Gaston was a fabulous 125 rider and I had the privilege of racing him at the 75 Aussie Titles in Tassie but I missed the oportunity of racing him the next week at Wallan as the crew of the Princess of Tasmania decided to go on strike for a week and we had to camp in the parking area at the boat terminal and didn't get back in time for the Wallan meeting. It's amazing how you can make time pass with nothing to do and no money to do it with. We couldn't leave the terminal for long in case they called the strike off. I was travelling with Mick Nicol so we opened the back of my van and had a sale of tyres and parts etc to fund our week of boozing etc. Mike Landman and the Armstrongs were also stuck there and missed the Wallan meeting. I remember a couple of nights before the Tassie meeting Jack Pengelly, Gary Flood, Mick Nicol and myself went to a pub for a meal and Gaston came and joined us. After the meal and a number of refreshments Gaston got up and stated " No wonder you Australians will never do any good, you drink too much". I remember thinking was that a compliment or not as we had only had about 6 bottles of Matues Rose and some benedictines at that stage. Anyway great memories and R.I.P Gaston.
Stan
