JOHNSON, Ian Arthur (1928-2017)
Born at Fairbank Private Hospital, Box Hill on 23 July 1928, the son of Neville and Marjorie Johnson, Ian Arthur Johnson was enrolled as a boarder at Geelong College from 12 February 1942 to December 1944. His address at enrolment was 'Dabyminga', Tallarook, Victoria and he had previously attended Ivanhoe Grammar School.
He initially was educated by a governess, later riding his pony named 'Pickles' to Tallarook State School. He gained scholarships to Ivanhoe Grammar School and Geelong College. After leaving College at the end of 5th Form he returned to farming but unfortunately the property 'Dabyminga' was sold in about 1950 not long after the death of his mother. Instead, he became a shareholder and director of Seymour Passenger Services, which operated a fleet of buses, often transporting soldiers to Puckapunyal and school students. He drove buses for 34 years though worked as Secretary of the Kilmore waterworks Trust and Sewage Authority for about one year. Ian sold the bus company in 1986 becoming part-time Secretary/Manager of the Kilmore Golf Club from which he retired in 1994.
On 7 February 1951 he married Monica Kelly at St Augustine's Church, Melbourne and then settled in Kilmore.
Ian was extensively involved in a wide variety of community agencies including as:
- Former President of Kilmore Apex Club.
- Charter President and Life Member of Kilmore-Broadford Rotary Club.
- Councillor with Kilmore Shire Council for six years.
- Secretary of the Upper Goulburn Regional Committee.
- Member of the Kilmore Memorial Hall Committee.
- Trustee of the Kilmore Waterworks Trust.
- Member of the 'Dr for Kilmore' Committee.
- Member of the Kilmore Hospital Committee and Life Governor of the Hospital.
- Member of the Kilmore Golf Club Committee.
- Secretary of the Assumption College Parents and Friends Association.
- Member of the Broadmeadows Technical School Council.
- Member of Probus.
He also enjoyed membership of the following groups:
- Pretty Sally Gardening Club.
- Pyalong Music Association.
- Kilmore Historical Society.
- University of the Third Age.
He played tennis and badminton though golf was his most enduring sporting activity.
Ian died at the Elms Retirement Village, Kilmore on 31 March 2017, aged 88 years.
Sources: Herald Sun (Melb) 4 April 2017; Eulogy to Ian Arthur Johnston by Nigel Johnston . OGC 1941.