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HERD, Frederick Rock AO (1925-2007)

HERD, Frederick Rock AO (1925-2007)

Businessman and philanthropist, Fred Herd, the son of Francis Oswald Herd and Maud Cecilia nee Lamb was a strong supporter of the Geelong College and was named an honorary Life Member in 1974. He had been a committee member of the OGCA for many years, campaign chairman of numerous fundraising projects including ‘Project Pegasus’ and ‘Annual Giving’,1974 and had supported the College in many informal ways over the years. He first attended Belmont State School before becoming a day student at the College from 1938 to 1941, leaving after completion of his Intermediate Certificate year. He was a member of Calvert House, a keen player in the 2nd Football VIII, and a tennis player of ability for which he gained a House Tennis Award.

A lifetime of commitment to the meat industry began in 1942 as a sixteen year old drover, graduating to cattle buyer and on to becoming Managing director of M C Herd in Corio at the age of 26, - a business he started in 1951 with his brothers Jack, Murray and Frank. For a time the business ran from the former Ballarat Brewing Depot in Mercer St, Geelong. In 1958, Fred bought the Bacchus Marsh Abattoir, and later, during the 1960s, founded Challenge Meats. He was President of the Victorian Meatworks Association, a member of the executive committee at both state and federal levels of the Meat and Allied Trade Federation of Australia, a member of the Australian Federal Meat Works Council and a member of the Livestock Advisory Council. His extensive service was recognised in 1998 when he became a Member of the Order of Australia for his services to the meat industry and Geelong.

His philanthropic work was far less public than his business activities but no less vital to Geelong. A generous supporter of community projects he was also well known for supporting Rotary, the Geelong Hospital, the Geelong Football Club and the former Morongo Girls’ College. His son Francis (OGC 1964-1973) also attended the College. Fred Herd’s funeral was held in the Norman Morrison Memorial Hall.

Sources: Ad Astra August 1998 p 19; Obituary-Geelong Advertiser 5 January 2008; Ad Astra June 2008 p 32.