A Woman of Gold: A Biography of Family, Faith, and Business

By Robert W. Killick PhD

Even after sixty-four years of marriage my friends tell me I am brave to write my wife’s biography.

However I have always worked on the principle that “fortune favours the brave” but anyway, what can go wrong? I mean, I don’t forget the date of her birthday and where she was born! Well, I can recite the story of how she expertly handled the mundane, the challenging ups and downs, the unexpected, and inexplicable vagaries of life while balancing her roles as a wife, mother of three, grandmother of six, teacher, co-director of a chemical company, elder of her church, philanthropist and avid tennis player. Nevertheless we shall not forget Shakespeare’s well-remembered prayer put on the lips of Hamlet’s guards: “Angels and ministers of grace, defend us …”

But yes, I will be brave, as Judy told me to be!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Balboa Press AU
• Release date: Jun 20, 2024
• ISBN: 9781982299682

Robert W. Killick PhD

Robert W. Killick, PhD, studied organic chemistry at Sydney University and spent eighteen years working with the Unilever organization. With his wife, Judy, they bought the Victorian Chemical Company, and they’ve multiplied the business turnover more than thirtyfold over thirty-four years. Killick and his wife live in Melbourne, Australia, and have one daughter, two sons, and six grandchildren.

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and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

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Illustrations copyright © Wendy Miles 2023

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Permission has been granted by King Features Syndicate, a unit of Hearst, 628 Virginia Drive, Orlando, FL 32803 USA for use of a particular Hagar the Horrible in Dr Killick’s book.

ISBN: 978-1-9822-9969-9 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-9822-9970-5 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-9822-9968-2 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2024910046

Balboa Press rev. date: 06/14/2024

All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®, Copyright©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com The NIV and New International Version are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™

Scripture quotations marked KJV are from the Authorized King James Version. Rights in the Authorised Version in the United Kingdom are vested in the Crown. Reproduced by permission of the Crown’s patentee, Cambridge Uniting Press.

Scripture quotations marked NKJV are from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked NLT are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Scriptures marked TM are taken from THE MESSAGE: THE BIBLE IN CONTEMPORARY ENGLISH (TM): Scripture taken from THE MESSAGE: THE BIBLE IN CONTEMPORARY ENGLISH, copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group.

We acknowledge Fairfax Syndication for the use of the article that appeared in the The Age, Saturday, September 13, 2003.

In chapter 10, the three sections Gospel Theatre, "A Tenor for Hosea," and The Coming of the Holy Spirit revolve around three musicals copyrighted to the Salvation Army IHQ, 1972. Permission has been granted for the citations used.

Permission has been granted by King Features Syndicate, a unit of Hearst, 628 Virginia Drive, Orlando, FL 32803 USA for use of a particular Hagar the Horrible in Dr Killick’s book.

CONTENTS

Some Thoughts about the Author

Foreword

Preface

Acknowledgments

Introduction

The Broad Sweep of a Picture

Some of the Significant Brushstrokes

It-t-t-t’s Sho-o-o-ow-time!

Author’s Invitation to the Reader

Chapter 1 Five Foot Two, Eyes of Blue

Clear the Decks

How Does One Bring up a Child?

Education

Primary School

An Explanatory Interlude

Secondary School

Choosing a Vocation

The Bank

The Teaching Profession

Sport

Swimming

Sailing, or Death in Middle Harbour

Tennis

There’s No Business Like Show Business

Chapter 2 We’ve Travelled Along, Singing Our Song, Side by Side

A Pianist

The Dance

Ballet and Tap Dancing

The Waltz versus the Fox Trot

Singing

Gospel Theatre

Jesus Folk

Hosea

Spirit

Singing Christmas Tree

Church Concerts

Chapter 3 Wives Were Made to Love and Kiss

The Build-Up

Will You Marry Me?

The Wedding

The Reception

Immediate Post-Wedding

Chapter 4 Ain’t She Sweet?

Malcolm McPherson Gillies—Judy’s Father

Freda Sidney Gillies (nee McFadzean)—Judy’s Mother

The Freda-Mal Marriage Union

Aspects of the Honing of Judy’s DNA

Ever the Life of the Party

Frugality

I Hear What You’re Saying

Common Sense/Wisdom

Eve in the Garden

Thankfulness

God Always Guides His People

Chapter 5 Scotland the Brave

Why Australia?

