an independent not-for profit organisation who support children, young people and families throughout Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland, and the ACT.
OzChild is sad to share news of the passing of long-time and much-loved volunteer, Aubrey (Aub) Gamble on Monday 1 September 2025 – just months shy of his 104th birthday.
Aub led an exciting and fulfilling life that included more than a quarter of a century of volunteer work.
Celebrating his 100th birthday in 2021; his age had not deterred him from showing up each Friday to volunteer at the OzChild Op Shop in Highett. When we spoke to Aub in 2021 he said;
“I stopped in at the shop about 28 years ago and offered to fix some watches so they could be sold in the shop, and I’m still there.”
Aub was no stranger to volunteering, for 20 years, he had also volunteered for Kingston City Council’s Meals on Wheels program, in between playing golf and roller skating – which he continued up until only a few years ago.
In our last interview with Aub to celebrate his 100th birthday, he said:
“Since I was 17, I loved to skate, and I was pretty good at it too, I won three Victorian State Championships back in 1945, ‘47 and ’49 and two-runner up titles. I gave it away when I got married and we had a family but returned to the rink later in life. I just love it!”
Aub stopped skating when he was 96 years old, and while he had slowed down since breaking his hip a few years ago, volunteering at the OzChild Op Shop was something he looked forward to each week, Aub retired from his volunteer position at the shop in early 2025, telling us;
“I always loved the challenge of fixing things when I was a kid. If something wasn’t working, I would pull it apart and figure out what was wrong. With six kids’ money at home was often tight so that’s what you did back then, you made do with what you had and fixed anything that was broken rather than replacing it,” said Mr Gamble.
After Aub’s wife of more than 40 years passed away in 1991, he began looking for things to do to keep busy, and the volunteering role at the Op Shop did just that.
“Aub took watches, and other bits and pieces that were no longer working home and fixed them. He used his own money to replace batteries (as he refuses to let us pay!) and get things going again, otherwise those donated items would end up in the bin.” – OpShop Volunteer Sue-Ellen.
OzChild Chief Executive Officer, Dr Lisa J. Griffiths with Aub at his 100th Birthday celebrations
“We were delighted to see Aub mark such an incredible milestone, it’s not often we get to celebrate such a significant birthday. I thoroughly enjoyed sharing a cuppa and a piece of cake with Aub and other volunteers at the Op Shop to celebrate the occasion. Aub’s cheeky smile, his quick wit and enthusiasm for life will be missed by all his OzChild friends.” OzChild Chief Executive Officer, Dr Lisa J. Griffiths.
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