Editorial note:
This eulogy does not mention Jack's involvement with the Rover Rambler's Club, and any details on this would be appreciated.
For some other details on his scouting activities see http://www.scoutlink.org.au/Lodge_BP/index.htm

JACK HAYWARD WATSON AM, ISO, KStJ, LL.B., JP. 29th November, 1916 to 21st February, 2001

I first met the man we are all gathered here to honour (christened Jack as his mother was not going to let others change his name as would have happened if she had chosen John), when he attended his first Committee of Management Meeting at this Church in April 1947. He was in short pants as he had come from Scouts. I was the young-tolerated-member of the Committee and with Jack who, in those days was also comparatively young to be a member, established a friendship that has matured and deepened throughout over fifty years. After service with the Army Service Corps in World War 2, Jack had returned later than most from active service as, at the conclusion of hostilities, Captain Jack Watson was one of the main prosecutors in the War Trials held at Wewak and Rabaul. One of the legacies of Jack's Service has been the monthly luncheons, with fellow return servicemen, at Victoria Barracks that of course, even for the near teetotal Jack, finished up with the traditional port & coffee. All who were privelaged to know Jack knew of his love of food - the festive board was his chief delight after his obsession for work. Jack, one of two sons to Thomas William Watson (d.1948), a surveyor, and Florence Elsie May Watson (nee Hayward) (d.1968) was born in Waverley in 1916. He had his education (primary) in Mudgee and Forbes and (secondary) at Sydney Boys' High School. Throughout his post school life Jack had been an active member of his Old Boys' Union and the High Club. Jack cared greatly for his mother; wherever he travelled - whilst his mother was alive - his diary was his daily letters home, which, in her latter years, she memorised from listening to friends reading, as she "didn't have her glasses handy". Jack and his mother travelled regularly to Church fetes within the Metropolitan Area and beyond and always, at her insistence came home with purchases she had made. The patchwork blanket that remained in his Volvo to the end is a reminder of those regular sorties. Jack's travels continued well into his senior years - in his mid 70s Jack trained assiduously around the hills of the eastern suburbs prior to his trek through Tibet. Jack was always a family man; he lunched regularly for many years, on a Saturday, with brother Bill and sister-in-law Edith after which he and Bill would wash their respective cars. By the way the number plate CCV-000 had no particular significance other than being distinctive. As nephew Allan grew up it delighted Jack that he had the room to enable Allan to establish a dark room at "Monteray", the 1923 triple-gabled bungalow his parents had purchased in 1938. Then again Jack loved those opportunities when he entertained his extended family at the Fox & Hounds Bar & Steakhouse in Wahroonga. Jack joined the NSW Public Service in the Office of the Registrar General on 22nd May,1933 and proceeded to study Law at the University of Sydney becoming a non-practising barrister at the age of 20. His rise in the ranks was rapid and on lst July,1958 he was appointed Registrar General for the State of NSW - a position he filled most capably until 1977. When the Registration of Land Titles and associated matters were moved to the Department of Lands in 1975, Jack was given the additional responsibilities as Under Secretary, Department of Lands. How many of us have looked at that certificate signature, J.H. Watson, so beautifully reproduced on so many personal and title certificates. Jack was always fussy about his signature and always kept, on hand, varying sizes for reproduction as required. In 1977 the then Premier, the Hon. Neville Wran, wanted Mr Gerry Gleeson, at the time a member of the Public Service Board, in the Premier's Department to replace a Mr D.R. Davies who had previously been the Under Secretary of Lands. Thus a vacancy was created on the Public Service Board and Jack was appointed to fill this position, in an acting capacity necessitated by the fact that the position was ear-marked for an Educational member and Jack's background didn't fit that criteria. Busy men can always take on a little more and there was none so expert at this than Jack Watson. During the period July 1970 to January 1977 Jack was the State Representative on the Metric Conversion Board and in 1975 to 1977 he Chaired the Fish Marketing Authority. Jack Watson's service to the State as a Public Servant was recognised in 1973 by his being made a Companion of the Imperial Service Order - ISO. Jack was to retire from the Public Service Board in 1979, However, his Public Service life did not cease. For the period 1979 to 1981 he was the Deputy President of the Board of Fire Commissioners, a position in which he put a face to the Commission by being seen throughout the State, particularly at medal presentation ceremonies. Then in the period 1980 to 1985 he was Chairman of the Reserve Bank's Promotions Board of Review. In 1981 Jack was elected as a Member of the Order of Australia - AM - for Services to Government and the Community. The Royal Australian Institute of Public Administration owes much to Jack's organising ability as he with other fellows worked so hard for its establishment in 1983 and beyond. Jack was the foundation Secretary of the NSW Branch of the Institute for many years. Following his return to civilian life in the mid 1940s "Murra", to give Jack his Scouting nickname, resumed active participation in the movement he had joined as a Cub progressing to Assistant Scout Master of the 1st Randwick Troop in 1935 to Scoutmaster in 1937, Group Scoutmaster in 1939 and Assistant District Commissioner in 1941. On his return Jack was made the inaugural Commissioner for the East Metropolitan Area, a position he held for some 17 years to 1964 when he retired from active participation. However, his interest in Scouting remained and his services as an adviser