BQOGA

BALLARAT AND QUEEN’S OLD GRAMMARIANS’ ASSOCIATION

MESSAGE FROM THE INCOMING PRESIDENT, BQOGA

Following what was a truly extraordinary year in 2020, I am delighted to provide you with an update of the recent activities of the Old Grammarians’ Association, as well as some of our plans for 2021.

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

On Monday 22 February 2021, the Old Grammarians’ Association held its Annual General Meeting. At the meeting, outgoing President John Taylor spoke passionately about the activities of the Association last year, with particular emphasis on the pilot Young Grammarian Gurus program which matched 130 recent School leavers with current Grammar Year 12 students to assist them through a very challenging year. Through the generosity of Old Grammarians, last year’s Year 12 students received additional mentoring and support and were able to achieve fantastic learning outcomes.

I am pleased to advise that Ewen Nevett was re-elected and Julie Laughton elected as joint Vice Presidents of the Association, while Lorraine Austin was elected to continue in the roles of Secretary and Treasurer.

LET'S CONNECT

Incoming BQOGA President, Tom Hunt (2012) with outgoing President John Taylor (1967) and Headmaster Adam Heath

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Julie Laughton (1994), Lorraine Austin (1982), Emily Oliver (2015), Sophie Grills (2017) and John Taylor (1967) at the BQOGA AGM

2021 STRATEGIC PRIORITIES

With last year’s reunion program significantly impacted by the pandemic, our immediate focus in 2021 has been to re-schedule the postponed 2020 reunions as well as to organise this year’s. The scheduling of these events has been complex, trying to fit them all into what is already a very busy School program.

With the 2015 (6 year) reunion, the 2019 (2 year) reunion, the Past Staff Reunion and Gala reunion for 1980 (41 year), 1990 (31 year), 2000 (21 year) and 2010 (11 year) now successfully completed in 2021, we look forward to the remaining reunions this year: As in 2020, the Old Grammarians are looking to again partner with the Careers and Development Office to coordinate the Grammarian Gurus program with the aim of supporting current Year 12s with a career mentor to provide career pathway and study advice.

We are also planning to host a Health Industry Careers Breakfast on Tuesday 18 May from 7am – 8:30am in the Wendouree Centre for Performing Arts (WCPA) for current Senior School students. The morning will begin with a stand-up breakfast in the Foyer of the WCPA, followed at 7.30am by an Old Grammarian panel discussion in the auditorium. Each member of the panel will share their career journey to date and the highlights of their job; the audience and current students will have time to ask questions.

We also plan to support the Careers Office with an exciting initiative for current Year 10 students who missed the opportunity to participate in the Year 9 City Cite experience last year due to COVID. In May this year, Year 10s will spend a week at City Cite in Melbourne, and we hope to utilise the knowledge and experience of some recently graduated Old Grammarians to give students further insight and awareness of various career and study options.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank Claire Hay, who left the School in March, for her commitment to both Ballarat Grammar and our Old Grammarians over the past 14 years in her role as Alumni Relations Coordinator. During her time at the School, Claire built strong relationships across the Old Grammarian and School communities through her friendly and professional approach.

I would also like to welcome Gemma Kelly to the role of Alumni and Community Engagement Coordinator. Gemma is a key contact for Old Grammarians wanting to engage with the School.

The Ballarat and Queen’s Old Grammarians’ Association sincerely thanks John Taylor and Jill Coote for their efforts in their respective roles as President and Vice President of the Association. Both John and Jill have made outstanding contributions, and we look forward to that continuing as they serve as committee members.

If you are interested in participating as an Old Grammarian in any of the current or future mentoring activities, please contact Gemma Kelly, on 5338 0950 or via email at development@bgs.vic.edu.au. We look forward to continuing to work closely with the School, supporting our community to thrive professionally and to maintain and strengthen social links.

2018 (3 year) Reunion City Cite, 28 May, 6-9pm

Gala Reunion, 1981 (40 year), 1991 (30 year) 2001 (20 year) and 2011 (10 year), Ballarat Grammar, 2 October, 4-9pm

50+ Luncheon This year we will welcome both 1970 and 1971 cohorts to the 50+ group: Memorial Dining Hall and Chapel of St Mark, 22 October, 11am-4pm

2016 5 Year Reunion Lake View Hotel, 6 November, 3-6pm

Tom Hunt BQOGA President

DO YOU REMEMBER?

BOARDING AT QUEEN’S

Excerpts from a letter of July 28, 2020 from Kay Blake (Tucker, 1963).

I was a boarder at Queen’s for four years from 1960 (Form 4/Year 10) to 1963 (Matriculation/Year 12). I came to Queen’s when I was 14 and initially shared a dormitory in Cuthbert House with three other new girls – Patricia Walter, Barbara Ward and Suzanne Teschendorf, as well as two others who had been boarding in earlier years – Elaine Combs and Audrey Nixon. Plernchai Sinprayoon from Thailand joined us later. The House Mistress was Mrs. Britten; she was a real “mother hen” to the only other girls who were juniors who boarded weekly. We moved to Manifold House the following year. Some of the teachers I remember are Miss Wright (Sport), Miss Mona Montgomery (English and General Maths), Miss Betty Montgomery (History) and, especially, Miss Woodbridge who took Arithmetic. Miss Woodbridge taught us the importance of compound interest, and the correct way to write a cheque so that it couldn’t be altered.

