Scotch College
Obituaries
Main List of Names
Robert B ABRECHT ('58)
James Campbell Johnston CBE ('29) 7 July 1912 - 14 August 2003 Cam Johnston enjoyed a lifelong association with Scotch College and had a great love for, and belief in, the school. He attended the school from 1926 to 1929 and in due course enrolled his sons Richard and Campbell who attended the school in the 1950s and 1960s and who in turn enrolled his grandsons Timothy and Edwin and more recently Cam Jr , who has just completed Year 12, thus extending the association to some 70 years. Cam supported the School through the Foundation since its inception and was involved in the establishment of the East Melbourne Glen Chapter which he chaired together with the Bequests Sub-Committee. After leaving Scotch Cam studied commerce part time and became a chartered accountant before joining J.B. Were & Son in February 1935. He was admitted to partnership of J.B. Were & Son in October 1947 and was appointed Senior Partner in 1967, a position he held until his retirement from the firm in 1978. As Senior Partner of J.B. Were he became Chairman of the Capel Court Group of companies and during his chairmanship they were merged to form Australian Foundation Investment Company Limited which is now one of the largest investment companies in Australia with over 67,000 shareholders. Cam played a very important role in the Stock Exchange in Melbourne. He was appointed to the Committee of the Melbourne Stock Exchange in 1954 and became Vice Chairman in 1966 and Chairman in 1972. The Australian Stock Exchange recently noted that Mr Johnston's major contribution to the Stock Exchange in Melbourne was his role in the formation and establishment of the Joint Melbourne/Sydney Committee. The Joint Committee was viewed as a first step in the establishment of a National Exchange. The inaugural meeting was held on 21 December 1976 with Mr Johnston as Chairman. The Joint Committee facilitated joint access for members of the two exchanges to have the right to operate on both floors and hence was the forerunner to the formation of the Australian Stock Exchange. Cam was the Chairman of the Australian Associated Stock Exchanges from April 1975 until April 1977. In 1991 the members of the Australian Stock Exchange Limited awarded Cam the Honorary Fellow of the Exchange in recognition of his outstanding service to the Exchange over a number of years. In 1984 the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia honoured him by awarding him "Chartered Accountant of the Year". In January 1972 he was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire. Cam proposed the Toast to the School at the 2002 OSCA Annual Dinner in what was to be his final formal involvement with the Scotch Family and the Family now grieves the loss of a most valued member. Rupert Sinclair Mosley ('30) died on 29 September 2003. Sinclair was born in 1912, in Orbost, Gippsland, the son of Rupert James Mosley, an Orbost solicitor, and Mary Morrison Sinclair. He was the second of four children. At age 15 he was sent down to Melbourne to board in Leighwood House at Scotch. His brother John ('28) who also boarded at Scotch, was killed on the Kokoda Trail in 1942. Sinclair studied law at Melbourne University and lived at Ormond College. After he was admitted to practice in 1937, he returned to Gippsland, where he practised law in Bairnsdale. Following the disbanding of the 'Australian Lighthorse Regiment' with the outbreak of war in 1939, Sinclair joined the 2/2 Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment. He served in the Middle East, and later in New Guinea, where he was injured and returned to Melbourne in 1945, having achieved the rank of Major. Sinclair practiced as a solicitor for 43 years and served on the Council of the Law Institute of Victoria. He was admitted to honorary life membership of the Institute in 1981. Sinclair was always keen to support the school. He was involved with the establishment of the Scotch College Foundation in 1973 and specifically the drafting of the Deed forthe Foundation. He is survived by Nerida, his wife of 56 years, daughter Lysbeth and three sons John ('66), Warren ('69) and Hugh ('83). His four grandsons Angus Haigh ('97), Robert Haigh ('99), Andrew Mosley ('99), Edward Mosley ('01) also attended the school. Robert Brisbane Abrecht ('58) was born on 23 December 1941. He attended Scotch from 1950-58, during which time he held Scotch's underwater endurance record, and played major roles in school plays. Scotch has only recently been advised that Robert died on 12 April 1988. Robert George Chapman ('40) was born on 15 August 1922. He attended Scotch from 1935-40. Robert always insisted that the early onset of osteomyelitis prevented him achieving his ambition of playing cricket with the first