Gerard (Ged) Alfred Cutter
Gerard (Ged) Alfred Cutter (1951) passed away March 2026. The eldest son of Geoffrey Bryan Cutter (1919) and brother of Bryan Geoffrey Cutter (1955).
Ged’s Father, Geoffrey, had been on the School Council during Ged’s school years. According to then Headmaster, ‘Jack’ Dart, Ged was highly regarded for his ‘general character and integrity, pleasant and gentlemanly manner’. Ged was a senior Prefect, a member of the First crew, First XVIII, First XI, and the athletics team. Ged’s sporting prowess was reflected in a golf handicap of 9 in his adulthood.
Following National Service, Ged became Jackaroo at ‘Woodside’ near Buangor before joining the Australian Estates Company in 1953. During the next ten years, he progressed to Overseer/Bookkeeper through four pastoral properties. The largest was at ‘Terrick’ just outside Blackall in Queensland, comprising 21,000 Merino sheep on 55,700 hectares. He was transferred to the company head office in Melbourne. Over the period, Ged undertook studies in bookkeeping, animal husbandry, agriculture, and business. The latter was undertaken at the then Australian Administrative Staff College in Mt Eliza, which subsequently became part of the Monash University Master of Business school. Combining his experience on the land with his corporate business experience meant Ged was well placed when promoted to be head of the National sheep division. At the time, the pastoral holdings totaled over 420,000 hectares, 245,000 Merino sheep and 5,300 shorthorn cattle.
Whilst at Australian Estates, in 1972 Ged was chosen to lead a joint venture to pioneer the export of live sheep to Saudia Arabia. Pens were constructed on the decks of a cargo ship to hold 2,000 sheep, and areas for washing and feeding. The export of live sheep has been legislated to end by 2028, but has generated for the Australian economy over $20m per year on average since Ged’s successful first trip.
Following the ownership takeover of Australian Estates by CSR Ltd, Ged worked with the Victorian Stock Agents’ Association until 1988.
Ged was married to Janice Oscar (Queens CEGGS 1950, deceased 2005) and together raised two boys, Geoff and David. Ged was fortunate to re-connect with Margaret Wright (Thomas; Queens CEGGS 1952). Following their marriage in 2012, they have enjoyed living on Wendouree Parade. They have been active as Old Grammarians, and donated a stained glass window in the chapel.
Written and submitted by The Cutter Family
Acknowledgement of Country
Ballarat and Queen’s Anglican Grammar School acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we learn, live and work, the Wadawurrung People, and recognises their continuing connection to the land and waterways. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present and extend this to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People.
Commitment to Child Safety
Ballarat Grammar maintains a zero-tolerance approach to all forms of child abuse and actively implements measures to identify and manage any risks of harm to students within our school environment. The care, safety and wellbeing of children and young people are central and fundamental responsibilities of the School. We are firmly committed to fostering a child-safe culture that provides an environment where students are safe and feel safe, where their participation is valued, their views respected, and their voices heard in decisions that affect their lives. Ballarat Grammar values diversity and strictly prohibits any racist or discriminatory practices. All members of our school community share the responsibility to care for children and young people by promptly raising any concerns regarding their safety, promoting their wellbeing, and protecting them from all forms of harm or abuse.
