Colin, Sue & Gary Inducted into Hall of Fame

At our recent Year 12 Awards Ceremony, the following three people were inducted into Port Lincoln High School’s Hall of Fame – Colin Gill, Sue Lewis OAM and Gary Kennedy. Congratulations to the individuals and families involved.

Below is a copy of the explanatory notes that were read out on the night explaining the life and contribution of each of these three worthy inductees:

Colin Gill:

• Attended PLHS 1943-45
• His favourite subjects were Woodwork & Geography // won 200m & 400m for Grantham in 1945
• Apprentice > Carpenter > Manager, Port Lincoln Camera Centre (until 1984)
• Until his retirement, Colin returned to working in the building trade installing roller doors, heaters and aluminium windows
• Skilled rifle shooter (state team in early 60’s)
• Avid photographer (nature – birds & plants) // published several books
• History Group, Maritime Museum, Camera Club, Bird Club
  
  

Sue Lewis OAM (nee Hodge):

• Attended PLHS from 1960
• 30 years as a senior official in South Australian Diving; represented Australia as an Olympic Diving official; Life Member of Diving Australia
• Devoted her life to the people of Cambodia (spent years living in and with her Cambodian community)
• Humanitarian volunteer (extraordinary commitment to the poor and traumatised)
• Supports 5 villages, 3 hospitals, 3 schools and an orphanage in Cambodia
• Raising money to provide health care, sewerage and general sanitation, food, clothing, housing and shelters, education, school uniforms, English language and skills training teaching in trades such as carpentry
• In 2019, Sue was recognised for her volunteering work with an Order of Australia
  
  

Gary Kennedy:

• Attended PLHS in the late 1950’s
• Although highly intelligent, widely read, and the son of the Poonindie School Principal at the time, was not overly engaged in his schooling
• During his time as a PLHS scholar, there was a competition to design a new sports fields area; Gary’s plan, mapping out the hockey field and surrounding trees was the winning entry and still exists today
• Gary became a successful business owner in Port Lincoln; he began working at Eyre Trading Company soon after leaving school, became a manager and within a decade purchased and began diversifying and expanding the business
• For 28 years, Gary grew the business, mentored his employees and supported them to establishing their own independence
• Eyre Upholsterers and Eyre Peninsula Fire & Safety Equipment were also established by Gary (and business partners)
• 46 years later, Eyre Trading remains in the Kennedy family today and has expanded to Whyalla and Port Pirie
• Eyre Trading now provides an award and toolkit prize for a skilled trade student each year in every lower Eyre Peninsula secondary school
• Gary was a CFS volunteer and then Captain for decades, and was eventually honoured as a CFS Life Member for his contribution to the community

We intend to make this process an annual tradition at each Year 12 Awards Ceremony – please keep the nominations (info and images) coming in.

Non Nobis Solum