XI. His other major activity at Scotch was the Radio Club. Robert graduated as a civil engineer from the University of Melbourne and spent his working life with the State Rivers and Water Supply Commission and later the State Electricity Commission. Robert was a keen blue-water yachtsman and participated in many Sydney-Hobart and West-coaster events. He died suddenly at his home on 18 January 2003. John Francis Donges ('50) was born at Sydney, NSW, on 6 October 1932, and attended Scotch from 1946-50. John was a Probationer in 1950, and a member of the 2nd XVIII and the 3rd XI. On 9 October 1959 he married Patricia Elvish at Scotch. A chartered accountant, he was treasurer of Prince Henry's Institute of Medical Research. Fittingly, for one born on Scotch's birthday, his son Lachlan (1971-81) and grandsons David and Nicholas Thomson (current students) followed him at Scotch. John died at the farm he enjoyed in retirement on 10 October 2003. Adolf Theodor Ericson ('24) was born at Auburn on 23 November 1908, and attended Scotch from 1922-24. He served in the Australian Army from 1942-46, finishing his service as Sergeant in the 143 Australian Supply Depot Platoon. Adolf died on 15 September 2000. Gillespie Frank Ferguson ('35) was born at East Kew on 23 December 1917. He attended Scotch from 1931-35; some of which time he spent as a boarder. Gillespie died on 14 August 2003. Gordon Duff Fisher ('41) was born at Melbourne on 12 September 1922, and had an illustrious schoolboy career at Scotch from 1929-41, culminating in being 1941 School Captain and Stroke of the winning 1941 Head of the River crew. He was 1935 Junior School vice-captain, 1940-41 Captain of MacFarland House, and a 1940 School Prefect. Gordon was a member of the 1937 Swimming team, the 1940 Athletics team, the 1st VIII from 1939-41, and the 1st XVIII from 1940-41. He served in the Australian Army from 1943-46, finishing as a Sergeant in the 2/12 Field Ambulance. In 1950 he obtained his BA (Hons), and he became a manager in the Health Insurance Commission. Sons Tim (1974-79) and Paul (1977-82) followed him at Scotch, and his brothers David (1925-37) and Malcolm (1929-38) also attended. Scotch's second-oldest surviving School Captain, Gordon died on 3 September 2003. John Francis Raven Fisher ('36) was born at Middle Park on 12 July 1919 and left Brighton Grammar School to attend Scotch from 1933-36. John obtained his BCE in 1941. In 1942 he joined the Australian Army as a private in the Melbourne University Rifles, and from 1944-46 served in the 13 Field Company, completing his service as a Lieutenant. On 27 May 1946 he married Joan Miller at Scotch. John died on 20 October 2003. Hugh Peden Flockart ('50) was born on 2 November 1933 and attended Scotch from 1947-50 following some time at Trinity. An architect, he worked in a Melbourne firm before working for himself, and later moved to Byron Bay, NSW to do contract work. Amongst relatives at Scotch were his father Derwent (1908-) and cousins Peter (1935-39), Robert (1940-43) and Colin (1947-57). Hugh died at Byron Bay on 29 October 2002. David L Hardie ('45) ( 8.2.1928 - 9.6.2003) Dave Hardie attended Scotch from 1939-45. An outstandingly versatile sportsman, he represented the school in swimming, tennis, athletics, cricket and of course, football as Vice Captain of the '45 Champion XVIII. A brilliantly balanced mid-fielder, he subsequently became best and fairest for Old Scotch, and played for Melbourne in the VFL. After Fred Fanning kicked his record 18 goals against St Kilda in the last round of '47, the cognoscenti knew that the dints in his chest were the result of Dave Hardie's bullet-like passes. After football, he played golf off a handicap of 4. A dual career as wool-buyer and cattle breeder took him to many parts of the world, but he remained a staunch Scotch and OSCA supporter, not least when his grandson David Burke played in the 1996 Champion XVIII. David enjoyed a wonderful family life, and his good humour attracted a wide circle of friends. His last 2 years were unfortunately miserable following a disabling stoke, but the support of his family, notably that of Judy, his glamorous wife for over 50 years, was undiminished. Ian Thomas Hendry ('46) was born on 17 January 1929, and attended Scotch as a boarder from 1942-46 following in his father's footsteps Thomas Muir Hendry ('12). Brian is survived by his three sons Michael (1971-76), Anthony (1973-78) and Sam (1981-86), Ian died on 1 July 2002 after a brief illness. Brian Keith Horman ('46) was born on 19 September 1929, and attended Scotch from 1942-46. Brian became managing director of a printing company. His brother Peter (1946-51), son Andrew (1964-75) and grandson Alistair Pullan (current student) are some of the family members to attend Scotch. Brian died on 19 March 2003.
