Obituaries

It is with great sadness that we record the passing of the following members of the Camberwell Grammar School community since the last issue of Spectemur.

CHRISTOPHER (CHRIS) BENCE 23 October 1942 - 29 August 2020

In 1953 a young Christopher Bence entered Grade 4 at Trinity Grammar School, and he was greeted by his teacher, a Mr. I. G. Mason.

Ian recently recounted Chris’s athletics ability.

“He was also a champion sprinter having broken 10secs. for the 100yds. Mind you, at CGS, we muttered something about it only being possible using ‘Trinity watches. Nevertheless, the AGS record for the Open 4 x 100yd relay was for many years held by the Trinity team which included, apart from Chris, Byron Williams, who ran in the 1962 Commonwealth Games; Gary Eddy, 1964/1970 Olympian, and a fourth fellow . . . Pildrie or some such name: Chris competed with the best.”

Chris’s talents were not only displayed on the running track but also with voice. As a young man he was a member of the Holy Trinity Anglican Church choir in Kew. He was a founding member of Idlers Five, a pop group at its height in the ‘60s, when they were chosen to represent Australia in a world universities’ pop festival. They produced their number one hit, Melborn and Sideny in 1968, after which the group disbanded.

On deciding to become a teacher Chris completed the two-year course at Mercer House, (Associated Teacher Training Institution), Malvern to obtain his Certificate of Ed, where he met his future wife Suellen. This initial qualification was later upgraded to a Dip. Teaching then a B.Ed. through part-time studies.

In 1966, Chris commenced teaching at Camberwell Grammar School where he was employed by Mr T. H. Timpson, Headmaster, starting a teaching stint which would last until 2002, when he retired from teaching but not from CGS.

He quickly became a very popular teacher with students, particularly boys in his class 7B, their parents and members of staff at all levels of the school. For many years he acted as Middle School House Master of Robinson and coached soccer along with a strong interest in athletics. He was a regular starter for running events at House Athletics. Until recently he continued to attend the AGS athletics carnival with Phil Hutton and Ian Mason to assist with marshalling of competitors. In 1999 Chris was appointed Deputy Head of Middle School until his retirement in 2002.

When I started at CGS in 1976, Chris introduced me to Bambara, the school camp. It was a weekend father and son camp for members of 7B. Following the end of the school day, on the Friday, it was off to the Balwyn supermarket to purchase supplies for the weekend, then drive to the camp, unpack the food, prepare the evening meal and wait for the fathers and their sons

to arrive. Chris did not stop all weekend preparing meals, supervising activities, including the father and son cross-country run making, sure all had a great experience. One thing I learnt from Chris that weekend was “Cook roast beef and vegetables, it’s so simple put it in the oven and forget about it. The fathers and boys love it and it is so easy to cook and serve.”

After a highly active weekend, he was at work bright and early the next day full of life and smiles with many stories to tell. He was the same at Year 7 camps at Somers in February or Central Australian safaris during term holidays, making sure his 7B boys had a great time.

Through his love of music Chris quickly became involved with the annual Middle School production. He wrote the lyrics and composed music for these, many which were based on J.R.R. Tolkiens book The Hobbit. In performances of Oliver he would take the part of Mr. Bumble with due sternness. In 1986 CGS celebrated its Centenary and the Middle School Play was written around the history of the school. Chris played the part of Mr T.H. Timpson the Headmaster who had initially employed him, another twist of connection for Chris. He was also a great supporter of the Music department and without having to be asked would volunteer for backstage duties at concerts.

The Common Room would light up when Chris entered it with his cheerful, positive attitude and willingness to support all. His involvement did not finish at the end of the school day but would continue to support and entertain staff during Après Cinq.

He was well known for his catering capabilities particularly his famous Beef Nights, supported by Peter Renwick and others even after they retired from teaching. During the 1980’s Chris, Ron Wootton, Peter Hutchinson and others transformed the Roystead Common Room into a three hatted restaurant for department dinners, three courses being served to the appreciative guests. Fine crockery and cutlery were elegantly set on cloth covered tables with matching cloth napkins. Of course, beef was always served for the main course. Unfortunately, a fire in Roystead in the early 1990’s ended these nights for a time, but they were later revived in the new Common Room in Kingussie.

