Graham, 93: From Shed to Storyteller
Graham, 93, is hailed as the hardware guru of his town. His wife of 62 years, Lynette, affectionately jokes, "There isn't anything about hardware he doesn't know."
Spending a lifetime managing a hardware store will undoubtedly earn you that reputation!
Graham is not just a hardware expert; he's a sharp, witty "Poppy" who dabbles in magic and poetry. He relishes any opportunity to entertain others with a story, poem, or a sleight of hand trick.
Touring his cherished retreat, fondly dubbed "Poppa's Shed" by his grandkids, Graham reminisces about the sign they pooled their pocket money to buy him. He's lost count of the hours spent crafting in the shed, producing everything from tables and chairs to grandfather clocks and intricately detailed pens. Though his hearing may have waned, his passion for life remains undiminished. Come weekends, you'll find Graham perched in front of the TV, his trusty audio headphones transmitting the commentary of his beloved Brisbane Broncos matches.
Sports play a significant role in his life, evident from the trophies proudly displayed from his track days as the "Fastest Boy in the Lockyer Valley."
Graham's life is a tapestry of boundless stories, like the tale of the little boy lost in the fog. At nine years old, while helping out on the family farm in Warwick, Graham wandered off into the dense fog and scrub. A community effort ensued, with townsfolk and forestry workers banding together to find him. Graham, undeterred, quipped to the newspapers, "I wasn't scared; I knew they'd have to find me eventually."
What has been the happiest moment of your life?
The surprise visit from my adult grandkids a few months back," Graham recalls with a grin. "A simple sleepover turned into the best night in recent memory. Stories flowed, and I felt blessed that in their busy lives, they made time for us."
Have you had a lifelong hobby?
I love woodworking and building," he replies. "And of course, I've been a die-hard Brisbane Broncos supporter since day one."
What has been the hardest thing you’ve gone through?
Loosing my Dad. On the 17 December 1915, at age 18 my Dad, (we called him Dadda) signed up to go to war. He served as part of the 42nd battalion and spent time in France. He was shot in the thigh at Messines and spent time in the Brook War hospital in England. He always wore leg caliper as a result of this injury and had shrapnel in his elbow which restricted it's movement. His lungs were also badly scarred as a result of mustard gas. Eventually after the war he became the postmaster at Grantham. My kids have no memories of Dadda - he died of tuberculosis in 1966 when my first-born was only 18 months old. Because he had TB we were never allowed anywhere near him, he used to sit in the car in the yard to watch Alison (daughter) wander around.
If you could go back, would you change anything?
"No," Graham answers firmly. "I've always strived to do good, make do with what I have, and lend a helping hand to anyone in need."
His favorite place?
"My home," he says with pride, "the one I built at 23."
His favorite book?
"The Bible."
Lastly, his favourite drink?
"A cup of tea with a dash of milk and plenty of honey."