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John Mervyn Hamilton Jones ('27) Mervyn was born on 13 March 1916 and attended Scotch from 1925-1927 when he moved with his family to a very new Canberra. He managed picture theatres in Canberra and its environs during his working life. Among many other interests Mervyn was an active Rotarian and was President of the Royal Canberra Golf Club for four years. He died on 29 June 2003 aged 87. Dessea Kostos ('33) was born at Collingwood on 18 March 1918 and attended Scotch in 1933. Des survived his wife Eunice by ten days, and died on 3 October 2003. Robert Godwin Messenger Lees ('23) was born at Collingwood on 15 March 1908 and attended Scotch in 1923. He served in WW2 in the RAN as a skipper from 1943-44. Robert died at Sydney on 16 April 2003. John Medway Loutit ('42) was born at Adelaide on 4 March 1925, and attended Scotch from 1936-42. A keen traveller, he was in Portugal in 1951, and in 1993 led a team from Hawthorn Rotary to Western Samoa to repair cyclone damage. A member of Hawthorn Rotary from 1987, he raised over $400,000 for the Australian Rotary Health Research Fund (ARHRF) by arranging sales of the Australian Impressionist and Realist Artist art book. He was made a companion of the ARHRF in 1993, and became a Paul Harris Fellow in 1996 for his contributions to Rotary. John's son David attended Scotch from 1972-76. John died on 17 August 2003. John Edwin Mahony ('25) was born at Auburn on 29 January 1908 and attended Scotch at East Melbourne from 1919-25. He studied at the Pharmacy College in Parkville, obtaining his BPharm in 1931, and started his own pharmacy in Belgrave. On 8 June 1938 he married Phyllis Marjorie Macdonald at Scotch: a 65 year marriage which ended with his death. Jack's brothers Keith (1919-25), Eric (1923-30) and Colin (1925-34) all attended Scotch, as did his son David (1950-60). Jack died on 25 July 2003. Dr. Alexander Glynn Mathew ('40) was born at Kyabram on 10 September 1923 and attended Scotch from 1938-40. Sandy rowed in the 2nd VIII, and in 1946 obtained his MBBS. In 1951 he did post-graduate work in London, where he obtained his FRCOG. In addition to writing papers on gynaecology and obstetrics, he was a keen painter and held an exhibition in 1958. Amongst many relations at Scotch were his father Alexander (1909-13), brother Dr. John (1941-45), and great uncle Thomas Scott (1881-84). Sandy died on 1 September 2003. Maxwell Alexander Mitchell-Burden ('37) was born at Malvern on 16 June 1921 and attended Scotch from 1935-37. He served the Australian Army from 1942-46, finishing his service as a Lieutenant at HQ 14 Aust ADV AMD DEP. Max was a District Manager for BP Australia, and lived at Claremont, Western Australia. His brother Godfrey ('38) joined the AIF whilst underage in 1939, calling himself M.C. Taylor, and was killed on 19 March 1944. Max died on 26 October 2003. William Alexander John Murdoch ('41) was born at St. Kilda on 9 October 1923 and left Carey to attend Scotch from 1935-41. He served in the Australian Army in 1945 as a Gunner at Darwin in HQ 12 Fort Coy, and was twice President of the Elwood RSL. William was a company director in the building and property industry, and was a keen Mason. He died on 23 August 2003. Alexander Eliel Pizzey ('25) Alec was born at Toorak on 21 May 1912 and attended Scotch at East Melbourne from 1922-25; 1925 being the last year of the East Melbourne site. He served in the Australian Army from 1942-46, finishing as a Captain in the LHQ (MGO Branch). On 2 March 1939 he married Helen Russell at Scotch. Alec was the managing director of Pizzey and Sons Tannery. Amongst his many relations at Scotch were brothers Ewen (1922-25) and Boyce (1922-26), son Boyce (1954-66) and grandsons Stephen (1969-1980), David (1972-1983) and Andrew McLeish (1991-2000). Alec died at Geelong on 17 September 2003. Athol Leslie Relph ('36) was born at Malvern on 25 October 1919 and attended Scotch from 1933-36. He served the Australian Army from 1942-46, finishing his service as a Lieutenant in the 2 Field Regiment after action in New Guinea. Athol was a member of the Apex Club of Maffra from 1956-60, and the Rotary Club of Maffra from 1970-92, during which he was President