Some Early Colonial History

Ancestral Village

Is It Heredity, Genetics, or DNA?

A List of Characters

Judy’s Father’s Antecedents: Grandfather’s Line

Earliest of the Gillies

Don Gillies: The Immigrants from the Misty Isle

Poverty

Sectarianism

Last Days on Scottish Soil

The Good Ship Midlothian

Miller’s Forest

Malcolm Gillies:The Early Capitalist

That Advertisement

John Gillies: Business Entrepreneur

As Far Away from Farming as Possible

Judy’s Father’s Antecedents: Grandmother’s Line

Lily Anderson Gillies (nee Beveridge): The Orphan

The Great Tay River Rail-Bridge Disaster

A Busy Mother

Chapter 6 My ‘Ain Folk

A List of Characters

Judy’s Mother’s Antecedents: Grandfather’s Line

Frederick Lamont McFadzean, There’s Gold in Them Thar Hills

The Prahran Days

Political Activism

Prahran Literary and Debating Society

The Days at Orange

Hine Taimoa, 66 Kite Street (and 12 Hill Street), Orange

Robert Harper and Company

Director of Gold-Mining Companies

Floral Expert

Last Days

Judy’s Mother’s Antecedents: Grandmother’s Line

Alice Edith McFadzean (nee Akhurst)

William Mower Akhurst: A Bohemian Down Under

Some Early History of William Mower Akhurst

Some Early History of Ellen Akhurst (nee Tully)

End Days

Johann Ludwig Kitz: The Germanic Link

The Kitz Family

The Australian Gold Rush

Eureka! The Call of Gold

Colonial Wine Merchant

Family Tragedies

End Days

Chapter 7 When the Saints Go Marching In

Born Again

What Happens at Being Born Again

Born Again for Life and the Pilgrim Way

The Pilgrims Progress from This World to That Which Is to Come

In His Steps: What Would Jesus Do?

After Birth Comes Growth, Especially Spiritual Growth

Faith

Giving

Mercy and Helping

Hospitality

Teaching

Evangelism

Faithfulness and Fellowship with the Saints

Chapter 8 She’s the Girl Who Broke the (Casino) Bank at Monte Carlo

Formalities

The Role of a Director

Odd-Man Hypothesis

It’s Panache

Call Up Sophisticates

Purchase of Victorian Chemicals Factory and Business

Purchase of the Coolaroo Site and Factory

Sale of Richmond Property

Strangers at a Conference

When Business Gets Hard

Is That a Profit?

Power Lady at a Meeting

Can a Joke Carry at a Business Meeting?

Chapter 9 Take Me Home, Oh, Muddah, Faddah, Take Me Home

Marriage Preparation

Feed the Boy

Dress the Lady

Knitter

Clothing Longevity

Homemaking in the Middle Days

Care

Fun

Carpe Diem

Parenting

The Clan of Children, Grandchildren, and Great-Grandchildren

Judy’s Latter Years

Dementia

Osteoporosis

Bacterial Infection

Chapter 10 Among the Gold

Dangers: There Is Gold

Greed—King Midas of Phrygia

Greed—Golden Goose

Idolatry

Pride

Lust for Gold

Love for Money

There Is Gold! A Country Interlude

Welcome to the Great Australian Gold Rush

Eureka Stockade

Lasseter’s Lost Reef

Blessings: There Is Gold

A Gift from God

Judith Helen Killick, a Woman of Gold

During her Christian life, Judy has been a God-fearer.

Her Direct Relationship with God

From Wife to Mother to Matriarch

Ministry in the Local Church

In Society

Her Inner Life

Helpful and Hopeful Illuminations of the Illustrations

PostScript

For Judy with all thanks for sixty-four fantastic years as the

front lady of the Punch and Judy Travelling Show as well

as roles including the Beautiful Lady Alice, Cora, Gracie,

and Mabel. It has been wonderful that together we have

discovered that thanksgiving is the dialect of heaven.

Our Lord lets things grow until they’re perfect.

