JEFFERY, John Richard (1935-2018)
John 'Richard' Jeffery.
Richard Jeffery, son of Edna and Gordon Jeffery and born at Cumnock Hospital on 16 February 1935, attended Traralgon Higher Elementary School before boarding at Geelong College from 8 February 1945 to August 1950. His address at enrolment was 73 Kaye St, Traralgon, Victoria.
On leaving College, he worked with the National Australia Bank from 1951 to 1956. He briefly worked in the 'rag trade' in Melbourne at 'Rockmans' and 'Treadways' for 12 months before returning to Traralgon to work in the family department store in Traralgon. Richard eventually took over management of the business after his father's retirement in 1959 and continued in this role until he sold the business in 1989 and retired.
His was an active Traralgon retirement and he completed in over 70 marathons as well as becoming an active cyclist, including in several Great Victorian Bike Rides and becoming a regional representative on the State Bicycle Committee. He was also a member of Traralgon Rotary Club and a past President 1968/69 and a former Councillor with the City of Traralgon from 1992 to 1994.
He died, as a result of a traffic accident, while on his morning outing, on 21 May 2018, age 83 years.
' A Walk Down Memory Lane with Richard Jeffery (OGC 1949)
Junior Boarding House Dormitory 1 circa 1945.
Ad Astra
made for very interesting reading. Re, 'A Home away from Home: Boarding House History'
on page 24 - I think that is me sitting up in bed next to the window on the right hand side. It is hard to be certain, but I can clearly remember being in that bed in 1945. It was dormitory No 1 in the Junior House, as it was known then. I was 10 years of age and it was my first year as a boarder at the College. The youngest boarders were in dormitory no 1., Master-in-Charge was L J Campbell with Rev E C McLean resident House Master. Miss Fraser was the House Matron.
On Sundays, the youngest were considered too young to walk to St George's Church for the morning service. We were driven to and from church by Rev. Frank Rolland. Schooling was at the Preparatory School near where the Keith Humble Centre is now.
We were not allowed out on our own. On most Saturdays during Summer, we would walk to Devil's Pool on the Barwon River for a picnic and swim with the Master-in-Charge. lunch was usually sausages cooked on fires on the rocks. I remember it being a tough walk returning up the Queens Park Hill, particularly on hot days. I have many fond memories of those Saturday picnics.
After graduating to the Senior School, we were allowed out on our own. On Saturdays, we would often ride our bikes to Ocean Grove, Queenscliff, Barwon Heads, the You Yangs to mention a few of the places. There were a lot less cars on the roads in those days.
The College did not have a pool in those days. A hired tram was used to take us to Eastern Beach for swimming lessons.
These are just a few of the many fond memories I have of my six years as a boarder at Geelong College. It is always great to catch up with old school friends at reunions. Unfortunately our numbers are dwindling these days.
Richard Jeffery' Sources: 'A Walk Down Memory Lane' Ad Astra December 2011 p45; Herald Sun (Melb) 24 May 2018; Latrobe Valley Express 26 June 2018; Ad Astra December 2018 p58. OGC 1949.