John E Gustafson

(1875-1967)

John Ernest Gustafson was a highly respected community legend- not only a teacher, and a headmaster, but a long time member of the East Fremantle Bowling Club, and an acting Coroner and Justice of the Peace.

John was born in New South Wales where his father Peter Gustafson (d. 1931) was a miner. He had a brother Edward. (reference). At the age of 15 in 1890, John trained as a teacher in Dubbo NSW. He was attracted to WA where chances of promotion seemed brighter and in 1906 Gustafson was recorded as being part of the WA Infantry militia- an officer transferred from the cadet forces of Western Australia (under State organisation) to the Commonwealth Cadet Corps, to be a lieutenant on probation. (reference)

In 1902 John Married Hannah Dalton ‘'Ina or Anna’' (1878- 1955) in Fremantle. Hannah was the daughter of Edward Dalton, of East Fremantle, a master mariner, who died on November 28, 1907. (reference) They had children: Doreen Jane (1902), Dolores Veronica (1904), and John Beal Dalton (1907), Evelyn Iris (b. 1910 Coolgardie) and Clarence (1913)

Gustafson first started teaching first at Fremantle Boys School, then he went on to teach at Beaconsfield, Broad Arrow, Burbanks- Kalgoorlie (1910), Hamilton Hill and finished as headmaster at Bicton. (reference)

1910 SCHOOL SPORTS AT BURBANKS, The festivities which were organised in connection with Empire Day, and postponed on account of King Edward's death, were held on Friday week on the recreation ground. The day was everything that could be desired, and the residents turned out en masse to participate in the day's enjoyment. The arrangements for carrying out the programme were in the hands of the chairman Mr. JF. Gustafson (reference)

1923 ACCIDENTAL DEATH Inquest. Yesterday morning, at the Fremantle Courthouse- an inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the death of Morton Mews, a boy of about 10 years, who was run over by a cart at Hamilton Hill, when he was returning from a picnic on Monday last. John Ernest Gustafson, a school teacher at Hamilton Hill, deposed that, on May 7, at about 6 p.m., he was on a lorry proceeding in the direction of Fremantle. On the lorry there were two of his own children, some adults, and three other children. When near Mews's home, Miss Follington, who was one of those on the lorry, called out: "A child is run over." Stopping the lorry, he ran back to where the boy lay. There were two carts in the vicinity, one belonging to a Mr. Dixon and the other belonging to an Austrian, named Marin Bavich. He found that the child was dead and, looking round, he saw Bavich in the middle of the road. He called to him to stop until the ambulance arrived. Witness then went to a telephone which was about 400 yards away, and, while he was talking there, Bavich passed in the cart. Bavich had a load of manure in the cart and had no lights...(reference)

From 1924 until 1949 the Gustafson family lived at 26 Moss St, East Fremantle where they seemed to be involved in many sporting and community activities.

1932 A successful and enjoyable bridge party in aid of the funds of St. Patrick's Tennis Club was held at the residence of Mrs. J. E. Gustafson, Moss-street, East Fremantle, last week... (reference)

John Ernest Gustafson was one of the pioneers of bowls within Western Australia and was the 38th Inductee into the Bowls WA Hall of Fame. His biggest achievement on the green occurred at the first ever National Carnival hosted by Western Australia in 1924 where he won WA’s first ever national championship in singles – a feat that would take another sixty years to be repeated. Active in and playing for Fremantle and in later life East Fremantle he played in top division pennants for many years and won many club titles… (reference)

He believed “BOWLS was an elixir for permanent good health’’. He took up bowls in 1901 and in 1924 won the coveted title of Australasian bowling singles champion in W.A. At the age of 71 he was still a prominent bowler and in 1946 won the Fremantle Bowling Club Championship for the 16th time. On four occasions he won the State's singles championship. (photo and reference). He was involved as a club member for many decades:

1906 To the Justices of the Peace in the District of Fremantle, I, JOHN ERNEST GUSTAFSON, being the Secretary of the Fremantle Bowling Club, Incorporated, do hereby make application for a Certificate for the said Club under the Wines, Beer, and Spirits Sale Act 1880… The premises occupied by the Club are situate at the corner of Ellen and Parry streets, Fremantle and the number of members, of the Club at present is 78… J. E. GUSTAFSON, Secretary of the Fremantle Bowling Club (reference)

1930 East Fremantle Bowling Club. Under the presidence of Mr. J. E. Gustafson, the annual gathering of members of the East Fremantle Club adopted a report that outlined a successful season from financial and competitive aspects.(reference)

1936 Enthusiasts of badminton are on their toes at present as the blue-ribbon tournament of the season, the State meeting, is in progress. The State title is at present held by Miss Betty Jamieson. The State championships will be continued tonight and some keen games should be seen. Mrs. Lawson, who was also a member of the Kalgoorlie team, has made the trip to Perth, and tonight she will be opposed to Miss Iris Gustafson who has been such a prominent performer in past meetings. In 1934 Miss Gustafson won the coveted title, and last year she performed well, although she lost the title to Miss Jamieson. Probably Miss Gustafson will be a little too strong for her opponent... (reference)

1938 Miss Iris Gustafson, youngest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Gustafson, of Fremantle, whose marriage to Mr. Donald Fife (sic), of the National Harvesters Co., took place on July 9, was one of our many charming brides who have forsaken orange blossom and veil at their weddings. (reference). Should be Donald Fyfe.

