John McMillan (SPC 1955-58)

We were saddened to learn of the passing of Old Collegian John McMillan (SPC 1955-58) on 9 November 2023.

John was a boarder from Tynong, in Gippsland, Victoria. He returned home for a year in 1956 when he was needed by his father on the family’s spud farm, however he then returned and completed his matriculation. John was an outstanding student and very active during his time at SPC.

He was a member of the First XVIII Football team, Second XI Football and Hill and Sunday competitions and in earlier years, he was a member of the Under 15 XVIII Championship footy side.

John was also a member of the Holy Name Society Executive, St Vincent de Paul, Our Lady’s Sodality and Literary Society.

After finishing at SPC, John McMillan became a senior public servant in both the Federal and Victorian public services.

At a time when many public servants appeared aligned to one side or the other, John was a true professional to the government of the day.

John held a number of senior executive positions in transport and infrastructure in Victoria including Director General of Public Transport.

His services were recognised in the Queen’s Birthday Honours of 1999 with the award of the Public Service Medal for outstanding public service to the Departments of Transport and Infrastructure and the Australian Centenary Medal on 1 January 2001 for services to Victorian transport and Infrastructure.

John and his late wife Marlene were also active in the St Vincent de Paul work at St Christopher’s Glen Waverley over many years.

We extend our condolences to John’s children Lisa, Simon, Gabrielle, Emma (dec), Lucy and families and their 12 grandchildren. He was remembered as “a true gentleman and sadly missed”.

A Requiem Mass was held for John at St Christopher’s Catholic Church in Syndal on 22 November.