VALE IT IS WITH SADNESS THAT WE RECORD THE DEATHS OF THE FOLLOWING MEMBERS OF THE ST MARY’S COMMUNITY.
RON FARRIS
LINDSAY PALMER
20 NOVEMBER 1941 – 14 APRIL 2021
18 JULY 1939 – 22 DECEMBER 2020
A leader in the establishment of the St Mary’s Foundation, Ron Farris was the inaugural Chair, Board Member and Trustee from 1987 to 2018. He worked alongside two of our Principals, Audrey Jackson AM and Lynne Thomson, and is amongst the School’s most generous benefactors. He worked tirelessly for the Foundation and St Mary’s, spearheading a number of significant fundraising campaigns, including St Mary’s at Metricup: The Lady Treatt Centre for Learning and Leadership. Ron was born in the WA country town of Bridgetown, the second of 11 children. Although his younger life was spent in the south-west, the family eventually moved to Doubleview where Ron attended Doubleview Primary School, followed by Perth Boys School for his high school years. After completing high school, Ron gravitated to the livestock industry, starting as the ‘mail boy’, but was quick to step into the role of auctioneer at age 18, when one of the more senior staff members became ill. He became a talented livestock advisor for Wesfarmers, where he also excelled in his role as a livestock auctioneer. Ron met Joy at a party in Scarborough and this meeting was the beginning of a 58-year friendship and marriage. They had three children - Anna-Maree, who attended St Mary’s from 19791990, and two sons, Paul and Matthew. Ron’s career change to the real estate industry was the result of a discussion with a neighbour who was Principal of the prestigious Gillon and Osboine building company. He encouraged Ron to join a subsidiary of the building company called GillBoine Real Estate. Ron took on the
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challenge, attending many evening classes at Perth TAFE to learn the ins and outs of investment and real estate. This was the beginning of Ron’s passion for the industry and his successful reign for over 40 years as a force in Western Australian residential and commercial real estate in his own company, Ron Farris Real Estate. Ron’s effervescent personality and willingness to devote himself to his clients’ success saw his popularity grow, particularly with his voluntary work within the WA community. He became well known in the State, initially through Appealathon, followed by the Telethon Institute, where he was auctioneer for over 20 years for the Telethon Home, as well as at the Telethon Ball. He was involved in many other charities, including the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and the Ear Science Institute and Deaf Society. Throughout his life, Ron faced many challenges. His latest health challenge was tackled “front on” and courageously, and he fought stoically to share his final days with his loving family and close friends. The entire St Mary’s community extends its sincere condolences to Joy, Anna-Maree (�90), Paul and Matthew and is very grateful for Ron’s immense contribution to our School. Information provided by the Farris family
Lindsay Palmer was a valued member of the St Mary’s community and dedicated 31 years of service as a member and Fellow of the Board of Management of the Foundation from 1987-2018 and Vice Chair from 1996-2013. Lindsay particularly enjoyed working alongside Marlene Carter (current Chair of the St Mary’s Foundation), Ron Farris, Peter Mead and Ian Viner, and together they provided prudent financial management and business acumen to assist St Mary’s with long-term planning and fundraising. Seeing St Mary’s at Metricup: The Lady Treatt Centre for Learning and Leadership come to fruition was a highlight that Lindsay remembered as a great achievement. Lindsay’s family remember the many hours he dedicated to these voluntary positions, even with a full and busy life. Lindsay married Marilyn in 1968 and together they raised three children, Tresna and Lisa, who both attended St Mary’s, and a son, Lincoln, who attended Hale. The Salvation Army played a large role in Lindsay’s life. At the age of eight, he joined the Perth Fortress Junior Brass Band and at 16, he joined the Senior Band and travelled with them to the 1956 Olympic Games in Melbourne. Lindsay was an extremely capable musician and enjoyed playing trombone in the Perth Fortress Band for more than 70 years and also in the Silver Threads Band, conducted by his brother, Irwin.
