There’s not much Ed Seymour doesn’t know about AFL, the rubber industry and travelling around the world – or water skiing at nearly 50km an hour along the Murray River at midnight after a few beers at an office function he attended as one of the managers responsible for safety at the company!
“I didn’t fall off,” he chuckles. “I reckon I’d like to try it again!”
And judging by the mischievous twinkle in his eye, he’s not kidding. The 88-year-old former Royal Australian Air Force man who learned Morse code and helped decipher messages during the Vietnam war, has led a busy life lived to the max.
Ed, who moved into Uniting AgeWell Preston Community a year ago, was happy to be photographed in front of a poster of his beloved Bombers on the wall of his spacious bedroom – and holding a photo of himself as a young footy player.
“I was a bit of a good looking lad,” the die-hard Essendon fan grins. “My wife, Thelma, was 15 when she first watched me playing, and she actually came over after the game and asked me out.”
Their first date (movies at Northcote) was clearly a success – they were married for 67 years and had four children and four grandchildren before Thelma passed away four years ago.
Ed and Thelma lived in Greensborough, and after his stint in the air force, he joined a rubber company as an office boy, rising through the ranks to head a number of departments, including safety and security, before being appointed general manager.
During these busy years, Ed and Thelma established themselves as serious globe trotters, visiting more than 40 countries. “My favourite place is Paris,” Ed says. “There’s something very special about it.”
Ed also thoroughly enjoyed a Greek luncheon held at Preston Community during Harmony Week recently. The food and the music reminded him of the many holidays he and Thelma had enjoyed in the Mediterranean.
His photo album shows the couple beaming in front of a number of iconic landmarks in Greece, Portugal, Spain and Italy. “We had great fun,” Ed says. “I love dancing and trying out different traditional meals.”
Ed, who has Parkinson’s disease, says he’s well looked after at Preston Community and that the food is pretty good and the staff are very caring.
And he’s looking forward to Anzac Day and raising a glass to remember his mates from during his air force days.
For details about joining Preston Community phone (03) 9658 5400.
