Herbert (Bert) Elton Hassall (SPC 1938-42)

We are saddened to hear of the passing of Old Collegian Herbert (Bert) Elton Hassall (SPC 1938-42) on September 10, 2020, in Mildura, aged 95 years, surrounded by his family.

Bert Hassall in his leaving pass class photo, as pictured in the 1941-42 College Annual.

Herbert, or Bert as he was known to his schoolmates and Herb, in later life, was the loving husband of 56 years to Joan, their four children and two grandchildren.

Bert Hassall was the bow in the thirds crew in this photo in the 1941-42 College Annual.

Herb enjoyed receiving The Shamrock magazine and keeping up-to-date with SPC news. Bert was a boarder from Mildura and began his schooling at SPC in second year. Bert was involved in the rowing program and was a handy runner. The 1941-42 College Annual shows Bert came third in the 880 yard and second in the mile events in the SPC Senior Cup Championship Events om 1941.

Bert was also chosen to write about the day-to-day life of being a student at SPC in the 1941-42 College Annual, and he wrote an informative piece about boys and their pocket money, which can be read below.

The 1943-44 College Annual recorded Bert was following a university degree in engineering and science.

Bert Hassall was one of several students who wrote about different aspects of day-to-day life for SPC students in the 1941-42 College Annual. In this very interesting account, Bert writes about every student’s big love – pocket money.