Allan, the eldest of the family of three sons of Eliza and James Andison, was born at Paddington in Brisbane. The family moved to Northgate in 1915. Allan was educated at Virginia State School, upon its opening as a new school After passing the High School Examination he attended the Central Technical College for three years where he obtained a Junior University Certificate in 1928.
At the end of 1928 Allan obtained employment in the Fire, Marine and General Insurance Industry, retiring in 1978 just two months short of fifty years in that calling. During that time his achievements included being Local Manager of Townsville and Albury, Manager for New South Wales in Sydney and Manager for Victoria in Melbourne. His last nine years were spent with a leading Insurance Broking organisation with overseas connections.
In 1940 Allan married Marjorie Arnold in Sydney. Their two children, Jennifer and Bruce, were both born in Townsville. Allan and Marjorie were fortunate in being able to enjoy a number ofoverseas trips by air and by sea. Marjorie passed away in 1989 after a long illness that included three years in a nursing home.
Since then Allan has made regular visits to America to visit his son Bruce and his family in Vancouver, Washington State, where he practices. Bruce, who became a doctor, met his American wife-to-be in that country.
Allan was initiated into Freemasonary in his father's lodge, Northgate, in January 1939. He enlisted for military servicefrom 1943 to 1946. Allan was appointed a Justice ofthe Peace for Queensland in 1953 and for New South Wales in 1956 and has been an Honorary Probation Officer in Victoria since 1976.
Allan's sporting activities included cricket, tennis, rugby and,from 1947, lawn bowls. He was associated with the Brisbane YMCA until his transfer to Townsville and is a Life Member of the Somerville Bowling Club in Victoria. In 2000 Allan lived at Tyabb in Victoria. |