AD ASTRA D E C E MB E R 200 9 NO . 11 7 T h e G E E L O NG C O L L E GE C OMMU N ITY MAGAZIN E
Celebrating 50 Years of Ad Astra
AD ASTRA
From the Editor
DE C E M BE R 2009 N O. 117 T he GE E L ON G C OL L E GE C OM M U N I T Y MA G A ZI NE
Editor:
Assistant Editor:
AD ASTRA
celebrates its 50th birthday in this edition and it has been a wonderful experience to delve back into the Archives and discover the origins and growth of our community magazine. It was also a very interesting process to discover more about our generational families as we searched for our ‘cover family’. The College has such a rich community of families who have been with us through so many generations, some as many as five, and it was enlightening to explore further into this history and to see how the families of many of our current students have been an integral part of the College for so many years. I would like to thank our ‘cover family’, Mr Brian Marshman (OGC 1958), his daughter, Nicki Edwards (OGC 1988) and her son, Jeremy Edwards (Year 9, 2009) for being part of our 50th anniversary celebration of Ad Astra. In talking with Brian, Nicki and Jeremy and, indeed, when I have the opportunity to speak to Old Collegians at reunions and other events, the physical developments of the school are inevitably discussed. In recollecting their experiences of the school, it is obvious too, that there has also been a significant change in teaching and learning. The way students learn and the way teachers teach continues to evolve as teachers continue to develop their own knowledge about the most effective teaching practices. In this edition of Ad Astra, three of our teachers will explain to you their approaches to teaching and learning in their particular subject disciplines, the benefits of many different learning experiences for students and how teachers are teaching their students to better understand their own learning processes. Be sure to check the Old Geelong Collegians’ Association pages for details of reunions and other events scheduled for 2010, and also to catch up on some news of some of our past students. Thank you to all of those who have contributed to these pages – I know that many readers enjoy reconnecting with their peers through the stories and news items that appear in each edition. I would like to take this opportunity to welcome Anna Hayward, Ad Astra’s new Assistant Editor (and the College’s Publications and Media Officer). Anna has extensive experience in the management and production of publications and media collateral through her work with organisations such as Alcoa, Wyndham City Council, Cancer Research UK, City of Greater Geelong and the Transport Accident Commission. We look forward to Anna’s contribution to Ad Astra and all of the school’s publications and communication in years to come. As yet another year draws to a close, I would like to wish all of you a joyous Christmas season and wish you all a very healthy and happy 2010. Theresa Best Director of Community Relations and Development Cover: As we celebrate 50 years of Ad Astra, Brian Marshman (OGC 1958), his daughter Nicki Edwards (OGC 1988) and Nicki’s son Jeremy Edwards (Year 9, 2009) take a walk down memory lane, reading a copy of Ad Astra published during their time at the College.
The paper within this publication is manufactured by Stora Enso, Veitsiluoto mill in accordance with both ISO 14001 and Environmental Management Audit Scheme (EMAS), these accreditations set strict guidelines related to environmental issues. Additionally this paper uses PEFC certified pulp which comes from sustainable forest and is CoC (Chain of Custody) certified.
Theresa Best Director of Community Relations and Development tbest@geelongcollege.vic.edu.au (03) 5226 3123
Don't forget to recycle this magazine To find out more visit www.pneb.com.au
Anna Hayward Publications and Media Officer Anna.Hayward@geelongcollege.vic.edu.au (03) 5226 3168
Photography:
Anna Hayward Coral Turner Theresa Best Catherine Middlemiss Duigan Family Archives Stuart Galbraith Arthur Reid David Cook photography Richard Kumnick - Photoplay Carolyn Ogsten Julie Lewis Sam McIntosh Con Lannan Pat Clarke Carol Barnard ELC Staff Alex Southey David Ramage Ian Macmillan Terry Egan Basil Collins Graeme Quick Dianne Black Addy Bucek Contributors: Anna Hayward Theresa Best Pauline Turner Con Lannan Leanne Russell Phil Taylor Veronique Chabant Coral Turner Julian Carroll Barbara Carlson Chris Dinneen Paul Jeffreys Mary Mason Maryann Brown Gerard Donovan Carolyn Ogsten Alan Glover Graeme Quick Basil Collins Terry Egan Julie Gainey Carol Barnard Lynne Gorell David McGowan Jim Marendaz Charlie Fairbairn Alex Southey John O’Brien Sue Campbell Printing: New Litho Pty Ltd www.newlitho.com.au Copyright (2009) All material published in AD ASTRA is copyright and no part of this publication may be reproduced without written permission of the publisher.
