Nothing could stop Fred
With an unwavering belief in his ability and a strong desire, Frederick Robert Kent built up a successful career in electronics from a relatively early age.
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Fred is one of the 12 MMGCC group members who meet each Monday at the ‘Sporties’, and while he is long retired from the workforce and playing golf, he especially delights in the memories of both.
Born in Leads in the United Kingdom during the Blitz to an Irish father and Scottish mother, young Fred, at the age of nearly 16 was offered an apprenticeship as an auto electrician at the factory where his dad worked.
However, much to his father’s disgust, Fred turned the job down.
He had his heart set on becoming a radio ham, and the only way to achieve that was to become a radio and television mechanic.
He reasoned that if he could fix radios and TV sets, he should learn enough to pass the amateur radio exam, a three-hour written exam plus 12 words a minute sending and receiving Morse code.
His first job was with a small electrical company making battery eliminators, and after his first week, he matched it with those who had been doing the work for some time.
However, Fred quit after being asked to clean the floors.
This young man was on a mission and that was not part of his job.
Not long after, Fred saw an apprenticeship advertised at Ritz Radio in north west London and became its very first apprentice.
Six months later, with his papers signed by his dad, Fred began five years of training where he attended the Northern Pyrotechnic College one day a week.
At this stage, Fred was 16 and rode his pushbike to work and college until he was 17 and could obtain a motorbike licence.
Fred studied hard and found his niche in electronics while working to obtain his full ham radio licence.
At the age of 18, he was building transmitters and copying Morse code.
After many years of running his own business and having several managerial roles with various companies, Fred, now married with a wife and three little girls, decided to travel to Australia for a better life.
Fred purchased a home in Montrose and went to work for Vulcan for three years before becoming factory manager, employing 1000 people over three shifts.
Enjoying a successful working career and colourful life, he married twice and had seven children.
Moving to Numurkah, Fred and his second wife purchased a few acres and opened a toy shop. Later, he became area manager for a maintenance company until he reached 60 and called it a day.
Now it’s time for a bit of golf.
Since moving to Cobram, Fred has not looked back. He only looks forward toward the golf course and his mates, particularly the retired golfers group of the Monday Morning Gentleman’s Coffee Club (MMGCC).
“It’s fantastic, the camaraderie and the respect we have for each other. They’re a great bunch of blokes, and Ray Findlay, who started the group, is exceptional. You have to be invited to join; we don’t accept just anybody, and it’s restricted to 12 people only. It’s quite select,” laughed Fred.
On the golfing side, Fred’s passion for the game began at the age of 45; playing at Cobram/Barooga Gofl Club he loved it immediately. He became VP of the Veterans Club, which over time has raised more than $50,000 for the Cobram Hospital and local charities.
Getting his handicap down to a handy 17, Fred preferred his 7 iron to the others and conceded he was a ‘reasonable’ putter.
In 2017, he scored a hole in one on the 5th and, on Veterans Day in 2014 won the Eric Harding Trophy for the best overall net score.
Fred achieved his ultimate dream as a young lad with his ham radio licence, and today, at the age of 82, he has plenty of equipment and time to tune in and chat with people from around the world.
Dale’s generosity the best
Young trumpet player Lewis Brown was stunned when he learnt that Dale Ebsury wished to present him with a bugle that had been in his hands since 1965.
Dale read about Lewis in the Grapevine a week earlier when he sounded the Last Post at the Cobram and Barooga Remembrance Day ceremonies.
The idea came to Dale after reading that Lewis had played the moving rendition on the trumpet, yet hoped in the future to purchase a bugle, the traditional instrument used on such an occasion.
Dale purchased the bugle at a clearing sale in Tocumwal in 1965, and it has remained on his living room mantle ever since.
With the American Air Force and RAAF based in Tocumwal during World War II, there could be quite a history on this bugle, yet we will never know.
However, the bugle’s new life is just beginning, and already Lewis has plans to take it to skilled instrument repairer Geoff Edmond at Tooleybuc.
The brass bugle is in good condition considering its age and Lewis has tested it out and loves it already.
Seeing the smile on the face of the 17-year-old was pure magic and matched by his generous benefactor, Dale.
When the pair met last week, they found they had even more in common. Dale previously owned a private pilot’s licence and flew out of Tocumwal in the 1970s and 1980.
Lewis has recently completed his first two flying lessons at Tocumwal and hopes to one day fly for the Royal Flying Doctor Service.
Committee of management — An important role
Cobram Regional Care’s Committee of Management is vital in running the aged care facility.
It is responsible for all aspects of good governance, including quality, finance, HR and capital development.
The Committee of Management at Cobram Regional Care allows for a maximum of eight members to be appointed for a period of three years, thereby resulting in a vacancy of two each year.
Consequently, they are looking for one or two interested people to oversee this progressive aged care facility.
There is no remuneration, just the knowledge you are playing an important role in providing a comfortable future for senior members of the Cobram community.
If you feel you would like to know more or perhaps take a tour of the facility and meet some of the staff, phone chairperson Kate Hay on 0421 918 454.
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