The late Jo La Grouw snr - co-creator of the iconic Lockwood Homes - was an inspiration to his family. His grandson Brooke La Grouw speaks to The Daily Post about his favourite memories of his Opa and the lessons he learnt from him.
How would you describe your grandfather?
Opa was my mentor, and as long as I live I will look up to him. He set the standard for highest achievement in all
areas of his life and had a passion for life itself.
What are some of your favourite memories?
My sisters and I would visit Opa and Oma regularly and we would go swimming and walking in the redwoods. I always remember going into his workshop and there would always be a project on the go, such as a bridge for his pool, or one of his many beautiful wooden tables that he used to make. It was here that I learned to plane wood with one of his old wooden planes, and bang in nails, a skill that I have used ever since.
What influence did he have on you growing up?
I am where I am today because of Opa. It was my opinion that if Opa (and my father Corgi La Grouw) could
achieve such success that I could also. Opa was a perfectionist and this has definitely rubbed off on me.
Did his successes inspire your achievements?
Opa's success inspired me to follow in his footsteps, but they have been pretty big boots to fill. Seeing what Opa
had done I chose to become a builder and an architectural designer, and starting from the ground floor and
working up I now successfully operate (alongside my father Corgi and family friend Ivan Scott) solid wood housing company Touchwood.
What was the most important lesson he taught you?
Almost every time I'd see Opa I would question him about how he did this and that in his business and would
always walk away feeling happy that I was now on the right track after consulting with him; and every time he
would say that the most important thing is ``not to give up'' he would say ``sometimes things don't go the way
you want, but don't give up, you have to keep going''.
