15/07/1930 – 27/01/2025
Geoff joined his brother Ernie (OW1946) at Wesley College after attending Elsternwick Primary School. Geoff’s parents, Ern, a butcher and Christine, a dressmaker, lived in Gardenvale. His brother Ernie was an Olympic yachtsman at the Tokyo Olympics in 1964.
In his early childhood, Geoff spent two years on his back in bed for Perthes Disease and vascular insufficiency in his legs at The Children’s Hospital in Frankston. This perhaps shaped his determined outlook and his wish to live life to the fullest.
Geoff excelled at Wesley in everything, except academia! Sport was his love. He repeated his leaving certificate (Year 11) and in his final year in 1949, Geoff captained the First XI cricket team to a premiership. From that year on, Wesley won the next five out of six years. Perhaps Geoff started a new era of success for Wesley Cricket! He was honoured to be invited to present the Premiership Cup at Wesley Speech night to the winning cricket captain in 1993.
Geoff continued to excel in sport after school, becoming the Club Champion at Yarra Yarra in 1952 and the runnerup in the Victorian Amateur Golf Championships in 1954. He organised the Old Wesley Golf Day for many years and won the trophy on multiple occasions.
Geoff married Billie in June 1955 in the Wesley Chapel. They settled in Beaumaris then bought their long-standing family home in Eskdale Road, Caulfield. They enjoyed 60 years of marriage raising two children, son Scott (OW1975) and daughter Robyn McKenna, a teacher at Wesley’s Glen Waverley Campus for 27 years.
He was driven to succeed in business, starting in the textile industry before commencing a lengthy career selling life insurance. In 1976, Geoff purchased Oxley Brothers net business in Port Melbourne which he ran for over 18 years before retiring to Portsea with Billie.
Geoff was involved with many of Wesley’s affiliate clubs including the Old Wesley Cricket Club, Collegians Football Club, the Ski Club at Mt Buller and the Old Wesley Masonic Lodge where he became a Life Member. He served on the College Council, the OWCA and the Foundation, holding almost all positions available from President to Treasurer.
He was ultimately awarded a Fellow of the College in 1988. The honour is bestowed on a few men and women who have given exceptional service to the College. It was a proud moment for the Wagstaff family when it was presented to him at Speech Night.
Geoff was delighted to have had his four grandchildren - Jamie Wagstaff (OW2006), Emma Wagstaff (OW2009), Luke McKenna (OW2010) and Claire McKenna (OW2012) and Jamie’s wife, Sally Naylor (OW2007), attend the College.
We remember Geoff for his strength and determination to succeed. He provided support for his family to thrive. He taught them the importance of resilience and hard work.
Contributed by Scott Wagstaff (OW1975)