Daughter’s tribute to professor, football superstar dad Brian Hansford

Several communities across Australia and many in academic circles are mourning the loss of a tremendously successful scholar, professor, author and athlete, who was equally dedicated to the wider community and family.

Brian and Jean Hansford in April 1992. Picture: Contributed

Communities north of Brisbane, the Northern Tablelands of New South Wales and Gippsland Victoria, are mourning the loss of a remarkable man who made a massive impact in the education, volunteer and sporting sectors everywhere he went.

Brian Hansford died surrounded by family on March 25, at the age of 88.

The father-of-three lived a remarkable life, achieving success in several fields and was known to go the extra mile to help others along the way.

A published author, an extensive career as a lecturer and professor and star footballer, Brian’s daughter Peta said people use words like exceptional and extraordinary to describe her dad.

“In fact, Dad loved people, he was genuinely interested in what they had to say,” Ms Hansford said.

“He put all people on an equal footing and always found something good to say about them.

“He had a superb memory for names and places, and this enhanced the stories he loved to tell, which so many of us have had a good laugh at.

“Whilst proud of his achievements, he was never one to talk about his success and achievements.

“I just know he was the greatest dad, he loved us and we loved him, and he and mum made a wonderful team.”

Brian and Jean Hansford in April 1992. Picture: Contributed

Brian was born in the tiny country town of Buchan, Victoria, and was one of four children to Frank and Fairy Hansford.

His grandparents Frank and Bina Moon also lived in Buchan and played a big part in Brian’s life, as he saw them almost daily until he was 14 years-old.

Then the family moved to a ‘soldier settlement’ a parcel of land in Hillside, a dairy farm, just out of Bairnsdale.

His parents enrolled Brian in Trinity Grammar as a boarder in Kew, Melbourne, where he captained the Independent Boys School AFL team.

Brian was the first Hansford to go to university.

During his Melbourne University days, Brian boarded with a Mr and Mrs Halligan and had to be home for tea so he could participate in the very important after supper card games.

“On the football front, Dad excelled as a player,” Ms Hansford said.

“The fact that the Melbourne VFL team had their eye on him and invited him to come to training several years in a row, was their way of saying, you should play football at the highest level.

“Melbourne in the mid-1950s was the powerhouse team, winning multiple premierships.

“Dad had other ideas, and focused on his studies.”

It was around this time Brian met his wife Jean at a dance and in 1959 at the ages of 22 and 21, they were wed and began a 65 year marriage.

“Dad always said it was ‘the best decision of his life’ and often called Mum ‘my best friend’,” Ms Hansford said.

“His love and respect for mum was obvious, and he always wanted to make sure that she was cared for, and looked after, right up to the end.”

Brian brought his new bride back to Bairnsdale, where he started teaching at his old high-school and even taught his own sister for a couple of years, as there was an eight year gap between the siblings.

Brian Hansford trained with the Melbourne VFL side for several years in the 1950s, when the club was the powerhouse of Aussie rules. Picture: Contributed

In 1969, Brian and the family packed up and lived in Canada for 18 months, when Brian was awarded a scholarship to study a Master’s Degree in Education Administration, at the University of Calgary.

“I remember Mum and Dad sold everything, the big green-roofed camping tent and anything else not nailed down,” Ms Hansford said.

“In Calgary, Dad used to walk to University in rain, hail, or three feet of snow.

“I can still see him arriving home in the balaclava mask, with a tiny hole for the face and icicles hanging from Dad’s nose.”

After moving back from Canada, Brian did a short stint teaching back in Foster, Victoria, then accepted an appointment at the University of New England, Armidale as lecturer in the Centre for Behavioural Studies, in the Education faculty.

Allan Searle and the ABC came to Brian’s newly built five acre home in Armidale to film an episode of ‘In Your Garden’.

“It became evident, that dad knew a whole lot more about Australian Native Plants than the host of the show,” Ms Hansford said.

“Part of this garden featured substantial rock walls, all built by hand from rocks picked up from our block of land, a labour love that improved our home, but I also suspect a way of countering the stress of working so hard.

“Dad also collaborated on another book, Australian Plants for the Northern Tablelands, which is used by the National Botanical Gardens as a reference.”

The final move, after 22 years in Armidale, was Brian’s appointment as Head of the School of Profession Studies, at QUT, Queensland.

Brian and Jean settled in a lovely home on two-and-a-half acres at Highvale, just out of Samford.

Brian Hansford joined Samford Rotary in February 2001 and remained a member until December 2013. Picture: File

As the Head of the School of Profession Studies, Brian instigated a monthly morning tea between a group of academics and members of a local retirement home.

“Another amusing incident was when the assistant for Quentin Bryce, Governor of Queensland rang to invite him to a formal dinner to talk about Education,” Ms Hansford said.

“Oh, and what date is that … I’m sorry I won’t be able to attend, as that is the night of a Brisbane Lions home game.

“The flabbergasted assistant had never received a response like that before.”

In 2000 Brian retired from QUT and was awarded Emeritus Professor status for academic service to QUT.

Following retirement Brian became concerned that Australia’s early history of the ordinary people that contributed to building this country, rather than the well known ‘big names’, was being lost.

He published four books examining the role played by ’small cog’ early settlers in Australian history to preserve their stories; Always Believe Your Grandfather, The Elusive Archibald Young – Tracing his footsteps in the Moreton Bay District 1844 – 1875, William Jubb – From Promise to Disaster Darling Downs, 1845 -1878, Hannah & Friends – Life in South Brisbane, 1843-1870.

“My sister Nicole recently said to me, both mum and dad, always strive to do their best,” Ms Hansford said.

“From Dad’s early days playing football and athletics, to being a teacher, not just a good teacher, but an exemplary one!

“And that is how Dad approached his life.”

The Rotary Club of Samford Valley wrote a few words about Brian on their Facebook page.

“Brian was a long time educator and joined Samford Rotary in February 2001 and remained a member until December 2013,” the club wrote.

“During this time, he was a very active member participating in club projects and activities with energy and enthusiasm.

“Brian, for a number of years, wrote the club’s regular media columns and was recognised in 2007 with a Paul Harris Fellow Award.

“His continuing contribution to the club saw him elevated to PHF (Sapphire) in 2009.

“As a regular attendee at weekly lunches with some of his former Rotary mates, he continued to enjoy the friendship and “world problem solving” opportunities provided.”

The German Shepherd Dog Club of Queensland also wrote some words.

“It is with deepest regret that we inform you of the passing of Brian Hansford,” the club wrote.

“Brian and Jean were founding members of the GSDCQ and for many years they have looked after our breed rescue.”

Members of the public and friends of Brian are invited to his funeral service on April 5, 2024, 11am at the Lakeview Chapel, Albany Creek Memorial Park, Bridgeman Downs.