By Ron Lane
Working in an Australian Tax Office in Melbourne by day and studying accountancy by night was not exactly what Paul Desmond Asbury had in mind for a lifelong career.
Born in Albury N.S.W. on 17 April 1947 he was educated at the Christian Brothers College Albury before moving on to the Christian Brothers College St. Kilda. It was during his time as a student in St. Kilda that he made a decision that was to be, unintentionally, the start of life long career; he joined the Australian Army School Cadet Unit serving until 1963.
For young Paul Asbury the first big step on life’s journey was in December 1956.when his father, working as a timber yard foreman in Albury, realised that opportunities for his five children (four boys one girl) were indeed very limited. So to rectify this mum dad and the five kids packed up and headed for Melbourne.
It was on completion of his education at St. Kilda that Paul had commenced his career in accountancy while holding down a position in the Australian Taxation Department. However while doing so he continued his army training as an Officer Cadet in 3 Division Officer Cadet Training Unit. With a background of Public Service plus Officer Cadet Training his enlistment in the Australian Regular Army in 1967 came as no surprise.
Now fifty one years later with twenty eight years’ service to the Australian Army and several years dedicated work with the local organisation known as the Mens Shed, Lieutenant Colonel Paul Asbury (Ret.) can definitely look back on a life of service to both country and community.
Having enlisted in early 67, by December of that year Paul graduated from the Officer Cadet School Portsea as a 2nd Lieutenant and what was to be a successful military career was under way. Then in October 1969 while honeymooning with his bride Anne in South Australia he was suddenly posted as 2IC to 85 Transport PL Nui Dat South Vietnam, where he was to serve exactly ‘’one year and one day.” In December 1970 on his return to Australia he was promoted to the rank of Captain.
Then in 1974 following postings to various bases in Australia he was on his way to the U.K.as an exchange instructor at the Army School of Transport at Longmoor. “This was quite a move as it was for the family not just me that was going to the U.K.
When I started on the job it came as one hell of a shock. I was not aware there was such a different attitude between the British officers and men as compared to us. The way the officers spoke to their men was simply unbelievable to an Australian; if we did that back home you would probably get a smack in the mouth. For the first three months I just wanted to get out of there. But then I settled down and realised that it was the accepted way and it worked for them. But to our way it was totally unacceptable.
My job was to train young officers who had just graduated from Sandhurst. This was still the cold war period so everything had to be spot on. The relationship between the British staff and me was very good indeed. For example when they found out that I was a tennis player (coached as a young bloke by the famous Margaret Court) I ended up playing for the Royal Corp of Transport on every Wednesday; and it was all over the U.K. Believe it or not if I had to travel to a tournament I was paid travel expenses; this on top of my salary. Amazing.”
Next posting for the Asbury family saw Paul in Germany where he worked as a Staff Officer of 1 British Corp . “We were serving as a part of the whole Nato Defense for Germany and Europe. It was thought that if the cold war exploded the Russians would come down through the top of Europe; but of course it didn’t happen. Then 1977 we were back in Australia.”
Until his retirement from the army in 1993 with the rank of Lt.Col (which he achieved in 1985) Paul held many and varied postings; two notable of which were Commanding Officer of the Ground Liaison Group, Air H.Q. Blue Mountains and Commanding Officer of the Air Transport Support Regiment.
Following his retirement Paul spent two years working in the Corp of Commissioners. “Our job was virtually as an employment agency to help ex- soldiers find work. This involved many Vietnam vets.
Many of that age group now in management, had been involved in massive protest marches and there was still some resentment shown toward the Vietnam Vets. So for some it became difficult to obtain work; sad state of affairs- but true.”
Then in 1999 the family settled in Noosa. “The idea to live in Noosa first came way back in 68 when the army sent me to the Sunshine Coast for three months of DUKW Training; god knows why- but they did. We would spend our weekends at Noosa and liked the place so much that while stationed in Brisbane in 1980 the family decided that Noosa was the place to live when we retired.”
Settling into the world of retirement Pauls hobbies were family, fishing, boating and computing; keeping in touch with old digger mates.
However after settling down at Noosa Paul had a few health problems. “One of these was Ross River Fever. This can result in fits of depression but I soon started to come good. Sometime later a friend at Sunshine Beach suggested that I joined the Mens Shed. This I did in 2015 and then in 2016/17 someone thought I had the right background and I was nominated for the position of Vice President; and the following year2017/18 for President
One of the great things about joining came as an absolute shock when shaking hands with me was a member named Tom Gittings. Tom and I had gone to school together in Albury and I had not seen him since our young school days in 1958 ”
Learning what the business is all about has been a real pleasure for Paul. As we sat and talked the pride and dedication that Paul has for the Mens Shed and its members definitely came through.
“In some ways there is a similarity to army life; a group of blokes working together as a team and above all being there to help one another if the need arises. Since joining I have seen many improvements; five new buildings now on our premises. Sometimes it is just like watching a child growing up; it goes from strength to strength.”
Nestled amongst the trees on a 2.5 acer block of land (situated on Wallum Lane just off Noosa Springs) which was once the Water Treatment Plant, is where you will find the Mens Shed. This accidentally best kept secret in our community is “dedicated to advance the health well-being and social inclusion based on the individual interests of the members.”
“Each of the buildings has its own character,” said Paul. “A wood work shed, hobby shed, art studio, art and music, metal workers shed, cobbers shed, recycling woodwork and inventors group. With these facilities now available it enables us to sometimes help others in our community and also on occasion be involved in a project overseas.”
Situated behind the original Mens Shed is the ex-army building that is for the purpose of dining, recreation and meetings; perhaps the meeting place and center of social activities. Small office, kitchen, library snooker table and dining hall with a lounge area near the front entrance.
It is not just the buildings but also the lawn and gardens you notice when walking around. Now to the left of the Mens Shed a new building is under construction; here again is the Mens Shed team working together.
“In keeping with the concern for the good health of members we will be holding a meeting in the main hall for a talk and discussion on the all aspects of prostate cancer. This is in keeping with our mission statement which in part states, aims to advance health and wellbeing of our members. Also as president and on behalf of all, I acknowledge the great support of the Noosa Council, Unity Water and in particular Councilor Joe Jurisevic who is an honoree member. There are also a lot of others who give us their time and knowledge by teaching and talk on various matters. For this we are eternally grateful”
With the ever increasing number of people that are now approaching their twilight years it is indeed gratifying to know that moving amongst us are men who in that good old Aussie fashion will take the time to stop and ask. ‘’Hey mate, need a hand?’’ To Paul Desmond Asbury who has willingly accepted the responsibilities as President of the Mens Shed, plus the members, we say, to one and all good health and well done gentleman, you do us proud.
