. I loved it. I worked on steam engines, snowy mountain components, and in later years train components.
If someone had told me when I started working there in 1959 that I would be working in front of a computer, rather than hand drawing, I wouldn’t have believed them.
You’ve been married to your lovely wife Lois for 58 years, how did you meet?
Lois grew up in Campbells Creek and lived there for 21 years before moving to Castlemaine. She was working at the Woollen Mill and her parents lived across the road. I saw her arriving home from work one day and asked her out.
We were married in 1965 at the Campbells Creek Methodist Church (where Olivet is now).
We have two children (a son and daughter) and four grandchildren who all live here.
I notice from your photos you’ve both done a lot of travel. Where have you been?
We have been to seven continents and 66 countries. We’ve travelled to Antarctica, India, Russia, Germany, Norway, Brunei, Japan, and South Korea.
Our first trip (other than Australia) was to New Zealand in 1976 while I was on long service leave. We asked everyone’s advice about doing a bus tour or hiring a car and driving. We went against everyone’s advice and drove. I’ve driven in America and Europe too. I found it easier to drive in America than in Australia. People are more courteous, they let you merge or switch lanes.
We went to Harbin in China for the Ice Festival. We walked around the park and there were ice sculptures of the Colosseum, Parthenon, the Great Wall, and a variety of castles, all with coloured lights inside. It was minus 32 degrees. We’d packed warm clothing but friends of ours came from Queensland with only plastic clothes coverings. All you could hear was this crinkle, crinkle as their coverings disintegrated in the cold. The tour guide had to take them to buy clothes.
Graeme, you’ve been an active member of the community for many years, what sort of activities have you been involved in?
I’m a life member of the Pioneers and Old Residents Association and was the president for 16 years.
I was also involved in the Castlemaine Cricket Association for 50 years, playing and then umpiring, as well as being the secretary/treasurer for 30 years. In 2000 I was awarded a sports medal for my involvement in cricket.
What an amazing achievement! Are you reading anything at the moment?
I’m reading A History of Castlemaine-Maryborough Railway.
What genre of music do you both enjoy listening to?
Classical. Andre Rieu.
Is there a philosophy you live life by?
Take things as they come. Don’t get upset about anything. Live life by your own standards.
Finally Graeme what do you both love most about the place you call home?
We’re happy to live here because we have everything we want and Bendigo is only 30 minutes, Ballarat 60 minutes, and Melbourne 90 minutes away.
Plus all our friends live here and we regularly have morning tea and dinners.