24/01/1924 – 29/11/2024

HAMILTON’S renowned centenarian, George Habel OAM passed away last week on Friday, November 29.

He lived a long and interesting life, one of service and was especially well known for his extensive work with the Hamilton RSL and Hamilton and District Legacy where he served as a president of both, pension and welfare officer for the RSL and was awarded life membership of the RSL.

Born and bred in Hamilton, Mr Habel started school at Knebsworth and Hamilton North Primary School, then went to secondary school at Hamilton High School.

After leaving school, Mr Habel worked at Cash and Carry, then Crofts Grocery Store before joining the Royal Australian Navy as a teenager, initially shipped to Kenya to board the ship he was assigned to – HMAS Norman.

He and 200 other shipmates joined a convoy escort in the Atlantic Ocean mainly against ‘U’ boats on the East Coast of Africa where 40 boats were lost in one month.

“I was in a naval depot in Mombassa, east Africa for two or three weeks – they called it a depot, but it was really in the middle of the jungle,” Mr Habel told The Spectator in 2021 upon receipt of his Order of Australia.

“I was glad to get out of there.”

He was enlisted for four years in World War II during which he served in the south Atlantic, the Indian Ocean, and the Red Sea.

Mr Habel also served in the Bay of Bengal in Burma, bombarding Japanese show posts at night.

After returning home for a ship refit in Sydney he was then drafted to a Corvette HMAS Cowra doing patrols around New Guinea and Rabaul.

When the war ended, Mr Habel returned to Australia, living in Melbourne for five years.

Mr Habel married Hilda Ludviksen in 1947 and together they raised six children, five girls and one boy, and upon his passing was the proud grandfather of 20 grandchildren and 30 great grandchildren.

In Melbourne, Mr Habel worked at the Department of Civil Aviation Survey working on airstrips anywhere in Australia, and the Trans Australian Airline (TAA).

The family returned to Hamilton in 1951.

“Four years later I joined the Hamilton RSL and I’ve been a member ever since,” he told The Spectator in January this year upon the occasion of his 100th birthday.

In Hamilton, he first worked for Strachan’s Hardware, then Permewans, then Healing’s Spare Parts and from there to Watson Cameron Spare Parts. 

He then went back to Healings as a white goods sales’ representative travelling throughout Victoria before retiring in 1980.

It was in retirement that he undertook voluntary work with the RSL and as a Legatee.

He provided care to and assisted veterans and their families after they were discharged with financial support, pension work, their health, including disabilities, and general wellbeing, for decades.

In 2019, Mr Habel was recognised with the highest honour the RSL can invest and received a Meritorious Medal and Life Membership. 

On Australia Day, 2021, he received an Order of Australia Medal in recognition of his outstanding contribution of more than 50 years to the RSL and Legacy.

It was due recognition for his hard work in supporting veterans and their families as a volunteer welfare officer.

Hamilton RSL member, Danny Bland told The Spectator earlier this year that it was only recently that he was still assisting with a Department of Veterans’ Affairs case for a veteran.

“I went to see George – he had done the original pension application – not only did he remember the case, but he also remembered where the information was, and he advised me correctly on how to get the right outcome – he was doing that at 98!”

Mr Bland also said he had never visited George and seen him dressed in anything other than slacks, a shirt, tie, and jacket.

“He’s just a true gentleman. It’s really kind of wonderful,” he said.

Hamilton RSL president, Graeme ‘Lofty’ Mustow OAM paid tribute to Mr Habel on Monday and said, “George was a living legend within the RSL”

“Importantly, he was also a member of the Naval Association of Australian and Legacy.

“George was a well-loved member of the RSL – he worked tirelessly for many, many years in support of veterans and gaining the benefits for them that they deserved.

“He is sadly missed.”

Hamilton and District Legacy member, Mal Eales who has known Mr Habel for the last 60 years said he had a long history of contribution to Legacy over 41 years.

“He always had the best interest of the widows and children at heart and worked very hard to make sure they got all their entitlements,” he said.

“I knew him on a personal level when he was involved in the Hamilton Cycling Club in the early days and then his involvement with the football club prior to him joining Legacy.

“Because Eric Causer and himself were pension officers (with Legacy), their knowledge of processes will be sadly missed.

“Even though he hasn’t been involved over the last few years he was still very interested in what was going on in the club. 

“Even after he went into care he still had a strong interest in the affairs.

“All the current Legatees are very sad at the passing of (an) esteemed Legacy member.”

Mr Habel was also heavily involved in local football and served for a time as president of Hamilton’s Imperial Football Club and became a Life Member.

When asked on his 100th birthday what advice he would give younger people today Mr Habel simply said, “always do the right thing”.