Stan Jackson OAM dies after a long & adventurous life

BY KEITH JACKSON

MY FATHER, STANLEY JACKSON – teacher, author, environmentalist and marathon bike rider - died on Friday evening at the grand age of 98.

Born in Lancashire, England, in 1913 into a working class family, he was the first of his line to win a scholarship to grammar school and gain a university education.

He fought in Burma in World War II as a member of Mountbatten’s forces and, in 1949, perceiving no real prospects for his family in a depressed post-war Britain, migrated to Australia with his wife Joan, my sister Susan and me. Joan, who he loved greatly, predeceased him in 1976 after a 15 year struggle with cancer.

In Australia, Stan taught economics and geography at Nowra High School for many years – teaching me in two of them to some reasonable effect – before finishing his career, to care for an ailing Joan, as deputy headmaster of Pittwater High School in Sydney.

In the intervening time he had authored a series of popular text books, Economics and the Economy (McGraw-Hill), which provided him with a steady income for many years.

After Joan’s death – pursuing a long interest in environmentalism and physical exercise – he rode a bicycle from Sydney to Manchester in England, visiting me in the Maldive Islands in 1978 as part of this epic journey.

Some years later, at the age of 75 in 1988, he led the 'International Friendship' bike ride from London to Sydney to mark the 1988 bicentenary of Australian settlement. Included was a period in hospital in India after he broke a number of ribs when he turned his bike the wrong way up a highway and was hit by a truck.

Following that there were other marathon rides: including one the length of the Rocky mountains from the Mexican to Canadian borders and, in his late eighties, another the length of Japan from north to south (during which he spent a night in a paddy field after being blown off his bike in a hurricane).

Despite having fought against the Japanese in World War II, Stan grew to love Japan and its people, learned Japanese, and had two books on the environment and human relationships published in that country, to which he was a frequent visitor.

In 2002 he was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia for his environmental activities and cycling exploits.

He spent 20 years as a firm companion of Helen Murphy OAM, who shared his passions and who was herself a great contributor to society. Helen died four years ago.

Stan lived a long and productive life and established a new base for the Jackson family in Australia – having been followed to that country by many British relatives following his own emigration.

He visited Papua New Guinea on a number of occasions.

Stan is survived by children Keith, Susan and Peter; grandchildren Simon, Sally, Ben, Roger, Nicholas and James; and great-grandchildren Cooper, Madison and Sydney Keith. Joan and Helen predeceased him.

Comments

[Michio Nagamatsu]

Around the end of July, an article on Stan-san will be in the Chunich newspaper. Here in Aichi Prefecture Stan san is known by many people.

Two days ago, I sent Kanji practice books which were assisted by Stan-san (Kanji for Everybody) to the Australian Embassy in Japan.

Many people who know Stan-san gave us money to print them and helped to make them.

The embassy will send it to schools which are learning Japanese.

[Judith Fox (nee Wiley)]

Hi Keith - I am sorry to hear about your Dad, I remember him well.

Your mum and dad were friends of my mum and dad, Jean and Keith Wiley, and I remember you used to visit us out on the farm. Peter stayed with us when he was little one time.

My sister Margaret sent me the newspaper clipping from Nowra which I just received. What an amazing man! Say hi to Susan and Peter for me too and thank you for sharing his life.

Sincere sympathy to you all.

[Clive Hamer]

Keith - Do you remember playing Bob Cratchitt's little son in an extract from Dickens at Nowra High School Play Day?

You were reluctant to accept the cue to leave the stage, and your Dad called you off from the wings (sotto voce).

You replied (for all the audience to hear): "But I haven't finished me pudding" in Mancunian accent.

He told me he came from Chow Bent, and then said: "I bet you can't spell it." I spelt it for him, Chequers Bent.

I'm pleased he did well in his career. Fond memories.
_________

I was Tiny Tim in the play, Clive, which I remember reasonably well. And, yes, I also remember not wanting to get out from under that table until the pud was demolished! Good luck to you - KJ

[Gordon Howlett]

I was one of Stan's students at Nowra High School. He is well remembered by all of us, but we had no idea of his subsequent exploits. A true inspiration.

[Josh Blake]

Cycling - and the Lane Cove community where he lived for so many years - has lost a true champion. He was an inspiration.

[Harry Topham]

Keith - I was very sorry to hear of your father’s death.

What an inspirational story, to have embarked on a new and successful ventures post retirement gives hope to us oldies some of whom unfortunately are merely waiting for Godot.

[Phil Ainsworth]

Keith, my condolences - your Dad had a long,full and interesting life.

[Rabaul and Montevideo Maru Society]

Keith, members of the Rabaul and Montevideo Maru Society are thinking of you and your family at this sad time and extend deep condolences.

