ONU remembering... Vale James Service, AO (ON 1949) Jim Service attended Newington College from 1945 to 1949 and achieved significant academic and College honours Vale John Roberts Jones DFC John continued to apply himself in his during his time as a student. A very (ON 1939) studies and, whilst he never professed to keen and sharp scholar, he gained his be an academic, his results were always Intermediate Certificate in 1946 and Old Newingtonian John Roberts Jones reflective of a conscientious student. Leaving Certificate in 1948 in which he passed away on 25 September 2021. His HSC results qualified him into most obtained First Class Honours in English. At the time of his passing, he was our university courses, but his love of the land In his final year he added First Class oldest known Old Boy. and country life saw him return to ‘Stafford’ Honours in both chemistry and geology. at Curlewis after school. Recognition for his academic ability and John entered Newington’s Preparatory School at the age of 10 in 1931 and John also achieved his potential on the diligence saw him awarded the Wigram remained until 1937 when he gained his sporting field, being stroke of the 1st IV in Allen Scholarship in 1947; the Edwin & Intermediate Certificate. With the outbreak rowing and Captain of the 2nd XV in rugby. In May Grainger Scholarship and the Holliday of war, he served in an anti-aircraft unit in his final year at Newington, he was appointed Scholarship in 1948; and the R T Baker the militia and, in August 1940, enlisted both Senior Prefect and Senior Boarding Scholarship in 1949. in the Royal Australian Air Force. Probably Prefect; a richly deserved honour. to enable him to train as air crew, his age In 1981, Jim founded J.G. Service Pty Ltd, a was ‘advanced’ by five years: his enlistment Our mates have stayed close for over 50 national property and development consulting record shows a date of birth in 1916 as well years, and in recent years a group has met company. His extensive experience in the as his correct age of 19! regularly for quarterly lunches, reflecting the areas of financial services and property values and mateship that make a Newington led him to positions in public company After air crew training in Canada, John was education so special. Their support for John leadership and governance across a variety assigned to an RAF bomber squadron in the during his illness has been a great comfort to of sectors including tourism, finance, utilities, UK. Serving as a wireless operator, he flew him and his family. telecommunications and development, 35 bombing sorties over Germany: early in including National President of the Property 1943 he was awarded the Distinguished John joined the Gunnedah Rugby Club, Council of Australia and Deputy Chairman of Flying Cross for ‘great devotion to duty and played in a premiership winning team and, Advance Bank. Jim was Director of CapitaMall high degree of courage’ and promoted after one of those matches, met Susan Trust Management Ltd in Singapore. to acting flight lieutenant. In September, Hughes who was to become the love of his however, his aircraft was shot down life. They married in 1974 and remained a Jim has been involved in a number of returning from a mission and the crew bailed happily married couple until John’s death. company boards and committees such as out. With help from the French Resistance, They produced two wonderful children in the Canberra Chamber of Commerce, the he evaded capture and crossed into neutral Sally and Andrew and provided them with CFMEU Children’s Healthcare Trust, the Switzerland, where he was interned with a the education and stable family life you Salvation Army Advisory Board, the ACT growing number of Allied airmen. Released would expect. Cancer Society Committee, and many more a year later under an agreement with the that serve the community. Swiss Government, he was repatriated to John’s love of his family was exemplified in his care for his mother and father until their Jim has received numerous national and the UK and then to Australia, where he community honours for service to, and continued to serve until the end of the war. deaths, both passing in their nineties. John has remained close to his brother Chris and beyond, the business world. He was a After the war, John returned to his family his children. recipient of the Queen’s Silver Jubilee business. He spent a long retirement, latterly Medal 1977; received Member of the Order on the far North Coast of NSW. Being the expert handyman, John was of Australia in 1990 for his service to the kept busy helping Sally and Scott, community; and Canberra Citizen of the Year May he rest in peace. and Andrew and Rachelle, as well as in 2001 and Order of Centenary Medal for transforming their Bayview house and service in developing Australia’s construction Mr David Roberts garden. Their transition from the country industry, also in 2001. He received Officer College Archivist to Sydney was a great success. in the Order of Australia in 2004 for service to business and to the community Vale John Cull (ON 1969) John’s cancer diagnosis and subsequent through support for the arts, cultural and battle took everyone by surprise. It’s fair charitable organisations. In 2009, Jim was John Cull arrived at Wyvern House to say that John faced it head on, always an ACT Finalist for Senior Australian of the Preparatory School as a boarder in Year positive and determined to get better. Susan Year 2009 where he was described as 5 in 1962 and he and I instantly became was amazing; so strong, loving and positive, ‘philanthropic businessman’. friends. John and I both came from old as were the kids. Newington families. An original member of the re-established As one of his many friends, I asked the Newington College Foundation Board John was a keen participant in all aspects question ‘Why?’ John was a wonderful from 2006–2010, Jim’s involvement in of school life and his warm nature, sense of human being, an all-round good bloke with business, his tireless service to the broader humour and lack of ego earned him many a great sense of humour. He was successful, community and his dedication to the College friends. His leadership skills and talent for kind, had outstanding values, was a born is exemplar. He was awarded the Newington motivating his fellow students came to the leader and a loving husband, father and Medal in 2011 for being a philanthropic fore early. He progressed through the Cadet grandfather. He was my really good mate business leader and a most valued member Corps, becoming first an NCO, then a CUO and I love him. We will miss you. of the Newington College Community. and eventually Senior Cadet Under Officer Mr Robert Webster (ON 1969) Jim died on Wednesday 29 September in Year 12. 2021 aged 88. He is survived by his wife Dorothy and children James, Adrian, Cathy and Robert. 60 | Curiostiy | News Autumn 2022 |Alumni, Community and Development