McCANN, Ernest Wesley OBE (1905-1985).jpg)
E W McCann (Morongo First 50 Years).
Garry Cotton in his description of 'Ernie' McCann's contribution to Geelong commented that:
'During his life he worked tirelessly for the economic, social, educational and cultural development of the region. As chairman of the Geelong Promotion Committee he was instrumental in negotiations to have Alcoa select Point Henry for its Australian manufacturing operations.
With others he fought against the odds to get Geelong a performing arts centre, to found Geelong Community Chest ('United Way' and later, 'Give where you Live'), and gave of his time as a commissioner to see the Port of Geelong flourish.
As a farmer he was known throughout Australia, and the success of the Annual Geelong Show developed under his leadership.
He was chairman of directors of McCann Pastoral Co, Dryden Estate Pty Ltd and associated companies, with farming interests in Ceres, Fyansford and Balliang. ... Lifelong friend Mr Bob Pettit, of Torquay, summed up Mr McCann when he said 'things happened when Ernie was on a committee.'
A councillor of the Geelong Agricultural and Pastoral Society for fifty years, Mr McCann was president for 17 years and led the society from a slump which nearly saw the end of the Geelong Show. He had a way of inspiring others and led by example. Mr Pettit said he remembered him riding a horse into the bar at the showgrounds to get some stewards back on the job.
For 22 years he served as a commissioner, later deputy chairman of the Geelong Harbour Trust (now Port of Geelong Authority) when the Port went through a period of continued development. Former Port Chairman, Mr Gordon Murray, said Mr McCann's attitude was 'let's do it and they can argue with us later. He was not a man for messing around and had the respect of the unions. If he said something they knew it stuck,' he said. ...
Vitally interested in education he was chairman of the Morongo Presbyterian Girls' College council, deputy chairman of Marcus Oldham Agricultural College, a council member of Geelong College and past president of the Old Collegians', and member of the Gordon Institute of Technology, Belmont High School and Victorian Institute of Colleges.
In the rural sphere he was chairman of the Meat Producers Federal Advisory Committee and was made a life member of the Australian Primary Producers Union for his services to the meat industry.
Actively involved in many community appeals, he was chairman of the Geelong Hospital Appeal, country chairman of of the Cancer Appeal of Geelong and country chairman of the Heart Appeal of Geelong. He was appointed a life governor of the Lorne Hospital in 1961 and a life member of the Geelong and District Day Nursery in 1969. His involvement in other community organisations included terms as a trustee of the Ceres Recreational Reserve, Stonehaven Hall, Ceres Methodist Church and Highton Cemetery.
He was a past president of the Geelong Protestant Church Tennis Association, served as a member and captain of the Barrabool Rural Fire Brigade, a member of the Geelong Town Planning Committee, Barwon Regional Committee and Barwon River Advisory Committee.
A member of Geelong Rotary since 1943 and District Governor in 1960-61, he was also a Bannockburn Shire councillor for 13 years including a term as president, a commissioner of the Victorian Pipelines Commission, a justice of the peace, and a staunch supporter of the Geelong Football Club. In 1965, he was awarded the Order of the British Empire (civil list) in recognition of his services to the community.' .JPG)
Geelong College Cup, 1923
awarded to E W McCann.
Blazer pocket belonging
to E W McCann, circa 1923.
.JPG)
Mrs Prices Cup U14 Champion, 1918
awarded to E W McCann.
Ernest Wesley McCann was a son of Sydney Herbert McCann (1872-1948) and Emily Jessie nee Lamond (1876-1925) and had been born at Geelong on 26 February 1905. He attended Ceres State School before his enrolment at Geelong College on 12 February 1918. He spent periods at the School as both a day student and a boarder. He left College in December 1924.
A conspicuous sportsman at School, he was a member of the 1st Football XVIII in 1922 and its Captain in 1923. He was a member of the 1st Cricket XI for three years 1922-1924 and the 1st Rowing VIII in 1924. A member of the Athletics Team in 1919-1921 and 1923-1924 he captained the team in both 1923 and 1924. He won the prestigious Geelong College Cup in 1923 and became a School Prefect in 1924. An avid tennis player he participated in College teams.
In 1934, he married Edna Bell nee McIntyre (1908-2002). His sons, William Sidney McCann and Gregor Donald McIntyre McCann, and uncles, Rev Jonathan Peter McCann (1854-1914), Wesley Burrett McCann (1874-1961), were also educated at Geelong College.
He served on the Geelong College Council from 1958 to 1973 and was also appointed to the Morongo Presbyterian Girls' College Council in 1947. The McCann Sports Centre at the former Morongo College was named in his honour.
Ad Astra in June 1985 reported the College's appreciation of his service:
‘Mr Ernie McCann ('22) who served the college faithfully as a student and Old Collegian, died in Geelong in April.
A prefect in 1924, his sporting record is outstanding. He was in the athletics team in 1919, 20, 21, 22 (capt) and 23 and won the College Cup the same year, played in the first XVIII in 1922 and 23 (capt), and the first XI in 1922, 23 and 24 and VIII in 1924.
He was on the OGCA committee from 1945 to 1950, vice-president from 1951-57, and on the College council from 1958-73.
As a man in the Geelong community he "worked tirelessly for the economic, social, educational and cultural development of the region" (Geelong Advertiser, April 10, 1986). The paper reported that as chairman of the Geelong Promotion Committee he was instrumental in negotiations to have Alcoa select Point Henry for its Australian manufacturing operations. Also, that with others he fought against the odds to get Geelong a Performing Arts Centre, to found United Way (Community Chest), and gave of his time as a commissioner of the Port of Geelong Authority (Geelong Harbor Trust)’ 'Ernie' McCann died on 8 April 1985 and was interred at Highton Cemetery.
His daughter, J Craig, generously donated several of E W McCann's awards, including The Geelong College Cup for Athletics, 1923; Mrs Prices Cup for the Under 14 Athletics Championship; and his College blazer. His College blazer pocket includes School Colours for both Rowing and Cricket, a rare combination not able to be achieved currently.