Scotch College

Obituaries

Harold Blenkiron ('24)
Wilbur Courtis (ex staff)
Edward Dugdale ('46)
Michael Falk ('54)
Rod Gabriel ('32)
Geoffrey Gifford ('45)
Graeme Hall ('54)
Graham Hall ('44)
Wellesley Hannah ('30)
John Howcroft ('52)
Hec Ingram ('27)
Jerry Jackson ('39)
Alexander Manderson ('31)
Thomas McCaw ('31)
John McCulloch ('68)
William Muddyman ('37)
Graham Richardson ('31)
Norman Robinson ('36)
William Scott ('38)

Hec Ingram ('26) died on 30 December 1998. He was 89. A Thanksgiving Service for his life was held at Scots Church Melbourne on 5 January. Hec first attended Scots Church as a boarder at East Melbourne, and was married there in 1936 to Jessie Barnett, whose four brothers were Scotch boys. So Scotch College and Scots Church were central to Hec's life. The Thanksgiving Service was led by Rev Peter Stockman. A moving eulogy was delivered by Bruce Lithgow ('46) a longstanding friend and admirer of Hec'.

We publish excerpts of Bruce Lithgow's outstanding eulogy.

'Hec followed his elder brother Bruce ('23) to Scotch and soon established himself as a member of the First XI and First XVIII. Hec and Bruce travelled to and from school from their home in Powelltown, via train to Yarra Junction, the railway line having been built by their father.

Hec's sporting achievements at Scotch carried on into senior sport, In cricket Hec was a regular member of the Hawthorn East Melbourne First XI and won selection for the Victorian Colts XI. In football he played for Old Scotch and represented the Victorian Amateurs. In the late 60s Hec became President of the OSCFC for several years. In recognition of Hec's love of things Scotch, and Scotch cricket in particular, the school has perpetuated the Hec Ingram Trophy for an annual match between Scotch First XI and an Old Boys XI.

Bruce described Hec as a highly respected elder statesman of Scotch, a fine raconteur, with a keen sense of humour, and a passionate love for his old school. Yet he was one who shunned the limelight

Hec became the senior Vice President of the OSCA but no amount of persuasion would convince him to take on the Presidency. In his modest way, he insisted others could do the job better. He was made an Honorary Life Member of OSCA in 1982, with his friends Frank Crawford and Alec Fraser - I suspect only former Presidents, Headmasters and one Chaplain had received that honour until then.

So when we reflect on the life of Hec Ingram, we give thanks for the inspiration he gave to so many during his life of 89 years. He will be particularly remembered for his gentlemanly and modest manner, his passion for Scotch and the unobtrusive ways in which he sought to provide assistance and encouragement to many.'

Alexander George Manderson ('31) passed away on 16th November at Cotham Private Hospital after a short illness from cancer.

Alex was a member of the Geelong chapter of OSCA. He is survived by his sons Tony ('61) and Warwick ('63), and daughters Yvonne and Louise.

Jerrold (Jerry) Harcourt Jackson ('39) of Echuca, was born on 4 May 1922 and died, aged 76 years, on 9 August 1998.

He completed two years of a law course at Melbourne University, and was conscripted into Army at the end of 1941. After being discharged, he enlisted as a fighter pilot and, in August 1943, was posted to the UK attached to the RAF. He completed a tour of duty as a bomber pilot over Europe (33 missions), and was awarded the DFC when, as captain of a Lancaster, he attacked oil plants at Bruse, despite the failure of the engine and in the face of considerable enemy fire.

He resumed legal studies and completed his degree in 1947 and eventually took up practice in Echuca, where he remained for the rest of his life. He served as President of the Goulburn Valley Law Association, played cricket in Echuca and the Victorian Country XI), golf (single figure handicap) and played bowls. He was President of the Echuca Bowling Club. Master of Freemasons Lodge in Echuca and member of Victorian Grand Lodge Team.

