Scotch College
Obituaries
ARMS, Harold Ernest (’28)BARKER, Leslie Charles Blair (’27)
BARKLEY, Harry Bonnily (’32)
BELL, George Hugh (’33)
BORLAND, John Maxwell (’45)
BUCHANAN, Dr Frank Hippisley (’38)
BURNETT, James Charles Maynard (’40)
CADBY, Jack Louis (’27)
CADBY, Lawrence (’39)
CARR, Jack Ronald (’32)
CARRUTHERS, Benjamin (’40)
CHEONG, David Winton Laing (‘27)
COLE VRD, Dr Russell Geoffrey (’38)
DAVIES, Alan Barton (’59)
DIXON, John Malcolm (’39)
GAUNT, Peter James (’45)
GAZE, Alfred Edwards (Fred) (’40)
GILCHRIST, Dr Alan Robertson (’38)
GILCHRIST, Arnold Archibald (’38)
GILLESPIE, Harold Macgregor (Greg) (’39)
GREIG, Donald Hector (’39)
GREIG, Graham David Stuart (’61)
GRIFFITHS, Owen Elton (’59)
GUERIN, Neil Stanley (’40)
GURNEY, Robert Winston (’58)
HALL, Peter Charles (’58)
HAWKER, Derek Seymour (’35)
HOBBS, Donald Wilfred (’48)
HOWARD, Peter James Makinson (’49)
JAMES, Dr Norman Reynolds (’22)
JONES, John Percy (’50)
KECK, Lynton John (’64)
KOTTMANN, Erich Adolph (’32)
LUCAS, Peter William Fielding (’52)
MALCOLM, Dr Alan Scott (’42)
MALLETT, Raymond George (’50)
MARTIN AM, Dr. Frank Ian Russell (Skip) (’47)
MATHEW, David John (’46)
McCAW ED, Thomas William (’38)
McCULLAGH, Robert Jarrett (’25)
McINDOE, Alastair Vane (’41)
McNAB, John Lindsay (’37)
MEADOWS, Jonathan Phelps (’75)
PARKER, John Leslie (’46)
PEDLOW, Edward Richard (Ted) (’40)
POLLARD, Arthur James (’40)
RENNIE, John Graham (’50)
REYNOLDS, Colin John Kearley (’43)
ROBERTSON, Ernest Blair (’44)
ROBINSON, Harold George (’24)
SAXTON, William John (’70)
TAPP, Aubrey Garth (’39 and staff 1948–77)
THOMPSON, Mostyn Richard (’50)
WALHOUSE, Moreton John Gilman (’35)
WALLACE, Albert Bruce (’50)
WALLACE, Peter Ian (’45)
WALLER, William Francis Cabena (’34)
WEBER, Donald Edward Clarence (’31)
WICKENS OBE, Peter Charles (’29)
WILLIAMS, Geoffrey Price (’42)
Harold Ernest ARMS (’28) was born at Armadale on 28 September 1912 and attended Scotch from 1927–28. He was a clerk in the State Savings Bank of Victoria from 1929, and from 1938 was a pastor in the Baptist Church at Daylesford. In 1939 he was a pastor at Ballarat West. On 1 November 1941 he married Joyce Lesley Cameron at the Gardiner Gospel Chapel. From 1941–46 Harold served in the AIF, and attained the rank of corporal, seeing service in Papua New Guinea. He moved to Kerang in 1947 and became an accountant at A G Adams & Sons. From 1949 he was office manager at the Biblical Research Society. In November 1974 Harold retired as chief accountant of Mayne Nickless. His wife died at Parkville on 8 September 1999 aged 82. Harold lived in Kew and died on 21 July 2008 aged 95.
Leslie Charles Blair BARKER (’27) was born at Prahran, the son of a lawyer, on 29 December 1909. He was the 57th boy enrolled at the new Junior School on the new Scotch Campus in Hawthorn. Les started at Scotch on 30 May 1916. Of the 65 pioneering boys who entered the Junior School in 1916, Les was the last known survivor.
Classes in 1916 were held in Glen House, a mansion on top of the Hill built in the 1870s which sadly was demolished in 1942. Les recalled only two rooms were used as classrooms, with several classes to a room. The photograph accompanying this obituary is from the Junior School photo taken in front of Glen House at the end of 1916.
Les’s family moved to Berwick, and he boarded for about a year in Leighwood House, a house north of Scotch on Glenferrie Road which Scotch used as a boarding house from 1921, selling it in 1939. Les went to Scotch’s East Melbourne campus from 14 February 1922 and, as it closed in December 1925, completed at least his final two years on the Hawthorn campus. He was a member of Lawson House, and was a member of the 1st XVIII in 1927.
Les was a share manager at The Trustees, Executors and Agency Co Ltd, where the managing director from 1927–35 was Charles Smibert (SC 1885–86; died 1946). (The Smiberts became a Melbourne Grammar School family). On 27 February 1939 he married Mollie Hutchinson Gafford at Scotch. She died on 22 October 1976. Although their two sons did not attend Scotch, a great grandson is booked to attend.
Les’ family was inextricably connected with the early history of Scotch. In addition to his brother Edward (SC 1916–23; died 4 August 1946), his uncles Alexander (SC 1858–72 [sic]; died 2 June 1883) and Edward (SC 1859–62; died 20 May 1885) attended Scotch, as did his first cousins once removed, John (SC 1857–61; died 14 September 1913), Richard (SC 1857–64; died 26 June 1929) and William (SC 1858–66, Melbourne Grammar School 1867–69, where he was a member of MGS’s inaugural crew in 1868, and Geelong Grammar School 1871; died 27 January 1920). More recently, Les’ second cousin twice removed, Ewan, attended Scotch from 1972–77, becoming Dux of Scotch. Les expressed the desire to reach the ‘ton’, and seemed likely to achieve this goal, as he remained in good health. However, fate intervened, and at approximately 4.15am on 23 August 2008, he died in St John of God Hospital, Ballarat, aged only 98.
Harry Bonnily BARKLEY (’32) was born at Gormanston, Tasmania, on 19 September 1915, the son of mining draughtsman and Old Boy Ernest Barkley (SC 1900–02; died 20 June 1976). Harry boarded at Scotch from 1927 until 30 September 1932. From 1931–32 Harry was joined at Scotch by his twin brother, Geoffrey, and their cousin Eric was at Scotch from 1929–31 (died 28 February 1943 in World War II). The twins both served in World War II, with Harry serving in the RAAF from 1941–45 and being demobilised with the rank of warrant officer. Harry’s father died aged 90, and Harry bettered him, achieving the age of 93 by the time of his death on 9 September 2008. He was laid to rest at Lilydale Cemetery on 16 September 2008.
George Hugh BELL (’33). Further to the obituary which appeared in the September 2008 edition of Great Scot, George’s daughter has provided the following obituary:
George Hugh Bell was born on 29 January 1916 at Glenelg, South Australia, the first son of Hugh John Bell (attended Scotch 1892–95, died 7 May 1950) and brother of Robert (attended Scotch 1931, died 13 January 1987 – whose son Hugh attended Scotch 1967–72).
Business opportunities concerned with James Bell and Co, the firm established by George’s grandfather the Hon James Bell MLC for North-West Province, Victoria 1882–1904, led the family to Victoria early in George’s life. They settled in Toorak. A fond memory of George’s was his days as a choirboy at St George’s Anglican Church in Malvern, where the family worshipped. This early introduction to song inspired a lifelong love of music.
George spent happy years at Scotch, particularly enjoying the subjects of geography and British history. Upon matriculation, George became an importer of textiles and other goods, culminating in a long and successful career with Parbury Henty and Co. On 16 April 1941 George married Audrey Ellen (neé Buttfield) at St. John’s Anglican Church, Toorak, and became the proud father of two children, Andrew (attended Scotch 1950–1961) and Janet.
George had a passion for sport, being a 77-year member of the Melbourne Cricket Club, a member of the Melbourne Football Club, as well as being their under 19s and seniors’ timekeeper for approximately 46 years. However, remaining true to his pride in Scotch, of particular interest to George were the fortunes of the various Scotch sporting teams. He especially followed the battles with Melbourne Grammar in his usual good-natured way. On 8 November 1989 George and his wife Audrey suffered a devastating blow with the loss of their son Andrew. With extreme bravery and the strength of their wonderful marriage, George and his wife continued to live a happy and fulfilling life together until the death of Audrey on 19 August 1995. In fighting spirit, George kept up his interest and involvement in sport, travelled and enjoyed nurturing the garden he and Audrey had created. George passed away on 15 April 2008, leaving his daughter, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
John Maxwell BORLAND (’45) was born at Beechworth on 11 February 1928, the son of medical practitioner and Old Boy Dr William McLean Borland (SC 1913–18; died 14 March 1970). John attended Scotch from 1938–45 and was a member of the 1940 Junior School football team. He had happy memories of his time at Scotch, and returned to Scotch to marry Jacqueline Ida Fletcher on 10 March 1955. They had a son, Peter, and two daughters – Jenny and Robin. His last 20 working years were spent as the well-regarded manager of Precision Valve Ltd in Sydney, which was the subsidiary of a US company. John’s cousin Douglas attended Scotch from 1941–49, and two uncles attended: Jack (SC 1913–?; died 31 March 1962) and Frank (SC 1913–20; died 28 March 1972). Two first cousins once removed attended Scotch -- the Wardlaw brothers John (SC 1974–79) and James (SC 1977–82). John’s grandfather, the Rev William Borland, was a Scotch College council member in the 1920s. John lived with his wife at Runaway Bay, Queensland, and died on 7 March 2008.
