Cam Thomson was groomed early for a lifetime in the family’s East End Garage business — his father, Bill, regularly furnishing his eager son with Meccano sets, models with motors that would run on methylated spirits and pony engines.
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This gave young Cam a love for the world of mechanics that paved the way for one the most successful careers in the Australian agricultural machinery industry.
The life of Campbell Raymond Thomson started on September 19, 1942 when he was born to parents Ellie and Bill Thomson.
At the time Kyabram Hospital (where Cam was born) was located on the current site of the Kyabram Club, ironically a matter of metres away from where Cam stood to celebrate his 70th birthday.
In 1946, just before his fourth birthday, his baby sister, Glenys, was born and the Thomson family of 360 Allan St was complete. This tight unit of four, however, was extended by Ellie’s two brothers and sister, along with Bill’s three brothers and two sisters, giving the children a plethora of cousins (30 in total).
Cam and Glenys attended — as did Cam’s sons, Andrew and David — Haslem St Primary School.
He attended Echuca Technical School from Form 1 to Form 4, a daily return train ride from Kyabram the means of transport to school.
Cam started his apprenticeship when he was 16, his first boss at East End was Bill’s foreman, Frank Tobias, who sadly passed away earlier this year.
The work ute was his first unofficial vehicle, but he didn’t have to wait too long for his first car, an Austin A40.
Long-time neighbours at number 362, Alec (Curley) and Margaret Whyte became proud parents of a little girl called Sandra around this time — Cam and Glenys instantly gained a little ‘sister’. Margaret and Curl went on to have four more girls and two boys. It’s hard to explain the pride and love and instinct to nurture that Cam held for this bunch of kids next door.
The bond between the Thomsons and Whytes was so strong that the two families became one — sharing holidays, boat trips, spending Christmas Day together and looking after each other when loved ones passed and young ones were born.
In the early-mid 1960s Cam met Liz Suiter (known as Shirley) through the Presbyterian Church. She was posted to Lancaster Primary School as a school teacher.
He often told the story of the first time he travelled to Sunshine to meet his future wife’s extended family. Most of them either school teachers or factory workers from Melbourne’s west.
In 1967 Bill Thomson died at the age of 61, leaving Cam solely responsible for the operation of East End Garage. So, at the age of 25, with his fiancé by his side (under the watchful eye of Ellie), he rolled up his sleeves and got to work to ensure the business and his family were on track. The couple were married in 1968 at the Sunshine Presbyterian Church.
Andrew was born in 1972 and David in 1975. Trips to Rosebud, Paynesville and Merimbula, boating and water skiing were regular parts of their lives, along with long weekend caravan trips with the Marsh and LaMond families.
Their lives became intertwined with the operation of the East End Garage where their mother was office manager and the staff were like uncles and aunts.
By the early 1980s Glenys had settled in San Francisco and Cam was thrilled to find out he was to be an uncle. When Stefan was born Cam was so excited to receive photos and get updates and there were many trips across the Pacific to see Glenys, Michael and Stefan.
The 1980s also saw Cam become a councillor and then Mayor of Kyabram and although it was a tough time for business he was able to navigate through the difficulties and by the early 1990s had expanded the business into Shepparton. The names Cam Thomson and East End Garage became synonymous with CASE International and the agriculture industry.
In 2003 Ellie passed away at the age of 86 and in 2004 Cam sold East End Garage in order to look after Shirley, who had become unwell. They were still taking caravan trips up until mid 2005, before Shirley passed away in May 2006.
In 2008 Cam was introduced to Rae Woods by his life-long friend Liz Diffen, who was a member of the Torquay Probus Club with Rae. Rae and Cam were married on December 27, 2008 and in doing so Cam gained a stepson and daughter, Andrew and Sharon.
In the following 14 years he and Rae travelled to places on his bucket list and he became the president of the local Probus chapter, attending Opera in the Alps each summer with friends, starting his own artwork framing business and holding many exhibitions of his own beautiful photography.
In the last few weeks of his life son Andrew said he and his father had enjoyed talking about family and friends, East End Garage, Kyabram, and life in general, and he could tell that his father was so happy to have lived the life he had.
In his final days he still held on to the Thomson sense of humour, which was evident when Geoff Maxwell — who had worked for him in the spare parts department for more than 30 years — offered to feed him when he was weak, and after the meal, Cam turned on his side, and said “Well, who’s feeding who? Looks like I’m still the boss, Geoffrey.”
At Cam’s funeral, Andrew explained the far reach of his family to many parts of the community.
“If you are a local farmer, you are family to Cam,” Andrew said.
“If you work in the agricultural machinery or truck industry, you are family to Cam.
“If you are a member of the congregation of the Uniting Church, you are family to Cam.
“And if you ever worked at East End Garage Pty Ltd, Kyabram or Shepparton, you are most definitely family to Cam.”
Cam’s son David described his father as a very loving grandpa to his children, Mitch, Pacey, Ella and Ruby.
"As you all know, Dad was a highly regarded businessman and a CASE International dealer and he gave all of his employees a great start in their careers, and all of the past employees, God only knows how many, have gone on to great success, with the inclusion of Andrew and myself. Cheers, Dad,“ David said.
“I believe Dad hung on to life until the hay and harvest season was over before he went to see Mum, Nan, and all the other family members and friends that he outlived.”
Cam’s sister, Glenys, said this of her brother: “I was born in 1946 when he was four years old. As a young girl I took up horseback riding. Cam was definitely not interested in horses.
“We were a close-knit family. Cam and I, with Mum and Dad, would go to the movies in Kyabram most Saturday nights, and Sundays were for church services.
"As years passed Cam took on the responsibility of making sure that our ageing mum received the care she needed. Cam was a loving and dutiful son.
“When Michael and I returned to Ky to introduce our son Stefan to the Thomson clan Cam put on the barbie of barbies. Michael still recalls the savoury sausages and the freely flowing Carlton and Foster’s brews.
“Years after Shirley passed, Cam had the good fortune to meet and marry Rae. She bestowed her love and devotion upon Cam and the entire family. We hold her in our hearts and prayers at this sad time. May Cam and all of our departed family and friends rest in peace.”