09/09/1936 – 22/10/2024
Ian (Dake) was born in Ivanhoe, the first child of Winsome (Wink) and Eric Dakin, and older brother of Peter (OW1963). The family lived at 15 Waldemar Road, Eaglemont. He commenced at Ivanhoe State School in 1944 and entered Wesley College Junior School in 1947 and the Senior School at Punt Road in 1949.
Dake was in a class called ‘The Twenty’ which was for gifted students, however Ian’s subsequent academic results proved to be closer to average! That being said, he embraced all aspects of life at Wesley College (except gymnastics) and developed a large number of lifelong friendships including boarders, right up until his passing. These included David Venville (OW1954) (dec), Ian Ristrom (OW1953), Bob Manuell (OW1953), Ian Unkenstein (OW1955) (dec), Geoff Stephenson (OW1953) and Bernard Freedman (OW1951).
He played Under 15 and Under 16As cricket and footy but was disappointed to miss the First XVIII in Year 12 following an injury. Dake was a good tennis player and participated in most House Sports. He kept playing tennis with a number of OWs and other friends until a few years ago.
Ian enjoyed the Cadets, proudly bringing home his 303 rifle on the Punt Road bus and the train from Clifton Hill Station to Eaglemont, and also actively participated in Community Service Projects.
Family life in Eaglemont was happy, spending a lot of time with our cousins and friends around the Yarra River at Wilson Reserve where he was a member of First Ivanhoe Sea Scout Cubs.
After finishing school in 1953, Ian was invited by his uncle to join Jackson & Co Customs Agents. He started work in 1954 and obtained his Customs Agent’s License. He spent his early years on the waterfront amongst Wharfies, Painters & Dockers and Customs Officers and was subsequently made a Partner of the firm. Ian retired in 2001 after 47 years with Jackson & Co.
As with most things, Ian actively participated and became State President of the Customs Agents Institute. He subsequently joined the State Chamber of Commerce and Rotary Club of Melbourne remaining active for nearly 30 years.
In 1980, lifetime friend Mike Pointer, from Geelong Grammar, invited Ian to be an inaugural Member of the Australia China Chamber of Commerce.
Ian married Anne Leggo from Beaumaris on 19 December 1961. Sadly, she died of Mesothelioma in 2008, which is not dissimilar to the lung condition Pulmonary Fibrosis that Ian suffered with for several years prior to his passing. They lived in Mount Waverley and had three children, Ric (OW1981), Felicity and Tim (OW1987), with brother Peter (OW1963) married to Di and their two children, Victoria (OW1991) and Alex (OW1996) attending Wesley.
Ian was an enthusiastic ‘old boy’ and parent:
- Member of Glen Waverley Parents Association, Secretary then President 1975-1976
- School Council Member for 3 years
- OWCA Committee Member and President in 1989
- Social activities included weekly Wesley tennis organised by Lex Hibbins (OW1953)
- Regular past OWCA councillors and pub lunch groups and annual Cup Week fishing trips with participants in those activities including Lex Hibbins (OW1953), John (OW1953) and Rob Hicks (OW1955) (dec), Denis Dowty (OW1953), John Gellie (OW1951), Warrick (OW1959) and Brian (OW1957) Mitchell, David Prest (Past Principal), John Hall (OW1951), Geoff Stephenson (OW1953), Russ Baker (OW1951), Neil Evans (OW1957), Peter Harrison (OW1969), Jim Barry (OW1950), Geoff Wagstaff (OW1949), Gordon Newton (OW1950), Doug Turnbull (OW1970), Graeme Samuel (OW1963), Philip Powell (OW1973), Field Rickards (OW1966), Rodney Aujard (OW1961) and many more!
Ian often mentioned that, apart from Annie and his family, attending and maintaining an active involvement with Lord Somers Camp and Power House was a life changing experience. He had planned to play footy with Old Wesley Collegians, but an old school friend, Leigh ‘Curly’ Grant (OW1951) encouraged Ian to join Power House Amateur Football Club in 1956. He was a Member of the 1959 ‘Championship Team’, undefeated in C Section of the VAFA. He coached the Under 19s, was Secretary, then President, of PHFC in 1971 and 1972 and was later awarded Honorary Life Membership and then Legend Status of Power House Football Club. His passion for supporting young people from all walks of life was amazing.
Ian and Peter were proud of their father Eric, who was an outstanding footballer and cricketer at Caulfield Grammar and with the Melbourne Cricket Club. He was a champion footballer with old Caulfield Grammar, being the first person to kick 100 goals in a season.
Ian was an avid Melbourne Football Club supporter and really cherished their 2021 Premiership. Like Peter, he was a 67-year Member of the MCC, 50 year Member of the Athenaeum Club and long standing Member of Royal South Yarra Tennis Club.
Dake’s enthusiasm, commitment and ‘where there is a will, there is a way’ attitude inspired a generation.
Contributed by Peter Dakin (OW1963)
