Moruya community mourns loss of former principal, renaissance man Brian Passmore

Brian Passmore – teacher, singer, actor, published author, philosopher and sportsman, passed away on 22 September, aged 90.

He was NSW’s youngest high school principal when, aged 41, he became principal at Bombala in 1977. He was principal of Moruya High School from 1984 to 1989.

There is so much more to Brian than his remarkable teaching career.

Born in Kogarah Bay in Sydney’s south in February 1934, Brian was the younger of two twin boys and the youngest of six children. He played tennis with passion and as a junior was Ken Rosewall’s doubles partner.

He later became a qualified tennis coach and was very well known for that in the Sutherland Shire.

When he was posted to Moruya High School and found it had no trophies, Brian removed the nameplates on all the silverware he had won and donated the trophies to the school.

As a junior he was also a state 800-metre running champion. His second-eldest child, Penni, said both Brian’s son Simon and grandson Alexander represented at the same level.

In 1967 Brian started the Heathcote Harriers, the first cross-country running club in southern Sydney’s newest bushland-edged suburbs. They used the fire trails in the Royal National Park as their running area. He regularly ran Sydney’s City to Surf with his children and grandchildren until he was in his 70s and was cycling until he was 78.

As Penni said, “he left nothing in the tank”. He was still playing hockey at Batemans Bay when he lived in Moruya and was committed to tai chi. “He would never sit down.”

Brian wrote poetry, studied literature and was the author of two science books. “The first was so successful he was asked to write a second one. They both stayed in print for many years.”

Originally an industrial chemist, Brian moved to teaching for job security. He discovered a love of teaching in the process. He had postings in Deniliquin and Dubbo, where he established a new school, Delroy High School. There were high proportions of Indigenous students in both schools.

One of his greatest passions was working with Indigenous youth, teaching them typing and computer skills to help them get jobs.

“It was Dad’s way of making sure everyone got an even chance,” Penni said. “He felt very strongly about supporting Indigenous students to have success.”

That partly reflects Brian’s beliefs and politics. He investigated all the different religions and many of his beliefs were based on Buddhism. He was a pacifist and big supporter of UNICEF and Medecins Sans Frontieres.

Penni said he was also interested in politics and drawn towards humanitarian, environmental and inclusivity causes.

His two greatest loves though were music and the environment.

“He was a devoted environmentalist, a planet warrior, and a lover of nature and animals.” While Brian was still well, he would be in the bush every day bushwalking, examining plants and collecting seeds.

He passed his love of music on to all his children and in his last few years derived much solace from music.

Brian’s grandfather, Walter Passmore, was the lead tenor/comedian of the D’Oyly Carte Opera Company in London. He would premiere all the new Gilbert and Sullivan librettos and operettas. “At Dad’s last public performance, with the Bay Theatre Players, he sang the same role in The Mikado that his grandfather had debuted,” Penni says. “We are very proud of that.”

Brian spent his childhood holidays at Lake Conjola so “was over the moon” when he was posted to Moruya High School.

He left quite a mark there.

The school said “his dedication, leadership, and passion for education have left a lasting impact on all those who had the privilege of knowing him.

“Brian’s commitment to shaping young minds and fostering a supportive learning environment will always be remembered fondly by the Moruya High School community. His legacy lives on in the countless students whose lives he influenced and inspired during his tenure as principal. Your contributions to Moruya High School will forever be treasured.”

Julie Brailey, the school’s social media manager, said Mr Passmore was very passionate about teaching and still passionate about where he had been a principal. She has worked at the school for 20 years and said he always wrote great comments on the school’s Facebook posts.

“He was always saying things like it is great to see good things are still happening at the school,” Ms Brailey said.

In keeping with his religious beliefs his children will hold a celebratory service, not a funeral. It will be held in January 2025. Details will be published in The Sydney Morning Herald.

Mr Passmore had five children: Jo-Anne, Penelope, Anthony (deceased), Dominique and Simon. He was a grandfather and great-grandfather to 29.

“Two of his children were teachers and four grandchildren as well, so he has left a legacy there too,” said Penni, a retired principal herself.