PROUD, William Langham, CBE (1909-1984)
William Proud, awarded CBE in about 1971, ‘has rendered outstanding service to the community, especially as co-founder of the Association of Apex Clubs. This year Apex celebrates its 40th year.’
William Proud was one of three architects who attempted to join the Rotary Club of Geelong but due to Rotary's rule that only a single representative of an occupation should be granted membership he was unable to join. Instead he, Ewan Laird and John Buchan, formed the 'The Young Businessman's Club of Geelong'. Similar clubs were formed in Ballarat and Camperdown and they became known as 'Apex'.
Proud St, Canberra was also named in his recognition. The citation for this declared: 'Community service nationally as co-founder of Apex clubs of Australia in 1931 that have promoted active citizenship to more than 210,000 young Australians. Proud was a Geelong architect who served as a Councillor of the City of Hamilton, Commissioner of Horsham Water and Sewerage Authority and President of Hamilton Legacy.'
The son of Jonathan Proud and Margaret Elizabeth, nee Langham, and born at Korumburra on 28 January 1909, he boarded at Geelong College from 14 February 1923 to December 1925. He had previously attended Camperdown Higher Elementary School and his address at enrolment was PO Box 45 Camperdown.
On 2 May 1936 at Newtown he married Edna Arulie, nee Thear, the daughter of Robert Charles Thear and
Alice Ethel, nee Thomas, of Geelong.
During World War II, he enlisted (VX5622) on 20 May 1941 and served as a Captain in 2/2nd Field Company. He was discharged on 23rd October 1945.
He died, aged 75 years, at Geelong on 9 December 1984. A bronze plaque is mounted on the resting place for the ashes of William Langham Proud at the Memorial Garden, St Luke's Uniting Church, 174 Barrabool Rd, Highton.
Sources: Ad Astra March, 1970; The Age (Melb) 10 December 1984; 'Monument Australia'; ACT Public Place Names (Forde) Determination 2011 (No 1) Instrument D12011-71, 19 May 2011; Geelong Collegians at the Second World War and Subsequent Conflicts' Compiled by J. Affleck p431 (citing The Pegasus, Australian War Memorial, National Archives). OGC 1923.