Scotch College

Obituaries

Alister BATTY ('24)
Victor BECKWITH ('36)
Bruce CAMERON ('28)
Ivo GREVILLE ('23)
Max HARRIS ('32)
Jack HULL ('28)
Peter JOSELAND ('38)
John LESSELS ('48)
John LINDER ('29)
Anthony McNAB ('61)
Ernest MASON ('35)
Kenneth MITCHELL ('37)
Eric MOLYNEUX ('37)
Bill OWENS ('35)
John PILKINGTON ('31)
Bill SCHUMACHER ('31)
John SPROULE ('38)
Gordon SUTHERLAND ('68)
Robert (Bob) SWAN ('33)
Jim TALLYN ('31)
Russell TREGEAR ('61)
Geoffrey WALSH ('42)

Air Vice Marshal (Rtd) John Douglas Gordon Lessels OBE, BCE, FIE Aust ('48) died 13 December 1999.

At school John excelled academically, was a senior scout and keen rover. During his Civil Engineering studies he joined the Melbourne University Squadron and upon graduation entered the RAAF, where he served with distinction. Postings included various construction squadrons, Wing Commander of Exmouth Base, Air Commodore in charge of airfield construction and Air Vice Marshal in charge of disaster relief.

Upon retirement John became a municipal councillor at Mallacoota where he had a holiday house. He developed his own engineering consultancy and became an esteemed member of the Order of St Lazarus.

After a memorial service in Canberra John was laid to rest with full military honours at his beloved Mallacoota.

Tony MacNab ('61) who turned fifty-six recently, will best be remembered in the business community for his roles as a founding partner of MacNab Clarke, and later as managing director of CS First Boston Australia. He will be particularly remembered for his achievements in elevating CSFB into one of Australia's top ten broking firms.

He was a very highly rated mining analyst and was a good judge of markets generally.

Kay Brain died peacefully on 3 January 2000. Kay will be remembered for her enthusiasm and generosity to the school during the years her sons Cameron (1980 -1990) and Andrew (1980 - 1992) attended Scotch.

She was President of the Junior School Parents Association in 1985 and President of the Music Auxiliary in 1987. She was also a member of the Foundation Board of Trustees. Kay had great style and being a member of her committee was always great fun.

She is survived by her sons and daughter Catherine. Kay will be sadly missed and fondly remembered by all who knew her at Scotch.

John Martin Howcroft ('52) 7 December1934 - 11 February 1999

Born in Kerang, John never lost his close affection for country people, property, stick and rural affairs.

Commenced at Scotch in 1949 as a boarder, known to many as 'Mouse', he loved all sports, played cricket, football, tennis and golf. Was a School House prefect and school Probationer in 1952. One of Oscar Helm's star pupils, John was Dux of Art in 1952.

John led a most interesting and productive life. His early employment was as a stock and station agent, based in several rural towns and he operated throughout most areas of the State.

He became a Real Estate Agent, and his skill and wit as an auctioneer saw him auction at Newmarket for many years and sell several notable country properties. He created his much loved and well known SAM THE RAM cartoon for Stock and Land illustrated books and was heavily involved in the LIFE BE IN IT campaign.

When, in his fifties, John completed a Masters in Business Administration finishing top of the class, he set up Howcroft Marketing, where he was sought as a consultant to advertisers and businesses wanting to access his vast rural knowledge. Later as a viticultural consultant he worked with McGuigan Bros Wines, and others to successfully establish vineyards at Kingston on the Murray and Howcroft Estate at Bordertown in SE South Australia.

A wonderful raconteur and entertainer, loved by people of all ages, John also developed his skills in painting and mastered still life, portrait and landscape paintings. This activity helped him during his battle against cancer.

A great supporter of Scotch College, John is survived by his wife Libby (nee Glenn), children Deborah, Margaret and Russel '75 -'83. Step children Kate and James Andrews '72 -'83 and by nine grandchildren.

Gordon Sutherland ('68) passed away on 13 Jan 2000 at 48 years, after a three year battle with cancer. His career embraced teaching, metallurgical engineering and, for the past ten years, with his wife Stephanie the development of a thriving licensed grocery business at Wines d'Or Cellars in Punt Road near St Kilda Junction. His extracurricular interests included computing, electronics and photography.

Peter Darwent Joseland ('38) went to rest 25 February 2000, after a year of cancer, peacefully at The Mercy Werribee Hospital.

Peter played and coached football in his youth for Scotch. He was a perfect gentleman, thank you Scotch College for your training. He will be sadly missed by so many friends and associates. Peter was a keen golfer at Kooringal Golf Club Altona, he loved theatre and was an ex-committee member of Heidelberg and Geelong Theatre Companies.

He was cremated and his ashes sprinkled at Kooringal Club. From his loving wife Amy.

Victor Stuart Beckwith, 17/3/19 - 2/12/99

The First World War had barely finished 5 months before Victor was born on the 17th March 1919.

Victor and his son Stuart were educated at Scotch College. He was a very good student, completing his education in Year 12. On leaving Scotch, he went to Longrenong, by which time the world was once more embroiled in the madness of war.

Victor joined the army and served in the defence of Port Moresby.

Later he joined a pharmaceutical company and managed the Western Australian Division.

He took a keen interest in sport and in the affairs of his church to the end. Yet in all his involvement, he was a very private person.

When Robert (Bob) Stewart Graham ('41) passed away suddenly on 7 November 1999, there were many people within the Foundry Industry that felt that he should be remembered in a way that he, himself, would approve.

Bob had begun his time as a Foundryman in 1942 when he left Scotch College and went to RMIT to compete a metallurgy degree.

His Father, George Stewart Graham, was a partner at a Foundry in Footscray, Graham Campbell Ferrum. It was at this western suburbs company that Bob spent his entire working life.

His death was a great shock to the employees of Graham Campbell Ferrum. It was their desire to see a symbol of him and his life's work erected. At a suggestion from a family member they agreed that a specially cast Bench Chair be given to the School that his family has seen three generations pass through.

His son Peter Stewart Graham ('72) then requested that the chair be placed near the soccer oval where Bob enjoyed many a Saturday morning watching his grandson James Stewart Graham ('99), play soccer during his senior years at Scotch.

The seat ends are cast from Ductile Iron, a specialty of Graham Campbell Ferrum. The pattern for these ends is an original from the turn of the last century used by the company for supplying seating for the Victorian parks and railways. Ductile Iron's main feature is that it is very strong and will not wear much with time. The Scotch crest is made from brass from a pattern made in the company workshop.

The employees of Graham Campbell Ferrum are very proud of this piece of work and are pleased that Scotch College will be able to utilise it in the grounds near where Bob spent time during the last few years of his life.