“ADDING flesh to the bone” was how Mr J. T. (John) Stone put it when he agreed to be interviewed to give insight into the frequent and curious author of Letters to the Editor at The Hamilton Spectator.

Mr Stone, an almost nonagenarian, regularly pens short but poignant missives to “inform people” and to educate them, he said, about matters political and philosophical.

Sometimes he leads with a quote in French - Joie de Vivre, (joy of life), or in Latin, citing a Roman General - Veni, Vidi, Vici, (I came, I saw, I conquered) oft headlined to emphasise his anthropological epistles in the hope of provoking thought or cultural change among The Spectator’s readers.

As examples of his musings, last Christmas he opined, “The festive season provides an opportunity to celebrate life in all its aspects. However, the vicissitudes of society cannot be ignored. In this context the efforts of individuals and groups shine brightly in support of those in need, not least the children”.

Earlier this year he wrote, “The prophets of the past continue to iterate on the alleged benefits of an unaltered present, whilst generational change is unavoidably occurring”.

What may come across as stern warnings actually bely the contemplative nature of a gentleman who has years of wisdom and concern for the future he is willing to share.

A “pragmatic” environmental advocate, he is afeared that “the future will not improve under climate change”.

“Remedial action is required now…with its universal application plus immediate actions and reactions compared with a status quo bureaucracy, nature is in charge”, he wrote in the February 24, 2024, edition.

“I was born in Nottingham, England,” Mr Stone said.

“I had a fine education at Nottingham Boys Church of England High School.

“It was a classics education of French, Greek, Latin, history, geography and a bit of maths.

“It was a fine school with fine teachers.”

After school he was able to expound on his education and travelled through Europe using the foundation of languages he had acquired.

He also spent two years in the Royal Air Force (RAF), before marrying.

Mr Stone eventually moved to Australia with his English wife whose parents had already migrated to Brisbane.

“We arrived in Perth on the ‘Orsova’, a P&O liner and then travelled to Brisbane via Melbourne,” he said.

That’s when Mr Stone began what he “loosely” described as his career in economics and insurance.

 He eventually held a managerial position working for the welfare department in the Commonwealth Public Service in what was then known as Social Security.

His work led to extensive travel around Australia helping set up and manage Social Security offices, including in Murray Bridge, Alice Springs, Brisbane and then ending up in Horsham for many years.

It is “some years” he said, since his wife sadly passed away.

Upon retirement he undertook voluntary work helping people with their tax returns in Horsham. That’s when he received a call from the Hamilton Community House to come to Hamilton and continue in his voluntary role. He did that in Hamilton for three years.

“I didn’t hesitate,” he said.

“I didn’t have a master plan for my life.

“Any decisions I made (weren’t) governed by money.”

Around this time, he also volunteered one day per week for the council helping with the development of a structural plan and “promoting its benefits”.

“I brought public service common sense to the council,” he said.

“There was a fair bit of opposition to it, but the plan wasn’t anything sinister.”

Mr Stone enjoys good health and always responds with “remarkably well” whenever enquired about his well-being.

He is highly complimentary of the township of Hamilton and its people and grateful for the kindness people have shown him.

“There’s a lot of good things about this town,” Mr Stone said.

“Its people, they are very kind to me.”