VALE

IT IS WITH SADNESS THAT WE RECORD THE DEATHS OF THE FOLLOWING MEMBERS OF THE ST MARY’S COMMUNITY.

RON FARRIS

20 NOVEMBER 1941 – 14 APRIL 2021

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 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

18 JULY 1939 – 22 DECEMBER 2020

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.

Lindsay’s empathy, his ability to connect with people and the time he took to really understand them and their situation, enabled him to enjoy a successful career in the insurance industry and later, as a trusted financial planner. Lindsay’s loyalty and commitment to whatever he was involved in was second to none. Lindsay had a number of health challenges throughout his life. His health deteriorated quickly in his latter years; however, he never complained and would always answer with “I’m fine, thanks”, when asked how he was. He fought to be with his family right until the end. Together with Marilyn, Lindsay’s family were his greatest achievement and his love and support for them all was unrivalled. He will be greatly missed but remembered forever, with many happy, loving memories of a husband, father, grandfather, friend and colleague with a wicked sense of humour and a loving, generous spirit. Our sincere condolences go to Marilyn, Tresna (’88), Lisa (’89) and Lincoln. St Mary’s is thankful for the huge contribution he made to our School. The Palmer Family

MEAGAN LOUISE PLUMMER (FRIPP ’96)

15 MARCH 1979 - 27 NOVEMBER 2020

Meagan was born in Johannesburg and migrated with her family to Perth in 1981. She started at St Mary’s in Year 5, where her younger sister, Joanna, was also enrolled. Meagan loved life at St Mary’s and always cherished the good friends she met there. Outside the classroom her passions at St Mary’s were all things outdoors, including the challenges of the Duke of Edinburgh Award and horses. She was a team player, representing the School in netball, swimming and athletics, and carried out volunteer work at Riding for the Disabled. She led Wittenoom as Drama Prefect in Year 12 and it was at St Mary’s that her passion for Fine Arts blossomed under the tutelage of art teacher, Lisa Young. Her Year 12 textile triptych was hung at the Perth Perspectives Exhibition at the WA Art Gallery. Meagan completed a Bachelor of Arts (Art) at Curtin University and a Graduate Diploma of Education at Edith Cowan University and later, taught at Geraldton Grammar School for 18 years, where she became Head of Art. She was thrilled when one of her Year 12 student’s work was selected for the 2019 Perth Perspectives. Meagan pursued her own artwork with great enthusiasm and was commissioned to paint a variety of artworks, with an emphasis on landscapes and underwater scenes. She married in 2003 and was a loving mother to her sons, Jai (16) and Leon (12). In Geraldton, she continued playing her team sports of club hockey and soccer. She also took an active role in the Geraldton Surf Club where, later, her celebration of life was held and attended by more than 400 people from across WA. Meagan made everyone feel special in her life. She was diligent, talented, and always humble about her many achievements. When diagnosed with brain cancer, she fought the disease courageously for over a year. She leaves behind lasting memories of her talents on many walls in many mansions. Geraldton Grammar recognised Meagan's contributions by naming their annual Art Day after her. Meagan, we sorely miss you, your empathy and tolerance, and terrific sense of humour and wit. Rodney, Dyana and Joanna Fripp

MIRIAM ESTELLE FARDON (’53)

23 FEBRUARY 1936 – 30 MAY 2020

Mim was born on 23 February 1936 at St Helens Hospital in East Fremantle to Lilly and Roland. She began her schooling in Kalgoorlie, while her father was serving in the Air Force during the War and then returned to Perth to finish her primary education. Mim joined St Mary’s in 1947, after which she went to Fremantle Hospital for her nursing training where she graduated as Dux. Mim travelled to Launceston to do her midwifery certificate and became a triple certificate nurse. On her return to Perth, Mim applied for a job in Bruce Rock to get some experience in the country - and quickly ended up being the Matron! The following year, she moved to the Perth Chest Hospital and then joined Hollywood Repatriation Hospital. Between 1961 and 1962, Mim travelled and lived overseas, predominantly in London. After an extended period of nursing at King Edward Memorial Hospital, she headed off in 1970 to work in Victoria in the Peter McCallum Clinic in oncology. In 1972, Mim returned to WA and worked at Royal Perth Hospital in oncology. She then returned to King Eddies where she stayed for the rest of her career. Mim nursed a lot of Indigenous women at King Edward Hospital, and would often go to the airport to pick them up from their regional flights as she knew they would be nervous. Mim was a great volunteer, happy to lend a hand to anyone who needed it. One of her all-time favourite jobs was as a guide at Kings Park, which she did for 30 years. Mim loved her garden and had a soft spot for very prickly succulents. She was very much the head gardener of the family. Mim was such a brilliant support to her family, and whilst she did not marry or have children of her own, she was both a friend and role model to Andrew and Louise, her nephew and niece. Andrew Fardon