LEA, Jonas Richard James (1976-2018).jpg)
J R Lea (Mackie 1993)
Jonas Lea boarded at Geelong College from 6 February 1990 to December 1994 and was a member of Calvert House and a Mackie House Prefect in 1994. He had previously attended Hamilton College and his address at the time of enrolment was Wando Creek, Coleraine. At College, he was a member of the Athletics Team in 1993, Cross Country Teams in 1993 and 1994, the 4th VIII Tennis Team in 1993 and the 10A Cricket Team in 1992.
Jonas spent many years in Japan after leaving Melbourne University, teaching English but returned to Australia after he was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia at the age of 25. Following a bone marrow transplant, he suffered ill health for many years.
He died of a heart attack on 25 March 2018, age 41 years. He had been surfing at Torquay the day before his death, something he used to love doing when boarding at College.
Sources: The Age (Melb) 28 March 2018; J Koch; Ad Astra December 2018 p59. OGC 1994.