SEMESTER 2, 2024
Photographers
Jason Li
Xander Lee
Sean Luo
Nathan Liew
Christian Kinsella
Mrs Anne Walters
Mr Ken Nakamura
Mr Michael Daniel
Designers
Christopher Khong
Lucas Qin
Alan Wang
Justin Yip
Justin Mellor
Writers
Matthew Lau
Adrian Chiu
Nathan Chan
Chris Lu
Lachlan Wong
Eddy Hare
Editor
Matthew Lau
The final issue of the ECHO for 2024 has arrived!
Despiteitonlybeingatermsincethelastissue, the Publications team has put together a fantastic ECHO packed full of all the exciting events that took place around the school, both big and small. As Term 4 rolls around the weatherstartstoheatup,ourdaysgrowlonger and for us Year 12s our days remaining at school grow limited. So, let’s reminisce on the pasttermandabittogether.
Let’s start with a BANG! Of course the biggest event this term was Hamer Hall. Full of orchestral, choral, instrumental and comedic music, Hamer Hall was a rousing way to end the term and bring out our school spirit. Whilst the volume of Chess could still have been louder (it can ALWAYS be louder), get the full report from our very own Music Captain Lachie Wong.
Then we move on to the hilarious Clifford House charity. Buckets tipped, icy water fell and students and teachers alike were soaked. We thank those who volunteered for their contribution to the MND cause. We have photos to commemorate it (even if you don’t wantthem).
The pushup challenge is just one of the charities at our school, but it's the only one that gets you BUFF! If you want to be just like Mr Chan, definitely participate in this one in future. Anyways, we’ve got a recap from our two ambassadors and some photos of our resident musclemen so make sure to check it out for details.
Next, we’ve got my recap of the Prefect netball match. We’ve played 3 matches, Fintona, Strathcona and Camberwell Girls Grammar. Full of excitement and Weller spirit we novices took onourcounterpartsinsomeverytoughmatches.
Then the little-known Snowsports team has had aprettywildcompetitionandwe’reluckythatour podcasting guru Michael Chen can give us a replayoftheSnowsportshappeningsandgiveus a sneak peak into the elusive realm of the snow lovers.
It’s not an ECHO without something from our Prefect of Sustainability Tony. So we roped him into writing a little something about Tree Day. Finally, due to popular demand, we’ve brought back the games page, this time it’s something that you New York Times games fans will love… but I’m not going to reveal what it is so turn over andseeforyourselfwhetheryoucancompleteit.
Finally, a huge thanks to the Publications team thisyearandyou,theCGScommunity,fortuning intothewebsiteandECHOeverytime!
Moving on, the final House sport event of the year, House Cross Country. For some, it is the highlight of the year, the time to show off their impressive stamina, but for others, it is one to dread. Regardless, we came together in house spirit and that’s evident in our collection of photos. Matthew Lau Prefect for Publications
Established in 1996, Planet Ark’s National Tree Day has become Australia’s largest community tree planting and nature care event, acting as a call to action for all Australians to give back to their community by engaging in environmental activities.
To commemorate this momentous occasion, last week, our school planted 150 indigenous plants and trees to commemorate Schools Tree Day, which is held on the last Friday of July. 135 students and staff, from all parts of the school (including pre-prep and Junior School!) worked together at Gate 5 (Mallison Music School) to improve our school’s biodiversity by replacing invasive weeds with native plants supplied from the Victorian Indigenous Nursery Co-operative (VINC).
These plants consisted of: acacia acena, creeping pea, common correa, acaena ovina, pig face, kangaroo grass, poa grass and eucalyptus These native plants will help restore biodiversity and improve the functionality of the ecosystem through regenerative practices, ensuring the survival of various endangered species unique to only Australia. Additionally, trees and plants also absorb greenhouse gases from the atmosphere and store it, while releasing oxygen, which not only purifies the surrounding air, but also contributes to our school’s initiative to be Net Zero by 2030
Towards2050 students and School Prefects were invited to participate in the indigenous planting event at lunchtime. A special thanks to Harry Anderson, Nathan Tong, Reuben Opat, Vice-Captain Hamish Westcott, Captain of Music Lachlan Wong, and Mr Chockalingam for getting their hands dirty and making a difference to the school
Still riding the high from our victory over Fintona, the Prefects piled onto the bus and optimistically travelled to Strathcona. The dazzling sunny day was perfect for an outdoor netball match and the sun was almost as bright as our smiles.
