GERRARD, John Lawrence (1933-2024)

John received the Mrs Venters Scholarship to attend the College in 1947, coming from Shepparton High School. He boarded in Mackie and was a member of Morrison House. An athletic student, , John broke the U14 High Jump record in his first year at College, with a height of 5ft, and was the U14 Athletics Champion. (His high jump records does not appear to have been bettered until 1973). He was also the Athletics Champion in the U15 age group a year later, receiving the Athol J Wilson Cup. During his three years at College, John received multiple Colours for Athletics, and Football. He was a member of the Relay, Athletics, and 1^st XVIII Football teams.

Following school, John studied and joined the family business as a jeweller and watchmaker. His father opened Gerrard’s Jewellers, Shepparton in 1951. John married Marlene and they have five children.

He was involved in the local community, joining the Rotary and Apex Clubs. He was elected to the Shepparton Council and served a term as Mayor in 1975. In 1991, he retired and moved with Marlene to Narooma.

John passed away 5 June 1933, aged 90 years.

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