Scotch College

John M Bellair ('27). (Following is an excerpt from an obituary published in The Age on 14 July 2001 by Associate Professor Finlay Macrae ('66) who is a nephew of John Bellair).

John was captain of Scotch College, Ormond collegian, agricultural scientist, expert horseman, steeplechaser and drover, farmer and grazier, shire councillor, sailor, traveller and adventurer, historian, francophile, mountain climber, poet and writer.

His name evokes so many memories, and so much affection, admiration and acclamation. John was passionate about those things that concerned him and those whom he loved.

He had the knack to capture the romance of any situation and to bring it to life and living.

John had a deep sense of spiritual presence. His unpublished poem, Beyond, reflects on the human search for 'a glimpse of God'. But he was also immensely practical, always replete with sound advice, and because of this, highly successful. No doubt these qualities were very valuable to the Australian Imperial Forces, and were recognised as he passed through the ranks in his military career: enlisted as private, 1939; commissioned in the field; platoon commander, Greek campaign; company commander, 2/3rd Machine Gun Battalion; personal assistant to Lieutenant-General Sir Leslie Morshead (commander 1st Australian Corps); commander C Company, 2/3rd Machine Gun Battalion, in New Guinea.

His position as personal assistant to General Morshead was one that he particularly cherished, and one that gave him great pride and satisfaction.

His life was part of a very distinguished military record. It was also the substrate of two of his books: Amateur Soldier and From Snow to Jungle, the history of the 2/3rd Australian Machine Gun Battalion.

John was a successful sheep grazier at Riddells Creek. In 1949 he campaigned for the Federal seat of Lalor. He greatly reduced the margin of the incumbent, Chifley's agriculture minister Reg Pollard.

John and his family moved to Montpellier in France, where they lived for three years. John's essence as a francophile flourished.

He loved the culture and language and for years made the Mediterranean his home aboard the 'Merrywind'.

John was an adventurer and gathered an amazing array of experiences throughout his life. He ventured far and wide in his later life, epitomised in his search for the story of Lafcadio Hearn, published in 1994. In Hearn's Footsteps is a fascinating account of this remarkable man as he delivered to the western world previously untold impressions of Japanese life through his writings in the American presss, including Harper's Weekly. John's research took him to the Mediterranean, the West Indies, New Orleans and, of course, Japan, where he was greeted as something of a celebrity as he wrote his book about Hearn, who is known to all Japanese schoolchildren.

His poem 'Beyond' was read at his service.

Beyond

Do you know beyond the dream time
There are things you cannot know?
Do you know beyond the music
There are sounds you cannot hear?
Can you see beyond the starlight?
Can you travel with the wind?
Is there more to sun than sunshine?
Can you see beyond the sky?
Can you see beyond the questions
In a young girl's eyes?
Do you marvel at the miracle of buds in spring?
Can you hear beyond the birdsong?
Are you touched by someone's prayer?
Is there more than just a handshake
When you meet a dear old friend?
Can you feel behind the canvas
Of a painting that you love,
Enter the mind behind the hand
That holds the brush?
If you know there is a mystery
If you know there's this beyond
Perhaps, perhaps, you'll get a glimpse of God.

John Mitchell Bellair

Ross M BARSTOW ('37)
Ken B BATTY ('26)
Colin D BLASHKI ('68)
Bruce A BRETHERTON ('38)
David J M CRICHTON ('44)
Murray A CROW ('45)
Doug B FRAME ('42)
George J S GILCHRIST ('30)
Alexander C GORDON ('28)
Graeme P GURSANSCKY ('40)
Ian F HAMILTON ('45)
Keith H HAYDEN ('23)
Rupert C HING ('23)
Reg B HUME ('30)
Herbert H HUTCHINSON ('36)
Rex D JONES ('37)
John A JOYNER ('55)
Ralph D KENNON ('38)
Eric R LOVE ('29)
Richard R MANALLACK ('43)
Ian L McFARLAND ('34)
John R C McRAE ('39)
Ron M ROME ('28)
Gregor K S RUSDEN ('53)
John D SHAW ('36)
John G SLEEMAN ('48)
Jack T STACEY ('30)
Ted G STRAHAN ('32)
Frank A VEITCH ('26)
Stewart N WALLACH ('39)
Raymond J WELSFORD ('43)
Jim C WILLIAMSON ('41)

Gordon O Carr ('52). Gordon was larger than life, a hail-fellow-well-met who tackled everything with unbounded enthusiasm. Scotch was one of the great loves of his life.

