John Hackett ('50)

John Hackett passed away in March 2024 at the age of 90. He was a Trinity boy for all his schooling years, beginning in the Prep School and staying on until the Leaving Certificate in 1950. He excelled in Maths and Science and was captain of the school Cricket team during his Trinity years.

During his youth, John volunteered as a surf lifesaver at beaches across Sydney and the NSW South Coast. After finishing school, he completed his National Service with the RAAF and studied teaching at Sydney Teachers’ College and engineering at UNSW. He was first a high school Science and Maths teacher before working as an engineer at AWA Radio. He then embarked on a long and successful career as an electrical engineer for the Sydney County Council, where his peers elected him as chairman of the Australian Electrical Standards Board for eleven years and where he was directly responsible for reporting on all electricity-related fatalities to the NSW Coroner. He also worked as a night teacher at Sydney Technical College (TAFE) throughout his career.

In his spare time, John was a fantastic golfer and tennis player. He was a large contributor to the local RSL sub-branch and he proudly marched in their ANZAC Day March each year. He enjoyed a well-earned retirement on Sydney’s Northern Beaches where he leaves behind his loving family. He is survived by his wife Gwen, to whom he was married to for over 64 years, as well as his two children, four grandchildren, three great grandchildren, niece and nephew. He is loved and very missed by all his family.

John was always interested in keeping up to date with what was happening at Trinity and enjoyed reading Trinity News whenever it arrived in the mail.