BSc, MGSA, MIAH
(EMC 1962 – 65)
31.01.44 – 20.03.23
We farewell former Emmanuel College alumnus, College Council member and Honorary Fellow, Mr Bruce Pearce who passed away peacefully on 20 March 2023 aged 79 years.
Bruce was born in the picturesque village of Crows Nest, a rural town in the Darling Downs and was educated at Pechey State Primary School in the Toowoomba LGA. He finished his schooling at Brisbane Boys’ College as a boarder in the late 50’s and was accepted into a Bachelor of Science at The University of Queensland in 1962. It was during this time, between 1962 to 1965 that he resided at Emmanuel College, a place he acquired a strong connection with and would return later in life to ‘give back’.
Upon graduation, Bruce joined the Irrigation and Water Supply Commission as a hydrogeologist, serving the Queensland Public Service in various departments where he went on to hold the office of Principal Scientist. He was recognised for his skills as a project manager, having managed major groundwater investigation projects throughout Queensland and the State’s groundwater drilling program involving an expenditure of up to $7 million annually.
Among his professional memberships, Bruce was a member of the Geological Society of Australia Inc where he served as Assistant Secretary of the Queensland Branch. He was also a member of the International Association of Hydrogeologists and served on the National Committee for four years, and later in life became a member of the Queensland Water Resources Retirees Association.
Bruce served Emmanuel College as a Presbyterian Church nominee to the (then) College Council from 1989 through until the new constitution was adopted following the departure of that church in 2021, an unparalleled 32 years. During this time he held the positions of Deputy Chairman and Recorder, and was known to be very diligent in his attention to Council and College matters. Bruce was also a member of the Emmanuel College Foundation and was recognised as an Honorary Fellow of the College on 22 February 2009. Bruce and Jenny had an abiding affection for Emmanuel College, and so were regular attendees at College functions.
Bruce is survived by his wife Jennifer.
