Raymond Stanley Gibson
Celebrating my 90th Birthday – 2016
We share Ray’s story on the second anniversary of his passing, remembered and loved always.
My first ten years
I was born on April 16, 1926, to Stanley Robert Finlayson Gibson (known as Stan) and Caroline Christina Evelyn Schmidt (known as Evie) in Warracknabeal. I was named after my Mum and Dad’s best friend Ray Heath. He was best man at their wedding.
I was their second child, Raymond Stanley and a brother to Beryl Evelyn. We lived in Sheep Hills near Warracknabeal. My family continued to grow with the birth of Ivy May, Lorna Olive, Valma Joyce, Betty Irene, Robert Henry, June Isabel Martha and Ivan George.
I can remember every time a new baby was born we were given a fruit frozen ice block as we sat on our porch. They were a penny each.
My Father worked as a blacksmith next door to the mechanics institute in Sheep Hills. I can remember the farmers in the area coming to my Father to help them fix their harvesters and to create specific tools and parts. I can even remember horse drawn vehicles.
One of the local farmers (Uncle Herman, Mum’s brother) changed his crop to canary seed. This meant that the current harvester would not collect the seed as it was harvested. My Dad created new components for the harvester including a piece of steel with smaller holes so that the harvest wasn’t lost as it was collected. He would make chains, components and could fix any tool. He also worked on wind mills. He had no formal training. I was fascinated in the way he could fix just about anything. He was known as the ‘local fix it all’.
There was one job that the whole town got involved in. This was when Dad would put steel tyres onto wooden wheels. He would attach the tyres by building a fire on the ground where the tyres would be heated. Everyone would join in by holding onto tongs to place the rim onto the wheel after it had been heated. It was my job to lower the tyre into the water by holding onto the chain that suspended the wheel above the water.
My Mum would help. I can remember her being pregnant and working as hard as anyone on making the tyres. To me she was always pregnant and always with my Grandma Gibson who lived with us helping to look after all of us children. Grandma Gibson owned lots of properties in town.
I remember little of my grandparent’s lives. Family business was never talked about particularly in front of us children. My Dad always said “It wasn’t for the children to know”.
One of my favourite memories is yabbying on Sunday afternoons at a local dam at my Grandfather’s property. With my brothers and friends we would spend the afternoon yabbying then come home and light up the forge and cook them for Sunday night tea.
Ray’s Parents – Stan and Evie Gibson
My teens
My family continued to grow with the birth of Leslie John, Beverly Joy, Mavis Lorraine, Phyllis Margaret, Barbara Joan and Yvonne Patricia. Stan and Evie were the proud parents of fifteen children.
My Dad shut the door and walked away from the blacksmiths in Sheep Hills. No one in the area could pay him for his work. A drought had hit the area hard with the farmers and my Dad losing their livelihood. This was to change all of our lives and after a time the town of Sheep Hills would no longer exist.
My Dad left for Melbourne and began work at the Rising Sun Service Station. Two weeks later I left home and travelled to Melbourne to live and work with him. My Mother and brothers and sisters would come to Melbourne later to join us once we were established with work and a home.
I began work at the Rising Sun Service Station when I was thirteen. My Dad and I lived in Sydenham Street, West Footscray opposite the Rising Sun Service Station. When my Mother and the rest of the family arrived we lived in St Albans.
I did my apprenticeship through RMIT while working at the Rising Sun. I worked for Mr Geddes and we often had turbulent times but I finished my apprenticeship with him.
When I lived in St Albans I knocked around with a group of mates and we sometimes raided the fruit trees in the local orchard. My Mum and Dad were called by Mr Power when I got stuck in the fibro light when trying to pick nectarines. Mr Power and my family were part of the same church. I was given a good talking to from my parents. It didn’t stop me.
I did stop when I met Joan Stebbing and started courting her. Joan and I met through my work mate Ray Talbot. He introduced us, as Joan was the sister of his wife to be, Hazel.
Ray Gibson with his friend Tabby
My twenties
I courted Joan for six years before I married her in 1951.
During the time I was courting Joan after taking her home to West Footscray I would miss the last train to St Albans and would have to walk home to St Albans along the train track. It was worth it.
Joan’s Dad would tease us about ‘kafoofaling’ at the back door or the front gate and would say. “You should we get married. “
We had our honeymoon in a caravan towed by Esmeralda the A Model Ford. It was nine months later that Stan was born. My family and neighbours all counting the months from our wedding day. Fourteen months later Greg was born.
I left the Rising Sun Service Station to begin my own business. I rented Market Street for a time. I was getting a feel as to what it would be like to have my own business. I began buying and selling trucks. This helped some people I knew in the local area start their businesses. They would use their earnings to pay off the truck. This was all done with a handshake.
