Eulogy PERCY HALE GORDON SHEAFFE
Percy Hale Gordon Sheaffe (Gordon to most) was born to Percy and Catherine Sheaffe in Canberra on 24th November 1921. He was the youngest of 4 children and is survived by Isabel, Jean and Rob. The Sheaffe family lived and were schooled in Canberra with Rob and Gordon attending Canberra Grammar School where the family is still recognised today through the Sheaffe sporting house. As a youngster Gordon represented Canberra in hockey and cricket with one of his greatest sporting memories facing the great Bill ‘Tiger’ O’Reilly in the nets. His love for cricket, particularly Test cricket, remained through his life and until recent years was an active member of the Gabba Cricket Trust.
Gordon served in the Australian Air Force in PNG in WW2 operating radar equipment and transmitting information on Japanese air force movements.
His love of the land, coupled with his technical skills developed through his air force service days, led him to his long-term career with CSIRO. Gordon contributed to significant scientific research projects that have greatly benefited the primary industry in Australia.
In the late 1940’s he courted the love of his life – Dorothy ‘Dot’ Fowler and they married in North Sydney in1951. In the years to follow three children, Antoinette, Catherine and Hale were born.
In 1962 Gordon transferred from Cunnamulla to CSIRO Samford and purchased the property Whemii at Kobble Creek in 1962. At his property ‘Princeton’ he established a renowned carnation nursery and ‘Belmont Red’ cattle stud.
Following the passing of his wife ‘Dot’ in 1978 Gordon kept himself occupied through his work and contribution to a number of local organisations including the Samford Show Society, Rotary and Liberal Party.
Gordon retired in 1986 and built a beautiful homestead on his property at Kobble Creek. His retirement afforded him time to enjoy the things he has always held so dear.
Gordon was easily recognised in the Samford and Dayboro villages through his distinctive pith helmet. His love for the helmet stemmed back to a gift received from an Indian research scientist in Cunnamulla in the late 1950’s. Helmets arrived annually for a number of years from India packed in a ten gallon drum.
For the next fifty years this gift became a feature of a man who was an individual, a gentleman, a mentor and a loving father and grandfather.
Gordon served in the Australian Air Force in PNG in WW2 operating radar equipment and transmitting information on Japanese air force movements.
His love of the land, coupled with his technical skills developed through his air force service days, led him to his long-term career with CSIRO. Gordon contributed to significant scientific research projects that have greatly benefited the primary industry in Australia.
In the late 1940’s he courted the love of his life – Dorothy ‘Dot’ Fowler and they married in North Sydney in1951. In the years to follow three children, Antoinette, Catherine and Hale were born.
In 1962 Gordon transferred from Cunnamulla to CSIRO Samford and purchased the property Whemii at Kobble Creek in 1962. At his property ‘Princeton’ he established a renowned carnation nursery and ‘Belmont Red’ cattle stud.
Following the passing of his wife ‘Dot’ in 1978 Gordon kept himself occupied through his work and contribution to a number of local organisations including the Samford Show Society, Rotary and Liberal Party.
Gordon retired in 1986 and built a beautiful homestead on his property at Kobble Creek. His retirement afforded him time to enjoy the things he has always held so dear.
Gordon was easily recognised in the Samford and Dayboro villages through his distinctive pith helmet. His love for the helmet stemmed back to a gift received from an Indian research scientist in Cunnamulla in the late 1950’s. Helmets arrived annually for a number of years from India packed in a ten gallon drum.
For the next fifty years this gift became a feature of a man who was an individual, a gentleman, a mentor and a loving father and grandfather.
Antoinette, Catherine & Hale Sheaffe
