Description

Jillian Goldsmith and her son Geoffrey Goldsmith OSC 1985 donated a significant photographic album belonging to her late father, and Geoffrey's late grandfather, Geoffrey Arthur Patrick Maxwell OSC 1918.

A circa 1918 photograph of Geoffrey Maxwell OSC1918 pictured with his friends. The photograph is taken outside and Geoffrey is featured far right in the photograph.

The album includes images of life on the family station, trips through the Murchison in a convertible soft top automobile, summers at Rottnest, sailing Freshwater Bay and life at Scotch College from 1915 to 1918. Photographic images reveal Geoffrey stroking the 1917 and 1918 P.S.A. 'Head of the River' at Crawley, Gymnastics displays on the Top Oval and early images of the Boatshed.

Geoffrey was an outstanding sportsman and athlete. The sentiment of his natural talent is summed-up in the 1955 Telegram donation, of ABC’s live radio West Australian broadcast obituary which states.

“It is with great sorrow we announce the death of Geoff Maxwell. He was – without a doubt – one of the finest types produced by Scotch College, Claremont, and one of the best all round Athletes this state has seen.

He stroked Scotch in the Head of the river events of 1917 and 1918, and coached the Scotch Head of the River crews from 1943 to 1951. He was a very good Runner, a great swimmer, and an outstanding Footballer. He was what is generally known as a born Athlete, for he succeeded at anything he set himself to do.

Above all, he played his games in the finest tradition of our great Public Schools and was a powerful influence for good amongst the present day schoolboys.

It is not easy to say goodbye to one who was so kind and understanding, and our Sporting Community will be the poorer at his passing.

Vale Geoff Maxwell – a great sportsman” ABC Radio Archives 1955