By BLAKE METCALF-HOLT
TUESDAY, April 5 saw residents and staff from Baw Baw Views Aged Care come together to celebrate Moe resident Norman Giblett turning 100-years-old.
Mr Giblett, who has called Moe home since the early 1930s, sat in the main chair with his loving family by his side.
To mark the special occasion, the latest centenarian was visited by members of the Moe Fire Brigade, Moe Football-Netball Club and Latrobe City Mayor, Sharon Gibson.
Born in Trafalgar on April 5, 1926 to Eva and Charlie, the Giblett’s briefly resided in Thorpdale for a period of time before moving to Moe when Norman was around six-years-old, along with his four siblings.
Since then, Norman has known nothing other than the town – living, working and volunteering.
The Depression had already begun by the time the family moved to Moe, which was only popularised by around 1500 people, according to Norman, with many families grieving onwards from World War 1.
“It was a difficult time for many. When I was born in 1926, many families were still getting over the loss of a loved one in the First World war. Our family was no different. My dad, Charlie, had lost his younger brother, Cecil, who perished in France,” Norman said.
Charlie was full-time at Moe grocers, Purvis Stores, but with money tight, Norman’s parents would never own their own home.
Despite the tough environment surrounding him at the time, Norman recalls a “Tom Sawyer-like existence” in his childhood years.
“Total freedom to roam around the bush and rivers that surrounded Moe. Playing football and tennis, rarely wearing shoes to school,” he said.
“Dad always owned a car, which was also quite rare, (and) he took me and the family on wonderful holidays up to Lakes Entrance and also hunting and fishing trips with his brothers.”
Work started early for Norman, who left school at the end of Grade 6 at Albert Street Primary School, and began working at a local garage on George Street.
Soon after, as World War 2 was underway, Norman started at Saxton’s Saw Mill in Bell Street, where he remained throughout the duration of the war.
He was able to continue work during the course of this time, as the saw mill was deemed an essential service, for which Norman was proud of his time there.
Norman said that after World War 2 ended, everything in his life changed for the better.
After finishing up at the saw mill, Norman move to the SEC in Yallourn, like so many others at the time, driving heavy machinery and cranes.
His time at the SEC would also become a significant part of his life, retiring after north of 40 years service and never out of a job.
In 1951, Norman met the love of his life, Meryl Hill, who was introduced to him by her sister, Elaine, both of whom worked in the offices at Saxton’s.
He married Meryl on Saturday, January 20, 1957.
Across 60 years of marriage, until Meryl’s passing in 2011, many loving memories were produced at the one home in Brock Street, including four children.
What would also come would be 13 grandchildren and another 13 great grandchildren, all blessed and loved.
In 1942, Norman became a member of Moe Fire Brigade, which he would call a second home for the next 40 years, serving as captain and also heavily involved in the running team as a participant and coach.
Meryl and Norman’s mother, Eva, were also involved in the local CFA, supporting the ladies auxiliary to help raise money for the brigade.
During the period of the war, Norman played senior football for Moe, winning two premierships in the Central Gippsland Wartime Football League in 1941 and 1945, both at the expense of Yallourn.
Norman recalled the town going into a bliss after the second flag, which correlated with the end of the war, and getting a civic reception from his father, Charlie, who also served as the club’s timekeeper during the grand finals.
When asked about what the secret to living such a long and fruitful life is, Norman said there wasn’t much to it, other then being surrounded by a loving family.
“My diet is very basic, while I am probably deemed a fussy eater, meat and three veg all my life,” he said.
“I have never indulged in takeaway food, except for maybe fish and chips every now and again.
“My wife Meryl was a loving life-long companion, an excellent cook, (where) all our meals were homemade … we always had a vegetable garden.”
Norman offered a simple piece of advice for the future generations, being to work hard, never get ahead of yourself and always remain honest.
Norman’s milestone was reflected with a 100-year certificate from Respect.
