Arthur Malcolm Eedy

Arthur Malcolm Eedy was born in Sydney, the son of Captain John Eedy, a master mariner. His grandfather, Dr John Eedy, was a surgeon in the Royal Navy and was on one of Nelson's ships in the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805.

At the first entrance exam for Sydney Boys High School, he topped the scholarship list and was, therefore, entered in the register as No 1 pupil when schoolwork commenced on 1 October 1883. At the first mid-year examinations he was dux and came second in the end of year exams.

When the School Cadet Corps was formed in 1883 he was made a Corporal.

He was captain (and treasurer) of the Football (Rugby) Club and received an Honour Cap for Rugby in 1884 and again in 1885. He was secretary of the first Athletic Meeting in 1886, at which he won the 100 Yards Championship. (The A M Eedy cup is still awarded to the winner of the open 100m at the annual school athletics carnival.)

His contemporary George Campbell Saxby recalled:

“At social functions at the Girls’ High School he was easily number one in popularity — and so it was also with teachers and boys on account of his bright, happy and friendly disposition.”

On leaving school, Eedy entered the business of Life Assurance as a Cadet in March, 1887. In sport, he played Rugby, first for the old Randwick Club, and later for Parramatta.

In 1892 the Old Boys’ Union was formed, with the Headmaster, Joseph Coates, as President and Eedy as Secretary. In 1896, he took a leading part in raising funds to perpetuate the name of the School’s first Headmaster, and until his death he was a trustee, and benefactor, of the Joseph Coates Memorial Library.

In 1902, Eedy became the first president of the reconstituted Old Boys’ Union, holding the position again in 1924 and 1928

His business career saw the fulfilment of the promise of his schooldays. For over 40 years he was General Secretary and later Managing Director of The Mutual Life and Citizens’ Assurance Co. Ltd.

He was a member of the University Senate in 1924-1944 and was a Foundation Member of the Rotary Club of Sydney.

In 1937, as President of the Insurance Institute of NSW, he became a Companion of the Order of the British Empire (CBE).

Fellow old boy, Charles Adnam Fairland, said of Eedy:

“His was a personality that drew others to him. He was filled with loyalty to his school and had the wonderful gift of imparting inspiration to others. All Old Boys who came into association with him were impressed with his wholesomeinfluence for good. The name of Arthur M. Eedy cannot but be a highly honoured name at Sydney High School.”

Eedy is commemorated in the name of one of the School Houses.