GIBB, Professor Donald Menzies (1937-2017).jpg)
Don Gibb as the 'Major-General'
in the Geelong College Glee Club production
'The Pirates of Penzance', 1955.
Don Gibb, historian and academic, pursued his vocation in the study of history throughout his life, especially in the practice of local and Community history.
Donald Menzies Gibb, the son of Dr Herbert I Gibb and born on 18 October 1937, was enrolled as a boarder at Geelong College from 2 September 1950 to December 1955. He had previously attended the Hutchins School at Hobart and his address at enrolment was 59 Montpelier Rd, Hobart.
At College in 1954, he was a Mackie House Prefect, Vice-Captain of Boats, member of the 2nd Football XVIII, and awardee of the History Prize. In 1955, he was a member of the 1st Football XVIII, 2nd Rowing VIII, Captain McArthur House, School Prefect, Cadet Unit Under Office in charge of B Company. and awardee of the Stanley B Calvert Prize for Debating. In 1955, he was also a member of the Music, PFA, Rowing and Swimming Committees. That same year, the Inter-House Rowing Cup, 'The Henry Young Memorial Cup' was won by McArthur House with Don Gibb as Stroke. McArthur House went on to win the overall House competition and were awarded the S B Hamilton-Calvert Cup. Don featured in the part of the 'Major-General' in the 1955 Geelong College Glee Club production of Gilbert and Sullivan's operetta,
'The Pirates of Penzance' . His thespian traits were also revealed in a skit in the College boarder's revue production,
'Cottage Pie Slice VI' described by
Pegasus as
'an instructive discussion on how to propose, given by two of our most promising Romeos, Messrs Gibb and Lawler' .
Pegasus in December 1955 noted that Don had been injured playing football:
'an unfortunate player - broke his wrist in first Public School match against Wesley College - was, at the time, justifying his inclusion in the team as a utility ruck - an agressive player.' On 14 October 1955 the Governor of Victoria, Sir Dallas Brooks visited Geelong and the College Cadet Unit took part as the Guard of Honour under their Commander, D M Gibb. Led by Don Gibb they marched down Noble St.
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Don Gibb (Football 1955)
He attended Ormond College, Melbourne University and later became Associate Professor of History at Deakin University. A Fellow of the Royal Historical Society of Victoria from 1937 to 2017, he has published several works on history and has contributed to many compilations including:
The Making of 'White Australia'. Melb: Victorian Historical Society, 1973 and
Visions of a Village: Canterbury Shops and Shopping 1880s-1990s. (with Stuart Warmington) Balwyn, Vic: Canterbury History Group, 1995.
'Don' Gibb died on 9 November 2017.
His father,
Dr Herbert Ian Gibb (1898-1972), and brother, John Grey Gibb (1933-1994) were also educated at Geelong College.
Sources: Pegasus December 1955 p3, p5, p17, p24, p27; The Age (Melb) 11 November 2017. OGC 1950.