Dr Frank Hippisley BUCHANAN (’38) was born at East Malvern on 28 September 1921, the son of a company secretary and chief accountant. He attended Scotch from 1935–37. In 1941 he served as a gunner in the AIF before volunteering for service as an ordinary seaman with the RANVR. Frank was posted to HMS Middleton, a Hunt class destroyer operating from Scapa Flow, engaged in anti-submarine duties and escorting convoys to and from the USSR. In October 1942 he was posted to HMS King Alfred, where he was commissioned as a sub-lieutenant. He joined the Coastal Forces and was involved in air-sea rescue work in the Portland and Portsmouth areas.
He played a role in the Normandy invasion in June 1944, before returning to Australia. Frank was appointed CO of a radar repair ship operating in the Celebes. In late 1945 he sailed it back to Sydney, and was demobilised in 1946 as a lieutenant. On 1 June 1946 he married Irene Mary Brown. Frank was the first of three generations of his direct line at Scotch. His sons Geoffrey (SC 1964–68) and Douglas (SC 1968–73) comprised the second generation, with the third generation comprising Angus (SC 1996–2001) and Dougal (SC 2002–07), along with Thomas Grounds (SC 1998–2003) and Tom Jones (SC 2000–05).
Also at Scotch were Frank’s uncle Herbert (SC 1902–04; died 17 April 1967), cousin, John Jennings (SC 1927–29; died 26 May 2006), McCowan nephews Roger (SC 1966–69) and Timothy (SC 1973–76), and great-nephews Eric McCowan (SC 1999–2004) and Simon Burke (SC 2001–06). Frank died on 9 July 2008. His funeral was held at Kew Uniting Church on 14 July 2008. His son Geoffrey provided the following obituary:
Frank was a man of high principle with a set of rock-solid ethics. At Scotch he was a keen cricketer and long-distance runner, and was Dux of Art, a lifelong interest. Frank was very involved in the Ewing Memorial Church, forming lifelong friendships, and consolidating lifelong values. He was later an elder at St David’s in Kyabram, at Rosanna Uniting, and at Kew Uniting.
Leaving employment in the accounts department of BHP, in 1941 Frank joined the RAN Volunteer Reserve as part of the Yachtsmen’s Scheme on secondment to the Royal Navy. He served in destroyers on Russian convoys, writing to his family that he was frequently called to ‘action stations’, which for him was the No. 1 gun on the forecastle, which he described as the coldest part of the ship. The temperature was usually below freezing, they ran through frequent snowstorms, endured a gale, and he celebrated his 21st birthday by becoming an able seaman and being paid for the first time in 10 weeks.
After marrying, Frank became a medical student at Melbourne University. Times were tough, with the arrival of young children, and Frank worked as a postman and as a medical officer at the boxing and at Lord Somers Camp. A bicycle was his transport, with children on the crossbar.
Frank graduated in 1951, did his residency at the Alfred Hospital, and worked in Sydney’s Crown Street Women’s Hospital. He started general practice in Brighton, and in 1955 set up practice in Kyabram. He was always on call, even from the drive-in theatre, where a note for him would be projected onto the screen. Holidays were spent 20 miles away in Shepparton, so he could easily return to deliver a due baby. He was held in very high regard by the people of Kyabram. As a country GP, Frank had tremendous experience of all types of medicine. There was often a psychological component to many of the illnesses he encountered, and he developed an interest in psychiatry.
The family moved to Melbourne in 1965 and Frank returned to university to study psychiatry, and was accepted as a Fellow of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists. He joined a private practice and developed an interest and expertise in alcoholism and other drug addiction. He immersed himself in the field, and wrote texts on the subject. In 1975 Irene and Frank moved to Hobart, where Douglas was studying, and Frank became superintendent of the John Edis Psychiatric Hospital.
On return to Melbourne in 1977, Frank rebuilt a very busy practice, and established psychiatric units at various hospitals. Frank finally retired aged 72. He was a very happy golfer at Latrobe Golf Club with his regular partners of 20 years. Frank, aged 86, died on the golf course – a good place to finish this round. Frank leaves Irene, his daughters Louise and Rosemary, and sons Douglas and Geoffrey, and 12 grandchildren, including the Scotch boys named above.
James Charles Maynard BURNETT (’40) was born at Prahran on 9 August 1924 and attended Scotch from 1936–40. He worked in the telecommunications industry all his working life, with the exception of his war service from 1942–46 in the RAAF, from which he was demobilised as a leading aircraftman. Jim was married at Scotch to Lois Merle McCoombe on 8 May 1954, and had two daughters: Heather and Robyn. Also at Scotch were his brother Keith (SC 1939–41) and nephew Ian (SC 1970–75). Jim lived at Castlemaine, where he died peacefully after a long illness on 31 August 2008. A thanksgiving service was held for him at the Memorial Parlour, Castlemaine, on Friday 5 September 2008.
Jack Louis CADBY (’27) was born at St Kilda on 18 May 1912, the son of a farmer, as Louis Lawrence Cadby, but was known throughout his life as Jack Louis Cadby. He attended Scotch from 31 May 1927 to December 1927. From 1939–40 he was a gunner in the AIF, and he became a lieutenant after further service from 1944–47. Also at Scotch were Jack’s brothers Alan (SC 1928–31; died 30 October 1990) and Lawrence (SC 1930–35; died 16 October 2008: see obituary below). Jack lived at Bentley, Western Australia, and Scotch has recently learned he died on 19 December 2003.
Lawrence CADBY (’39) was born at St Kilda on 31 May 1922, the third son of Clarice and Lawrence Cadby, and attended Scotch from 1930–35, albeit being away during 1933. He was proud to the end of his days to have been a Scotch boy. His brothers (see above) were also at Scotch. He was a member of the Junior School football teams of 1934 and 1935, leaving to work on the family hobby farm at Berwick aged almost 14. He later became a carpenter. Lawrence served in World War II as a sapper from 1943–44, seeing active service off Townsville, where, as a despatch rider, he recalled being chased by a Japanese aeroplane.
He married Dorothy and had three daughters: Clair, Kay and Lynne (died 1983). Lawrence retired to a hobby farm at Meeniyan, Victoria, later moving to Leongatha. His last year was spent at Domain Seahaven at Inverloch. He died at Domain Seahaven on 16 October 2008, survived by his younger sister Mary, two daughters, grandchildren Ernestina, Barry, Nicholas, Timothy and Katelyn, and great grandchildren Braydon and Jett. There was a tribute to him by the RSL at his funeral at the Handley Funeral Services Chapel at Leongatha on Saturday 25 October 2008. Lawrence was interred in the Meeniyan Cemetery. His eldest daughter Clair provided information for this obituary.
Jack Ronald CARR (’32) was born at Hawthorn on 28 June 1916 and attended Scotch from 1930–32. He served in the AIF from 1940 until an unknown date, and again from 1942–46, achieving the rank of captain. Jack lived at Manly, and later moved to a nursing home in Ashfield, NSW. He died at Ashfield on 7 September 2008, and a celebration of his life was held at St Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, Manly, on Thursday 11 September 2008.
Benjamin CARRUTHERS (’40) was born at Malvern on 25 February 1924, the son of a tailor, and was one of three brothers to attend Scotch. He attended Scotch from 1938–40 as a member of Lawson House, as did his brother Harry, while John attended from 1943–45. Ben was active in cadets at Scotch, and served in the AIF from 1943–46, attaining the rank of corporal. He married Roma, and had a son, three grandchildren, and two great grandchildren. Ben worked for the ANZ, where he became a bank manager, and he became an honorary member of the ANZ Retired Bank Officers’ Club. In 1970 he became a life member of the Lions Club of Mordialloc-Mentone Inc, and from 1984 he was a trustee of Cheltenham Cemeteries. He was a member of the Bentleigh RSL, and was a Freemason in Ebden Lodge No. 871. Ben died on 1 September 2008, surrounded by his family. His funeral was held in the Weeroona Chapel at Bunurong Memorial Park on Monday 8 September 2008.
David Winton Laing CHEONG (’27) was born at Ringwood on 14 July 1914, the son of a merchant. He attended Scotch in 1927 and in 1937 he married Valerie Joan Gertrude Massey. He later married Inge. David was an aircraft engineer, and worked for Thiess. He was a third generation Scotch Collegian. His grandfather, Cheok Hong Cheong, was born in China in January 1854, attended Scotch from 1870–74, and died on 20 June 1928. His cousin James attended from 1925–28 (died 30 November 1995) and his uncles were James (SC 1886–88, Melbourne Grammar School 1889–90; died 3 October 1941) and Joshua (SC 1888–90, Melbourne Grammar School 1890–91; died 13 September 1928). In our ongoing efforts to locate ‘missing’ old boys we recently learned David died at Mackay, Queensland, on 20 June 1992.
Dr Russell Geoffrey COLE VRD (’38) was born at Hawthorn on 28 October 1920 and attended Scotch from 1927–38 as a member of Lawson House. He was a member of the under 13 cricket team in 1933. Russell was a private in the Melbourne University Rifles, which he joined in 1941. He graduated MB BS DA from Melbourne University in 1944, and stated he served in the RANVR from 1944–48. Further studies gave him the qualifications of FFARES, FFARACS, FRCA AND FANZCA. He became the director of anaesthetics at the Royal Melbourne Hospital. Russell married Ann, and had two daughters. He was a nephew of Charles Russell Cole (SC 1898–1901; died 19 September 1971). Russell died on 2 November 2008 at the Epworth Hospital in Richmond.
Alan Barton DAVIES (’59) was born at Melbourne on 1 November 1940, the son of boot manufacturer, merchant and old boy Noel Theodore Davies (SC 1916--23; died 25 January 1968). As did many of his family, Alan attended Trinity Grammar School (1947–53) before attending Scotch from 1954–59. Alan worked in accounts at the Ford Motor Company before commencing a career in sales and marketing at Kodak and later at Shulton, the makers of Old Spice.
