Vale Greg Hanlon 

Greg was born 21 August 1938 alongside twin sister Coralie, the 5th and 6th children to Vida and Basil Hanlon, at New Norfolk District Hospital. The family lived at Ellendale. His family then moved to Pottery Road, Lenah Valley where he attended Lenah Valley Primary School, Sacred Heart and then St Virgil’s College. 

Greg met Marlene Colegrave through YCW (the Young Christian Workers movement.  They were married early 1965 and had three children – Anthony (SVC 1978-81, Cath and Maria. Unfortunately, Maria passed away due to complications with spina bifida nearly three years later. 

Greg started working at Lewis, Driscoll & Bull as an accountant in 1957, then moved on to the state public service at the Public Trust Office. He moved through various positions including the Agricultural Bank, the Tasmanian Development Authority and finished at Community and Health Services as a Housing Finance Manager. 

While at the Tasmanian Development Authority, Greg was the mastermind behind the Home Ownership Building Industry Scheme, known as HOBIS. This was a forward-thinking project that helped low-income earners to secure house and land packages when banks wouldn’t consider financing them. Many people remember Greg for his work in this area. The family received multiple messages from people when he passed who were recipients of this scheme, saying they remembered his kindness and care when helping them secure a home. Greg retired in 2000 after a long and rewarding career in the public service. 

Many Old Virgilians would have been taught by Greg’s widow, Marlene. She taught at St Peter’s School (1963-65 and 1975-95 ) and at St Virgil’s College (1973-74 and 1996-2002)

Aside from his family, Greg had a number of other great loves in his life, including stamp collecting, squash, golf, bush walking, gardening and singing. Greg played pennant squash until he was 60 and in the latter part of his life he became a competent golfer. 

But his real passion was chrysanthemums. In words he would use, he absolutely loved them. So much so, he began to enter shows and win prizes for his beautiful blooms. Once he got the taste for the show life, he became quite devoted. He was crowned the National Chrysanthemum champion several times in the 90s and won many Grand Champion blooms and other prizes over the years. He also travelled to a number of interstate shows to adjudicate.

He started singing when he was young, and had a beautiful tenor voice. Across the years, he sung at many weddings, and took part in endless concerts, reviews and skits. He often sang the psalm at Mass, was a member of the church choir, was a member of the Riverside Arts Choir for about 25 years and a member of the Black Cherries singing group.

Rest in peace, Greg.