BOWMAN, John Hamilton ‘Bowie’ (1932-2009)
Enrolled by his father Hubert P Bowman, 'Bowie Hamilton attended the College from 1938 to 1949 where he rowed and played football, gaining his Football House Colours in 1949.
Like his father, he initially went to University of Melbourne to study law but became more attracted to an adventurous bush life, living and working in the far north at Karumba and Yeleri, before returning to Victoria in about 1955 where he married his first wife Margery. He first farmed near Gellibrand before finding further farm work around Finley, NSW and eventually at his property 'Goioramadda' near Finley, NSW. In 1979, the family acquired a 135 acre property at Bellbrae establishing 'Bowman’s Berries' before moving to Airey’s Inlet where he resided until his death.
An active community member, he was an amateur thespian and in later years a passionate member of the Torquay Land Care Group and Spring Creek Action Group. With a spirited approach to life he self published several books and built his own houseboat to sail on the Murray. 'Bowie' Hamilton died on 19 August 2009.
Sources: Eulogies Jeff and James Bowman 1 Sept 2009.