Alan’s brother Bruce attended Scotch from 1951–55, as did their uncles Reginald (SC 1916--19; died 11 August 1985), Geoffrey (SC 1916–19) and Hu (short for Hubert, who attended 1916–20; died 30 July 1949) and Thomson great-uncles Peter (SC 1876–77; died 18 December 1938), William (SC 1878–84; died 6 December 1942) and Walter (SC 1892–98; died 29 December 1922). Alan did not marry, and had no children. A nephew, Gerry Davies, attended Melbourne Grammar School (1985–92). Alan lived in retirement at Yarrawonga, and died there on 28 July 2008. His funeral service was held at the Le Pine Chapel in Camberwell on Wednesday 20 August 2008.
John Malcolm DIXON (’39) was born at Foster on 8 June 1922, and attended Scotch from 1935–39. He served in the AIF from 1942–45, attaining the rank of corporal. John returned to Scotch to marry Betty Alison Hall on 8 December 1951. He worked as an engineer. John died at home at Kew on 27 July 2008. His funeral service was held at the Le Pine Chapel, Camberwell, on Friday 1 August 2008.
Peter James GAUNT (’45) Peter’s date of birth was inadvertently omitted in the obituary in the September 2008 edition of Great Scot. Peter was born at New Plymouth, New Zealand, on 24 September 1927 and died on 27 February 2007.
Alfred Edwards (Fred) GAZE (’40) The obituary by Fred’s widow below sets out details of his life. Fred had a long and extensive family connection with Scotch. He was the brother of George (SC 1933–41) and Ken (SC 1939–49; died 11 January 1991), and uncle of Keith (SC 1962–69), Douglas (SC 1965–74) and David (SC 1970–74) and the Ramsay brothers Andrew (SC 1966–71), Don (SC 1969–74) and Malcolm (SC 1973–78). Fred’s grandfather, Samuel Summons, was a Melbourne Grammar School boy from MGS’s first year in 1858, leaving in 1863. He taught at Scotch from approximately 1870 and died on 21 July 1923. His sons were Fred’s uncles Henry (SC 1895–96; died 30 April 1933), Walter (SC 1896–98; died 10 May 1970) and Hedley (SC 1916 – ?; died 16 January 1967). Their sons were Fred’s cousins John (SC 1930–33; died 9 February 1983), Walter (SC 1934–37; died 27 December 1990), Robin (SC 1938–40; died 5 June 1990) and John (SC 1944–47). Fred’s Summons first cousins once removed were Timothy (SC 1962–66), Peter (SC 1963–68), Andrew (SC 1967–71), Michael (SC 1966–76) and Nicholas (SC 1973–85). Fred’s Summons first cousins twice removed were Walter (SC 2000–05) and Robin (Year 10).
Fred was born at Kew on 9 May 1923 and commenced at Scotch in 1933, after earlier attending Trinity Grammar School (TGS 1930–32). He was at Scotch until 1940. While at Scotch, Fred competed in rowing, stroking the School’s 7th VIII, and in his last year the School 4th VIII. He also stroked the Lawson House crew and was awarded his House colours.
After leaving Scotch, Fred commenced a Bachelor of Commerce degree at Melbourne University. He successfully completed his first year in 1941, and then enlisted in the RAAF. His initial pilot training was in Australia. He was then sent to Canada to complete his training, and after receiving his commission as a pilot officer, was sent to Britain. He spent most of his time in England in Norfolk with an RAF Coastal Command Squadron and finished the war as a flying instructor with the rank of squadron leader. Fred returned to Australia in August 1945 and joined the staff of the British Phosphate Commissioners. He recommenced his commerce degree part time in 1946 and graduated early in 1950.
Fred and his family were sent to New Zealand by the British Phosphate Commissioners in 1959, and returned to Melbourne in 1964 when he was appointed assistant general manager (Distribution). He held that position until early in 1974 when he was appointed deputy general manager. In 1975 he was appointed general manager and held this appointment until mid 1981 when the organisation was wound up. In July 1981 he started a new company for the Fertiliser Manufacturers of Australia (The Australian Phosphate Corporation) and was general manager of that company until he retired in 1983.
Fred married Pamela Ferguson on 7 November 1944 in London, and they had two daughters, Jane and Sally. Pamela died in 1971 and on 30 November 1974 he married Joyce Mary Clarke in the Littlejohn Memorial Chapel at Scotch. Fred died on 2 August 2008.
Dr Alan Robertson GILCHRIST (’38) was born on 18 March 1921 in a private hospital on Gurwood Street, Wagga Wagga, NSW, the son of an AMP representative. Also known as Glen, he attended Scotch from 1936–38 as a boarder in McMeckan until term three 1938, when, as a senior boarder, he was moved into the new boarding house, Arthur Rob, where he became a boarding house prefect. He was a cadet, and a member of the Guard.
As a boarder with rugby playing experience in NSW, he was forced to play rugby from the time of his arrival at Scotch and became a lifelong supporter of Scotch rugby. It is unclear whether he played in the 1st XV (See obituary for Arnold Gilchrist) In 1995 he recalled his genuine surprise at the quality of boarding house food, which included barramundi on Fridays. With perhaps less enthusiasm he recalled being ‘many times flung into the mud on the rugby field by Melbourne Grammar!’ In recent years he could be seen supporting from the sidelines, revelling in Scotch’s recent rugby successes, and he enjoyed speaking to, and inspiring the boys in the bumblebee jumpers.
Alan was a private in the Melbourne University Rifles, which he joined in 1941. He studied Medicine at Melbourne University from 1939–44, followed by two years on the resident medical staff of the Alfred Hospital. Alan was registrar in pathology for one of those two years. He went on several Australian National Antarctic Research Expeditions (ANARE) to the Antarctic in 1947–49, 1952, 1963, and 1968–69, and held the role of medical officer. Two geographical features are named after him: Gilchrist Beach, a red oceanic beach of sand, shingle and rock on the north coast of Heard Island (which he visited in 1948) and the Gilchrist Aiguilles, a series of sharp rocky peaks 2–3km long, which Alan climbed and photographed on Heard Island in 1952. Some of the photographs were taken by hanging suspended in icy silent crevices, and he narrowly avoided being hit by a bouncing boulder in a rock chute. The first detailed maps resulted from these photographs. He was awarded the Australian Antarctic Medallion for services to Australia in Antarctica.
Alan was then in general practice in Omeo (and later at Williamstown), where he met widow Joyce Dawn Thompson, whom he married at Scotch on 4 January 1968. He became a stepfather to her three children. Alan was a cousin of the Clendinnen brothers Ian (SC 1933–44) and Ken (SC 1935–47; died 12 October 1998) and all three were grandsons of James Lang Robertson (SC 1873–74; died 4 May 1929). Alan’s professional career ended as public health medical officer in the Victorian State Health Department through which he enjoyed promoting the introduction of Rubella vaccinations to children in country schools. He was a member of the Austrian Club in Heidelberg, and enjoyed dancing there, as well as using his schoolboy German. Alan died at home on 22 August 2008 and his funeral was held at St. John’s Anglican Church, Heidelberg on Wednesday 3 September 2008.
Arnold Archibald GILCHRIST (’38) was born at Kogarah, NSW, on 31 January 1920, the son of the managing director of Sale radio station 3TR. He attended Scotch from 1936–38. He is named in the 1938 1st XV as A A Gilchrist from which this photograph was taken. Although Dr A R Gilchrist was a keen rugby player, the photograph above is clearly not of him, and yet Arnold’s student record does not record him as playing rugby. Can anybody confirm which of the Gilchrists played in the 1st XV? Arnold served in the RAAF from 1941–45, becoming a flying officer. He died on 26 October 2008.
Harold Macgregor (Greg) GILLESPIE (’39) was born at Caulfield on 17 April 1923, the son of surveyor and old boy James George Gillespie (Melbourne Grammar School 1905–07, SC 1908–16; died 21 May 1987). Greg attended Scotch from 1936–39 as a member of Lawson House. He was a sergeant colonel in cadets, and Lawson House captain of music. He worked for G R Gillespie of ‘Honeymah’, Dirranbandi, Queensland from 1940–41. From 1942–45 he served in the AIF, attaining the rank of corporal, and seeing service in New Guinea and Bougainville.
He farmed under the name Berry Bank Pty Ltd at Berrybank, Victoria, from 1946–75, and from 1978–91 had an orchard farm at Lismore. On 22 November 1950 at the Toorak Presbyterian Church he married Timothy [sic] ‘Tammy’ Street and their son Geoffrey attended Scotch from 1966–69. From 1946–92 he was an officer of the CFA, and in 1977 he was awarded the Queen’s Fire Brigade Long Service and Good Conduct Medal for service to the CFA, especially for mapping. Greg was awarded a National Medal for long service to the CFA in 1990.
From 1961 he was a member of Warrnambool Legacy, and its president in 1980. Greg was president of the Lismore sub-branch of the RSL. He was secretary of the Lismore branch of the Liberal Party, secretary of the Lismore branch of the Graziers’ Association, secretary and treasurer of the Peterborough Golf Club Inc, and held office or was a member of a host of other bodies in Berrybank, Lismore and Peterborough. In 1966 he was president of the OSCA’s Western District branch.
Among his many relations at Scotch were uncles Robert (Melbourne Grammar School 1900–05, SC 1906–10; died 25 April 1915 at the Gallipoli landing) and George (SC 1911–15; died 18 June 1982), grandfather Joseph Mack (Geelong Grammar School and SC 1859–62; died 21 July 1926) and great uncle Austin Mack (SC circa 1856–57, Geelong Grammar School 1858; died 4 June 1918). Greg died at South West Care, Warrnambool, on 9 October 2008.
Donald Hector GREIG (’39) was born at Elwood on 17 September 1921, the son of a warehouseman and director of Greig Bros Limited. He left Brighton Grammar School due to illness (BGS 1930–33) and attended Scotch from 1936–39 as a member of Lawson House. Donald was a member of the Scotch Dramatic Society in 1938, and participated in one-act plays. In 1939 he was a member of the swimming team, and captain of the Lawson swimming team. From 1942–45 he served in the AIF, becoming a lieutenant.