- Anonymous

The things which happened to me have actually turned out

for the furtherance of the gospel. (Phil. 1:12 NKJV)

SOME THOUGHTS ABOUT

THE AUTHOR

Even after sixty-three years of marriage, my friends tell me I am brave to write my wife’s biography.

However, I have always worked on the principle that fortune favours the brave. But anyway, what can go wrong? I mean, I don’t forget her birthday and where she was born! I know the story of how she went back to night school so she could reach the level of education to become a primary schoolteacher. I know of her achievements and the work she has done. I also have a feel to understanding how she has become a person of significance through business, her family, and her ministries in the church and in her social milieu. Nevertheless, we shall not forget Shakespeare’s well-remembered prayer put on the lips of Hamlet’s guards: Angels and ministers of grace, defend us.

001_a_lbj23.jpg

Truth in comic form.

But yes, I will be brave, which Judy told me to be! I have inveigled David Oliver, one of my esteemed friends, to provide some insights into me and the Punch and Judy Travelling Show.

David writes:

Merely corroborative detail, intended to give artistic verisimilitude to an otherwise bald and unconvincing narrative. (The Mikado)

No, not at all. Indeed, what follows is the truth and nothing but the truth!

I have known of Dr Robert (Bob) Killick and his wife, Judy, and their family for around thirty-five years, but it has only been in the last ten to fifteen years or so that I have become much more aware of and so much more appreciative of Bob and Judy. We’ve become good friends, even true confidantes.

I have always admired Bob, but actually, at first I was a little hesitant to speak in certain situations like meetings of our Syndal Church Diaconate and later the Church council as this man was and is known for his outstanding leadership, business acumen, and in all humility, is a true Christian gentleman, husband, father, and friend. He’s never claimed that; it is what people say of him.

He lives in a way that always asks, Why not? rather than Why? And he leads by example in both words and actions. He has a wonderful memory for God’s Word, an ability to use those words to encourage and acknowledge others, and is not afraid to jump in and do what needs to be done.

I have grown to love his ability to find just the right scripture—from memory—for any conversation we are engaged in, and his general knowledge and intellect are awesome. He is also very well-read and enjoys the theatre, especially quoting Gilbert and Sullivan, hence my opening line from The Mikado.

After scripture verses, The show must go on is perhaps Bob’s favourite saying and for good reason. Alongside the more serious aspects and responsibilities of life, Bob and Judy have been able to incorporate their talents, skills, and entrepreneurship to bring fun and music to many opportunities, especially their birthdays and celebrations to which everyone is invited. This has been a lifelong habit and gift, and thousands of family, friends, and visitors have enjoyed the concerts and parties. What is a concert if you don’t have at least three hundred close friends present?

Bob—and Judy—are wonderful Christian people, giving themselves to God’s Word and work as a priority, and living out Philippians 4:8 every day in ways that go way beyond caring and includes unbelievable generosity.

I have the honour these days of working alongside Bob and Judy to assist in their business and personal responsibilities, so we meet two or three times a week and chat on the phone almost every day. Bob continues to be the humble, caring, and generous person I have known for thirty-five years. In his business, he is a friend to his employees and colleagues and greatly respected around the world where he has established his company name and services. To his family, he is a loving, devoted, and generous father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. And to his friends—and he counts everyone as a friend—he is loyal and dependable. As a Christian, Bob embodies the attributes given in God’s Word, and I know him to be an extraordinary example and role model.

My wife, Elaine, and I are indeed grateful to have been asked to provide these comments on Bob.

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honourable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. (Phil. 4:8)

From an Educational Perspective

The following biography provides the story of what has taken baby Judy into her eighties, and to quote the old song, You must have been a beautiful baby, for baby look at you now! As there might be those reading who have never met Judy in the flesh, what follows is the briefest sketch of that girl. It has been prepared by a close friend, Mrs Judy Enticott, a former teacher and later an administrator of a community education program.

Blessed to be a blessing, the Killick family motto, truly describes Judy’s life as she embraces God’s gifts and in turn showers blessings on a countless number of people with whom she comes into contact, be they family, friends, church, or casual acquaintances.

