MAYNES, Jack (1909-1996)
President 1972-1973, 1978-1979. Museum Curator. Life Member
JACK RANDOPH MAYNES was born on 5 December 1909 at Gerringong to Henry James Maynes and Lillian Marion Stainer. The family moved to Albion Park in 1915 and later to Unanderra where other members of the Maynes family had farms. His father, a dairy farmer, died in 1922. Jack's cousin, Lindsay Maynes also farmed at Unanderra and he assisted Jack, his siblings as they grew up.
Lindsay Maynes was prominent in local politics as well as church, agricultural and other community organisations. He was Jack's mentor and fostered Jack's love for the heritage and enviornment of Illawarra. During his lifetime, Jack saw Unanderra change from a farming community to a thriving garden, residential and industrial estate. Jack attended the Unanderra Primary School and was there as an honoured guest when the school celebrated its centenary in 1978.
His extensive family connections and his prodigious memory made Jack an inexhaustible reservoir of local history knowledge. Jack spoke with a measured slowness that reflected his rural background and the long years he spent as a dairyman. A question of Jack could result in a very lengthy monologue that explored many byways. His annecdotes often began with 'well, if I remember correctly...'.
Jack was an astute businessman whose interests were founded on the dairy industry for which he had a special love and which continued until his death. He was also a land developer and was involved in the subdivision of family land at Unanderra.
Jack was a pillar of the Illawarra Historical Society and a member for 26 years. He served as Vice President, then President and was museum curator on and off a long time. He loved the Museum and was influential in the collection of agricultural equipment. He was Publications Officer for many years. Society bus trips would not have been the same if he had not attended with his wife Isabel. Jack was also on the Society Board for some 20 years. He was the Society's representative on the Wollongong City Council Heritage Committee and was a guest speaker for the Society and for many other organizations.
He possessed a genuine and deep interest in people. Jack had the ability to relate to young and old alike. He was also a great supporter of many good causes but, more than this, he was always encouraging and helping someone - he saw a need and he responded. St Michael's, Wollongong and St Mark's Anglican Church at West Wollongong were the recipients of his benevolent nature as was any other organization to which he belonged.
His wife and life partner, Isabel, died on 10 August 1996. Jack soldiered on - always caring and concerned for others and the world at large - and died on 22 October 1996.
John Shipp - July 2018
based on an obituary by Amelia Pezzutto published in Illawarra Historical Society Bulletin December 1996