Honourable
Old Guildfordian of the Year 2016
OLD GUILDFORDIANS
Honourable
John Day
Old Guildfordian of the Year 2016
Hon John Day MLA BSc , BDSc ( Wb 1968-1972 )
Minister for Health ; Culture and the Arts
Leader of the House in the Legislative Assembly of Western Australia
The life of a member of parliament can be very demanding , demanding on one ’ s time , private life and family . Political careers are tumultuous and , being at the fate of public opinion , positions of responsibility are often short lived . This is what makes John Day a rarity , with an impressive career in politics spanning over two decades . Other than being the current Minister for Health , a challenging portfolio to say the least , John has broken the record for being the longest serving Culture and the Arts Minister in Western Australian political history . At the Old Guildfordians ’ Annual Dinner on 8 October 2016 , John was recognised for his considerable achievements and presented with the Old Guildfordian of the Year Award .
John was originally elected to the Legislative Assembly in 1993 and has been re-elected ever since . First he was Member for Darling Range , a seat he held until 2008 when electoral boundaries in Western Australia were redrawn , and John now represents the Kalamunda electorate . During his political career John ’ s other notable portfolios have included Police and Emergency Services , Planning , and Science and Innovation . Appointed to the role of Minister for Culture and the Arts in 2008 , John has been influential in the ongoing revitalisation of the Perth Cultural Centre and his significant work building the profile of the State ’ s cultural institutions has created a popular destination for cultural entertainment . Now in his eighth year leading the portfolio for Arts and Culture , John has secured $ 428 million in government investment for a new Western Australian Museum , one of the most significant cultural infrastructure projects currently under development in Australia and the southern hemisphere .
Our 2016 Old Guildfordian of the Year , Honourable John Day MLA BSc , BDSc
In all the years working as a member of parliament and minister , John has been involved in many interesting projects , been to remarkable places and met fascinating people .
Leadership and politics are in John ’ s blood . His father , also John , was a Major in the 2 / 7th Australian Field Regiment , an artillery unit involved in the two battles of El Alamein in Egypt against Germany a nd Italy in 1942 . John ’ s mother , Myfanwy , was involved in politics and community groups as a member of the Darlington Liberal Party branch and Secretary of the P & F at Guildford Grammar School .
Born at Swan Districts Hospital in Middle Swan , John became a student at Guildford Grammar School and remembers his first day as he walked through the Lych Gate , excited yet slightly apprehensive about what lay in store . He made an impression early , winning the German Prize for 1st Year Classes in 1968 .
In July of 1969 and John ’ s second year at the School , he recalls the energy that surrounded the first moon landing . He was so excited and the School had set up television sets so that the students could share the moment . Despite his enthusiasm , John would have to miss this cherished moment as he was stuck at home with the flu and no TV , as his parents didn ’ t believe it was necessary or desirable to have one . John would have to read about the landing later and play the moment out in his imagination .
John continued to do well at school and received a Commonwealth Secondary Scholarship in 1971 and the OGs War Memorial Science Prize in 1972 . John would also hone his leadership skills as a noncommissioned officer in the School ’ s Cadet Corp , holding the rank of Staff Sergeant in 1971 and 1972 , his final year .
University beckoned and the School ’ s Headmaster at the time , David Lawe Davies ,
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