The OVA mourns the passing of past OVA President and Heritage Roll of Honour Inductee Adrian Coetzee (SVC 1943-50). Adrian was an enthusiastic and highly regarded President of the OVA from 2001 to 2011 and provided significant leadership for the College's Centenary celebrations.
The OVA mourns the passing of past OVA President and Heritage Roll of Honour Inductee Adrian Coetzee (SVC 1943-50). Adrian was an enthusiastic and highly regarded President of the OVA from 2001 to 2011 and provided significant leadership for the College's Centenary celebrations.
A funeral service for Adrian will be held at at St Joseph's Catholic Church, Harrington St, Hobart on Thursday January 17 at 10.00am.
A summary of Adrian's contribution to the College and the wider community is outlined below:
Inducted into the St Virgil’s Heritage Roll of Honour 2011
Born in Hobart to Flora & James in March 1935 youngest of five sons and one daughter.
Education
• Sacred Heart College, New Town - 1941-42
• St Virgil’s College- 1943-50 ( one year as a boarder)
Family
• Married Mary 1958
• Adrian had five daughters, nine grandchildren & one great grandchild.
Career
• On leaving school first worked in the PMG (Post Master General’s Dept.) and in commercial industry.
• Adrian then spent fifteen years employed in local government working for the Penguin and Kingborough Councils. Notable among his achievements during this period were:
- oversaw the construction of the Dial Sports Centre for the the Penguin Council
- supervised the construction of the Kingborough Sports Centre
- supervised the construction of roads and layout of the Kingborough Lawn Cemetery.
• Adrian was employed for the last twenty years of his career by GTE Directories Australia, in advertising and the production of the ‘Yellow Pages’, under contract to Telecom.
• He held the position of National Australia Manager of Finance & Administration prior to his retirement.
Other Involvements
• Lifetime of involvement in the Administration of the sport of Lawn Bowls.
- Secretary / Treasurer of Kingborough & Rodman Bowls Clubs. He was a Life Member of both.
- 10 years as Treasurer and three years as President of Buckingham Bowls Club.
• Life Member of Moonah Probus Club.
• St Joseph’s Church Hobart, Church warden
- He held a number of appointments and titles in the parish including:
• Official Benefactor of the Passionate Congregation of St Joseph’s Church
• Chairman of Finance and Maintenance Committees
• Manager of the CBD Car Park for the Sydney Passionist Congregation
Adrian was designated an Honorary Member of St Joseph’s Retreat, affording him participation in the full spiritual rites of the Passionist Congregation. In addition, he was also designated “Magnificent Benefactor” of the Passionist Congregation.
• Adrian served as President of the Old Virgilians Association. 2001 – 2011
Eternal rest grant to him and may perpetual light shine on him.
Daniel Reardon
OVA President
