By RON LANE
IT WAS at the tender age of 10 that the love of music for Gary Trim first really took hold.
“That is when I joined the Tuggerah Lakes Brass Band,” he said, “and learned to play and read music.
“It is funny,” he added with a laugh, “I started on the cornet but the band master came to me and said you are a dammed awful cornet player so I suggest you learn the drums.
“I took his advice and he was right. Now 64 years later I still play but, mind you, it is quietly at home in a back room with my drum kit.”
Born in Manly in 1942, Gary grew up with the Manly boys’ love of swimming and surfing.
His family shifted to the Central Coast when he was nine and it was here that his career in music took hold.
“Life in a brass band was, at that stage, a great learning experience for young guys like me.
“We learned the meaning of discipline, respect and, most important of all, I started to learn to read music.
“In those days most drummers couldn’t read music. Later on as my career progressed the importance of being a drummer who could become a big thing.”
The Tuggerah band was highly regarded and competed all over NSW.
“One thing we specialized in was competition marching while playing the instruments. It is not as easy as it looks.
“During these times we competed against military bands and in the late ’50s we took part in two military tattoos in the Sydney Showgrounds. It was all a great experience.”
Garys first major move came when, as a 14-year-old, he joined up as a drummer with the rock and roll band, Tommy and the Tornadoes.
“We were together for six or seven years and it was great.
“We did all sorts of gigs including TV work on the Don Lane and Dave Allen shows.
“There was plenty of work and in particular Christmas time. It was nothing to do six and seven nights a week.
“A good thing about all that work was that, as a young bloke, there wasn’t a lot of spare time to get into trouble so it kept them “on the straight and narrow”.
As a result of his all-round capabilities both in reading music and as a professional drummer, Gary took several young drummers under his wing and started to teach.
“Some of them,” said Gary, “went into the armed forces and joined their bands. In fact, one of them is still at it up in Townsville.
“There is one gig that I will never forget. It was back in the late ’60s and I worked as a drummer for the Eddie Ash Travelling Ice Show.
“We would set up for four or five days in country towns. The show would consist of ice skaters, comedian and a singer. To say the least it was certainly different.”
Among their many gigs they supported bigger groups such as Billy Thorpe and the Aztecs, Johnny O’Keefe, Dig Richards, Col Joy and the Dell Tones.
Following his stint with the Tornadoes he took the job as resident drummer for the Tuggerah Memorial RSL Club and also on occasions as the relief drummer for Balmain Leagues Club and Saint George Central Coast.
“I stayed as resident drummer for 13 years. After that I started working full time as a relief drummer in the club circuit in Sydney.
“On one occasion while working at the Chequers night club in Sydney, I was the support drummer for Shirley Bassey.
“All these types of gigs were great experience and I was always learning.
“However during these years I made sure I also got myself a day job and at 25 moved into the insurance industry.
“The reason for this was that I saw a lot of the professional drummers doing it tough, so I made sure I kept a day job that also had a possible future.”
For Gary this was definitely a move in the right direction. Now apart from his music, he can look back on a successful career of some 33 years in the insurance game, having his own insurance brokage and working as a financial planner.
Also during this time Gary won a major Australian award sponsored by Natural Mutual Insurance.
The prize for this was a trip to America. On arrival he underwent an intense 10 day advanced management training course.
“It certainly was a great experience and a trip well worth taking.
“However before becoming heavily involved in the world of insurance I seriously considered joining the Australian Navy.
“Because of my love of the sea and, in particular free diving, I became serious about a career as a clearance diver. I was being taught by an ex- British navy Commando diver.
“However during this time I suffered an ear injury and this was the end of my dreams of becoming a navy diver.”
Like all professional musicians Gary had those he looked up to and was inspired by.
“I would say that as a very young boy I was impressed by the great Gene Kruper, the man who really bought jazz drumming to the forefront.
“Then in later years it was the unbelievable Buddy Rich. Rich in his prime was classed as the fastest drummer in the world – a real freak.
“But the man that I really took notice of was the famous rock and roll artist Bill Haley. In my opinion a man ahead of his time.”
For Gary and his wife Sandy, now living together in retirement at Doonan, their meeting and eventual partnership was the stuff movies are made of.
They first met when Gary, at age 14 as a commercial traveller, used to call on her family general store, situated in The Entrance Sydney.
In the years ahead they continually crossed paths because, apart from the business aspect, Sandys father Salzon, was also the pianist at the local RSL Club where Gary was the drummer.
“Sandy was 10 when we first met,” said Gary “but our lives took different paths. She became a ballerina, but later changed to various styles, eventually concentrating on modern entertainment dancing then later on, with her partner who was top class, they toured Europe and the U.K.
“Also, during her career she travelled to Vietnam dancing for the Diggers and the Yanks.
“And, believe it or not,” he said with a laugh, “when we finally got together I was 40 and she was 36. I suppose it was meant to be.”
Shortly after this, they married and came to Munna Point on their honeymoon. They both fell in love with the place and following Gary’s retirement returned to live in 2000. Both agreed they have never been happier.
On arrival Gary ventured back into the world of surf lifesaving by joining the club at Noosa.
This was something that had been a major part of his weekends during his youth.
Moving around a lot Gary had spent years in three clubs, The Entrance, Toowoon Bay and Shelly Beach.
Now, having spent 11 years in Noosa, he is eligible for his Long Service badge.
“All up, I have had a total of 21 years as a lifesaver. It’s been great. During my time in Noosa I have been a radio patrolman and March Past team captain and member.’’
As we talked two things came to light that has have given this man much pride.
The first is that Gary is a former Past President of Lions International at the Entrance, and a life member of the Association of Apex Clubs Australia.
But, most of all, was the work done by his father Jim with the Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels and his time on the Kokoda Track as a forward scout.
“Dad was a professional solder and after the war he sponsored a fuzzy wuzzy on a trip to Australia so you could say I am very proud of my old man.”
Successful careers in music, insurance, Apex and Lions plus years of dedicated service to lifesaving, it’s been a life fully lived for Gary Trim – one of Our People.
