THORNTON, Andrew William (1942-2022)
Andrew Thornton was born to Bill and Vivian of Goroke, in 1942. The family relocated to Lullote, Inverleigh after which Andrew was enrolled at The Geelong College, beginning in Form UIVB.
Andrew left the school five years later, reaching Form III, and went on to study wool classing at the Gordon Institute of Technology. Here, Andrew embraced his new studies and all the Gordon had to offer, including its sheet metal classes.
Andrew continued working at his parent’s property as well as a wool classing. Andrew, initially grew his farming endeavours, among others. But a bigger dream would grow, and he would go on to found Thornton’s Engineering and it’s first workshop in Penshurst in 1975. The business has now expanded with a fabrication facility in Geelong, providing design and fabrication of structural steel, pressure vessels, heat exchangers, plate and piling steel products.
Andrew married to Roslyn Russell and they have four children.
Andrew will be remembered for his generosity and drive to help others. Formally, Andrew was involved in countless community organisations, from the Penshurst Hospital Committee, Hamilton College Council, Penshurst Rotary and Apex Clubs, CFA and Meals on Wheels program. He sponsored refugees and their settlement in Australia as well as travelled with Rotary working crews assisting after a PNG tsunami. His love of cycling also led to multiple fundraising bike rides.
Andrew passed away 31 January 2022, aged 79 years. He was father of four and grandfather of 14.
Sources: Geelong Advertiser 1 February 2022, Ad Astra, Pegasus, OGC 1956.