Last week we left you at the point where Gloria and Alby had just moved into Cootamundra from Muttama.
Alby was a councillor on the Cootamundra Shire and he had been asked to join the Liberal Party as a field officer. This meant travelling with politicians. Gloria said he had introduced Bill Heffernan to the Liberal Party.
The Party was looking for a candidate to stand against Labor’s Terry Sheehan in the Burrinjuck Electorate. Gloria told Wal Fife and his wife that the only candidate who would win would be Alby because he was a man of the people.
Later Gloria was to look after two candidates, assisting them with their campaigns, one of the two being David Berry from Bathurst. She was asked how she managed success with the two. She said, “One I slept with and the other I made work hard.” Whilst interviewing her I said, ”Do you really want to leave that comment in?” She laughed and said, “The one I slept with was my husband!” Such is her wonderful sense of humour. She sold her business in readiness to assist Alby with his endeavours.
Alby always said that he wanted to be the best representative the people would have. Gloria said he worked seven days a week and most nights.They attended functions together and were often referred to as “the Team”.
Alby said that all regional Australia expected was reasonable treatment and above all, a fair go. After ten years in State Parliament Alby was asked by John Howard to stand for the federal seat of Hume, which was about the size of Belgium, when John Sharpe resigned. Alby won the seat in 1998, 2001, 2004, 2007 and 2010. During his time in parliament he stood up for what he believed in. He was often described as a maverick.
Gloria and Alby collected food and clothing to assist those affected by drought in the electorate, when the country was suffering one of the severest droughts in history. He advocated against wind turbines after it was found that some people had suffered ill effects from close proximity. He opposed the privatisation of Telstra. He lashed the child support agency over their anti- male attitudes and received a Fatherhood Forum Award in 2005 for his efforts. His leadership and compassion for Australian families and fathers was duly noted.
Alby lost sight in one of his eyes after an accident with pool chemicals. Gloria said she still swims every other day when she can. In her youth her parents allowed her to go to Melbourne to train with a pre-olympic team, as she was a talented swimmer. She said that Dawn Frazer trained sporadically, which meant when she felt like it. Dawn would dive in and do a few laps with the squad, but always won every event with her effortless style.
Alby and Gloria attended the Harden-Murrumburrah Art Show every year for twenty-one years straight. Yvette Gilroy from Binalong painted a beautiful portrait of the couple which was entered in the Archibald Prize. This portrait now hangs in the old Murrumburrah Court House where the Art Show is held. Gloria and Alby received the debs at various balls in Harden for over 20 years and it was remarked recently that they appeared to remember everyone. Gloria said that they had a special affinity with both Harden and Young because they remained in both electorates when Alby was in parliament.
When Alby was diagnosed with prostate cancer he made a passionate plea to all men over 40 to have regular health checks. He said, “Stop being macho.” Alby resigned from parliament and spent three and a half years fighting his illness, as it progressed to other organs, with Gloria by his side. He took part in experimental treatment and he was the only participant to last the length of the trial. His doctor had only expected him to last six to eight weeks. Such was his tenacity.
“The boys adored their father but at times they had resented politics because it took us away from them,” Gloria said. When Alby passed away in 2015 Gloria lost not only her lover but her best friend and the family was devastated. Politicians such as Angus Taylor paid tribute to him, saying, “Alby was a straight shooter and a conviction politician.” Michael Mc Cormack said that wherever Alby went, Gloria was by his side and you couldn’t wish for a finer couple.
Gloria and her family were faced with adjusting to Alby’s loss. As Grant lived in Milton, Dean promised he would look after mum and this he did, often arriving with coffee and chocolate when she could not sleep at night, but Dean was overcome with depression after the loss of his son and then his father. Gloria was to lose yet another member of her family. She said, “Dean was a talented sculptor, loved Bonsai and was generally clever with his hands. He also helped many sufferers of depression over the years. He had three children. Dean’s beloved dog Anthony now keeps Gloria company and is an expert at high fiving.
Grant and his family live in Milton and she enjoys visits to see the grandchildren. Recently Gloria journeyed to Sydney to hear Darcie (Grant’s son) and Aliza (Dean’s daughter) sing with the RSL choir at St. Andrew’s Cathedral. They sang the most beautiful Anzac songs. O.J.Rushton was the musical director. This choir allows country children the opportunity to be a part of this beautiful singing experience. “It is an ongoing work with rural and regional Australia and our almost forgotten Aussie traditions of poetry, storytelling and songs provide a powerful way to engage young people with those stories,” she said. Last year they sang at Remembrance Day in Wagga Wagga.
Over the years Gloria has been the recipient of many awards. She received the Order of Australia. She is patron of the local swimming club, Hennessy Catholic College ball, Tumut Guides and Brownies and Hospital Auxilliary to name a few. She is the president of the local CWA which she rejuvenated when it disappeared. This was at Alby’s insistence. He said that country women needed a voice. She said she loves the CWA. Gloria volunteers at the Information Centre and is a member of VIEW. Gloria often travels with Gina Rinehart, who has been a long-time friend.
Gloria said that Gina is a very generous benefactor to so many and she enjoys assisting with the dispersal of charitable donations. She said it has brought with it the chance of more overseas travel. She joked that Gina might call her on a Wednesday and say, “Will you come to New York with me on Friday?” Most people are unaware of Gina’s philanthropic ventures.
These days Gloria enjoys knitting, quilting, gardening, reading and going to the movies. She said she used to write short stories. She just loves thrillers. Gloria said, “I have had a very happy life and I have been very privileged to meet amazing Australians who give so much to our country. I miss my boys but I make the best of it. I also miss the challenges parliament brought but find my commitment to communities keeps me busy.
My involvement with Gina’s charities takes me to interesting places and I meet wonderful people. I am already looking forward to the Commonwealth Games. Gloria, you stood beside your husband every step of the way in his political career. Know that you have the love and respect of those in the many towns covering the electorates. Thank you for being a Local Legend.
