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January 3, 2025

Newsletter for the Offshore Residents of Pittwater, Australia - Volume 26, Issue 1219

We acknowledge and pay our respects to the Traditional Custodians of Pittwater, as well as our Indigenous readers

Tom Gibbs with Madge, his wife of 60 years

Vale

TOM GIBBS (1935 - 2024)

Tom Gibbs, one of Scotland Island’s oldest residents, has died. He was 89.

To many islanders, Tom will be known as that gentle old chap who lived with his wife Madge and son Dave, at a house just above the top of the steps leading to Eastern Wharf. Tom and Madge, seemingly always together, were a regular sight as they plied their way, via Tennis, on their weekly shopping trips. But the Gibbs family's connection with Scotland Island stretches back even before Tom's birth, and to the earliest stages of the island's development.

The Gibbs family's weekender above Eastern Wharf, photographed during the 1930s

Herbert Fitzpatrick, through his company Scotland Island Estates Ltd, bought most of Scotland Island in 1926 with a view to developing it for houses. It was, of course, Fitzpatrick’s wife who lent her name to Florence Terrace, the street where the Gibbs family lived. Fitzpatrick divided the island into around 350 lots and in January 1931 Tom’s widowed grandmother, Lily Gibbs of Moree St, Gordon, bought lot 232, a block just above Eastern.

Tom Gibbs as a child

The family built a small, one-bedroom weekender on the block, and that’s the structure which, over the years, gradually morphed into the much more extensive house we see today.

The Gibbs family were well connected with the island. Tom's family was close to that of Dick and Madge Hughes, who still live on the waterfront close to Bell Wharf. The Gibbs are also related to the Duff family. Lawrie Duff used to own the ferry service, while Jim Duff was captain of the fire brigade during the 1970s.

Tom himself was born on 11 September 1935. Although Tom grew up on a market garden where the St Ives wildflower garden is now, his father, Bill, regularly brought the infant Tom to stay at the family’s island weekender.

Tom's dad kept a small motor launch close to Eastern Wharf and one photo shows Bill with his boat, standing on the beach at Eastern, close to the old Japanese barge that used to be down there. The Gibbs’ family photo collection has provided the island with a priceless visual record of its history, and Tom has generously shared many of the photos with the community over the years.

Tom's father, Bill, with the family boat near Eastern Wharf

Tom trained as a plumber, a trade he was to practise for the rest of his working life. In 1964, in his late 20s, Tom married Madge, and they remained together for 60 years. The couple raised three children: Lynette, Glen and David. David still lives on the island.

The Gibbs family moved permanently to the island around the early 1990s. Tom’s final job before retiring was as a senior plumber at Mona Vale Hospital.

Outside of work Tom played first grade cricket for Pymble Cricket Club. Indeed, according to Lynette, Tom's grandfather started the club.

Tom died on 29 December 2024 after a brief spell in hospital. The warm regard in which he was held in the community is evident from the many tributes on Facebook.

Juliette Robertson has lived next door to the Gibbs for the last 23 years, and remembers how Tom would joke with her as she struggled up the hill from Eastern with her weekly shopping:

'I’d always put down my shopping, stand, stretch my back, look up and there would be Tom, Madge and their son David on their balcony enjoying the view, always smiling down at me, having a chuckle and raising a beer or wine glass to us. "Is that all you’ve got?’"Tom would call down? "Where’s ours?" And he’d laugh with Madge always at his side.

'Their balcony is empty now but every time I hoist myself and my bags onto Florence Terrace and stop to catch my breath, I look up. A shadow of sadness now hovers momentarily when I see that empty balcony, but then I hear Tom's affectionate teasing call and I see them once again smiling and chuckling, raising their glasses and I smile. He was a true gentleman, strong, resilient, positive and funny, always ready with a line that made me smile and a heart full of love for Madge and David.

Enjoy the view Tom. I’m sure it’s truly beautiful from where you are. My turn to raise a glass to you.

Tom and Madge as a young couple

Former island resident Judy Botham remembers how she first met Tom when she and her husband Graham first moved to the island in 1973. ‘Tom showed us much kindness and we spent many hours in their company’, she says. ‘Tom was one of life’s true gentlemen, with a wonderful sense of humor and always ready for a chat’.

Sam Collins, another Florence Terrace resident, remembers Tom and Madge as ‘a constant cheery presence in our neighbourhood for over 20 years’. He continues ‘Tom was always a friendly lovely fellow. This corner of the island won't be the same, he will be missed’.

Sandy Watkins describes Tom as ‘one of the good ones. Caring for Madge and treating others with care. Always with a cheery smile’.

Jan Murray remarks how Tom and Madge never failed to enhance her ferry trips with their smiles and kindness. According to Jan, ‘Tom embodied the genuine spirit of our small island. I wish for Madge that his memory one day will bring a gentle smile to her eyes rather than today's sad tears’.

Roy Baker