The Geelong College PO Box 5 Newtown GEELONG VIC 3220 communityrelations@geelongcollege.vic.edu.au T: (03) 5226 3111 F: (03) 5226 3171
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At a Glance... 06
Celebrating 50 Years of Ad Astra
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Learning about Indigenous Australians and Culture through Literature
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The Launch of the Morrison Society
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Masters of the Games
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The Duigan Story: The Geelong College and Australia’s Centenary of Flight
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AD ASTRA DECEMBER 2009
Valedictory Address
2009 4 |✶
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nowadays to have opinions and offer good education brings into play worthwhile perspectives on a range of formative qualities that stand subjects. They are exposed to an impressive the test of a lifetime. One of the array of information inside and outside most lasting influences a school can school, available to them 24 hours a day have in preparing its students for the through the never-ending resources of the contemporary world is to give them internet and related technologies. Of course, opportunities to develop their ‘voice’. having such ubiquitous access to these And this is the theme of my address technologies raises many issues for parents today. By voice, I mean the students’ and society at large, but it also creates a capacity to think and articulate their wealth of opportunities. Young people’s views, in the reasonable expectation that life experiences, too, have multiplied: they what they have to say will be listened have often travelled widely and can be very to and taken seriously into account, wise in the ways of the world; they know if not always agreed on, by the adults how to navigate a virtual world and are who are entrusted with their education. very ‘media-savvy’. Many have encountered Having a voice and a say gives students considerable change in the course of their the confidence and desire to invest short lives or confronted challenging personal themselves personally in the activity of the moment and reinforces an underlying situations beyond their years. While they may sometimes lack maturity in the processing of hope that they can, in later life, play a such experiences, there is no doubting their constructive role in society generally. potential to think perceptively and engage As little as 15 to 20 years ago, it was constructively with the world. probably less usual for students to be given Thus it seems foolish to ignore student much of a voice in this sense. In class, a thoughts and views, or to be fearful of teacher’s reflex was more to instruct and them. I find them refreshing, relevant and inform than to actively engage young people helpful, and we have been the first to gain to reflect and articulate ideas and opinions from the contribution many of the students – although debate and discussion were never present today have made to our ongoing absent from a good classroom. Nor were debate around school improvement. We have schools particularly keen to seek feedback explicitly nurtured their voice and given about programs, policies and practices even them increasing opportunities to participate from those most affected, namely students or in a variety of areas. We encourage this parents. because it is beneficial for them; we also The power and value of student input into encourage this because it is helpful to us. their academic programs is much better Many students have joined committees such recognised nowadays. We know that very as the Year 12 Advisory or VCE Issues groups young people can learn to think effectively and have regularly offered perspectives on if the right conditions are put in place; all matters such as SAC timings, career advice, the more so, older students, whose course awards and general school programs. A new requirements and greater maturity lead them advisory forum was also to reflect more introduced this year deeply and by the School Captains become more to better capture the actively involved Year 9 and 10 voice. I in their learning. personally meet senior The adolescent students on an almost brain, as we now weekly basis and actively understand, is seek out their views and extraordinarily opinions; and the school plastic and often takes action based adaptive; it on the insights that reconfigures Year 12 students preparing for their exams have been thoughtfully physiologically given and respectfully as it absorbs and received. Tonight, I take the opportunity to grapples with new information, and it follows that the more young people are required to do thank those who have contributed to the democratic voice of the school. At the same with their brain, the more thought and voice time, I acknowledge the many students who they bring to the learning process, the more have capably delivered assembly reports they will be able to achieve. The ability of young brains to be stretched through stimulus and made informative, perceptive and often socially-inspired presentations in recent and challenge is truly amazing and schools years. The quality of all such contributions have a fundamental responsibility to harness makes me optimistic about the future of this their intellectual energy productively. cohort whose confident voices will, I am sure, At another more general level, it is true be keenly heeded when they step outside the that young people are very well placed school.
Dr Pauline Turner with Alice Morgan and Laura Stekelenburg at the 2009 Music Dinner
Year 12 students were presented with certificates of achievement at the Year 12 Assembly in October
the arts and through the many interesting Allow me now to share the substance of programs that have been developed to some of the conversations I have had, which cater for every possible interest. Like the are relevant to the valedictorian message previous speaker, she stressed that it was of this evening. During a meeting held morally incumbent on College students to early in Term 3, I gained some fascinating make something of these opportunities perspectives on the meaning of the school now and into the future. With privilege, experience for the Year 12 McLean students, she too suggested, comes the obligation of and what had been important to them in responsibility. general. McLean may not always win the coveted “Cronk” trophy but its most senior students certainly excelled that day in the responses they offered to my questions. Their contributions were thoughtful, genuine and responsible, and they etched themselves into my memory. The first brave soul to volunteer a response asserted her belief that all of the students in the year knew and related well to each other, that they had learned to appreciate a range of different personality Year 12 students returned to Campbell House in types both within the cohort and outside October for a special Assembly to bid them farewell the school. Notwithstanding many differences, everyone was comfortable with The fifth took a different tack in suggesting each other and there had been few internal that the most important thing she had frictions. One of the fundamental pillars of taken away from this school was our capacity civil society, that of tolerance, was apparently to come up with “quirky” ideas and to be alive and well in the year! I should add that “ahead of the pack”! She reminded us that our teachers have also felt them to have been this particular cohort had benefited from a cohesive and tolerant year. many educational innovations over the years, Another pointed to the importance of starting with the Year 4 enviro program, then friends and the many lifelong friendships the Year 6 Multi-media, Collabor8 in its early that are made at school thanks to time stages and Outreach in Years 9 and 10. This spent with each other and activities enjoyed has been an exciting decade for the College together. Stable and trusting relationships and no fewer than 23 of the students present are the bedrock of life and young people who today have taken part in a very interesting are drawn to common pursuits will bond and full-school educational adventure which remain loyal to each other throughout life. What is true of day students is even more so of has enabled them to learn such a lot about themselves and the wider world they will soon boarders. be embracing. A third student spoke passionately about Tolerance, lifelong friendships, a solid work the importance of a good work ethic and ethic, the responsibility that comes with building up regular patterns of work for life, which he saw in operation at the College. Most privilege and the adventure of innovation: this was the fruit of just 10 or so minutes’ students if not all, he felt, were able to see exchange. These sessions, I must admit, are the value of a good education and accepted a joy for me. I find the students, with very the responsibility that went with it – to try rare exceptions, perceptive, forthcoming and your very best. He saw hard work as a moral positive. They are also, as I am sure you will imperative if you were privileged enough to hear later this evening, exceedingly grateful attend this school. to you, their parents, for allowing them Another outlined the opportunities that the opportunities they have enjoyed at this are available at the College: academically, in school.
