Career
He competed in six events at the 1952 Summer Olympics. He was a longstanding member and coach at the Melbourne-based VRI Fencing Club. On 10 October 2009 in recognition of a significant international fencing career, outstanding personal contribution to Australian fencing, and lasting legacy in the training and development of numerous coaches and Olympic athletes, he was inducted as a Living Legend to the VRI Hall of Fame.
Born in Melbourne, he began fencing at the age of 17 - the same year the Australian Amateur Fencing Association was formed (1946).
John's interest and passion for fencing was inspired by the films of Australian actor Errol Flynn with whom he bore an almost identical size and appearance. (He eventually met Flynn at Paris airport in 1954).
Seeking international experience, he joined the 1950s Australian "invasion" of Britain. He was selected to represent Australia in the foil at the Helsinki 1952 Summer Olympics - the first time an Australian fencing team competed at the Olympic Games.
In 1953 and 1954 he reached the semi-finals of the men"s individual foil at the Foundation for International Education World Championships.
He later reached the finals round at the individual men"s foil at the 1955 Foundation for International Education World Championship. While selected to represent Australia at the Melbourne 1956 Summer Olympics he was unable to return to Australia in sufficient time to compete. He returned to Australia in 1964 and became a member and coach at VRI Fencing Club.
He coached the 1964 Australian Olympic Fencing Team before being appointed national coach in 1966.
He remained a national coach and coach at VRI for several decades before eventually retiring in 1992. Drawing on a lifetime interest and passion for fencing in performance, he appeared in several films and short films and choreographed duels for film, stage and television
