Obituary
Terry Cocks OAM, Charter President and centenarian (1926-2026)
On Monday 29 June 2026 Terry Cocks OAM, our Charter President, and oldest “active” member, passed away aged 100 years. Terry survived his first wife Margot, and his later companion, Irene. He is survived by his four children John, Jane, Helen and Pippa and their families.
Terry was born, raised and initially educated in United Kingdom, and trained as a chartered surveyor/valuer. He came to Australia post war in the 1960’s with Wimpeys, a large British construction group.
On his 80th birthday, Terry spoke at our Tuesday morning Rotary breakfast at some length about his life, upbringing in Surrey including experiencing the London blitz, with a slit trench in the backyard, his education and military service, including a stint in India.
Terry also imparted his view as to the order of priorities in life, work first, family second and Rotary third – an order which causes one to ponder and to reflect.
Terry was one of Victoria’s leading valuers. He also qualified here as a planner. He established the firm of A.T. Cocks & Associates which became one of the best known planning and valuation firms in Melbourne, now known as Urbis. He later was a member of the Administration Appeals Tribunal (land valuation division).
At age 60, Terry was one of the group of potential Rotarians gathered together by the Rotary Club of Melbourne to form a new Rotary Club, to be known the Rotary Club of Port Phillip-Melbourne, as a city based breakfast club.
Terry was chosen to be the Charter President, and elected as such at our first provisional meeting on 23 March 1987. Our Club was subsequently formally chartered at the Southern Cross Hotel on 1 May 1987 (a black tie occasion with over 300 in attendance).
To draw from our Club’s history compiled by Past President John Meehan, the Rotary Club of Port Phillip-Melbourne was fortunate to have such a dynamic inspirational and dedicated leader as Terry Cocks as its first President. There is no doubt in the minds of all the Charter members that his drive and charisma have been the foundation of the Club’s success and elevated respect within District 9800 that the Club enjoys to this day. He set a pattern for enthusiasm that subsequent Presidents endeavoured to follow. He was recognised for his efforts with the Club’s first Paul Harris Fellow recognition at the Club Changeover in 1989, with subsequent sapphires.
Terry was indeed one of our most inspirational members. In that first extended year, the Club responded to the District call for Polio Plus support and many other causes. Terry was at the forefront. Terry became actively involved in supporting the Rotary Foundation. Terry was one of the organisers of the Club’s Paul Harris Foundation luncheon (then a District event) in 1994. He arranged for Sir Arvi Parbo, then one of the leading figures in the mining industry, to be our guest speaker. Several hundred attended. In recognition of his efforts, Terry received a District Foundation Service Award.
Terry was a very active supporter of the arts. After A.T. Cocks & Associates left their Latrobe Street premises. Terry converted those premises into an art gallery. He also established an artists’ retreat at Clunes. Club members will also recollect that Terry introduced the lead Seekers singer Judith Durham to the Club’s activities. She contributed in song at at least two of our Christmas functions, and also as a judge (with Michael Lapina) in our District’s youth musical performance projects. Terry also loved reading and reciting poetry in his melodious voice.
In his spare time (!) Terry was an avid art collector, dedicated fly fisher, an occasional golfer, and a keen Hawks supporter.
Terry did find time to be part of the fellowship and camaraderie of the then retired members group, with regular monthly lunches.
At age 90, Terry was joined at his home by many of our Club’s members to celebrate his birthday, with his family. The following year he attended the Club’s 30th anniversary luncheon.
At age 100, last May, and then in care, Terry celebrated with his family – reports are he had a ball!
Terry was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia on Australia Day 2001 for his services to the community, notably 25 years, many as a board member, with Vision Australia (Institute for the Blind) and his service to Rotary International.
Terry’s was a life well lived, by a gentleman through and through, a straight shooter with a great sense of humour and an oratorial centre stage presence. All in all, Terry will be missed but will long be remembered.
Contributed by Charter Members Tom Callander, Herb Greenwood and Frank O’Brien