On 27 May 1947 Donald married Gwendolyn Margaret Davis at Scotch. He graduated from Melbourne University with a BCom in 1948 and became an associate of the Australian Society of Accountants (AASA). Donald was joint managing director of Greig Bros Pty Ltd. From 1958 until his death he was a member of the Rotary Club of Melbourne (being a director in 1964–65), with other interests being sailing, snooker and billiards. Donald’s brother Robert attended Scotch in 1936, having also earlier been at Brighton Grammar School. Donald died on 3 September 2003.
Graham David Stuart GREIG (’61) was born at Canberra on 11 January 1944, the son of chemist and old boy David Lindsay Greig (SC 1926–27; died 23 August 1968). He left Canberra Grammar School to attend Scotch as a member of Littlejohn House and a boarder in Arthur Rob from 1958–61. He married Christine Brock at Bungendore, NSW. Along with his brother Robert (SC 1962–64), Graham was a third generation Scotch Collegian. As well as their father, their uncle Harry attended Scotch (SC 1918–20; died 1 July 1993), while another uncle, Norman, was on staff from 1910--14 and was killed at Gallipoli on 12 July 1915. Graham’s grandfather David attended Scotch from 1877–1880 (died 2 October 1962 aged 99). Graham died at home at Sutton, NSW, on 6 April 2007.
Owen Elton GRIFFITHS (’59) was born on 3 August 1942 and attended Scotch from 1948–59. Owen died suddenly in the early hours of the morning of 4 September 2008 after a battle with cancer. His funeral service was held at Leonda on Wednesday 10 September 2008, after which he was buried in the Burwood Cemetery.
Neil Stanley GUERIN (’40) was born at Camberwell on 15 October 1924, and left Mont Albert Central School to attend Scotch from 1937–40. He was a member of Lawson House, and was dux in Leaving Physics. In 1944 he graduated with a Bachelor of Civil Engineering from Melbourne University, and in 1945 he was a pilot officer in the RAAF. On 13 April 1947 he married Joy Beith Reid.
Neil became deputy engineer in chief with the Country Roads Board (now VicRoads) and wrote many technical papers on freeway planning and traffic. From 1970–89 he was the chairman of the Municipal Engineers Board, was on the council of the Carnsworth Nursing Home from 1993, and from 1986–87 was the president of the Rotary Club of Kew. He was also a member of the Kew Golf Club. Neil’s brother Bruce attended Scotch from 1934–36 (died 3 August 1987) and his son Andrew attended from 1968–73, rowing in the winning 1973 Head of the River crew. Neil died suddenly at home on 12 September 2008 and a service to celebrate his life was held at the South Hawthorn Uniting Church on Wednesday 17 September 2008. His family provided the following obituary:
Neil gained a scholarship to Scotch College where he finished with excellent results at the age of 16. He was offered a free place at Melbourne University, obtaining an honours degree in civil engineering aged only 20.
Wartime authorities sent him to help construction work at the Bandiana Army base where he met Joy, his future wife. He won a scholarship to Yale University, studying traffic engineering. Upon his return to Australia, he was a pioneer of this discipline at the Country Roads Board.
He spent much of his working life as a traffic planner, making roads safer and encouraging governments to understand the simple equation of investment in better roads and the resulting savings of life. For over 50 years he was an active member of the Institution of Engineers Australia, Victoria Division. He was a thorough and highly skilled engineer. His interests focused around his family, church and music. He sang in local church choirs and a barber’s shop quartet. Neil was an elder of his local church at South Hawthorn.
His brilliant mind was kept active with travel, Rotary, writing his family history, golf and mastering email to keep in contact with his grandchildren. His youngest grandchild benefited from his tutoring in a recent VCE examination where she gained exceptional results. Neil always recognised the great assistance Scotch gave him and his brother, and he was a great advocate for the School. Neil assisted as a year leader for the annual giving program. He was a gentleman and a fine example to all who knew him.
Robert Winston GURNEY (’58) was born on 24 October 1940 and attended Scotch from 1954–58 as a member of Lawson-MacFarland House. His brother Hugh was at Scotch from 1957–62. On 23 December 1966 Robert married Ursula (Uschi) Anna Gendera at Scotch. Robert studied Architecture at RMIT and graduated in 1968, following which he practised that profession. Robert had one daughter. He died on 16 October 2008.
Peter Charles HALL (’58). Peter’s death was reported in the September 2008 edition of Great Scot as having occurred on 12 April 2008. Scotch has since been informed this was not the Peter Charles Hall who attended Scotch. The Scotch Collegian of that name actually died at Prahran on 15 July 1988 aged 46, and his funeral service was conducted by the Rev Alec Fraser on 20 July 1988. He was the father of Simon (SC 1984–87), and of Glenn (SC 1986–89), who informed us of this error.
Derek Seymour HAWKER (’35) was born at Reading, United Kingdom, on 21 August 1920, the son of an engineer and agent. He attended Scotch from 1933–35 before leaving to attend Geelong Grammar School. Derek died at Hamilton on 13 July 2008 and a memorial service was held at Christ Church Anglican Church, Hamilton, on Friday 18 July 2008. The following obituary has been prepared by lifelong friend Mervyn Pizzey:
Born in England, he came to Australia with his parents and elder brother Peter. The family lived in Fairy Hills and Ivanhoe, and he was educated at both Scotch College and Geelong Grammar. Derek had a great love of the land and took not a few of his holidays from Geelong Grammar at ‘Dillowie’ and ‘McCoy’s Well’, then jackarooed at ‘Bungaree’. All were Hawker family properties in South Australia.
On the outbreak of World War II he enlisted in the 2/27th Battalion in the 2nd AIF (SX6430) on 27 April 1940, and served in the Intelligence section in Palestine, Egypt and Syria. On his return to Australia from the Middle East he was transferred to the 2/9th Battalion ‘C’ Company, where he was commissioned, serving in Darwin and New Guinea. He was posted to Bathurst on his return to Australia, and it was here he met and in August 1945 married Elaine Denniston.
On his discharge from the army in 1945 he took up a temporary job jackarooing on a property in NSW to get the feel of the land again after a long stint in the armed forces, after which he bought a property in Blackfield, west of Benalla. Here, he farmed for a few years until he joined his father in the family business of Hawker Richardson, being its managing director from 1952–75.
During this period he was chairman of the Australian British Trade Association (Vic) and its federal vice-president from 1971–73. The company was sold to Repco, after which he took up his love of the land by buying ‘Bryngola’ at Digby in 1974, where he farmed sheep and cattle. He and Elaine lived here until his retirement, when they moved to Hamilton. Derek was a true patriot, a wonderful husband and father, a very successful businessman and farmer, a wonderful friend, and a man with a profound knowledge of his country area. He is survived by his wife, son and daughter, and many grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Donald Wilfred HOBBS (’48) was born at Carnegie on 28 October 1930, the son of an accountant, and attended Scotch from 1945–48. On 15 November 1963 he married Coral Lillian Wilson, of Geelong, at Scotch, and they honeymooned in Tasmania. They had three daughters: Serena, Melanie and Sophie. A grandson is booked to attend Scotch. Donald died on 22 July 2008 at the Warringal Private Hospital, Heidelberg, and was buried at the Eltham Cemetery after a service at the Le Pine Chapel, Eltham, on 29 July 2008. The following is extracted from his funeral service:
Don was a keen participant in the Scouting movement, from Cubs to Rovers, and in 2004 he was presented with a medallion from 13th Malvern Scout Group commemorating that long membership.
At Scotch, Don loved the teamwork, precision, and the speed of the 2nd VIII. Don went to RMIT, studying Electrical Engineering, focusing on radio, in the burgeoning new field of electronics. He worked for Radiocorp, later going on to Astor [which was to be taken over by Philips], and became involved in the glass-blowing processes of making television tubes and screens in Abbotsford.
From the age of 16 Don lived for jazz. He became a master of the clarinet, and a handy saxophonist and flautist as well. He played in numerous dance bands over the years at town halls, the popular social outlet of the times.
Don started Eltham Woodwind and Brass through which he made many trips to the US, and was a wholesaler, importer, retailer and repairer of oboes, clarinets, flutes, trombones, trumpets, cornets and tubas.
Don was the skilled owner and pilot of Austin Healey Sprites, including one used by Stirling Moss. At the Templestowe Hillclimbs he attained a bristling time of 28 seconds in the climb at Rob Roy.
After 33 years of marriage, Don tracked down Betty Norris, a long-lost flame, and she became his partner for the remainder of his life. Together they played with the band ‘Nostalgic Goodman & their Lady’ at jazz festivals everywhere. Diagnosed with oesophageal cancer five years before his death, as late as last year Don went to Tassie to be part of the Bronte Park Festival. While life still held much enjoyment, the disease continued to spread, and Don spent his last three weeks in the Warringal Private Hospital, surrounded by his family.
Peter James Makinson HOWARD (’49) was born on Christmas Day, 1931. He left Glamorgan (which he attended 1937–40) to attend Scotch from 1941–49. After leaving school he was a jackaroo. In 1954 he married Mary Bedggood, and then managed a farm for a number of years before joining the Shell Company. With Shell he was based at Maryborough in central Victoria for five years. Peter then joined Hoechst Australia and for the rest of his working life travelled throughout Australia, firstly in sales and later in management. Peter’s two sons attended Scotch: Jim (SC 1969–74) and David (SC 1974–76), as did his grandson Patrick (SC 2003–04). His daughter, Susan, attended Fintona, and he had nine grandchildren. Peter died on 15 October 2008, and a service to celebrate his life was held at St John’s Church, Toorak, on Wednesday 22 October 2008.
