He was born on June 16, 1929 in Ariah Park, NSW, the third eldest of 15 children. In 1945 he moved to Sydney to work as a junior porter, when he was just 16 years of age.

In 1950 he was offered a position in the Ways and Works Branch in Goulburn for a period of six months and jumped at the chance to broaden his career.

That first appointment was originally for only six months but lasted 36 years, until his retirement in 1986.

He married Joan Elizabeth Daniel (deceased) in Goulburn on October 6, 1951. Joan was a nurse at the Goulburn Base Hospital and lived next door to the boarding house in Clifford Street where he resided.

Joan’s family owned The Goulburn Evening Post newspaper for many decades prior to selling it in 1964.

Charlie worked in various positions on the railway such as cost clerk, timekeeper, staff clerk and principal clerk of the Railway Engineering Department where staff numbered between 300 and 400 working on tracks, bridges and buildings.

When an announcement was made that many passenger and freight services would be cut, resulting in a possible loss of 5000 country state rail jobs, Charlie worked tirelessly to retain those positions with the amazing result that not one person was made redundant.

He was an integral part of the city of Goulburn and surrounding districts. He spent the vast majority of his life there, involved in church and racing. He was also involved in swimming club, tennis, cricket, pony club and table tennis.

Charlie was a talented table tennis player and was instrumental in the formation of the Goulburn Table Tennis Association in 1952.

He subsequently held several committee positions and he won the men’s open singles seven times, the men’s doubles nine times and the mixed doubles five times.

On numerous occasions he represented country and NSW in competitions.

From table tennis Charlie’s interest turned to greyhounds and he worked at the greyhound course from 1964 until 1995 as a bookmaker.

He was also an owner, assistant trainer, committeeman, publicity officer and guarantor for the new greyhound racing club.

Charlie is survived by his six children and their families: Dan and Barb Adams (South West Rocks), Vicki and Steve Parlett (Goulburn), Tom and Sue Adams (Perth), Peter and Jenny Adams (Newcastle), Anne and Terry Halloran (Port Macquarie) and Jim and Cheryl Adams (Canberra). He also leaves 16 grand children and 17 great grand children.

His funeral took place on April 20 at Our Lady of Fatima Church, North Goulburn and he was buried in the St Patrick’s Lawn Cemetery, Goulburn.

He was a wonderful family man and all-around excellent fellow. Charlie will be missed greatly by all who had the good fortune to know him.