Vale Travis Ellis

Published: Monday, 29 October 2012

It is with great sadness that we inform the Mentone Grammar community of the death of Mr Travis Ellis (Head Prefect 1939). Travis died last Friday afternoon. Travis was a great supporter of the School and a small choir will sing the School Anthem at his funeral.

Our deepest condolences are extended to his family and friends.

Labore et Honore.

The Funeral Service for Mr Travis Wordrow Ellis will be held in the Chapel of Rosebud Funeral Services, 123 Jetty Rd, Rosebud, on FRIDAY (Nov. 2, 2012) at 12pm followed by a private Burial. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Heart Foundation. Envelopes will be available at the Chapel.

Obituary

An obituary from the Archives office - our thanks to Hugh Green for compiling.

TRAVIS ELLIS (1923-2012)

One of our most esteemed Old Mentonians, Travis Ellis, attended Mentone Grammar School from 1936 to 1939. His memories extended back as far as the headmastership of the legendary Charles Campbell Thorold, of whose influence he stood in awe, noting that Thorold was as much father figure as headmaster. The Mentone Grammar School community rightly regards Travis as one of its iconic figures. References to Travis may be found in the Mentone Grammar School history, Against All Odds by James Rundle. One of these (p107) quotes from a letter written by Charles Campbell Thorold imploring Travis to remain at School for the remainder of 1939. This was, unfortunately, not possible, as after the recent death of his mother Travis was required to assist his father in the family butchery business in nearby Parkdale. Travis’s sporting prowess was clearly recognized by the Headmaster when he wrote: “We shall be lost without you in the Combined Sports and all interest will be gone from the House Sports”.  This was not to mention the Headmaster’s obvious disappointment at the loss of “a good prefect”. Despite his premature departure from the School, Travis’s schoolboy contribution to the life of Mentone Grammar School was recognized after Charles Campbell Thorold’s death in October 1939 with his belated appointment as School Captain for 1939. This was announced by Charles Campbell Thorold’s son, Jeffery, as a decision his father had made before his death (p113). Despite his nearly 90 years, Travis remained a firm friend and supporter of Mentone Grammar, regularly attending School functions and particularly enjoying the fellowship of that senior group of Old Mentonians who assemble in celebration each year as the Friends of Frogmore. At the Founders’ Day assembly of 2010, Travis was honoured with a special presentation featuring his life and times. The Mentone Grammar community mourns his passing, as will the many charitable organizations he worked so hard to support.

Labore et Honore