Dr Norman Reynolds JAMES (’22) was born at Horsham on 12 July 1908 and was the 29th boy to enter the Scotch College Junior School on the new Scotch College campus at Hawthorn on 7 February 1916. The new Scotch was at his doorstep as he was living at Hawthorn Glen, Hawthorn. Norman attended Scotch until 1922, after which he attended Geelong Grammar School, which was also attended by his cousin, former Geelong College student Frederick Noel Bolton Newman, later a teacher at GGS from 1929–66, and father of John William Noel ‘Sam’ Newman.
Norman had these impressive qualifications: LRCP&S (Edin), DA (RCPS, Eng), FFARCS, and FFARACS. He was resident anaesthetist at the North Staffordshire Royal Infirmary in 1937 and at the Royal Hospital, Wolverhampton, in 1938. In 1939 he became assistant to the Department of Anaesthesia at Oxford University (Nuffield Foundation), and in 1942 became the specialist anaesthetist to the UK Ministry of Health. From 1942--47 he held a UK Medical Research Council yearly grant for his work on regional analgesia in the treatment of traumatic injuries, and in 1948 the Australian National Health and Medical Research Council gave him a grant for anaesthetic investigation.
From 1949 until the early 1960s he was the inaugural director of anaesthesia at the Royal Melbourne Hospital, and was adviser in resuscitation and anaesthesia to the Hospitals and Charities Commission of Victoria. Among his publications was 1943’s ‘Regional Analgesia for Intra-abdominal Surgery’.
Norman married Maud H. Morris on 16 September 1938, and had three sons (who attended Melbourne Grammar School) and a daughter. In 1960 he was recruited by Dr M T Pepper Jenkins to teach anaesthesiology at the Parkland Memorial Hospital in Dallas, Texas, USA, from 1960 until his retirement in 1974. It was to this hospital, during Norman’s tenure, on 22 November 1963, that President John F Kennedy was rushed following his shooting in Dallas.
Norman was regarded as a multi-talented, highly accomplished clinician, teacher and innovator on three continents. He was dubbed England’s foremost exponent of regional anaesthesia, and in Australia there were many innovations to his credit, including a serious effort to reform anaesthetic practice.
Norman was one of a number of Scotch boys whose achievements were unknown to Scotch, which knew nothing of him after 1922. It was only following the death of Les Barker, when attempting to account for all the 1916 pioneers of the Scotch College Junior School at Hawthorn that his accomplishments were revealed. He died in Texas on 11 May 1987 and was buried at Winnsboro, Wood, Texas.
John Percy JONES (’50) was born on 16 April 1932, the son of farmer, grazier, and Old Boy Arthur Norman Alwyn Jones (Camberwell Grammar School, and SC 1924–26; died 27 March 1986). John was named after his paternal grandfather, and attended Scotch from 1939–49 as a member of Littlejohn House, and as a boarder in both McMeckan and School Houses. He was a member of the under 13 cricket team in 1944, and was also involved in football, tennis, athletics, swimming, cadets and Scouts. John became a self-employed managing director, and his interests included motor racing, flying and boating. He married Prue, and their two sons attended Scotch: Richard (SC 1988–91) and Bill (SC 1989–95). John’s brother Neill attended Scotch from 1946–51 (died 25 October 1998). John died on 27 September 2008. A cremation service was held on Monday 6 October 2008 at the Conway Funeral Home Chapel in Wodonga.
Lynton John KECK (’64) was born at Richmond on 1 August 1946, the son of a squadron leader, and came to Scotch from Georgia, USA. He attended Scotch from 1960–64, becoming a probationer in his final year. ‘Faf’ Fleming (SC 1922–25; died 29 December 1963) was his godfather. His brother Scott attended Scotch from 1964–69, and his nephews at Scotch were Ben (SC 1995–2000), Tim (SC 1995–2003) and Jonathan (SC 2000–08). Lynton married Susan Margaret Dorling at Scotch on 24 April 1971, and was then working as a finance officer. The Keck Family Room in the James Forbes Academy at Scotch commemorates the generosity of the Keck family. Lynton died on 17 August 2008 as a result of an accident.
Erich Adolph KOTTMANN (’32) was born at Hawthorn on 30 July 1916, the son of a piano maker and tuner who was brought out to Australian by Allans. He attended Scotch from 1928–32. His widow, Mavis (nee Trevorrow) Kottmann described his education at Scotch as being wonderful and rewarding. She also remembers with pleasure their marriage at Scotch on 7 November 1942. Mavis expressed her deep appreciation for the time spent at Scotch by both Eric and their son Gary (SC 1956–64). Eric’s great nephew, Andrew Weir, attended Scotch from 1986–91. Eric was an engineer. He died at Paynesville on 4 October 2008, surrounded by his family.
Peter William Fielding LUCAS (’52) was born at Armadale on 10 September 1935, the son of the deputy town clerk of Malvern. He won a junior entrance scholarship to Scotch, which he attended from 1950–53 as a member of Morrison House. He was a range sergeant in cadets, and a member of the library committee.
Peter became a company secretary, and an FCPA and FCIS. From 1970–76 he was secretary of the Old Scotch Collegians’ Association Athletics Club, and from 1977–91 was treasurer of Athletics NSW. He continued his interest in athletics as a track referee. Peter’s brother is the Hon Neil Lucas (SC 1959–64). Peter died at Istanbul, Turkey, on 3 October 2008 while on an overseas holiday. His brother provided the following obituary:
Peter matriculated in 1953, holding membership of the Library Committee, sergeant in the Cadets and an organiser of House athletics events and standards. He qualified as both an accountant and as a company secretary and pursued a career in the financial side of shipping with P&O, and then moved to the insurance arm of the business, which culminated in his appointment as the Australasian finance director of insurance broking company Bain Dawes, based in Sydney.
Peter continued his interest in athletics following his time at Scotch. In the mid-1960s Peter was an official for Old Scotch at inter-club athletics meetings. He took on a career as a timekeeper. Peter had the joy of recording the times and records for many famous Australians and visiting athletes, and was an expert in electronic timing. He officiated at school carnivals and in regional areas.
His interest in the rules and intricacies of managing athletics events saw him act as an official at the Sydney Olympics, the Commonwealth Games in Brisbane and Melbourne, and at a multitude of athletics meetings, including attendance as representative of Athletics Australia at the Athletics World Cup meeting held in Rome in 1981. Peter was timekeeper for a number of world records set by Ron Clarke.
Peter’s huge contribution to athletics in Australia was recognised through a Centenary Medal and the Australian Sports Medal, together with life membership of Athletics Australia and Athletics New South Wales. In 2005, Peter received the NSW State Annual Sports Award for distinguished long service to athletics, and just this year received the NSW President’s Award.
Peter was a member of Rotary International at the St Leonard’s Club in Sydney. Peter was inducted into the club in August 1976, and was the club president in 1986–87. In 1997 Peter was awarded a Paul Harris Fellowship for his outstanding services to Rotary. Peter is survived by his sister Judy and brother Neil.
Dr Alan Scott MALCOLM (’42) was born at East Malvern on 31 August 1924, and attended Scotch from 1938–42 as a member of Morrison House. He recalled being a member of the 1st hockey team and a CSM in cadets. His three sons attended Scotch: Alasdair (SC 1966–70), Stewart (SC 1968–71) and Max (SC 1975–77), as did his cousin Robert Miller (SC 1940–43). Alan died peacefully at home on 3 September 2008. His funeral service was held at the Sandringham Uniting Church on Monday 8 September 2008. Alan’s family provided the following obituary:
Dr Alan Scott Malcolm had fond memories of his school days, including playing the bugle or flugelhorn with both the Scotch and Wesley cadet corps during the time in World War II when Wesley’s senior school was located at Scotch. He graduated from Melbourne University with a Bachelor of Dental Science in 1947.
After some years in private practice, he joined the staff of the dental faculty at Melbourne University. His high standards and patience with the dental students were appreciated by the many he taught over the years.
His own studies continued with a Master of Dental Science (1961), followed by a doctorate in 1981, with his thesis being a study of the effects of fluoride on bone. Due to inadequate university funding, he had to make some of the equipment needed for this research project, which involved many nights in his workshop with a lathe and oxy welder. This laboratory equipment remains in use today, with no one quite sure anyone will be able to fix it if it breaks down!
In 1983 he spent part of his sabbatical year with an enjoyable period in the School of Physiology at the Glasgow University. Alan retired in 1989 but continued as a part-time tutor. He continued his interest in medical history, studying the history and philosophy of science, obtaining a BA (1996) followed by a BLitt (2000). His wide range of interests included being a Rover Scout leader until 1973, and a captain in the Army Reserve. He enjoyed the bagpipes, and especially pibroch.
He married Alison Mary Campbell in 1951, and in addition to their sons at Scotch had a daughter, Rosemary. Alan was very grateful for the opportunity to attend Scotch, and felt this helped him on his lifelong path of service to others, personal responsibility, and the maintenance of high standards.
Raymond George MALLETT (’50) was born on 29 January 1933 and attended Scotch from 1948 until early 1950. He married Maureen I T Hayes at Scotch on 24 June 1967. Raymond died on 16 October 2008.
Frank Ian Russell (Skip) MARTIN (’47) was born at Melbourne on 15 April 1929, the son of Old Wesley Collegian and Supreme Court judge Fred Russell Beauchamp Martin. ‘Skip’ attended Scotch from 1939–47. He was a member of the 1941 Junior School football team, 1947 editor of Satura, and a prefect.
Skip studied Medicine, and in 1951 won the Walter and Eliza Hall Exhibition Award. He graduated MB BS in 1953, taking the Exhibition in Obstetrics and Gynaecology. On Australia Day 1995 he was made a member of the Order of Australia, ‘for service to medicine particularly in the field of endocrinology and diabetes’.