Following his retirement from teaching in 2002 Chris acted as an invigilator for VCE exams at the school. He also was an active member of the CGS Past Staff Association, named The Fossils. In November 2008, John Stafford and Ian Mason decided to retire from the running of Past Staff activities. Chris was asked to takeover and he “invited” me to join him as coordinators. Chris also took over

from the Palaeontologist (IGM) as editor of Hello Again under the pseudonym of The Invigilator.

Fortunately for us all Chris never left CGS after retiring. He regularly attended year group reunions, held at CGS and would remember each past student and their involvement in the school, both academically and extra-curricular. He would work the room talking to all who attended and was always warmly welcomed by all former students. He was a regular attendee at school plays and musical concerts, plus he attended Open Day each year to present the cup to the winner of the CR Bence Cup, a 75 yard handicap sprint named in his honour contested between current students and Old Boys. CGS was such an important part of his life.

A former staff member recently commented about Chris; “He was the ideal staff member, respected by staff, students and parents, he gave so much of himself to the school”.

We will miss him.

Dr Hicks recently remembered Chris as very much a part of Camberwell Grammar School, and I suspect it became a big part of him. He was the classic servant leader, volunteering for an enormous range of activities beyond the scope of the classroom, and always determined to put the needs of the students and the School ahead of his own. His contribution to music, drama and the camping program are the stuff of legend. He set high standards for his students and would call them out if he felt they did not live up to those standards – he was also quick to praise them when they did. His Beef Nights filled the common room with the smell of garlic; his collegiality filled it with warmth and good humour. He was a regular attendee at Old Boys functions long after he retired from the classroom and he was always excited to meet up with ‘his boys’ and to hear ‘what they had been up to’. He was a loyal and generous colleague.

Our thoughts are with Suellen (1976-2000), Tim (1992) and Miles (1996)

Spectemur Agendo.

Compiled by

Colin McMillan

With assistance from

Suellen Bence, Paulene Clarke, and Ian Mason.

ARTHUR JAMES COLLINSON (1936) 06 August 1918 - 18 June 2020

Arthur James Collinson was born at home in Canning Street, North Melbourne on the 6 August 1918. Following his sister’s birth, it was discovered their mother had contracted Tuberculosis. On doctor’s advice the family moved from the pollution of inner Melbourne to Riversdale Road, Camberwell, in June 1922. Unfortunately, his mother died that same year. His aunt moved into the home in Camberwell, where for the next 19 years she helped raise the family. Formal education for Arthur began at Camberwell State School where he stayed until completing his Merit Certificate. As a child Arthur loved sport. He enjoyed cricket, football and athletics, especially running. He followed his father’s love of football and Collingwood in particular. Arthur began secondary school at the newly established Box Hill High. During his third year at Box Hill High, his father in his wisdom, encouraged Arthur to sit a scholarship examination for entry to Camberwell Grammar School. Arthur hadn’t known of the school, which at that time was situated in Burke Road. Later in life as a Camberwell Grammarian Arthur was known as one of the ‘Burke Road Boys’. During his first year at Camberwell Grammar, in 1933, Arthur won the Mathematics Prize, and during the combined school sports meeting on the MCG he won the trophy for the most individual points scored, experiencing athletic success at last. The following year, (Leaving Certificate) he won the Form Prize as Dux of the Leaving Class, and a scholarship to study accountancy. In later years Arthur could be quoted as saying, “the move to Camberwell Grammar changed my life”. Arthur remained strongly associated with the school over the years: 1936 - 1940: He was appointed Honorary Treasurer of the Old Camberwell Grammarians Association;

1948 - 1982: Headmaster Henry Tonkin invited him to become a member of the newly formed Camberwell Grammar Masonic Lodge; 1950 - 1956: He was elected to the Camberwell Grammar School Council.

