Individual Details
Croft Gerard STOCKS
(27 Dec 1912 - 17 Apr 1999)
Croft was a teacher, principal and district inspector working for the Victorian Education Department.
3195 AIREY’S INLET (ANGAHOOK) STATE SCHOOL
This school was one of a number serving timber milling communities in the Otways, when settlement was beginning in earnest there. A school at Airey’s Inlet, called at first Angahook, opened in 1893, with George Clarkson as HT, followed two months later by Grace Campbell. The temporary accommodation used was the detached dining room of Hasty’s Boarding House, Enrolment numbered 11. The building was moved to a new site and renovated in 1911. From the turn of the century Lillian Avery remained in charge for twelve years, until July 1912. Milling ceased during the first World War, and the school closed in 1917, or 1919, because of insufficient attendance. A new generation of children need a school in the 1930s, and school, under teacher Croft Stocks (now DI Stocks) opened half-time with Wye River. It remained a half-time school, until it closed again in 1942. In 1960, requests for the re-establishment of the school were granted, and teacher R.G. Gosbell opened school in St Aidan’s Hall in May, with 11 children. In February 1965, the new timber building opened, again with 11 children enrolled; the 1969 enrolment of 6 indicated an uncertain future for the school. — Vision & Realisation (1973)
The school was closed in 1917, and was re-opened in January 1935. From that date, until December 1939, it was conducted on a part-time basis with the Wye River State School. Mr Croft Stocks, who was later to become an Inspector in the Education Department gives vivid descriptions of the difficulties as teacher at two distant schools.
The Great Ocean Road had just been opened to traffic at the time and he would spend one week at Aireys Inlet, where he would also set work for the children for the following week, then he would leave for Wye River on his bicycle, often having to carry the machine over flooded and almost impassable sections of the “road”. At times he would have to divest himself of his good outer clothing in order to keep it presentable. One group of road workers was amazed to see the young man attempting a particularly difficult crossing, and so they strung wire across the flooded river to that he would not be swept downstream. After a week at the Wye, he would reverse the process.
The school was again opened full-time in 30th January 1940 until its closure on 23rd June, 1942. The children had then either to travel to Lorne or Anglesea schools or else receive Correspondence lessons.
He fought hard for resources and facilities for staff of Jamieson Primary School when he worked there as the sole teacher in the mid to late 1940's.
STOCKS. - Croft Gerard. Loved father of Alan and father- in-law of Margaret. Much loved Pop of Paul, Amanda and Nicholas. Deo gratias STOCKS. - Croft Gerard. To our much loved and respected Dad and Pop. Our greatest man and role model. How we will miss your strength of intellect, your imparting of wisdom and your love. You will be forever in our hearts. - Peter, Eva, David, Vicky, Tanya, Damien, Matthew, Joanne and Piccolo. Requiescat in pace
STOCKS. - Croft Gerard. Loved father of Mike and father- in-law of Marianne. Much loved Pop of Catherine, Claire and Laura. Eterno Riposo
STOCKS. - Croft Gerard. I will always remember the last precious weeks. From your loving son Terence. Rest in peace The Stocks family would like to thank all staff at Bethlehem Hospital for their dedication and loving care giving to their father.
3195 AIREY’S INLET (ANGAHOOK) STATE SCHOOL
This school was one of a number serving timber milling communities in the Otways, when settlement was beginning in earnest there. A school at Airey’s Inlet, called at first Angahook, opened in 1893, with George Clarkson as HT, followed two months later by Grace Campbell. The temporary accommodation used was the detached dining room of Hasty’s Boarding House, Enrolment numbered 11. The building was moved to a new site and renovated in 1911. From the turn of the century Lillian Avery remained in charge for twelve years, until July 1912. Milling ceased during the first World War, and the school closed in 1917, or 1919, because of insufficient attendance. A new generation of children need a school in the 1930s, and school, under teacher Croft Stocks (now DI Stocks) opened half-time with Wye River. It remained a half-time school, until it closed again in 1942. In 1960, requests for the re-establishment of the school were granted, and teacher R.G. Gosbell opened school in St Aidan’s Hall in May, with 11 children. In February 1965, the new timber building opened, again with 11 children enrolled; the 1969 enrolment of 6 indicated an uncertain future for the school. — Vision & Realisation (1973)
The school was closed in 1917, and was re-opened in January 1935. From that date, until December 1939, it was conducted on a part-time basis with the Wye River State School. Mr Croft Stocks, who was later to become an Inspector in the Education Department gives vivid descriptions of the difficulties as teacher at two distant schools.
The Great Ocean Road had just been opened to traffic at the time and he would spend one week at Aireys Inlet, where he would also set work for the children for the following week, then he would leave for Wye River on his bicycle, often having to carry the machine over flooded and almost impassable sections of the “road”. At times he would have to divest himself of his good outer clothing in order to keep it presentable. One group of road workers was amazed to see the young man attempting a particularly difficult crossing, and so they strung wire across the flooded river to that he would not be swept downstream. After a week at the Wye, he would reverse the process.
The school was again opened full-time in 30th January 1940 until its closure on 23rd June, 1942. The children had then either to travel to Lorne or Anglesea schools or else receive Correspondence lessons.
He fought hard for resources and facilities for staff of Jamieson Primary School when he worked there as the sole teacher in the mid to late 1940's.
STOCKS. - Croft Gerard. Loved father of Alan and father- in-law of Margaret. Much loved Pop of Paul, Amanda and Nicholas. Deo gratias STOCKS. - Croft Gerard. To our much loved and respected Dad and Pop. Our greatest man and role model. How we will miss your strength of intellect, your imparting of wisdom and your love. You will be forever in our hearts. - Peter, Eva, David, Vicky, Tanya, Damien, Matthew, Joanne and Piccolo. Requiescat in pace
STOCKS. - Croft Gerard. Loved father of Mike and father- in-law of Marianne. Much loved Pop of Catherine, Claire and Laura. Eterno Riposo
STOCKS. - Croft Gerard. I will always remember the last precious weeks. From your loving son Terence. Rest in peace The Stocks family would like to thank all staff at Bethlehem Hospital for their dedication and loving care giving to their father.
Events
| Birth | 27 Dec 1912 | ||||
| Death | 17 Apr 1999 | Bethlehem Hospital, Caulfield, Victoria, Australia |  | ||
| Burial | 21 Apr 1999 | Springvale Botanical Cemetery, Springvale, Victoria, Australia | | ||
| Marriage | Eva Mary ALFORD |
Families
| Spouse | Eva Mary ALFORD (1909 - 1982) |
| Child | John Loughron STOCKS (1939 - 1970) |
| Child | Alan David STOCKS (1943 - 2016) |
| Child | Living |
| Child | Living |
| Child | Living |