JOHN (Jack) SAM EVERITT
John was always telling everyone willing to listen that we started off together at Miss Anderson’s kindergarten in the old scout hall in Roseville Avenue Roseville in or about 1940.
However, John’s life began to really shine during his time at Roseville Public School.
The school motto was Facta Non Verba, and that is exactly how he lived his life.
Deeds not words.
Roger Gyles has reminded me that the name John Everett during the 1940’s was synonymous with sporting achievements, as his fingerprints were on most of trophies awarded and records set at the annual combined Primary Schools of the Upper north Shore Athletic Carnival held at Waitara oval. He was primarily a sprinter in that era.
That was not the only point of his domination. John showed very early signs for what was in store on the cracked half-length concrete cricket pitch in the school yard positioned amongst the remnants of air raid shelter and trenches from the war years. The only way he ever got out was when he hit one onto the roof of the girl’s lavatory-the local rule- was 6 and out.
He also showed potential as a quick bowler following his father’s footsteps, he being a first class player for NSW and Australia teams.
During 1948 it was suggested John and I should sit for the Newington College Entrance Scholarship.
That we did.
Lo and behold we tied in that examination. In their wisdom the powers that be at Newington College decided to award us a full scholarship each.
There were only about 6 Newington boys who travelled over the Harbour Bridge to school in those days. Younger brother Tony [Skeeter] joined the group in due course
John maintained his position as a cricket all-rounder in the A teams in his respective age grade as well as in rugby at Newington.
He also had success running over 880 yards, shotput and boxing.
In 1952 he made the 1st XI and also in 1953.
In 1953 he was in the 2nd XV at a time when Newington was doing well at Rugby. The 1st XV won the GPS Premiership for the first time in over 40 years.
Academically he maintained a position in the in the top 10 in most subjects, except scripture.
On to University and studying Economics at night with the likes of Phillip Harry.
Phillip became his companion in crime during National Service, where I understand they were in the same company. Sonya says she believes they spent most of their time on detention cleaning the latrines rather than learning to save the country.
However things were a bit more serious at SUCC.
John quickly made his way into the first-grade side in 1955 as an all-rounder batting in the middle order and bowling medium pace swing He took his share of wickets.
John played many games in first grade but it was subsequently in the second grade where he terrorised and annihilated opening bowlers with his powerful driving on both sides of the wicket as well as the straight drive.
He had a very good eye.
After graduation, he became the graduate captain of the second grade. Under his captaincy the second grade were Premiers in 1963/64 and 1964/65. He scored 650 runs in the 1965/66 season and 554 runs in season 1964/65. Overall he played 193 innings for University scoring an aggregate over all grades of 4416 runs with highest score of 147.
John continued playing for Sydney University Vets for a number of years when the team enjoyed considerable success.
He was Patron of the Sydney University Cricket Club Foundation.
He was awarded a cricket blue in 1958 and for a number of years was treasurer of the Sydney University Blues Assosciation having also been awarded a blue for baseball as an outfielder in 1958, having played in first and second grade. He was a right-hand batter.
In early 1965 John toured India with the first Australian Old Colleagian Team helping to establish a relationship with the Cricket Club of India.
Sydney University Cricket Club first entertained the Cricket Club of India in 1962.
That was the commencement of a relationship that lasted fifty years.
John also joined the highly successful AOC World Tours in 1972 and 1978. He was manager of the 1978/79 tours of India, Sri Lanka and Singapore.
The Everetts (that is John and Sonya) were exceptionally involved in the arrangements for visiting Indian teams, hosting functions and generally supporting and billeting players over many years.
Sonya and the children also went on the 1977/78 AOC World Tour.
John was an original member of the Primary Club when first established by Jon Erby and Pete Howarth and played a supporting role over the years not only as a player. He never missed the annual breakfast on the first day of the Sydney Test.
MOVING ON.
John Everett was a successful business man starting with the family business of Nields Transport which he developed and expanded, to be followed after that by becoming Managing Director of the company. Whites Wires Australia, as well as Osborne Blinds P/L and Undercover Wear Lingerie Pty Ltd,,Whatever the latter involved I do not know.
I am requested not to mention the chocolate venture in Sri Lanka.
Nor am I to concentrate on his investments in racehorses which drew all too many disappointing results.
He gave generously of his time and money to a number of major charitable institutions.
I will not mention these all.
I have already made reference to the Primary Club.
It is pertinent to note his work and support for medical research. He became a director of the Prince of Wales Medical Research Foundation in 1993 and he was deeply involved with the Variety Club efforts to raise mney to benefit underprivileged children particularly through the development of the idea of Sunshine Buses which was one of his pet projects.
He took an intense interest in the Variety Club Bash Series and marked his success, with some help again from Phillip Harry, by restoring a 1936 Oldsmobile to the extent of actually winning the Bourke to Barrier Reef Bash.
His business achievements and charitable activities were recognised when he was awarded an AM in the New Years Honours List. A very proud moment of worthy recognition.
On a lighter note, on one famous occasion the family was delighted when in his role as a regular helicopter parent at his children’s sporting fixtures John enquired from the referee, , what was the problem and why had he stopped the game. The referee clearly identified the problem when he remonstrated with John informing him in no uncertain terms that he was the problem and that he was being sent off----blew the whistle and pointed
John went.
He could be a stubborn bugger- a characteristic emphasised in the last few years when things were not going so well with his health, yet he continued playing a reasonable game of tennis despite severe restriction on his ability to ambulate around the court. Relying on that uncanny eye I referred to earlier.
He also managed, until recently, to get in 9 holes of golf on most Fridays albeit with some difficulty with concentration.
Nevertheless he did it, notwithstanding a stubborn refusal to pay any regard to the rule about keeping up with the group in front.
He was gregarious but nevertheless steadfast in his opinions which he never hesitated to express.
John Everett has made a wonderful partnership with the lovely Sonya and their 4 wonderful kids. There are many milestones and achievements that unfortunately must go unannounced due to time constraints, but, nevertheless will be honoured by the recollection and memory of the so many people whose lives have been touched and enhanced by the Everett stamp.
We celebrate his life. Our condolences go out to the whole family.
Angus Talbot
