The town of Gawler is in mourning following the loss of our most knowledgeable local rail historian George John Rau.

Born and raised in Gawler from the 6th of February 1928 to parents Harold George William Rau and Catherine Leidle Rau (nee Ford), George completed his schooling at Gawler Primary School and his first job was part of the production line for local paper The Bunyip.

It wasn’t long before George, the second of three brothers – the late Ray Williams (eldest) and Robert Harold (youngest), followed in his father’s footsteps to work at the Islington Railway Workshops, developing into a highly skilled rope and steel wire splicer.

George went on to spend 45 years working in South Australia Railways and with his father learning the art of a blacksmith as an apprentice under Gawler own James Martin, Tony Piccolo MP said it’s not surprising both became passions in his life.

“His brother Robert mentioned in his eulogy that George could look at any engine and tell you where and when it was built along with all information you could think of about that engine,” said Mr Piccolo.

“George was passionate about our community and was highly sought after for his knowledge of the railway - if there was anything George didn’t know about trains, it certainly wasn’t worth knowing.

“I think it’s fitting his first job was at The Bunyip because he loved to share stories, and he leaves behind a collection of the plans, records, drawings and photos of all the locomotives built in Gawler.

“Gawler was once a leading manufacturing town, producing many locomotives and farming machinery.

“We will seek to have these memories and historical pieces publicly available in our community to honour our region’s history – but it will also pay homage to George and his love of the rail.”

The legacy George leaves behind in the Gawler community and the hearts of family and friends is more than his love of the railway.

George was a keen and active Rover Scout in his early days, even starting a Lone Scout Patrol of eight boys to begin with, which grew to help revive scouts in the region.

He also spent time coaching a team of marching girls in Elizbeth in the mid-1960s, even helping organise the North Metropolitan Zone Championship in 1964, and enjoyed his time with the local Probus Group.

His passion for cricket grew during the Don Bradman-led “Invincibles” era, reciting all the statistics and possessing memorabilia of the greatest test team ever through his eyes.

During the same 1950s era, George joined and remained forever faithful to his three great passions – the mighty Port Adelaide Magpies Football club - even performing trainer duties for 22 years, the Trade Union Movement and Australian Labor Party.

George also took pride in his FJ Holden – his epitome of motor vehicle for its looks, sturdy mechanics and comfortable drive – and knew the number of bolts, rivets and steel used in the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

“Not many people knew about George’s personal life because he preferred to focus on other things, but he certainly has touched a lot of lives in our community,” said Mr Piccolo.

“He was always generous with his time and it was an honour to hear more about the man behind all this knowledge.

“George lived a full 96 years, and our hearts go out to his family and friends during this time.”

Robert ended his eulogy by saying, “George’s death ends 196 years of the Rau’s in Gawler.”

This story is based on a eulogy delivered at George funeral by his younger brother Robert Rau and through Tony Piccolo’s experiences with George. This has been written with the family’s permission.