“Dad had a very full life and lived it well. He passed away after a very short illness and prior to that was living independently at his home. He would have been happy with that!”— Sue Waddell-Wood
CMDR Rowley Alan Waddell-Wood GLEX (P) DFC RAN (Ret'd) passed away in Canberra ACT on Friday, 15 August 2025, aged 93 years.
Rowley was born in Moree, NSW on 30 July 1932 and moved to a property on the Darling Downs at an early age. He attended Esk State School followed by two years at Toowoomba Grammar School (1946-47). After completing his schooling, he worked on the family property and then as a Trainee Executive at Coles in Brisbane.
Always fascinated by flying and the Fleet Air Arm, Rowley signed up for a short service engagement in March 1954, aged 22. After completing basic training at HMAS Cerberus, he was rated as a Provisional Naval Airman (Aircrew) and commenced flying training on No.19 RAAF Pilots Course, flying Tiger Moths and Wirraways at Archerfield, Uranquinty and Point Cook, graduating with his Navy Wings and a commission as an Acting Sub-Lieutenant.
Throughout his distinguished naval career, Rowley flew Sea Furys, Sea Venoms and helicopters, serving with 724, 805, 808 and 723 Squadrons both ashore at NAS Nowra and embarked in HMAS Melbourne. While on 724 Squadron, he was the leader of the Checkmates aerobatic team at the time of the famous mid-air collision over Sydney Harbour in October 1962.
After completing a Helicopter Instructors Course in the United Kingdom, he joined 705 Squadron Royal Navy for an exchange posting as a Qualified Helicopter Instructor. From 1966–67, Rowley served as Flight Deck Officer in HMAS Melbourne, followed by a brief posting as CO HS817 from October 1967 to January 1968. During this period, he completed at least one trip to Vietnam embarked in HMAS Sydney flying Wessex helicopters.
After pre-Vietnam training flying Iroquois with 5 Squadron RAAF in Canberra, Rowley served with 9 Squadron RAAF in Vietnam from May 1968 to May 1969 as a Flight Commander and Detachment Commander for the RAN FAA pilots posted to that unit. For his leadership, courage and service in Vietnam, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.
Promoted to Commander, Rowley served as Naval Attaché in Manila during the early to mid-1970s and remained in RAN service until 1976. After retirement, he and his wife Elaine purchased a property called "Bonanza" halfway between Boorowa and Cowra in New South Wales. They later retired to Aranda in Canberra, where they travelled widely in their motorhome. Rowley was hospitalised with influenza a few weeks before his death.
Rowley is survived by his wife Elaine, his children Peter, Sue, Dianne and Gaye, and grandchildren Pen, Claire, Georgia, Rose, Tilly, Percy and Milton.
Latest Blog
Outside of the Text Book
“The limits of my language mean the limits of my world.” — Ludwig Wittgenstein There is no denying that learning a foreign language can sometimes be a challenging experience, particularly with limited opportunity to practise outside the classroom. However, learning a language is a skill that will add to many facets of your life, often without you even realising, and as part of a well-rounded education, the value of language learning cannot be underestimated. "A different language is a…
TGS Academic Enrichment Program for Boarders
Toowoomba Grammar School provides an inspiring and broad curriculum for boys, delivered by dedicated educators who understand how to engage boys in their learning. Our staff go above and beyond in providing an outstanding education and support network for our boys. They are regularly available to answer questions, assist with homework and assignments and provide academic support for all our students. This is particularly so for our boarders, thanks to our Academic Enrichment Program (AEP). All…
Teacher as a Student
As a teacher at Toowoomba Grammar School, I teach mathematics and business studies, and manage the GPS Chess team. Prior to teaching, I worked as a financial analyst. Recently I have completed a master's degree in science at the University of Southern Queensland. My study was focused exclusively on data science, and I have become an expert in the management of big data with a specialisation in modelling and forecasting using machine learning techniques. The motivation for this study was…
Developing Healthy Relationships
Healthy relationships are extremely important for the development of mental health in our youth. When you spend time with people you care about, who care about you, this can help you feel connected and supported. This term is one of the largest in regard to boys participating in activities and sports ranging from field, to court, to thought. This is in addition to music and drama programs. At Toowoomba Grammar School, we believe this allows for plenty of opportunity to develop the ability to…
Striving for the Best
Director of Volleyball, Mr Eric Smith has spent the past 20 years at Toowoomba Grammar School not only shaping the minds of the young men in his science classroom but also working tirelessly on improving his capacity to coach volleyball to the highest level. Starting at the School in 2003, Eric quickly rediscovered his passion for volleyball, something he had not experienced since playing for Ipswich Grammar School during the ‘90s. “I felt completely at home back on the volleyball court and…
When it comes to Music, Variety is the Spice of Life
In the Queensland Curriculum, the content of the music syllabus includes the study of the people, places and cultures involved in musical creation and performance. As our country becomes increasingly diverse, it is important for students in every school setting to study a wide variety of musical styles, cultures and genres. The Toowoomba Grammar School Music program of 2022 embraces this holistic approach to the study of music, encouraging teachers and students to explore a variety of musical…
Successful Decision Making - Subject Selections
Term 3 tends to be an important time for students making decisions, and for some, possibly the first time they have really had the opportunity to make a decision that could impact the course of their future. Year 8 students are taking control of their academic program for the first time, being able to select their electives for Year 9. For most, these decisions are mainly about getting the opportunity to pursue subjects which interest them and the joy of not taking some subjects which really do…
TGS Rugby Ambassadors' Program
“As a Grammar boy, you have the Blue and Gold in your blood for life. You’ve got connections and networks because of this special bond. It’s hard to describe what it is exactly; I think it stems from the history and traditions that are passed down to each generation but it’s something you carry your entire life, you’re part of this team.” – TGS Old Boy (1960-63) John Campbell, Senior Prefect 1963, Captain 1st XV Rugby 1963. John was excited to learn in a recent edition of The Blue and Gold…
TGS Leading the Way for IT in Education
Toowoomba Grammar School is fortunate to have a strong partnership with Microsoft / School Locker. We are a Microsoft Lighthouse School, leading the way in technological advancement and deployment in Australian schools. This recognition would not be possible without two key factors: our “whole school” approach to IT, whereby the School supplies every student with the same devices, ensuring equality for all boys from Prep to Year 12.our dedicated IT team, who are based on-site to immediately…
