Keith Thomas Henry Farrer was born in Footscray on 28 March 1916 and entered Carey in 1930. He won the Junior Meeks Silver Medal for leadership, scholarship and games in his first year, and the Senior Meeks Gold Medal in 1933. He was Captain of the First XVIII, Vice-Captain of the First XI and a member of the athletics team. He held the mile record of 4 minutes, 54 seconds for over 20 years.

He graduated from the University of Melbourne as MSc in 1938. He then joined Kraft Foods Limited, working mainly in maximising the nutritional value of processed food. His subsequent doctorate in science was awarded particularly for his work in discovering a chemical method of determining vitamin Bl. He headed the development of Kraft's Vegemite which contributed significantly to nutrition worldwide. He was published in numerous scientific journals and wrote five books, largely on food technology, one forming the basis of his MA thesis in 1977.

He was instrumental in founding the Australian Institute of Food Science and Technology and the Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering; he was seconded to the Federal Government Department of Health as adviser on food additives; and served as a consultant in Defence, Education and Science, the Environment, and Foreign Affairs. After retirement he worked voluntarily in raising nutritional standards in ASEAN countries.

Keith was a member of councils and committees in the Universities of Melbourne and Monash, and other tertiary institutions.

He was President of the OCGA in 1945-46, being awarded an Honoured Life Membership; and of the Baptist Union of Victoria in 1963-64. He served as a deacon at the Box Hill Church for 15 years and at the Collins Street Church for 25 years. He was a founding member of the Council of Whitley Baptist Theological College. He often said:

'No-one can consider himself or herself educated without some knowledge of science, the humanities and comparative religion'

Keith was a member of the School Council for a staggering 45 years, including terms as Secretary and Vice-President. He was awarded the Carey Medal in 2009. His honours culminated in his appointment as an Officer of the British Empire in 1979.

The Carey Community mourns the death of one of its outstanding figures, but rejoices in the life that he lived, and in the example that he set.

Source: David Morgan (Torch, Issue 1, June 2012)