Tributes for Bellarine Peninsula legend James ‘Geoff’ Henderson after sad passing, aged 95

The Bellarine Peninsula is in mourning following the death of one the region’s most respected community champions.

Long serving St Leonards Golf Club president Geoff Henderson is being remembered as a community champion.

The Bellarine Peninsula is mourning the loss of one of the region’s most respected longtime residents and a “community champion”.

James Geoffrey Henderson will be farewelled in Point Lonsdale on Monday after his death this week at the age of 95.

Mr Henderson, better known as Geoff, settled in St Leonards on a 300 acre farm that famously became known as “Inverness”, surviving on growing peas, potatoes, fat lambs, beef calves and pumpkins in “tough times” and “drought”.

He built his house on the land and lived for many years with his beloved wife, Helen, including at stages without electricity or telephone lines before immersing himself into the community.

He was a founding member of the St Leonards and Indented Head Fire Brigade, took up a position on the state school committee and was a long serving president of the St Leonards Golf Club.

His son, Tim Henderson, said his father would “have a go at anything” and was one of the most respected men in the Bellarine.

“He was a very well known character that would famously talk to everyone and anyone,” he said.

“He had a special way with people.”

Geoff and Helen Henderson in their St Leonards garden.

He first moved to the area with his father, who bought a property on Scotchmans Rd.

“He would ride a pony to school in Portarlington,” Tim said.

He attended Scotch College boarding school in Melbourne and enjoyed a stint working with accountants in the city before returning to the family farm.

He purchased his “bush block” further down the road in St Leonards and never looked back.

A diehard Geelong supporter, Mr Henderson passed away the day after the Cats were beaten in a classic preliminary final clash against Brisbane on Saturday.

“He knew they got done,” Tim said.

“I joked maybe he didn’t need to stick around for the grand final because the Cats weren’t in it.

“He lived a full life.”

He retired in Point Lonsdale with his wife, Helen, and the pair developed a devoted Saturday morning coffee group.

“It was a way of uniting people and also helped newly retired people settle into the town,” he said.

“He loved the Bellarine Peninsula.

“This was his home.”

A private funeral service will be held in Drysdale before a celebration of his life in Point Lonsdale on Monday.

Originally published as Tributes for Bellarine Peninsula legend James ‘Geoff’ Henderson after sad passing, aged 95