Gerard Cramer

Gerard Leigh Cramer (5 February 1927 – 30 November 2004) was a secondary school educator, who was the Headmaster of Carey Baptist Grammar School between 1965 and 1989.

Gerard Cramer was born in Caulfield North in Melbourne in 1927. However, in his first few years, his family moved extensively throughout Eastern Melbourne. Cramer first studied at the prepatory school of Korowa Anglican Girls' School, before moving to Melbourne Grammar School. Yet, the Cramer family moved again to Perth, Western Australia due to his father, George becoming the Manager of the Royal Insurance Company (Western Australia). Nevertheless, Cramer completed his secondary school education at Christ Church Grammar School in Perth, where he was Captain of the First XI and the Vice-Captain of the First XVIII in Cricket and Athletics. Cramer was a natural lover of sport but also of music. After matriculating in 1944, Cramer studied at the University of Western Australia, in which he majored in Economics and History for a Bachelor of Arts (Hons).

After completing his education, Cramer moved to Adelaide in 1948, to work as a History and English teacher at St Peter's College. After a few short years there, Cramer moved to work in England at Portsmouth Grammar School. In this time period, Cramer also associated himself with the Australian College of Education, the Institute of International Affairs and the English Teachers' Association.

From 1964, the Carey Baptist Grammar School, School Council invited Cramer to become its 4th Headmaster. From 1965 until his retirement in 1989, the school transformed in size and abilities under his leadership as principal. Upon his retirement in 1989, he was one of the longest serving head teachers in Australia, at 25 years. He was most remembered by his rapid building plans, including the William Carey Chapel, opened in 1971. In addition to this, the school named one of there sporting facilities after him in 1990.

For Cramer's work in the independent schools sector, He was awarded a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for service to education, particularly as Principal of Carey Baptist Grammar School in the 1992 Australia Day Honours List.