John Cecil Clunies - Ross

John Clunies - Ross otherwise called Dad or Grandpa had what we can only describe as an extraordinary life. It would seem to most the highest point of his life was taking claim from his father of the Cocos (Keeling) Islands in 1944. Yet the following 70 or so years he became so much to so many and he pioneered his way through life. He was a husband, a father & grandfather, he was a copra farmer, a jack of all trades, a designer & architect, a successful business man, a teacher of so many things, a chess pro and gardener. He was modest and usually described as quiet but had a firm presence and gave a mean hug. He liked a cold beer in a glass and drank his sherry from the bottle. He was stern when needed and silly when inappropriate. He was far too much to write in a paragraph.