There is one final student voice I would like to summon up this evening, as it aptly describes one of the key virtues of a College education. In an interview for Pegasus in 2007, one of our then school captains had this to say: “You learn respect and tolerance from going to Geelong College”. In other words, this school gives its students a good and proper grounding in life’s mutual obligations consistent with the aim, which is not as modest as it seems, of producing wellrounded and balanced individuals. Given the strong foundations they have gained here, their growing voice, skills and confidence, and firm sense of moral responsibility, the 2009 graduating students should be able to face the future with optimism and courage - a future that will, as we all know, present many challenges at local and global levels. We hope that you will play as constructive a role as possible in the complex times ahead, and that you will be concerned not simply for your own interests but for the welfare of others less fortunate than you as you begin to deploy your individual gifts, energies and capacities and take your place in the world. And now, in conclusion, I offer our departing Year 12 students the school’s very best wishes for the future and remind you that it is your teachers, past and present, who deserve your deepest gratitude today for the dedication each has brought to your education and well-being over the years. They, in return, have been rewarded by your enthusiasm and passion for different aspects of your school experience, and heartened by the service most have given to the common good. This is a closely knit community, as one of our current school captains was recently heard to say, and it is the common good that shapes our educative purpose here. Wherever your own choices lead you, may you always carry with you this sense of community and the value of belonging, which will serve as a steady compass throughout the rest of your lives. Sic Itur Ad Astra. Dr Pauline Turner Principal
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AD ASTRA DECEMBER 2009
Celebrating
Ad Astra
The December 2009 edition of Ad Astra marks the 50th anniversary of the magazine’s publication. Read on to discover how Ad Astra has evolved since its humble beginnings in November 1959.
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D ASTRA, first published in November 1959, has evolved over its 50 years of life into an entertaining, full-coloured community magazine. In 1959, Ad Astra started life as a four page black and white, illustrated, foolscap-sized newsletter circulating two to three times a year. Its birth signalled the end of the post war period of austerity and the impending optimism of the 1960s. It also marked the transition from Dr Buntine as Principal to Peter Thwaites, and its second issue profiled the new young Principal and his family. During the 1960s, building development and College fundraising were featured heavily in Ad Astra. In 1965, after the Capital Appeals, the Old Geelong Collegians’ Association briefly took over the publication. In June 1966, some sections of Pegasus were transferred to Ad Astra, including sections on staff, Old Collegians and friends of the College. By the late 1980s, Ad Astra was being published twice a year in June and December. Its format changed little up to August 1989 though it did expand by that time to 12 pages.
Ad Astra took on a more sophisticated look in the 1990s with the first full page illustrated cover featuring in the June 1990 edition, and the first colour insert celebrating the Glee Club Reunion and the J H Campbell Dinner in September 1990. By February 1993, colour had spread throughout Ad Astra with colourful graphics and design layouts framing a variety of subjects from school life, and student activities and achievements, to school visitors, Old Collegians' news and reunions, and historical articles. By the end of the 1990s, Ad Astra had become the magazine familiar to the College community today. Since this time, it has doubled in size and is a welcome arrival in the mailboxes of more than 10,000 households of Old Collegians, past and current staff, current and prospective families, and friends of the College.
We have highlighted some of the past editions throughout this magazine to celebrate 50 years of Ad Astra. 6 |✶
What Sic Itur Ad Astra means to our Captains Sic Itur Ad Astra. Thus is the way to the stars.
This has been the motto that students of the College have aspired to for nearly 150 years. While we know the motto’s literal meaning, earlier this year some of our 2009 School Captains shared their interpretations of what Sic Itur Ad Astra means to them, and how it has affected and influenced their time at the College.
Tom Molyneux
Co-Captain
“The College itself literally translates into the way, the path if you like, with the ultimate goal of providing young people with limitless opportunities later in life.” “For me, the motto extends beyond simply words, it is not just a slogan students see, yet choose not to act upon. It is an inspiring and carefully worded phrase which guides us all in everything we choose to do within the school. When we are competing in sport, playing music, performing in a drama production, participating in debating or striving for academic greatness, we reach for the stars.”
Kate Kittelty
Co-Captain
Caitlin Lamont
Vice-Captain
“The stars represent our hopes and aspirations, giving us the drive and motivation to succeed. Each of us is able to apply Sic Itur AD ASTRA to the various aspects of our lives including academia, sport, music, drama and relationships.” “As students at The Geelong College, we are provided with endless opportunities that allow us to grow into well rounded individuals ready for the excitement and complexities of post school life. Sic Itur AD ASRA encompasses this very idea, encouraging us to continually strive to be our best and enabling us to develop skills that we will carry for life. Our motto encourages us to look to the future with optimism, leaving the College as thinkers and more importantly as caring interactive people who are ready to cope with the challenges that life presents.”
“For me, Sic Itur Ad Astra is something that tells us that it does not matter how clever or gifted you are, so long as you just keep reaching as high as you can go. And as a team, our school will reach along with you.” “This one small phrase can be interpreted in so many different ways by so many different people. It is its versatility that truly represents the College, and for me, that is what it stands for. It can be so personal yet also reaches our wider community. We are all fortunate to go to a school as versatile as the College. We attend a school that strives for its best in so many aspects.”
