Gabriel was born in 1931 in Belgrade in the former Yugoslavia now Serbia. His older brother George was born in 1930. His father Uchur was a Cossack officer & his mother was Slovenian. How they met after the defeat of the “white” Russian forces during the 1917 Russian revolution is a story in itself.

Because of their father’s military background both boys were enrolled in a military academy once they finished primary school. This was a tradition for the sons of Cossack families; it was seen as the only avenue of escape from a life of poverty & hardship.

In 1943 Germany was faced with manpower shortages and as the boys were young and fit and had military training they were forced to got to Germany to provide much needed labour for the German Army. They were given no choice. Eventually at the end of the war Gabriel & his brother found their way to a displaced persons camp in Parsch, Salzburg. There they were offered the opportunity to immigrate to Australia, the furthest country from war-torn Europe.

In 1949 they sailed to Australia on a converted Norwegian tanker “Skaugum”. The price of their passage was 45 pounds which was required to be repaid over time to the Australian government. Gabriel was just one month short of his 18th birthday when he arrived in Australia. He was sent to Bonegilla Arm Camp where immigrants received free lodging and food but no pay. He was then contracted to the NSW Government Railways where he worked to repay his debt to the Government. Not speaking much English ironically his first job was answering the phone at the Railway goods yard. He then moved on to working on the construction of the Glenbawn Dam near Scone & was dispatched to the Snowy River Scheme for a short time.

Gabriel’s passion was soccer. He played first grade soccer from Prague Soccer Team. It was through this connection that he became a delivery man for a successful small goods manufacturing firm. The hours suited him as he could get to soccer training. Interestingly the person he replaced as a delivery man was the famous Westfield’s owner, Frank Lowey. The company had three partners all who were growing older. Over time Gabriel took over management of the company. Eventually he brought all three shares in the business and never looked back. He retired in 1989 when he sold the business which is still a working concern.

Written by Beverley Sodbinow, wife of Gabriel.

Gabriel was diagnosed with dementia in 1999. Both Gabriel and Beverley, Gabriel’s carer, have been with our organisation since 2014.