Issue 27 - Sept 2011 - Scots College

ARCHIVES
Found – A Piece of the Past
‘a goodly heritage, proud traditions, cherished memories’
A LIFE OF SERVICE
A large painting by Gaston de Vel hangs in
the Headmaster’s office. It was presented
to the College “to the memory of J F Living”
by his widow Mrs Emma Living and the
Living family.
Gaston de Vel’s painting.
John Frederick (Jack) Living was
enrolled at Scots College, Hobson Street,
as a nine year old pupil (No. 8) on 20
September 1916. His first Headmaster
was Mr G H Uttley. During his years as a
Scots College Prefects 1924
L to R Back: A Campbell, J Pegden, D Fleming, E Simister
Front: N Robieson, L McKelvie, G Plimmer, J Living
Jack Living, Board Chairman, presenting His Excellency the Governor General Sir Bernard Fegusson
with Len Plimmer’s History of Scots and a Fergusson rug at the 50 th Jubilee, 1966.
L to R: Clifford Plimmer, E Caradus former Headmaster, Jack Living, Sir Bernard Fergusson and
Travis George President SCOBA
pupil (1916 – 1924), Jack experienced a
move from the city to the new school
premises at Miramar and had two further
Headmasters – Messrs R A Vines and J H
Murdoch.
Jack was both a dayboy and a boarder.
He achieved his Matric and Higher
Leaving Certificate. He was awarded a
Prize for Drawing. He held the office of
scribe for the form magazine “On Dit” and
played the part of Sebastian in the school
production of The Tempest, performed in
the Wellington Concert Chambers. Jack
reached the position of Platoon Sergeant
in the Cadets, was a member of the First
XV Rugby team and became a Prefect in
his final year.
On leaving Scots he joined his father’s
J F Living, Chairman Board of Governors, 1957-
1967
company, Hope Bros. Ltd as a mercer. It
also marked the beginning of a lifetime
of service to Scots College and the
community.
Jack became an executive member of
the Scots College Old Boys’ Association in
1930-1931 and the President from 1945-
1947 and Parents’ Association President
1948-1949.
He married Emma (Em) Lilian Lamb in
1934 and took over the role of Managing
Director of the family firm, Hope Bros. Ltd
two years later.
Jack and Em sent their three sons to
Scots; Keith 1941-1954, Ray 1942-1955 (a
Senior Cross Country Champion in 1954),
and Derek 1944-1951. Derek held the
position of President of SCOBA 1980-1981,
during the years his two sons attended –
David 1972-1983 and Richard 1983-1988
(Primary School Dux 1983). Jack’s daughter
Lorraine also sent her son, Peter Fitzgerald,
to Scots 1977-1981.
Jack was appointed to the Board of
Governors in 1946. He took over the
Chairmanship in 1957 and remained its
leader until 1967. One of the longest
serving chairmen, he performed with
distinction. His interest and generosity was
legendary. As one Old Boy commented,
“Jack provided finance and gifts to the
College when money was short.”
He donated the Fergusson rugs for the
Gibb House boarders’ beds; he presented
the College with a state portrait of HM
Queen Elizabeth II in honour of her
Coronation; he provided the First XV Cricket
and First XV Rugby caps annually. Jack was
a member of the hardworking Chapel
Assembly Hall fundraising committee and
he pressed for the building of a separate
Primary School department.
Working alongside him and a constant
support, Em became convenor of the Ladies’
Committee of the Parents’ Association from
1953-1956. Her enthusiasm and dedicated
hard work produced a high performance
team of women that kept an interest in
Scots long after their boys had left.
The family business and Scots were not
the only organisations to benefit from Jack
Living’s hard work and interests. He was
Deacon for the Wellington Central Baptist
Church; he was Chairman of the YMCA
and promoted the work of both the YMCA
and the YWCA; a member of the Lions
1923 Matric Form
L to R Back: J Buckleton, G Plimmer, E George, M MacDonald, E Watt, R Fraser
Front: H Robieson, F Pears, J Living, W Mason, E Toogood, T Ennis
Club; the Rose Croix Lodge; President of
the Wellington and New Zealand Retailers’
Associations; Urban Development
Association Executive; Wellington City
Council; President Wellington Bowling Club
and the Royal NZ Horticultural Association.
On learning of Jack Living’s death in
1977, the then President of the SCOBA,
Ian Symonds, paid tribute to a generous
Patron and referred to him as “one of
the staunchest members of the Old Boys’
Association.”
In 1966, when Jack was still leading the
Board of Governors, Len Plimmer (1916-
1920), Old Boy and author of “The Story of
Scots” which detailed the first fifty years of the
College, ended the history complimenting
his former foundation year school chum
thus: “Along its historical path few beacons
have been brighter than those kindled by
the kindness and services of the Chairman of
the Board of Governors, J F Living.”
Truly, a life of service.
Paddianne W Neely – College Archivist
1924 First XV Rugby Team
L to R Back: E Willoughby, H Langmuir, S Fleming, J Webber, R Burnett
Middle: J Living, E Moffat, L Watt, C Watt, I McLeod, J Buckleton, R Fraser
Front: C Smith, J Cooper, A Campbell (Capt), Mr Marks, D Fleming, N Robieson
28 THE QUAD | SEPTEMBER 2011 – ISSUE 27 THE QUAD | SEPTEMBER 2011 – ISSUE 27 29