My Great Grandmother was shipped to Tasmania by ship in the late 1900s. By 1901 she had given birth to my Grandfather who was born 21st August 1901 the year our country became a Federation.

With most of his family fully entrenched in the way of life in what was once known as Van Diemen’s Land he set off sailing towards a new beginning and a new life in Victoria.

Once there he travelled doing odd jobs on farms and made much of his money shooting pool as a hustler, finally coming to rest in the Otway Forest near Colac.

Unbeknown to him was a fair lady named Clarice Evans whom he courted and married.

Along came his family and soon the war.

He set sail for Eygpt as many of our soldiers did. He served in the Middle East and then in Papua New Guinea earning himself the Pacific Star among many of the medals we now have as a memory of him and his achievements.

My Grandad was sure a hustler and taught me everything he knew including stories about his days in Eygpt driving through the frontlines to get supplies to the men who gave everything. In the mid 1900s he was a life champion and made much of his money that way. He also loved those GEE GEES and you knew when he had won, he gave money to everyone.

My Grandpa was a very important man in my life, he showed me how to make up games, he had even made his own cue and to have him born in the year of Federation was just as important, now I celebrate that along with my memories of him and they always come flooding back sometimes with tears, but most of all with smiles. The year of Federation means all that to me and I thank you for that.