Jeremy’s journey
Jeremy Holt and family are residents of Hidden Valley. He has just published his first book Everything That Stands and the superbly written 400-page novel is a good read.
Jeremy grew up in Durban, South Africa, during the turbulent, apartheid-era sixties and counter-cultural seventies. For 40 years, he has worked in various educational communities across the globe as a teacher, mentor, lecturer, sports-coach, residential leader, and consultant.
Apart from guarding against his life-narrative becoming an idiot’s tale, Jeremy nurtures a love of family, along with an admixture of literature, philosophy, writing, rugby, and swimming. He is married to Anne, a theatre-nurse manager, who spent her youth in Salisbury, Rhodesia. They are based in Hidden Valley, north of Melbourne, Australia, where their search for meaning continues.
Jeremy’s debut novel, Everything That Stands, is the first book of a larger conceptual framework, The Baron Black Trilogy.
***
Jeremy was born in Durban, South Africa, in 1961. He schooled at the renowned St Henry’s Marist College where he represented the first rugby XX and Cricket First XI and was vice captain of the swimming team. Military service in the South African Defence Force (SADF) saw him reach the rank of sergeant.
University education saw him excel at Natal and Buckingham universities.
Family members
Anne (spouse), currently A-NUM at Kilmore Hospital. Frances (daughter), teacher of English at MacArthur Anglican Grammar, Sydney. Veronica (daughter), barrister (based in Melbourne). Dominic (son), network engineer employed by Mitchell Shire as Customer Experience and CRM Specialist. Sean (son), 2nd year fine arts uni student at RMIT.
Occupations
Head of Boarding and Residential Community at Utahloy International School Zengcheng (UISZ), China, August 2016–August 2020
Director of Boarding at Assumption College, Kilmore, July 2009–July 2016
Head of Boarding House at Rockhampton Grammar School, QLD, July 2008–June 2009
Teacher of English and cricket coach at Mount Carmel High School Varroville, NSW, August 2006–July 2008
RE and English Teacher, Rugby and Cricket Coach, Head of Boarding House at St Gregory’s College, Campbelltown, NSW, July 2002–June 2008
Migrated to Australia in July 2002
At St Henry’s Marist College, Durban, January 1990–June 2002:
-Head of Academics
-Master in Charge of Rugby and 1st XV Coach (1994-2002)
-Kwa-Zulu Natal Junior Sharks U/17 Rugby: Zonal Convenor, Provincial Selector, and Coach (1998-2000)
-Part-time Lecturer at University of Natal, Durban, 1992–1993
-Coached U/21 University of Natal Rugby Squad, 1992–1993
At Beachwood HS (now Northwood), Durban, January 1985–December 1989:
-Senior Teacher of English and Afrikaans
-U/14A Cricket and 1st XV Rugby coach
I asked Jeremy to give me a brief biography and he obliged as follows.
His memories of Africa are virtually echoes half-remembered, half forgotten, but they are profound and will resonate with folk who have lived, or just been on vacation in the remarkable, troubled land with its unique history. Again, in Jeremy’s words:
Apart from what’s recorded in my bio there’s not much to tell really, other than I’m a restless soul who like many, is in search of understanding what it means to be me, and what it means to be human on a planet in the throes of a metacrisis. Some would say I’m enigmatic, a disestablishmentarian, too introspective, too idealistic, a smart-arse, an old, greying, gloomy Eeyore. And perhaps that’s all true. I am a paradox. But is that not the nature of the human condition? I am also mindful that I am a small part of the pantomime but have a unique role to play in my sphere of influence, despite my contrarian nature. More significantly, I’m a hooligan who loves the game they play in heaven—rugby—which is countercultural here where I live. Enough said!
This heady, chaotic, and anxious history—this crucible of fire—forged the steel of my being. Now, living in Hidden Valley, far from Africa’s rain and heat, those years return like flashes of light. The eucalyptus trees and open skies of Australia offer solace, yet Durban still calls. The memories do not fade—they shift, becoming a compass guiding my struggle for meaning. A luta continua, indeed—the struggle continues, no longer in protest or politics, but in the daily search for a life worthy of all that was fought for.
Jeremy briefly commented on his years at ACK:
I began as Head of Boarding in July 2009, a role I filled until 2016. Anyone who has lived and worked in boarding knows it’s not just a job, it’s a lifestyle choice, a vocation, and certainly not for the faint of heart. The role came with its fair share of challenges, filled with vicissitudes and uncertainties, but it was also rich with joy and hope. The Assumption boarders, like most, were the lifeblood of the school—the genii loci. They required both cajoling and humouring to help them thrive. Over my seven years at the helm, I had the privilege of working alongside some remarkable staff, students, and parents as we reimagined and re-enchanted the boarding experience, and changed the culture for what I believe was the better. Of course, there may be detractors who feel otherwise, but realistically, all one can hope for is to leave a place better than they found it. I think I achieved that.
P.S. Another book is in the pipeline and the author donates a percentage of profits from his books to a care centre in Zimbabwe.
The above story is just a brief summary of a quite remarkable life.
***
Varia
Congratulations to Kilmore Football Club Reserve on their emphatic title win in the Northern District League. It was great to see Marcus Webb play a key role. He has been a great servant of the club since leaving ACK in 2005. He led Assumption to a memorable premiership win in his final year.
***
Well done also to Mitchell Majors baseball club for their 2024 premiership. The Broadford-based majors have provided a great home for many keen players and supporters over the years.
***
Vale Patricia Kelly—a life well lived
Longtime Kilmore resident, and a truly gracious lady, Pat Kelly, was farewelled from this life by a large crowd at St Patricks Church. Visiting priest Fr Eugene Ashcan was the chief celebrant at the Requiem Mass.
Pat Kelly’s 90th birthday was celebrated at Kilmore Trackside not so long ago. Mother of four and nanna of many, Pat was held in high esteem by all who knew her.
She lost her husband, a fine person, due to a tragic bus accident when children Joanne, Tom, Jenny, and John were quite young.
The latter four and their sons and daughters all became testimony to Pat and her husband.
Numerous family members were involved in an inspiring mass which included a number of the timeless hymns including Amazing Grace.
A splendid eulogy was delivered by Jessica Conlan while family members combined for the special readings. Father Eugene’s was a moving one.
A person of deep and abiding faith, Pat carried on working the home farm for many years after the loss of her husband.
One daughter Jenny, really knowledgeable about agriculture, has been a prominent writer with the Weekly Times and other rural publications.
