‘G’day’: this is how John East greeted visitors to his accommodation in Mayflower Village where he was beautifully looked after and supported by his wife, Jill, during the last years of his life.
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John was born in Chatswood in 1919 to parents Harmon and Laura East, the elder of two boys.
His younger brother, Douglas unfortunately died in a traffic accident at an early age.
This had a big effect on John as they were very close.
His schooling was at Jerrara Public School and Wollongong High School, where he was dux in his final year.
On leaving school he worked for the Commonwealth Bank, and with the breakout of World War II enlisted in the RAAF.
He trained in Canada, was based in England and was a navigator in bombing and pathfinder raids over Europe.
John had a distinguished military service record, and was a member of the famous Bomber Command.
Part of the period of decommissioning after the war provided the opportunity of undertaking a short course in England.
He chose to study agriculture for, in his words to more or less arm himself to carry on the Glenburn Dairy Stud on his return to Australia.
He was a navigator in the RAAF, and on one occasion he and his rear gunner mate Bob Cole took some R&R in Wales, where they met two young ladies who were sisters, Coralie and Wynne Fuller.
After sorting out the pairings, Bob sought out Mr Fuller and asked for Coralie’s hand in marriage.
John, who was standing behind Bob while that was going on, emerged and said, “me too”.
They each married and returned to Australia with their brides, Bob with Coralie and John with Wynne.
On his return, after a stint of living in Kiama, John and Wynne set up residence on his Uncle Ollie’s farm on Factory Lane, Jamberoo, which was formerly a partnership between John’s father and his uncle.
When John’s uncle died the farm was left three ways - to John and two of his cousins. John took the plunge and bought his cousins out.
John’s interest in cattle saw him join the management committee of the Illawarra Cattle Society of Australia and serve as Australian treasurer for a period.
John had a daughter, Glynis, by his first wife.
Sadly, Wynne passed away after a long illness in the late sixties.
John battled on with the help of friends and his music until he met and married his second wife Jill in the early seventies.
They were married 45 years.
John’s interest in farming extended to the next level, becoming a director of the Jamberoo Co-Op for a number of years.
When Jamberoo merged with Nowra Dairy to form Shoalhaven Dairy Co-op at the end of 1984, he served on the initial board of that co-operative.
John was also heavily involved on the committee of the Kiama Show Society where he served for many years as pavilion steward.
For his long period of service he was awarded life membership.
On retiring from the farm, John and Jill moved to Kiama where John became a member of the Probus Club of Kiama.
He remained an active member until just before moving into Mayflower Village.
John was a keen golfer. He was involved with a group of Jamberoo social golfers who played on different selected courses once a month.
It was through the determination of this group that the Jamberoo Golf Club was formed.
The club was formed in 1981 and for the first ten years was constructed and maintained totally by voluntary labour.
John was there on working bees with his farm machinery if required, and was the foundation treasurer, holding that position for 15 years.
He was awarded life membership for his service.
Another of John’s great interests was skiing, having tasted the sport when undertaking his air force training in Canada.
He also had a long-time association with the Illawarra Rose Society.
In 2008, John and Jill were awarded the Bert Mulley Memorial Award, the highest honour bestowed by the Rose Society of NSW
He was also a classical pianist, playing the pipe organ in the Scots Presbyterian Church, Kiama evening services for 40 years.
John Strange East died on April 19, aged 97.
There is a thread which we see running through the many facets of John’s life and military service.
He was progressive, innovative and volunteering, with a strong sense of service and commitment, was big on friendship and hospitality, and possessed a great sense of fun.
