Farewell to Basil Balme

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.