John Boling, (Class of 1952)

As World War II broke out, John Boling and his siblings were abruptly evacuated from the UK and shipped across the globe to find a new home in Bayside, Melbourne.

When John joined Mentone Grammar in 1949, J.J.Thorold recognised a young man with maturity beyond his years and strong leadership capabilities – traits that would ultimately lead him to a successful and rewarding career in senior management.   A long way from home, John Boling made a choice to throw himself into every opportunity that his new life presented him with. At Mentone Grammar it was cricket, football, athletics, cadets and even a spot of ballroom dancing. John was quickly identified by his teachers as someone with strong leadership capabilities and cut his teeth in roles such as Captain of Jones House, Prefect and School Captain.      

HOW DID YOU COME TO JOIN MENTONE GRAMMAR? 
When my siblings and I were evacuated from the UK, we lived in Frankston and I went to Frankston State School. We returned to England in 1945 for three years and then moved back to Australia with our parents in 1948 to live in Parkdale. So, that’s why I came to Mentone Grammar in 1949. 

WHICH TEACHERS WERE MEMORABLE? 
My favourite teacher was Austin Ivy, who took us for geography and history. We had this hut over the other side of the School with only five of us in there, so it wasn’t like a real classroom, and we had a very informal sort of relationship with him. He was a very sincere teacher. And Phil Kent who was doing his student teaching. I had been learning French in England, but we didn’t have a French teacher here, so Phil helped me with my French. I remember him very distinctly.   

WHAT DID YOU PURSUE AFTER GRADUATING? 

School really gave me a lot of confidence in myself. I knew I could achieve. I left at matriculation and went straight into the navy for national service training. I was offered an officer’s course, but I didn’t take it. Instead, I called Colonel Weir, who was the Personnel Officer of Shell, and said, ‘Can I get a job at Shell?’ and he said, ‘Yeah, sure.’ So, I worked my way through into sales and finally into management, travelling overseas and dealing with large corporations.  

  WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR STUDENTS?   

Get involved in all the activities that you possibly can, and make sure that you take advantage of every opportunity that this School offers.