Scotch College

Obituaries

Wilfred T. Agar ('23)
Colin A. Almond ('42)
Murray R. Anderson (36')
Bruce Andrews ('44)
Nathan Baron ('43)
Eric L. Glazey ('20)
Glen R. Cave ('47)
Herb A. Gamble ('33)
Peter Gilmour ('60)
David H. Glen ('56)
Neil Hamilton ('42)
Harold Hill (Staff
Syd C. Kaufman ('22)
William (Bill) J. King ('20)
John D. McLaren ('50)
Lachlan C. McLean ('32)
Ken M. Ponsford ('47)
W. Neil Richardson ('34)
Alan Stuckey ('28)
James M. Stuckey ('37)
Andrew (Gus) R. Taylor ('54)
Clive L. Tingate ('18)
James M. Walter ('93)

Malcolm Menelaus ('48) (pictured above) was a surgeon and scholar of uncommon skill and boundless empathy. Trained at the University of Melbourne and in Britain, he spent most of his career at the Royal Children's Hospital, where he was Chief Orthopaedic Surgeon from 1982-90. Among numerous other appointments, he was president of the Australian Orthopaedic Association. He filled 40 lectureships here and abroad, and had published 95 scientific papers (probably an Australian record). His text on the management of spina bifida became a classic. In the words of his colleague Peter Williams: "Malcolm was a big man in every sense of the word and he walked the world's stage with elegance and confidence".

But he was so much more than a healer, teacher and mentor. He read avidly and painted perceptively. He equally loved the bush and the beach, the throb of his tractor and the freedom of his dinghy. He was calm and balanced, never demanding; the one who sheltered and made others feel secure. He had strength and kindness, courage and innocence, grace and dignity, humility and love - and, in return, the abiding love of all who knew this gentle giant. He died in September, a month short of 70, leaving wife Margaret and daughters Jane and Sarah.

Henry Wilson ('34) passed away on 20 January 2000 aged 80 years. He came to Scotch from Sorrento Primary School, and on leaving school returned to the Peninsula to work in the family's Butchery and Pastoral Company H W Wilson Pty Ltd. He soon expanded the business into Gippsland and established an export abattoir at Dromana, which became the largest employer on the Peninsula. He also operated a chain of retail Butcher shops throughout the Peninsula, Gippsland and Dandenong. He was elected to the Flinders Shire Council in 1975, and while on Council he was instrumental in the Regional Planning Authority, and was Shire President in 1984. He was most active in the farming community and gave freely of his time and advice to young farmers on the Mornington Peninsula.

Peter Gilmour, ('60) died suddenly while in Hong Kong teaching. He was professor of management at Macquarie Graduate School of Management at Macquarie University in Sydney.

His childhood was spent largely in Surrey Hills, where his talent for swimming emerged under the tutelage of Alan Crawford, while he was at Scotch. He was not blessed with the large physique that is a requisite for today's champions, but he made up for this with large amounts of self-discipline and single-mindedness and a well developed will to win.

Peter was unlucky in that he reached the peak of his swimming career at a time when the best butterfly swimmers in the world were all Australians. He narrowly missed the opportunity to represent Australia.

However, his times were good enough for him to secure a scholarship to Cornell University in the US. He graduated in agricultural economics, then completed a master's degree in business administration.

He worked for a time in Melbourne with the Mobil Oil Company. He was awarded a scholarship, which enabled him to complete his PhD at Michigan State University.

Before joining Macquarie University, Gilmour held a number of appointments at US universities.

As well as being an excellent teacher, he was a noted researcher, and a prolific writer, with a research output including twelve books, nine monographs and more than fifty professional papers.

He retained a lifelong interest in swimming. A keen member of the Ryde Masters Swimming Club, in 1997 he set fourteen Australian and five world swimming records in his age group. He took eleven seconds off the world record for the 200-metre butterfly. These feats won him the Australian Masters Athlete of the Year award.

Peter was a member of the initial Council of Scotch College which was established at the time of its incorporation in 1980, and served on the Council until July 1981.

Peter is survived by his wife, Laurie, son Jock and daughter, Caroline.

Bruce Andrews ('45) was born in Melbourne. His school life began at the local state school, from which he obtained a scholarship to Scotch. On completion of his dental course, like so many others at that time, he wanted to visit the old country.

His love affair with Europe began in Marseilles, where the ship docked, and he began his practical study of wine and good food. He had superb recall, aided by being a good photographer, and kept a record of places and occasions that had given him particular pleasure.

Once established as a dentist in London, he took up the daunting task of becoming medically qualified. His medical career did not last long. He preferred to return to the precision of dentistry, where he could achieve perfection in crown and bridgework.

He was a keen student of history and was particularly fascinated by the first and second world wars. He adored roaming though France and took wonderful photos of the cathedrals. He became equally absorbed in painting.

He travelled widely and developed a passion for Persian rugs. His knowledge of Natural History followed, particularly when travelling to Arizona and Africa. He was ecstatic to see wildlife, particularly birds. He admired exquisite craftsmanship - particularly Navajo Indian turquoise jewellery and pottery.

He was also a keen lover of music and revelled in visits to the Opera. He caddied for his mother as a teenager; his own handicap went down to eight before coming to Europe. There was no time for golf until 1966 when he joined Wentworth. Golf became his chief recreation, which he enjoyed enormously.

Kenneth Ponsford ('47). (Pictured). With the encouragement of the legendary Music Teacher, John Bishop, Ken acquired a great love of music and over the years collected a large library of stereo recordings and CDs. He started work at the National Bank, but soon joined I.C.I. (now Orica). In 1957 he was sent to Perth to establish the WA Sales Office, returning to Melbourne in 1960 to become heavily involved in computer technology. In 1976 he became Secretary/Manager of both the Pension and Provident Funds. He retired in 1987, aged fifty-eight, then proceeded to work part time with the ANZ for three years. After finally retiring, he travelled extensively.