Elliott Mann
Vice-Captain
“… I take the view that the stars can never be reached…once one goal is reached, you must put another in its place to keep improving yourself. This means that because new goals continue to surface, we simply get closer to the stars and we are not content once one goal has been reached.” “It is important to remember that reaching for the stars can relate to many aspects of life such as academic, sport, relationships, community work and how you want to be perceived by others. The most important idea that we must take with us is what does ‘thus is the way to the stars’ mean to you and how will it affect your motivations in life?”
Harry Seward
Vice-Captain
“I interpret our school’s motto to mean something different. Opportunity. The greatest opportunity that this school offers is the ability to gain life skills, skills that go beyond those learned in the classroom, and hold us in greater steed for our future lives..” “No matter where you end up in life, you’ll still use the skills you learned in school. Whether it be how to work in a team, how to organise yourself, how you as a person are best going to tackle the task ahead of you – all of these things you can and hopefully will learn in this school. Sic Itur Ad Astra. Thus is the way to the stars. Thus is the way to opportunities to help us reach the stars.”
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AD ASTRA DECEMBER 2009
Staff Welcomes Ms Meg Law We are very pleased to welcome Ms Meg Law to the College. Meg was appointed to the position of Marketing Manager and commenced at the school on 19 October 2009. Meg has come to us from Geelong Grammar School where she held the position of Senior Manager, Marketing and Communications. A qualified journalist and former news
broadcaster, Meg has over 10 years’ experience in a marketing and communications environment having held the position of Marketing Manager at both Hallmark Cards and the Royal Botanic Gardens, Melbourne as well as numerous radio stations as a news announcer and other related roles with local government agencies in Melbourne. Meg and her partner, Matt, moved from Melbourne nearly two years ago and are enjoying the sea change at their new home in Jan Juc. Theresa Best Director of Community Relations and Development
Staff Departures Mr Stuart McCallum
Mr David Andrews
Mr Stuart McCallum has been a member of staff at The Geelong College Preparatory School for over 25 years. Stuart was appointed in 1983 by Peter Gebhart and Ian Macmillan and has served under previous Principals and Heads in Paul Sheahan, Peter Hughes and Chris Lawson. Stuart’s passion for the environment has been his trademark in his time at the College. Through his teaching of young people, Stuart shared his joy of discovering new things and gave students the opportunity to find new ways of looking at the world, particularly in the sphere of Science. He has overseen the Year 7 Enviro program for a number of years, promoting sustainability and environmental issues among staff and students at the Middle School. Stuart was also a strong advocate for an Ecology Centre at the Preparatory School and this is included in the current College Masterplan. Stuart has further contributed to College life in his organisation and coaching of Underwater Hockey teams, facilitator of the Lizard Island Marine Biology trips and as a member if the Enviro Committee. He has also played a major part in the College Outdoor Education Program, teaching canoeing, leading groups in the Year 8 Outward Bound and Auscamp experiences for more than 20 years, and has attended numerous Year 7 camps to the Grampians. Congratulations Stuart, on your varied and valuable contribution to The Geelong College. We wish you well in your future endeavours. Leanne Russell Joint Deputy Head of the Middle School
Mr David Andrews joined The Geelong College in 1992, taking over from Ray Lancaster in the role of Visual Communication Teacher. Over the past 17 years, David has been instrumental in changing the profile of Visual Communication at the College and taking its focus within the Arts into the digital era. David’s contribution to Fine and Applied Arts at the College has been exemplary. He has given his time with generous abandon, with his students and colleagues at the forefront of his mind at all times. David has also been an active contributor to the House of Guilds, ably providing assistance in the many areas of his expertise. David’s contribution to the College, however, is not limited to the classroom. He has embraced the culture and ethos of the school and his generosity of spirit has extended into many areas. David has played a key role in the organising of the annual Staff Association Christmas Party for many years and has been active in school softball where he has offered his umpiring skills on numerous occasions. David has also made a significant contribution to the College’s Outdoor Education Program at Wollangarra. His interest in this area saw his role extended to providing much needed support for the College's Exploration Society in 2008. His musical skills have also been a joy to behold on many occasions, especially on the piano accordion. We will miss David’s presence around the College, but at the same time wish him all the very best for the future. Phil Taylor Head of Fine and Applied Art
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Mrs Julia Ekkel
Mrs Rhondda Millen
The LOTE Department farewells Mrs Julia Ekkel in 2009 who leaves the College after 22 years of service. In her time at the College time, Julia has held many roles in the academic, sporting and pastoral arenas. She has taught English, English Literature and French, held the position of Head of LOTE, has been on numerous Year 10 Immersion Camps, helped to lead two overseas trips, was a VCE French examiner and went on an International Fellowship to France in 1992-1993. Julia has also been a much appreciated Calvert Tutor, a Teacher in Charge of Aerobics and, more recently, a Tennis coach. Her involvement in the life of the College has also included taking part in school plays and singing in Chapel. Julia will be remembered as an esteemed colleague and a fabulous teacher of French. Her caring and thoughtful approach, dedication and love of all things French has made her a quintessential role model for our students. Au revoir, Julia, and all the very best.
