OLD GRAMMARIAN AND COMMUNITY NEWS

Clarice Beckett attended Queen's College from about 1900 until 1903 and became an artist. The School’s historical collection now includes a copy of the excellent catalogue published by the Art Gallery of South Australia for a 2021 exhibition of her work, entitled The Present Moment. A quote from the catalogue states: “Clarice Beckett is more than one of this country’s finest painters of the twentieth century: she is an artist of love and legend.” Queen’s College’s Art and Music teacher Eva Hopkins made an early impact on Clarice Beckett’s artistic development. (Eva continued to teach at the School after her mother, Matilda Hopkins, sold it to Esther Larritt and Sarah Hayhoe in 1889.)

CONGRATULATIONS

Congratulations Maggie Caris (2020) on being selected for the Australian 19/U Netball Squad.

Jacqueline Dark (1985) has been nominated for Australian Artist of the Year in Limelight Magazine's People's Choice Awards. Jacqueline is one of 20 artists shortlisted for the award and one of three to come from the Ballarat area.

Congratulations Old Grammarian Honor Eastly (known as Sarah Haywood while at school, 2007) on being announced as the co-winner of the 2021 Australian Mental Health Prize! Honor is an inspiring mental health advocate, podcaster and writer, who has contributed significantly to the reform of Victoria’s mental health and wellbeing system. Well done Honor! She shares the award with Professor Ian Hickie AM, Co-Director, Health and Policy at The University of Sydney’s Brain and Mind Centre. Check out Honor’s work with the Big Feels Club at - www.bigfeels.club

Charles Johnson (2000) has been in the Ballarat news recently for his creative job advertisement for his business Jono and Johnno, that went “viral”. We hope you found your Khaleesi Charlie! A member of Dart House, Charlie could always provide an imaginative or amusing script or speech when needed!

Past student and current parent Julie Laughton (1994) has taken up an exciting role in Doha, Qatar as Manager, Workforce Operations at Transport Management Services for the FIFA World Cup 2022. Julie has maintained a strong connection to the School since she graduated in 1994, including as a member of the BQOGA Committee and Past President. The Music Department was delighted to receive a very generous gift from Julie earlier this year, donating her beautiful harpsichord to the School before departing to Qatar. Director of Music Andrew Dale stated “Having access to an instrument of this quality will provide many of our students with a greater insight into early music. The Music Department looks forward to showcasing performances on this instrument for many years to come and very much appreciates this wonderful donation”.

Congratulations to Sofia Laursen Habel (2014) on the release of the newly-composed opera “Kamalarella" - now available for purchase on Bandcamp (www.bandcamp.com) Congratulations to Alex Morcom (2014) on being named runner up in Essendon’s VFLW Best and Fairest.

Robyn Lea (1988) is the author / photographer of a book, A ROOM OF HER OWN: INSIDE THE HOMES AND LIVES OF CREATIVE WOMEN, “a shiny new publication about special spaces, many filled with books, that are uniquely configured salons, sitting rooms and studios of creative women.” From the review by Susan Kurosawa in the Australian.

GREAT MEMORIES OF OUR WONDERFUL TEACHERS

Michael Rasmussen - by Paul Kauffman PhD (1969)

One extraordinary teacher can change your life. Michael Rasmussen was educated at Christ Church Grammar New Zealand and attended Geelong Grammar from Years 9 to Year 12, where he was joint Dux before completing Honours degrees in French, Russian and Music, and a Master's degree in Russian, at the University of Melbourne. In those halcyon days teaching was considered equal to the diplomatic, business, senior government and political careers of many other Geelong Grammar alumni.

Michael taught French and English at Ballarat Grammar in 1959 and 1960. He married Dr Ron Davidson’s daughter Mary (1953). He taught at Christ Church Grammar in Perth from 1961-1963 and then returned to Ballarat Grammar where he taught from 1964 until 1984.

The school was extremely small when Michael joined the staff - Years 1 to 12 numbered only 170 students. Teachers’ daily intellectual conversations and friendships were a strong positive.

He encouraged Year 12 students to present lectures to the rest of the class, which they

OLD GRAMMARIAN AND COMMUNITY

NEWS (CONTINUED)

found of tremendous benefit in their life-long learning and helped their high achievement in State exams because he stimulated students’ curiosity and self-confidence. He coached hockey for many years and also played violin from the ages of 15 to 75, and played in a Ballarat quartet for 40 years.

