Two duces/duxes of the Launceston Junior Technical School were awarded a Tasmanian Rhodes scholarship, Dick Gandy in 1936 and Bill Bonney in 1954.
Richard William George (Dick) Gandy (1915-1996) grew up at Derby, Tasmania and did his primary schooling at that place. He then proceeded on to the Launceston Junior Technical School for three years finishing at the end of 1930. In that year he was recognised as Duce of the school, gaining nine credits over nine subjects in the final exams.
To gain further education he then transferred to the Launceston State High School where he again excelled academically and in the sporting field. Here again at the end of two years, he became duce of the school, gaining seven credits over eight subjects.
Enrolment at the Hobart University then followed, taking up a three year course for a Bachelor of Science degree. Again he distinguished himself academically, winning five high distinctions, two distinctions and prizes in mathematics and physics.
From there on gaining his Rhodes Scholarship he moved to Oxford.
On completion of his studies, which coincided with the outbreak of World War II, he gained a position at the National Laboratory in London and began a distinguished career in aeronautical science.
Dick was also a prefect at the Launceston Tech School, a top athlete and a fine tenor singer.
(Information extracted from John Beswick’s 2003 book “Brother’s Home, the story of Derby, Tasmania”).
William Leslie (Bill) Bonney (1931-1985) grew up on a farm at Deloraine and at that town received his primary school education. He then proceeded to the Launceston Junior Technical School graduating from there after three years in 1946. In that year he was duce of the school, gaining eight credits and one pass in the final exams.
He then moved to the Launceston State High School for two years till 1948. Enrolment in 1949 at the Hobart University followed, remaining there till 1953. At the University he completed a Bachelor of Arts Degree and in the following year he became the Tasmanian Rhodes scholar.
Bill then enrolled at Oxford furthering his outstanding academic record by obtaining a first class honours degree in 1956 in philosophy, politics and economics. He was Oxford’s 1957 John Locke scholar and in 1958 obtained his Bachelor of Philosophy degree.
On returning to Australia he took a position of lecturing at the Sydney University.
In 1974 he returned to Oxford to complete another post graduate degree, that of Doctor of Philosophy which led to him lecturing in the Philosophy Department at the University of Sydney.
He left the Sydney University in 1975 to take a position in the Humanities Faculty at the Institute of Technology as Dean and Associate Head of School.
He died from the effects of cancer on 9 July 1985, age 53 years.
(Information extracted from the Western Tiers newspaper article of 25 October 1985 by Vivienne Jane Bonney)
Written by Ivan Badcock