in 1975-76. He was a managing director, retailer and proprietor, his interests being in W.D. Leslie Pty. Ltd., and in Relph's Hardware. Athol died at home at Maffra on 5 October 2003. Alexander Neil Roach ('46) was born on 13 January 1930 and left Carey to attend Scotch from 1940-46. Neil was a grazier. His brother Ian (1938-43), son Andrew (1985-89) and nephew Richard (1967-76) also attended Scotch. Neil died at the Freemasons Hospital on 15 October 2003. Peter John Rowland ('56) was born at Essendon on 30 January 1939 and boarded at Scotch in Arthur Robinson House from 1952-56. He rowed in the 1st VIII in 1955 and 1956, and became a manager in South Australia, where he died on 21 September 2003. Peter was described as being "infectious with his enthusiasm" for Scotch, and was a keen attendee of OSCA branch dinners. Rodney John Saulwick ('48) was born on 11 February 1932 and attended Scotch from 1939 to 1948. An artist, designer, and teacher, he operated Saulwick Art and Design in Belgrave with his wife Jenny, having started his career in advertising under George Noel Paton (1920). Rodney's brothers Peter (1950-62) and well-known pollster Irving (1937-47) also attended Scotch. Rodney died in August 2003. William Neale Spensley ('87) was born on 24 June 1969 and attended Scotch from 1975-87 with his brother Jonathon (1986-91). Will was a School Officer in 1987, and a member of the winning 1st XI. He died on 2 September 2003, and is survived by wife Susie, and son Edward. Russell Kenneth Stapleton ('34) was born at Mordialloc on 5 June 1919 and attended Scotch from 1926 to 1934 with his brother Jack (1926-27). On 21 May 1949 he married Dorothy Dowling at Scotch, and they sent twin sons Ian (1960-68) and Malcolm (1960-65) to Scotch. Russell lived in Bright, where he was managing director of Standis Furniture Pty. Ltd. He died at Harrietville on 6 September 2003. James Arthur Taylor ('32) was born at Footscray on 8 October 1915 and attended Scotch from 1929-32. He was a member of the Scotch Orchestra in 1932. He served in the Australian Army from 1942-44, finishing his service as a Corporal in the 5 Australian Infantry Battalion. His grandsons Cameron (1995-2000) and Andrew (current student) have followed him at Scotch. James died on 22 February 2002. Cecil William Wallach DSC OAM VRD ('24) Bill was born on 25 October 1915 and attended Scotch from 1920-24. He left Scotch to work at T & G and to complete a Commerce degree at the University of Melbourne. He enlisted in the Navy in 1941 and was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross in 1942 for extinguishing a searchlight which was endangering HMS Campbelltown as it sailed up the Loire River in France to ram the lock gates at St. Nazaire. The ship later blew up thus denying the Germans the use of a key graving dock. Bill returned to T & G after the war, but later began a new career at Taylor's College. He continued in the Naval Reserve for forty years and also served as a Councillor and as Secretary of the Royal United Services Institute for which he was awarded an OAM early this year. Bill died on 1 August 2003. He is survived by his son Richard ('67). Thomas Reginald Watson ('29) Reg was born in the UK on 17 February 1913 and came from Trinity to attend Scotch from 1923-29. He returned to the UK where he became a pilot with Weston Airlines and then with BEA, During the war Reg served in Africa, but returned to civilian flying after the war. His son tells us that "There were several occasions when the roll of the dice fell in his favour: he survived a mid-air collision with only cuts and bruises and escaped unscathed from other lesser flying 'incidents'. Reg was always sure that he survived WW2 because he was 'banished' overseas with other troublemakers after an incident where he was caught flying at low level down Derby high street!" Reg died in London on 5 September 2002. Robert Herbert Weichelt ('32) was born at Preston on 23 January 1916. Bob was a member of the Scotch Orchestra in 1931 and 1932, playing the cello, and returned to play in the orchestra as an Old Boy in 1934 and 1935. He served in WW2 from 1940 as a member of the Melbourne University Rifles. Bob became a real estate dealer, and died on 25 August 2003.
