Eulogy
Delivered as at 26 September 2019
John Wilmot Roberts
Over many years I was privileged to share in the life of my friend and colleague, the centenarian John Wilmot Roberts, who sadly passed away a few days prior to his 101st Birthday. John’s passing has left me bereft, as it must have done for you here today. For John has been a wonderful foundation of knowledge and fellowship to us all.
I shared several aspects of our lives with John – in Redlands – as a gentleman within our community – as a WW2 Service man – as a banker- a businessman – as a club member – as a Vasey Corporate member – and we were also active in our local churches. Indeed, we shared our journey together within the community, with affection, love and camaraderie.
John often talked about his army days, based on a pylon of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, nursing his machine gun and thinking of himself as a pylon penthouse keeper. John then moved from the army into ‘senior service’ of the Royal Australian Navy, which I know he prized as his major contribution during WW2.
John and I were on the Parents and Friends Association, which led to our friendship with Bruce and Marcia Adams. In 1973 when our school was thrust into strife, we three (Bruce Adams, John Roberts and John Lang) agreed to be the Three Trustees representing the school parents to investigate the problems and establish if any possible solutions existed. We were charged with trying to save our school,
We had a huge task to survive the heavy losses (in students and finances) that we were expecting. Fortunately, we were able to establish a new parent-operated company and the school continued.
In 1976 when we wished to thank God for having successfully purchased the school, we asked Bishop Hulme-Moir to conduct a thanksgiving service, The next year when we wanted again to hold a thanksgiving service, we contacted many clergymen inviting them to join us but not one replied. I said to John - “Should we cancel?” He replied “we must continue. You do it”. He was my sounding board in those days.
At the company’s meetings, Company Secretary John would signal when he was ready to read out the minutes of items addressed at that meeting. It was a great achievement, for every Director went home knowing what had been agreed. I only wish all secretaries could emulate this practise.
John, Bruce and I unwittingly became the three Founding Fathers of the new school. I later learned that when the three of us stood on the stage at Speech Night’s, handing out prizes, that the students called us the ‘the three wise monkeys.’
I like to remember John not only as a best friend, but as my mate Jiminy Cricket sitting beside me at meetings advising me about the next step we needed to take on our long journey. His advice was always welcome and appropriate.
Where did the nickname Jiminy Cricket come from? Jiminy Cricket was the Walt Disney character who sat on your shoulder and gave advice, and spoke as your conscience. I referred to John that way and then it caught on as an in-house joke.
Just a few weeks ago I needed some information from John and I asked him could his daughter Penny send it to me by email. The email was signed off as Jiminy, which ensured its authenticity. Penny thanks for sending me that note, I treasured its arrival, and the private joke from John.
I came to greatly admire the qualities that John brought to all he undertook. He was a very special man, who stood tall in his home life, his school life and with his neighbours, demonstrating a generosity of spirit and sharing his talents, his genuineness, and his honesty.
I mentioned that John had become involved with the Vasey Housing Association of NSW, which had been founded by Mrs Jessie Vasey, wife of Major General George Vasey. This project was founded following WW2 for ex-service and Defence related women plus war widows. Mrs Isobel Humphrey (former Headmistress of SCEGGS Redlands) was a founding Director of Vasey. She invited John to join the board as a Director of Vasey, and in time John invited me and then Bruce Adams to join him.
Away from school John joined me often for companionship at functions run by other associations in which I was involved, including Rotary and the Military Hospitaller Order of St Lazurus. He enjoyed joining in with members of these other groups and their programs.
Let me share a private moment when I observed John at his daughter Meg’s funeral. At the end of the service, I saw John walk up to the coffin, lean over and touch it with his hand, as he said a private farewell to his daughter. He always showed a special warmth of fatherhood and humanity, which I admired.
John you played the game with great vigour in that special journey we have taken together – and you had an excellent innings.
I remember when John was retiring from the Board of SCECGS Redlands, we held a farewell function for him at the Sydney Entertainment Centre. After thanking him on behalf of our members and students I leaned over and hugged him, and I just whispered in his ear “Thanks Jiminy Cricket, I’m going to miss you.”
GOD BLESS YOU JOHN WILMOT ROBERTS
MAY YOU NOW REST IN GOD’S HANDS, IN PEACE
John Lang OAM, JP, KStJ
transcribed: 10/0620
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