Mrs Rhondda Millen’s passion for Art and the development of a curriculum that stimulated and encouraged imagination and creativity was evident from the moment she commenced at The Geelong College Preparatory School as Art Coordinator in 1988. As an educator, Rhondda values the role of Art as a cognitive field of education and created a culture of experiences, values and attitudes which provided unique learning opportunities for students. The building and establishment of the Art Centre under her leadership bears witness to her vision for the Visual Arts, and the curriculum which complemented such a beautiful space left no doubts as to the importance she placed on this aspect of education. Rhondda has seen many changes in both buildings and curriculum in her time at the Preparatory School; from teaching Art in what is now the caretaker’s residence to relishing the current setting overlooking the river; from introducing textiles to nurturing many aspiring young artists in all manner of creative pursuits. Rhondda’s creativity and capacity to cultivate her Art students also extended to the staff with whom she worked, allowing a freedom of expression and opportunity for individual imagination. Rhondda’s 21 years as a member of staff at the Preparatory School will leave a legacy of creative projects; from Artist-in-Residence programs to individual works of art, together with the introduction of Art electives, Creative Arts Days and exhibitions. Memories of camping in the Grampians, building and painting sets for Drama productions, Learning Mentor roles and Sport coaching will add to the list of reflections Rhondda takes with her as she leaves the College. We will remember and appreciate her creative spirit, her warm and caring friendship, sense of fun and generosity of spirit, and appreciate in our students the sense of personal worth and value of individuality and imagination that she engendered in them as an Art educator. We extend our very best wishes to Rhondda as she leaves The Geelong College to travel, garden and appreciate the time to follow her artistic pursuits.
Veronique Chabant Language Head - French
Ms Angela Inturrisi Ms Angela Inturrisi was appointed to the position of Secretary to the Head of the Preparatory School in 1989 where she has served three Heads - Mr Peter Hughes, Mr Chris Lawson and Mr Julian Carroll. During this time Angela took maternity leave for the birth of Trent (1994) and April (1998) and, in 2006, she assumed the important role of Registrar for the College. Angela was very successful in this role but returned to the Secretary’s position for her family in 2007. The nature of the role certainly changed and diversified throughout these years and Angela met new challenges with enthusiasm, persistence and dedication. The complexities are many and Angela’s commitment and great sense of humour balanced the demands of the position. Angela was responsible for implementing change in the Secretary’s office and her knowledge of databases and student reporting was exemplary. Angela was innovative in her thinking and she leaves a positive legacy and strong structures behind. We thank Angela for her work and wish her every success in the next phase of her career. The College is extremely grateful to Angela for her 18 and a half years of wonderful service and I am personally appreciative of the support that Angela gave me over the last 3 years. Mr Julian Carroll Head of the Preparatory School
Coral Turner Deputy Head of the Preparatory School
Mrs Adria Juros Mrs Adria Juros commenced at the Preparatory School in 1994 as a part-time Assistant Librarian in the Helen Mackie Library. Adria has undertaken numerous roles during her 15 years at the College including Year 7 and 8 English Teacher, Learning Mentor, Health Teacher, ICT Coordinator, E-Learning Leader, Acting Library Coordinator, Basketball and Golf Team Manager and member of the Pegasus editing team. Adria’s love of literature and genuine interest, excitement and sensitivity for discussing books led her to organise the Library Artist-in-Residence Program and the Staff Recreational Library at the Preparatory School. In her ICT leadership role, Adria conducted workshops in 2007 and 2008 which enabled ICT applications to be integrated into various Library and classroom practices. While Adria’s expertise, passion and calm manner will be missed, we wish her well in her new role as Head of Library at Kardinia International College, commencing in Term 1 2010. Barbara Carlson Library Coordinator, Preparatory School
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AD ASTRA DECEMBER 2009
Mrs Sue Buchan
Mr Neville Findlay
Mrs Sue Buchan, Music Coordinator at Campbell House, retired in 2009 after 14 years at The Geelong College. Sue commenced at Campbell House in 1995 and has built a reputation of the highest renown during her time at the College. Sue’s passion for Music education, thoughtful pedagogy and genuine care for children are the hallmarks of her tenure. Sue has also conducted numerous Music Evenings and played a central role in the children’s performances at the annual Foundation Concert. The College is enormously grateful to Sue for her contribution and excellent service over many years. Sue was farewelled by the Campbell House community at Assembly at the end of Term 2 and she is now looking forward to pursuing her interests in further study and teaching English as a second language. We wish Sue the very best for a healthy and fulfilling retirement.
Mr Neville Findlay joined the College in July 2003 and in the ensuing six and a half years made a substantial and valued contribution to the operations of the school as our Business Manager. In this complex role, Neville had a leading responsibility for the financial, administrative, property/grounds and asset management of the school. He played a significant part in many important developments on the property front: the Keith Humble Centre, Mokborree and, more recently, the new BER projects at the Preparatory School. Neville also oversaw the establishment of an independent Uniform Shop that operates on a successful commercial footing and, in the area of IT, the transfer from Deltalink to Synergetic database systems. The important task of risk management benefited from a more disciplined approach during his time at the College while a number of occupation, health and safety improvements were introduced under his direction. In addition to these responsibilities, Neville was Secretary to both the Geelong College Council and the Geelong College Foundation. He also managed effectively the College’s extensive business relationships with third parties: the various levels of government, Uniting Church, banks, insurers, etc. At a further operating level, Neville carried out significant liaison duties with umbrella organisations such as VESS and AISV. In all of the above capacities, Neville gave loyal service to the school. His own immediate staff and the members of the College Executive with whom he worked most closely appreciated his personal qualities and business expertise. Neville can be assured that he takes with him our thanks and best wishes for the future.
