Edward (Ted) John Rankins OAM (SPC 1948-50, PY1952)

We extend our deepest sympathy to the family of Edward (Ted) John Rankins OAM (SPC 1948-50, PY1952) who passed away on 10 March 2022 in Bendigo, aged 87 years.
A Mass of Thanksgiving was held at St Therese’s Catholic Church in Kennington, Bendigo, on 18 March.
Born in Boort in 1935, Ted received a scholarship to St Patrick’s College and revelled in life as a boarder. He excelled in his sporting pursuits, athletics, tennis, cricket but his passion was Australian Rules, becoming Captain of the SPC Under 15 Football team at the same time being a member of the SPC First XVIII Football team.

He also played in the school footy competition for Galvin and Nunan and was part of the winning Ballarat Public Schools Athletics team for SPC in 1950. Ted was named SPC’s Under 15 100 Yards champion in 1949, and also won the Under 15 75 Yards championship.
Ted was succeeded at St Patrick’s by two brothers, Vincent (SPC 1957-58, PY1962) and Patrick (SPC 1959-61, PY1962).

Ted completed National Service in Ballarat and then embarked on a career with the PMG (Australia Post) at the Postal Training School in Melbourne before relieving in Country Post Offices, to Inspecting and then becoming Bendigo Senior Post Master and finally retiring after 46 years of faithful service as area manager.
Ted played an active and vital part in the Bendigo community, and performed countless voluntary roles, culminating in him receiving a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in June 2014 for service to the community of Bendigo, particularly through tourism roles.
Ted was an avid reader of SPC’s Shamrock magazine and a proud St Patrick’s past boarder. He was also a regular attendee at the Old Collegians’ Association’s regional dinners in Bendigo.
Ted leaves behind his wife of 64 years Gwen and was the loved father of Frances, Vivienne (dec), Paul, Lisa, Daniel and Genevieve.