Class Of - 1966

Russell Smith (as at 2003)
Russell Smith is currently working as Projects Manager and Export Manager for Unitex Pty Ltd. As Projects Manager he is responsible for initiating and completing special projects in promotion, advertising, production efficiencies, management improvement programmes and staff development. As Export Manager, Russ is developing the export market for the company, to sell products and/or technology transfer.

Russ and his wife, June (nee Coysh) are living in Essendon and celebrated their 32nd wedding anniversary this year. They have lived in the area for 17 years and in their current house for 2 1/2 years. “Having grown up in Seddon (Footscray), I have not moved too far from our 'spiritual home' - the Western Oval (Whitten Oval) where our children, Melissa & Cameron, have taken up the clarion call from their father and uncle (my brother Rob). We keep hoping for that elusive "next year" success.” At this time especially, with the strength of interstate teams, we wish all Victorian teams the best of luck in the competition next year.

June has been fully occupied managing the household, Russ’ father (since his mother died in 1994) and her mother. She has also continues her long-standing commitment to voluntary work with The Spastic Society, caring for autistic children and as a Do Care Volunteer. After years of family prodding, she has recently entered her marmalades and relishes in agricultural shows and has won a couple of first prizes. We wonder if she needs to send a sample to the OSCA office for confirmation of her skill and expertise?

Russ’ son, Cameron Smith ('93) , is now Proprietor at the Prince Alfred Hotel in Bay St. Port Melbourne. Having completed degrees in Hospitality (RMIT) and Wine Marketing (University of Adelaide), Cameron has now decided to put this knowledge to profitable use. He welcomes all Old Boys for a convivial ale, or to share a bottle from the imaginative wine list whilst enjoying the delectable cuisine.

Russ’ daughter, Melissa (b.1971) has been an inveterate traveller. She recently returned from a trip to Egypt and Turkey, which was combined with a wedding in S-W France. Previously she has toured the USA, worked in London and throughout the UK and Europe, as well as camping safaris in South Africa and Zimbabwe.

Cameron’s grandfather, Bill Smith ('39) , is still very active, living in his Emerald home and enjoying the Dandenong Ranges, which he paints plein-air and in his home studio. After retiring from his dental practice over ten years ago, Bill has put those well-honed dextrous skills to good use, firstly with wood carving and then painting - pastels, oils and watercolours. He has a number of awards attesting to his talent and continuing dexterity.

Russ’ brother, Rob Smith ('64), recently celebrated twenty years of business for his chartered accountancy practice, Smith & Gilbert, in Bacchus Marsh. As well as attending to the needs of the many clients in his local area, Rob also spends 2 or 3 days a week, in his Melbourne office, looking after the taxation and other financial needs of his city-bound clients.

Like his daughter, Russ has also travelled extensively on short business trips to USA, England, Germany, Belgium, Netherlands, China, Japan, many Southeast Asian countries and New Zealand. Russ and June took a touring (and visiting friends) holiday to the US in 1996, and with a mate, Russ returned backpacking on a "Beers, Bars & Bands" tour in 2000. Very recently he returned from a driving & camping tour of the Red Centre and outback Queensland with the same friend. “We travelled 9,000 km in 3 weeks. I now appreciate what the travel brochures wax eloquently about regarding the space and vastness of this wonderful country I am fortunate to call home.”

Apart from family, work, the Western Bulldogs (“still Footscray FC in my heart”), and the odd spot of travel, Russ’ other interests include playing the guitar, reading and writing poetry.