A number of Glenferrie Rotarians and former Rotarians attended a Greek Orthodox Funeral Service on Thursday at the beautiful Presentation to Our Lady of the Temple Church in Balwyn North to celebrate the full life of former member, Paul (Apostolos) Gregory. Paul was born in 1942 in Perth and had a very happy childhood surrounded by many of his parents' relatives - his mother had eight brothers and sisters.
After primary and secondary school in Perth where he also attended Greek School three times a week, Paul went to the University of Western Australia where he majored in biochemistry and microbiology, graduating with Honours. During university he had a number of part-time jobs including at the Swan Brewery - there are many pics of him enjoying a cold ale. On moving to Melbourne for better job opportunities, Paul worked in teaching and research at RMIT being instrumental in obtaining the largest grant that RMIT had been involved in. He also worked with McFarlane Laboratories which entailed travel to Japan and the UK. McFarlanes also funded two full-time Masters' students under Paul's supervision.
Paul married Connie in 1969 and they had two sons, Tom and Jason. The family enjoyed travel, and during a sabbatical year, Paul gained a Masters of Science at the University of London. On returning to Australia the family spent a short time in Melbourne before relocating to Darwin where Paul took on several roles at Northern Territory University (later renamed Charles Darwin University). When Tom and Jason returned to Perth to further their tertiary studies, Paul and Connie decided to retire at 55 and moved back to Melbourne in 1995 where they enjoyed their life together. They were great entertainers both at home and out socially. In his retirement, Paul took on some consultancy work which he found boring after the stimulation of the Darwin days - however there was always a game of golf (and a beer) with his mates. A highlight was returning to his roots in Crete and Kastellorizo with his family.
In 1998, Paul joined the Rotary Club of Glenferrie and both he and Connie found new friends and where he joined in many volunteer projects and served on a number of committees: the River Run and the very successful East Timor Sewing Machine project where he put in many volunteer hours. A highlight for some of us attending the many days down at the depot in East Brighton was their very handsome Standard Poodle, Watson, who provided great entertainment during the breaks from sorting and packing sewing machines, cottons, etc. Paul was a great ideas man and to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Rotary International in 2005, he conceived the idea of a special commemorative silver $1.00 coin. He worked tirelessly with the Rotary Club of Glenferrie and the Perth Mint to get the project approved and authorised with one thousand coins minted in Perth each containing one ounce of 99% pure silver. The coins were marketed directly through the list held by the Perth Mint, through Rotary Clubs world-wide and at the 2005 Rotary International Convention in Chicago: a novel fundraiser for Rotary activities.
Paul was loved and respected by so many so there is no need to detail his personal qualities, because if you knew him you would know just how much he gave to his family and community. He gave advice to many young people and encouraged Connie to undertake tertiary studies. On many occasions, Connie also used her talents for organisation to assist Paul in his Rotary involvement. They were both loved by many in Glenferrie Rotary and even after he had resigned in 2018, they attended many social occasions. Those who knew him will remember his smile and sense of fun. Paul will be mourned by Connie and his sons and their families (both Tom and Jason were able to spend time with him in his last weeks), and by his many friends. As his tribute reads: "Paul has left us, but he lives on in his sons Jason and Thomas, five grandchildren, and baby great-grandaughter, Cora.