Obituary: Gerald Joseph Goodger

Gerald “Gerry” Jospeh Goodger (1937-2016)

Principal Gerry Goodger with the 1991 Scone Public School captains
Photograph courtesy of Scone Public School.

Former Principal of Scone Public School, Gerry Goodger, passed away on April 27, 2016 aged 79 years after a battle with cancer.

Gerry was appointed Principal of Scone Public School in 1989 and led the school for three years before being appointed as the inaugural Principal of Maryland Public School in the Newcastle area where he stayed until his retirement.

Gerry was one of 13 children (he was number 12) and the family lived at Ulmarra on the North Coast of NSW.

After his Primary schooling at Ulmarra and South Grafton Gerry was awarded a scholarship to St Johns College Woodlawn.

During his time at Woodlawn Gerry made a name for himself as a capable student and an outstanding sportsman.

He represented his school in the First X111 in Rugby League and the First 11 in Cricket. Gerry was a Lieutenant in the School cadets and led the winning the winning team in the NSW Schools’ Bulletin Shield for rifle shooting.

His sporting career continued after school and he was an outstanding Rugby League player.

He will be remembered for his performance, at age 17 and playing with his two older brothers, kicking his side, Grafton, to victory in the Grand Final.

After leaving school Gerry accepted a Teachers College Scholarship at Armidale.

His teaching career began in 1956 at Wang Wauk and he taught at Dorrigo, Llanthony, Pillaga, Buledelah, McKees Hill, Lagaan, Deniliquin, Jesmond, Maitland, Scone and Maryland.

Whilst teaching at Llanthony (near Wauchope) Gerry met and married Shirley.

Together they had four children (Mervyn, Bruce, Pauline and Beverley).

Gerry will be remembered as an outstanding teacher and Principal in the NSW teaching service where his career spanned over 40 years.

He was active in Principals’ Associations as well as President of the Newcastle Branch of the NSW Teachers Federation.

In his time at Scone Public School (1989-1991) Gerry oversaw the introduction of e computers to the school for teaching and administration staff as well as the overseeing the beginning of the Building Program with the removal of and reconfiguring of the old buildings to allow for the new facilities to be erected.

Gerry is survived by his wife Shirley, his 4 children, 11 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren as well as his 5 brothers and sisters.