Vale John Purbrick

On Thursday June 22, Reginald John Stevens Purbrick – known as John – passed away. He was 93.

John was born in London on February 2, 1930. He moved to Australia with his parents, Marjory and Eric in 1931, where they settled at Tahbilk Winery.

Over the course of a long and successful career, John wore many hats at Tahbilk. He managed the sizeable farm on the estate for 15 years before being promoted to general manager in 1970, and subsequently to managing director in 1975. In 1980 he handed over the managing director reins to his son Alister Purbrick. He was also the marketing director for six years before being appointed chairman of the board.

John Purbrick.

"John Purbrick was the quiet member of a distinguished family, but his loss will nonetheless be keenly felt by those who survive him. My sympathies come from the decades of meetings I have had during many visits to Tahbilk – never a cross word spoken," says James Halliday AM.

The Tahbilk Family say they will miss John immensely. "We will miss this unique man, miss his strengths, and miss his flaws and quirks, because this was what made John Purbrick the man he was."

John is survived by his former wife Bonnie, their three children – Alister, Debbie and Mark – eight grandchildren and ten great grandchildren.

A memorial service to celebrate John’s life will be held at the Tahbilk Wetlands View Restaurant on Tuesday August 15, 2023 beginning at 1.30pm (AEST). The memorial service will also be live streamed.

Please visit tahbilk.com.au after Tuesday August 8 for streaming log in details.