Scotch College

Vale Leon Brook Bates (’39) staff (1960–1987)

Words: Family and Alec Lyne Photography: Scotch College Archives

Leon Brooke Bates was born on 2nd December 1922 at home in Newport. He was the fourth child and second son of Walter Robert Brooke Bates and Alberta Mabel (Webster). When Leon was a few years old, his father left the family bakery in Williamstown to set up his own milk distributing business in Grange Road, Carnegie. Leon attended Glenhuntly State School and Elwood High School. He won a scholarship to attend Scotch College entering the school in Remove (The equivalent of Year 9) in 1936. At Scotch he participated keenly in both academic and sporting pursuits. Apart from cricket and rowing he was introduced to rugby, a pastime in which he was involved actively for the next forty years.

Leon matriculated in 1939 and entered the Melbourne University Engineering Faculty. His main area of study was to be chemical engineering. While at University he played rugby and was a member of the Victorian Colts team. His skills were noted as remarkable for a Victorian because rugby was such an insignificant sport in that state. His rugby career continued with membership of Melbourne RUFC, then as a founder of Old Scotch RUFC where he played, coached and administered. He retired as a player at the age of 50 at his wife Norma’s insistence, but continued to coach for some years after.

During the polio epidemic of 1937 Leon and two of his friends played a lot of tennis as schools were closed. The boys needed a fourth player for doubles. One friend’s next door neighbour was invited to join them. The friendship with Norma Dorothy Harris began, leading to their marriage on 7th December 1946.

Leon deferred his university course as World War II became more threatening and was eventually posted to 101 Heavy Mortar Company. The unit was set up to counteract the possibility of the enemy indulging in chemical warfare. Leon’s chemical engineering knowledge was thought to be useful in this area. Fortunately chemical warfare did not eventuate and 101 Heavy Mortar Company became a ‘normal’ unit seeing service in the Pacific, notably in Bougainville.

Leon returned to university and marriage after the war. He completed his degree in Science and began work as an industrial chemist at James Miller and Co. rope manufacturers. After 10 years at Millers the future was leading to management. This did not suit Leon. He began to look around for an alternative career. He considered teaching as he enjoyed explaining things to his children but was not so sure about other people’s children. He tried a stint teaching at night school at Caulfield Technical School and decided to take the plunge. Somehow he managed to get a teaching position at Scotch College, probably through one of his rugby connections George Mullenger who taught at the school. He started teaching in second term in 1960, and studied at Mercer House part time to obtain his ATTI qualification. His industrial background brought a difference to his approach to teaching. He began with junior science and maths and became one of the senior chemistry teachers after a few years. He gained great satisfaction from seeing the battlers succeed. He often said that the bright students would pass despite his help. At Scotch he was involved in all facets of school life. He coached rugby teams including the first XV and worked his way through the ranks in cadets from OC of C Company to 2IC then CO of the unit. He was involved as a House Master of Morrison House and in the last years as Group Master of third form and a stint as Acting Vice-Principal. He retired in 1987, after 27 years at Scotch.

Leon’s other lasting commitment was to the church. He was an Elder, taught Sunday School and led youth groups at Bentleigh and Ewing Memorial Presbyterian parishes. He continued to serve in at Ewing Memorial after church union in 1976.

When he retired Leon and Norma travelled all over Australia in their caravan pulled by his trusty Citroen. Round Australia trips were completed in clockwise and anti-clockwise directions. Visits to West Australia included time with their daughter Heather, who worked for a short time in the Scotch library before moving West.

Leon’s sons Colin (66) and Alan (71) attended Scotch and one of his grandsons, Andrew is in year 8 this year.

Leon passed away unexpectedly on 22nd April 2007, having suffered from dementia for several years. GS