Local Raymond Gobell may be a World War II veteran, but it’s his carpentry and general building work that stands the test of time across Gawler and Barossa as he celebrates his 100th birthday today.
Mr Gobell spent almost 3 years (October 1942 to July 1945) working as an airframe fitter with the Royal Australian Air Force then entering pilot training with the Empire Air Training Scheme.
While never being deployed overseas due to the scheme being disbanded with the end of WWII, Mr Gobell still recalls receiving some stern words after flying too low during a training run through Tanunda.
“Given how close to the ground he flew, I’m surprised he didn’t attract demerit points under the Road Traffic Act”, quipped Member for Light, Mr Tony Piccolo.
After being discharged, Raymond retrained as a carpenter then general builder under the Commonwealth Reconstruction Training Scheme (CRTS) and built his own home aged 27 in 1951 – where he still lives to this day on Lyndoch Road.
His family recalled the extent of his works, having built neighbouring houses before his work spread in homes across the region, including the old Mitre 10 and Beaurepaires buildings in Gawler and the Weintal Hotel in Tanunda.
Mr Piccolo was amazed with his level of skills, having done all the work - other than electrical wiring - by himself.
“They talked about how he’d even make up the bricks and fit all the plumbing, which says a lot about his work ethic and resilience in life,” said Mr Piccolo.
“I truly think this generation were built differently and it shows in the way Mr Gobell still lives an independent and fulfilling live.
“It was great to see numerous family members from Queensland and across the State come to the region this week to help celebrate in what is such a memorable and outstanding milestone.
“His children said the secret to his longevity was never smoking, drinking minimal alcohol, eating good country food, exercising, getting a moderate amount of sun and, of course, having good genetics.”
Mr Gobell attended the Barossa Goldfields Primary School from 1926 at the age of five and walked three miles to get there – often hitching a piggyback from older students and teachers as the school needed the numbers to keep operating.
Mr Gobell’s connection to the Barossa doesn’t end there with one son, Evan, having a vineyard at Stonewall and another son, Paul, a winemaker at Rowland Flat.
One of the highlights in his life was witnessing Don Bradman play at Adelaide Oval, even camping outside to make sure he didn’t miss the occasion.
Mr Gobell was very interested in gold prospecting, metal detecting and maintained his interest in aircraft, even joining the Royal Aero Club at Parafield from the late 1940s to 1960s.
But it doesn’t beat marrying the love of his life, Jean, and raising five sons and one daughter.
While Jean sadly passed away in 2014, the family continues to grow in what is now a large, extended family filled with grandchildren and great grandchildren.