Today's Golden age portrait is of the lovely Ray Rouse.
Ray is 92 & was born in Cooranbong 3/6/1931. Ray said he was born on Sister Connelly's veranda, as that's where all expectant women had to go to be seen. A doctor used to visit from Kurri Kurri once a week, Sister Connelly delivered all the babies in the area.
Sadly, Ray's mother died when he was 9 years old. Leaving behind 4 children. His father was an essential worker during the war working for an electricity company in Newcastle. So, he wasn't able to take any time off, or care for the children. The children were split up amongst family. Ray was raised by his Uncle Albert.
He recalled that being driven to his mother's funeral was the first time he had ever been in a car before. The image he holds in his hand, was a portrait his father had them take after his Mother died, & before they were all separated.
Cooranbong was quite a strict place to grow up due to the Seventh day Adventist population. No contact sports were allowed.
So, Ray found a love of horses & spent a lot of time riding at his grandfathers farm in Brunkerville.
Ray recalled wanting to compete in a picnic horse race at Brunkerville, & whilst riding one horse there & leading another, he encountered some angry bees, & was stung on the face.. therefore, unable to ride. He laughed as he told me, believing it was God punishing him for missing Sabbath school that day.
Ray did go on to become a racehorse trainer & played polo cross, as well as spell horses at his property. His last horse he owned ended up going to Singapore to race.
As he stood on my hill having the photos taken, he recalled as a child watching 30-50 Bullocks being taken in droves along what is now Freeman's drive. The sales were in Maitland, & they were taken all the way to Wyong to the butcher.
Ray left school at 15, he attended Cooranbong Public School. He said there was only one teacher to teach all of the students. He started work immediately as a labourer hand cutting feed to make hay.
Ray worked for Geoff & Peg Davis truck driving, Geoff tragically died at 32 years old, Ray stayed working for Peg, then eventually fell in love, & married Peg, Ray & Peg lived about three doors below, where Eatons is now on Freeman's drive Cooranbong, (used to be Barry Turners sawmill)
Ray & Peg owned 40 acres on Newport Rd before Sandy creek bridge, Ray & Peg bought 105 acres on Becks Rd Freeman’s Waterhole, the property was all overgrown, after many years of hard work, the property was immaculate.
When Ray & Peg finally retired, they moved to Bonnell's Bay, Peg passed away nearly 7 years ago, Ray still lives in their house. Ray didn't have any biological children of his own, but Peg had a daughter when they married.
As a side note.... Ray was talked into doing these photos by Peter (featured next to Ray in the photo with the red truck), who he told me he counts as the son he never had.
Peter's first job was working for Ray. Peter's father had died when he was 15, & his mother passed when he was 21.. He was the eldest of 11 children, & they were to be split up amongst family. Ray was instrumental in fighting with authorities to keep the kids together. He said he had been from a broken home, & didn't want the same for these kids. Thanks to him advocating for them, they were able to make arrangements for one of the sisters to take guardianship & get an orphan payment to help raise the children.
Thanks Ray, I know you were hesitant, but I appreciate you letting me capture you, & tell your story.
