125 stories for 125 years

Snowy Coe

In June 1971, the college farewelled Norman ‘Snowy’ Coe. Victorian pharmacists subscribed $4500 for his testimonial and 400 people attended the retirement dinner. Many fond tributes were made. Coe related how he came to work at the college in 1920 at the age of 13. C.L. Butchers had asked Coe’s father if he knew of a junior lad who would like a job in the laboratory. ‘My father came home and said “you are starting work at the College of Pharmacy” and although I had replied that I did not want to be a farmer, I have been a farmer ever since!’ When he began working at the college he was younger than the students and became ‘one of the boys’. He recalled his early days at the college, ‘I can remember the days when we used to play football in the jail yard — about 200 students at each end and two balls. It was hard going’.

Snowy had worked as a junior laboratory assistant from 1920 to 1924, an assistant demonstrator to 1948, a demonstrator up until 1965 and then as property manager from 1965 to 1971. In Harry Dowd’s words, Coe ‘really ran the college. If a part-time lecturer didn’t turn up Snowy would say “You’re on!” He initiated the new laboratory assistants into more colourful language than they knew at home. He was a delightful chap’. Dawn Sayers added, ‘He was a character. He ran the place. He organised you and kept you up to the mark. He was great. Everyone loved Snowy Coe’. When Coe died in 1989, he was fondly remembered and mention was made of his ‘helpful hints’ during practical classes and examinations, particularly to returned servicemen.