Judy has a rare and precious gift because she can, on the one hand, be the life of the party, whose approach to life is uplifting and energizing. She can be full of fun, lifting spirits and leaving an audience in awe and admiration at her agility, numerous talents, and bubbling enthusiasm for life. In her piano playing, stage performances, and animated conversations, the observer is sometimes left breathless. She has charisma, a beautiful voice, and twinkling eyes that communicate mischief and fun. She simply makes you feel better for having spent time with her.

On the other hand, Judy demonstrates the God-given gift of genuine empathetic listening and wise counsel. God’s love radiates through her whole being. Judy has the ability to engage those around her in conversation so that they feel a real sense of belonging, of being part of a community.

Judy draws people into her life, and her home is always open and inviting. Her garden provides the beautiful roses and daphne that become posies to give to those she visits. Her kitchen is always welcoming with a seat that captures the streaming sun and with a cuppa at the ready. This is how home should be. It is a place where each person feels like an honoured guest. In the words Judy says, the listener knows to expect to hear God’s wisdom, beautifully expressed, with scripture quotes sprinkling the conversation in a most natural way. In Judy’s attitude, you feel God’s love and concern and know that she will intercede in prayer long after the conversation has ended.

I believe Syndal Baptist Church was very wise in its appointment of Judy as an elder many years ago because God’s wisdom is evident in all her words and actions. I am encouraged by her constant reminder to Keep looking up, which has provided great peace and reassurance, helping me to focus on Jesus in good and difficult periods of life.

When health issues prevented Judy from driving for a period, she didn’t stop, she simply learnt to ride an electric bike so that she could continue to visit the sick. That, quite simply, amazed me. Many others would have stopped, but Judy persevered so that she could continue to encourage the housebound. I was greatly inspired during this period by Judy’s acknowledgement that everything was in God’s plan and was not at all surprised when, after several months, Judy was invited to sit the required tests that led to her being able to resume driving.

I thank God for Judy’s influence in my life, for her consistent encouragement, and her nonjudgmental attitude. I thank her for the many reminders of God’s love and protection and feel truly blessed to be able to call her friend.

From a teenager’s perspective

On our first Sunday at Port Sunlight, near Birkenhead, England, the Lord guided us to walk to the local New Ferry Methodist Church. It was there that we met Cyril Harvey, a sergeant of police, Hilda, his wife, and their twin daughters, Pam and Katey, who were then aged fifteen. Sixty years later, Pam has recalled those days of yore:

My first recollection of Judy has stayed with me. We had just finished a service at church and were about to drive home with our parents. All of a sudden, a lady dressed in a navy-blue coat and a charming small hat ran—darted is actually more like it—across the road as if she had something urgent to tell our parents. She was laughing and talking, a bundle of energy, smiling as she spoke and radiating warmth. I was captivated by her lovely Australian accent (which sounded melodic to my young ears), and by her energy. English folk weren’t too exuberant in those days, probably still reeling from six years of a terrible war, but Judy sure was. When she left the car, again running back across the road, I remember my mother saying, Isn’t she lovely? Oh yes, she was and still is.

We remained friends during Bob and Judy’s stay in England and beyond, my parents adopting them as their own. They were enriched by Bob and Judy’s faith, their openness about their faith, and the new life they stirred within the church, especially through the prayer group.

I remember Judy as a wonderful mother to Jenni and later Andrew, who was born in England. Motherhood was yet another aspect of her character that was lovely to observe at close hand. And I know that my mother, who was a mother to everyone she met, cherished being around this young family with a toddler and baby.

I was certainly entranced by them. Judy would constantly laugh at Bob’s antics, like throwing hot water on an icy car windshield in the winter. To us staid British, this was a breath of fresh air! Everything seemed to be fun to Judy. She took everything in her stride, and to me, she seemed to be the embodiment of someone who was at peace, who walked with her faith each day while sharing her happiness and joy with everyone she met. She was approachable and intelligent, steadfast, and firm in her faith; her warmth and humour captured my heart. In truth, I’d never met anyone quite like Judy.

As a teenager on the cusp of womanhood, searching for answers to my many unanswered questions about religion and life in general, Judy subconsciously became a wonderful role model to my adolescent mind. She enabled me to see that it was just fine to ask questions, how to