Chris Dinneen Director of Campbell House
Mrs Carli Reeve Mrs Carli Reeve (nee Rooke) commenced at The Geelong College Preparatory School in 2004 as a Year 5 Teacher. After two years teaching Year 5, Carli moved into Year 4 Enviro where she quickly established herself as a genuine lover of nature, and all things environmental and sustainable. Carli’s love of teaching and her dedication and professionalism towards her work is admirable. Carli has spent many lunch times providing extra help to students and attending to children who wanted to stay around the Enviro area to ‘help’. Carli ably and enthusiastically coached APS Swimming and Athletics during her five years at the College, and participated on the Lizard Island trip and the Year 8 AusCamp. We wish Carli well in her future endeavours as she and her family make the move to Hamilton in the western district of Victoria, where they hope to purchase a small acreage and continue to pursue their passion for sustainable living. Paul Jeffreys Upper Primary Area Leader
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Dr Pauline Turner Principal
Mrs Theresa Best Mrs Theresa Best has made an outstanding contribution as Director of Community Relations and Development. Theresa joined the College in January 2006 and set her impressive stamp on this critical area of the school’s operations during the four years she spent with us. Theresa’s expertise lay in many different areas: from strategic planning, the organisation of major events, fundraising, publications, parent communications, media relations and marketing through to community and alumni relations, domestically and internationally, and archives. This multi-faceted expertise, together with her meticulous attention to detail and extreme reliability, made her an invaluable member of the school community. As Principal, I was also able to appreciate Theresa’s energetic approach to the process of organisational improvement and the College Executive team regularly benefited from her considered advice and strategic proposals. I would single out Theresa’s following achievements for particular attention: the introduction in 2008 of Passion for Performance, a weekend-long dance workshop for students from the Geelong region and beyond that proved immediately popular and helped position the
school in the performing arts, also producing some welcome enrolments; a substantial increase in the performance of annual giving from below $50,000 in 2006 to just over $140,000 in 2009; the formalisation of a bequest program (the ‘Morrison Society’) which was successfully launched in October 2009; the coming to fruition in November 2009 of ParentNet, which now provides many features that College families had been wanting for some time; enhancements to the look of Ad Astra which has become more vibrant, colourful and reader friendly; the development (together with Mrs Mary Mason) of ‘Career Edge’ breakfasts as a vehicle to help students connect with our Old Collegian network and become more career ‘savvy’. In parallel with these school orientated developments, Theresa worked very productively as Executive Officer of both the Old Geelong Collegians’ Association and the Geelong College Foundation. All in all, Theresa’s professional contribution to the school has been a highly valuable and substantial one, and I have deeply appreciated her personal qualities as well: modesty, integrity and unfailing cheerfulness. The school community is indeed in her debt for the very fine work she has carried out to advance the College and help position it for a prosperous future. Dr Pauline Turner Principal
Ms Margaret McArthur
Mr Gordon Lingard
Ms Margaret McArthur, a lively Scots Women, has had a great impact on the College since commencing in the role of Information Technology Teacher and eLearning Coordinator at the beginning of 2008.
Mr Gordon Lingard commenced teaching at The Geelong College Preparatory School at the beginning of 2008 as a Religious Education (CARE) Teacher. Gordon played an important role in the promotion of the College values and he brought a caring and thoughtful perspective into the classroom through his CARE lessons. Gordon quickly established a wonderful rapport with the students and his observations and messages in the Secondary Assemblies were often timely, relevant and instructive. Gordon also excelled with his voice and guitar playing in our Chapel services. His gentle and compassionate nature was appreciated by all and he was well regarded by students, parents and staff. Although Gordon was only at the College for a short time, he made a significant impact and we thank him for his contributions during this time and wish him well for the future.
Her teaching style involved working the students hard, which they warmed to and respected her for, and resulted in her students excelling in their VCE results at the end of 2008. Margaret has worked with College departments and individual teachers to help embed technology into classes at the Senior School. In particular, she has worked with teachers on the implementation of the new email and Microsoft packages, and has led the StudyWiz implementation, supporting teachers to take hold of its exciting possibilities and modeling with her own classes the use of games and cyber safety. We will miss Margaret’s lively personality, her warmth, her great sense of humour, and her commitment to learning and wish her well with her future endeavors.
Julian Carroll Head of the Preparatory School
Mary Mason Director of Teaching and Learning
Correction: Please note in the June edition of Ad Astra, the Preparatory School’s Curriculum Coordinator of Science, Ms Kirsten Van Cleef, had her qualifications incorrectly recorded. Kirsten also has a Graduate Diploma of Education (Secondary).
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Learning about Indigenous Australians
and culture through literature Year 8 English
L
earning about Indigenous Australians is a crucial part of any 21st century education in Australia. Schools are required to include indigenous studies within the curriculum and, at The Geelong College, we are fortunate to be able to draw on the knowledge and experiences of our own indigenous students in the process of teaching and learning.
The Year 8 English Department has developed an engaging and challenging unit to help students learn about the history, culture and experiences of indigenous Australians through the study of various types of literature. Our key aim is for students to develop their knowledge about Aboriginal Australians and our shared history, and to develop insights and empathy. The essential Question for the unit is: How does the study of various texts (print and non-print) inform us about indigenous people and culture? As part of the unit, students discuss and form opinions on a range of statements including: 1. To be Australian is to embrace and celebrate the diversity of indigenous culture. 2. People have a range of differing attitudes to indigenous people depending on their life experiences. 3. Reconciliation is not a moment or single event but requires long term change in attitudes and practices. 4. Discriminatory practices limit opportunities for indigenous people. The students learn by studying a variety of resources including novels, films, picture books, poetry and special visitors. Each of these is discussed in further detail here.
