BUNTINE, Gladys Selby, OBE (1901-1992)
Ad Astra, in reporting the death on 15 July 1992 of Mrs Gladys S Buntine, wife of Dr M Arnold Buntine, Principal of Geelong College from 1946 till 1960, described her as ' a bright, friendly lady' who was well known to the students at that time. Speaking at the funeral service, Donald Macmillan, in a moving personal tribute, referred to Mrs Buntine as 'the ideal Headmaster's wife' who had most actively supported her husband in his onerous duties and who made a very important contribution to the College community.
Gladys Buntine nee Spurling was a lady with considerable talents who gave generous and notable service to the Girl Guides' Movement as an able administrator and leader. Known as 'Jim' she joined the Guides in Perth, Western Australia and in 1933 was elected to the State Executive. She was a regular ABC broadcaster in Perth on Guiding. After being Commissioner of the Barwon area, she became Commissioner for Victoria and later Chief Commissioner for Australia from 1962 to 1968. She attended a number of World Guiding Conferences in a leading role and acted as a Vice-Chairman at the 1996 World Conference in Japan. For her services to Guides, she was awarded its highest honour, the Silver Fish in 1966. She was also awarded MBE (1961) for 'Service to Youth', and OBE (1966).
She was the Daughter of Reginald Spurling and was born on 7 September 1901. She married Dr Buntine at Christ Church, Hawthorn on 17 May 1926.
Sources: Pegasus June 1960 p4; Ad Astra August 1960 p3; Ad Astra August 1992 p15.