I was born in 1920 in a town called Pratten close to the Condamine River and about 25 kilometers from Warwick, Queensland.
My working career included 5 years Army service as an infantry Sergeant Major where I served in Papua New Guinea, Borneo, and Celebes Island. Other post war appointments included Hotel and RSL Club Managements in Kempsey and Grafton; High Rise Residential Property Management on the Gold Coast.
These positions gave me the unique opportunity to meet various personalities. I met and catered for the Queen, Prince Phillip, Princess Anne, Sonya McMahon and Mrs. Harold Holt.
Other personalities included Paul Hogan, Jimmy Little, Bert Newton, Winifred Attwell, The Ink Spots, Julie Anthony, Tony Mundine, Chips Rafferty, Dally Messenger, Eddie Charlton, Dave Sands and cricket personalities Stan McCabe, Bill O'Reilly, Sid Barnes, and Freddy Trueman.
I have three children, 2 daughters and a son, and 5 grand children. Both of my daughters live here in Brisbane and my son lives on the Gold Coast.
I began playing Lawn Bowls in 1952 at Kempsey and have subsequently belonged to the Grafton, Mermaid Beach and Corinda Clubs. I was Greens Director for the Grafton Services Club.
At the Corinda Club I have won the B Grade Pairs; was a runner up in the Championship Club Fours; and won 2 Flags in the 7th. Division of the Cunningham District Pennants competitions.
The toughest opponent I have played in our Club (Corinda) is Evan Tanzer.
The most memorable event for me in recent years is the day I turned 90 and the Club put on a High Tea to celebrate the occasion.
My other sporting activities included cricket which I played at District level and Rugby League in the army team.
Tapestry, snooker and cooking are my hobbies. My cooking specialty is sweets (my Rocky Road is well known to my friends). At home I have accumulated a collection of cricket memorabilia which includes individual and team signed and framed photographs; a number of original and limited edition cricket bats signed by the Australian and State team members; caps, books and many other special items.
