Stanton (JSD) Mellick, a former senior lecturer in the University’s English Department, was an early President of the Friends of the Fryer Library. His work as a research consultant after retiring appears in the The Oxford Literary Guide to Australia, the Academy edition of The Recollections of Geoffry Hamlyn and Writers’ Footprints.
He was Chairman of the Grace College Council and also effected major restoration of colonial architect FD Stanley’s gem, St Paul’s Presbyterian Church in the city. Having been a long-time member of the Board of St Andrew’s War Memorial Hospital, he wrote its history. He was awarded an OAM in 2005.
His pre-University career included World War II service, being mentioned in despatches and serving post-war in senior appointments.
While Vice-President of the Pharmaceutical Society of Queensland, he successfully led efforts to transfer pharmacy education from the Technical College to the University and was appointed to its Pharmacy Board of Studies.
All this notwithstanding, literature and writing were his first loves. His poems were published here and in the US and he is an advocate for Queensland’s early writers.
J.S.D. Mellick died in 2023, aged 103.
(Source : Fryer Folios Vol 7 no1, July 2012 :12)
