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Entry: EULOGY Submitted by: Funeral Directors |
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Norman Albert Stubbs Bert and Amy Stubbs were married in East Prahran on the 12th November 1921. Nine months later, on the 26th August 1922, their family unit was completed with the arrival of their son; Norman Albert Stubbs, who was born at 10 Irene Place in East Prahran. The family moved to Caulfield when Norman (or Norm, as he was always known) was about five years old. Growing up in the times of the Great Depression was not easy. They were tough years, that often limited the schooling of young people born of this era. Nonetheless, Norm was a very good student and during his school years developed a great love of sport. He particularly enjoyed cricket, and, probably because they lived in Tennis Grove, Caulfield, he became an accomplished A Grade tennis player. At the tender age of 14, Norm commenced work, first as a messenger boy, and later as a telegraphist at Beam Wireless (or AWA) as it became known. Norm then worked shift work during the next seventeen years of his employment with AWA. In 1941 Norm completed three months training in 4th Division Signals, but because AWA, and his position with the company was considered to be an essential service, he was not sent on active service. During the spring of 1945, Norm's life changed direction when he decided to take a holiday in Marysville. It was here that he met a lovely young lady by the name of Heather Gillies, who was also holidaying in Marysville, with her mother. The rest, as they say, is history. After their courtship, Norm and Heather were married on the 11th October 1947 at Sandringham Presbyterian Church, which was followed by a reception at Quat Quatta and a honeymoon in the Blue Mountains. Heather and Norm's first home was situated at 125 Sandringham Road Sandringham. Heather's mother (affectionately called Nanna, by the whole family), lived just across the road in the next block. In 1951 Norm and Heather's marriage was blessed with the arrival of their first child Margot, and again in 1954 with the arrival of their second daughter, Janet. Whilst working at AWA Norm became known as "Stubbsie" to the men with whom he worked; men such as Doug Crabtree, Bill Green, the late George Gordon and the late Les Brown. These friends developed a great and lasting bond of friendship. Over the ensuing years, as each of them married, their group came to include Marie, Norma, Nina and Heather; and of course, the children as they came along. For many years, the families enjoyed a great number of happy holidays, weekends, New Year's Eve parties and Sunday evenings together. They nicknamed their monthly Sunday evening get-togethers "The Gang Nights" and they were held at alternating homes, where much fine food and drinks were enjoyed and many witty anecdotes told. You could always tell if Norm had had "one too many", as he would start rocking backwards and forwards on his feet. In 1954 Norm joined H. Halford Pty. Ltd. as a Customs Agent, mainly to leave the shift work behind. He enjoyed working at Halford's for the next 22 years where he rose to the position of Manager of the Customs Department, before becoming a Director. Norm resigned from Halford's in 1976 after which he joined Consolidated Merchandising Company (CMC) at their Richmond office, as a Customs Agent. As I was speaking with the family in preparation for today, Margot and Janet recalled how their white weatherboard home in Sandringham was in the perfect location right next door to a park. They remembered how most of their childhood was spent playing in that park, and how they broke a few arms between the two of them!! Norm always enjoyed a beer after work, and it brought a smile to remember how he would pour Margot and Janet their own little mini glass of beer to have with him at dinner. Margot, Janet and Heather particularly remember the great times enjoyed during School holidays. They spent the May holidays at Marysville, where visits to the Fruit Salad Farm and Stevenson's Falls; going horse riding, and playing table tennis, croquet and tennis, were some of the pastimes they enjoyed. Swimming in the Back Beach rock pools and eating copious amounts of Slips' ice cream were just some of the highlights of the Summer school holidays taken at Sorrento, where Heather's father had been the local policeman for many years. During these years Norm continued to play cricket for OTC (Overseas Telegraphic Communications), tennis and later, golf. Norm, who deprived of a formal education of his own due to the Depression years, sent Margot and Janet to St. Leonard's Ladies, College as he was determined that his daughters' education would be the best that he could give them. Over the years Norm has instilled into his daughters' his accuracy with spelling, punctuation and the use of grammar, which has stood them in good stead in their respective careers. Janet recalls telling her father that she was having friends "over for dinner" and he would reply that he hoped "they would be tasty". Likewise, Margot remembers a time when she was working at Halford's, during a Christmas break, and Norm's boss said something was quite unique. Margot promptly informed him that it can't be "quite unique". It's either unique, or it's not!! Norm got quite a shock! But, the boss took it well! In 1974, at the age of 52, Norm suffered a stroke. It occurred shortly after Margot's marriage to Colin Templer. Margot always thought it might have had something to do with receiving the bill for the wedding reception, as Norm, very generously, had extended the "open bar" and that, coupled with the rather nice Penfolds Bin 28 wine that had been ordered, contributed to a somewhat larger than normal account being notched up. After his stroke, Norm was left with a marked limp and it was at this time that he gave up playing active sport. A very happy occasion occurred in 1979 as Norm and Heather welcomed their first grandchild Andrew, to their family circle. This was a great source of pride for Norm, and being a member of the MCC, he promptly applied for Andrew to become a member of the Gee, too. A couple of years later, Norm and Heather were blessed with the arrival of another grandchild, their granddaughter, Nicki. Then, in 1983, Norm's daughter Janet embarked upon a working adventure on the Ok Tedi