Every evening, we boarders would line up outside Miss Woodbridge’s sitting room and, one by one, tap on her door, and go in to say “Goodnight, Miss Woodbridge”. On Friday evenings we would gather in the Boarders’ sitting room and Miss Woodbridge would read to us. Wind in the Willows and Thomasina are two I remember.

I remember two school trips to Melbourne, one to see My Fair Lady and the other to see Vivien Leigh starring in Twelfth Night. Sister Matthews tended to our minor ailments and also dispensed our pocket money each week. It was two shillings, of which sixpence had to be kept for church on Sundays. We walked in “croc” down to the Cathedral. But, before we left we were required to twirl before Sister Matthews (one by one) who checked that no petticoats were showing, that pleats were pressed and, especially, that shoes were cleaned. Of course, we also had to have on our hat and gloves. In my last two years I was allowed to study Chemistry, Physics and Agricultural Science at the Boys’ School, and we would ride our bikes from Queen’s around the Lake to our classes. Occasionally, there were boys who came to Queen’s for a subject not taught at Grammar – Biology was one and Commercial Studies was another.

The Queen’s Dances were great events and a chance for us all to dress up – day girls, too, of course. One backdrop was especially magnificent – the Disneyland Castle painted by Horsham artist, Mrs Jean Hill, mother of Robyn. A couple of times a year we would go to Grammar for a Social Night, other times we went to Clarendon for a “ding”. On fine Sunday evenings we would go for a walk (supervised) around Lake Wendouree. Girls were not usually allowed out without supervision but, if you became a Prefect, sometimes two Prefects could go shopping. My memories are all good ones. There are several friendships made there that are still strong, even though we are now widely scattered. And Miss Woodbridge, who retired in 1964, maintained a continuing interest in “her girls” long after schooldays. She wrote to my parents after the death of my 22-yearold sister, Barbara, in a car accident in 1969.

I am looking forward to seeing everyone again at the next 50+ Luncheon.

Boarding House Prefects 1963 Back: Nina Clappison, Suzanne Teschendorf, Audrey Nixon, Elaine Combs. Front: Rae Hart, Lucille Voullaire, Miss Woodbridge, Barbara Hinton, Kay Tucker.

FORMER STAFF MEMBER MARTIN F. WINKLER

Contribution by Paul Kauffman (1969)

A recent school reunion encouraged me to reflect on what good teaching involved, and the many teachers who helped us gain resilience and be successful in life. One of these was Martin Winkler.

Martin Friedrich Winkler taught at Ballarat Grammar from 1957 to 1974. He had immense life experience and psychological insight. He taught and demonstrated in his life that the essence of Christian living is to love and care for others as you would for yourself, of being responsive to the needs of others. The philosopher and writer Raymond Gaita called him ‘the wisest man I have known’ and dedicated his first book Good and Evil: An Absolute Conception to him. (Gaita went to St Patrick’s College, but learnt German and philosophy from Martin at nights and weekends.) Martin was born in Dresden, Germany, and after completing his schooling, studied for a doctorate in New Testament studies and read philosophy, psychology and studied tropical medicine. He left for New Guinea in 1932 at the age of 23 to work as a missionary. He was committed to improving the social conditions of New Guineans, providing medical services as well as teaching people about the message of the New Testament.

In 1939 he was interned in Australia, in 1946 started working as a pastor and teacher, and from 1957 until 1974 he taught German and Biology at Ballarat Grammar.

“Many students remember him as having a positive and radical influence on their lives.”

Indicative of his wide interests and sense of adventure, he took a busload of students to Central Australia in 1965, camping in the desert at Hermannsburg, and a planeload of students to remote areas of New Guinea in 1968, camping in villages near Lae and in the New Guinea Highlands. Martin Winkler retired at the age of 71 after suffering a mild stroke, and died in Timaru, New Zealand at 87. Winkler used his very wide knowledge to inspire others and also to help in a crisis. It may be that such a background helps a person become a particularly effective life teacher.

IMAGE BELOW: CEGS Staff 1967, Martin Winkler is pictured in the middle row, second from right - in profile.

Back: N. F. McLean; I. C. Buerckner; J. J. Jones; J. P. Cook Middle: Mrs. K. Rindzevicius (Rind); K. W. Allen; Miss L. A. Eyres; R.G. Bath; Mrs. A. J. Trenfield; Mrs. K. Kenyon; M. J. Rasmussen; Revd. M. F. Winkler; K. A. Atkin Front: K. Rindzevicius (Rind); M. J. W. Boyle; Miss K. Williamson; G.R. Tunbridge; G.F. J. Dart; Revd. J.R. Oliver; G.M. Worswick; J. McL. Gullan; I. C. Brown

Absent: Mrs. D.C. Gale: Mrs. C. P. Lasecky