Geoffrey Robert Jamieson Obituary

Geoffrey Robert JAMIESON was born at Blackburn Victoria on 9 January 1931, the son of an Air Force Corporal. He attended Newark Grammar School in the Masonic Hall Clarke St Blackburn, Box Hill Grammar School (now Kingswood College) then Scotch College from 1945–46. Geoff initially worked in insurance with Mercantile Mutual but went to work on farms in the Munro district from around 1950. He worked for Hardy Rash, Neil Maxfield and with Clem Mason. From 1952 he farmed at Munro on Old Paisley Rd, on a 74 acre property he purchased at Auction in 1951. By 1959 Geoff had 8 Beef Cattle and 200 Sheep and milking cow named Lucy. Geoff played outstanding cricket for Munro excelling as a bowler. His Bowling Average of 64 wickets at 7.45 was exceptional compared to his modest Batting of 241 Runs at 9.27 achieved between Nov 1952 and Dec 1954.

On the 18^th June 1952 he married Gwenda May Conway at Briagolong and immediately started a family.

He saw Conditional Purchase blocks near Esperance WA advertised in a Rural Magazine in 1958, and convinced his brother Peter to visit WA to have a look along with their father Alec. They both decided to apply for a Conditional Purchase lease and were allocated Locations 735 and 734 on 1st October1959. He moved part time to Munglinup in 1960 to begin working the land and sold his Munro land to Clyde White his neighbour. His wife, daughter and 3 sons were sent to live with his Father and Mother in Blackburn an eastern suburb of Melbourne. During this time he worked for Bob Stead, Ray Floan and John Kelman at Munglinup to raise money to meet the Conditional Purchase development requirements. When he returned to Blackburn he would drive in the family Taxi business. He had formed a partnership with his brother Peter who had moved to Munglinup in December 1964. By the13^th May 1965 Geoff was sufficiently settled on the land to bring over to the farm called Wyreema his wife Gwen, five sons Daryl, Ken, Ian, Colin and Bruce, and daughter Dianne. He received a major setback when his mother died suddenly in Nov 1965 because the bank required full and immediate repayment by the partnership of a £5000 loan she had arranged for them. It was decided to sell Geoff's block Location 735 because it was the most developed and would get the best price. The Lands Department were not at all understanding of the situation and demanded that the Block be handed back to them for reallocation. Geoff eventually convinced them to allow the block to be sold but the Lands Department placed a £12000 limit on the sale. The land was sold to Phil Young from South Australia and the loan repaid. The plan was for Geoff and Peter to farm the remaining block Location 734. Peter then decided farming was not the life for him and his wife Joyce had medical issues so he sold his block to Richard Field and moved his family to Esperance and then Perth. Geoff's family who were left homeless, moved into Murison’s Roadhouse as caretakers for about a month and then the Workmans cottage on Jack and Helen Compagnonis farm Newleigh until March 1968. Geoff brought a town block on the Munglinup townsite at 28 Manjart St and built a Wesfarmers home (Wesbank) with 3 bedrooms and sleepout. He then set up a BP Fuel, Wesfarmers and Kleenheat Gas agency. He purchased an International 8 Ton truck and built a shed in the commercial area of the Munglinup townsite at 2 Hall St which opened on 28 October 1969. The business was successful and he provided enormous support for the local farming community on many occasions carrying farmers debt on his own overdraft until wool or crop cheques were received by the farmers. He loved Munglinup and the people there and he worked tirelessly in the Community to improve facilities for all. He played Football and Cricket for Munglinup scoring a number of Centuries but supported pretty much all activities. His main interest was of course Golf. When he came to Munglinup he had arranged the first Golf day on Ray Floan's farm and later on Jack Compagnoni's farm Newleigh. Then with Clive Napier, Ron Brindley, Barry Martin, Arvon Cunningham and some others he helped establish the Munglinup Golf Course which was the design of Murray Dawson. He was one of the low handicappers at the course during his time at Munglinup playing off a 9 handicap. He was Club Champion at Munglinup in 1972 and then 1974-1979.

Geoff moved to Yanchep in 1980, allowing his son’s Ian and Colin to continue working in the business and returning to Munglinup regularly to maintain things. In Yanchep he worked initially for the Yanchep Nursery and was involved in the Tokyu developments including the Atlantis Marine Park established at Two Rocks. Later he joined the Yanchep Golf Course and was in charge of the maintenance of all equipment and reticulation. Here he found his working passion and he worked tirelessly for the Club including many unpaid hours per week.

Ultimately, Geoff was a Life Member of both the Munglinup Golf Club and The Sun City Golf Club at Yanchep.

Geoff died at his home 10 Russley Grove Yanchep, Western Australia, on 22 March 2007 from Cancer of the Pancreas.

The Sun City Golf Club at Yanchep named the 15th Hole after Geoff in 2010 calling it "Jamieson Run". In 2014 they erected a monument in his Honour between the 10th green and 11th Tee.