Racing columnist Phil Percival has penned his last piece. His writing has been published in the Goondiwindi Argus for decades and more recently by Warwick and Stanthorpe Today as well. His daughter SHARON LEE wrote this tribute to her Dad.
Dad has always loved horses. It stems from childhood when his mum, Vea, had the old sulky with Dompsey and Snip.
The sulky was given to them as townsfolk knew how hard it was raising three boys and no income and no father. His mum and “Gam” were horse women. As dad’s father was killed on the Sandakan death march when he was only four, he equates his had work ethic and strong disposition to being raised by strong women.
I still recall dad’s mum sitting around the old fireplace in the rented house with her head right down listening to the radio on the table, pencil in hand on the Saturday racing paper and taking down the odds and picking the winners. All while the kettle boiled away on the stove.
She didn’t have the money to make a bet but had the thrill of listening later. Bit like a game of Bingo!
Dad won a scholarship to Downlands for high school and while he was away, he asked “Gam” to have a few bets for him. They couldn’t tell Vea. They lived on a small pension she received and the money that Nan made from selling eggs. So not much money about. But she did have a shilling on the horses he selected.
When he came home for school break, she called him quietly into the bedroom and out of an old stocking she pulled a large wad of notes. He had never seen anything like it. Sadly, he can’t recall what happened to the money. Yep, his interests started young with a real knack of picking “up and coming horses”, especially fillies.
Dad was a great athlete and sportsman. He often tells the story of when there he was playing cricket. He was on 96 not out and someone told Tom Vievers (Australian cricketer) and so he took the ball and bowled. Not sure how it happened but it flipped up and took out the middle stump, as opposed to his middle tooth. So, when someone asks him if he played cricket, he tells how he was bowled for 96 by Tom.
Dad has been a volunteer his entire life. Far too much to mention here. Doing so much for others and never wanting anything in return. Writing became a great passion. He has been published many times over in articles here and the UK with the Gunsynd book his pride and joy. Again, all out of generosity and love.
He loves his hometown and everyone in it. And I know that this is reciprocated.
Dad often remarks how fortunate he has been in life and to be born poor. “You knock a Percival down and they just get back up stronger” his motto. His work ethic and common decency, coupled with love, kindness, gratitude and wit make me realize how privileged I am to have him as my Dad.
There is so much more about Dad that makes him special, but those stories are for another time.
I will sign off with a note from Dad:
As I tip my hat and bow out, I hope I have given you as much enjoyment as I have had in writing the Ridges. All good things come to an end and I am forever grateful for the opportunity given to me , way back then over 40 odd years ago by Joe Hoffman. May your bikkie tins bulge. See you “round the ridges” – Phil
