Geoffrey Maxwell's 1910s Photograph Album

Jillian Goldsmith and her son Geoffrey Goldsmith (OSC 1985) donated a significant photographic album belonging to her late father, and Geoffrey's late grandfather, Geoffrey Arthur Patrick Maxwell (OSC 1918).

The album depicts life on the family station, trips through the Murchison in a convertible soft-top automobile, summers at Rottnest, sailing Freshwater Bay, Geoffrey Maxwell stroking the 1917–18 Head of the River, gymnastics displays on the Top Oval, early images of the Boat Shed, and life at Scotch College from 1915–18. It holds many early historical images of the station settlement in the Murchison. Throughout the album Western Australia's unique and varied rural landscape is portrayed, as well as early imagery of the Swan River with views from the Boat Shed and the banks at Fresh Water Bay Yacht Club. Many photographs paint a picture of Geoffrey's time attending school with his peers, mostly on the grounds of Scotch College are illustrated throughout the book.

Geoffrey Maxwell was an outstanding sportsman and athlete. The sentiment of his natural talent is captured in the 1955 telegram donation, of ABC's live radio broadcast which states:

"It is with great sorrow we announce the death of Geoff Maxwell. He was – without a doubt – one of the finest types produced by Scotch College, Claremont, and one of the best all-round athletes this state has seen.

He stroked Scotch in the Head of the river events of 1917 and 1918, and coached the Scotch Head of the River crews from 1943 to 1951. He was a very good runner, a great swimmer, and an outstanding footballer. He was what is generally known as a born athlete, for he succeeded at anything he set himself to do.

Above all, he played his games in the finest tradition of our great Public Schools and was a powerful influence for good amongst the present day schoolboys.

It is not easy to say goodbye to one who was so kind and understanding, and our sporting community will be the poorer at his passing. Vale Geoff Maxwell – a great sportsman"

— ABC Radio Archives 1955