Project in Papua New Guinea. It was during this time that Norm suffered his second major stroke. Years later, they used to joke between themselves, that it had been caused by Norm being worried that his second daughter would be taken by cannibals or something equally terrifying in this strange land!! Over the years, each of these strokes took their toll on his general health, and they were the beginning of many such episodes, some of which were minor, but nonetheless, they continued to render Norm more incapacitated. Norm is described by his family as a man of his era. A "man's man", yet, Norm could always be counted on to "be there" for his family, and indeed, Heather and the girls said they absolutely never went without. Being quiet and fairly reserved he didn't find it easy to openly display his affections and feelings; but, he loved his home and was very proud of his daughters and his grandchildren, and was appreciative of the attention Heather bestowed on him. He has always been fussy about his appearance and for many years, wouldn't even step outside without wearing a tie. It was quite amusing to hear that he even wore a tie whilst cutting the lawns and was referred by his neighbours or family as The Duke of Windsor! Norm was never one for chatting on the phone, but liked to keep up with current affairs, by watching the News on TV, and reading the daily newspapers. He really enjoyed completing the crosswords. Norm and the family loved a good game of cards, especially Twenty-One, and they used to enjoy playing Scrabble, Monopoly, Mah Jong and Canasta together too. Colin remembers how Norm, being a pretty mean table tennis player, relished beating his son-in-law, when they stayed at the holiday house at Safety Beach. But Janet always gave him a run for his money at tables tennis, and cards, for that matter. Norm will be remembered as a passionate South Melbourne supporter. Over the years he rarely missed a game, let alone a radio commentary, or television replay, and many will attest to the fact that he always sat in the same seat in the Members' Stand at the MCG. When, on occasions members of his family accompanied him, they remember that everyone knew Mr. Stubbs, or Norm, as he preferred to be known. He, like many other South Melbourne fans, did not like the team's move to Sydney and just, coped when they became known as the "Sydney Swans" but made it clear that he would not tolerate a change from the traditional red and white team colours. That Norm was a caring and giving man was obvious by the close, lifelong, relationship he shared with his Aunty Lyn. After he and Heather had moved to Mentone, his caring nature was evident, by his habit of calling in on Nanna Gillies each morning on his way to work, just to make sure she was alright. This same caring spirit was shown through Norm having given well over 50 donations to the Blood Bank, a record of which he was justly proud. Janet always knew when her father was going to give blood, as Heather would cook him a huge breakfast of steak and eggs that morning. Heather was, and is an excellent cook, but Norm particularly loved her "flopped" cakes. Not that there were many, but if the ginger cake was being a bit sensitive, and fell in the middle, then this was Norm's favourite cake - because they were nice and soggy,!! Norm also loved tripe, but the memory for Margot and Janet of the aroma of cooking tripe, is probably best not mentioned! Among the memories that Heather will always have and treasure are the times she and Norm spent on their holidays and overseas trips. A particular favourite was their tour of Asia in 1973 with friends. The four of them were fortunate to meet another couple on the Tour, and they also became close friends. In fact, Norm and Heather bought a holiday house, which was right next door to Rose and Alan Quartermain's week-ender at Safety Beach. In 1975, Norm and Heather enjoyed his four and a half months of long service leave travelling around the world; this experience again provided them with some wonderful memories. No story of Norm's life would be complete without mentioning that Norm was a very committed member of a number of Lodges. He was very generous with his time, and would often pick up other members and drive them to the meetings. Margot laughingly recalls a time when Norm was cleaning out the hall closet where he kept all his Lodge paraphernalia, as he called it, and he remarked how 1951 was the best year. Margot agreed that the year she was born was indeed, a very good year, but Norm had been talking about the year he became the youngest Master of the Balaclava Lodge! This was the same year that he and Heather were proud to receive the Debs at the St. Kilda Town Hall. Norm, being an excellent ballroom dancer, enjoyed this role enormously. Janet can still remember well her Mum starching the white Lodge shirts, and how her Dad used to ask her to test him, when he had to memorize long lists of names for that evening's meetings. I would now like to ask Graham Hunter to share that part of Norm's life with us. In November, 1997, Heather and Norm moved to Kingston Green Retirement Village in Cheltenham, and were happy there for the next year. After a time it became obvious to the family that Norm was going to need more regular and intensive ongoing nursing care. Fortunately, Norm had made a couple of visits to Corben House in Mentone, on respite care, and when the time came early in 1999, Norm was able to move there on a more permanent basis. Corben House was wonderful for Norm, encouraging him to participate in the many activities they provided at the Hostel. It was no surprise to his family that he fared so well at the Quiz activities; because Norm always had such a good memory for historical, sports and general knowledge trivia. Although Norm was in hospital last Christmas, he was able to spend Christmas Day with his family at Margot and Colin's home. Norm was then assessed as requiring further assistance and so came his move into Chelsea Private Nursing Home where he received wonderful care, but his health continued to deteriorate more rapidly. On Easter Monday, Norm peacefully left all the pain and suffering he endured during his illness, and has entered into his well-earned rest. He will be sadly missed by his loving family; Heather, Margot, her husband Colin and their children Andrew and Nicki and his daughter Janet. |