On the Grapevine

It had been his long-held dream to join the navy, and he signed up for 12 years.

The young man was hugely excited.

He had so much to learn, and given the opportunity to sail the world was the ultimate.

His first posting was on the aircraft carrier Bulwark as a junior stores assistant, followed by an assignment on the destroyer Agincourt in the Mediterranean, based at Malta.

Its role was to patrol the coast, checking ships for contraband.

It was exciting stuff for a young man who was to later join the home fleet in the North Atlantic.

At the end of his 12 years, Joe had proudly reached the status of leading hand while studying and completing his exams to become an officer.

Unfortunately, the navy was reducing its numbers, and he was not given the opportunity to go further.

At age 30, Joe left the navy but found it hard to settle down. He missed the sea and longed for further travel, and when it was suggested that he and one or two of his mates should go out to the ‘Colonies’, they thought it over.

It sounded like a great opportunity, and while one decided to go to Canada, Joe filled in a form for South Africa.

The first question on the paperwork for entry into the country was, “Are you of white descent?” an easy question for the Londoner to answer.

After obtaining approval to enter and work in South Africa, Joe’s travel costs were met by the South African government, and several months later, he arrived in the exotic country.

Attending a party one evening in Johannesburg, Joe met a lovely young Australian woman.

The couple was instantly attracted, and Joe and Judy married in 1969.

With Judy’s parents in Australia, the young couple decided to visit and never returned to the African continent.

Living in Melbourne, Joe secured work in the motor trade in spare parts, which he enjoyed.

Joe became a proud Australian citizen in 1975, several years after securing a position with the Melbourne Metropolitan Board of Works (MMBW), where he spent the next 20 years, rising to the position of superintendent of stores until he retired in 1992 at the age of 56.

Retirement saw Joe buy a brand new car, a Toyota Camry and how proud he was.

The couple lived in Mooroolbark, and Joe became heavily involved in soccer as an administrator.

At the same time, Judy was a keen member of the Croydon Golf Club, which had reciprocal rights with Yarrawonga GC.

This led to the couple visiting golf courses along the Murray and ultimately, they made the move to Cobram, where they enjoyed their golf immensely, at least two to three times a week.

Joe quickly became involved at Cobram Barooga GC, serving on the board for eight years, as club captain for one year and for five years as chairman of the greens committee.

He played winter and summer pennant, won a fourball championship and was runner-up on countback for the C-grade championship.

Joe played from a handicap of 15 and loved his putter; it served him well, except on sand scrapes, which he didn’t particularly enjoy.

Being invited to join the group of 12 at MMGCC has been wonderful for Joe, particularly after Judy passed away when he was literally at a loose end.

“It’s wonderful having the friendships in our group, we help each other, have great discussions and a lot of fun,” Joe said.

Raiyan recognised for his musical talents

Talented young guitarist Raiyan Galvin, 17, has earned a rare opportunity to take his talents to a higher level with his selection in the prestigious Accelerando Program at Melbourne Recital Centre.

Raiyan is one of eight emerging talents in the state to gain selection after a rigorous audition process, with each participant exhibiting exceptional musical talents.

It’s vital for each one to have a good eye for music, a sense of rhythm and timing and to convey emotion through their performance, whether it be vocal or instrumental.

The students also need to study music history, genres and different styles and surround themselves with fellow musicians and music teachers to share their ideas.

For the student undertaking VCE Year 12 studies at Cobram Secondary College, it is quite a year.

Yet, Raiyan is loving it, particularly the opportunity he has been given with his selection in the program.

“Music is my career, my life. I write my own music, but have to admit, I rarely finish it,” Raiyan said.

“I am always going on to something else. I am a vocalist too and perform as a solo artist.”

Raiyan performs in the school concert band and the jazz, vocal and guitar ensembles, and it was through encouragement from the school music teacher, Mr McLaren, that he now has the opportunity to receive instrumental lessons with leading industry professionals.

It also enables him to access world-class concerts and participate in workshops, and he is fortunate to have experienced live performances of Jon Bon Jovi and Pink.

Raiyan will attend one day a month at Melbourne Recital Centre, and the course will culminate with a recital at the Primrose Potter Salon at the end of the year.

Footnote: Growing up was not particularly easy for Raiyan after diagnosis at the age of five with Asperger’s syndrome, a condition that affects how people behave, perceive, and react to others around them.

Raiyan is an extremely intelligent young man. He speaks well and has worked hard on himself over the years after facing bullying when he was younger. Music has brought him great pride in his efforts to be the best he can be.

He is virtually self-taught on guitar, both electric and acoustic, with only a handful of lessons when he was very young.

Friendships are not always easy for those with Asperger’s, and Raiyan recalled his very first ‘best’ mate, Daniel Chisholm, whom he has never forgotten.

“Daniel and I thought the same way and became good friends in Year 5,” Raiyan said.

With a beautiful, supportive, and caring family, parents Fi and Shane Galvin and grandparents Margaret and Colin, who have encouraged him all the way, Raiyan is set to make a name for himself in the music industry.

He is also looked up to by his little brother Eli, aged 8, and has quite a following from his legion of fans throughout the region, where he is becoming a popular performer.