FAGG, Raymond Hadley (1934-2020)Biography courtesy L. Fagg, June 2020.Raymond Hadley Fagg was born 9 October 1934 to Hadley William and Florence Amy Fagg. Ray attended Chilwell State School then Geelong College from Form U IV (about year 7), where he especially enjoyed the running events. His grandfather Thomas Fagg had also attended the College.
After the College, Ray studied Accounting and Architecture at the Gordon Tech College and found work as an accountant at Mac West Accountants in Lt Malop Street. He was then required to join his father at the family's Fagg Bros. timber mill in Fyans Street, South Geelong where he worked until retirement, and remained as a Director afterwards.
He competed in the 1954 World Professional Sprint Championships at Kardinia Park, umpired country football games and did National Service at Puckapunyal in 1955.
He married Valerie Connan in 1963 and they had three children Leanne, Dale and Sharon while living in Frank Street, Newtown.
He won speed boat competitions at Lake Modewarre and Eppalock in boats he had built himself.
Another passion was fishing, and the family drove 800 km annually to Ray's favorite fishing spot of Narooma on the South Coast of NSW for 3 weeks of surf fishing.
Fond memories of school holidays on his uncle's farm prompted him to buy his own farm south of Winchelsea in 1974 on which he established a Hereford stud which continues to operate today.
In 1976 the family moved into a new house (designed by Ray and Val) on acreage near Grovedale, and son Dale attended the Geelong College.
Ray and Val enjoyed travelling to scenic natural locations within Australia and overseas, including Canada and New Zealand, and especially the Kimberley (which was also a good fishing location).
In 2004 Ray and Val moved to a new house in Waurn Ponds and surrounded the house with a native garden.
After some convincing from Val, Ray learnt ballroom dancing and they enjoyed the Saturday night dances at Freshwater Creek, Wurdale, Inverleigh and Leopold.
Ray was adventurous, energetic and hard-working. He didn't let age limit his ability to enjoy life and was still working on his farm at the age of 85.