Farewell to one of life’s characters W
e tend to use the term ‘larger than life’ too often. But if there was ever an example where the expression fitted the individual perfectly it was certainly Max Galpin.
Max, formerly of Edenhope, Horsham and in later years Torquay, died on August 18. He was 80. His death, the result of a debilitating short-term illness, brought to an end one of the Wimmera’s most colourful characters. A son of Ron and Bruni Galpin, he was born on July 27, 1935, at Edenhope where he enjoyed an active childhood. Blessed with a vibrant and unpredictable personality, Max could always claim that he could comfortably mix and socialise with a broad crosssection of the community. This ability led to him being well-
known across the region. Few who knew him in his later years never knew he was also a gifted athlete and was as good at tennis and football as he was at applying himself to hard work, cutting timber from the bush or sharing his unique and mischievous sense of humour. You would never know talking to him, but records from the 1950s show that Max as a young athlete caught the eye of Australian tennis legend Harry Hopman, which led to invitations to train with Australia’s Davis Cup squad. They also show he joined Graeme Mackenzie for a stint with VFL club Fitzroy before returning home to concentrate on the family business. Perhaps one of the great tragedies of Wimmera sport is that Max Galpin had only a brief opportunity to show off his sporting prowess. In truth, the fact he lived until
FIVE-DAY forecast
VALE: Max Galpin. he was 80 would have been a surprise to anyone who was at the scene in 1959 when he, at 22, suffered horrific injuries from a falling tree during a west Wimmera bushfire. The burning limb almost cut him in half and he suffered horrific internal injuries. Amaz-
ingly, he survived but had to endure a lifetime of pain, operations, therapies and treatment. Max, who from a young age threw himself into all aspects of saw-milling, overcame expectations to largely regain his physical functionality. He could never play football again
but he could live, laugh and love – the things that really mattered to him. His son Tony said his father suffered more injuries along the way, some serious, but shrugged them off and at one stage said he no longer cared about pain. “He camped in the bush to work for eight years, coming home on weekends. At first he lived under a corrugated iron lean-to before upgrading to a musty old bus,” he said. “He won significant rewards for his hard work. He dressed well and drove sports cars and generally had a wonderful time attending various events across western Victoria.” Tony added that amid the jokes and fun, his father’s quiet generosity and ability to make people feel good about themselves without demanding kudos or thanks in return underpinned his personality. “He belittled people and nev-
er big-noted himself or fell to pride, envy or greed. He was bereft of any sinister traits and it’s rare that you can say that about anyone,” he said. Max worked with his brother Neville in the saw-milling business before retiring at 64, and eventually shifting to Torquay with his wife Shirley to be closer to their family. Max is survived by Shirley and children Kim, Mandy and Tony and grand-children Sam, James, Ben and Miranda and siblings Del, Joy and Neville. Tony perhaps best summed up his father with a final note. He wrote: “He rests in peace but the wonderful memories he created live on. Think of him and smile. And as Max would have said, ‘stay ordinary’.” Max’s family buried him on Monday, among gum trees that were so much part of his life, at Bellbrae cemetery near Torquay.
Douglas DC-3 to fly into Nhill
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Nhill Air Show attendees can experience the thrill of 1950s’ airline travel by arriving at the show in a Douglas DC-3. The aircraft flew the Melbourne to Adelaide route in the 50s, stopping at Nhill. Show convenor Andrew Kube said the aircraft, first flown in 1935, was known worldwide for safe and reliable air travel. “It is arguably one of the most influential aircraft ever built, and after 80 years some are still flying commercially,” he said.
Mr Kube said the committee teamed up with Shortstop Jet Charter to offer a unique experience for the air show on October 10. He said a Douglas DC-3 flight would leave Essendon Airport at 8.30am, arriving at Nhill in time for the flying program at 11.30am. The return flight will depart Nhill at noon the following day, arriving at Essendon at 2.30pm. He said seats were limited and people could email nhillairshow@gmail.com or visit www. nhillairshow.com.au for more information.
BCG MAIN FIELD DAY WEDNESDAY 9 SEPTEMBER, BERRIWILLOCK
• • • • • • • • • • • •
Climate forecasting and decision making Stubble and residue management - Jack Desbiolles Controlled traffic farming - Wayne Chapman Grazing opportunities and oat evaluation - Alison Frischke Herbicide and nutrition risk management - Tim McClelland WeedSeeker: spraying based on plant type - Sam Trengove Wheat varieties and row spacing - Claire Browne Early sown wheat opportunities - Nick Poole Emotional resilience in farming - Dennis Hoiberg Micronutrition and liquid seeders - Rob Norton and Tom Lord Agronomy and economics of legume systems PLUS rural press club on ‘ag in the media’ from 8.15am
#BCGfieldday15
BY DEAN LAWSON
TIME: 9am - 4.30pm (Breakfast available from 8am) COST: BCG members: FREE. Non-members: $50 INFO: www.bcg.org.au or 03 5492 2787
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