SHANNON, Archibald Norman ‘Archie’ (1878-1946)
A noted benefactor, 'Archie' Shannon was the son of Charles Shannon (c.1842-1922) and was educated at the College from 1883 to 1893. He was born on 15 July 1878 and died on15 September 1946.
An obituary appeared in Pegasus as follows: ‘By the death on September 15 of Archibald Norman Shannon, a member of the committee of the OGCA, the College has lost one of its most faithful friends, a worthy member of a family prominent in its annals. A large number of Old Boys joined the funeral cortege to the Eastern Cemetery to pay homage to one whose passing will leave a gap in the affections of hundreds of others who could not be present, for among Collegians Archie was always a popular and striking figure. Sometimes, indeed, from shyness or natural modesty, Archie hid his gentle, generous nature behind a careless attitude or a gruff reply. Those who knew him were not deceived, for they understood his genuine loyalty, his intolerance of humbug, his energetic application to what he considered important. And occasionally his good actions done by stealth were found out by accident, though no one will ever assess the total of his anonymous gifts to public causes or his secret help to the needy.
A son of the late Mr Charles Shannon (Chairman of the College Council 1908-22), Archie was at school from 1883 to 1893 and then for many years carried on pastoral pursuits in various parts of the country. He later settled down in Geelong, where he was associated with Godfrey Hirst and Company for ten years as a director. He was an active worker for St. George's Presbyterian Church, and for the Try Boys' Brigade, which was founded by his father. Early in the war he threw himself into A.R.P. work and the organization of salvage of waste products. He was an enthusiastic patron of amateur sport, football, cricket, but especially rowing; so it was natural that the College boat club should benefit from his coaching of juniors, his expert repair work and his eagerness to help crews organize holiday outings; the practice eight 'A N Shannon' is a reminder of his practical generosity.
In Archie's will the College takes a prominent place. Direct gifts include £50 to the boat club, books and a beautiful chiming grandfather clock to the Morrison Memorial Library, and a clock to the Preparatory School. Income from the bulk of the estate of over £30,000 goes to members of the Shannon family for life, after which two-fifths of the residue will go to the College.’
His brothers, James Ford Shannon (1884-1938; Elliott Strachan Shannon (1882-1914); and Herbert Strachan Shannon (1880-1955) all attended Geelong College.
Sources: Obituary - Pegasus December 1946 p50.