30/01/1942 – 3/10/2024
Rick was the much-loved youngest son of George Gray Selleck (OW1915) and his beautiful wife Elsie, and younger brother of Betty, Bryan (OW1947) and David (OW1957).
Rick had a wonderful childhood growing up in Barham, NSW on the family’s orange orchard and pastoral properties: Riding his horse ‘Jet’ to school which was a step-up from having to pour hot water into the metal handlebars of his bicycle to keep his hands from freezing in the winter months (or so the story goes); water skiing in irrigation channels, towed by one of his brothers driving the utility alongside the channel bank, before progressing to gliding the beautifully wide, mighty Murray River on a single ski (at times even barefoot). The Selleck brothers loved their water skiing almost as much as their rowing.
Rick started boarding school at Wesley College in 1954 at 12 years of age and like his father and brothers, was a gifted and strong rower.
In 1957, at age 15 and possibly one of the youngest ever competitors, Rick rowed in the Wesley First VIII in the Head of River, his brother David stroke of the crew and Rick number 2. Rick went on to be stroke in the Wesley First VIII at Head of the River in 1958 and 1959.
After finishing school, Rick worked for the family agricultural business until being given guardianship of beautiful Gulpha Station at Mathoura, NSW in 1966. In the same year, Rick married Kate Montgomery and had three children: Virginia, Annabelle and Nicholas (Nick) (OW1990).
Rick put his heart and soul into running the 3500-acre sheep and wheat property and achieved some remarkable results and record-breaking prices for fat lambs, wool and wheat. Numerous improvements were made to the historic property, which was once a Cobb & Co carriage horse change over station. Droving sheep on horseback was a favourite task for Rick and his daughters. Rick and son Nick shared a great passion for motorbikes, with Nick going on to become Victorian U21 motorcross champion and build a successful career in riding and touring.
During the 1970s and 80s, Rick and family enjoyed many great times with good friends from Wesley, including Kron Nicholas (OW1959) and Irvin Rockman (OW1955) and their families. All three friends had great senses of humour and would try to out-do each other with their joke telling at dinner parties.
During these years, Rick was a local Mathoura Shire Council member, volunteering his time to work on many community-based projects.
After selling Gulpha Station in 1986, Rick moved to Echuca in Victoria and started an agricultural contracting business which took him to many parts of Australia. He then moved to Gisborne to be closer to family and his much-adored grand-daughter, Olivia.
In 2019, Rick moved to Port Macquarie in New South Wales, again to be close to family. Although he had health issues, he remained independent and determined, and his cheeky sense of humour remained.
The Selleck Family’s contribution to rowing at Wesley College was honoured in 2011 when a new rowing VIII boat was named after them. This boat is still in use today.
Rick is survived by brother David (OW1957), son Nick (OW1990), daughters Virginia and Annabelle, nephew Tony (Butch) Selleck (OW1977), niece Debbie Schnizler (nee Selleck) and cousins Bob Bitcon (OW1948) and Jim Bitcon (OW1957).
A special thank you from family to John Henshaw (OW1959) who rowed with Rick in the 1959 First VIII Head of the River crew and was a great friend and support to Rick, especially in the later years.
Contributed by Annabelle Selleck
