About T.J. Scott & Son
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Family HistoryT.J. Scott & Son Funeral Directors was first established in 1938 when Thomas John Scott retired as a Sargent from the Victorian Police Force to buy a small Undertaking business from Charles Williams. Joined by his son Leo, the business operated out of premises in Mollison St, Kyneton with a 1939 Packard Hearse and a Vanguard Utility. At that time, T.J. Scott & Son was one of three small Undertaking firms in Kyneton. Although each catered for different denominations, they regularly helped each other out with funerals. Thomas saw the business grow and soon established a professional reputation and a tradition of trust within the community. Shortly after, Leo left the business to join the air force. At this stage Thomas was regularly helped out by his other son, John Gerard (Jack), as well as by various casuals from the police station and the old malt house in town. Jack Scott soon joined the business full-time to become the ‘Son’ in T.J. Scott & Son. |
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At first, Jack was not too sure about the thought of being a Funeral Director, preferring to pursue other interests such as fixing wirelesses and running a garage as a mechanic. However, as Thomas' health gradually deteriorated it was Jack and his wife Caroline who, around 1946 took over the reins of T.J. Scott and Son. Thomas J. Scott passed away in 1956. In 1957 new premises were built at 57 Piper Street in Kyneton. Jack and Carrie continued running the business until their son, John, joined the family firm in 1966. By that time, T.J. Scott & Son was the sole Funeral Directing firm in the Kyneton district. Then in its third generation, Jack and John operated the business themselves for some 20 years from 57 Piper Street. During this time, the vehicles used as hearses included a 1968 Valiant Safari and a 1976 Valiant Regal.
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| In what was one of the biggest developments for T.J. Scott & Son, major renovations to the premises of 5 Piper St took place in 1988. While preserving original brick portions of the old Baptist church, the rear of the building underwent a significant extension and expansion. This included a new, spacious 200 capacity funeral chapel and modern mortuary facilities. Officially opened on April 29th 1989, the new Thomas J. Scott Memorial Chapel was a pioneering improvement to the standard of excellence within the Funeral Industry for Country Victoria. This was not only a source of great pride for Jack and Carrie, but it also gave them the confidence in knowing that both T.J. Scott & Son and the communities they serve were in good hands. |
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In 1990, T.J. Scott & Son moved into its fourth generation with the addition of John's eldest child, Kelly to the team. As one of the unique features of this family owned and operated business, Kelly became the first female family member to arrange and conduct funerals in the Kyneton district, offering people the option of both male and female funeral consultants. Kelly's brother John Thomas (Jack) joined the business in 1991 after completing his secondary studies and shortly thereafter introduced T.J. Scott & Son to the modern world of computerisation. Always striving for excellence, the business took another step forward when, in 1994-95, Kelly completed the 'Certificate in Bereavement Studies' course and Jack the 'Certificate in Mortuary Science (Embalming)' course. Daniel Scott, the youngest child of Managing Director, John, also joined the family business in 1996. Shortly after, John and Robert's brother-in-law, Bernie, also became part of the T.J. Scott & Son team. The family tradition continued when Bernie's son Paul became the fourth great-grandchild of Thomas to become involved in the business.
In recent years, Robert and Bernie have left T.J. Scott & Son, but the Scott family tradition continues in its fourth generation. It has been 70 years since the business was established by Thomas J. Scott, yet it continues today as a 100% family owned and operated funeral firm. While respecting past traditions, T.J. Scott and Son are continually looking out for future innovations which may better enable them to serve the growing needs of the community. |
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Now in it’s fourth generation of family members, T.J. Scott & Son Scott name is recognised as one of trust, compassion and professionalism. Their wide range of services is continually broadening, moving towards the twenty first century with an open mind yet sensitive to traditional values. They also offer a choice of male and female funeral consultants, to complete and carry out a funeral, with Kelly Scott helping to change the public's view of today's Funeral Director. T.J Scott & Son also offer Pre-Arranged funerals, and, in conjunction with Australian Unity and Lifeplan, comprehensive Pre-Paid Funeral Bonds, providing the highest security. Despite their solid reputation, T.J. Scott & Son are never content with their high standard of service and are continually striving for excellence.
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Staff & Family Members |
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| John is the Managing Director of T.J. Scott & Son Funeral Directors, and has over 35 years experience in the funeral industry. John is a registered celebrant and has served for many years as a Councillor for the A.F.D.A. John has been actively involved in the community giving talks on suicide and its effects on those left behind and Family Research. He has three children, Kelly, Jack and Daniel, all of whom have followed him into the family business. John enjoys playing golf, socialising with friends, travelling and he also has an interest in Horse Racing, being on the committee of the Kyneton & District Race Club.
