OBITUARIES
RIDDLE , Malcolm Robertson (’ 37 ) Malcolm ’ s son , Scott (’ 80 ), wrote :
Malcolm was born at Ballarat on 18 December 1919 , the son of the Rev . Thomas John and Ellen Robertson ( nee MacDougall ) Riddle . He attended Geelong College ( 1931- 34 ) when his father was called to the small Batesford parish . Malcolm rode to Geelong College in a two-wheeled jinker pulled by ponies . He later boarded there before the family moved to Ringwood , from which he attended Scotch from 1935 to 1937 .
In 1947 , Malcolm established Riddells The Staff People , Australia ’ s first private employment agency . His first client , Radio 3KZ , rang on a Monday morning , asking him to send ‘ one of his girls ’ to sort out a crisis . Malcolm advertised on Tuesday , sent his first ‘ temp ’ on Wednesday , paying her five pounds per week , and charged 3KZ six pounds , ten shillings . A thriving business , and an industry revolving around placing temporary and permanent staff , was born .
On 14 November 1953 Malcolm was married by his father to Margaret Jean McPhail at Scotch , which their son Scott attended from 1975 to 1976 .
Margaret helped Malcolm build the Riddells Staff business into a multi-branch secretarial training and employment service . Selling it in the mid-1980s to the Centacom Group ( now Adecco ), Malcolm ’ s focus turned to the theatre and the arts , and to overseas travel with Margaret and his family .
Malcolm was an active member of the Old Scotch Tennis Club . A great actor , he was a driving force and Secretary ( 1950-51 ) in the Old Scotch Collegians ’ Dramatic Society ( OSCDS ), producing and appearing in many plays , and producing its newsletter . Lifelong friends included Keith Weymouth ( SC 1940-44 ), Bruce Leslie Adams ( born 17.3.1927 , SC 1939-43 , died 24.11.2007 ), Kingsley Peter Maclean ( born 23.4.1929 , SC 1941-47 , died 28.7.2015 ) and Ian Fisher Borrie ( born 13.7.1921 , SC 1928-39 , died
12.12.2006 ). Malcolm served as OSCDS President in the 1950s .
Margaret died on 11 January 2018 . Malcolm was the fifth known oldest living Old Scotch Collegian , and the oldest known living Old Geelong Collegian before his death at Rathdowne Place , Carlton , on 4 August 2021 . Malcolm ’ s children , Lisa , Kirsty , Scott and Matthew and eight grandchildren all dearly miss his wit , wisdom and zest for life .
TAFT , Dr Leon Israel (’ 44 )
Leon ’ s son , Peter (’ 82 ), wrote :
Leon was born at Carlton on 3 November 1927 , the son of Yasha and Sima ( nee Morohovsky ) Taft , Jewish refugees from Ukraine .
He attended Caulfield North Central School and then Scotch from 1941 to 1944 . Relatives at Scotch include his son Peter ( SC 1971-82 ), cousins Boyard Israel Taft ( born 13.2.1913 , SC 1923-29 , died 15.1.2008 ), Alexander Nissan Taft ( born 24.8.1917 , SC 1929-34 , died 26.12.1957 ) and Ron Taft ( SC 1929-36 ), and first cousins once removed Rod Taft ( SC 1950-57 ), Michael Taft ( SC 1959-63 ), Stephen Davis ( SC 1963-66 ), David Taft ( SC 1966-67 ), and Marcus Taft ( SC 1966-69 ).
Leon competed in swimming and rifle shooting , and played violin in the Scotch orchestra . He never forgot the day when the Scotch rifle team defeated Flinders Naval College .
Receiving a Government Senior Scholarship to Melbourne University and a Minor Resident Scholarship to Ormond College , Leon studied Medicine and Science , specialising in pathology and paediatric haematology . His medical career encompassed research at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute , and director roles at the Royal Children ’ s Hospital and Mercy Maternity Hospital .
He taught and wrote research papers at Melbourne University . In 1958 Leon was
awarded a Fulbright scholarship to teach at Northwestern University in Chicago .
Leon was actively involved in the Jewish community . His major achievement was his role with the King David School , the first progressive Jewish school in Australia , which opened in Melbourne in 1978 . Leon was a founder of the school and the inaugural President of its council . He also held leadership positions with the Victorian Union for Progressive Judaism and the Raoul Wallenberg unit of B ’ nai Brith .
On 16 February 1954 Leon married Susie Hilda Charlotte Goldman ( sister of Bob Goldman ( SC 1940-47 ). They had three daughters and one son . Leon enjoyed lifelong learning into his 80s , studying the Russian language ( in a class with two of his son Peter ’ s Scotch friends !) as well as history at the University of the Third Age . Leon died at home in Kew on 10 January 2022 . He is survived by Susie and his children , grandchildren and greatgrandchildren .
THOMSON , James McLean (’ 67 )
Jim ’ s Scotch mates wrote :
Jim was born on 11 February 1949 at Bedford , England , the son of Charles and Irene ( nee Chapman ) Thomson . His family migrated to Australia in 1950 . When Jim was five he made a red plasticine snake with small scales etched along its back . His father , Allen ’ s Lollies ’ product designer , took it to work , where the popular ‘ Snakes Alive ’ were born .
Attending Scotch from 1963 to 1966 as a member of Monash House , Jim stroked the 1965 4th VIII and rowed in the 1966 3rd VIII . He ran , lifted weights , did Cadets , and was 1966 Leaving Mixed Form Captain . Also at Scotch was his brother Gordon ( 1954-57 ).
Many lifelong friends were made at Scotch . Cars , road trips , fishing , camping , beaches , water sports , card nights , music and concerts were always on their playlist .
114 Great Scot Issue 165 – April 2022