Thursday, March 28, 2024

Vale Rodney Giles

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Rod Giles

16.03.1960 – 20.01.23

Karen Giles, The Lord Howe Island Signal

Rodney Giles (Gerry) passed away peacefully at home on Friday 20th, January. We invited his Island friends to join us at Ned’s Beach Cemetery on Tuesday the 24th of January, 4.00pm, to say farewell.

Our family would like to thank the beautiful Island community from the bottom of our hearts for all the love and support we’ve received during this time.

We were able to grant Rodney’s last wish for a swim on Wednesday and would like to share these beautiful last memories with our community.

Eulogy – Karen Giles

Rodney Michael Giles ( affectionately know as “Gerry”)

Born Sydney, March 16th, 1960 to Rupert Giles and Isobel Irvine

Rod Giles and family

The Giles family were living in New Guinea at this time, however, relocated to a houseboat on the Parramatta River for Rod’s birth at Ryde Hospital. By coincidence, 2 years earlier, that same month, Karen Patricia McLeod was born at the same hospital and the seeds of destiny were planted.

Rupert, Isobel and Rod’s sister, Patricia, were looking for a new destination after returning from New Guinea. A chance encounter with Judy Schick’s brother, a work colleague of Rupert’s, pointed them in a new direction. On being shown a brochure of a home for sale on Lord Howe Island Rupert, an avid scuba diving enthusiast and pioneer, became immediately sold on Lord Howe for their next move.

The Giles family arrived on Lord Howe Island by flying boat in 1970 . They felt they had landed in paradise! Rupert was very lucky to work for the Department of Aviation and Isobel at Blue Lagoon and the Telephone Exchange.

When Rupert retired in 1979 he and Isobel built Polynesian Diving Apartments, known today as Island House. Rupert had the island’s first air compressor and pioneered all the original dive sites on Lord Howe.

Rod was a true nature boy growing up on Lord Howe partaking in surfing, hiking and whatever mischievous pursuits all the young island gromits could make or find.

After a couple of years at the Lord Howe Island Central School great long lasting friendships were formed.

For High School it was off to Waverley College for Rod. His sporting prowess became evident here. Swimming, rugby, athletics, he excelled at them all.

Rod had a few false starts with careers. He tried carpentry and time as a chef but the call of island life was too strong.

The eighties were a wonderful time on Lord Howe. A local, Chris Murray, showed Rod the ropes of climbing Mt Gower. He thoroughly enjoyed the trek, meeting the visitors and boiling a billy tea at the summit.

Staff girls were an active pursuit for Rod. With his charisma and sparkling blue eyes he was a sure winner of many hearts.

When Karen came along it set in motion a love of over 40 years. Karen was probably as mischievous as Rod, maybe not a match made in heaven but they buckled-up and prepared for the bumpy ride.

Rod tried another short stint in Sydney where he worked for Karen’s dad Bob and her brother Jeff in Sydney at Apple Computers – but still the island called!

Rod and Karen had the great luck to rent a magical abode on Lord Howe Island called Mountain Inn, up South and idyllic. Rod was always so grateful for his home overlooking the majestic mountains. It was wonderful to be “out of towners”.

Rod’s working life on Lord Howe included unloading the ship (from age 15 to age 60), the Lord Howe Island Board and many island lodges but his passion was Ned’s Beach shed. The shed is where his true persona shined with the snorkeling, fish feeding and the free chats for all. It was definitely his happy place.

When Sophie was born in 1989 at Mt Gower Hospital Rod beamed with pride. Maddy joined the family in 1991, another welcome addition for Rod as again he found himself surrounded by girls. Both girls had a wonderful relationship with their father.

Sophie, a softly spoken carer and a wonderful mother who gave Rod the precious gift of his first grandchild, Jasmine Pearl and Maddy, with her fun banter and absolute adoration of her Dad.

Rod and Karen enjoyed travel together to the UK, Belfast and Europe. Rod was enthralled by the Eiffel Tower.

Many island and mainland experiences with families and dear friends gave Rod and Karen a magical life.

The legacy Rod leaves his family and friends is to love and be loved and to enjoy every moment of every day as he did.

It is indeed wonderful that Rod managed to realise his passionate wish to return to his island home at last.

A further eulogy and more images are in the issue.

The Lord Howe Island Signal 31 January 2023

This article appeared in The Lord Howe Island Signal, 31 January 2023.

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