I had lots of ambition to begin my own business which came from my Father. My parents never criticised us for trying things and always said to me, “Have a go.”
In Joan’s family the girls either learnt to knit or play a musical instrument. Joan became a great knitter. Knitting for our children and then our grandchildren.
We had lots of extended family parties and picnics. My family were musical. They could sing and also a couple of my siblings would yodel. Musical instruments such as the spoons, mouth organ, squeeze box and guitar were played at our parties. My family parties were large with fourteen siblings and the next generation being born. My Dad always catered with prawn cocktails, curries, kangaroo tail soup and potted meat. The food was basic although always eaten and tasty.
The parties would be talked about for months after with neighbours joining in. We called them the ‘hanger oner’s’.
Ray and Joan Gibson nee Stebbing
My thirties
Our daughter Sue was born. She used to eat dog bones in the backyard and dirt. Sue loved animals. She had lizards, rabbits, guinea pigs, dogs, ducks and chooks. I would get some of the animals through my work and would bring them home for Sue. When she got older we bought her a pony.
At night and on weekends I built an American Lewis 17 foot 6 inches which was a clinker speed boat. The boat had been damaged from an accident where it came off the back of the trailer on the freeway with the left side running into concrete blocks on the side of the road. The right side was all we used. My friend Russell Ashcroft and I built the boat. He was good with woodwork. We steamed the timber to form the planks and then quickly attached them to the boat. I helped him and then paid for the boat when it was finished. Russell’s wife Lorna would make us cups of tea.
I built a trailer and then we used the boat for water skiing. We would go to Bonnie Doon, Maribyrnong River, Barwon River, Exford Weir or any fresh water that we could get to. Stan, Greg and Sue learnt to ski with lots of spills and lots of fun.
I left Market Street and leased the Rising Sun Service Station. Market Street had become too small and we wanted to expand. I always had ambition to go bigger.
The Rising Sun Service Station increased in size with at least eight staff including a foreman, apprentices and Joan doing the books. It had two offices, one for Joan and one for me. Stan and Greg spent lots of time at the Rising Sun Service Station where they served petrol, cleaned cars and cleaned up the station. Stan and Greg learnt lots and created an interest in cars. It became a sought after business.
Some of my family worked there at different times, selling petrol or whatever needed to be done. My Dad worked next door at the engineering and body works. It was a separate identify but it was always good to have him nearby. He would come and have his lunch with us and a drink at the Rising Sun Hotel after work.
I wanted to expand the business through buying and selling trucks and spare parts. I began going to auctions and loved it. Things were cheap and in most cases good quality. I began Metro Carrying Company which carted Hunter’s Products such as disinfectant and dishwashing liquid all stored in glass bottles.
I loved work and became friends with those I worked with. We had a good family life with never a dull moment.
The Boat Ray Built named Wai-Tara (Maori for Waterbird)
My forties
In 1964 I bought a block of land that would become Whitehall Spare Parts and Truck Sales. Metro Carrying Company continued with its headquarters now in Whitehall Street. The business began to grow and I continued going to Auctions still loving to buy and sell.
Joan and I decided it was time for us to buy our own home. We bought land at 61 Morris Road, Hoppers Crossing from the local real estate agent and built the first split level home in Hoppers Crossing. It was built at a time when there was a shortage of building materials and it took a long time to build making it frustrating for us both. There were lots of liquidations of building companies at the time. We had a garage at the end of the house which we made into a rumpus room. We visited one weekend and got access to the house and found out that there was no doorway to the rumpus room. We got a new building supervisor and he fixed it and then got things done. It was plane sailing from them on.
Jean and Tommy Lewis gave us a Hoya for our new home. I now have the plant growing in Clifton Springs. I have nurtured it and it now flourishes. Tommy and I were good mates and we still are.
Joan and I had a three month holiday driving to Queensland in the Fairlane and the Skyline caravan. It was the Rolls Royce of caravans at this time. Stan stayed with Nanna and Pa Gibson, Greg and Sue stayed with Nanna Stebbing. My brother Les, Dick Knox and Max Sherry ran the business while we were away.
My fifties
Sue and Matt meet. Matt loves cars as well and fit in with the family despite being a Holden/Chevy enthusiast.
Joan and I become grandparents for the first time. Our son Stan’s children Lee and Renee spent many happy times with us at family parties and picnics.
My son Stan drove Joan, Lee, Renee and me home after a family picnic. We went driving through my old stomping ground, Hanna Court in Braybrook. I had been drinking and reminisced about my younger days getting very emotional.
Lee and Renee would try to steel my Violet Crumbles and I used to tell them that I had counted them. I would then accuse them of stealing them even though I didn’t really care; but it was fun to tease them.
