Celebrating 100 years: Inara's story
To acknowledge 100 years of serving those who serve Australia, we’re talking to CSC customers to hear their unique stories. Meet Inara Taube as she reflects on the chances and coincidences in life that lead to marriage and family—and how CSC continues to play an important role in her life, long after Greg is gone.
29 Nov 2022
A great love story is unpredictable, touching, emotional and so much more. Married in 1964, Inara Taube, a ledger keeper, and her husband Greg, a mechanical engineer, found a way to build, honour and grow a family together for more than 57 years.
Starting his career as a draftsman before studying to become a mechanical engineer, Greg was working at the Commonwealth Serum Laboratories in charge of their air conditioning when he joined ComSuper.
“Well, yes, Greg and I knew each other for a very long time. I was about 11 years old when we first met in the displaced persons camp in Germany. We sailed to Australia on the same ship in 1950.
When we arrived in Bonegilla in north-east Victoria, our parents were contracted to work for two years and work wherever they were sent. Greg’s parents were sent to Mildura, and my parents were sent to Benalla, and then later to Somers on Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula.”
The pair lost touch for several years until eventually they met again at night school.
“I was attending a German class in the evening studying for my Year 11 certificate. The teacher called out ‘Towb’, but they didn’t pronounce it properly, and Greg spoke up and said ‘it's Taube’. I looked around and I thought, that rings a bell.
When the class finished, we spoke and it wasn’t long before we started socialising again with our parents.”
The couple married and had four children—two boys and two girls. And they now have seven grandchildren! When their children were young, the family travelled extensively in their caravan so that Greg could compete in cycling events.
We've been all around Australia in the caravan. Up the East Coast, through the middle, down the West Coast, and across the Nullarbor. I'm quite happy. I've seen what I want to see.
We never went off the beaten track like the Birdsville Track or whatever. We didn't do that. I didn't want to get all dusty in the caravan! But we did go to Kakadu, though. I must admit, that was a bit off-road. ”
Life changed for the couple when Greg developed a heart condition. He retired and took a lump sum and regular part payments. Greg had to give up racing and embrace a quieter life, so he took up woodworking again—something he’d always enjoyed.
According to Inara, many years ago the couple had their new house built to lockup stage only so that Greg could build the whole inside—everything! When Greg's father died, Greg even built a two-story extension on the back of his and Inara’s home for his mother.
“ He was a very handy person. Greg's workshop is full of all kinds of machinery. I went down there one day and it was so sad. It's like time stopped, you know? Everything has kind of stopped because he was doing woodworking right to the end. That's what he could do, physically.
And then when he went to hospital, the door was shut. But the boys come down and do what they need to do sometimes and make things, so that’s good. ”
Sadly, Greg passed last year during lockdown.
“It was really hard when Greg was in hospital. I couldn't go and see him because he was in Geelong and I'm at Skenes Creek, which is near Apollo Bay.
Early one morning they called to tell me that Greg had become unresponsive. I don't know what time it was. It was dark and raining and I just got in the car and drove to Geelong. It was the most miserable drive I've ever had. I didn't know what I was going to find when I got to the hospital.
But he was still okay. He must have rallied or something. So they let me stay there with him one night—the first night. Later, I booked into a motel around the corner. By the third night, they called me at 3.30 am to say that Greg had passed away.
I wasn't able to be with him because I couldn't stay there at the hospital. And I don't know if anyone was with him or if he was alone. I don't know that. That's a bit hard.&rdquo ;
The family was able to celebrate Greg’s life earlier this year by holding a memorial bike ride. They went to Bright, which is where Greg and the couple’s sons used to ride in the Audax Alpine Classic. The bike ride was also a way of including the couple’s grandchildren who couldn't attend Greg’s funeral due to COVID restrictions.
“Everyone brought their bikes and we all went for a bike ride. Even me! We all had a good weekend together with the children and grandchildren, and that was nice. It turned out to be a beautiful sunny day.”
After 57 years of being together, Inara is still adjusting to being on her own. She has her family, her photos and her beautiful home.
" Well, you can't imagine it until you have to go through it. It's like being half a person, really. I have lots of memories and lots of photos, but it's not the same.
We always used to walk in town holding hands. I don't know what people think when people our age hold hands, but we always did. We always walked everywhere holding hands. And now I walk up and down the street and do my shopping on my own. But that's life. You have to accept that.”
But Inara says she feels well looked after.
“I’m very happy with CSC. They're looking after me and I feel secure. I can pay my bills when they come - I don't have to worry. And anything else I need to get, I get. I'm not a great spender anyway. I just live an ordinary, simple life. I've got what I need. I can give the children birthday presents and Christmas presents and pay my bills. I'm happy and I’m comfortable.”
“We always used to walk holding hands. I don't know what people think when people our age hold hands, but we always did. We always walked everywhere holding hands.”
Inara Taube, CSC customer since 1964