 John Philip Permezel
Born at Colac Hospital, John was the son of Phil and Audrey Permezel. He was the younger brother of Nanette and Dee, and the big brother of Guy and Jackie. He started life on the family farm at Tanybryn, and his education began at Apollo Bay Primary School. He later spoke fondly of his time in Tanybryn and always held a special connection to the area. He spread his father’s ashes there.
From Tanybryn, the family moved to Colac. John attended Elliminyt Primary School and Colac High School. During this time, his love of swimming began. He was a member of the Colac Swimming Club and competed in many regional and state competitions. He was especially proud of finishing third in a relay team at the Victorian Championships. In later years he competed in numerous Pier to Pub and ocean swimming competitions.
After a couple of years at Colac High, he was sent off to boarding school at Scotch College. He often referred to Scotch as “The Jail House”. During one school holiday, while working for his father in Colac, he made a decision not to return to school and he began working full-time in his father’s business, supplying briquettes and farm supplies to the Colac community.
At the age of 22, John married Fran and three children followed: Jason (1974), Andrew (1975) and Krista (1976). They lived in Colac for 18 months before buying land at Deans Marsh. Later, after separating from Fran, he moved back to Colac and worked for companies such as Civic Hardware, Bonlac, Midcity Plumbing and Home Hardware.
John loved the ocean and fishing and often combined the two by heading to Mt Defiance, Grey River, Parker River or Artillery Rocks in search of King George whiting or snapper. John also loved sport. Whether it was the Canterbury Bulldogs, the Geelong Cats, the Tour de France, soccer, or reading about local sport and which grandchild had played a good game for their local side. He was particularly close to his grandchildren and loved to see them and hear about how they were going.
After retirement, John took to travel in his caravan, He visited numerous places all around the country until the onset of leukaemia prevented further exploration.
John Michael Holroyd Permezel (Michael)
Son of John (1925) and Pat (neé Sholl). Educated at Malvern Grammar, Wesley College and University of Melbourne. He married Anni in Austria 1980 and they have two children: Donald (1982) and Fiona (1984). They have four grandsons.
After training in Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the Royal Women’s Hospital, he continued his training and research in the United Kingdom. He served as a Senior Lecturer at the Royal Women’s (1989-1997) and then as Professor at the Mercy Hospital for Women (1997-2019). He was President of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (2012-2016).
Michael retired from active medical practice in 2019 at which time he became Professor Emeritus. His active interests include serving as a Member of the Board of the Norman Beischer Medical Research Foundation and contributing to the foundation’s Fellowship Panel and Innovation Grants Committee.
He currently lives on 36 acres in Gembrook in the Dandenong Ranges. After 46 years at Peninsula Country Golf Club, in retirement he has moved to Kew Golf Club where Anni is also a member and both play regularly.
Simon William Glynne Permezel
Son of John (1925) and Pat (neé Sholl). Educated at Malvern Grammar, Wesley College and University of Melbourne. He married Ruth (neé Peart). They have two sons: Toby and Oliver  . They have four grandchildren.
He trained in ophthalmology at the Royal Eye and Ear Hospital. His practice as an Ophthalmologist was initially in Ashwood and later Ashburton. After decades as a visiting specialist to Shepparton, he retired from his city practice and moved to practice exclusively at Shepparton Eye Clinic. He retired completely in 2025.
In retirement, he lives on 100 acres at Kelvin View overlooking the Goulburn Valley with a magnificent garden and expansive orchard. |
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