At Scotch on 9 November 1956 Skip married Jane Megan Wearing Smith, and their son Colin attended Scotch from 1972–83. Skip’s brothers were also at Scotch: Bryan – known as Digger – (SC 1931–37; died 26 July 1983) and Colin (SC 1931–37; equal Dux 1937, died 13 November 1946 in a car accident). Their cousin, John Ellingworth (SC 1940–45), came to Scotch to escape the war. Also at Scotch were Skip’s nephew Peter (SC 1954–63), great nephew Scott Wiltshire (SC 1984–92) , Ellingworth first cousins once removed Giles (SC 1974–80) and Casey (SC 1974–82) and Arnold second cousins Bob (SC 1933–44) and Bill (SC 1938–49; died 14 October 2004). Skip died on 16 September 2008.
Classmate Geoff Sinclair started at Scotch with Skip in 1939. He remembered the Junior School was a friendly place, and said they believed the school anthem claiming it as the ‘best of schools’. They spent three hot weeks at army cadet officer training camp at Lerderderg Gorge in January 1946, both becoming cadet lieutenants.
Skip’s assessments of his contemporaries in Satura were brilliant, incisive and humorous. He was motivated to win the 1947 biology Exhibition after biology teacher Vi Woolcock tore strips off Skip for his poor term two exam results.
With other classmates he bought the 16-foot Jubilee ‘Amana’ and sailed it from the Royal Brighton Yacht Club. On the ski fields he was known for his love of langlaufing in his elbow length gauntlets, and enjoying gluhwein. Tennis was a passion, and he played regularly at Kooyong. A member of the University Blues’ 1952 A Grade football premiership team, he was knocked out in a 1951 game and rendered unfit to continue, but he won the Exhibition in the Pathology exam he sat on Monday.
As an intern (first year resident) at the Royal Melbourne Hospital the demanding roster allowed two nights away out of 21. However, it was also a time for partying, aided by the nurses living on site. Skip met his future wife in ward 5 east in 1954.
He was registrar at the Alfred Hospital in 1957–58 before going to Cleveland, Ohio, USA, to a research fellow post. Colleague and Old Melburnian Professor Richard Larkins credits Skip with introducing him to research and setting his career on the path it took. Skip had a similar influence on many others who subsequently became leaders in hospitals and universities throughout the world.
Skip had an interest in the lives of his patients, and respected them, with a particular affinity for migrants, and an interest in the differing prevalence of diabetes in different ethnic and national groups. Skip was chairman of the senior medical staff at RMH, and a founder and stalwart council member of the Australian Diabetes Society. He trained a generation of endocrinologists. In later years Skip wrote The History of Diabetes in Australia and became an active member of the Medical History Society of Australia and New Zealand.
David John MATHEW (’46) was born on 26 November 1928, the son of civil engineer and Old Boy Mungo Scott Mathew (SC 1907–10; died 17 June 1970). David attended Scotch from 1941–46 as a member of Morrison House. Also at Scotch were his cousins Sandy (SC 1938–40; died 1 September 2003), Bruce (SC 1941–45), John (SC 1950–53) and Robert (SC 1950–55), and John Henderson (SC 1937–39; died 26 November 1943 during service with the RAAF). Also at Scotch were his uncles John (SC 1904–08; died 20 May 1969), Alexander (SC 1909–13; died 28 September 1975), and Randolph (SC 1910–14; died 15 May 1981), and his great-uncle, Thomas Scott (SC 1881–82; died 8 July 1934). David was a retired Reuters journalist who lived at Siesta Key, Florida, USA, and died at home on 16 September 2008. The following is extracted from newspaper tributes to him:
David was working for the Australian Associated Press in the 1950s when he came to the USA. Initially based in New York, he went to Washington, where he began his affiliation with Reuters. He was active in Washington from the 1950s to 1970, in a fascinating period in US history, covering Presidents Eisenhower, Kennedy, Johnson and Nixon. He sometimes accompanied them on Air Force One as a member of the press corps. In 1970 he transferred to Reuter’s London bureau, where he worked as night editor of its British news coverage, and he later worked on its world desk.
He was a stickler for details, with an intolerance of bad grammar and syntax which prompted him to rewrite Reuter’s in-house stylebook. Journalists could rely on him to ensure their work was error-free before it was distributed around the world. They benefited from his mentoring skills, and his high sense of humour helped ease the stress of the job. He had an amazing memory, and astounded many who took him on in trivia competitions. He was a stalwart of the Reuters Golf Society, where he was a prodigious hitter of the ball until age took its toll.
He retired in 1991 and moved to Florida with his wife, becoming a US citizen several years later. He is survived by Hilda, his wife of 51 years, son Steve, of England, and daughter Mrs Denise Wright, also of England, as well as two grandchildren. Another son, Geoffrey, predeceased David, and memorial donations for David were consequently requested to be made to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation in New York. A private funeral was held in Sarasota and a memorial service was held in England.
Thomas William McCAW ED (’38). Tom’s son Lachie has prepared the following obituary:
Tom was born in Hawthorn on 28 February 1922, the only son of industrial chemist William John McCaw, and attended Scotch from 1932–38. His recollections of school life have been documented by historian Janet McCalman in her book ‘Journeyings – the biography of a middle class generation 1920–1990’, and he retained a strong interest in Scotch throughout his life.
Tom enlisted in the 5th Battalion (Victorian Scottish Regiment) in 1941 and served in Western Australia, the Northern Territory and at Balikpapan, being demobilised from 7th Division Headquarters in 1946. Tom married Patricia Hall at the Littlejohn Chapel on 8 September 1951 and raised three children, including son Lachlan (SC 1964–75). His working career was spent with the Melbourne and Metropolitan Board of Works in the field of records management.
Tom had lifelong interests in photography, geography and railways, and was a founding member of the Victorian branch of the Australian Railway Historical Society. He was also active in the Citizen Military Forces from the time of the Korean War until 1972, retiring with the honorary rank of major in the Intelligence Corps and being awarded the Efficiency Decoration. Tom died in Melbourne on 19 July 2008 after a short illness. A service celebrating his life was held at the Le Pine Chapel, Kew East, on Friday 25 July 2008.
Robert Jarrett McCULLAGH (’25) was born at South Melbourne on 17 August 1908 and attended Scotch from 1923–25 at its new Hawthorn campus. He followed in the footsteps of his brother John (SC 1919–?; died 14 April 1978). Bob began working for a Melbourne firm which sent him by ship to San Francisco, California, USA. He then worked in Kansas City, Kansas, and Chicago, Illinois, in the Merchandise Mart building, constructed in 1930, which remains the world’s largest commercial building. He recalled being asked by Americans from whence he came, and upon replying ‘Australia’ would be asked in which part of the USA it could be found!
His company then sent him to work in London, where he developed a lifelong interest in politics and became a London County Councillor and deputy head of the-then London County Council. Always interested in his local community, Bob was chairman of local pressure group, the Alderbourne Valley Environmental Protection Group.
He unsuccessfully stood for Parliament in 1950, after which he concentrated on his business career. Bob worked for the US multinational National Cash Register (NCR) company, which was a computer and business machine company. Starting as a salesman, he became director of NCR (UK). He was a magistrate, and chairman of the London Magistrates’ Association. Bob was an ardent cricket fan who started at Scotch on the same day as future Test cricketer Ben Barnett (’25), and they remained best friends until Ben’s death.
Bob was the Australian representative on the Royal Commonwealth Life Saving Association, and as a keen golfer was president of Gerrards Cross Golf Club. He had been a member of the Australian Olympic swimming squad, but was unable to represent Australia, believing the squad had been overtrained.
On 5 June 1955 at St. Marylebone, London, he married Helen Paisley Peart, a Canadian from Burlington, Ontario, and his daughter Kirsty was born in 1961. She visited Scotch in 2007, and reported her father was delighted to learn he was the fourth oldest known Old Boy. Always believing in the value of sport and staying active, he died peacefully at home at Gerrards Cross, Buckinghamshire, on 16 March 2008, aged 99.
Alastair Vane McINDOE (’41) was born at Leongatha on 18 October 1922, the son of a farmer. He was a boarder at Scotch from 1940–41. From 1943–46 he served as a private in the AIF, and was a member of the Leongatha RSL. Alastair married Betty Elaine Geer at Scotch on 16 October 1948. His brothers attended Scotch: Robert (SC 1938–39; died 23 December 2007) and Donald (SC 1941–42), as did his cousin William (SC 1952–54), nephew Ward (SC 1966–68) and great nephew Stewart Mitchell (SC 1984–86). Alastair lived at Inverloch and died peacefully in the Leongatha Hospital on 15 August 2008. His funeral was held at St. Andrew’s Uniting Church, Leongatha, on Wednesday 20 August 2008, after which he was interred in the Leongatha Cemetery.
John Lindsay McNAB (’37) was born at Inverell, NSW on 10 September 1919. He attended Scotch from 1934–37, coming by train from Essendon, and recalled getting a detention once for arriving late. John was a member of the 1937 Athletics team. He enlisted in the Melbourne University Rifles in 1940.
John’s brother Donald attended Scotch (SC 1926–32; died 29 August 1996), as did their cousins Finlay (SC 1930–32; died 8 May 2004), Colin (SC 1936–39; died 26 April 1985), Colin (SC 1936–41), Bruce (SC 1937–42; died 21 February 2006), Douglas (SC 1939–44; died 10 June 1958), first cousins once removed Roderick John (SC 1962–67), Neil (SC 1962–69), Sandy (SC 1965–70), Robert (SC 1967–74) , Bruce (SC 1967–76), Donald (SC 1969–80), nephew Angus (SC 1971–82) and first cousins twice removed Finlay (SC 1990–97), Hamish (Year 9) and Will (Year 7). John died suddenly on 21 July 2008. His funeral service was held at St John’s Uniting Church, Essendon, on Monday 28 July 2008.
Jonathan Phelps MEADOWS (’75) was born on 19 January 1958 and attended Scotch from 1964–75. He was a brother of Paul (SC 1962–73) and the uncle of John (Year 10) and Richard (Year 7). Jonathan died of cancer on 25 July 2008. A celebration of his life was held at his brother’s house on Friday 8 August 2008.
