Turnbull, Reginald John David “Spot” (OW 1918)

Born in Shanghai in 1908, passed away in Melbourne in 2006, aged 98 years.

He entered the College in 1918, as a boarder at the age of 10 with his older brother Eric, and left in 1927. He was an active student, excelling in rowing, football and athletics, gaining triple colours in his final year while being senior prefect. He donated his Triple Colours Pocket to the College in 1993. He was one of the few remaining students from the Adamson era, having been chosen by him to be a prefect, and also given a room to share with Harold Holt as they were prefects together.

He then attended Melbourne University where he gained his medical degree. He went on to be a general practitioner in Launceston, and later to become a Major in the Australian Army Medical corps during World War 2.

After the war he returned to Tasmania, and held a number of positions in politics, including Minister for Health, Member of the House of Representatives, Mayor of Launceston, and finally an Independent Senator, being the first one to be elected to Federal Parliament.

Spot attended many school functions and was one of the oldest OWs. He was a great friend to the School.