LIFESTYLE CONVERSATION

LIFE STYLE CONVERSATION

Song: ‘ Like A Rolling Stone’ – Bob Dylan

Lets meet our first volunteer from the BABY BOOMER Generation, Garry. BABY BOOMERS are born between 1946 and 1964. It is estimated that by 2050 there will over 50,000 centenarians from the Baby Boomer Generation. Garry aspires to live to 100+ provided he is physical and cognitively healthy. I interviewed Garry and this is his story.

“I was born in July 1950 and I am 74 years old. I grew up in the Western Suburbs of Sydney in a leafy area with a creek at the back. I lived in the same house for 19 years with my parents and my only sibling Bill who I shared a bedroom with and my maternal grandparents. It was a small house but had a big back yard.

Life was fairly typical of the era. Mum and Nan stayed at home cooking, cleaning, washing and doing household chores. Dad worked underground in the city as an electrical engineer, my grandfather was retired.

Mum had four siblings so the house was often overflowing with relatives. The house was always full of smoke as everyone smoked back then. I started smoking when I was 22. I wished I never started. I tried many times to stop but finally when I was 50 I gave up and have never smoked since.

I don’t consider myself to be a heavy drinker. I like a beer with mates after golf and maybe a red wine when I go out for dinner.

My weight has always been an issue. I have a sweet tooth so I find it hard to stay away from biscuits. My wife cooks very healthy meals at home and we rarely eat take away. However, when I make up my mind to diet I can lose weight easily. It’s keeping it off long term that I find difficult.

I think my overall health is ok. I have had a sinus operation, that’s all. I have hearing aids and a few years ago I had my eyes lasered. That was a great decision. I don’t need to wear glasses at all now. My blood tests always come back good. Mostly I need to visit the chiropractor as I get a get a sore back and legs from time to time.

Exercise has always been important to me. My earliest memory was playing cricket with my brother and kids in the neighbourhood. Sometimes we would play at the creek trying to catch eels. Sport played a big part in my life. My father played A Grade cricket in the local competition, my brother played 1st grade cricket, I played grade cricket and I also played baseball, squash and golf and still play golf three times a week.

My nan and mother liked to cook. I grew up having huge baked dinners and lots of desserts.

I left school at 16 and started a career in the bank. At 19 I moved with my parents into a unit as both my grandparents had passed away. Sadly just two years later, Dad died from lung cancer, blamed on smoking and his job underground working with battery acids.

When I was 22 I left home to travel with mates overseas. I was away for one year and enjoyed the experience of travelling and working in pubs in London.

After travelling I went back to the bank. That is where I met my wife and we have been married 47 years. We have two daughters, three granddaughters and one grandson.

I left the bank after 24 years and bought a cleaning business.

My family and I lived on an acreage and started a business growing cymbidium orchids on a commercial scale. Later we bought a pre school and my wife and I ran it together for 13 years.

Music has always been a passion of mine. I first started listening to music on our family radio. I cashed in soft drink bottles and mowed lawns and did gardening jobs to save money for my own transistor radio. Each week I would collect the top 40 music charts. I started buying albums when I began working and I now have over 2000 albums. I spend a lot of time now keeping up to date with new songs and information about my favourite bands.

I have been to many music concerts beginning with a band from the 60s Tamam Shud. I went to all their concerts. Some of my favourite concerts include Tully, Kahvas Jute, Heart and Soul, Jeff St John and later Hunters And Collectors to name a few.

I find it hard to pick a favourite band or song but some of my favourite include: Steely Dan, who I considered the best band ever, The Rolling Stones, The Beatles, The Animals, The Eagles, Doobie Brothers, Poco etc. and solo artists like Donovan and Joni Mitchell. I have always believed that Bob Dylan was the greatest song writer and influence in modern music. In my teens I was very influenced by “blues music” and more progressive rock especially Jimi Hendrix and Cream, lesser known blues like John Mayall, the list goes on and on.

I am retired now and play golf three days a week. I love the social side of golf and have made many good friends through golf.

I keep myself busy by helping out with the grandchildren. I take my grandson to golf lessons each week, chores at home and listening to music. My wife and I like to travel and have travelled to many places over the years. I enjoy being with family and friends and still keep in contact with my friends from school. I enjoy watching Rugby League and AFL and continue to keep an interest in cricket.

My goal for the future is to continue to play golf for as long as possible. I am a yoyo dieter so I need to keep a close check on my weight. I hope to continue to travel, spend time with my family and friends and continue with my passion of enjoying music.”

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Garry is doing well on his Centenarian journey. He gets lots of exercise, connects socially with a variety of friends and relatives. His love of music keeps his brain active and he is focused on having a healthy diet. Garry is happy to update how is going next year.

Until then – Keep on Rocking and Rolling.

Kim

If you are a baby boomer and would like to volunteer for Life Style Conversations, you are welcome to email your story to [email protected].