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.