Wednesday 17 February 2010

Doug Campbell - a life

My father, Douglas Campbell, was born on 14 October 1929 in Armadale, Melbourne.





He entered the world just when the great recession bit, and he saw its aftermath during his early years spent in Carnegie, Murrumbeena and Armadale.  He told me he remembered walking though streets full of empty houses with "TO LET" signs in them, which made a large impression on him.

He moved to Traralgon with his family when his father took a job at the paper mill as an engineer.

Doug left home in 1944 in his mid teens and returned to Melbourne to work in casual jobs, boarding with a local family.

Around this time he developed a keen interest in cycling - mainly for transport.  He rode his bicycle to and from Traralgon, a distance of around 160km, on numerous occasions.  He rode to places like Wilsons Prom and Warrnambool, sleeping in church halls, barns and haysheds in the sleeping bag he carried.  His younger brother John told me recently that he looked forward to Doug's return visits with some anticipation.

I asked him in Epworth hospital what his longest trip was.  He said he couldn't remember, then after a while he said "Sydney", which even in this day is quite an achievement.

Doug then obtained a studentship with the Victorian Department of Education and trained as a secondary school arts and woodwork teacher, graduating in 1950.

His first posting was back to Traralgon in 1951, after which he transferred to Mount Beauty Higher Elementary School where he taught during 1952 and 1953.  During his stay here he climbed Mount Bogong on several occasions, and saw Joan Handley's name in the Cleve Cole hut log book.   Doug and Joan taught together at Mount Beauty and were attracted to each other, so much so that they were married the next year in 1954.  

Doug was a devoted father.  I remember as a child when he was working hard in the garden at Milfay Court landscaping and paving.  He smoked at the time and threw down a but, which I picked up and smoked.  When he saw that, he realised he must lead by example, gave up smoking, and never smoked again.

Doug and Joan where both keen to get my brother Donald and I out and about.  We had family camping holidays over the years in the loaded Mercedes Benz 180D diesel at Skenes Creek, Tathra, Port Fairy, Wyperfeld National Park, Nagambie, Fraser National Park, The Grampians, Wilsons Promontory and Tootgarook.  Donald and I have many fond memories of these trips, which included walking, fishing, swimming and sight seeing.

Doug was also very keen for Donald and I to ski, taking us to Falls Creek and Mount Hotham for memorable ski holidays.  I can remember clearly the first time I made it to the top of a T-bar at Falls Creek and wondered how on earth I would ever get back down.  

These trips and adventures shaped my life. 

Doug's work was a key focus of his life too.  After returning from his world travels with Joan, the Department of Education stubbornly refused to acknowledge his previous service, so he started teaching again from scratch.  Scots often don't really like or trust governments and bureaucracies, and Doug was no exception.   He taught at secondary schools in Kew, Balwyn, Oakleigh and Heatherdale.  He was Senior Master at Richmond High School.  While at Macleod he undertook management training and was promoted to Vice Principal.   Doug was a committed unionist with the VSTA throughout his teaching career.

Doug loved his work, and said he could never retire as he wouldn't know what to do.  However, when a financial advisor told him it was costing him money to keep working, retire he did.  From that day on he said he was so busy he wondered how he ever found time to work.  

Doug was on the board of the Lost Dogs home for several years.  He had a great love of dogs and they loved him too.

Doug was very active with the Sorrento-Portsea Conservation Group which fought to preserve the natural qualities of the Sorrento, Portsea and Blairgowrie regions and oppose inappropriate development.  The group, now know as the Nepean Conservation Group, succeeded in restricting the impact of a large marina development proposal on the Sorrento foreshore.  It was Doug's idea to apply for Bicentennial Plaque which is located in Sorrento near the pier.

He and Joan spent countless hours assisting the Italian Historical Society with their library in Carlton.

In later years Doug became a keen supporter of Sea Shepherd

He was a keen email correspondent with overseas friends, including Dieter and Helga Schneider in Koln and the Keidel's in Stuttgart.

Doug loved all his grandchildren, though he often didn't express this directly.  He was always glad to have Harrison, Sean and Ian around with Donald and Sheryl.  He and Joan were a great help to Lena and myself when they were able to babysit and look after our daughter Chloe, including walking around Carlton with her and returning her to Lena for a breast feed.  His grandchildren all loved him too, and they took some pleasure in winding him up occasionally.  

Doug had one very serious lifelong addiction and obsession.  Chocolate.  He could eat an entire block or box at one sitting.  He monitored very closely household supplies, and was very quick to say "hey that's enough, there will be none left" when I was eating my second or third.   In later years Joan was buying chocolate in bulk.  Doug would sort though and eat the best rapidly.   Sometimes Joan even had to hide them.

In summary, Donald and I have been very fortunate to have Doug as our father.  He always tried his best.   He left this world peacefully holding my hand.  On the way home I stopped in South Surrey Park.  I saw a shooting star overhead, which I took as a sign of his passing to the afterlife above.

Eulogy by Peter Campbell at Doug Campbell's funeral on 17 February 2010.

