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R Nation, Library Committee 1963
Born on 28 December 1945, son of Len and Jean Nation, Roger Nation was educated at Geelong College from 15 February 1951 to December 1963. He had previously attended Christ Church Kindergarten. At College, he was a member of the Library Committee (1962-63) and the Pegasus Committee (1962-63). In 1963, he was a member of the 1st Hockey Team, the Library Council, Music Committee and an ‘Icarus’ magazine editor (1962-63). He was also a member of Shannon House and a Sergeant of the College Cadet Corps. During Logie Smith’s time at the College, he performed in three Gilbert and Sullivan operas and as a member of the Drama Club, he played the role of ‘Sam Craig’ in the play ‘Our Town” performed at Gertrude Pratt Memorial Hall, Morongo PLC on 26 and 27 July 1963.
During the Vietnam War, he was called up for National Service on completion of his Bachelor of Pharmacy at Monash University in 1967. Selected for officer training, he graduated from 1OTU Scheyville in December 1968 with the Military Arts prize, and subsequently topped the Ordinance Officers Course at Bandiana in February 1968. He served (No. 3794192) as 2nd Lieutenant with 1st Australian Field Hospital, Royal Australian Army Medical Corps, in Vung Tau, Phuoc Thuy Province, South Vietnam, from 5 November 1969 until 29 October 1970 as the hospital pharmacist, and was also responsible for the unit’s Medical and Civilian Aid program (MEDCAP), under the US “Hearts and Minds” program. Ad Astra of October 1970 noted: 'Lt Roger Nation is nearing the end of his service with a Field Hospital in Vietnam'. The Department of Veterans’ Affairs lists him with Vietnam Service (National Service) as a 2nd Lieutenant with the Royal Australian Army Medical Corps.
He studied further on his return to Australia, earning a Graduate Diploma of Community Pharmacy in 1985 from the Victorian College of Pharmacy and a Graduate Diploma of Human Nutrition from Deakin University in 1990. Roger became owner and pharmacist at various locations around Geelong, the last at Newcomb Central shopping centre, Newcomb. His brother, Michael; and children, Miranda, Angela, Marcus, Cameron and Julian; were also educated at Geelong College.
He has been associated with various Old Collegian agencies including as treasurer of the Old Geelong Collegians’ Association, (made a Life Member); as a founding member, former President and Coach of the Old Collegians Hockey Club; and as a member and treasurer and booking officer of Pegasus Alpine Ski Club Co-op Ltd. He has also served on the executive council of the National Serviceman’s Association of Australia, and been secretary, and webmaster for the 1OTU Association.
Sources: R. Nation July 2021; Ad Astra October 1970; ‘Directory of Old Collegians of The Geelong College 1996’ pp 127-128; Department of Veterans’ Affairs (Nominal Roll); ‘Geelong Collegians at the Second World War and Subsequent Conflicts’, 2010 compiled by J. Affleck p570 (citing The Pegasus; Australian War Memorial). OGC 1959.