As a young man brought up in Liverpool, George Aubrey Armitage rarely experienced sunny days; in most instances, Liverpool was cold and dreary with overcast skies. He didn’t know any different! Yet, some years later, a new life was to begin.
George was born on February 7, 1923, and he and his three siblings did it tough. Their dad, George Sr, was with the merchant navy services, but he often did not have any work — and raising four kids was costly. Times were tough for families, and with the start of World War II it became even harder, particularly as Liverpool was one of many British cities to suffer heavy bombing and its associated devastation and casualties. The Armitage family home was among thousands of homes bombed during heavy raids.
Seeing the devastation of the only home they had ever known and what it meant to their parents, George and his brother Johnny made a promise to their mum and dad they would rebuild it for them — and this they did!
George exhibited rare skills in repairing machinery and became a mechanical engineer, joining the Royal Air Force during World War II where he met Joan, who was also in the RAF. The couple married on November 24, 1945. George was 22 and Joan 21.
In 1949, George and Joan decided to journey to Australia for what they hoped would be a better life. Sponsored by a friend of George’s sister, they joined many other ‘10 Pound Poms’ who travelled by ship to Australia.
Soon after their arrival the young couple felt they had died and gone to heaven. There were jobs available, there was open space, homes were surrounded by large gardens for children to play. All children attended school and the sun shone most days! Could it get any better after living in a city devastated by bombs, food and money shortages and with little or no infrastructure? They loved their new country immediately.
Living initially in Woodend with their sponsors, the couple eventually purchased land in Kyneton where George and Joan built their first home for their family of eight.
A tall, fit man over six feet, George would ride his bike 10 miles each way to work and home; yes, 10 miles, not kilometres. It must have been physically testing, pedalling such a distance after eight to 10 hours at work.
Life, however, has been good to the Armitages since moving to Australia. George and Joan raised a great family, which has produced many grandchildren and great-grandchildren — most of whom celebrated George’s 100th birthday nearly two years ago at the Grand Central Hotel in Cobram. An absolute thrill for the centenarian was to see his daughter and her husband from England, particularly as his son-in-law possessed a strong English accent and regal bearing in his dress-up role as King Charles.
His son-in-law apologised for the Queen not being able to attend.
“Mummy was sorry she could not be here to attend your 100th birthday!” he said, much to the merriment and delight of the party-goers — particularly the Aussies.
George retired officially at the age of 65 yet continues to work each day. Living with his daughter Barbara Gibson in Cobram, he has the perfect set-up. A sizeable workshop, a ‘man’s shed’, where he spends much of each day making something, often from nothing. It is spick and span and there’s a place for everything; be it a screw, a bolt, a nail or a wheel of a particular size, George knows exactly where to find it!
George is remarkably fit for a man of his size and age. However, as walking is becoming a little difficult, he has designed a bicycle with solid stabilising wheels. Over the next few weeks, he will put it together. Then he’ll be out and about over the summer months showing off his latest creation.
George has completely rebuilt many old bicycles and leaves them on the nature strip for any local youngster in need of a good bike. Needless to say, they are never there in the morning.
For George and Barb, recycling is their thing. Everything deserves a new home if it can be fixed or brought back to its original condition, and it’s amazing what the father and daughter achieve. They have an eye for the right item and are determined to bring it back to life.
The duo often visit local camping sites to see if there is a need to clean up and often return discouraged with what people have left behind.
”It’s disgusting what people leave in the bush,” Barb said.
Recently, I met George and Barb at Dutch Thunder Wildlife Care and Rescue, where they have been regularly dropping off buckets of flowers as a treat for local gliders and possums. These captivating little creatures with large bright eyes feed on flower buds and petals and a range of insects, and undoubtedly would appreciate a range of tasty flowers in their diet.
George and Joan were both resident at Irvin House Aged Care for some years until Joan passed away several years ago. Today, father and daughter have a relationship that has to be the envy of families everywhere. George gets up, showers and makes his bed, while Barbara makes breakfast of cereal or eggs. George then heads out to his workshop, where he keeps busy until lunchtime on his latest project. After lunch, he will rest for an hour or so. Then it’s back to the workshop until 5.30pm — not bad for a chap who can boast he is in his 102nd year and still going strong. In fact, his medico does not wish to see him for another 12 months!
What is George’s secret to his amazing age and vitality?
“Well, I like to keep busy,” he said.
“I don’t drink alcohol. I smoked a little when I was younger but not now, and I eat healthily.”