Victor Macky papers.

John Victor Macky was born in Auckland in September 1887. Known as Victor or Dick, he was the fifth child of Joseph and Kate Macky (nee Spencer) and grandson of the Rev. John Macky the first Moderator of the Presbyterian Church of New Zealand. He attended Bayfield School, Auckland Grammar and Auckland University College. In 1908 Macky passed the accountancy professional examination with the highest marks in New Zealand and in 1912 became a member of the New Zealand Society of Accountants.

“An exceptionally fast Rugby wing three quarter” Macky played rugby for Auckland University College and was a member of the Auckland Provincial team from 1911 to 1914. In 1913 he was a member of the All Blacks team to tour Australia. Macky enlisted in the New Zealand Expeditionary Force in 1916 and served in France with the Auckland Regiment. At the end of the War, Macky was given the opportunity of becoming a member of the New Zealand Army XV rugby team, but chose an appointment with the New Zealand Expeditionary Force education scheme instead. Returning to New Zealand in 1919, Macky went back to accounting entering into a partnership with Mr Grey Campbell. In 1920 he married Edna Graham Allan an American poet from Fort Worth, Texas. The couple had one daughter Faith Katherine (Willow) Macky.

During the 1930s and 1940s Macky was a member of the Auckland Hospital Board, the University Senate and the Grammar School Board. He was also a director of the YMCA and President of the Grammar School Old Boys Association. In 1944 he ran unsuccessfully for Mayor of Auckland. He was also involved in the Boys' Brigade and the collection includes photographs of Macky inspecting the Brigade’s Auckland battalion with Sir Bernard Freyberg in 1949.

A keen tennis player Macky died during a game in September 1951 aged 64.

References.

City Man's Death, Mr J. Victor Macky. New Zealand Herald, 17 September 1951.