Novel Study
The students are offered a choice of six novels to study. The novels are chosen because they are either written by Aboriginal authors or they contribute to our understanding of Aboriginal experiences through their historical or contemporary content. The students read the books over the September holidays, and in Term 4, lessons are devoted to group and individual tasks that relates to the novels. The key assessment task is a creative piece where the students re-write a segment of their chosen novel from a different character’s perspective.
Film Study
‘Rabbit Proof Fence’ is viewed and analysed by the students, in relation to the Stolen Generations. This powerful film has proven to be very effective in helping students gain an insight into the history behind the experiences of the Stolen Generations. The film study is followed by an analysis of Kevin Rudd’s ‘Apology to the Stolen Generations’.
Picture Books
Picture books are a valuable resource in the Indigenous Literature unit. There are many picture books that explain various elements of the Aboriginal Dreamtime and cultural history. Others explore historic or contemporary issues. Many are beautifully illustrated and all provide valuable insights into indigenous history or culture. The books are incorporated into Library lessons and class lessons. Students make use of Campbell House Library and Helen Mackie Library resources in this task. The students choose a book and present a short
Charlie Medic, William Langley and Kezlee Pickett read some of the picture books used in the Indigenous Literature unit.
oral analysis of the story to the class. They are required to explain what the story is about and what they learned about Aboriginal culture or history by studying it. Some students even go on to explore more about Aboriginal Art after this study.
Poetry and Music
We are all richer for the poetry and music contributed by indigenous Australians. The Indigenous Literature unit allows students to explore works by poets such as Oodgeroo Noonuccal, Jack Davies and Norm Stanley. Songs by Archie Roach, Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu and Yothu Yindi are shared and analysed. Music is an integral part of youth culture so it is appropriate that it is studied as a part of English.
Special Visitors
Norm Stanley is an indigenous educator who works at Narana Creations. During the unit, he comes and works with the students in a personal and powerful way. He shares his experiences and, this year, shared insights into totems, the sacredness of land, the complexity of identity and the challenges of living in both Aboriginal and white Australian worlds. He also shared his poetry and provided students with a space to write responses to his talk. He encouraged questions and the students appreciated the opportunity to learn from him. We also appreciate his willingness to share his didgeridoo playing skills with us. The Indigenous Literature unit is engaging and students and teachers enjoy the range of material explored and the powerful learning that results from this diverse exploration of literature. It is wonderful to see the students’ understanding develop over the course of the unit. Maryann Brown English Coordinator and Curriculum Coordinator – Years 7 and 8
• Innovative Teaching at The Geelong College •
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The Senior School curriculum is designed to help students become continual learners. Students ‘learn to learn’ by identifying their preferred thinking styles and learning how they can improve on others.
D
id you know that the average person who completed school 40 years ago would have learned 80 per cent of what they would need for the majority of their career? Today, when a student completes their secondary education, that number is about 2 per cent. This is due to continual changes and advancements in our society and, in particular, rapid technological change. With this in mind, it is important that the students are given an opportunity to learn how to learn. At The Geelong College, the study of Science is not only about students learning relevant information that relates to their daily lives; it is also about fostering their ability to become continual learners. The Science curriculum at the Senior School is designed with several important goals in mind. These goals include: • preparing students to look at evidence and make considered decisions about developments which require scientific knowledge and have an effect on them in
the community, for example, building a power plant or the desalination of water • learning basic scientific concepts to ensure students have an understanding of how things work around them • learning how to test a theory and make a valid conclusion • developing the ability to interpret and communicate scientific ideas using a common language
experiences are organised as part of the curriculum to further engage the students and reinforce the theoretical concepts they are learning in the classroom. These experiences include everything from field trips to Port Phillip Bay and experimentally determining the speed of sound, to the investigation and analysis of an online crime simulation, dissecting a cow’s eye and determining factors which affect reaction time.
Discovering Science
at the Senior School
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• preparing students who wish to study Science at VCE and beyond. In Years 9 and 10, students are offered a range of Science disciplines including Chemistry, Biology, Forensics, Physics and Environmental Science. A range of learning
There are a number of ways the Senior School Science Department approaches education fundamentals. One of these fundamentals is thinking styles, and it is important that students understand different thinking styles in order for them to develop and learn.
