1948-2009

GARY Blake was born in Kalgoorlie in 1948 and grew up as the eldest twin son in a family of 10 children.

He left school at the age of 14 and completed his apprenticeship as a boilermaker welder.

After a few years of working different jobs between Perth and Sydney he decided to try country life and went to work on a farm where he met the love of his life, Bev.

Six months later he got his call up for Vietnam.

He did six months training on the east coast and then on May 13, 1969 he went to Vietnam.

He served in the infantry division of 6 RAR for a year and four days.

Gary then returned to Australia to complete his last six months of service and was reunited with Bev who was now living in Perth.

Gary and Bev then built their first family home and married in 1971 to start their lives together.

Gary returned to work as a boilermaker and worked for various welding and engineering firms in Perth.

During these few years they had two daughters named Amanda and Meredith.

In 1975 Gary decided he wanted to get out of the welding industry and move back to the country.

One morning he read an advertisement for farm work at Bidgerabbie in Dandaragan.

He accepted the job and agreed they would move to Dandaragan for one year.

That was 34 years ago.

Gary loved working in Dandaragan and had many fond memories if his time at Bidgerabbie.

During these years Gary was committed to many sporting clubs in Dandaragan and became an active community member.

It was also during this time Gary and Bev had their third daughter named Emma.

They raised their three girls in a warm, loving and fun environment and the annual summer holidays were a highlight for the family.

Many happy memories remain of these times and there were never be a time when the girls weren’t sidling up to their dad for more shopping money.

Gary loved every minute of it and gave them whatever they wanted.

After 11 years at Bidgerabbie, Gary, in partnership started a spray contracting service.

He then established the Dandaragan Hardware.

For a number of years he struggled with his own personal demons which were a legacy of his days in Vietnam.

His inner strength, courage and termination ensured he overcame these issues and moved on to one of the most fulfilling phases of his life.

Beginning a new chapter in his life, Gary created a wonderful home on DR Hill where he and Bev spent many hours especially in their garden.

An exceptional handyman, Gary ventured into woodworking where he made many toys for his grandchildren and charity.

Gary undertook additional community work and attended all sporting busy bees and his lawnmower became his best friend.

He was most passionate regarding the erection of a memorial in the town and with the assistance and backing of advance Dandaragan this became a reality.

Some of the proudest moments for Gary were walking his three daughters down the aisle.

After the completion of Emma’s wedding Gary and Bev were seen high fiving in the car park.

Gary spent his weekends supporting or abusing the West Coast Eagles and in the summer months was an avid lawn bowler and was an inaugural member of the Dandaragan bowling club.

Over the past five years Gary and John Brown broadened their bowling experiences as they were members of the midweek pennants team for South Perth Bowling Club.

Gary’s family were justifiably proud of him when he was selected to represent WA in the RSL team for three consecutive years.

Gary has been known by many nicknames over the years, most popular being Boris and to his grandchildren ‘Poppy Boris’.

The proudest moments of his life were the arrival of his seven grandchildren.

He was devoted to his grandchildren who returned his love unconditionally.

Nothing was too much trouble for them.

He would feed them, play and read to them, take them for rides in his jeep and sneak them lollies and ice-creams.

He gave them his undivided attention and formed individual special bonds with each of them.