15/09/1929 – 22/03/2024
Jean Oldfield is the widow of Doug Oldfield (OW1946), a past President of the OWCA, past member of the College Council, past President of Council and Fellow of Wesley College.
Jean was the daughter of Walter Benjamin Huntsman (OW1905) and niece of Harry Huntsman (OW1906), who was killed near Polygon Wood, Belgium in 1917, during the Third Battle of Ypres.
Jean was a strong supporter of Wesley College over many years, in particular the Sapere Aude Bequest Society, and was Co-Patron with the late Jean Prest and Gordon Newton (OW1950).
Jean, Jean Prest and Gordon Newton worked together to instigate and develop the Sapere Aude Bequest Society as a pathway for members of the Wesley community to provide enduring benefits for future generations of Wesley Collegians. All bequestors are welcomed as members of the Sapere Aude Bequest Society and join a great coterie of alumni, current and past parents, staff and friends of the College.
A rowing four boat was named the Jean Oldfield at the Wesley Boat Shed in 1984. This boat was specifically built for the new cohort of girl rowers at Wesley College following the adoption of coeducation. In 1994, the Douglas and Jean Oldfield Courtyard at the Elsternwick Campus was officially opened.
Jean was educated at Shelford Girls Grammar (1937-1942) and Presbyterian Ladies College (1943-1947). Her enduring love of tennis stayed with her for her entire life. She married Doug in 1951 and subsequently raised four children – Douglas (OW1970), Mardi, Bronwyn and Lisa. The three girls attended PLC.
Apart from Jean’s interest in Wesley College, she forged a long and mostly voluntary career in the Girl Guides, serving at all levels of leadership in Victoria from 1961. She was appointed Victorian Assistant State Commissioner in 1973 and served in this role for five years. Jean was awarded the Queen’s Silver Jubilee Medal in 1977 for her enduring service to the Girl Guides, and the esteemed Emu Award for excellent service to Guiding in various appointments at a State and national level.
On completing active service in the Girl Guides, Jean took up a voluntary role with the Multiple Sclerosis Society, primarily working in their opportunity shops and distributing Christmas cards to regional MS opportunity shops around Victoria. This role continued until 2006.
Jean is survived by Doug Oldfield (OW1970), Mardi, Bronwyn and Lisa, and is grandmother to Alistair Oldfield (OW1999), Tim Oldfield (OW2002), Chris Gerbes, Rick Gerbes (OW2006), Justin Allen, Mitchell Allen, Erin Mahony (OW2010), Linley Mahony (OW2012) and Sian Mahony (OW2016). In all, Jean was fortunate to have nine grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.
Contributed by Doug Oldfield (OW1970)
Remembering Jean Oldfield
If you would like to share a special memory or post a tribute to Jean Oldfield, please email owca@wesleycollege.edu.au and we will share it below.
