JONATHAN Harold Espie was born on February 26 1944 at Charleville, twin brother to Jennifer, younger brother to Mary and the son of Harold and Dorothy May Espie of Croxdale, Charleville.
Jon commenced his education through correspondence school and a governess for 12 months before going to All Saint's Girls' Hostel in Charleville.
After a couple of years, he transferred to the boys' hostel where he stayed for a further two years. When old enough, his parents allowed Jon to ride his bike the 6km to school from his home at Croxdale.
This continued for two years until he started to live with his grandfather in Charleville for the years of 1956 and 1957. During this time, Jon enjoyed his sporting activities, including representing Charleville State School in tennis and in high and broad jump.
In 1957 Jon became the South West Queensland Broad Jump Champion.
After completing Scholarship (Year 8), Jon attended The Southport School for three years where he was a member of Thorold House, representing his house in inter-house sporting events. He also represented his school in rugby union and cricket, although not in the "firsts" and was also a reserve in the school shooting team.
In 1960, Jon returned home after leaving school to help his father run the family property. During this time, he played A grade rugby league for 'Railways' and represented Charleville in the inter-town competition, the Wallal Cup. Jon also played cricket for Country Commercials.
Aside from his sporting interests, Jon extended his musical abilities. While learning the piano from an early age, he taught himself to play the rhythm guitar and was the lead singer in a local Charleville band called The Shades. The band traveled all over South West Queensland playing for dances. After the band disbanded, Jon joined another four piece band.
In 1964, his father, Harold Espie passed away and Jon went into partnership with his mother in Croxdale. On November 6, 1965, he married Dawn Edith Heinemann, youngest daughter of Allan and Vera Heinemann, Inkerman Station, Cooladdi, in All Saints Church Charleville. Their daughter Andrea was born three years later on their wedding anniversary.
After selling Croxdale in 1976, Jon joined the large pastoral firm Winchcombe Carson. Jon managed the Hughenden office until 1979, when he resigned to join Australian Estates. His first role with Australian Estates was to manage the Guyra office. After nine months he and his family transferred to the Blackall office.
In 1982, Jon was approached by Dalgety Winchcombe and offered the position of managing their Rockhampton office. He remained in Rockhampton until 1986 when he was transferred to the head state office in Brisbane as northern Queensland livestock manager. In 1988, Jon received another promotion to state livestock manager for Queensland.
After retiring, Jon, Dawn and partners purchased the Roma Newsagencies in 1997 which they had for seven years. During this time, Jon enjoyed bantering with his customers daily. While at the Roma Newsagency, Jon organised a triathlon event sponsored by The Golden Casket during Easter in the Country, which was extremely successful.
After selling the newsagencies, Jon and Dawn relocated to Quilpie and purchased the local post office. During this time, Jon also started up Jonathan Espie Agencies in conjunction with Schute Bell Badgery, NSW.
Owing to ill health, Jon and Dawn relocated back to Roma in 2013 to be closer to their adored grandchildren, Jonathan and Thea, and their daughter Andrea and son-in-law Jordy.