John Leslie PARKER (’46) was born at Geelong on 3 April 1930 and attended Scotch from 1939–46. He was a Junior School class captain in 1940. His brother Geoffrey attended Scotch from 1939–48. John died on 15 August 2008, and a memorial service was held at King’s funeral chapel, Grovedale, on Wednesday 20 August 2008.
Edward Richard (Ted) PEDLOW (’40) was born on 5 July 1927 and left Caulfield Grammar School to attend Scotch from 1937–40. From 1945–47 he served in the AIF, and was demobilised as a corporal. In 1948 Ted married Patricia Devine, and in 2001 he married Vivienne Graham. He was a brother of Ian (SC 1937–48; died 6 May 1984 in South Australia following a hit-and-run incident), Allan (SC 1939–47) and Andrew (SC 1942–?). All were grandsons of George Pedlow, who taught at Scotch in the 1880s and died on 5 November 1934 aged 84. Ted worked in the wool industry and lived in Western Australia, where he died on 9 August 2007.
Arthur James POLLARD (’40) was born at Canterbury on 22 July 1924, the son of a surveyor, and attended Scotch from 1938–40 as a member of Gardiner House. He was class captain of VId in 1939, a cadet, and a member of the 2nd XI. On 8 May 1948 Arthur married Ruby M Peisley at Holy Trinity, Dulwich Hill, NSW, and they had three sons. He became factory manager of the Kyabram Preserving Co Ltd. Arthur was a member of the Kyabram Town Council from 1970–76, a member of the Kyabram High School council from 1960–76, and a member of the Rotary Club of Kyabram from 1964–76. His interests included tennis, cricket, football and Freemasonry. Arthur’s brother John attended Scotch from 1938–44, and their cousin Arthur Lunt attended from 1947–51. Arthur died on 11 September 2008.
John Graham RENNIE (’50) was born at Box Hill on 19 September 1934 and attended Scotch from 1947–50. He married Carol Elizabeth Reynolds at Scotch on 11 January 1964. John was the first cousin once removed of Scotch Development Office receptionist Christine Cox. John lived at Yarrawonga, and Scotch has recently learned he died on 8 January 2006. A funeral service was held at St Andrew’s Uniting Church, Yarrawonga, on Friday 13 January 2006.
Colin John Kearley REYNOLDS (’43) was born in Hong Kong on 23 January 1927, the son of a hotel proprietor. He attended Scotch as a member of Littlejohn House and a boarder in Arthur Rob from 1942–43. He left Scotch after he was orphaned, with the death of his mother in 1942 and his father in 1943. On 21 January 1954 he married Nancy Helen Holmes at Scotch. They had two sons and a daughter, and she died at Mansfield on 6 August 1995 aged 66. Colin later married Sue. His uncle, James Colin Best ‘Bert’ Hutton attended Scotch from 1908–12 (died 16 December 1933). Colin lived at Mansfield, and died at Wangaratta Hospital on 25 July 2008. His funeral was held in St John’s Anglican Church, Mansfield, on Friday 1 August 2008.
Ernest Blair ROBERTSON (’44) was born at Brighton on 27 August 1926, the son of a grain merchant. He attended Scotch from 1940–44. On 1 May 1945 he enlisted in the RAAF and was an aircraftman 1 at the School of Technical Training when he was demobilised on 21 September 1945. On 28 October 1949 Blair returned to Scotch to marry Joan Maureen Everitt. They had a son and a daughter, and four grandchildren. Blair died on 15 July 2008. His funeral was held at the Heritage Funeral Home, Wantirna, on Monday 21 July 2008, after which he was privately buried.
Harold George ROBINSON (’24) was born at East Brunswick on 8 September 1907 and attended Scotch from 14 February 1922 to 23 September 1922. His family understands he won a scholarship, but, as it did not include books, his parents were unable to afford to keep him at Scotch. They also wanted him to work in their grocery shop, which he did, and he eventually owned his own grocery. On 9 March 1935 at St Silas’ Church in Albert Park he married Iris Docie Dawson. They had one daughter.
From 1942–45 he served in the RAAF in New Guinea, and was demobilised as a leading aircraftman. He then joined the public service and worked in immigration. On the side he enjoyed horse racing and did some work with ‘the dogs’. He retired early, and had a happy retirement.
His first wife, from whom he was separated, died in a car accident at Clayton in 1962 and on 7 September 1963 at St. Joseph’s Church, Malvern, he married Bernice Beryl Brown. The photograph of Harold shows him aged 90. He was one of 13 Scotch boys known to have reached the age of 100.
Not having had a son, his grandson having attended Caulfield Grammar School, and having only a short time at Scotch, Harold and Scotch lost contact, and it was only upon his death that Scotch learned of his longevity. Accordingly, it was not known or publicly acknowledged that he was Scotch’s fourth oldest known Old Boy at the time of his death on 16 August 2008, aged almost 101. A service celebrating his life was held at the Blair Chapel, Springvale Botanical Cemetery, on Tuesday 19 August 2008, after which he was buried.
William John SAXTON (’70) was born at Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on 3 February 1953, the son of engineer and Old Boy Richard Alan Saxton (SC 1938–40). John attended Scotch from 1965–70, and returned to Scotch to marry Joanne (Jo) Elizabeth Prowse on 21 December 1979. John’s brother Clive attended Scotch from 1963–68, and they were fourth generation Scotch Collegians. Their grandfather Clive attended from 1913–16 (died January 1958), as did their great-uncles Bill (SC 1912–13; died 13 November 1970) and Alan (SC 1913–17; died 17 January 1922), and their great-grandfather John (SC 1886–88; died 8 March 1952).
John died on 29 September 2008, and a celebration of his life took place at St Andrew’s Uniting Church, Horsham, on Friday 3 October 2008. Over 600 mourners attended his funeral, creating a guard of honour for his coffin. The following is extracted from The Age obituary of 10 November 2008 by family friend Lawrence Money, in addition to the eulogy by his brother:
John had a flair for business. As a boy he made the most of an unexpected situation when he bought his pet rabbit a companion, and they started to breed: he sold baby rabbits to the Myer pet shop, negotiating the price according to their colour. He borrowed his father’s lawn mower, dropped leaflets in letterboxes, and founded a successful junior gardening business. On the football field at Scotch he was known as ‘Saxton the tank’, and he excelled at shot put while attending Dookie Agricultural College, where he studied Agricultural Science.
He then worked in Horsham for Ramsay & Treganowan, with further experience leading to the creation in 1996 of the Saxton Rural Traders and Consultancy to provide rural merchandising products and agronomic advice. This business began in his Dimboola house, expanded to larger premises, and finally to an outstanding building on the highway.
An animal lover, his constant companions were a German shepherd named Tia and an orphaned kangaroo named Jenga. Curiously, Jenga died on the morning of John’s death. He became a popular player and later president (and life member) of the Dimboola Football Club, from which position he resigned when diagnosed with a brain tumour. Such was his prominence that news of his illness was front page news in the local Mail-Times. The support given to him by the local community was enormous, but remained outward-focused, sending flowers in the last weeks of his life to his father, who had just been to hospital.
Hundreds of people lined the route taken by the hearse carrying John, and there was standing room only at the wake held at the football club, whose flag had been draped over John’s coffin, along with a community service medal. John is survived by his wife Jo, and children Mark, Kate, Anna and Alex.
Photograph courtesy of Wimmera Mail-Times.
Aubrey Garth TAPP (’39) was born at Woodville, South Australia, on 29 October 1921, and attended Scotch from 1933–39. He had an outstanding schoolboy career as a member of the 1st XI in 1937, and a member of the premiership 1938 team. He was vice captain of the 1939 1st XI, as well as being a member of the 1st tennis team. Garth was a probationer in 1938, and a prefect in 1939. In 1938 and 1939 he was an editorial committee member of the Scotch Collegian, and was its sports editor in 1939.
From 1941–42 he was a private in the Melbourne University Rifles, and from 1942–46 he served in the RAAF, being demobilised as a leading aircraftman. On 24 May 1947 Garth married Joan Mair at Scotch. Their sons naturally attended Scotch: Roger (SC 1958–70) and Nicholas (SC 1965–77). Garth joined the staff of the Junior School in 1948. In 1954 he succeeded Old Boy David Bradshaw (SC 1920–24; staff 1930–53; Junior School headmaster 1945–53; Haileybury College headmaster 1954–73; died 18 September 1995) as Junior School headmaster, and held this position until 1977. He was secretary of OSCA from 1979–88. Garth died on 25 October 2008, and a tribute by Geoff Tolson may be found elsewhere in this edition of Great Scot.
Mostyn Richard THOMPSON (’50) was born at Adelaide on 9 December 1933, the son of the managing director of Triumph. He attended Scotch as a member of Monash House from 1947–50. He was form captain of VIII/IX in 1950. Mostyn became chairman of commissioners for the Mount Alexander Shire. He was the vice-president of the Woodend District Heritage Society, president of the Woodend branch of the Liberal Party, leader of the Ale-House Jazz Band, and was a captain in the Royal Australian Artillery, following on from his National Service in 1954. Mostyn died peacefully on 3 July 2008 at the Epworth Hospital in Richmond. His funeral was held at the Le Pine Chapel, Kew East, on 9 July 2008. His wife supplied the following obituary:
Mostyn enjoyed many activities at Scotch including cricket and the Pipe Band. Mostyn worked for the State Rivers and Water Commission then moved to H J Heinz and later to Civil and Civic Pty Ltd, the building arm of Lend Lease Corporation. He became a project manager and later Victorian and Australian purchasing manager. Some of the buildings he helped construct included the MLC building in Collins Street, Princes Gate (now Federation Square), Nauru House and the Reserve Bank.
