VA L E JOH N M O OD Y A M
Vale
John
Moody
AM
It is not unusual to lose beloved members of
a community, especially a community as large as
Guildford Grammar School’s. Few losses, however, rock
a school to the core as much as the passing of a former
Headmaster, particularly one that served for a remarkable
18 years. John Moody’s life story is one of extraordinary
accomplishment, a rare body of achievements
that can cause many to reflect on their own
deeds and be inspired to do more.
As a young man, John Moody attended
Duntroon in the Class of 1958, which
included a collection of high-calibre
individuals including Major General the
Honourable Michael Jeffery AC AO (Mil)
CVO MC (Retd), the former Governor of
Western Australia and Governor-General of
Australia. Speaking at the funeral, General
Jeffery explained that gracing John’s casket
was the RMC Duntroon Sword of Honour,
awarded to the most outstanding leader in
that year, bestowed unanimously and rightly
to the senior Under Officer (Head Cadet)
John Moody, Battalion Sergeant Major of
the Corps of Staff Cadets. In the words of
General Jeffery, “at 6’4” or so, magnificently
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built, good looking, beautifully spoken,
decisive and humorous, not only was John
the outstanding leader of our class, he was
also its finest student and as such, the winner
of the prestigious Queen’s Medal Award”.
As a keen and accomplished sportsman,
John excelled when playing in Duntroon’s
top Aussie Rules, Cricket and Basketball
teams. A champion ruckman and captain
of the 1st XVIII Football side, he twice won
the ACT Player of the Year award, the
Mulrooney Medal, and was later inducted
into the Top 25 ACT Australian Rules Players
of All Time. As a fearsome and accurate fast
bowler, he was a cricketer of outstanding
ability. Although not a boxer by choice, he
fought with courage and determination
in the heavy weight division of the Royal
Military College’s boxing championships.
John’s League Football career began and
ended on a single day in 1958, playing for
Norwood in the South Australian National
Football League. In the first passage of play
the big ruckman marked in the forward
pocket and kicked a goal, but soon after
he copped a knee in the back in a marking
contest. He played on until three-quarter
time before being rushed off to hospital
with blood in his urine. Two weeks later
his left kidney was removed. His League
Football stats are one game, one goal, one
best on ground and one kidney remaining.