JOAN STURTON – GILL COMMUNITY PROFILE

One Good Friday evening, after 12 months of looking in various locations for a holiday house, Joan and
her husband were taken to view a property on a hill above the town. The moon was shining on the water in its full Easter glory. They bought that block and in 1985 built a house that was to become very much part of their life. “It has always been a party house, the place for all our major milestone celebrations and many holidays with family and friends. Our motto was ‘LIVE LIFE’ and before Peter died two years ago he made sure I understood that was still to be. We had been married for 49 years”.

Joan’s family came from UK by ship, when she was eight. They settled in Bairnsdale where she began her education. At 14 she went to Melbourne to try nursing. There, on a blind date, Joan and Peter fell in love at first sight and married. They had two daughters who have produced five grandchildren.

At 23, Joan went back to school part time to obtain her VCE to enter university. She not only gained a Bachelor of Arts but followed with a Master of Education and Business. She taught senior boys for 20 years at schools including Xavier College,
Whitefriars and High Schools. In 1996, although she loved teaching, she decided on a career change and joined her husband in their family business as general manager. There was one condition though, she was to have one day off to play golf, something she has continued to do and “which in fact has kept me going and has contributed significantly to my
sanity”.

After they sold their business, the Sturtons enjoyed “10 beautiful years of retirement”. Long before that though they began their travels exploring the world and long road trips around Australia. “While we had a daughter and her family living in
Hong Kong, I went there 45 times”. Joan continues to pursue her passion for travel. She is not long back
from Spain and South America and more recently from golfing in NZ. Next is the UK before year’s end and in April next year, she will visit Japan to see the cherry blossom.

Opera, theatre, music, art galleries, Pilates, book club, bridge lessons, walking, gardening, following North Melbourne and looking after grandchildren keep Joan on the run. “Lorne provides a balance for my busy life. I am surrounded by supportive neighbours who I look forward to seeing every week.” CW