20 January 2026
At Southern Cross Care, we are privileged to count many remarkable people among our residents, especially those who embody resilience, service, and kindness, like John (“Jethro”) Thompson of Parque Vista Retirement Village, Holland Park.
John’s story is one of extraordinary service. Born in Malta at the close of World War II, he emigrated to Melbourne in 1957 with his family. Driven by a fascination with machinery and a desire to serve, he joined the Australian Army at age 19, training with the Royal Australian Engineers.
He first served in Borneo, clearing jungle and building roads, before deploying to Vietnam in 1967. There, as a field engineer supporting infantry units, he cleared booby traps and searched tunnels – duties demanding extraordinary nerve, skill, and dedication. Tragically, while on duty in a minefield at just 21 years old, John was severely wounded in an explosion that claimed the lives of two comrades.
Against overwhelming odds, he survived, and recovery was only the beginning. With prosthetics and sheer determination, John rebuilt his life. He returned to school to study for the Year 11 Leaving Certificate to qualify for the State Public Service, and later devoted himself to advocacy work, supporting veterans and their families in claiming rightful benefits and entitlements. His work went far beyond paperwork – it was guided by compassion and honesty. From securing back pay arrears to fighting for underrepresented veterans, John earned the deep respect of those he helped.
John’s personal life was marked by both tragedy and joy. His first wife passed away, leaving him to raise five young children as a single father. Later, he met Perle, and together their blended family of seven children brought them immense joy – a love that now extends to ten grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
John’s advocacy work has earned him life membership with the RSL organisation, and he has been recognised with both an Order of Australia Medal (OAM) and a Meritorious Service Medal (MSM), honours that reflect not only his military courage, but also his enduring commitment to community and public service.
Today, John enjoys an active retirement at Parque Vista. He takes early morning walks with his dog Ben, visits the Village Library, participates in social events, and quietly shares his wisdom, believing that resilience matters, but so does doing what is right.
John’s story reminds us that service does not end when the uniform comes off. True service continues in how we care for one another, stand up for justice, and turn hardship into compassion. Southern Cross Care is honoured to have him among us, a living example of strength, generosity, and the enduring spirit of and giving back.
