10/10/1944 – 07/03/2023
Geoff grew up in North Balwyn and attended Wesley from 1956-62, making the First XI in 1961 and 1962 and becoming a Prefect in 1962. On graduating from Melbourne University in 1967 with a Chemical Engineering (Hons) degree, Geoff commenced a thirty-year career with Mobil Oil. This included 11 years in refineries in Melbourne, Adelaide and Los Angeles, followed by 19 years on Mobil’s international management circuit. The 18-month to 2-year assignments took him twice to New York and also London, with single postings in Manila, Hamburg, Wellington, Washington DC and Tokyo. Highlights of his lengthy career with Mobil were appointments to the position of CEO of the New Zealand and Japanese affiliates.
Geoff loved to explore every new post and ensured that children Malcolm, Nerissa and Liorah had opportunities to learn about language, culture, history and geography through travel. In 1997, after this extended period of living overseas, Geoff and his wife Vivien agreed on joint lifestyle changes. They returned to Wellington, New Zealand where their children were at university. Geoff undertook a number of consulting/voluntary Board roles, notable among these was his role as Chairman of the New Zealand International Festival of the Arts, where he used his considerable management skills to create a more efficient and successful organisation.
Geoff was actively involved with Rotary, having key roles in the administrative side (primarily in the Wellington area). He gained his private pilot’s license and resumed playing cricket for a number of years, with a keen group of Rotarians, touring England, South Africa and a number of trips to Australia. Geoff also continued to indulge his love of travel before the COVID outbreak closed those opportunities to him. He retired from public life in 2020.
Geoff was known as a hard-working, loyal and generous friend to all who knew him, and many recall his integrity and helpful long-term mentoring. His life was guided and sustained by his strong faith and the love of family.
Geoff is survived by wife Vivien, and children Malcolm, Nerissa and Liorah.