His connection with the school remained until the end of his life, attending both the 50 Year and 60 Year Chapter Lunches each year. Being the oldest ‘Old Boy’ for several years, he held onto that knowledge like a badge of honour. Arthur studied accountancy by correspondence, finally qualifying as an accountant in December 1941. His final examination was sat at the Seymour Fire Station whilst training in the army. In 1936 at the age of 18, Arthur met Olive Webster. A few years later they announced their engagement on Armistice Day – 11 November 1939. When war came Arthur enlisted and was placed in the 4th Field Company Royal Australian Engineers 3rd Division. Full time duty began following the Pearl Harbor attack on 6 December 1941. Luckily he was able to get weekend leave and their wedding was held on 20 December 1941. The next year his athletic aspirations were dashed when refused leave by the army to compete in the Stawell Gift, for which he had qualified. He moved north with the army and spent the rest of the war in New Guinea. Arthur considered himself one of the lucky ones. He never failed to remember the mateship forged during the time of war that crossed all boundaries of culture and religion. Finally, he returned home from war on 22 December 1945 to see his son, Ian, for the first time who was 1 year 1 day old. The family moved into their first house in January 1946 and began making a home. As a returned soldier Arthur studied Cost Accountancy for two years at RMIT. St Theodores Anglican Church opened in July 1949, Arthur became the first Treasurer and it became their place of worship and the centre of their social life. Arthur and Olive discovered their son, Ian, had been born with an intellectual disability and would not be able to attend a normal school. There were many heartaches and hardships as they sought to help their beautiful son. But their home was a happy place full of laughter, music, song and dance. Arthur and Olive were a team; the Yin and Yang that created balance. Vastly different individuals by nature they came together, complementing one another and creating a lovely family atmosphere. Olive was the creative extrovert and the perfect hostess to the professional man. Arthur was the calm peaceful presence, the provider, the planner. This was the family man people came to know. As an accountant, he wasn’t dull and boring as they are often made out to be. He was a social being who joined many different organisations and contributed to society wherever he could. When Ian was accepted to attend Alkira in 1958, Arthur believed his place was there to help support both Ian and the organisation. Arthur’s leadership as a member of the Board and Treasurer, was significant and crucial to ensure Alkira’s early years were successfully navigated to form the foundation of the success it currently enjoys. Arthur will be long remembered for his valuable financial insights and devotion to the cause of people with intellectual disabilities. Then there was another life to live upon retiring. Arthur answered an advertisement calling for assistance with the contract management of Tanderra, an Aged Care facility which was being redeveloped. He joined Legacy to assist widows with their claim for the widows pension. He also joined the RSL and local Probus Club. These activities were fitted in and around his family, as well as the two, sometimes three games of golf played weekly at Yarra Yarra Golf Club. Arthur always had time for family. In fact family came first. Many opportunities to further his career were disregarded in favour of the secure environment that had been established for Ian at Alkira. Arthur was a very supportive grandparent, attending sport matches to watch Jay Charlesworth (1994) play hockey at Camberwell Grammar, and drama presentations that Samantha was involved in at Camberwell Girls.

Arthur outlived Olive and Ian and continued to live at home until the age of 96 when he moved to Uniting AgeWell Box Hill. It was there that Arthur celebrated his 100th birthday in 2018, surrounded by family and friends with whom he shared a wonderful life.

JOHN DENTON AM OBE (1948) 16 July 1929 - 13 August 2020

John Grant Denton was born in Melbourne in April 1929 and passed away in Bateau Bay NSW in August 2020, He commenced at CGS in 1938 concluding with Matriculation in 1947. By this time he had been appointed a prefect, cadet lieutenant in the school cadets and became a significant sportsman particularly in athletics and cricket. Outside of school John was involved with the Crusader movement and was active in boys’ camps in Toolangi. On leaving school John was employed for a time in the HR Dept of Mobil Oil but responded to a higher calling when he joined the Church Missionary Society. His appointment with the CMS took him to East Africa where he spent some 10 years mainly in administration, John was made on Officer in the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 1977. While in East Africa Shirley joined him and they were married in Dodoma.

With concern for his growing family John returned to Australia where he was appointed Registrar of the Diocese of Sydney, and in 1978 became the first full time General Secretary of the General Synod of the Anglican Church of Australia, a position he held until retirement in 1994. He was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in 2005 for service to the Anglican Church of Australia and also the international community through the programs of World Vision.

John had a variety of interests chief among them were photography and carpentry. As a family man he took to sailing. Together the family discovered many of the waterways around Sydney and beyond. John was a major help to his wife Shirley who had developed a health issue making walking difficult, however she supported John is all his activities. All who knew John regarded him a true gentleman.

John was inducted into the Camberwell Grammer School Gallery of Achievement in 2003.

