Making their mark on Belerren

NICOLE ROACHE, MARKETING & ADVANCEMENT MANAGER

With the centre complete, and only one final chance to donate to the Belerren Campaign, we chat to four Old Collegians who have decided to ‘Take (their) Place’.

Sandy Hutton (OGC 1973), Director on the College Council and former President of the Geelong College Foundation

As a boarder, Sandy was struck by the plaques on the back of the chairs in the Dining Hall and the generosity and lasting impact of those donors.

“I have often reflected on the generosity of those donors who, in the less prosperous times of the Depression and WWII, still found a way to support the school. They had such an everlasting connection to the College. My father was also involved in the fundraising for the Memorial Wing in the 1940s after the war.”

When the opportunity to ‘take his place’ in Belerren presented, Sandy knew immediately what he wanted to do.

“I felt keenly that I should also help the school’s development if I could.”

He knew that this was an opportunity not only to support the school he loves, but also a chance to celebrate his crew’s Head of the River victory and honour his inspirational coach, David Ramage (OGC 1953).

“Well, we won the Head of the River! My rowing days at the College are my favourite memories (as opposed to class time!!), and the commitment of the coaches and local parents was incredible. I put it to the boys that we should “take our place” as a crew and honour David Ramage as our coach because without him we would not have won. They all agreed without hesitation.”

As Sandy looked around the completed gym, with the first round of plaques already installed, he offered the following advice to his fellow Old Collegians:

“There is plenty of space left, so it would be good to see a few more of you ‘take your place’.”

Click the link to hear Sandy's "Take Your Place" story: bit.ly/TYP_Sandy

Lilli Balaam (OGC 2016)

2016 College Co-Captain Lilli Balaam has also put her name on a plaque, after making some of her fondest College memories in sport.

“I loved my time participating in school sport. Sport challenges, inspires and brings people together and I am pleased to support this new facility that will do the same for generations to come.”

Nick and Tracey Gilchrist (OGC 2001)

As current parents and Old Collegians, ’taking their place’ was something that Nick and Tracey wanted to do because College is a very special place for their family.

“I was lucky enough to meet my amazing wife Tracey at The Geelong College, where we graduated in 2001. We both made lasting friendships and the education we received provided the foundation for our careers, me in IT and Tracey as an obstetrician. We now have four children attending The Geelong College - Emily in Year 8, Charlotte in Year 6, Jack in Year 3 and Harry in ELC 3. The College have provided an excellent experience for our family to date, not least of which has been its inclusion of our youngest child Harry, who has a rare genetic condition with additional needs. The ongoing family banter, besides football teams, is which Senior School house the children will be in as I was in Morrison and Tracey was in Calvert,” Nick shared.

They wanted to contribute to the College and to Belerren because it is something that will have a positive impact on the next generation.

“We discussed the plaque with the children. As sport is such an important part of their lives, they are proud that their family has contributed to an amazing facility. I hope other people will also want to donate to the Belerren Take Your Place program so they can contribute to a facility that will change young people’s lives for many years to come and have a direct and lasting connection with Belerren’s facilities and the school.”

Are you ready to Take Your Place?

We have been thrilled with the uptake so far and encourage you to consider taking your place in Belerren’s history.

Etch your name in the College’s history here: takeyourplace.tgc.vic.edu.au/

Simply make a tax-deductible donation of $1000 or more, and your name will be engraved on a plaque and installed on the courtside seating area of Belerren, the new Sports & Wellbeing Centre at The Geelong College Senior School. By supporting this project, you are helping to shape the sporting future of both our current and future students. You will also be inextricably linked to the many special moments that will occur within this amazing new facility.

Since launching the Take Your Place project in February of this year we have heard some lovely stories and connections to the College, as well as reasons people chose the words they put on the plaque. There are plaques honouring individuals, families, deceased family members, coaches and teams, as well as family mottos and inspirational sayings.

Through this project, the community is not only contributing to a wonderful addition to the College’s facilities, but also building connection and stories, important to our community, into this new space. It is connecting the past with the present and with the future.