Obituaries
Farewell to Basil Balme (OSC 1940) The Old Scotch Collegians were saddened to hear that Dr Basil Eric Balme (OSC 1940) passed away on Monday 10 July, just weeks after celebrating his 100th birthday on Tuesday 13 June. It was a fantastic innings for one of our oldest past students, who was a stalwart of Perth’s western suburbs. Basil attended schools in Victoria Park, Como and Subiaco in his early years. While attending Perth Boy’s School, he completed the Junior Certificate and was awarded the Coombe Scholarship which gave him entry into Scotch College. He started Year 10 in 1938 and quickly became a popular student as he was good at sports and played in the football and cricket teams. One of his fondest memories of school was beating Aquinas College to win the Darlot Cup at the WACA in 1939. He became Head Boy at Scotch College but once said he thought it was because so many boys left due to World War II. Basil graduated from Scotch College in 1940 and spent a year at the University of Western Australia where he began a science degree. With World War II raging he joined the Royal Australian Navy in 1942, initially at HMAS Leeuwin. “As I had a background in
high school physics, I was transferred to Melbourne for a course in radar technology,” Basil said. “I was largely involved in convoy duties, escorting other ships throughout the Mediterranean and England. I originally trained as a radar operator and spent all the war years at sea either on English cruisers or corvettes. For several months I was on board with Philip Mountbatten, who would later become Prince Philip, and I remember having several conversations with him.” After the war Basil returned to UWA to complete his degree BSc Honours (1948) in oil geology. He won a Fulbright Scholarship to New York University, before securing a paid job there. He completed his Doctorate in Science (1969) at UWA and was a member of staff for many years. His very successful career in geology saw him travel widely and work on every continent except Antarctica. In London during 1949, he married his sweetheart Helen Cook, a country girl from Dumbleyung in WA. On their return from the UK, the couple bought a house in Agett Road, Claremont, and later built a home in Queen Street, Claremont. They had three children and enjoyed a happy life together in Perth until Helen passed away in 2008. Basil maintained a connection to Scotch College. He served as a Council Member
from 1975-86, Chairman of Council from 1983-86, and was a member of the Alexander Society. In his last year as Chairman of Council, Basil presided over the establishment of the Scotch College (WA) Foundation Inc. Basil attributed his innings of “100 not out” to maintaining an intellectual curiosity in all aspects of life. Basil is survived by his children Stephen (OSC 1969), Jane and Mary, as well as his beloved grandchildren and great children. Basil was a remarkable man, and the Old Scotch Collegians send deepest condolences to the family.
Calendar
Celebrating lives Basil Balme
1940
Rob Nix
1957
Tony Nicholas
1943
Tony Cox
1957
Ronald Sounness
1945
Walter Lingwood
1957
Don Skinner
1947
Ken York
1958
Cliff Fraser
1949
Colin Thorpe
1959
Jim Flockart
1949
John Hogben
1960
Brian Somes
1950
Malcolm Seaward
1960
John D’Arcy
1950
Graeme Bell
1962
Stuart Dunkley
1950
David Paterson
1965
Tony Smith
1950
Dene Irvin
1967
Kim Wade
1952
Ian Campbell
1967
Lester Watkins
1952
Preston Parker
1972
Ray Smith
1953
Robert Cassidy
1973
Geoffrey Liddell
1954
Peter Sims
1975
Ronald Gibbs
1954
Stephen Clynch
1976
John Edwards
1955
Graeme Brown
1980
Don Langdon
1955
Roland Bovell
1983
Ian Lyon
1957
Paul Miller
1993
Fri 13 Oct
Fri 3 Nov
March Out Playing Fields
Class of 2003 – 20 Year Reunion Gooch Pavilion
Fri 20 Oct
Founders Day Dinner Dining Room Fri 27 Oct
PSA Golf Day Cottesloe Golf Club
Tues 14 Nov
OSC Admissions Headmasters Tour Scotch College Thu 30 Nov
Class of 1973 – 50 Year Reunion Gooch Pavilion Thu 30 Nov
St Andrews Day Vale Scotch Chapel