Ian Angus

GWEN REDMAN

1918 - 5 August 2020, aged 102

Mother of Old Boys Keith Redman (1958) and Max Redman (1964, dec.) and grandmother of Old Boys David Redman (1984), Paul Redman-Brown (1986), Michael Redman (1989) and Adam Kyriacou (1990). A passionate member of the Camberwell Grammar community who served on the Ladies Auxiliary and actively supported the music and sporting programs for over 50 years.

Her fierce loyalty and love of education will be forever missed by all the family.

ROBERT WALLACE (1969) 21 June 1951 - 21 July 2020

Details about the life and passing of former Croydon resident and Camberwell alum, Robert Wallace, who died at age 69 in Colorado Springs, Colorado in the United States.

Robert Wallace was the king of sarcasm and self-deprecating humor, which makes a sentimental tribute feel out of character.

Bob didn’t leave behind his footprint on earth; he left thousands of footprints. Raised in Croydon, outside Melbourne, Bob started running as a 12-year-old when his PE teacher at Camberwell Grammar School, Roy Whitehead, sent him out to run in the rain. He showed talent (this is where Bob would say, “or stupidity”) represented CGS in athletics and cross country. He continued to run with the Richmond Harriers, and then at age 18, received a track scholarship to Long Beach State in the United States. He eventually transferred to the University of Texas at El Paso (this is where Bob would say, “Harvard on the border”) where he set two conference records in 1974, before graduating with a bachelor’s degree in business administration.

In 1976, he placed second at the Australian Olympic trials marathon, which was his first marathon. He won the Australian Marathon Championship in 1977 and represented Australia in the 1982 Brisbane Commonwealth Games. He ran 20 marathons in under 2:20, with several first place finishes to his credit, including the Dallas White Rock Marathon in 1980.

In 1981 he clocked his fastest marathon time at Grandma’s in 2:13:14. The following year he ran Boston Marathon, and while Bob told everyone how slow he ran that day, he still had a top-ten finish, sunburn and all. The best part of his Boston Marathon story wasn’t in gutting it out to finish, but in hobbling back to his hotel and coming face-to-face with a cleaning lady, who asked, “How did you do?” With a grin on his face, Bob said, “I finished ninth!” To which she replied in all seriousness, “Better luck next year.”

Bob never went back to run Boston, but he seized on his luck when he bought a struggling Dallas running store in 1995 and renamed it Run On! With his wife and business partner, Rebecca, the business grew to six stores and a race timing company before selling in 2012. He was regarded as a visionary in the retail running industry, setting an example for running stores all over the country. (Especially that time he took off running after thieves who fled the store with unpaid merchandise, shouting, “You’re never going to outrun me!”) His leadership style was one of authenticity, trust and empowerment. People were drawn to him because, in his sly way, he knew how to bring out the best in them.

Between hundreds of marathon clients he coached and as the co-author of How to Train For Your Bucket List Marathon, he poured his soul into helping others leave their footprint too. Bob had a huge heart for the running community and was adept at helping people reach their goals. What Bob’s running clients came to understand is that his coaching went beyond achieving a personal record. Bob taught people how to believe in themselves the

way he believed in them, so they could go on to set and accomplish other life goals. (This is where Bob would say, “Shut up and run.”)

Despite being diagnosed with a brain tumor in February 2019 and the interminable treatment that followed, Bob continued to run, hike, bike and climb mountains near his home in Colorado Springs. Though his diagnosis influenced the way he embraced the rest of his life, which brought out a softer side to him.

Bob was an avid gardener, cook, and yogi; loyal to his canine companions, Marley, Rocket and Bullet; and always perturbed by United States’ continued use of the imperial measurement system.

Bob is preceded in death by parents, Neil and Yvonne. He is survived by sisters Jane (Peter) and Angela (Flo); brother, Jack; daughters Yvonne Winchester and LaRoux Wallace (Paul); and grandson, Jack. Bob leaves behind his best friend and wife, Rebecca (Salinas) Wallace, who is every bit a part of Bob’s story. If you want to know the kind of husband Bob was, he put toothpaste on her toothbrush every night. (This is where Bob would say, “She was my better half.”)

Bob had a sharp sense of humor paired with a kind of sweet gruffness that made anyone around him stand a little straighter.

PHILLIP MOYLE (1972) 13 October 1954 - 17 August 2020

Brother to Ian (1965) and Haydn (1968)