LAST MEETING

 
This week John Perry gave us some insight into the member behind the badge.
 
John grew up in Olinda in a family of 8 siblings, five boys and three girls, and parents Noel and Gwen.

The large property Glen Elborne was part bush and paddocks and eight acres of garden, with a gardener's cottage and third house.

"It was an exciting and fun place to roam as teenagers. This was before TV and the internet, and we would often range all day outdoors, and mum would say come home by five. This lifestyle engendered a love of the bush and outdoors. I still love bushwalking, nature, and the outdoors."
John spoke about his maternal family of Owens from Prince Edward Island in Canada and New Zealand and the exciting history of sailing, the gold rush, San Francisco and migration to NZ.

John described his paternal family as coming from Rotherhithe in the UK and old Westal docks on the Thames. His grandfather SJ started an export company in 1895 in Melbourne and Shepparton, exporting canned fruit and dairy from SPC. They owned apple and pear farms in Harcourt.
He is related to the Grimoldi family of Genoa and Monaco. His father and brothers were involved with the farming and machinery business in WA.
John referred to his time studying law at Monash in the mid-sixties and discussed his legal career, including many years with Perry Weston. The firm has worked extensively with Women's Refuges since 1985.

John concluded his talk with brief accounts of his recent travels to Alaska and his more recent trip to Israel with David Rush.
Thanks to David Rush for being MC and expanding on John's modest account of himself, his interests and achievements. In David's words, John is a man of action who is still active in various outdoor activities.