At 96 years old, Albert makes us laugh, keeps busy and always has God in his heart.
Surrounded by wonderful women, Albert grew up in West Coburg, Victoria with his mother and older sisters. His father served in WW1 as a coal stoker on the HMAS Australia but sadly passed away when Albert was 5 years old.
Albert met his lovely, late wife Enid at Sunday School. Albert fondly recalls watching Enid play netball and taking care of her younger siblings after their mother died of cancer.
“My wife was brilliant – she had a hard life, but she was always happy and giving. Her mother died of cancer, and she took on the responsibility of taking care of her two younger siblings, while her father worked, by taking them to school and going shopping at the Victorian markets.”
Albert and Enid were wed on 2nd August 1952 and were married for 69 faithful years. Together they had three children, two beautiful daughters and a son. Enid and Albert moved to Maroba together about 4 and a half years ago. Albert reminisces about her sweetly saying “we had a wonderful, happy life.”
After working a few jobs here and there including Myers and the Melbourne Post Office, Albert was financially assisted by Legacy. It’s here that Albert completed a two-year course in the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music and after that, was called to the ministry. He and his late wife Enid moved to Sydney shortly after and began as a Pastor.
For 50 years Albert shared his love for God by travelling around Australia and sometimes across the world, which led him to stay in 3 states including TAS, NSW and QLD and preached in 10 different churches. Albert’s ministry reached hospitals, houses, and he even worked as an industrial chaplain for British paints and Bostitch International.
After Albert was retired from the ministry about 28 years ago, he worked for 3 years as the interim Pastor at the Islington Baptist Church. Albert met former CEO Viv Allanson here and even volunteered his time to play piano at Maroba for spiritual services.
At Maroba Albert stays busy. He watches the sunrise each morning, gives his devotions to God and keeps in touch with old friends from all around Australia.
You may have heard the sweet serenade Albert performs most mornings, for about 30 mins, on the piano in the Manor. It brightens our mornings and creates a positive start to the day.
Albert attends movement classes run by Allied Health and eagerly participates in the days’ activities which can include concerts, luncheons, games and, of course Albert faithfully attends spiritual services at Maroba. Albert also enjoys reading books including Australian history books, Christian books and Newcastle history. Albert keeps up to date with current affairs by watching the news and reading the Newcastle Herald.
To round out his care at Maroba, Albert enjoys a soothing hand massage and getting his nails done by Maroba’s very own Beauty Therapists Michelle and Jennifer. When asked what he thought of the beauty opportunities at Maroba he firmly said “I couldn’t be happier with the staff and Michelle. They’re marvellous – great staff.”
Albert says he enjoys independently seeing the girls in beauty and booking in a time for his hands and nails.