As we pulled up and entered the gates, we were greeted by a wall of sound. A turnout so large we thought the entire school had come to watch lined the courts.
After a quick warmup, the game was under way. Will Jenkin, Captain of Drama, maintained a continuous dialogue and narration of the game alongside his Strathcona counterpart.
Slightly shocked, we cautiously made our way over to the benches and, discarding our jackets, revealing… the netball dresses of Strathcona. They on the other hand were clad in our Camberwellian jerseys. Yes, that’s right, we swapped our jerseys.
Finally, in the final quarter, Strathcona decided to play their trump card, a full team of Firsts netball players. From there it went downhill.
After a difficult first quarter, Strathcona led by two points and the boys gathered together to hype each other up. Another two quarters later, the scores had hardly changed, though the volume of cheers had definitely become deafening.
After a valiant battle we suffered a defeat and, humiliated, were dragged into a group photo before dejectedly staggering onto the bus to return with shattered egos.
However, though the loss put a damper on the match, the overall experience was electric and exciting and definitely worth playing in.
August 1st 2024
PASSION mud exactly
On that wintery frigid August 1st 2024 Thursday morning, exactly one month (and one after the end of the financial year, the crosscountry starting line was chockablock with COLOURS The atmosphere was ELECTRIC⚡ with anticipation but the comradery was unwavering. The soon. of the Senior School students propelled them through the mud , despite their dwindling stamina. Dirt-speckled pants provided evidence of tragic falls to the slippery conditions, where legs traded places with where a head should be.
one month (and one day)
Temperatures dropping, students rising in ranks. The blood �� , sweat �� and tears �� soaked their determined faces ヾ (•ω•`)o, as their legs carried them across the terrain, nature proving no obstacle for these valiant runners.
The Publications Social Media Team was out in full force. Cameras clicking �� , tablets scribbling ��and intense interviews��. Videos are available on the CGS Publications website (here: https://www cgspublications cgs vic edu au/ and here: https://www cgspublications cgs vic edu au/) (here in case you missed the first two: https://www.cgspublications.cgs.vic.edu.au/).
(EXCLUSIVELY)
By Chris Lu and Nathan Chan
One baton. A raised platform. 2500 people.
If you asked me 10 years ago what I would be doing on the 9th of September 2024, I definitely would not have said, “Conducting an orchestra, leading the School Choir and performing a 10minute concerto.” But hey! I suppose Disney didn’t lie, and my dreams really did come true.
The Camberwell Grammar School Biennial Concert at Hamer Hall is one of the most anticipated events on the school calendar, especially as 2024 marks Dr Hicks’ final year as Headmaster. Music is part of the school's very fabric, and all of us students are extremely fortunate to have the opportunity to perform together in front of the school community. Every student plays an integral role in our Biennial Concert, whether it be singing in the choir or playing in one of the bands; this very concert symbolises the Camberwell Grammar spirit.
Featuring an array of ensembles and a vast range of styles, many months and hours have been invested to make the night so very magical. Undertaking one of the orchestra’s most intriguing projects, Mr Bishop and Dr Hicks transformed the iconic Beethoven 5th Symphony into a sports game! Armed with a whistle and a red card, Dr Hicks kept the game going between both the Symphony Orchestra and the conductor (Mr Bishop) as players fought it out (literally) with the conductor. Commentated by Mr Watson and School Captain Tommy, the Orchestra ultimately won and proceeded to finish off the concert with a rousing rendition of The Sports Song that I was fortunate enough to conduct. Other highlights included Highlights from Lord of the Rings performed by the Middle School Concert Band and a hilarious fan favourite, Dear Editor, written by Juliana Kay and performed by the Junior School Choir.
I would like to thank our Head of Music, Mr Bishop, and Productions Coordinator, Ms Carmichael, for their tireless efforts in organising the concert, as well as the countless music teachers who have spent many months preparing us students for such an unforgettable night. But most importantly, I have to thank all the students for coming together and sacrificing countless hours to make this concert possible. For the thrill and exhilaration those few short moments on stage brought me, I can only hope that it created a memory that everyone else can cherish, as for many people, it may just be their last time performing in Hamer Hall.