Born on 24 June 1935, he was the second of four sons born to Edith and John Carr.

His nippers, Ron, Bruce and Alistair, all predeceased him.

He attended Deepdene Primary and Camberwell Grammar Schools before going to Scotch, where his main interest was sport. He became an accomplished rower, athlete and footballer.

He played football, cricket, athletics and bowls for the Old Boys and was a driving force in the Cardinal Club, being President 1984 -1985.

Gordon represented the Air Force in athletics while doing his stint of National Service. Unfortunately he missed selection for the 1956 Olympic Games in Melbourne in the long distance hurdles by a mere one second.

Gordon's employment was varied in his younger days. On marrying Patsy in 1962, he settled down, joining the family business until he retired to a farm at Euroa.

Gordon died suddenly last December. His competitive spirit was still strong as he had been playing tennis that day and planned to represent Euroa in Pennant Bowls the following weekend.

The Scotch family was well represented at his funeral service at the Paton Memorial Church in Deepdene with which the Carr family had a long association.

Gordon is survived by his wife Patsy, daughter Robin, son Angus ('86) and grandchildren Sophie and Oswald.

Ean Cumbrae Stewart ('41) passed away on 26 May 2001 following a serious operation.

Ean's education at Scotch commenced in 1937 and it was in the sporting field that he excelled, especially in Tennis. He was school Under 16 champion, and a member of the school Tennis team.

On leaving school, he enlisted in the Royal Australian Navy and served for all his service period in the RAN's converted troop ship, 'HMAS Manoora'.

Following war service, Ean became interested in advertising, and for several years managed his own agency. Towards the end of his professional life, he spent two years at Port Moresby in advertising.

Ean was a very active person. In his early business years he was an important executive in Junior Chamber. Later his interest included the 'Manoora' Association, Legacy,

Old Scotch Collegians' Tennis, Old Scotch Collegians' Lodge, MCC, Old Scotch Bowls and the Probus Club of Glenferrie. He was also a great helper in the Scotch Archives.

In spite of increasing infirmity in later years, he tenaciously continued his involvement in these activities. His daughter Ann and his wife Kate predeceased him in 1994. He is survived by son Bruce, daugher-in-law Joan, and grandchildren.

John R C (Dick) McRae ('39) was dux of his form in 1939. He joined the RAAF after leaving school and served in PNG, Darwin and the UK. After the war he continued his career with the National Bank. In retirement he was a lay pastor and hospital chaplain with the Uniting Church in Melbourne.

He is survived by his wife Valx and two sons, John (Launceston) and Ken (Stratford).

Ronald McK Rome ('28) was a prefect in his last year at Scotch. He had a distinguished war record in the Middle East. He went on to become a specialist Obstetrician and Gynaecologist and was a Consultant at the Royal Women's Hospital. His private practice was based in East Melbourne.

Jack T Stacey ('30) worked for the Bank of Australasia and was a keen sportsman of golf, hockey, tennis and athletics. The outbreak of World Ward II saw him do active service in the Middle East and Northern Australia as an anti-aircraft gunner, attaining the rank of Lieutenant. After the war, he had a distinguished career as a newsagent in Balwyn, whilst maintaining interests in Rotary, golf and the Collingwood Football Club.

In retirement, he moved to Pambula Beach where he finally succumbed to a long battle with emphysema. He is survived by his wife Dulcie, three sons and five grandchildren.