Graham Lindley Richardson ('28 - '31) was born in Canterbury in 1913. He was educated at Melbourne High School and Scotch College. During this time he became a keen member of the Presbyterian Young Men's Fellowship. He gained Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Divinity degrees, while attending Ormond College.

The time between his Ordination at Scots Church in 1938, and his first parish appointment, was spent in Youth Work as Organizing secretary of the Presbyterian Young Men's Fellowship for Victoria.

In 1940 he accepted a call to the parish of Sea Lake, From Sea Lake he accepted calls to Casterton, Traralgon and Tatura - seventeen years of very happy parish ministry. In 1951 Graham assisted the Reverend R Scott at Columba's Church of Scotland, in London, and then serving as migrant chaplain on the P&O liner Chitral on his return journey.

In 1957 he came to Geelong, when he was appointed Chaplain to both Moorabool Street and Geelong West Technical Schools. During this period he continued conducting church services at Portarlington, Queenscliff, Point Lonsdale and Wilson's Road, Newcombe.

Graham retired in 1973, about a year after being hospitalised for 10 weeks with severe septicaemia of the heart. He died on the 31st May, 1998, aged 84 years.

Graham Hall ('44) died on the 20th October 1998, after 10 years of poor health. He attended Korowa in the early thirties, coming to Scotch in 1933; in his final year he was a Probationer and Cadet Lieutenant gaining entry to the Royal Military College Duntroon in 1944. Post war, he studied agricultural science at Dookie, after which he joined the family company, Farm and Pastoral Supplies Pty Ltd. For the final 15 years of his business life he was an agronomist with Pivot Fertilizers. His latter years were spent in retirement at Rhyll, Phillip Island, where he loved sailing, having built his own yacht. Graham had a son Glen (died 29 December 1998) and a daughter Robyn.

Mr Rodney Charles Gabriel MBE, ED, PhC, MPS ('32) died on 6 February 1999 after a short illness.

Rod's gracious influence was strongly felt within the family circle. It extended to the Old Scotch Collegians' Association, the redoubtable regiments in which he served, the various worthy committees of which he was a member or chairperson, in community, nation or the international scene.

Perhaps his greatest achievement was to establish that magnificent bond between Australia and Indonesia through the Annual Anzac Day remembrance service for fallen comrades of Gull Force, held in Ambon for the Prisoners of War of the 2/21st Battalion. Over the years Rod's group had raised more than $9,000 for the Ambon Hospital.

Rod served in the following regiments: University Regiment (MUR), Intelligence Officer 2/21st Battalion (Gull Force), Prisoner of War on Ambon, Indonesia, 6th Battalion, Royal Melbourne Regiment.

Barrister and Solicitor, John McCulloch ('68), aged 47, lost his hard fought battle against cancer and passed away at home in Koroit.

Within the community of Koroit John was a member of the Hospital Board, the Agriculture Society, where he pioneered the beer brewing competition and was many times winner of the bread baking competition. Involved and much interested in the local community, John was often asked to take part in many activities. He was known to make contributions, both material and time wise, in every possible way he could.

Dr William Alexander Scott ('38) lived seventy-seven full and active years. He carried with him, throughout that lifetime, a passionate regard for Scotch, believing he owed the school a great debt for his future rich and happy life.

Bill is survived by his wife, Gwen, sons Peter ('73) and Ian ('78), Grandchildren Olympia, Alexander (Year 5), William, Paloma and Nicholas.

Rupert Balfe QC ('49), admitted to the Bar in 1961 and appointed a Queen's Counsel in 1981, died from a debilitating disease in December 1997. Rupert was passionate about everything he did in pursuit of personal excellence, particularly his chosen profession, the Law.

Rupert was Captain of Hockey at Scotch, went on to Melbourne University and then played hockey with Old Scotch for ten years. His association with Hockey and the Pakistan national team over many years, led to him becoming the Honorary Pakistan Consul in Melbourne.

He was an excellent skier, an Officer in the CMF, and loved nothing better than trout fishing in the high country.

Rupert is survived by his wife Di, Michael ('77), Lisa, Annie and Kate.

He will be remembered with affection by all those who knew him.