The late Rev. John Blaze and Hugh Aldons
Below is an excerpt of an email I recd. re. the late Hugh Aldons and his tragic demise . He passed away 3.30 pm. last Thursday ( day before yesterday ) . His former wife Ione is also in a serious condition.
Tragic occurrences seem to be the order of the day !
“ last Tuesday, he appears to have tripped over after exiting his separate shower cubicle and fallen into the bath in his unit (where he lived independently alone) albeit at age 99 years! He was found, with no apparent external injuries, by his daughter Sonia when she arrived for a visit to check on him. She called an ambulance and he was eventually taken to the Valley Hospital, Dandenong North, where he appeared lucid and could communicate. But later, they noticed he began slurring his speech so he underwent a head scan which revealed a slight brain bleed. He had obviously struck his head in the fall, and was hence transferred to South Eastern Hospital for observation, treatment and palliative care, but sadly did not survive much longer. Yesterday we heard from Sonia that , poor Aunt Ione (now 91) was yesterday found bleeding heavily by her granddaughter, Kate, (one of Michael’s daughters) who lived with Ione. Kate called an ambulance and she was taken to Cabrini for examination and treatment. In the absence of further news about her, we assume she is still there. So, it has been a very distressing and sad time for that whole family, especially for Sonia, their only surviving sibling and principal carer, who lives in Williamstown, so has always had a long way to travel to see her much loved parents and Michael!
The Rev. JOHN LOUIS BLAZE Founder and Life Member of The A C F Inc. 8th. October 1934 – 16th. May 2024
A dedicated servant of his Divine Master and also, of his community, John made himself available when ever and where ever required. As such, he was associated with several Community activities and organisations in addition to those connected with his Ministry.
John’s parents , the late Benjamin Blaze and the late Dorrit Blaze, migrated to Australia in the 1950s with their three sons. John was a teenager then . His brother Carel qualified as a Dental Surgeon and established himself in Knox City . Carel later became the Mayor of Knox City. The other brother died under tragic circumstances.
Benjamin Blaze , an English scholar, was a Senior Master in some of the premier Colleges in Sri Lanka. John, thus had the rare privilege of attending , among others , two premier Colleges – S. Thomas’ College in Mt. Lavinia and , Royal College in Colombo.
Unlike most Sri Lankan migrants here who were concerned with their own welfare John’s parents, Benjamin and Dorrit, were more concerned with the hardships and suffering their Burgher community in Sri Lanka was being subjected to because of the prevailing racial tensions there then. Several distinguished Burghers had their employment terminated and the community as a whole was disadvantaged in many ways. Benjamin and Dorrit, together with their sons and a few other Burgher Stalwarts here founded the Australia Ceylon Fellowship ( ACF) in 1957 with the sole purpose of helping Burghers to migrate from Sri Lanka and settle down in Australia. The ACF was the first Ceylon ( Sri Lanka ) Community organisation established here in Victoria, and possibly through -out Australia then , with helping disadvantaged Ceylonese ( Sri Lankans ) to Migrate as its main objective. Aided by some prominent Australians the ACF was quite successful in achieving this.
John , with a few breaks between , was actively connected with the ACF through its 67 years of service to the Sri Lankan community here, and in Sri Lanka also. He was elected President in 1977, 1978 , 1979 and 1992 . He continued to maintain a close interest in the activities of the ACF, a legacy left by his parents. In 1981 John was elevated to Life Membership in recognition of his long, continuous service to the ACF.
John has represented the ACF at several important meetings convened by the Federal and State Governments of Australia , by the Migration Department of Victoria, by the Ethnic Communities Council of Victoria, by the World Council of Churches, et al..
In his connections with the Sri Lankan ( Ceylonese ) community here , John did not confine his interest and activities to the ACF only . He and his parents were founder Members of the Burgher Association of Australia Inc. , another Sri Lankan community organisation .
His pleasant personality and ready smile endeared him to many of his congregation and colleagues. His stentorian voice enabled him to be heard loud and clear. ! They were attributes which served him well in his service as a Minister of the Church. He served in the Church Ministry of several suburbs around Victoria. . Farewell, John. Rest in Peace with The Master you served.’
ESTO PERPETUA. Chris. J. Lawton, C. Eng. ( Lond.)., Order of Australia Life Member ACF. Inc.
