His grandfather John Savige arrived in Australia as a free settler in 1852 from Towcester, Northampton, England.

After fossicking for gold for several years, he proceeded to clear, farm and settle areas of Victoria such as Lake Condah in the Western District and Narracan and Moe in Gippsland.

Savige enlisted in the 2nd AIF and served as a captain in the 2/7th Battalion in North Africa, where he was awarded the Military Cross at Bardia and was twice mentioned in despatches.

In 1933 he attended the 4th World Scout Jamboree in Hungary, where he met Lord Baden-Powell.

In 1972 the chief commissioner awarded him the Silver Acorn for exceptional services to Scouting.