Happy Father’s Day: Pablo Gonzalez.
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From Colombian blue-collar worker to Shepparton great-grandfather, Pablo Gonzalez has always been a family man.
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He was born in Colombia in the 1950s and lived in the South American country until the mid-1990s, by which time he had a wife and three children.
He married Melania Gonzalez in 1979 and had his first-born daughter, Paola, in 1981.
His second child was Catalina, born in 1985, and the family’s youngest was his son, Walter, in 1988.
Catalina said Pablo and Melania’s love was one for the ages.
“They can only be described as two peas in a pod,” she said.
“Throughout everything, she was his one constant.
“That phrase ‘behind every great man is a wonderful woman’ definitely stands true with them.”
When in Colombia, Pablo worked as a textile mechanic and was offered a sponsorship from his friend’s workplace to move to Australia.
“He said that he wouldn’t go without his wife and kids, so the company sponsored us all,” Catalina said.
“You don’t hear about sponsorships for a whole family anymore, but we were lucky enough to get one.”
So, in February 1996, the Gonzalezes packed up their belongings and made the trip to Australia.
When they first landed on our country’s soil, English was still a foreign concept, but that didn’t dampen Pablo’s spirit.
“For the first month in Australia, we lived in one room — my dad, mum and brother on one bed and me and my sister on another,” Catalina said.
“He was the sole breadwinner for three children under 15 and my mum.
“There have been many challenges and obstacles, including the death of our brother, his (Pablo’s) only son, and my father’s battle with cancer. Luckily he is now in remission.”
Home: Melania, Pablo, Catalina, Paola and Walter in 1998, on the day they became Australian citizens.
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Walter passed away when he was 22, a little over 10 years ago.
“Walter was the joy of the family and everyone, especially my dad, learnt from him,” Catalina said.
“His death broke us, but it also brought us together and made us stronger.”
In 2019, Pablo and Melania moved to Shepparton, attracted by the town’s multiculturalism, and that’s where Pablo’s kind and giving nature took off, Catalina said.
“Something has always been constant and that is my father’s ability to give back,” she said.
“He has volunteered for many years in multiple places, with the latest being at the Shepparton hospital, Goulburn Valley Health, and the Mooroopna Education and Activity Centre, helping in any way possible: gardening, doing the dishes, handyman work, etc.
“His limited English has not stopped him from making friends and helping others wherever possible.”
Now, at 67, Pablo is a father, grandfather-of-three and a great-grandfather of the family’s newest addition, four-month-old Santiago.
“My sister and I are super proud of our dad,” Catalina said.
“His commitment to the community should be celebrated; I want to share the legacy he has created.
“His ability to teach us and be patient with us has kept us growing. I cherish our time and memories.”
This Father’s Day, Pablo will be spoilt by his daughters as they treat him to a meal at his favourite Thai restaurant.
Catalina has a Father’s Day message for her dad, Pablo: “Papi, Feliz Día del Padre y lo queremos mucho.”
It translates to: “Dad, happy Father’s Day and we love you lots.”
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