On the Grapevine

He is the youngest of five children

Tragically, Victor lost his mum when he was just two years old, and at the age of eight, his father passed away, leaving the young boy to be cared for by an older sibling.

His elder brother had returned from war service and took him to live with his young family before the local council arranged a suitable orphanage where he remained until he was 11.

Foster homes followed, and at 13, he was offered a place at Royal Washed Boarding School in Essex, which housed 400 boys up to the age of 16.

He did well at school; he was attentive and worked hard, running for the school at the County Championships and passing all his certificates (which he still has today).

His welfare officer (who became a foster dad to the teenager) asked what he wanted to do with his life and suggested he go to Australia under the ’10 Pound Pom’ system and after learning he had a sister in Adelaide, Victor agreed.

The 16-year-old and 10 other boys he had not met boarded the P&O liner ‘Orontes’ for a big adventure.

Arriving in Adelaide six weeks later, the boys were sent to a hostel in Elder Park and told they would be given one week, and then they were to pay their own way.

Victor had his sister’s address and, after knocking at her door, found she was overcome to see her little brother again; he was all grown up! He stayed with her for the next three years.

His first job was with Woolworths.

“Since that first job, I have never been out of work,” recalls Victor proudly.

Victor then worked at Hamilton Winery, then at a cheese counter in Myers, and back at Woolworths, where he held various positions. He became a trainer and later became a food manager.

He purchased his taxi some years later, driving more than 500,000 miles around Adelaide and its suburbs.

His hard work had impressed Woolies, and he was offered a position at the head office in Melbourne as an account manager with their subsidiary Rosella.

It seemed like a great opportunity, and the young man never once looked back.

However, the feeling of being his own boss never left, and he bought a gardening business and then another and, over the following 20 years, operated a successful landscaping business in Cheltenham.

Victor married and had two daughters, Cindy and Megan, with different partners, and today he has three grandchildren.

While undeniably a perfectionist, resulting from his regimented life at the boarding school, he was also something of a workaholic and in need of some relaxation.

He took up the game of golf at the age of 25, playing at Churchill Park.

“I loved it immediately, but I didn’t get a lot of time to play because I was always working,” said Victor.

When he retired at 60, he and his partner Margaret, a keen golfer, moved to Cobram, joining both Tocumwal and Cobram/Barooga Golf Clubs, where they enjoyed playing mixed events together, winning several trophies.

Victor also had success partnering with Frank Mesner.

Playing mostly from a handicap of 13, he reduced it to 11 for a short period; Victor loved his golf, and his favourite club was a nine-wood.

Although he still plays nine holes twice a week, Victor has decided to retire from the game in Jun e.

“It’s getting too hard, and I feel it’s time,” he said.

Being invited to join the MMGCC group was a godsend to Victor, particularly when Margaret passed away three years ago.

“The veterans are fantastic, the camaraderie is wonderful, and it means such a lot to be part of it,” said Victor.

At home, Victor maintains his house and garden impeccably. He enjoys the company of his 18-year-old cat, who responds to either 'Kitty' or 'Pussy'.

Peter Sutton mentioned in parliament

Former Yarroweyah man Peter Sutton advocates justice and fairness in our society, particularly social justice.

Recently, an email he sent to Greens Senator Janet Rice was read at a session of the Victorian Parliament.

Peter has been advocating for an increase in the Jobseeker and Youth Allowance rates.

He believes government pensions are too low and yet remain considerably higher than Jobseeker.

Senator Rice quoted Peter and read from the email at a recent Senate sitting.

Not bad for a boy born and bred in Yarroweyah.

Keep it up, Peter.

We need more people like you who aren’t afraid to speak out in support of issues that affect so many disadvantaged people in our communities today.

Footnote: Senator Janet Rice was in Government for 10 years and, during that time, was part of many significant changes throughout the state.

Holding a variety of Portfolios, she worked hard to affect change and was committed to a caring society, a fair economy and a clean environment.

On March 26, Senator Janet Rice stepped down from her position in the Victorian Government.

They travelled far and wide to catch up with old footy mates.

Many of Cobram Football Club’s 1974 and 1984 premiership team players travelled far and wide to attend a special reunion at Cobram over the Easter break, and for some, it proved to be quite emotional; it was like coming home.

Their faces lit up with joy as they recognised their old teammates and shared stories and laughs remembering their glory days on the field 40 and 50 years ago.

James Weeding, the ‘baby of the 1984 premiership team’, travelled across the country from Broome, WA, for the event.

“I wouldn’t have missed it for anything. It’s been great to see all the blokes and to catch up with them,” said James.

Alan Moffitt travelled across from Adelaide and agreed.

“There was no way I was going to miss it! To catch up with the old team has been amazing," he said.

Each player of the 1984 team was presented with a bottle of wine made by premiership centreman Dean Valente at his vineyard in Yackandandah.

A light red wine, each bottle was uniquely labelled with a photo and short description of the premiership players' particular skill or personality.

The 1974 team members were each presented with a bottle of the same commemorative wine labelled with a photograph of their Premiership Team of 1974.

The cherished keepsake will undoubtedly create discussion for years to come.