TEMPLE, Jack M.M.

Jack passed away peacefully on January 30th 2019 at St. Vincent's Hospital after recent 100th birthday celebrations. Loved husband of Doris (dec.), father of John, Robert, Garry, Janet and Malcolm, father-in-Law of Julie, Janene and Julie. Poppa to 37 grand children and great grand children. He lived a great life and will be sadly missed by all.

BIOGRAPHY:

Jack was born and raised in Wood Street, Preston. He went to school at Tyler Street School and Collingwood Technical School. 

Jack's first job was serving customers in a grocery shop, followed by a job fixing the belts on sewing machines at Rockmans Clothing before being moved into the office. He was then offered and accepted a job at legal firm Blake & Riggall starting as office boy with later progression into Conveyancing. This was a strictly disciplined conservative environment but it was a good job and Jack stayed there for several years until drafted into the Army.

Jack was an avid sportsman with a preference for cricket and football.   In 1939, he played football for Thornbury Presbyterians and won the Protestants Churches Competition Best & Fairest award. He also played for Preston Football Club with teammates including Des Fothergill, Ken Walker and Godfrey Goldin. 

Before the war, Jack regularly attended dances particularly at Preston, Northcote and Collingwood Town Halls and it was here he first met his wife, Doris (Dot). 

Jack spent five years in the Army during World War 2 with the 57/60th Infantry Battalion. He served in New Guinea and Bouganville attaining the rank of Sergeant. Jack was wounded in action on two separate occasions and was awarded the Military Medal for gallantry. After the War, he was selected to represent Australia as a member of the Victory Contingent in London in 1946.  Upon his return to Australia he and Dot were married by his army padre, Geoffrey Sambell, who later became an Archbishop.

In 1946, Jack purchased the furniture removals and wood merchant business from his Uncle Will. He also purchased the house and storerooms at 317 Victoria Street, Brunswick, next to the railway line. He operated this business successfully until his retirement in 1980. Around 1987, Jack & Dot sold up in Brunswick and moved to a new unit in Gilbertson Street, Essendon.

Jack played cricket for Brunswick RSL from 1946 until 1978 when he was nearly 60 years of age. He was a batsman and wicket-keeper and represented Victoria RSL year after year. After retiring from cricket, Jack took up lawn bowls initially playing for West Brunswick and then transferring to Doutta Galla Bowls Club which was nearer to home.

He was a member of the Masonic Lodge and the Order of the Sons of Temperance where he held executive positions including Chairman of Directors. He was also a Director of the Brunswick & Coburg UFS Dispensary.

On ANZAC Day 2016 Jack was a proud guest of the AFL and was driven around the MCG in a motorcade in front of 95,000 spectators prior to the football match.

He celebrated his 100^th birthday in December 2018 with family and friends.