Clive Arthur Hamer

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Clive Hamer, Mayor of Orange 1962

Clive Arthur Hamer was born on 4 October 1923, at Perthville, near Bathurst, NSW and educated at Perthville Primary School (1930-1935). He attended Bathurst High School (1936-1940) before studying at Sydney Teachers’ College (1941-1942).

Clive was called up in July 1942, and joined the Army at Sydney Showground. After joining the AIF (NX141383) he was eventually drafted to the 76th AA Searchlight Company, and went to Merauke, in Dutch New Guinea, in July 1944, where he served for two years in the Operations Room (with representatives of the RAAF and the 53rd AA unit) coordinating the tracking of aircraft movements (friendly and enemy), a continuous operation night and day in shifts.

Following the war Clive enrolled at the University of Sydney where he gained a BA with Honours in English (1946-1949), a Diploma of Education (1950), and a MA with Honours in English (1954).

Clive married Joan Ashcroft (born 6 August 1930, Chullora NSW) at Chapel Road Methodist Church, Bankstown, on 6 August 1948. Clive and Joan had three daughters, one son, ten grandchildren and seven great grandchildren. Joan died in Perth on 12 August 2010.

Clive was a teacher of English and history at Nowra High School (1951-1956); Deputy Head Wolaroi College, Orange (1957-1962); Lecturer in Adult Education University of Sydney (actually stationed at Newcastle) (1963-1964) and Headmaster Wesley College, Perth, (1965-1983).

Clive was School Captain, Bathurst High School 1940; President of the Students’ Representative Council, Sydney Teachers’ College 1950; Secretary of Teachers’ Federation, Nowra Branch; Mayor of Orange 1962, Member of Standing Committee of Australian Headmasters’ Conference for six years, Chairman of WA Chapter College of Education, Fellow of Australian College of Education (FACE) 1978, Member of WA Board of Secondary Education for six years; member of various educational committees; Order of Australia – General Division (AM) 1985.

He was Accredited Methodist Local Preacher 1953 (topped the State in Local Preachers’ exams - active local preacher for 50 years); Sunday School Superintendent at Bomaderry 1955-1956; Secretary of Methodist Mens’ Brotherhood at Nowra 1952-1956, at Orange 1958-1962; Junior and Senior Circuit Steward (in turn) at Orange 1960-1962; worked with group to build a Community Church (combined Anglican/Uniting Church) at Gidgegannup, WA, 1997.

Clive’s publications have included several articles in literary magazines; Hope of the Vale (a family history) 1985; The Light of Other Days (Reminiscences for private distribution); The Redemptive Theme in Australian Literature (for private distribution).

Clive Arthur Hamer died on 1 May 2015. He is buried in Perthville General Cemetery.

  • Information supplied by Clive Hamer.
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