Obituaries Australia

Geoffrey Brown, c1914

photo supplied by Jonathan Brown

Geoffrey William Brown, Liberal Member for McMillan in the House of Representatives, died in the Royal Melbourne Hospital on October 14th. He collapsed in the House during June with a heart condition, and this ultimately proved fatal.

He was a son of Dr. W. H. Brown, of Colac, and was a member of the School from 1908-1911; School librarian, won many good prizes and Honours in the old Senior Public Examinations. He entered Christ College, Cambridge, and completed an Honours course in Natural Science just before the 1914-18 War. As far as we can determine, he served throughout the War with the Royal West Kent Regiment in France and Belgium, was wounded in the Battle of Loos, won an M.B.E. and his captaincy.

For many years he lived at "Moelfre," Merricks, on the Mornington Peninsula – an orchard property. A popular and energetic orchardist, he was president of the Victorian Fruitgrowers’ Council for 25 years and represented fruitgrowers’ interests at the Ottawa Conference on preferential tariffs in 1934. He made several other overseas missions in their interests.

He was first elected as Member for McMillan when the electorate was formed in 1949, and was re-elected in 1951 and 1954. In the House he was chairman of the Commonwealth Immigration Advisory Council and also of the Government Members’ Food and Agricultural Committee.

He was universally liked and admired by all Members of the House; was an able, keen and effective debater, able to see both sides of a question. The Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition both paid moving tributes to him. Australia can ill afford to lose men of his calibre.

The School also has lost a great friend and a willing helper. To his widow, son (Geoffrey, O.G.G.), and daughter (Mrs. W. N. R. Brisbane), we extend our deep sympathy.