Vale – Roger Smith

The Mentone Grammar community is greatly saddened by the loss of Roger DM Smith who passed away peacefully on Friday 29 November 2023 just shy of his 80th birthday, after enduring a long illness.

Loving husband of Rae for 54 years and loved father of Mark and Jo. Father-in-law of Christine. Much loved Pa of Ashton, Marissa and Cameron.

Roger commenced at Mentone Grammar in Year 3, 1951 as an athletic bundle of energy, often referred to as the ‘red-headed dynamo’. He was a star athlete, swimmer and footballer and his grip on trophies for the senior cross country was considered unbreakable. He never wasted a minute. A Prefect of note and a Sergeant in the Cadet Unit, Roger will always be remembered fondly by his classmates.

After graduating, Roger and fellow Mentonians Bob Nottle and Don Ingram founded the Old Mentonians Football Club in the mid 60s. Roger played in the inaugural game and wore a guernsey that he helped design. A few weeks later, when the Club had its first win, Roger joined in the singing of the Club song, which he also helped write.

His work establishing the Club was only part of his legacy. He was the Club’s first Secretary and was a driving force behind recruiting more players to the ‘Panthers’. Roger was, is, and always will be one of the greats of the Club. A true gentleman.

Labore et Honore

(9 December 1943 – 29 November 2023)