ROLLAND, Derrick Bruce (1925-2022)With D. RollandDerrick was born at Sale to Robert Monteith and Eveline Cope Rolland in 1925. He was the youngest of four children. He was educated at Sale State and High Schools before boarding at the College in 1939, starting in Form IA. His brother
Jock (OGC 1934) also attended the College, and his Uncle
Rev F W Rolland was the Principal during their time here. College founder,
Dr A J Campbell, is his great grandfather.
At school Derrick played in the Cadet Band and reached the rank of Sergeant in both the Cadets and the Air Training Corps. He was a Prefect in 1942 and 1943 in Mackie House and then House Captain of Warrinn. While he played football and cricket, he reached the 1st VIII in 1943.
His sport of choice was rowing and Derrick received House and School rowing colours, as well as rowing caps in 1943. He also qualified for St John Ambulance senior certificate 1942.
Derrick’s three sons David (OGC 1965), Peter (OGC 1967), and Chris (OGC 1968), nephew John (OGC 1972) and two grandchildren Eilish (OGC 2010) and Maeve (OGC 2013) also attended the College.
His lifelong passion for aviation led Derrick to join the RAAF following school, and he trained as a navigator in Canada. He was awarded his Navigator’s badge in February 1945. His older brother Jock was already serving in the RAAF as a navigator.
After the war he studied at the Victorian School of Forestry, Creswick, and was District Forester at Mirboo North, Gellibrand and Bright. Here his interest in aviation and his career could combine, as he worked with pilots for multiple projects such as seeding from the air and firebombing.
In retirement, Derrick wrote two books on aviation, “Aerial agriculture in Australia : a history of the use of aircraft in agriculture and forestry” (1996) and “Airmen I have met : their stories” (1999).
Derrick was a dedicated community supporter and leader. His long-time involvement in the RSL led him to write the history of the Bright RSL. Over the years he served at various times as the Bright RSL’s Treasurer, Secretary and President, and in 2019 was made Life Member.
Derrick passed away 8 November 2022 aged 97 years. He will be remembered as gentle and kind by all who knew him.
Sources: D. Rolland, Herald Sun 12 November 2022, J. Affleck ‘Geelong Collegians at the Second World War and subsequent conflicts,’ Pegasus, OGC 1939.