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| Kelly joined the family business in 1990 and has completed the AFDA Certificate in Bereavement Studies and is interested in pursuing further education in this field. Kelly has many years experience in the funeral industry, specialising in Pre-arranged and Pre-paid funerals. Kelly realises how much pre-planning eases the financial and emotional strain for those left behind, offering the peace of mind that you have helped make such a difficult time so much easier.
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| Jack also became part of the T.J. Scott & Son team in 1991. He is a qualified Embalmer and a member of the Australian Institute of Embalming. In 1996 he returned to full time study, completing a Bachelor of Arts (Psychology). Subsequently, he returned to T.J. Scott & Son, and later completed 4th Year Psychology part time. Jack enjoys reading, writing, movies, music and a wide range of sports.
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| Daniel joined the family business in 1996 after studying and traveling throughout Europe. Daniel has successfully completed a Bachelor of Applied Science (Psychology) at the University of Ballarat. Daniel’s main role is arranging and conducting funerals and he gains a great deal of satisfaction when a funeral is planned and carried out according to the family’s wishes.
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Paul is the fourth great-grandchild of Thomas John Scott and joined the business in 1999. Paul has successfully completed the certificate of mortuary science (embalming). As well as being a qualified embalmer, Paul’s other roles include arranging and conducting funerals, and he feels honoured to be able to guide people through such difficult times.
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Kyneton Funeral Chapel |
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T.J. Scott & Son started out as one of three small funeral directing firms in Kyneton, operating out of a house in Mollison Street. Much has changed since then.
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| The Thomas J. Scott Memorial chapel was officially opened on April 29th 1989 by then State Coroner, Hal Hallenstein. In attendance were local clergy, members of the community and, of course, the patriarch and matriarch of the Scott family, Jack and Carrie. The new premises were a pioneering improvement to the standard of funeral service for country Victoria. It was a great source of pride for Jack and Carrie, giving them the confidence in knowing that both T.J. Scott & Son and the communities they serve were in good hands. |
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| Today, there are an increasing number of both religious and non-denominational funeral services held in the chapel. Recently refurbished, the Thomas J. Scott Memorial Chapel is suitable for both large and small services. It features an indoor/outdoor sound system and also enables DVD presentations, audio and video recordings and a variety of other additional services to enhance a funeral service. |
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Gisborne Consulting Rooms |
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After operating out of their Kyneton funeral chapel for over 60 years, the need arose for a second office from which to provide funeral consultation. Continuing their aim to better serve the Macedon Ranges, T.J. Scott & Son opened up their newly appointed Funeral Consulting Rooms at 46 Aitken St, Gisborne. The move was especially designed to make their services more accessible to people throughout the Macedon Ranges. Opening in 2000, the new consulting rooms in Gisborne specialises in Pre-paid and Pre-arranged funerals, professional grief counselling, as well as providing general funeral information. Lying in the southern foothills of the Macedon Ranges, Gisborne is only 30 minutes from Melbourne, making it an idyllic place to live for rural dwellers and commuters alike. With warm and comfortable surroundings, the Consulting rooms provide greater convenience for not only Gisborne, but also to nearby localities such as Macedon, Mt. Macedon, Riddells Creek, Bullengarook and Sunbury. |
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Funeral Vehicles |
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| The choice of funeral vehicles is an important one, and in keeping with their professional standards, T.J. Scott and Son take great pride in the vehicles they use. Just as the premises of T.J. Scott & Son have changed over the years, so too have their vehicles. When T.J. Scott & Son was first established in 1938 by Thomas J. Scott, they operated out of a small building in Mollison St, Kyneton with a custom-built, 1939 Packard Hearse and a Vanguard Utility. |
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The 60’s and 70’s
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| The 1990’s
After the silver Ford LTD vehicles, T.J. Scott & Son returned to traditional black. Around 1991 they made the purchase of a new, specially converted, black Ford LTD Hearse. A few years later it was upgraded to a newer model which was joined by a 1997 Ford LTD stretch limousine. |
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The Scott’s pride themselves on the presentation of their funeral vehicles. They have recently updated once again to offer the most modern and comfortable funeral cars available. In 2008, T.J. Scott & Son introduced a specially modified Holden Caprice Hearse and two matching Holden Caprice Sedans which are used as mourning cars.
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