Tony Annear, our recently retired VGCA Secretary, sadly passed away on 19th May 2005. A large gathering of family and friends (including a great representation from the lapidary community) came together in Bendigo on Wednesday 25th May to say goodbye and to celebrate his life.

Born in Coburg and educated at Melbourne High School, Tony was always pretty good with words and is remembered by those closest to him for his poetry. His children Peter, Robyn and Rod must have picked up some of this from the gene (rock)pool, for they each spoke eloquently with love and humour when sharing their fondest memories of their Dad at the funeral.

We learned that Tony was a natural sportsman and loved playing footy, cricket and golf. Rumour has it that in 1951 he had to decide between playing pro-golf and getting engaged to Val. While Tony was probably the one who started the rumour, on reflection, we are certain that he made the right decision for himself and for Val, certainly for lapidary (and most probably for golf!)

In his working life with Dulux / Balm / Walpamur, Tony demonstrated those high levels of commitment and loyalty that were to be the hallmarks of all his lapidary pursuits.

That lapidary connection has its genesis in 1965 when Tony’s son Peter developed a keen interest in rocks. Tony brought him a rock-tumbler (now there’s a cautionary lesson for every Dad and Grandpa right there!) Tony met Les Minter (then GAA Victorian Branch Gem Club President) and the rest as they say is history. Tony was hooked and that meant the whole Annear family was as well.

In 1967 Tony and Les (with too much time on their hands) founded the Nunawading Lapidary Club. Tony (and Val) served that club in many capacities for over 35 years until his recent retirement.

Lapidary boomed in the late 1960’s and Tony was instrumental in its expansion. It was Tony (and a few fellow travellers at GAA) that formed our own VGCA in 1967. Tony visited every state at his own expense to assist them to set up their own state associations. He was one of the organisers of our first Victorian Gemkhana at Stratford in 1965 and the first Victorian Gemboree at Beechworth in 1969.

At the 1974 Gemboree in Broken Hill a national body The Australian Federation of Lapidary and Allied Craft Associations (AFLACA) was formed with none other than Tony Annear as Secretary. Tony held that position until failing health led to his recent retirement. He was instrumental in setting up the Victorian Branch of the Australian Facetors Guild and it’s through his efforts that many of us now need to wear glasses.

A photo of the late Tony Annear.