As my duties as the Captain of Music come to a close, I am incredibly thankful and grateful to every student who has made the entire year of music so vibrant and memorable, not just for me, but for every student who passes through the school. As our time in CGS eventually comes to a close, it is concerts like this that we will remember for twenty, and thirty, and forty years on The camaraderie and spirit of the community will forever be ingrained in our hearts as we slowly grow older. Ultimately, time goes on forever, but memories will always remain.
Written by SCUO Ed Hare
We arrived at Puckapunyal Military Area with great anticipation of what is the biggest field exercise on the cadet calendar.
On Friday and Saturday night, the platoons conducted night exercises in the bright moonlight of a super moon. Cadets had to avoid being spotted by patrolling guards, while collecting glow sticks and recovering hostages. The difficulty is not only remaining stealthy but also operating as a platoon under low visibility. I was encouraged by the improvement I saw over the two night exercises we did, with cadets focusing on getting better in the lead up to the 48 hour capture flag exercise on Monday and Tuesday.
One morning, the senior platoon was shocked to discover their commander, CUO Mellor was missing. Throughout the day, they received intel to guide them in finding him. .
In the coming days, they would be challenged with searching vehicles, cracking codes and conducting section attacks, in an effort to recover their captured commander as well as their mascot, Jatz. The year 9 platoons competed as sections in a range of quick decision exercises, with the winning section being 13B
The 48 hour capture the flag style exercise offers cadets the chance to apply the skills they have learned throughout the year. Each platoon was given a different location without being told where the other platoons were.
They had to find their opponents and engage in raids and ambushes to score their platoons points. Random asset drops kept things interesting during the day, with plenty of attempts to steal flags during the night. In the end, SGT Vos-Rutter’s 3 Platoon was victorious.
After packing up on our last day, we were lucky enough to visit the WTSS (Weapon Training Simulation System). .
We fired modified Steyr rifles that are designed to simulate the recoil of shooting without firing live rounds. Some of the soldiers on base generously demonstrated some equipment, such as a howitzer artillery gun, a bushmaster all terrain vehicle and a surface to air missile launcher.
Overall, the camp was a great success. We were fortunate to have a nice location with sunny weather for most of the camp.
It has been fantastic seeing the Push-Up challenge at CGS make such a push to support mental health the past 4 years. This year, with 224 members of the Camberwell Grammar community, Camberwell has accumulated over 300,000 Push-Ups, while raising $9,949 for mental health donated to organisations such as Lifeline and Headspace. This challenge has become a key part of Camberwell’s culture, aiming not only to raise money for the cause, but also to raise awareness about mental health
Each individual in the challenge was invited to do 3,249 Push-Ups over the course of 24 days in June. This was not merely an arbitrary number, but represents the number of the lives lost to suicide in 2022, building awareness about how prevalent this issue is. The Push-Up challenge not only encourages those who volunteer in the challenge, but also challenges others to talk about mental health issues and reduce the stigma of these conversations.
Over the past 4 years that this challenge has been running, Camberwell has amassed over one million Push-Ups and donated over $50,000. We would like to thank all those who have donated, volunteered or contributed in any way to making this challenge a success. We hope to see this worthwhile initative continue to thrive at Camberwell in the coming years.
Justin Kwan and Will Lardner (2024 Push-Up Challenge Ambassadors)
Despite the average family week snow cover during the Snowsports week, we made the most out of what we had. Many of us participated in race training over the week, to hone our skills in preparation for the
Camberwell Cup–the inaugural intra-CGS giant slalom ski race. In this event, boys and family members alike were eligible to compete, preparing us for the Interschools Snowsport Championships down the track. Aside from the skiing, the dinners, lunches, and gatherings (organised by the brilliant friends of snow sports) provided plenty of Apre-ski bonding time with friends, family, and new members. All in all, it was an amazing experience–a pleasure to be a part of, and I highly encourage anyone who’s thinking about doing Snowsports to sign up.
Throughout Term 3, the snowsports squad spent 2 sessions a week in the gym training and conditioning themselves for the ‘Interschools’ held later on in the term. Highlights for the junior races include Arvin Aminazad, who came 2nd in his Alpine GS event, 1st in skier cross, and 17th in his moguls event; Owen Zhao, who came 10th in his Snowboard cross; and Jack Zhang, who came 16th in his slopestyle event, 19th in skier cross and 38th in his Alpine GS event. Overall, Camberwell achieved 8th place in Victoria–a highly commendable effort.
Clifford House recently hosted The Big Freeze, raising $1,574.10 for Fight MND, a charity dedicated to finding treatments and a cure for Motor Neurone Disease.
