Mr Malcolm Bruce Oakes SC (Fr 1967)
1949 - 2023 

The Principal, Council and St Andrew's College community honour the life of Malcolm Bruce Oakes SC (Fr 1967), who passed away unexpectedly at home in Wollstonecraft last Monday, 20 November, aged 74.
 
Malcolm was born in Lismore, NSW and attended Lismore High School. At high school, Malcolm played football, basketball, baseball, and swam. He was Class Captain in 1964 and a Prefect in 1965. He was also Cadet Sergeant and a Swimming Instructor. Following school, he entered the University of Sydney Law School and became a resident at St Andrew's College, following in his father Warren Oakes (Fr 1926) and uncle Bruce Oakes' (Fr 1926) footsteps. 

During his six years at College from 1967 to 1972, Malcolm was an active member of the Students Club and was involved in a range of activities. He became a member of the Buffet sub-committee in his second year and then Buffet Manager (with his friend Rob Lockett, Fr 1967) the following year. He was the DramSoc Business Manager in 1969, and a member of the DramSoc sub-committee in 1970. He was also the Debates Chairman, Dean of the Faculty of Fresher Education and a Wine Cellar sub-committee member the same year. He held several leadership roles in his later years at College; he was the Honorary Assistant Treasurer in 1970, then the Honorary Treasurer in 1971 and then became Year Representative in 1972. His Valedictory Bio notes that 'many a person who took on one of these roles later on found the way much smoother because of the organisational basis that Mal left.' Malcolm was the recipient of the Horn Scholarship for Law and the Grainger Scholarship for academic merit in his first two years at College. 

After College and university, he spent several years practising as a solicitor in Sydney at Allen Allen & Hemsley and in London at Allen & Overy. Malcolm was called to the Bar in 1980. He commenced practice at Tenth Floor Chambers (then Ten Wentworth). After short periods at other chambers, including 13 Wentworth, he returned to Tenth Floor Chambers, where he spent the majority of his career. Malcolm took silk in 1994 and, later in his practice, specialised in Schemes of Arrangements.

Malcolm remained connected to the College throughout his life. He was a Member of the Foundation and attended his Fresher Year Reunions and the SACAS Annual Dinner & AGM events.

Malcolm is survived by his beloved wife Beverley, children William (dec), Warren, Georgie and Alistair and grandchildren Josie, Teodor, Clementine, Eloise, Lachlan and Eleanor. The entire Oakes family is held firmly in our thoughts and our dearest sympathy is extended to all who knew Malcolm.

Malcolm's funeral will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday at Christ Church St Laurence, 812 George St, Haymarket NSW 2000. All St Andrew's alumni and friends who knew him are welcome. You can also watch the funeral via live stream here.

A photo of Malcolm from his College student file. 

Buffet (aka Buffetex) in 1970.

Malcolm (fourth from the right), with some of his fresher mates at the 2022 SACAS Annual Dinner & AGM.