The annual play as well as dramatic reading of plays which Jack Dart wrote, were performed by senior students and staff at assemblies. Michael arranged the musical accompaniment for the plays. John Jones the art teacher from 1963 to 1969, created the sets and Mr Dart produced plays of such quality that students remembered their lines for decades later. The Sun newspaper's Best Actor and Best Play Awards were highlights considering the students were competing against much larger metropolitan schools.

Michael also taught Russian on Saturday mornings. He often drove his combi-van packed with senior students to Melbourne to attend plays. He also took students on school excursions to French-speaking New Caledonia. He retired from teaching to run a stud beef farm on the family’s land near Federation University. Swimming thrice weekly has kept him in good health. Michael and Mary’s four children, Amanda (1978), Jeremy (1980, dec.), Adam (1981), Tamzin (1982), attended Ballarat Grammar, a daughter-in-law, Claire (Dale, 1986), taught at the school, and the two of their six grandchildren resident in Ballarat attended Ballarat Grammar with another two currently attending! Mary is a well-known potter and lectured in Art at the Federation University for many years. His students became lifefriends of this intellectual, family man, and role model. BIRTHS

Amy Johnson (2005) and her partner Carl Dressel welcomed their second child, Evelyn Amy on 30th April, a little sister to Audrey Dressel who is a Bumblebee in the CEEd. Amy is also the Deputy Mayor of Ballarat this year, two amazing accomplishments in one year!

Brian Kennedy (1999) and his wife Laura welcomed Emily Claire on 1st September 2020. Brian and family now reside in Ballarat.

DEATHS

Mary Bickerton (Hannaford, 1953) passed away in August, 2021. Mary enrolled at Queen’s CEGGS in 1952 and matriculated in 1953. Our sympathy is extended to her husband, Ron, her brothers Bryan (1950) and Peter (1957), and especially to her children, Paul (1978), Louise (1980) and Belinda (1985). Jane Birmingham (Burrell, 1988) passed away in May after a courageous battle with bowel cancer. Jane’s funeral took place in the Chapel of St Mark with Reverend Canon Peter Treloar officiating; Jane’s family and the large gathering of her friends were comforted greatly by his ministry. Our thoughts are with her daughter, Amelia, her parents, John and Jenny, and her siblings, Emma (1991) and Nick (1994). During Jane’s seven years at our School she was a most impressive student, a Manifold girl, cheerful and good humoured, and a champion sprinter, loved and respected by her peers and much admired by staff members. An indication of Jane’s high stature and her outstanding professional contribution to the town planning industry was evident at a Memorial organised by the City of Melbourne at Melbourne Town Hall on 24 May 2021. Her colleagues spoke glowingly, and lovingly, of Jane as an esteemed friend, a very dignified and highly intelligent woman and a beautiful person.

Jane Burrell, Australian Junior Sprint Champion, U18 100M 12.06, Bruce Stadium, Canberra, 13 March 1988. Photo kindly supplied by Jenny Burrell, Jane’s mother. Queen's CEGGS Debutante Ball 1950. Rear: Lois Philp, Ron Harris, Bob Christie, Alf Hancock, Ray Murphy, Judy Gazzard. Middle: Delphine Irvine, Tony Gallagher, Margaret Stephens. Front: Janet Williams.

Ballarat and Queen’s Anglican Grammar School Life Governor, Alfred E. (Alf) Hancock (1948) died following heart surgery in September. A student at CEGS Ballarat from 1942 to 1948, Alf was an esteemed businessman in Ballarat, a member of the City Council, and Mayor from 1980 to 1981. Alf’s commitment to the School throughout his long life was enduring. A former President of the Old Grammarians’ Association, Alf was a member of the Coordinating Committee at the time of the amalgamation of the Boys’ and Girls’ schools. He served as Chairman of the School Council from 1973 to 1979. Alf, a Member of the Ballarat Grammar Foundation, and his wife, Judith, (Gazzard, 1949), have been most generous donors not only financially but with their time and energy, continuing to take every opportunity to support the School. Following the family tradition, all five Hancock children, Rosemary (1978), Trish (1980), Liz (1982), Jennifer (1984) and Michael (1985) are all Old Grammarians. Our deepest sympathy is extended to Judy, Alf's sister, Margaret (1946), and to all members of the family. Serva Fidem.

