George was born in 1947 to Charlotte and George.
He is the younger of two boys having a brother 9 years his senior who still lives in Scotland. When George was born, rationing was still a way of life in Scotland and did not end till 1954 so he learned to appreciate the value of things at an early age.
In 1963 George started his working life as an apprentice fitter building transformers and generators, As a fitter and turner, he was following the family tradition but the occupation he really wanted to do was to be a chef, but didn’t want to upset the family. His next job was working on the British nuclear submarine program.
He moved to Australia at the age of 29 being married and having 2 young children, he felt there were no prospect for children in Scotland at the time, and it was the one of the cheapest destinations to emigrate. (a true Scot!)
Once he got to Australia, he seems to have trouble settling down as he has lived in Sydney, the Blue Mountains, Gympie, Queensland and Uralla NSW, but finally he decided to move to a warmer climate (!) Uralla gets down to -14 degrees, so we find him living in Sidmouth with his wife Jean and springer spaniel Libby and an assortment of chooks!
His work history is also equally varied as he has been a satellite tracking technician, owned a cleaning contracting business, and working as a fitter and maintenance.
He has an interest in astronomy and is also interested in genealogy and has traced back to a Gt.Gt.Gt.Gt. Grandmother born in 1792 in the Scottish Highlands. George and his wife were keen Line Dancers and have won medals in tournaments (a gold and a silver).
Despite living in Australia longer than he has in his country of birth, Scotland, George still has not managed to speak Australian.
After several years getting his house and garden into shape, he noticed he was living a rather unsocial life so decided to “reach out” and join the East Tamar Men’s Shed (which just goes to show you don’t have to live on the East Tamar to be a member).
During his first year as president, George has demonstrated his commitment to ensure the ongoing viability of the Shed and build on the success of the first 9 years. His skills and experience with machines have made him part of the “fix it” team, chief knife and tool sharpener, as well as becoming involved in many of the projects commissioned and for sale to raise funds for the Shed.
Favourite Music: classics and country.
If he were Prime Minister for a day: He would fix the wage disparity between the have and the have nots especially fat cats and pensioners.
…..and some more words from the Man:
We had our AGM in September, and a new committee was elected.
The committee members are:
- President… George Murray
- V/President (1) …John Moody
- V/President (2) …Bob Stow
- Secretary…George Cerchez
- Treasurer…Bob Stow
- Committee…Ian Farquhar
- Committee…Jeff Wynne
- Committee…Ken Martin
- Committee…Vic Cochrane
I would like to thank previous committee members: Alf Waters, Jim Garnsworthy and Jon Hosford for their assistance over the last year and welcome Jeff Wynne and Vic Cochrane back to the committee and one of our newer members, Ken Martin who is joining the committee for the first time.
Last year’s committee had a productive year, obtaining grants and finding revenue raising projects and I hope that this year we will do even better.
Our container has had a roof fitted to it thanks to Ken Martin and Pete Kitching. Ken has also painted the outside of the container.
With regards to projects and work needing done around the shed, it is still the same small group of people that do everything, and it is starting to take its toll on them, so I would like to remind all members that it is your shed, and it would be helpful if you are able to help.
George Murray
President.