He grew up, with sisters Mary and Cath, on a dairy farm in Killarney and attended St. Brigids Primary School Crossley and St. Joseph's Christian Brothers College in Warrnambool.
He married Eileen Barling in 1961 and they had 5 children, Darren, Shane, Sherry, Karen and Joanne.
In 1992 he was appointed Deputy Speaker and Chairman of Committees, a post he held until his retirement from politics in 1999.
These life experiences have seen John become engaged in advocating for families at state and national levels.
Other involvements included Australian Health Ministers Advisory Council, Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatry, Private Psychiatric Services, Carers Victoria, Carers Australia, National Advisory Council for Suicide Prevention and Australian Rotary Health Foundation.