THE love of motorbikes and the excitement at the Port Pirie Easter Speedway when he was a teenager was the reason Graham Jacobs was to reach the pinnacle of a racing career - winning four Speedway State titles between 1989 and 1995 and two Australian titles in 1990 and 1991 as a rider.
He took up Speedway, racing at Rowley Park after leaving Port Pirie and returned each year to the long track for the Easter meeting for 15 years.
Moving home to Pirie
Mr Jacobs has just taken up a position as the Building Surveyor in the Port Pirie Regional Council and was happy to return after 30 years away from his hometown.
Born in Port Pirie to John and Merle Jacobs who still live in Port Pirie, Mr Jacobs remembers a carefree lifestyle growing up with a brother and two sisters.
He was educated at Solomontown Primary School, Pirie Blocks Area School and Port Pirie High and at the point of leaving school had a broad range of things he could do.
His friends were going off to uni, however he didn’t know what he wanted to do so his first job was in Alexander Street in Lewis Cycle Works.
Eventually he joined the railways as a trainee engineman, transferring to Peterborough and Tailem Bend and returned to Pirie in 1973.
In 1976 he was ready for the big smoke so he moved to Adelaide and worked for Chrysler, followed by a move into the building industry in which he worked for many years on and off.
With his keen interest for motorbikes he went into his own business and opened up a motorcycle shop on Main North East Road followed by a supermarket in Clapham, which he ran for five years.
“Working seven days a week it was three years too long, the novelty soon wears off.”
Seeing a window of opportunity he decided to go to TAFE to study for his Diploma in Civil Engineering and progressed to University studying for four years as a mature age student studying for his Degree in Construction, Management and Economics.
“Studying for my degree formalised the experience I had gained in the building industry, said Mr Jacobs.
“I loved uni except for the assignments, but the lifestyle was great and I can see why there are professional students.”
Local government
Local government was his choice following uni and he was employed as an assistant building surveyor for the City of Holdfast Bay.
Extending his challenges he again returned to the private sector and progressed in his career to building surveyor and worked on many major projects.
One of extraordinary uniqueness was the building of the new chimpanzee enclosure at Monarto Zoo with an office enclosure, viewing platform and public areas.
“It was very challenging and different because how do you classify a chimpanzee enclosure, said Mr Jacobs.
Wanting to get out of the rat race was the motivating factor for a lifestyle change, from the very hectic sector, which was driven by deadlines and money, and Port Pirie was his choice.
“I have some wonderful memories of Pirie, the freedom of being out all day roaming and coming home for tea, said Mr Jacobs.
“It was a time of feeling safe and familiar and a sense of belonging.”
However, he believes his children have had good experiences being raised in Adelaide, expanding their exposure socially, culturally and academically.
Family life
Mr Jacobs is married to Sascha and they have two children still living at home; Ben 14 and Ollie 22 months and four adult children, the eldest being 34, along with three grandchildren.
The doting father has had immense joy since the arrival of Ollie.
“I am more settled in life, better prepared and appreciate the time spent with him, he said.
Mrs Jacobs is pursuing her career and Ben goes to Urrbrae College and is in the Sturt Junior Development Squad, therefore consideration was given to the effects of moving, so the family will remain in Adelaide.
“I am taking a year in Port Pirie to acclimatize before making any major decisions, said Mr Jacobs.
Avid sportsman
An avid sportsman, he played football as a junior for Solomontown, then when transferred in the railways played in the Northern Areas and Lower Murray Leagues.
Then on his return to Pirie he played for Props under Chris Prior until a knee injury forced him from the game for two years.
He remembers his first game against Port when he was warned about a loveable character, Port player Ernie Rafanelli who might give him a wack over the ear.
“He did give me a gentle wack just to let me know he was there, but I had pace on him, said Mr Jacobs.
After moving to Adelaide he played in the SA Amateur League and the Southern League before retiring at 33.
Wanting to stay fit, he then took up Roller Hockey until he was 39, a game he claims is very fast and intense.
A highlight of his cricket career in Port Pirie with North was the grand final against Risdon in 1975 when Donny Waters was captain-coach.
“I recall we were dismissed for 83 and many thought the game was over, however we won the match by getting Risdon all out for 79, he said.
Since his return to Pirie he is amazed how some things haven’t changed.
The men’s hairdresser where his Dad took him is still on Main Road and the Fish ‘n’ Chip shop is still trading on the Terrace.
With experience in the building industry, Mr Jacobs likes what is happening in Port Pirie with the new housing developments and in the CBD.
Speedway closure
The speedway champion was sad to see the closure of the iconic track and said it left a big hole in SA speedway.
“I don’t think the community realised the high profile of the speedway track outside of Port Pirie, he said.
“Everyone I raced with, including world champions Ivan Majors and Phyl Trump, knew about the Easter meeting.
“Personally the long track at Port Pirie was the most exciting form of motorcycle racing, he said.
The speedway track has been transformed into a Supacross track and Mr Jacobs said it is a sign of the times with young riders favouring motocross.
A trip to Europe to watch the speedway and visiting the Amazon because it is something different, are on his list of things to do in the future.
And reflecting on the things he has done, he looks back with the benefit of hindsight and confesses he possibly could have done things earlier, but with no regrets said, I have been able to enjoy a lot of life’s experiences.
PHOTO: HOMETOWN… Graham Jacobs has recently taken up the position of Building Surveyor for the Port Pirie Regional Council. Mr Jacobs who grew up in Port Pirie, has returned after a 30 year absence.
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