By Kath Gannaway
NORM Golding was in fine form on Saturday as he celebrated his 100th birthday in familiar territory at Upper Yarra Dam.
A resident of the Upper Yarra region for more 80 years, Mr Golding is a living legend who has crammed more than a few adventures – a lengthy spell as an Upper Yarra Shire councillor, a handful of careers and more than his share of community work – into his life.
An “old friend” among the many family and friends who travelled to the dam for the special day was a beautifully restored 1927 Bugatti once owned by the Yarra Junction GP, Dr Noel Murdoch.
“Norm lived in Three Bridges in those days and dad used to drive it up for Norm to service it,” said Stuart Murdoch as he and Norm lifted the bonnet for a nostalgic bit of boys’ toys stuff.
Norm was born on 29 May, 1907, and his childhood on a farm in the Mallee stood him in good stead for whatever life threw at him, from building a bridge across the Murray at Robinvale to breaking in horses, raising bees, building radios and dusting it up as a professional in the boxing arena.
Norm’s son Ron said his father had operated the Golding’s Motor Service bus from Warburton to the Upper Yarra Dam for many years and had played football for the dam team. A photo shows Norm winning the 50-and-over race at the Upper Yarra Dam sports day.Other memorabilia and press cuttings on display painted a picture of Norm as an innovator who was well ahead of his time.
He bought the old ice works building at East Warburton for 1000 pounds in the late 1940s and did mechanical and radio repairs between bus runs.
He still has a love of radio, and tinkering, and recalls with pride that he introduced two-way radios to the CFA. “There was a thought that you couldn’t operate a radio crank while you were fighting a fire,” Norm has said. “But now all firefighters have them.”
A certificate from the Royal Humane Society of Australia to “Norm Golding, Aged 32 years of Powelltown (Victoria)” recognises one of Norm’s most valuable contributions to the community. “Norm Golding risked his life repeatedly in rescue work in the Powelltown districts in January 1939,” says the citation. The bronze medal that accompanied the certificate still holds pride of place among Norm’s many treasured belongings. Norm recalls gathering a few men together as the notorious fire swept over the hill towards Powelltown and going to the other side of the hill to back-burn. It was a brave tactic in those days but one that he believes saved the town and which is used as a mainstream fire-fighting defence today.
At 100 he still lives independently, cooking, cleaning and sharing his stories with friends and neighbours.
“I reckon I’ve got a few years in me yet,” Norm said, showing his trademark determination.
Norm Golding’s contribution to the Upper Yarra area has earned him the title of a “living legend” — and it’s a title he continues to live up to.