1939 FOWLIE (nee Delores Gustafson). On May 7 at St. Helens Hospital East Fremantle to Mr. and Mrs. Fowlie, of South Perth Lodge-a son. (reference)

While headmaster at Bicton Mr. Gustafson worked to establish the Fremantle Children's Dental Clinic. In 1941 the Dental Clinic was praised; 

The activities of the Fremantle children's dental clinic were highly praised by Mayor F. E. Gibson at last night's meeting of the Fremantle City Council. Mr. Gibson said that the clinic was doing remarkably fine work, the value of which was reflected in the medical report, which showed that the health of school children in the district had improved. The community, he added, was Indebted to Mr. J. E. Gustafson, who had been honorary secretary of the establishment since its inception...The council's delegate on the clinic committee (Cr. B. W. F. Lee) reported that for the three months ended February 28- 129 children had made 448 attendances for treatment. Since the establishment of the clinic the patients numbered 2848 and extractions totalled 11,099, while 9087 fillings had been completed. (reference)

Gustafson served as an East Fremantle Councillor from 1934-1952. (reference)

In 1944 he stood for the vacancy as Mayor  caused by the death recently of Mr H. J. Locke but was unsuccessful, losing to Cr W. Wauhop. (reference)

1939 EAST FREMANTLE SANITATION. The contractor having given notice to end the sanitary pan service, the East Fremantle Municipal Council held a special meeting on Thursday night as some houses in the district are still served by the pan system. On the motion of Cr. Ulrich, seconded by Cr. Gustafson, it was decided that all owners of unsewered properties be served with a notice to connect or to lay down septic tanks within 14 days of service of the notice, and, in the event of failure, that action be taken against them and the properties condemned.  (reference)

1939-45 During the war Mr. Gustafson served as a D/Divisional warden ARP in Fremantle and also as Acting Coroner and a Justice of the Peace on the Bench at Fremantle.

1940 JP’s Save SP Man From Gaol- A majority of the Bench think that the defendant should be fined only; “I would have imposed imprisonment." This comment was made by Mr. H. J. Craig S.M. in Fremantle Police Court today when dealing with one of four men who admitted S.P. betting charges. The men concerned had a previous conviction, and a few weeks ago the Magistrate announced that he intended to inflict imprisonment for repeated betting offences. On the bench with Mr. Craig today were Messrs. W. Wauhop and J.E. Gustafson J.P.s.(reference)

1942 BLACKOUT DEATH Finding of accidental death was returned in Fremantle Courthouse yesterday when an inquiry was held into the death of Private Patrick John McMorrow. McMorrow was run over by a Metro bus in Queen Victoria Street, Fremantle, on June 20, during black out hours. Bus driver Victor Miguel was exonerated from blame by Acting Coroner J. E. Gustafson J.P. (reference)

1948 Lumper Steals Toilet Case- Admitting a charge of having stolen a toilet case worth £2, lumper John Edward Lyon (29), of Canning Highway, East Fremantle, was fined £10 in Fremantle Police Court today. Plainclothes Constable Merry, of the cargo pillage prevention staff, said that Lyon was intercepted while leaving the wharf last night carrying a sugar bag containing the toilet case. Lyon admitted having taken the property from the s.s. Momba on which he had been working. Before J. E. Gustafson… (reference)

1948 Naval rating Colin John Coughlin (30), of HMAS Leeuwin, got into bother after he attempted to start a motorcycle outside the Leopold Hotel, Bicton. Police sergeant spotted him, decided that the sailor had been sinking too many schooners and warned him not to ride the machine. Coughlin immediately became abusive,and had to be held down on the footpath until reinforcements arrived. Naval rating Keith Langoulant (20), of HMAS Leeuwin, went to his mate's assistance, abused the sergeant and was also smartly arrested. In Fremantle Police Court this week Coughlin was gaoled for a month by JP’'s R. G. Lynn and J. E. Gustafson.(reference)

1954 As an old bell originally used by the Fremantle Harbour Trust launch Lady Mitchell started a new life yesterday at Bicton State School calling pupils to their classes. It was presented to the school by the Harbour Trust and unveiled yesterday by Mr. J. E. Gustafson (80). Bicton school children gathered quietly while the unveiling was performed, then dispersed for a few minutes in the school yard. Mr. Gustafson then rang the bell for the first time, calling them back to school. Mr. Gustafson is shown ringing the bell. (reference)

In 1955 Hannah died aged 73. John lived a further 13 years and died at age 93 in 1967. He was buried in Fremantle Cemetery.