[John Wali]

Sori tru long harim dispela nius long Papa bilong yu, Keith. Your dad really did live life to its fullest. Still cycling at 80!

Our thoughts are with you and the Jackson family during this time of grief. Sincerest condolences.

[Anne Griffin]

What a man, and what a life! My sincere sympathy as you say goodbye.

[Kenya Kala]

Keith, my deepest condolences to you and your family on your fathers’ passing.

[Gina Hetherington]

I was so sorry to hear that your father has passed away. I'm thinking of you and your family and hope it isn't all too traumatic for you. Sending lots of love.

[Andrea Williams]

I am sorry to hear about your father - what an amazing and fascinating life he led! His variety of interests and achievements made it a life story that deserved to be told and you told it beautifully. My thoughts are with you and Ingrid. Warmest regards.

[Don Hook]

Keith - You are very fortunate to have had such an experienced, adventurous and, I'm sure, loving father for so long. He sounds like a really wonderful person.

[Phil Charley]

Marie and I were very saddened to hear from Libby that your father had died. Despite his decline in recent times, he led a most remarkable life, particularly in relation to his world cycling experiences. Please accept our sincere sympathy.

[Laurie Meintjes]

I am sorry to learn of your father's passing, Keith, and trust that your memories of him will soon trump your sense of loss as you contemplate a live very well lived. My best wishes to you and your extended family.

[Robin Lillicrap]

Keith, My condolences upon the passing of your Dad. He seemed a truly remarkable character. I think you must be a chip off the old block. He did indeed achieve a great age. You must be proud of him and the memories of his life which are a unique legacy for his descendents. Trust you both are travelling safely and are coping with the added stress. Blessings.

[Una Lawrence]

So sorry to hear your sad news, Keith. What a lovely tribute you have written about your father, and what a great life he had. Thinking of you both,

[Bob Cleland]

My thoughts are with you Keith. Sounds like your father was the sort of person I wish I'd known.

[Colin Huggins]

Sincere sympathy Keith to you and all the Jackson family.

[Francis Hualupmomi]

I sent my condolence to your family.

[Martin and Anne Hadlow]

Keith - Condolences to you and your family on the passing of your father.

That we may enjoy longevity of years and also accomplish worthwhile deeds in our lives are ambitions achieved by few.

Clearly, your father was fortunate in both and led a long and fulfilling life. Our thoughts are with you and Ingrid at this time.

[David Kitchnoge]

Keith - my most sincere condolences to you and family on the passing of your father. He loved life and lived it to the fullest. What an inspiration!

[George Oakes]

Our condolences Keith. What an amazing Dad. Thanks for your father's story.

[Emmanuel Narokobi]

My sincere condolences to you and your family at this time. What an inspirational man. We can obviously still see his influence today :)

[John Wood]

Excellent man and a great loss. But an inspiration for those who want a long and fulfilling life.

[Max Uechtritz]

Keith, deepest condolences. Sounds like a very special person.

[Jeff van Oosterwijck]

To have a father that leaves you with great memories is a gift to be held dear.
Deepest sympathies to you and your loved ones on your father's passing.

[Alex Harris]

My sympathies Keith. What an inspiration. Thank you for sharing some memories.

[Peter Aimos]

So sorry to hear of your loss, Keith. It is inspiring to read the few lines you delivered above about your late father. My thoughts are with you.

[Meg & Rob Parer]

Hi Keith, Sincerest condolences & thanks so much for sharing the inspiring story of your amazing Dad.

[Daniel Doyle]

Haviing just lost my only sibling, I feel for you in your loss of your father and a great man.

[Laurence Quinlivan]

Inspirational Keith. My condolences on your loss. The pain is softened when celebrating the achievements with friends.

I have passed the information to

"RBWH-Cycle-Centre RBWH-Cycle-Centre"

for their newsletter.

[Michael Dom]

Keith - I am sorry for your loss. You were blessed with a great man as your father. And you honour him.

[Peter Kranz]

Please may I express much sympathy for you and the family Keith.

I know what you are going through.

He was a great man, a wonderful inspiration and had a fantastic and long fulfilling life.

God bless.

[Mrs Barbara Short]

Keith, very sorry to hear of your loss. What an inspiring father. Our thoughts are with you.

[Leonard Roka]

Sorry Keith for the great loss of a mentor that nurtured you.

Without his influence on Keith, we are still in the dark caves of PNG with our written thoughts.

[Diane Bohlen]

So sorry to hear the sad news. What a fantastic bloke he was. Those marathon cycle trips are amazing and still going in his eighties. You have written a great tribute to a great man.