Condolences from Sheryl, Harrison, Sean and Ian

May you rest in peace. We miss you so much. I have such great memories of all the good times we had. All the walks, where you always let me hold onto your arm, all the laughs (you had a great sense of humor), and all the advice and kind words you gave me. I needed the advice and will miss that. Remember the fun we had on that bike ride along the beach in Melbourne. You were in your 70’s and you kept up with Donald, the boys and I. You were a real trooper. Remember the Christmas lunches we had with lots of seafood. Your life has touched so many of us and we are grateful to have known and loved you.

Sheryl
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Some on the most important life lessons I’ve learned, I learned from you. You were a man who touched many people with your intelligence and wisdom. I remember coming up to visit you and Joan from Glengarry many times and telling myself I wouldn’t fall asleep on the ride home. Not a day will go by that you wont be thought of by all of those close to you. You taught us all so much and will be sorely missed by those around you.

Harrison
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Maybe the most experienced man I am related to .For now because of his death I don’t have a grandfather .If I could have talked to him before he died I would have recapped all the good years I had with him. I would have told him all the good deeds he has done for my family. I would have told him how much I loved him and how much I would of missed him. It is a shame that I wasn’t in Australia to say goodbye to him or to spend the last remaining days with him. Doug I am certain people will miss you across the world.

Sean
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I will miss you . Another important factor has been torn apart. I only wish I could have spent your last few minutes by your side, you will be dearly miss. Now the fact that both my grandfathers are gone I won’t be able to live with my self. At least I got to know you Doug. I will give anything to have you back. I can’t image how hard this will be on Joan. I pledge I will live to see my grandchildren well into there 20s. You will not be forgotten.

Ian
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Tuesday 16 February 2010

Condolences from the Keidel family

Dear Joan, Peter, Don and their families,

We were very sorry to receive your sad news and send our deepest sympathy to you all.


We have many memories of happy days we spent together in Stuttgart,at Lake Como,in Australia and other places.


Doug's sense of humour and his practical tips on gardening for instance using a brushcutter in Carlazzo will never be forgotten.


Our thoughts are with you.

With love Georgie, Peter and the whole Keidel family.

Sunday 14 February 2010

Condolences from the WA branch of the Handley Clan

Condolences to Peter Campbell, Donald Campbell & their families, plus Aunty Joan, from Ian, Janina, Harmony & Joshua Clayton. 


Personally I remember my contacts with Doug with great fondness & wish I had many more contacts with him than geographical distances allowed. I particularly remember contacts with him when he visited WA & stayed at Lynette's place in Daglish in 1989 when her & Joe were out of Perth. 


Doug & Joan had us over for dinner & Doug served up his favourite blend of percolated coffee with canned whipped cream. We were laughing so much telling stories, then we realized the propellant for the whipped cream was laughing gas! We were enjoying ourselves so much I had 5 cups of coffee. When I got home I had so much caffeine in my system I couldn't sleep for the entire night! Doug, of course, had no trouble sleeping whatsoever! 


Ian Clayton

Condolences from Dieter, Helga and family in Germany


Hi Peter,

Llet me first express my condolences about the death of your father and our friend, Doug.

When I called some weeks ago and heard that Doug was suffering from Alzheimers – well, it was hard to accept as I had always remembered him as a friend who enjoyed telling me about his numerous trips all over the world or about the situation in Germany right after the war or who liked discussing or joking about political, environmental educational or philosophical problems. His eloquent and humorous letters of complaint to different companies or organisations were a legend in our family.

I am glad he and Joan were our guests in Germany several times. There are certain little things that have always reminded us of these visits – the way he artfully rearranged some pictures on the wall after tactfully hinting that the former arrangement could be slightly improved, the carpet we bought after he had advised us about it and convinced us that this was the only reasonable choice. That was about 20 years ago but we still have our pictures arranged as Doug had suggested and yes, he was right about the carpet, too. On one occasion he even burned the midnight oil so as to complete the colouring in of a jumping jack for our kids much to their enjoyment; then there was the fan he bought because he couldn't stand the heat of a particularly hot German summer. I remember his pretended anger when our son playfully addressed him as 'Duck'. Well and then there is still a big box of his stored in our basement. Heaven knows what is inside it but I guess it is full of tourist guides, maybe of warm-pullovers ("You never know in Europe.") and other travelling requisites.
It is sad that Doug won't need them anymore.

(PS. If any members of the Campbell family should make it to Europe they are welcome to stay with us and claim it back!)

Thinking of you all at this time of great sadness.

Love
Dieter, Helga and kids







Victoria Market






Doug on the bahn with Dieter

Saturday 13 February 2010

Doug passed away on Friday 12 February 2010






My father, Douglas Campbell, passed away peacefully on Friday 12 February 2010 at 7:45pm in the Vermont Private Nursing Home.

Doug was born in Australia on 14 October 1929 and had his 80th birthday in 2009.

He is survived by his wife Joan and sons Peter and Donald.

A private family funeral will be held next week in accordance with his wishes.

Please feel free to leave any comments or memories you may have of Doug on this blog post, or email them to Peter if you would like them published.