Watson Family

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Albert Melville Watson (1920-2002) was educated at Geelong and became a highly successful businessman (known to his friends as 'Multi') starting a mining business after the war with his father Albert Henry Watson. They acquired the rights (some say they won them playing golf) to mine the beaches and hinterland of the Gold Coast for minerals such as rutile. He sold the mining business when still in his 40s and diversified by investing in the manufacture of mining tools (A1 Hardchrome) and importing clothes (Fila). He was a fine golfer, captain of the Australian Golf Club 1960-1962, played bowls for New South Wales and was an excellent bridge player, playing at international level. He also liked to play high-stakes poker with the likes of Kerry Packer. 

 He married Timmie (Norma Doris) Fleming in 1944 and they had three children - Penny, Prue and Andrew - who grew up in the family house, Somerset, at 62 Wentworth Road, Vaucluse. They were divorced in the 1960s and Mel married Beatrice Allez. They had no children and were divorced in 1983. Thereafter Mel married Patience Hanson-Lawson who survived him (later Mrs Keith Little). 

 Click the heading for some more Watson family photos and here for the eulogy given by his daughter Penny at Mel Watson's funeral on 21st October 2002 

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