Our business Whitehall Spare Parts and Truck Sales continues. I work hard and Joan does the books. These weren’t good years to be in business. The business was good to us and I still had many friends.
Ray Gibson Waterskiing
My sixties
Joan and I continued to have grandchildren. Sue and Matt had two sons David and Chris. Joan and I spent happy times in Canberra with Sue and her family.
Clare, Lily and Ben were born to Greg and Maureen. Clare loved to play the upright piano. Ben would always fall asleep in my arms and Lily was the baby of our grandchildren.
With my grandchildren I would say to them pig’s bum if I thought they were being silly.
When there was nothing to say I would say to my grandchildren ‘sanabadagadadada’. It was my way of speaking in a different language and also it stopped me from swearing in front of them.
We had an offer on Whitehall Spare Parts and Truck Sales and decided it was time to sell. We sold quickly and left Morris Road, Hoppers Crossing to move to Clifton Springs. This all happened quickly.
We bought a caravan and four wheel drive in 1990 and travelled across Australia for three months. Accompanying us on the trip were Matt, Sue, David, Chris and Matt’s parents Doris and Arthur. Chris celebrated his fifth birthday on Fraser Island with a cake and candles carefully carried over from the mainland by his Mum and Dad. Such a great adventure – a terrific time was had by all.
My seventies
It was during this time that Joan and I had our first great granddaughter Kelsey and then two years later Tahlia.
My family expanded: Stan met Cathy, Lee met Jacqui and Renee met Glenn.
My precious wife of 52 years, Joan passed away when I was just 75. Adored wife, mum, nanna and great nanna; she is remembered each and every day.
My granddaughter Renee married Glenn. Nancy and I went to the wedding.
Remembering my life, wonderful times with Joan and family and our business Whitehall Spare Parts and Truck Sales.
Ray and Joan Gibson
My eighties
I celebrated my 80th birthday with family at the Sofitel Hotel. We had Sunday lunch (a smorgasbord) with jazz music playing in the background. It was a great day with my three children, all of my grandchildren and my great granddaughters. We went to Stan and Cathy’s afterwards and had seafood.
A friend, Brian Haley told me about Mary Saunders and that she lived in Portarlington. He thought we would get along well together. He gave me her phone number. I decided to be brave and phoned Mary. We went for coffee at Wombats. It was later in the afternoon and the café was closing and as I had a coffee Mary had a cup of tea. I bought one cake for us to share. They had to take the chairs off the table so that we could have our tea and coffee. Mary has now told me that Brian also told her that he had suggested that Ray phone her. She was shocked but when Ray finally phoned Mary said yes to a coffee. This was to be the start of a great friendship.
I celebrated my 85th birthday at Great Expectations in Essendon with family.
Two of my grandsons marry. David marries Sarah and we travel to Canberra for the celebration. They move to England to live and work.
Lee marries Jacqui at the Melbourne Town Hall and then the reception at the Pump House.
I now have three more great granddaughters – Jade to Renee and Glenn, Holly to David and Sarah and Jasmine to Lee and Jacqui.
I spent Christmas with Sue and Matt and met my new great granddaughter Holly.
My 89th birthday was spent at Cathy and Stan’s surrounded by family in anticipation of a great celebration for my 90th. I share my memories. I like to remember my early life with my family. I still see my siblings at family picnics that we have every six months. I remember with pride my work and how I built my business and how I diversified over time. I remember the fun times with family and friends. I have lots to be proud of.
Ray’s Siblings
My nineties
Today I am celebrating my 90th birthday with family and friends.
I am very fortunate to have reached a stage in my life where I can enjoy my birthday with so many of my brothers and sisters, family and friends.
I thank all of you and will remember this day for the remaining years. I hope you have enjoyed reading my story. God bless you all.
Ray, Greg, Sue, Stan
Epilogue – 30 May 2023
Ray Gibson became a great grandfather to James, a brother to Holly and son of David and Sarah. And a great grandfather to Charlotte and Elsie daughters of Chris and Chrissy joining the eight great grandchildren of Ray Gibson. Chris, Chrissy and family with a baby boy on the way.
Ray continued to live in the home he shared with his wife Joan. In the last few years Greg joined Ray in his home providing support and care.
Christmas, birthdays, other special occasions and just because, Ray spent time with his family. He loved every moment sharing laughter and joy with those he loved most dearly. His parents and siblings continued to be part of the stories he told.
On his 97th birthday Ray shared the day with family and as he spent the last weeks of his life in hospital he was surrounded by his children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and in-laws he has taken into his family with love and humour. Each and everyone of those he loved have new memories of Dad, Pa, Great Pa – Ray Gibson.
Loved by all
Ray Gibson 16 April 1926 – 28 May 2023
This is the tribute Kelsey wrote for her great pa.
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