Rich memories
John Glover’s life turned upside down when he broke his hip late last year. A service from Anglicare is helping him get his life back on track.
John (82, of Ulverstone) had been looking forward to leaving hospital when he tested positive for COVID on the day he was due to be discharged. Instead of going home, he found himself in the hospital’s COVID ward.
Wine and food have played a huge role in John’s life, and he found the loss of taste and smell one of the most difficult challenges of his COVID experience. Luckily, some six months later, it is slowly returning!
John is continuing his journey of recovery from the hip injury and requires several allied health services, including support from Anglicare.
“Anglicare’s service has helped us no end,” says John. “Every Wednesday [Home Care Worker] Tammy bounces in the door. She has so much experience and she’s a good conversationalist.”
If you are of a certain age you might have heard of – or been lucky enough to dine at – a restaurant at Whitemore in the Meander Valley called ‘Gossips’. Originally a convict-built inn, it was a general store and hay barn before opening as a restaurant in 1975. John and his wife Sue operated Gossips for 11 years between 1988 and 1999. John welcomed diners at the front of house and his wife Sue was in charge of the kitchen.
John and Sue’s love of and interest in fresh and seasonal produce put them ahead of their time. The location of the restaurant in the middle of rich farmlands made it perfect for sourcing local game, fish, fruit and vegetables for Sue’s French-inspired, country-style menu.
It took courage to take on a restaurant without any experience – especially when their first booking was a group of 30 diners at Christmas.
A commitment to lifelong learning, taking on new challenges and sharing their knowledge and passions with others, has been a hallmark of the couple’s life to date.
John had previously worked at the paper mill in Burnie and as an aerial ‘fire watcher’ for the Forestry department. His love of viticulture started with a course in wine appreciation in Melbourne. He spent time travelling around mainland wineries building his knowledge before teaching wine appreciation himself through TAFE at Burnie, Deloraine and Launceston.
“The 70s and early 80s were exciting time for the new Tasmanian wine industry,” he recalls. “After we moved on from Gossips I offered wine tours, educated people at cellar doors and was involved in the development of several vineyards on the North West Coast.”
Sue spent many years in primary school administration prior to the Gossips era. She immersed herself in cooking courses in preparation for her new role. Today, she enjoys country drives and ‘plein air’ painting in watercolours, and her love of cooking is undiminished.
More information
John and Sue were interviewed in 2020 on City Park Radio’s popular Hot Seat program. The couple reminisce about this special time in their lives and share some of their favourite music. Many thanks to City Park Radio for providing this link for our story.
Hear from Home Care Worker Tammy Gordon about her role with Anglicare.