David Roberts ('96) 1978-2003
Dave was such a good friend to so many people that I find it difficult to adequately describe his character. His universal appeal started with an ability to add life to any conversation and levity to any situation, regardless of his audience. He had a charm all his own, but probably not in the conventional sense. To many he was daunting at first, but by the end of any 'night out' they would have found the unmistakable qualities of the man. His honest, earnest, loyal, constant and reliable friendship is highly valued by all of those who can proudly say they know Dave, and admired by those not privileged to know him long enough. Dave loved his days at Scotch. There is no question of the passion and convictions that laced his words every time he talked of school, or revisited some story of days gone by. This is made all the more admirable because he was not a model student, he did not have esteem and position lauded upon him and yet his love for the place flowed unchecked. Dave played the saxophone for numerous bands, the drums for the pipe band, rowed and played football through to year 12. He won the 24 hour hike and went on to organise a hike for a group of 10 guys to climb Mt. Bogong in the middle of July. He worked hard and went on to Monash University to study engineering. Dave finished his engineering degree in 2000 while battling his first bout of cancer. He recovered well from his first several months of chemo with positive results. It was now in early 2001 that he decided to forego the office job and pursue his keen interest in everything outdoors, and by June that year had moved up to Mt. Beauty to begin his first season ski instructing. He excelled at this with his charismatic nature earning him yet more friends. After achieving his instructing qualifications he secured a job instructing in Austria for the northern hemisphere winter to follow. It was not to be with the re-emergence of his cancer in the last months of that year. Another summer filled with hospital visits and excruciating treatment. Throughout this time Dave began a charity fund to raise money for cancer research which he named The Mt. Aspiring Challenge. The namesake of this fund he and Mel climbed at the beginning of 2002. Through Dave's work at fundraising nights, with corporate sponsors and through private efforts, he managed to raise tens of thousands of dollars for the Alfred Hospital cancer research and treatment facilities. More treatment and another positive result, clearing Dave to return to Mt. Beauty for another season of ski instructing, this time living with Mel. Again Dave lined up work this time in Park City, Utah for the next season, and once again he was re-diagnosed and spent another summer in hospitals in Melbourne. By the end of his treatment in the first few months of 2003 they specified that if this last attempt didn't work, nothing would. After receiving negative results Dave, with the assistance of both family and Mel, looked to find alternative treatments. This would continue on throughout 2003 till the end in a private hospital in Adelaide in July, just a month after Dave's 25th birthday. I hope to express the deep respect and regard that all of Dave's friends hold for Betty & Daryl, Jane & Charlie and Mel, but most of all for Dave. Mike Raisebeck ('96) David Ian Laurie Sutherland ('46) Ian Sutherland (5 Aug 1928 - 21 Nov 2003) had an inventive mind. He made a name installing ski tows in the Australian Alps, and later designing functional furniture. He was a passionate gardener.
Great Scot
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Updated: Tuesday 12 August 2008 © Scotch College 2008