Our condolences are conveyed to Jenny Haymes (Faull, 1962), following the death of her husband, David Haymes, in June, 2021. Despite David's extraordinary commitment to his school, Ballarat Clarendon College, with Jenny, he was a generous supporter of Grammar, too. He donated the funds for the pipe band kilts and accessories; he simply loved the bagpipes. The Ballarat Grammar Pipe Band was honoured to play at his funeral.

Rowen Mills (1975) passed away in May 2021, after a brief illness. A boarder from Horsham for six years, Rowen represented the School in Athletics, Cricket and Football, captaining the First XVIII in 1975.

Andrew Pamflett (1980), son of T. M. Pamflett (1952), and brother of David (1981) and John (1983), passed away in September 2021. Andrew led a full life at the School from 1975 until 1980, completing his senior years as a boarder in Wigan House. He was actively involved in sports, music and drama, representing the School at soccer, swimming and rowing. He was a member of the winning Head of Lake Crew in 1980 which subsequently won the National Championship.

First XVIII 1975 Rear: P.J. Bertrand, L.L. Trickey, R.D. Larsen-Disney, B.E.Foote, S.A.Hill, P.C.Irvine. Middle: H.L.Young, J.G.Pedler, G.B.Powell, G.M.Fisher, G.R.Nulty, S.W.Douthie, P.N.Graham, R.J.Cram, J.R.Russell, G.D.Kitchen. Front: B.A.Smith, M.J.Smale, I.A.Robertson (Vice-Capt.) R.H.Mills (Capt.), G.S.Sloane, P.G.Tunbridge. Stephen Renwick (1969) passed away June 2021 after a long battle with Motor Neurone Disease. He was very involved in sport while at Grammar; in 1969 he was a member of the Premiership Football Team, and rowed in the First Crew. His brother, Peter (1964) is also deceased.

1969 Premiership First XVIII - Rear: M.P.Valentine, T.F.McConochy, P.B.McIver, H.J.Bell, J.B.Corser, R.J.Ellis, S.C.F.Renwick, M.E.Carles, K.C.Cottonach, P.M.McIver, T.J.Wilson, C.D.Harris. Middle: P.J. Furner, G.W.J. Thomson, J.W.Kay, D.L.Rowe, R.C.Churchill, D.J.B. Vanston, L.M.Johnson, J.E.R.Crocker, A.G.Gregg. C.J.Millar, R.I.Phillips. Front: S.J.McArthur, S.J,Shield, G.B.Lindsay, R.J.Allen (Capt.) Mr.G.R.Tunbridge, G.W.McPherson (V-Capt.) B.Kaiae. R.C.Young, W.J.Brocklebank.

Doug Pittard who passed away in June, 2021, was a student at Queen's CEGGS in 1945 along with a number of other young boys. Father of Andrew (1986) and Ashley (1990), and grandfather of current students Genevieve (Year 11) Oliver (Year 8) and future student Phoebe. Doug and his wife, Helen, had a most significant involvement with Vikings and were both very strong supporters of the School. Despite a long battle with Parkinson’s Disease, Doug’s determination, courage, and engaging smile will be remembered.

Rodney Pope (1985), a member of Butler House and a trombone player in the Symphonic Wind Band, passed away in June 2021 following a protracted illness. He is remembered as a brave and gallant fighter by his mother, Carolyn Whitfield, stepfather Frank, brother Peter (1983) and nephew Jeffrey Thompson (2005).

Judith Robbins (Symons), a member of the notable Symons family, died late last year. She entered Queen’s CEGGS as a boarder in 1945. Judith completed her Intermediate Certificate and held the offices of House Probationer and Prefect. Her final year was 1948. Our sympathy is extended to the extended family and especially to her children, Mark (1974), Tim (1976), Peter (1980) and Anne (1985). Ann Smith, former instrumental music teacher, passed away in September. Ann taught strings at Ballarat Grammar from 2001 and retired at the end of 2005 after 42 years of teaching. She was a wonderful role model to many students at a number of schools. She conducted the Grammar String Orchestra, Junior Strings and directed a number of small ensembles in addition to her instrumental teaching duties, and also worked with the Year 2 Strings Program and Year 7 Instrumental Music Program. Following her retirement, Ann continued performing regularly with the Ballarat Symphony Orchestra and a String Quartet comprising local teachers, including former Ballarat Grammar teacher Michael Rasmussen.