OBITUARIES
RICHES OAM , John Edward (’ 47 ) John ’ s son , James (’ 93 ), wrote :
John was born on 25 January 1929 at Beechmont private hospital , East Malvern , the son of Arthur Farnham Allan and Ivy Adelaide ( nee Dawson ) Riches . He attended Lloyd Street Central School and then Scotch from 1944 to 1946 as a member of Gardiner House ( now Gilray ). Also at Scotch were his brother Alan David Riches ( born 9.10.1925 , SC 1939-42 , died 1.2.1990 ) and son James ( SC 1988-93 ).
Before graduating from Melbourne Tech ( now RMIT ) with a Diploma of Interior Design in 1955 , John had several short-term jobs . He then had a 20-year career as a designer in the Public Works Department . By then he had become a Scout leader at 13th Malvern , in which he was active for over 20 years , forging enduring friendships with many Scouts and their parents . John ’ s lifelong association with Scouting culminated in him receiving the Medal of the Order of Australia ( OAM ) for services to the Scouting movement and his voluntary work for 10 other community organisations .
On 15 May 1970 John married Janet Mary Hayes at Ewing Memorial Presbyterian Church , East Malvern . In 1971 they welcomed their first child , Kayt , followed by Fiona and James . A regular tennis player , John was a member of the South Camberwell Tennis Club for well over 40 years , playing into his mid-80s .
Much of John ’ s life was devoted to helping others . He was particularly interested in supporting underprivileged children in Indonesia , and began sponsoring children through World Vision in the 1960s . He later created the Friends of the Yayasan Iman Foundation with local organiser , Mrs Suprapti , when World Vision completed its projects in Blitar , East Java , and moved on to other projects . More than 150 children benefited from the
scheme , with some completing tertiary education .
Following John ’ s death , Mrs Suprapti wrote that ‘. . . it was truly sad news for us in Blitar . Especially my family and all of the members in Yayasan Iman . As we know , so many children received help for their continuing study by Mr . John . So they have a bright future .’
John died on 16 February 2023 at Villa Maria Aged Care , Ashwood .
WRIGGLESWORTH , Neil Daryl (‘ 56 ) Neil ’ s son , Trevor (’ 92 ), wrote :
Neil was born at Casterton on 14 March 1939 , the son of Alfred Colin Wrigglesworth ( born 21.6.1908 , SC 1923-25 , died 4.5.1985 ) and Lorna Beatrice ( nee Gibbs ). He boarded at Scotch in Arthur Robinson House as a member of Littlejohn House from 1954 to 1956 .
A passionate cricketer , he was a proud member of the famed 1956 premiership 1st XI coached by John Gould Miles ( born 5.3.1930 , staff 1954-76 , died 29.12.2010 ). Neil was also a member of the 1955 and 1956 1st XVIII premiership teams . He was also a Cadet . Neil left Scotch on 23 August 1956 to return home to work on the farm .
Also attending and boarding at Scotch were Neil ’ s brother Barrie ( SC 1957-59 ), cousin David Vernon Wrigglesworth ( born 11.3.1943 , SC 1957-59 , died 28.12.1963 ), sons Jeffrey ( SC 1985-86 ), Gregory ( SC 1987-88 ) and Trevor ( SC 1991-92 ) and uncle Vernon Wrigglesworth ( born 1.2.1907 , SC 1923-25 , died 19.11.1968 ).
Neil was a member of the 1960 Australian Old Collegians ’ cricket world tour that had regular reunions for many decades .
Neil met Marian Elizabeth Morris in 1963 and they married at St Columbus ’ Church in Sale on 25 March 1967 . They lived a lifetime of happiness on the farm in Bundalaguah , raising their family and achieving their goal of sending all three boys to Scotch .
An Honorary Life Member of his beloved Bundalaguah Cricket Club , Neil was further honoured in 2016 when the reserve was renamed the Neil Wrigglesworth Reserve due to his lifetime of service . He was also an Honorary Life Member of the Sale Maffra Cricket Association and the Sale Maffra Badminton Association .
As a Level 3 cricket coach , Neil ’ s services were highly sought after by aspiring cricketers throughout Gippsland . Neil received a Certificate of Appreciation from Cricket Australia and Cricket Victoria for 50 years of service , and received the Wellington Shire Community Sports Award for volunteering in 2012 .
Neil was the treasurer of the OSCA East Gippsland branch for many years and thoroughly enjoyed the branch ’ s annual dinners .
He died on 17 January 2023 at the Sale Hospital after a very short battle with cancer .
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104 Great Scot Issue 169 – September 2023