Welcome Aboard John
John Halys SVC 1973-81
It is interesting to ponder where life takes one. John happened to be in the SVC Austins Ferry office with son Dominic regarding planning his final year at the College when he ran into a former teacher in Graeme Rainbow - his Maths and Science teacher in Year 7. When asked what he was doing now John responded that he had just retired after a long career in accounting. John was successfully propositioned into filling the vacant OVA Treasurer’s position.
John's story
Having spent nine years at the College, the question arose as to what to do with your life post College. Having the late Brother ‘Snowy’ O’Donnell as your class teacher as well as your accounting teacher in Year 12, and being also inspired by the late Francis Gason, father of Joe (1972 to 1981), the future was set.
Part-time and full-time Uni ensued, and my early working career started in the head office of public company Humes Ltd, a concrete and plastic pipe manufacturer, working up to the position of Assistant Accountant.
Having only two subjects to complete in 1987, I was fortunate to be employed in late 1986 by Peter Tracy (svc 1947-52) and Chris Jones OAM (svc 1953-56), two former students of the College and a career in public accounting started.
I was totally surprised at my graduation in 1998 when Snowy popped up. His words to me were along the lines that he always kept an eye on how his former students were doing.
John pictured with Bro W E ‘Snowy’ O’Donnell at John’s graduation at UTas in 1998.
John pictured with Bro W E ‘Snowy’ O’Donnell at John’s graduation at UTas in 1998.
In 1995 I was invited into partnership by Alec Hové and became business owner in Hové & Halys providing tax agent and business services to small and medium businesses.
Following Alec’s retirement in 2004, I spent seven years as a sole practitioner and again in partnership for over a decade with Emma Sells in Halys & Sells. Retirement came in 2023.
Married Karina in 2003 and blessed with two sons – they following in their father’s footsteps at the College, Samuel (2014 to 2023) and Dominic started 2016 finishing in the coming 2025 year.
When Samuel played soccer at the Junior School, I helped out as an assistant coach to Chris Schofield (svc 1983-88), the team enjoying great success.
Having not been able to do a lot with OVA over the years given a busy family and working life, it’s now time to give back and go forward.