Fr David Strong SJ, The Australian dictionary of Jesuit biography 1848-2015, Second Edition, 2017:
Smith, John-Hamilton

Administrator, chaplain, mission procurator; born Melbourne, 15 March 1914; died Melbourne, 6 April 2004, aged 90.

John Hamilton Smith was a talented and well-liked man who was a great affirmer of people and a good shepherd. He was educated at the Brigidine Convent, Malvern, 1920-24, the De La Salle Brothers, Malvern, 1924-28, and Xavier College, 1928-33. While at Xavier College for his secondary education he was highly respected, being Captain of the First XVIII and Captain of the School in 1933. He entered the Society of Jesus at Loyola College, Watsonia, 3 March 1934. Regency was at Xavier College, 1941-44, teaching French and Latin, as well as being second division prefect, OC Cadets and a rowing master. He completed a BA degree from the University of Melbourne majoring in Latin and French, while his ecclesiastical studies were all in Australia. He was ordained priest, 5 January 1949.

His first appointment after tertianship at Sevenhill in 1950 was as mission promoter of the newly founded Australian mission in India. He accompanied the first group to India, and upon his return began looking for ways to finance the mission. His gift for friendship and ability to inspire people were important factors in beginning the Maytime Fair in 1952 at Xavier College, and the Indian Bazaar at Riverview the following year. It was he who brought together and united a wonderful group of dedicated lay collaborators who offered their time, talents and energy to work for the Mission, a Jesuit who truly believed in the importance of lay Catholics in the mission of the Church. He spoke about their work as a 'secondary vocation'. Many 'co-missionaries' were inspired to become more imaginative, inventive and energetic than they had ever believed possible, and encouraged those to be so involved.

He worked so tirelessly for the mission that it affected his health and he was sent to Riverview in 1955 as spiritual father to the boys and teaching religion and French. However, he spent some time on a Queensland property owned by the Tully family. He was rowing master the year Riverview won its first senior GPS Eights race at the Head of the River, Penrith, in 1958. The previous win was in 1907, when the race was rowed in Fours.

To the austere environment of Loyola College, Watsonia, Smith was sent as spiritual father in 1959, and his relaxed, friendly and understanding manner was appreciated by the scholastics who enjoyed their regular visits to him. Recounting his own painful experiences of stress and tension, and his strategies for dealing with them, the scholastics found him encouraging. His humanity, gentleness and understanding of human nature were most helpful. He also taught the juniors French. The scholastics were therefore disappointed when he was appointed socius to the visitor to the province, Father John J McMahon, in 1961.

So successful was Smith as the visitor's faithful companion, he continued as socius to the new provincial John Boylen, efficiently working behind the scenes at the provincial residence and enjoying the occasional game of golf.

In 1969 he was appointed rector and university chaplain at St John Fisher College, Hobart, where he showed great rapport with students and university staff.

Fresh from his success in Hobart, Smith was sent to Perth and St Thomas More University College in 1974, where, with James Dynon, he created a friendly and familial environment in the college. Together they consolidated the transition from a single sex to a co-residential college. He would invite diocesan priests occasionally for a social night, and he was always the genial host. He was also a support to the Newman Society and to the Indian Mission co-missionaries.

After twenty years in administrative positions, Smith became editor of Madonna, taking over from Herbie Wilkins in 1980. The style of the magazine became cheerful, the jokes appreciated and the articles on prayer helpful. Smith developed around him a group of willing helpers who enjoyed working in a happy environment. During this time Madonna grew in circulation, and the bookshop became an important part of the enterprise. People enjoyed visiting the office and they were warmly welcomed.

After producing about a hundred issues of Madonna, Smith was asked to become chaplain to the retirement village, Villa La Salle at Southport, Queensland, where both the brothers and residents appreciated him. He enjoyed the spiritual work, but found separation from a Jesuit community difficult, so that in 1994 he was assigned to parish work at St Mary's, North Sydney. His fatherly presence and thoughtfulness to the sick and needy was appreciated. However, his health deteriorated, especially his eyesight, and he went to Campion House, Kew, in 1997, and prayed for the Church and Society until he was in need of greater medical care. In 2001 he was a resident of the Little Sisters of the Poor, Northcote. As his mind and memory deteriorated, he found this time very difficult.

Smith was an inspirational leader who used his gifts of affability, thoughtfulness and care of others, as well as administration, to the best possible use. He was much loved both inside and outside the Society.

(Reproduced by permission of Fr David Strong SJ.)