Jack reflects on his long life
Birthday boy: Jack Clancy outside his son’s printing works in McBride Avenue. Jack, a former champion cyclist, opened a bicycle store there, developing it into an emporium selling a wide range of goods.
JACK Clancy turned 90 last Wednesday.
He was hosted to dinner by Bass Coast Shire councillors, who whipped through a mercifully brief monthly meeting in order to share the company of one of Wonthaggi’s best-known sons. The town is only slightly older than the gent himself and he lives in its heart in more ways than one.
Jack is just back from Las Vegas. He went on his own to “see some of the big shows” and despite (or possibly because of) detractors saying he’s too old to travel, he’s pondering his next overseas sojourn.
Admitting he was departing from accepted procedure, Cr John Duscher paid tribute to Jack’s birthday at last week’s council meeting, describing him as “the venerable” Jack Clancy.
“He has a real history of being a major contributor,” Cr Duscher said. “He was mayor (of the Wonthaggi Borough) on three occasions and he’s certainly a community leader.
“Jack’s a very colourful character and a great friend. He’s not frightened to have his say or stand on people’s toes. He argues vigorously and well.”
Some of those best things resulted from crayfish “bribes”.
Jack and former Wonthaggi Borough town clerk Noel Deed wanted to put the case for Wonthaggi’s Union Arts Centre. Presenting the crustaceans to particular secretaries meant the visitors were able to see three state ministers and the Premier Henry Bolte all in the one day – without appointments. Cutting red tape suited Jack – and the down-to-earth Premier of the day.
The resulting building won an Australia-wide award for its acoustics and Jack remains proud theatre goers have plenty of room between the rows of seats. He stood for council at the urging of local newspaper owner Warrick McCrimmon. A few business people – Jack included – had started an annual mardi gras to raise money for a Wonthaggi Swimming Pool.
“We were being hampered by different councillors and when one was retiring, McCrimmon said to stand.
“I did and I loved it.”
So much so, he served for 25 years.
“I finished up when we got the sack. That was the worst think Kennett did. He knocked local government out.”
That was in 1994, when then Premier Jeff Kennett forced municipalities to merge. Wonthaggi, Bass and Phillip Island became Bass Coast Shire.
In the ’60s, the State Government was set to close the coal mine on which Wonthaggi was founded.
With no coal mine, Wonthaggi faced oblivion.
Jack was president of the traders’ association. He, together with mine contractor Fred Webb and borough mayor Cr John Elkin, met with Mines Minister Sir Arthur Warner.
The minister agreed to two things – to keep the mine going for another six years and, as a thank you to miners for a hard working, strike-free period during World War Two, there’d be money for a sewerage scheme.It saved the town and Jack has revelled in watching Wonthaggi become South Gippsland’s premier commercial hub. He keeps good health, watches what he eats and doesn’t worry “about anything”.
“I don’t feel 90.”
And he doesn’t look it either.
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