Age is just a number and it doesn’t stop you doing what you love.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
This is more than evident when you chat to Ken Wilton, a man who at 70 still works shift work, volunteers wherever he can and is one of the key players in organising and hosting the annual Australia Day celebrations in Aberdeen.
But it’s the grandfather’s energy and enthusiasm that keep him fit and young, and with his wife of 21 years Colleen, together they love being a part of their local community.
A long term Aberdeen community member, Ken was born and grew up on the family’s dairy farm on Gundy Road just out of the township.
Being one of five children, three boys and two girls, Mr Wilton was reared the usual country way and although he went to school at Aberdeen Public School and Muswellbrook High School he spent every other hour helping out on the farm.
He was a keen Aberdeen Pony Club competitor and always held a passion for horses which later led him to pursue a long career in horse breaking and other equine endeavours.
After finishing school the young man continued working on the farm while also driving a milk truck on the Gundy run for Keith Ladlow.
Growing into other areas, Mr Wilton started casual work with Clifford Brothers Earthmoving, where he worked for about nine years before starting work in the mining industry.
“I’ve enjoyed it all, it keeps you going. To see things like the skate park take off is very satisfying and to be a part of large projects in town is very memorable.”
His entry into the industry was as a contractor for Costain Australia Ltd and his major role was stripping alluvial off the overburden.
And 48 years later, at the age of 70, Mr Wilton is still working in the mines operating the draglines and fulfilling the usual shift work duties.
During his mid-twenties, the drive and passion for horses and working with them motivated Mr Wilton to start his own breaking in business on the side.
He said 90 per cent of the horse he broke in were thoroughbreds and he had the pleasure of breaking in horses for Segenhoe Stud, Yarraman Park, Ron Quinton, Noel Mitchell and Gai Waterhouse.
When he was at his peak, Mr Wilton would break in up to 140 thoroughbreds a year.
“I always enjoyed working with horses as I loved them and apparently I had a gift with them,” he said.
“One day I was asked to break one in for someone and it all just snowballed from there,” he said.
“I still loved every minute of it when I stopped about 15 years ago.
“Horses are great animals, every day you can teach them something new and watch their progress.”
Apart from 14 years when Ken and Colleen lived on a cattle and lucerne farm at Parkville, they have been based in Aberdeen where they are well known residents.
Thriving on a busy lifestyle and further engraining his love for the horse, Mr Wilton was a well known race starter at Scone, Muswellbrook, Newcastle and Tamworth Race Clubs for about 18 years.
Mr Wilton said during this time he picked up a lot of things that he then applied to his own breaking in as he could see first-hand the things horses were afraid of when going into the barriers.
“It was a great role as I met a lot of good people and saw a lot of racing, which was great,” he said.
These days they have settled to just being co-owners and sharing the successes of their horses racing in Sydney, Brisbane and country races.
Mr Wilton said he loves being busy and although he had retired a few years back, the company rang him on the Monday and asked him to go back.
“I still enjoy working so I figure I may as well keep going while I can,” he said.
On the flip side, Mr Wilton has been involved in Aberdeen his whole life.
One of his proudest achievements is instigating the overhaul of Jefferson Park to ensure it was suitable to be used as sports ovals.
Mr Wilton said as Jefferson Park was originally used as a race track, then a motorbike track and then they used to run buckjumpers on it, it wasn’t in good shape for ball sports.
“When approached about 30 years ago, I set to work with Jack and Dave Walker who donated the use of their machines and some other machines donated by the mines to do the work.
“We spent 10 weekends completely overhauling the ovals to achieve what we did, it was a massive job,” Mr Wilton said.
“Once we completed that project we set up St Andrew’s Reserve for horse sports activities,” he said.
In his younger days, Mr Wilton played rugby league for the Aberdeen Tigers and has been a committee member of the club, as well as playing league for the Scone Thoroughbreds.
He has also always been involved in the Aberdeen Pony Club and these days plays bowls.
For about the past 30 years, Mr Wilton has been an active member of the Aberdeen Sport and Recreation Club, formerly the Aberdeen Bowling Club, and he has been the president since 2006.
In this role he fulfils many responsibilities, one of which he really enjoys and is just around the corner.
It will be Mr Wilton who will organise and emcee the Australia Day celebrations on January 26, which he is really looking forward to.
Until the Upper Hunter Shire Council became involved, Mr Wilton and a committee of helpers used to organise their own awards and ceremony each year.
He said he loves being involved in the club and meeting new people, as well as being involved in projects like the skate park establishment.
“It’s great to see young people out there having a go and achieving,” he said.
Being a foundation member of the Aberdeen Fire Brigade and engine keeper, Mr Wilton was always on call, no matter what role you consider.
“I’ve enjoyed it all, it keeps you going,” he said.
“To see things like the skate park take off is very satisfying and to be a part of large projects in town is very memorable.”