Gavan's last dance: Grafton man to be fondly remembered

GAVAN and Rhonda Smith's marriage was a 52-year love affair sparked by a common passion for dancing.

INSEPARABLE: Rhonda and Gavan Smith were married for almost 52 years. Gavan passed away peacefully with his loving wife by his side on July 18, aged 74.

"YOU fought so hard to stay with me. I found it hard to set you free. I'll always love you."

Rhonda Smith was by her husband Gavan's side when his battle with illness ended on July 18. Their marriage was a 52-year love affair sparked by a common passion for dancing.

Born in Wangaratta, Victoria on March 1, 1942, Gavan was 'a bit of a larrikin' and got up to 'all sorts of antics with his mates' as a student at Bendigo Teacher's College. But it didn't stop him becoming an outstanding primary school teacher.

His first teaching post was at Granya on the Murray River. After a few years he transferred to Little Hampton near Kyneton, where he met 16-year-old Rhonda at a dance. This was the start of a life-long love story.

Rhonda and Gavan Smith of Grafton do some social ballroom dancing at a demonstration at the Grafton Community Centre as part of Seniors Week Photo Adam Hourigan / The Daily Examiner. Picture: Adam Hourigan

The couple spent the first two years of their marriage at Bunyip in Gippsland where they made lifelong friends and 'had the time of their lives'.

Their three children were born in Bendigo. From there they moved to Camperdown and spent six happy years, then back to Bunyip, with Gavan principal of Bunyip Primary School.

The children finished their schooling at Cohuna, where Gavan and Rhonda were heavily involved in ballroom dancing and spent many hours training debutante groups.

They then moved to England for a very enjoyable 13 months. They came home to live in Geelong, but soon all three married children lived either in Queensland or overseas, so the couple opened a bed and breakfast in Gympie to be closer to their five lovely grandchildren.

When Gavan's health began to deteriorate they moved away from the Queensland heat to Grafton, where Gavan met wonderful friends through his love of golf.

Gavan Smith blasts out of the bunker on the 11th to setup a par putt in competition golf at Grafton Golf Club. Picture: Adam Hourigan

One of his other loves was singing, and as part of 'Old and Buggered' gave many people a lot of pleasure at nursing homes and clubs.

Gavan and Rhonda did a lot of volunteer work and loved their time with the Big River Day Club and dancing for the nursing homes and day clubs.

The last 14 years have been a battle for both of them with Gavan's ill health. Although their life together has ended, they had a wonderful marriage for nearly 52 years, and for this Rhonda is truly grateful.

Gavan was the dearly loved father and father-in-law of Danielle and Frank, Clint and Tricia, Amber and Mark. Devoted pop to Ebony, Morgan, Ryder, Gypsy-Rose and Sofia. Brother and brother-in-law of Ross (older brother) and Lois, Noelene and Peter and David.

A funeral service will be held at the Salvation Army Citadel, Oliver St at 10am Tuesday, July 26.

Originally published as Gavan's last dance: Grafton man to be fondly remembered