Obituaries

It is with great sadness that we record the deaths of members of the Camberwell Grammar School community.

NICHOLAS JOHN EATON TAPLIN (1995) 3 March 1977 – 8 March 2020

Father Greg Taplin (1961 and Past Staff), brothers Andrew Taplin (1988) and Christopher Taplin (1991), nephew Logan Taplin (Year 10).

This is taken from the eulogy given by Andrew Taplin (1988) and Christopher Taplin (1991) at Nick’s celebration of life.

Nick Taplin had a brilliant mind and was an all-rounder who excelled in what he did. He started school at Camberwell Grammar in 1982 and showed excellence in the arts; languages, both French and Indonesian, and Geography, and was commended for his involvement in the Orchestra which he led, and school Choir. In addition, he loved sport showing a particular interest and capability in triathlon, cross country, athletics, water polo and Aussie Rules, in several of which he represented the state. Looking back at a school reference from 1995 those writing it called out his greatest asset being to ‘enthuse and encourage’ others. Nick was up for anything, whether it be a last-minute trip to support a friend afar, or participating in a City to Surf, or a triathlon. Nick served as a lifesaver at Portsea in his senior years at school and afterwards and assisted at school camps at Kangaroobie. He became a staff member at Viewbank College to assist at school camps in Central Australia and Tasmania.

He loved to cook and in the Taplin household was often in the kitchen taking charge over his mother, Liz, no easy feat, but he did it with kindness, fun and genuine care that he had for his mother, father and extended family. In his younger years Nick loved to spend time at the Barrier Landing on the Gippsland Lakes, enjoying in particular windsurfing, sailing and water-skiing. Nick studied Psycho-Physiology at Swinburne University and Business at Victoria University. Arising from his time at CGS was his love of fashion, graphic design and music which really shaped his life. Nick worked in fashion design for a number of companies including Rip Curl and then struck out on his own, establishing his fashion company ‘John Eaton Designs’. His love of travel to places such as Thailand, Indonesia and USA were a significant factor in his life. His trips to Bali where he had the opportunity to use his Indonesian were often related to his fashion business.

He had an infectious love of music and was a leading DJ in Melbourne, had done the hard yards with great commitment, and was a mentor, guide and friend to many in the music/DJ industry. An example of his concern for others occurred in Thailand when he was about to board an overnight train from Chiang Mai to Bangkok, having stocked up on sandwiches and soft drink for the trip, he saw a disabled beggar and promptly gave him all his dinner. To have lost Nick is a shock, and his life was cut short, but we know that he lived it to the fullest and had just enjoyed a celebration of his 43 rd birthday with friends only a week before his death. The messages on social media and the over 300 people at his funeral, just before the COVID-19 lockdown hit, is an indication of the people whose lives he touched. He will be sadly missed by family and friends.

Greg Taplin (1961)

MICHAEL CHESHIRE (1963) 2 April 1945 – 28 March 2020

Michael was the first of eight Cheshire boys over three generations to have attended Camberwell Grammar. Those being Michael’s brothers Terry (1963), Frank (1974), John (1976) and David (1978), his son James (1989), his nephew Sean (1997) and now his grandson Max, who is currently in Year 10. He was a very proud Camberwell Grammar Old Boy and very much enjoyed his ongoing connection to the school and Old Boy activities. Michael is survived by his wife of more than 50 years Joy, their children James and Elizabeth, and three grandchildren, Frankie, Wil and Max.

ARTHUR JOHN COLLINSON (1936) 6 August 1918 – 18 June 2020

Pictured with his daughter June and grandson Jaymes Charlesworth (1994)

JOHN FREDERICK LAUCHLAN WRIGHT (LAUCHIE) (1945) 18 July 1927 – 10 April 2020

MALCOLM DOUGLAS GLEN MURRAY (1949) 15 November 1931 – 13 April 2020

ALBERT CLAYTON (1948) 20 December 1931 – 31 March 2020

Apology

We sincerely apologise for the errors printed in the last issue of Spectemur, please see amendments following:

MARGARET LEONARD [KERSHAW]

Margaret Kershaw was teaching Grade 5 at CGS until she returned to England for a year in 1968 – when she returned to CGS in 1969 the records indicate that she was teaching (again) in the Junior School, which included Year 7.

IAN JAMES HOPKINS OAM (1951) 3 June 1934 – 10 November 2019

GRAEME PATERSON (1958) 16 November 1940 – 30 January 2020.

Father to Andrew (1986) and Robert (1988)