He left after 17 years at Civil and Civic to become a consultant project manager to the Victorian Housing Commission for two years, after which Mostyn and a partner established project management company Coordinated Project Management Pty Ltd. This company built retirement villages, commercial buildings, sporting facilities and schools.
On 26 May 1956 at Holy Trinity Church, Kew, he married Barbara Henty-Wilson. They had a son, Richard, and two daughters, Sandra and Helen. In the early 1970s Mostyn bought 115 acres of land at Woodend, upon which he built a house. He farmed Hereford cattle and later Belted Galloways. The family lived there for 30 years.
Mostyn became a councillor for the Shire of Newham and Woodend. He served on numerous committees including schools, small business groups and the Heritage Society. For 18 years he was electorate chairman for Tom Reynolds, the Liberal Minister for Sport. In 1995 Mostyn was appointed chief commissioner of the Shire of Mt Alexander, and organised the amalgamation of three local councils.
From the age of 16 Mostyn played the piano in various bands. Dixieland jazz was a great interest, and in the early 1990s he formed the Ale-House Jazz Band, which performed at functions such as weddings and the Lygon Street Festa.
In November 1997 Mostyn suffered a stroke, with another taking away his hearing and speech. He and Barbara moved to Kew. A fall broke his femur, restricting his mobility, but he still went to the MCG to watch cricket or the Demons. His health deteriorated and he died as a result of pneumonia. He is greatly missed by his family, including grandchildren, who remember him overcoming great physical difficulties for 10 years. Notwithstanding this, he retained his sense of humour and interest in the world until the end.
Moreton John Gilman WALHOUSE (’35) was born at Brighton on 14 April 1919, and attended Scotch from 1933–35. His father died in 1923, his mother remarried, and his half brother, Bryan Rogerson, attended Scotch from 1943–46. Moreton served in the AIF from 1940–45 and was demobilised with the rank of bombardier. He died on 12 July 2008 and his funeral was held in the W D Rose chapel at Cheltenham on Friday 18 July 2008.
Albert Bruce WALLACE (’50) was born on 30 January 1933 and attended Scotch from 1946–50 as a member of Littlejohn House and a boarder in Arthur Rob. He rowed in the 1st VIIIs of 1949 and 1950. Bruce’s brothers at Scotch were Paul (SC 1944–48; died 13 May 2002) and William (SC 1953–56). Bruce lived in Hellyer, Tasmania, and died on 8 August 2008.
Peter Ian WALLACE (’45) was born on 29 October 1929 and attended Scotch from 1943–46 as a member of Littlejohn House and as a boarder in Arthur Rob. He was a brother of Neil (SC 1935–36; died 23 October 1994) and Alan (SC 1937–38; died 20 June 1991). Peter died suddenly on 31 July 2008. His funeral was held at Le Pine’s Camberwell chapel on Wednesday 6 August 2008.
William Francis Cabena WALLER (’34) was born at Northcote on 9 September 1917 and attended Scotch from 1931 until 26 July 1932. His brother Bruce attended Scotch from 1932–35 (died 1985). From 1940–45 Bill served in the AIF, and was demobilised with the rank of gunner. Bill married Phyllis Mary Robinson, who predeceased him on 2 October 2003. He lived at Tathra, NSW, and died on 10 September 2008.
Donald Edward Clarence WEBER (’31) was born at Brighton on 12 May 1915, the son of physical trainer Clarence Weber, who was enrolled at Caulfield Grammar School in 1895. He attended Scotch from 1927–30, when his father died. He lost his mother in 1918 in childbirth.
In his autobiography, A Journey through Life, he recalled doing well in sport at Scotch, and being captain of most of his teams. However, when he asked his father for new running spikes, and was told he could run in bare feet, he refused to participate in sport for his final two years at Scotch. He briefly attended school in Canberra, where he found he was the fastest swimmer in the ACT.
Don returned to Melbourne in 1931 to work at the Essendon Airport as a mechanic. From 1932 he worked for Julius Kayser, where he became a supervisor.
From 1939 Don and a workmate made thousands of rifle butts in his home workshop for soldier training. As his work exempted him from military service, he joined the Australian Volunteer Fire Service. On 11 May 1940 he married Helena Olive Oldfield.
Don left Kayser in 1948 to go farming at Pakenham Upper. Horses were initially used for ploughing. He devised his own silage-making machinery, and when Melbourne firm Welsh Perrin heard of it they wanted hundreds of them. Don received royalties from the contracted manufacturer. Don’s workshop was well known. An orchardist asked for a forklift. Don built a mechanical forklift, then a hydraulic forklift, making dozens of this model. He designed and sold so many types of equipment through Welsh Perrin that he sold the farm, and built a factory at Officer. He assembled seedling, transplanting machinery from a bankrupt manufacturer, but his improvements were so successful that hundreds were sold throughout Australia. He later built a factory at Beaconsfield, trading as D E C Weber.
On holidays around Australia, Don took many films, and built a 37-seat home theatre, which was also used by community groups. Don’s wife died on 11 January 2000, and he spent his last years with his partner, Gwen Jones. On the secret to living to his 90s, he said he gave up smoking when he left Cubs!
Don was the great grandson of William and Sarah Head, who landed on the present site of Scotch on 1 January 1839 to work for John Gardiner. Their house was built on the site of the Main Oval. Don was the brother of Bryant (SC 1927; died 15 September 2001), uncle of Harold (SC 1947–55) and Graeme (SC 1954–64), and great uncle of Andrew (SC 1975) and Michael (SC 1986–92). Don was a cousin of Edward Peck (SC 1924–30), and a first cousin twice removed of Lucas brothers James (SC 1997–2001) and Sam (SC 1998–2001).
Don died at La Trobe Valley Village, Moe on 9 October 2008 and a gathering to commemorate his life was held there on 20 October 2008.
Peter Charles WICKENS OBE (’29). The following obituary is largely extracted from the eulogy prepared for Peter’s funeral at St James Anglican Church, Turramurra, NSW, on Friday 15 August 2008:
Peter was born in a hospital in Armadale on 23 July 1912, the only child of civil servant Charles Henry Wickens and his wife Gertrude Emma (née Howard). Peter attended Scotch from 1922–29, and was a 1929 prefect. He went to Melbourne University and Ormond College, graduating with Master’s degrees in both law and mathematics. In 1936 he was admitted to the Victorian Bar, and worked for a while for Old Boy and High Court Judge Sir Hayden Ernest Starke (SC 1886; died 14 May 1958).
After three years at the Bar during the depressed 1930s, Peter used his mathematical skills to undertake a London actuarial course by correspondence, as there was no local equivalent. He qualified as an associate of the Institute of Actuaries, and later became a fellow of the institute.
Peter moved to Sydney, and in World War II instructed RAAF flight crews in mathematics and physics. He worked for the City Mutual Life Assurance Society as an associate actuary, and it was there he met Ellen Mary Gandy, whom he married at St Andrew’s Church of England in Roseville. They had three children: John, Margaret and Robert.
While at City Mutual, Peter gaining accounting qualifications and became the company’s actuary, its general manager in 1970, and a member of its board in 1972. He retired from City Mutual on 30 June 1977, but spent the first five years of his ‘retirement’ on the Administrative Appeals Tribunal. He was an advocate for the insurance industry, which included some fascinating consultations with government ministers.
Peter wrote widely on his areas of expertise. His The Law of Life Assurance in Australia (1948) was the first book on the subject, and its four subsequent editions now take the form of a loose leaf service. He also wrote The City Mutual Story (1978) and Insurance Institutes in Australia 1884–1984 (1984), as well as many articles in industry journals. The Australian Insurance Institute awarded him the prestigious E E Vines Memorial Prize in 1960, and from 1973–75.
In 1978 Peter was awarded an OBE ‘for exceptional service to the insurance industry’, and for his lengthy and valuable service in 1987 he received one of only three silver medals issued to date by the Institute of Actuaries of Australia.
He was a keen supporter of the Demons and a member until his death of the MCC. Peter was a handicap champion at the Mosman Lawn Tennis Club, a member of winning teams at the Mosman Bowling Club, a handy cricketer, a keen bushwalker, and a subscriber to the Australian Opera, with Wagnerian opera being a favourite.
Peter was a voracious reader of textbooks, industry journals and biographies, and travelled widely around the world. His last 15 years were spent at Huon Park, Turramurra, where he served on and chaired the board of management. On the afternoon of Sunday 10 August 2008 he passed away, aged 96, survived by his wife, children, seven grandchildren, and give great-grandchildren.
Geoffrey Price WILLIAMS (’42) was born at Hawthorn on 25 July 1924 and attended Scotch from 1935–36 as a member of MacFarland House. He was a member of the 1936 Junior School football team, and was a 1936 class captain. Geoff served in the RAAF from 1942–45 and was a flying officer upon demobilisation. He worked as an insurance consultant.
Geoff married Doreen and his three sons attended Scotch: Drew (SC 1966–71), Rick (SC 1969–72) and Gregory (SC 1971–76), as did his brother Robert (Trinity Grammar School 1933–34, SC 1935–36; died 16 June 1996). Geoff died at 5.20pm on 2 November 2008, surrounded by his family, at Caritas Christi, Kew. A funeral service was held at the Le Pine Chapel, Kew East, on Friday 7 November 2008.
Obituaries in this and previous issues have been compiled by Paul Mishura (unless otherwise stated) from information held or obtained by Scotch College, or provided to Scotch, and content is limited to this information. Scotch depends on the completeness and accuracy of information it holds or is supplied, and while the School takes all reasonable care in compiling obituaries, it cannot take responsibility for any actual or perceived errors or omissions.
Eulogies, obituaries and any other biographical information are welcomed, and must include the exact date of death to permit publication. Space limitations may require submitted material to be edited. Information can be emailed to Paul Mishura at paul.mishura@scotch.vic.edu.au. Alternatively, please phone Astrida Cooper on 9810 4304 or send information to Great Scot, 1 Morrison Street, Hawthorn 3122.
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