Vale David Goldsmith

The family of Charles Owen O’Connor settled in Tunnack during the late nineteenth century. Charles had two daughters, Josephine and Bridget. Josephine married Reginald Goldsmith and Bridget married  Sydney Nettlefold. The Goldsmith boys – Murray, Geoffrey and David along with the Nettlefold boys – Rupert, Brian and Bob, all attended St Virgil’s College.

Of the Goldsmiths:

Murray was an outstanding sportsman, served in the Navy during WWII and later managed a clothing and footwear store in Hobart. Geoffrey became an actor and spent time in London, before returning to Australia where he worked for the Public service. He spent time as Australian Consul in Austria. 

Of the Nettlefolds:

Rupert returned to the farm, Brian practiced law and moved to Melbourne whilst Robert (Bob) also studied law and became a Supreme Court Judge here in Tasmania.

David Goldsmith matriculated from St Virgil’s College in 1950. He had been an outstanding schoolboy athlete and represented the College with distinction in cricket, football and athletics.

To quote David. “ After leaving school I tried to play football with OVA, but couldn’t get a guernsey with them. At this time they were performing very well and defeated Old Launcestonians (Grammar) in the State Premiership.”  He was approached by Friends and was granted a clearance.  Friends became a powerhouse during the 1950s. David represented the South several times, made three Tasmanian Amateur teams and was selected in an All Australian Team at the end of the National Amateur Football Carnival in 1958.

In 1951, David commenced work with AMP. During his time with the company, ‘he created at least 200 million of capital guaranteed assets and 250 million in insurance cover assets, and was one of the best individual agents ever in the Society’s service.’

Before settling into his insurance role, David spent 1953-56 training at HMAS Cerebus and had postings on the HMAS Australia and HMAS Melbourne.

David was a foundation member of the Lindisfarne Apex and went on to give that organisation many years of service. At the age of forty (retirement age for Apexians), David transferred his efforts to the work of the Kingborough Lions Club. In 1976, he organised the National Lions Convention here in Hobart. All up, David contributed 25 years to these two service clubs and served time as a president of each.  R.I.P. David