After an exhilarating swim in the school pool, Clifford members, donning their orange shirts, prepared a barbecue as the aroma of sausages filled the air. Meanwhile, in the atrium, the energetic Rico Towers grabbed the mic and declared, “WELCOME, LADIES AND GENTS, TO THE CLIFFORD BIG FREEZE!”
The highlight of the event saw volunteers including staff members Mr. Jeacocke, Mr. Stanley, and Dr. Hicks braving icy water dumps to show solidarity with those battling MND, a debilitating disease affecting the brain and spinal cord. The freezing water served as a small reminder of the daily struggles MND patients face, while the event brought the school together in a spirit of generosity and support.
The Big Freeze was more than just a fundraiser it was a powerful display of unity, raising awareness and crucial funds for an important cause.
On the 12th of August, the Camberwell Grammar community commemorated the life of Max McKenzie, a CGS student who died in August 2021 following an anaphylactic reaction to nuts. Each year since, we have taken the time together to bring awareness to anaphylaxis with ‘Live to the Max Day’
Dr McKenzie left the profession shortly after, devoting himself to making anaphylaxis treatment education standard practice in every hospital. He is working with the National Allergy and Anaphylaxis Council (NACE) for his PhD in anaphylaxis management, which forms the basis of his fundamental treatment plan, AMAX4. Senior school students were fortunate enough to have Ben discuss anaphylaxis in our community with us, discovering what we can learn from Max’s story.
Anaphylaxis itself is the most deadly form of allergy. It is a lightning-fast reaction to an allergen, dropping blood pressure, and constricting airways, making it near impossible to breathe. For the many people like Max who have asthma as well, anaphylactic shock becomes even more destructive. What’s more, it is a growing threat in our community. As Dr Ben McKenzie explained, Australia is the allergy capital of the world, with 1 in 5 Australians living with allergies, and rates rising by 7% annually amongst all Australians.
Max was a beacon of joy, to his friends, to his family, to everyone who he passed by. He was passionate, and sensitive, and kind, and would try anything to put a smile on your face. One day, in early August, Max came into contact with some walnuts in a dessert, and as he had been taught from a young age, he injected his EpiPen into the middle of his outer thigh. This should have been the end of it. Max’s mum Tamara arrived within moments and was sat in the front seat of the ambulance as paramedics rushed them to Box Hill Hospital. Dr Ben McKenzie, Max’s dad and a working ER physician, sped from his own hospital to Box Hill, expecting staff to be caring for his son, however when he arrived, Ben found Max lying unconscious and without a pulse. Dr McKenzie had to wrangle a team together and insert a breathing tube into the neck of his own son. While he managed to bring back the pulse, they had missed the crucial window for action. After 5 minutes without oxygen, Max’s brain was already lost before his dad could get there. He passed away days later. Max’s death devastated our community. Losing a friend can only be heart-wrenching, and for him, someone who marked so many people through kayaking, drama, Cadets, and a dozen other parts of his life, everybody felt the guttural grief.
While most people with an allergy know the risks and treatments, the risk of reaction explodes out in the community. Asking about traces of nuts or shellfish at a café or friend's house might feel uncomfortable, especially for teenagers, but it’s crucial. Always check if your friends have allergies, support them to speak up, or simply talk with a waiter yourself. Knowing how to respond to a reaction can be lifesaving. For anaphylaxis, using an EpiPen correctly is essential: remove the blue cap, press the orange end against the outer thigh for three seconds, and then call an ambulance. If there's any chance of anaphylaxis, always use the EpiPen – there is no harm done.
Since 2021, CGS has held annual fundraisers and celebrations honouring Max’s outgoing nature and reminding us to live life ‘To The Max’. This year, friends and family gathered at Dorset to share memories and celebrate his impact on our lives. The day included a casual clothes fundraiser with a 'touch of pink' theme, Max’s favourite colour, and a customary sausage sizzle. The thousands raised support NACE’s crucial research and education, so stories like Max’s become a thing of the past.
While our memory of Max will always be tinged with grief, for those who knew him it is overshadowed by the happy moments. For everyone, regardless of whether you were lucky enough to meet him, we encourage you to look into the many articles, photos, and stories shared about Max, to continue his legacy. Talk about allergies with your friends, support them to speak up. As a community, we can make systematic change. We can make this tragedy into a turning point for allergy action.
