Athol and Margaret Goss 

Athol was born in 1927 to parents Raymond and Agnes Goss. He had a brother Clive and four sisters Molly, Marie, Phyllis and Keitha (all deceased).

His Primary Education was undertaken in Deloraine before the family moved to Hobart after his policeman father was given a transfer. Upon arrival attended St Virgil’s College at Barrack Street  (1938-1944). In this new environment he quickly developed a competitive spirit which was to last the rest of his life.

At 14, whilst his siblings were on war service, Athol experienced the sudden death of his father. The Christian Brothers made available a scholarship which enabled him to successfully complete his Matriculation year. Elected a Prefect in 1944, (his Prefect’s cap is a display item in the Centenary History Centre), he captained the College in winning State Independent School Premierships in both Cricket and Football. In a game against The Friends School, he captured 13 wickets for just 8 runs!  He was also a member of the Athletics team and held the Under 16 Shot Put record for 39 years - 12.50m.

In1945 at the age of 17, he featured in a State Winning Premiership Team with the North Hobart Football Club.  The following year he was ‘drafted’ by the Geelong Football Club in the VFL, but before taking up the offer, a tragic ACL knee injury brought an end to his football career. 

The injury enabled him to complete an Accounting Degree while working with Commonwealth Bank before undertaking a share-farming venture in Mount Gambier, South Australia with his brother- in- law.  At the same time he established the local Agricultural Show and acted as a Tax Agent for the farming community.

In 1953 Athol returned to Tasmania to resume a Commercial Accounting Career with BP Ltd. and The Cascade Brewery Co Ltd. In February 1955, Athol married Margaret Geason in St Mary's Cathedral. After the birth of their three daughters, Margaret became closely involved over 18 years (1970-1987) with the development of the Austins Ferry Campus as Secretary to various Principals of the College.  Many former students from that period would have fond memories of ‘Mrs Goss in the Office’.

The three daughters attended Sacred Heart College in New Town and for many years Athol served as Chairman of the College’s Board.  He also helped prepare the College’s Athletics teams.

In spite of three knee operations and a dramatic change to his lifestyle, he represented the State in Kings Cup Rowing in 1954 and 1955, after which Squash and Golf became lifetime activities.

Margaret and Athol travelled extensively, including places of historic, workplace and religious significance Religious places visited included the Vatican, Lourdes and Fatima.  They were also privileged to witness the famous Passion Play at Oberammegau.  On a trip to Ireland they were able to spend time with a legendary benefactor of the College – John Galvin, and whilst in New Zealand they visited former Principal Br James Hessian shorty before his death. 

Athol completed an Advanced Management Course at the Australian Administrative Staff College, during his long career in Finance and Administration at The Cascade Brewery Company Limited. As Company Secretary at Cascade, he administered three hostile corporate takeovers of the Company during which Corporate Raiders sold off valuable Tasmanian assets built up over 160 years only to have such funds transferred overseas - a situation he regretted.

Upon his retirement he accepted a commission to write a history of this great brewing company entitled, no less, ”Cascade: A Taste of History.” The establishment of the Cascade Museum and Woodstock gardens and Reception Centre completed this assignment.

Athol was proud of his ancestry as a great great grandson and great grandson of two convicts and has read avidly of the history of these times. A memorial to the loving memory of his forebears is displayed in the Paupers Section at Cornelian Bay Cemetery.

Although retirement has been a continuum of major surgical operations, Athol, who turned 94 recently, still retains an alert mind and a keen interest in his Alma Mater.