He was a leader to us, and to everyone... he was the guiding light.
- Kirk Donaldson.
Griffith said farewell to a local legend on Monday, with the funeral of John ‘Jock’ Donaldson attracting those from far and wide to pay their respects.
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Brother, husband, father, swim coach, business man, boss, Rotarian, patient, friend - he will be missed.
To many, he was a compass, giving direction, advice and support.
Much-loved husband of Helen, loving father and father-in-law of Kirk and Emma, Todd and Angela, Trent and Lucy, Eryn and Ryan, loving pop of Nick, Georgia, Lily, Evie, Thomas, Isabella, Blake and Hamish, as well as a beloved brother of William, Christina, and Alex.
“Our earliest memories would always be getting up, training, and the camaraderie... everyone became a part of the family,” Trent said.
“He was a leader to us, and to everyone – it felt like we all had each other’s back and he was the guiding light,” Kirk said.
As the saying goes behind every great man is an even a greater woman and this stands true with Jock finding Helen his soul mate who has been by his side for the past 47 years.
“He was very caring, very considerate, always put us before himself,” Helen said.
“We were together for 47 good years, and worked together in everything we did, but we never argued or fought.”
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Trent and Kirk said this particular influence filtered through the whole family, with neither them - his children, or his grandchildren exchanging cross words with their significant others and siblings.
“You’d think quite often you hear of people working with their partners there would be arguments,” Trent said.
“We wouldn’t know any different really. Our parents set that precedent,” Kirk agreed.
Jock’s father David started the family business in 1940 and Jock left school at 15 to join his brother Bill in the business.
Meanwhile he continued to swim competitively with brother Alec and started coaching.
In the ‘70s Bill and Jock took over managing the business.
The Griffith Swimming Club had a great squad with some swimmers, who attended the funeral, Jenny Beer (nee Tate) making the 1976 Montreal Olympics and Don Metcalf who went onto join the AIS.
In 1985 Jock stepped in as Chairman of Mitre 10 Australasia, while he and Bill continued to build the family business by creating, manufacturing and expanding into Leeton.
This decade saw Jock step back from his swimming coaching and whilst the pool was sold to the council, it still remained a key part of the family's life.
Many a game of backyard cricket was put on hold for a swim, with the raiding of Jock’s chair for loose change to buy redskins from the canteen and the spring carnival on the October long weekend were just a few more memories associated with Jock and swimming.
It was during this time Jock’s passion for politics and his friendship with Noel Hicks began.
His family say the affiliation with the National Party and contribution to local council as Deputy Mayor “exemplify Dad's desire to make a difference in Griffith and wider community.”
Griffith City Council remembered his work and dedication as Deputy Mayor with a one minute silence at their meeting on Tuesday.
“I think his involvement in rotary and politics was about making it more equitable for everyone, making it better for all,” Kirk said.
“The family business was almost a family legacy for him, but where he contributed elsewhere in the community, that was about recognising everyone deserves to be better off.”
One of these many valuable contributions was his part in securing funding for Griffith’s Post School Options, helping them purchase the old Catholic Club.
GPSO service manager Roy Catanzariti said Jock has a huge impact on not only him personally, but the organisation as well.
“Jock was someone I looked up to in my time here at GPSO,” Mr Catanzariti said.
“He always gave his time and I learned so much from him that will stay with me forever.
“To his whole family, love and thoughts on behalf of GPSO – he’ll be dearly missed.”
Jock’s contribution to the Griffith Rotary Club started in the 70s and escalated during the 90s and the time he dedicated to Rotary over the years was “nothing short of amazing.”
“Earliest memories are of manning barbecues and the Tuesday night meetings and Rotary's purchase and development of the Carrathool site provided our family with countless opportunities to spend time by the river,” Trent said.
“It was a grand gesture of the Griffith Rotary Club to provide such a facility for those in the community experiencing difficult times and I fondly remember Dad enjoying their mateship.”
Following Carrathool came his passion for the markets after his children had flown the coop.
“These markets were a big part of Dad's life and they gave him an opportunity to continue to use his skills in business during retirement.”
“Whilst at the time every chat with Dad seemed to be about the markets, sprinkled with some politics or Collingwood, it would be remiss to not acknowledge that it was a hobby that sustained Dad's enjoyment for business, allowed him to continue his mateship with his fellow Rotarians and remain connected to the wider community.”
The sale of all the businesses in the 2000s provided Jock and Helen with plenty of time to enjoy the next chapter of their life travelling the world as grey nomads.
“Dad had the ability to speak to anyone about anything.”
In Jock’s final days he was fully supported and cared for by Jane, Sukhi and all the staff at the Settler's unit Pioneer Lodge and the family are “eternally grateful” for the compassion and care they showed.
“We would also like to thank Dr Calaizis for all that he did for Dad.”