A 50-year friendship between Russell James and Russell Thompson highlighted by a book revelation
Consensus Summary
The articles from SMH and THEAGE both explore the deep, 50-year friendship between Russell James, an 83-year-old retired teacher, and Russell Thompson, a 63-year-old transport engineering professor at the University of Melbourne. Their bond began at Highett High School in 1977, where James taught Thompson consumer education and accounting, inspiring him to pursue higher education. Both men share a passion for sports, particularly tennis, with James meticulously recording every match since 1978. James, known for his eccentricity and storytelling, has written seven books, including a memoir about his childhood in McKinnon. Despite personal challengesāsuch as James losing the use of one eye and Thompsonās brotherās recent deathātheir friendship remains strong. Thompson credits Jamesās compassionate teaching style for shaping his own career, while James has shown unwavering support, even helping Thompsonās family integrate into gatherings and assisting a Ukrainian student and his family in fleeing their country. Jamesās humility and quiet achievements, including advising global authorities like Japan after the 2011 Fukushima disaster, highlight his impact beyond the classroom.
ā Verified by 2+ sources
Key details reported by multiple sources:
- Russell James, 83, is a retired teacher who taught Russell Thompson, 63, at Highett High School in 1977
- Russell James taught Russell Thompson consumer education in year 9 and accounting in years 11 and 12
- Russell Thompson is a professor in transport engineering at the University of Melbourne
- Russell James wrote seven books, including a biography of golfer David Graham and *A Street and Time Too Far Away* (2014) about growing up in McKinnon, Melbourne, in the 1950s
- Russell James meticulously recorded every tennis game he and Russell Thompson played since 1978 in an exercise book
- Russell James lost the use of one eye recently and had an eye procedure
- Russell Thompsonās brother died recently, which was tough for Russell James
- Russell James helped a Ukrainian student and his family escape their country, housing them in his home
- Russell James advised Japanese authorities after the 2011 Fukushima earthquake and nuclear power plant incident
- Russell James is a fanatical op-shopper and has a small apartment where he sometimes wears clothes multiple times before donating them
- Russell James started putting dinosaurs and toys in his front garden to entertain passing children
- Russell Thompson has taught over 25 PhD students and thousands of students in engineering at the University of Melbourne
- Russell Thompsonās closest attempt at playing tennis or squash every day of the year was 348 days in 1978
Source Articles
Theyāve been mates for nearly 50 years. Then one day, Russell brought out a book
The decades-long friendship between Russell Thompson, a professor in transport engineering, and Russell James, a retired teacher, began in 1977.
Theyāve been mates for nearly 50 years. Then one day, Russell brought out a book
The decades-long friendship between Russell Thompson, a professor in transport engineering, and Russell James, a retired teacher, began in 1977.