Dean settled into his banking role, and the township of Cobram, relatively quickly, and it was not long before he was to meet a young primary school teacher, Melanie DeMaria.
Love blossomed for the young couple, and they were married in 1996. This followed with postings in Beechworth, Wodonga, North Albury and Albury.
Dean reached the position of manager in Albury and had gone as high as possible in the region before deciding to leave the bank in January 2003.
His next role looked to be in Sydney, which held little appeal for the couple. Returning to Cobram was the answer.
It was close to Melanie’s family and would be a wonderful place for their young family, with children aged four, three and eight months.
Within a short time, the couple made a decision for their future when the Lotto Shop in Cobram came on the market (situated in the old Westpac Bank building, now occupied by TerryWhite Chemmart) and the couple purchased it.
While excited to own their own business and Dean having considerable knowledge of business through his years in banking, they understood they would need to work hard and give it their best shot. Consequently, the business grew.
With three young children, life was hectic, yet Dean and Melanie firmly believed they had made the right decision.
As the children grew older, Melanie took up a role as a teacher at St Joseph’s Primary School, which she loved.
In 2023, the couple moved locations, citing the original shop as just too large for their needs. They moved into smaller premises at 73 Punt Rd.
It was a shop building owned by John (dec) and Joan Artavilla, which initially was a barber shop and had been the couple’s first business many years earlier.
Joan is a sister of Frank DeMaria, Melanie’s father.
In 2024, it was a time for a break and the couple booked a cruise in Europe which included Joan Artavilla and Melanie’s parents, Frank and Elizabeth DeMaria.
Commencing in Paris, they sailed to Nice while enjoying spectacular scenery of the French Riviera.
It was while enjoying the cruise that Dean took ill, and after seeing a doctor it was suggested he visit his own doctor immediately when he returned home.
However, he had been having a wonderful time so elected he continue the cruise, and the family spent one week with Frank and Joan’s siblings in Ventimiglia in the north of Italy. A special time for them all.
Returning home, he was advised that he had testicular lymphoma, a cancer that is relatively common in younger men yet fortunately mostly curable if diagnosed early.
Timing in life is always an issue and while undergoing surgery after his return and hooked up to various tubes and drips, Dean was pressured to make decisions about the fit-out for their shop at the new Cobram Village shopping complex.
“In the middle of my surgery and following treatment, we had a lot to deal with,” Dean said.
“Melanie was amazing, she was definitely my rock.
“So too was Michael Hayler from Cobram Kitchen and Cabinets who, with his right-hand man, Adam McMullan, drove the vision we had for the business and enabled us to open in December 2024.
“Our staff was amazing; they took over, they knew what to do and were fantastic.
“The new business was somewhat quiet early on; however, it continues to grow as more shops (in the complex) open, which will soon include a bakery and a pizza shop.
“While the Village is growing slowly, it won’t be too long before it is full with a great variety of shops.
“It is well laid out, has an excellent supermarket and variety of other shops including the Chemist Warehouse, a popular café, plus a sushi bar and ample parking, makes it enticing.”
The Clydesdales’ three adult children all grew up helping out in a part-time capacity at Cobram Lotto, before heading off to further study after completing their VCE.
Nicholas, 28, works for Kelly Sports in physical education programs in schools.
Matthew, 27, is a popular barber in Hawthorn, who I hear may bring his talents back to Cobram in the future.
Matthew is a flatmate of Sam Beasley and returns home each weekend with the Beasley boys to play football for the Cobram Tigers reserves, and just loves it.
While Ellie, 24, commenced teaching this year at St Joseph’s Primary school, following in her mum’s footsteps.
Dean has been involved considerably in his community over the years, initially six years as secretary of Cobram Football Netball Club, five years as a member of Cobram Apex Club, four years as president of Parents and Friends of St Joseph’s Primary and two years as president of Cobram Cheese and Wine Club.
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