Born and raised a “Brissie Boy”, Keith was bought up with his older sister and two older brothers, by their single mother, in the 1920’s – a difficult achievement in those tough times. He volunteered for the Navy during WWII, and served on the HMAS “Platypus” as a seaman-gunner. He was in Darwin Harbour for most of the Japanese raids, and history shows that the gunners on the “Plats” put up such a “fire-storm” that it was one of the few ships that was virtually undamaged during the relentless “Zero” raids. He then volunteered for DEMS (Defensively Equipped Merchant Ships). These were basically commandeered commercial ships, where they bolted a big gun onto the bow – not the best way to tour the Coral Sea back in those days! He served on everything from supply ships to Avgas tankers. We (his kids) feel very lucky, just to be here! Keith was part of the liberation of the Philippines.
Soon after the war, he met his wife of 66 years, Shirley and they married in 1946. Keith trained as a Builder/Cabinet Maker after the War. He and Shirley bought a small block of land at St Lucia, where they proceeded to build our family home. Mum received gifts of stumps, window frames and sheets of fibro as presents for birthdays, Christmas or other special occasions!
In 1954, Keith was approached (by absolute chance) to become the dealer for a new woodworking product called “Sawmaster”, a radial-armed saw. This product revolutionised the building industry in Queensland, taking it from the hand saw to the power saw. Instead of taking a week to cut out a house frame (in Queensland hardwood), it now took a day. He and Shirley started this fledgling business underneath our St Lucia home, and with a huge amount of hard work, the Sawmaster business slowly grew into a “house-hold name and icon in the building industry” and the business continues to this very day.
Keith and Shirley retired from KM & SE Gregory in the mid 80’s and passed the business onto their older sons Robert and Alan. Their daughter Loraine went into the corporate world and eventually into her own small business and the youngest son Steve, became an airline pilot. Now run by son Alan, Gregory Machinery is one of the largest woodworking machinery businesses in Queensland and Australia, with a “one acre under roof” warehouse and showroom in the Brisbane suburb of Richlands.
Keith loved this apartment so much, he bought the place, whilst it was still being built. He stopped into to have a quick look at the unit, as a family friend was building it. After one minute he walked out of the unit simply saying “That’s mine!!”, and he bought it immediately. He lived here for the rest of his life, and as I said earlier, adored the place.
Keith passed away the way we’d all like to go, peacefully in his sleep at age 90 just as he wanted, still living independently in his beloved unit on his treasured island. A phone call from Keith was easy to pick, as the first thing to pass his lips in typical humour after you answered would be, “I’m calling from overseas. Am I talking to Australia?” We were still having Rumbos, at the sea-wall with him up until four days before he passed away.
Keith was someone who never liked to be fussed over and told us he didn’t want a funeral, just a party. He was the King of Parties in his younger days and the life of the party right up until the end. We know he would have loved his send-off party and know that he was there in spirit. Truth be known, he’s probably still partying on after sundown everyday over at the sea-wall, so if a warm feeling and smile comes over you suddenly, he’s no doubt just whispered a joke in your ear.
Anyway, that’s a small excerpt from the life story of Keith Maxwell Gregory 28/09/1921- 08/11/2011. I could write a lot more. He was a good Husband, Dad, Grand-Dad, Great Grand-Dad and Friend to many, as well as a champion indoor bowler in his later years, life of the party, and a very funny man. He enjoyed having friends and family to “number 75” and we know, he would be delighted to know that others are enjoying his “piece of paradise” now that he’s gone.
We (the Gregory Family) hope you enjoy your stay at “Keith’s Place” as much as he did, no matter how long or short your visit. Once again, if you feel a strange urge to venture across the park with a drink in your hand at sunset, it’s probably Keith calling you. Please say “G’Day” to him for us and raise a glass to our wonderful “Old Man”!!!
