Charlie was born on November 5, 1945, to Charles Alfred and Ivy. At the time they resided in the old homestead on "Pine Hill" with his two sisters Pamela and Faith. His brother Brian was often away droving with his dad.

After the farm was sold they moved into Narrandera and Charlie went with his sisters to school there.

At the age of 14, his father took Charlie Jr out of school and took him droving, where he developed a love of horses that never left him. Even when his droving days were finished he won a number of ribbons at gymkhanas and shows that he treasured right to the end.

With his droving days behind him Charlie settled down to station life. He worked on various properties working his way up to station manager.

He also met the love of his life Judy and was married on February 17, 1973.

Charlie took his new bride to Cobram station and the following year he took up the position of station manager at Belaley - by then their first child Veronica was on the way.

Veronica came into this world right in the middle of the biggest flood recorded there. To get to town Charlie took his loving wife in an old army jeep all the way to Hay, as the car would not make it through the floods.

Charlie left Judy at her mum and dad's in Hay until well after the baby was born. It was three months before wife and child returned home.

Fifteen months later Karen arrived - there was no drama this time. Number three Sharon was to follow.

In 1979 Charlie took the biggest gamble of his life and came to Griffith for six weeks' work. Those six weeks grew into 15 years at the rice mill where Charlie undertook further study to become a qualified miller.

While working at the mill he also joined the NSW fire brigade, which he remained part of for more than 16 years.

Charlie successfully organised the NSW fire brigade championship games to be held in Griffith with brigades from all across NSW. He was so proud of his efforts getting council on side for the placement of infrastructure so as to make it the great success that it was.

Passionate about history, Charlie also restored a fire cart that became a highlight of parades over a number of years.

In his spare time, Charlie would volunteer a few hours at the hospital kiosk and Friday nights or during the weekends would drive a taxi. He always up for a chat with other taxi drivers or passenger and struck up many friendships during time behind the wheel.

Under an ultimatum from Judy, Charlie eventually gave up the rice mill shift work for a job on the Griffith City Council, where he remained for the next 20 years until retirement.

But while on the council, true to his form of thinking of others, he joined the Masonic Lodge and was deeply involved in the annual debutante ball.

Believe it or not he had a great love for dancing and he made sure all his girls learnt to dance. He spent hours with young people sharing this skill and enjoyed many proud moments as they performed at their debutante balls.

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Upon retirement, Charlie enjoyed more than anything time spent with his nine grandchildren.

And because he could never sit still, there was plenty of volunteer service given, not least of which to Pioneer Park, where he spent his time restoring artefacts like saddles, bridles and the tools of the trade he grew up with and used most of his life.

Charlie spent his final days in the caring arms of Bupa nursing home. He will be sadly missed and fondly remembered.

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