General News
16 December, 2025
GETTiNG TO KNOW YOU: Decades of dedication make Austin Grace a Hopetoun mainstay
Hopetoun is blessed with so many active and involved people, and Austin Grace is one of those.
As someone who likes to be active and involved, readers will see Austin around town in Hopetoun's life and work.
Deciding to retire from farming life, Austin and wife, Elsie, moved to Hopetoun.
He ran his mixed farm north of Hopetoun, where he grew grains such as wheat, ryegrass and barley, and ran sheep and cattle.
Of his attempt at retirement over twenty years ago, Austin says, “I tried it for six weeks then went out and got a job on the Shire" and he has been working ever since.
While this work may not always involve paid employment, he uses his many gifts and skills to help the town and its people.
A handyman with a particular interest in machinery and metalwork, Austin became a founding member of the Hopetoun Men’s Shed along with Brian Decker, who proposed the idea.
Coordinating the welding area in the Men’s Shed, Austin said, “I have seen it grow and people come and go and welcome new members.”
Along with other members, he has been part of the team building and installing picnic tables at Lake Lascelles; the table tops are made from recycled plastic.
Austin creates metal sculptures from roller chains, horseshoes, and other items; his own garden is a testament to that.
His garden includes the Blue Bottle Christmas tree, made in honour of his wife, Elsie, who loved Christmas.
He enjoys restoring things and restoring machinery, including some at Corrong Homestead.
The photo of the firefighting knapsack is an example of his work.
Gardening is another of his interests, and he helps maintain the garden at Hopetoun House.
Austin is very community-minded and, over the years, has been involved in many things, including Community Art projects.
He is a whip cracker, among other things.
He enjoys dancing and taught Line dancing for six years at the RSL hall.
He attends the Southern Mallee Cooperative Parish Church.
As a lifelong volunteer, Austin served for 60 years with the Turriff Fire Brigade and is currently a member of the Hopetoun CFA.
Austin knows and loves history, especially local history, and can share a lot about the creation of Hopetoun and its residents in those early years.
These days, he can be found spending his time between the farm and town, doing his work wherever he is, and sharing a yarn, all the while helping others, for Austin is a man who works hard and gives generously.