Mr Ian Rainy Lance Harper AM (Fr 1950)
1932 – 2022

The Principal, Council and St Andrew’s College community honour the life of Mr Ian Rainy Lance Harper (Fr 1950) who passed away on Sunday 27th November 2022.

Ian Rainy Lance Harper, born in Melbourne on 4 January 1932, was the only child of Robert Rainy Harper (Fr 1913, studying arts then medicine) and his wife Sylvia (née Lance). Robert and Sylvia married in St Stephen’s Presbyterian Church in Phillip St, Sydney in 1924. Ian’s grandfather was Rev Dr Andrew Harper, Principal of St Andrew’s College from January 1902 to September 1920.

Ian’s father served with distinction during World War I, seeing action at Gallipoli and in France. Among other military decorations, he was awarded the Distinguished Service Order for bravery at Pozieres where he was wounded during the battle of Somme. When he returned from the war, he re-enrolled in Medicine, and resided at College again in 1921 and 1922. In 1922 he and Sylvia moved to Melbourne where Ian was born 10 years later. Robert died in 1941 from the long-term effects of the wounds he suffered during the War.

After Robert’s death, Sylvia moved back to Sydney with her young son, Ian. They lived in Darling Point. Ian attended the Scots College, and entered St Andrew’s College in 1950, as a second year Arts student at the University of Sydney.

When Ian applied to St Andrew’s College, the Principal, Cumming Thom, wrote to Sylvia in March 1950, saying that:

We shall be happy to see the grandson of the former Principal and the son of a distinguished soldier with us in College, and every effort will be made to smooth his path.

Ian spent four years at St Andrew’s College from 1950 to 1953. During his time at College, Ian was a member of the Athletics, Tennis and Football teams, winning Blues in Football and Tennis. He served as a year representative on the Students’ Club House Committee in 1951 and 1952, and Honorary Secretary in 1953.

He entered the law as a solicitor and became a partner in Allen Allen and Hemsley in 1960. He was the architect of the firm’s Tax practice in 1970 and pioneered the development of the Media law practice particularly in relation to the granting of licenses under the Broadcasting and Television Act.

Ian had interests and curiosity across a broad range of areas. In addition to his active legal practice, Ian was respected for his intelligence and judgement and was invited onto the boards of large Australian companies and multinationals from a relatively early age. In 1969 at the age of 37, he joined the Board of Reckitt and Coleman Australia, he spent 13 years on the Board of Westpac and was a Director of Mayne Nickless from 1978, in addition to a number of other corporate directorships. Additionally, Ian supported a number of cultural organisations; he chaired the Australian Opera and was a faithful patron for 60 years and sat on the boards of NIDA and the Australian Theatre for Young People.

Ian served on the St Andrew’s College Council from 1972 until 1997, and twice served as Chairman of Council, from 1979 to 1981 and again from 1991 until 1994.

The Andrew’s Book (Fourth edition) refers to several notable decisions made during Ian Harper’s terms as Chairman. In 1978, Council recognised the need for repair and restoration of the College’s heritage buildings. Under Ian Harper’s leadership Council launched a Heritage Appeal, which raised much-needed funds to undertake this work. At the end of 1995, when the Principal Dr Peter Cameron resigned, Council – again under the Chairmanship of Ian Harper – decided not to advertise the Principalship, instead opting to appoint Dr William Porges, the Vice-Principal, as Acting Principal.

The College was never far from his thoughts for most of Ian’s adult life. He was a member of the College Foundation and of the 1867 Circle, and attended the annual events regularly. He supported the New Building (Hanks) and fittingly, the scholarships funds - having been a recipient of the Coutts Bursary and James Coutts Scholarship during his time at College, Ian knew the value of such things.

The strong Harper family connection with College has continued, with Ian’s sons, Angus Graham Rainy Harper (Fr 1976) and Robert (Rob) Rainy Ian Harper (Fr 1979); and who was Chairman of Council for nine years from (2006-2014), and daughter Kate, a Councillor since 2019, and into a fifth generation, via Angus’ son Alex (Fr 2007), and Rob’s daughters Rebecca (Fr 2007), Jessica (Fr 2013) and Lily (Fr 2016).

The Harper family is held strongly in our thoughts and our dearest sympathy is extended to all who knew Ian. 

A memorial service for Ian will be held on Saturday 10th December 2022 at 11.00am at St Andrew's College. All friends of Ian and the Harper family are invited to attend and celebrate Ian's life. 

The 1950 Football Team. Ian is in the second row, third from the left.

The 1951 Athletics Team. Ian is in the first row seated, second from the right.