and counsellor have been readily used. His service to Scouting has been twice publicly recognised by the Award of the Silver Acorn in March 1962 and the bar to the Silver Acorn in February 1979. He retained the position of Honorary Commissioner to the end. Only recently he was talking possessively of the latest Jamboree in NSW. Outside of his Professional, Church, and Scouting interests Jack's record in a number of Service Areas is outstanding. His involvement in the Ancient Order of St John since 1964 has seen him admitted to the Order of St John, promoted to the Grade of Commander Brother in 1979 when he was Chairman of the St John Council of NSW then, in 1982, he was elevated to Knight of the Order (KStJ). Jack's involvement in Masonry could be a book in itself. Both in the Blue and the Red Lodge Jack has been held in the highest esteem for years. He is highly regarded as a Grand Lodge Officer and lovingly regarded as the not so distant secretary of Lodge Baden Powell. Jack has often remarked that the only organisation to which he has belonged and not risen to the top was in Rotary but his many friends in Rotary would disagree for he impacted on all wherever he has served. His membership resulted from the 1961 invitation to join the Rotary Club of Sydney. Jack regarded it as a tremendous honour that he has for so long been entrusted with the Chairmanship of his Club's Vocational Service Award Committee. His service to Rotary District 975 as District Secretary in 1983-84 will long be remembered. Jack has always been regarded highly for his ability - often tinged with delight - to find the errors - typing or otherwise - in written documents. This ability was highlighted by the fact that the Rotary District Directory that he and the District Governor Elect proofed, from original source material, in 1983-84, was published without the necessity of one correction or amendment. Life Membership of the Royal Australian Historical Society was taken out in 1949. Jack will also be remembered as the writer of biographies for The Dictionary of Biographies. Jack made a meaningful contribution through his service as an elected Community Representative on the Randwick Municipal Council's Bicentennial Committee up to and during the Celebrations in 1988. But back to his great love, the Presbyterian Church. In 1953 Jack was elected as Secretary of the Committee of Managers and he was successively elected to this position until the then Minister, the late Rev. Vernon McKeown, in 1959, invited him to Chair the Committee. This he continued to do through three ministries, stepping aside when the Rev. John Bracht was inducted in 1987. Jack was the first and only Stewardship Campaign Chairman for the Randwick Presbyterian Church and with John Poole and Greg Taylor constituted an active and vigorous Stewardship Review Committee over the years 1953 to 1988. As an aside; the Committee, until 1968, met at Jack's residence and his mother always served afternoon tea on three plates so that "poor John Poole" would not miss out. In 1969 Jack, along with myself, took on the task of typing and publishing the Church's Annual Report. When, after 1986, this was no longer possible, Jack, without any fuss, saw to it that printed reports were available each year. Jack's mother, a truly Christian woman with whom Jack regularly partook of Holy Communion, in true Scottish tradition never regarded herself as "good enough" to become a communicant member of the Church and, in deference to her, Jack also refrained until after her death in 1968. Following his election and ordination as an elder in July 1969 his involvement in the life and witness of his Church beyond the Parish expanded at a rapid rate. He was elected as a Member of the Presbyterian (NSW) Property Trust in 1977. His professional knowledge of deeds, titles and registration was of tremendous value to the Trust's Property Committee which, whilst as a Trustee for a period of nine years, he chaired and of which he remained a member whilst not a Trustee. His involvement in the Committee overseeing the division of property following Church Union is another untold story of invaluable service rendered. At the time of his death Jack was still a member of the Assembly's Finance Committee. Late in 1983 Jack, then a member of the Board of the Scottish Hospital, was appointed Chairman of the Board and carried out this most difficult and demanding role with utmost diligence and dedication until the Board ceased to exist in 1995. Few know of his anonymous gifts, amounting to thousands of dollars, that he made to the Scottish. With the Chairmanship of the Scottish came a seat on the Presbytery of Sydney where his active participation was welcomed. From May 1994 Jack also held the position of Chairman of the Board of the Presbyterian Homes for Aged Persons, Ashfield & Paddington until he stepped down in 1997. In 1986 Jack accepted the Presbytery appointment as an "Assessor" to the Korean Canaan Presbyterian Congregation meeting in Petersham. He was subsequently appointed Clerk of the Korean Canaan Presbyterian Kirk Session and held the position until his untimely end. In such a short time span it is difficult to outline the career and impact of the life of such a bachelor who dedicated his life to others. Service was his business and Jack's life has touched so many and changed the course for who knows how many. Throughout my long association I remember fondly the honk of a horn, late at night in the front playground of Randwick School; I always knew the source - it was JHW calling in for a late cup of coffee, with a job to be completed or just a catch-up. My wife and I have, over the last twelve years, enjoyed the benefits of Jack's generosity, love of rich food and good company. May he continue to be so enriched. No one but his Lord and Saviour fully knew Jack and just what he has contributed in terms of time and possessions. I have tried to signpost his life and works and the many paths he trod. May he rest in peace. The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh - blessed be the name of the Lord.

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