DEDICATED: George Bilbie, pictured shortly before he
turned 100 in May. The family solicitor, who began his
long career at age 15 as a "stamp licker" at a Newcastle
law firm, was working up until his death on Sunday.
NEWCASTLE, NSW, Australia / The Herald / October 20, 2008
By Greg Wendt
GEORGE Bilbie, the son of a miner who grew up on the coalfields at Minmi to become Australia's oldest practising solicitor, has died aged 100.
A product of the mining community and proud of it, Mr Bilbie was a humble man who believed in hard work and helping others.
He continued working at the Newcastle law firm he founded until the end.
Bilbie Dan Solicitors director Nicholas Dan said yesterday Mr Bilbie was at the office looking after clients last week and he had his regular swim at Newcastle Baths on Friday.
Mr Bilbie, of Bar Beach, died on Sunday night after suffering a stroke earlier that day.
"George had a great life and a brilliant career," Mr Dan said.
"He was a gentleman and a gentle man and will be greatly missed for his wise counsel."
Long after others retired, Mr Bilbie continued to put on his suit and tie three days a week and come into his office.
"He often spoke of his humble beginnings at Minmi and he was very happy to be regarded as the working man's family solicitor," Mr Dan said.
"Helping people was his first priority and in some cases he looked after five generations of clients from the one family."
Born in 1908 George Stott Bilbie began his long career at age 15 as a "stamp licker" at a Newcastle law firm.
He would ride his pushbike from Minmi to Cockle Creek railway station where he would catch a train to work.
Mr Dan said that after completing a stenographers course Mr Bilbie became a managing law clerk and in 1938 he was admitted as a solicitor.
Mr Bilbie celebrated his 100th birthday on May 31 and among the many congratulatory messages he received was acknowledgement of his esteemed career from the Judges of the Supreme Court.
Recognised by the Australian Law Society as the oldest practising solicitor in the country, Mr Bilbie was a mentor to many in Newcastle's legal profession.
Newcastle solicitor Craig Doyle said Mr Bilbie's death was a great loss, not only to the legal profession but to the entire community.
"He was an avid reader, he had a very good historical knowledge of Newcastle and was an expert in old system titles in conveyancing law," Mr Doyle said.
Mr Bilbie is survived by his wife Eileen, whom he married in 1944, daughters Pat and Wendy and grandson Alex.
Copyright © 2008 Fairfax Media
October 20, 2008
AUSTRALIA: Hardworking and humble, solicitor dies at age 100
.
DEDICATED: George Bilbie, pictured shortly before he
turned 100 in May. The family solicitor, who began his
long career at age 15 as a "stamp licker" at a Newcastle
law firm, was working up until his death on Sunday.
NEWCASTLE, NSW, Australia / The Herald / October 20, 2008
By Greg Wendt
GEORGE Bilbie, the son of a miner who grew up on the coalfields at Minmi to become Australia's oldest practising solicitor, has died aged 100.
A product of the mining community and proud of it, Mr Bilbie was a humble man who believed in hard work and helping others.
He continued working at the Newcastle law firm he founded until the end.
Bilbie Dan Solicitors director Nicholas Dan said yesterday Mr Bilbie was at the office looking after clients last week and he had his regular swim at Newcastle Baths on Friday.
Mr Bilbie, of Bar Beach, died on Sunday night after suffering a stroke earlier that day.
"George had a great life and a brilliant career," Mr Dan said.
"He was a gentleman and a gentle man and will be greatly missed for his wise counsel."
Long after others retired, Mr Bilbie continued to put on his suit and tie three days a week and come into his office.
"He often spoke of his humble beginnings at Minmi and he was very happy to be regarded as the working man's family solicitor," Mr Dan said.
"Helping people was his first priority and in some cases he looked after five generations of clients from the one family."
Born in 1908 George Stott Bilbie began his long career at age 15 as a "stamp licker" at a Newcastle law firm.
He would ride his pushbike from Minmi to Cockle Creek railway station where he would catch a train to work.
Mr Dan said that after completing a stenographers course Mr Bilbie became a managing law clerk and in 1938 he was admitted as a solicitor.
Mr Bilbie celebrated his 100th birthday on May 31 and among the many congratulatory messages he received was acknowledgement of his esteemed career from the Judges of the Supreme Court.
Recognised by the Australian Law Society as the oldest practising solicitor in the country, Mr Bilbie was a mentor to many in Newcastle's legal profession.
Newcastle solicitor Craig Doyle said Mr Bilbie's death was a great loss, not only to the legal profession but to the entire community.
"He was an avid reader, he had a very good historical knowledge of Newcastle and was an expert in old system titles in conveyancing law," Mr Doyle said.
Mr Bilbie is survived by his wife Eileen, whom he married in 1944, daughters Pat and Wendy and grandson Alex.
Copyright © 2008 Fairfax Media
DEDICATED: George Bilbie, pictured shortly before he
turned 100 in May. The family solicitor, who began his
long career at age 15 as a "stamp licker" at a Newcastle
law firm, was working up until his death on Sunday.
NEWCASTLE, NSW, Australia / The Herald / October 20, 2008
By Greg Wendt
GEORGE Bilbie, the son of a miner who grew up on the coalfields at Minmi to become Australia's oldest practising solicitor, has died aged 100.
A product of the mining community and proud of it, Mr Bilbie was a humble man who believed in hard work and helping others.
He continued working at the Newcastle law firm he founded until the end.
Bilbie Dan Solicitors director Nicholas Dan said yesterday Mr Bilbie was at the office looking after clients last week and he had his regular swim at Newcastle Baths on Friday.
Mr Bilbie, of Bar Beach, died on Sunday night after suffering a stroke earlier that day.
"George had a great life and a brilliant career," Mr Dan said.
"He was a gentleman and a gentle man and will be greatly missed for his wise counsel."
Long after others retired, Mr Bilbie continued to put on his suit and tie three days a week and come into his office.
"He often spoke of his humble beginnings at Minmi and he was very happy to be regarded as the working man's family solicitor," Mr Dan said.
"Helping people was his first priority and in some cases he looked after five generations of clients from the one family."
Born in 1908 George Stott Bilbie began his long career at age 15 as a "stamp licker" at a Newcastle law firm.
He would ride his pushbike from Minmi to Cockle Creek railway station where he would catch a train to work.
Mr Dan said that after completing a stenographers course Mr Bilbie became a managing law clerk and in 1938 he was admitted as a solicitor.
Mr Bilbie celebrated his 100th birthday on May 31 and among the many congratulatory messages he received was acknowledgement of his esteemed career from the Judges of the Supreme Court.
Recognised by the Australian Law Society as the oldest practising solicitor in the country, Mr Bilbie was a mentor to many in Newcastle's legal profession.
Newcastle solicitor Craig Doyle said Mr Bilbie's death was a great loss, not only to the legal profession but to the entire community.
"He was an avid reader, he had a very good historical knowledge of Newcastle and was an expert in old system titles in conveyancing law," Mr Doyle said.
Mr Bilbie is survived by his wife Eileen, whom he married in 1944, daughters Pat and Wendy and grandson Alex.
Copyright © 2008 Fairfax Media