• Innovative Teaching at The Geelong College •
In Science, prominent thinking styles may include analytical, methodical and sceptical thinking. Most students are inclined to a certain style of thinking and it is important that they recognise this and determine the styles they can improve on. Different thinking styles are built into Science lessons at the Senior School to allow students to practise them and use different thinking routines. An example of a basic routine is known as Think Pair Share where students take a problem or topic, individually develop a theory, share ideas with the person next to them, and then share their ideas with the class. As students learn different thinking routines and practise them, they begin using these practices individually and recognising the most appropriate routine to use in different situations. Moreover, to support students in developing their understanding, it is important that they are given an opportunity to verbalise their thoughts. In Science, discussion is facilitated so that students can share their observations and opinions. This is vital in order to encourage and evaluate students thinking and
understanding, and to allow the students to learn from each other. The chance to explain a concept to another student will often give a clear indication if the student has fully grasped the concept. When there is a misconception, opportunities are made to ensure students gain the correct understanding. Another advantage of Science over other disciplines in terms of developing thinking styles is the range of experiments completed. Investigation is embedded into the curriculum so that students don’t just read or talk about a new concept - they actually have a chance to test it. There are two advantages to this: 1. The students get another opportunity to learn a particular concept and to disprove any misconceptions. 2. The students learn to develop their own practical investigation. This allows students to create an aim or hypothesis and test it. They can then draw a conclusion based on their results rather than asking the question “Is this supposed to happen?” Science at the College is preparing students to gain the necessary knowledge,
skills and experiences to ensure they are active and responsible members of society. Students will be able to make individual, conscientious decisions which are informed by careful consideration and analysis of the current task, situation or experience, thereby optimising their ability to achieve a best possible outcome. Students will also be prepared for the rigours of further study and be in an excellent position to build on the skills they have developed, with some even going on to become experts in their field of choice. The importance of Science in today’s society of rapid and complex technological advancement must not be underestimated and, at The Geelong College, is seen as a vital component in a student’s overall education. Gerard Donavan Teacher of Science and Chemistry
• Innovative Teaching at The Geelong College •
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Encouraging
Excellence in Prep In this article I explore the use of rubrics as a way of embedding these important behaviours in young children to enhance and facilitate their writing development. The following paper was presented at an Ithaka breakfast meeting in June this year. Ithaka was initiated in 2005 by Dr Julie Landvogt from Melbourne University and is based on the research of Dr Ron Ritchart. It comprises educators from a number of private schools in Melbourne who meet on a regular basis to read, reflect and discuss the implications of current educational research. In this presentation to the group, I outlined some of the approaches being explored to improve the quality of students' writing in Prep. During the presentation I explored ways of providing feedback to students to inform their learning and encourage them to take greater ownership of their learning.
Learning to Learn At the beginning of the year, Campbell House students are involved in a unit of
One of the greatest dilemmas in infant teaching is how to encourage young learners to take greater ownership and become more responsible for the quality of their work.
work called Learning to Learn. During the development of this unit we talk about: • what learning looks like • what learning feels like • what learning sounds like. We create a class wall chart of photos to display our ideas and this visual display is referred to and added to throughout the year.
Feedback The chart is heavily used when we analyse the skills and strategies required to become a competent writer. One requirement for learning acknowledged by the students was feedback from me about their writing. Black and William (1998) define assessment as “...all those activities undertaken by students, and by their students in assessing themselves, that provide information to be used as feedback to modify teaching and learning activities. Such assessment becomes
formative assessment when the evidence is actually used to adapt the teaching to meet students’ needs.” Research conducted by Hattie and Timperley (2007) found that “...teacher feedback is one of the most critical influences on student learning.” Their research included a meta-analysis of the effects of feedback based on data involving over 30 million students.
Rubrics One of the best ways to provide feedback to students about their learning is through the use of rubrics. A rubric is a scoring tool that lists the criteria for a piece of work. It explains ‘what counts’ when a piece of work is being developed and presented for assessment. The rubric also stipulates gradations of quality for each criterion, from excellent to poor. The rubric presented in this article was created with my Prep students at
The Prep learning board which was created during the Learning to Learn unit at the beginning of the year
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• Innovative Teaching at The Geelong College •
One star
Two star
Three star
No capital letter No fullstop No spaces Not on a line Picture doesn’t match the writing
A capital letter No fullstop Some spaces between words Some words on the line Some of the picture matches the writing
Capital letter Fullstop Spaces between words On a line The picture matches the writing
the beginning of the year as we were developing our understanding of the features of a basic sentence. As the children were familiar with the basic criteria for a sentence they were able to articulate a marking system for their writing. This form of feedback gave the students opportunities to take ownership of their writing and become more responsible for the quality of it. It gave the students the power to shape their own learning. Below is the rubric we are currently using for a recount piece of writing or, as we call it in Prep, ‘remembering writing’. Through this rubric we can see the progression of thinking from the beginning of the year and how the children’s learning has moved forward. The children are now aware that we can write for different purposes. As I talk to students during writing time they are able to assess their writing using the criteria outlined above. They are able to articulate the kind of writing they have done and together we explore how close they are to the standard form. I also focus on providing feedback that moves the learners forward. This is Lily’s assessment of her recount... “I think I have done more than three star writing, I have done four star
writing. I think I have done four star writing because I have written a whole page. I also tried to do my letters and words on the lines. I read over my writing and found that I didn’t need caret (this is an editing mark used to insert words that are missing). I have spaces between words and I stretched my words out (sounded out). I did a capital letter at the start and full stops at the end.” The approach outlined above allows me to individualise the learning for young students. It gives me space and freedom to provide instant feedback to students and it also gives me opportunities to feed their learning forward. “ Learning can be enhanced to the degree that students share the challenging goals of learning, adopt self-assessment and evaluation strategies, and develop error detection procedures and heightened self-efficacy to tackle more challenging tasks leading to mastery and understanding of lessons.” (Hattie and Timperley 2007) “Most current assessments provide minimal feedback, too often because they rely on recall and are used as external accountability thermometers rather than as feedback devices that are integral to
the teaching and learning process. It is the feedback information and interpretations from assessments, not the numbers or grades that matter. In too many cases, testing is used as a measure to judge whether change has occurred rather than a mechanism to further enhance and consolidate learning by teachers or students. The costs of these thermometer-related accountability tests are high and the feedback returns minimal.” (Godinho 2008) Learning is a process. There is no quick fix or magic bullet. As teachers, we must engage with the students in the process at their point of need and development. Rubrics provide a framework during discussions with students about their work and it gives the children a point of reference to guide and shape the destination of their learning. By implementing these strategies we are involved in the pursuit of life-long learning. Carolyn Ogsten Teacher of Prep, Campbell House
One star
Two star
Three star
No spaces Not on lines No fullstops Picture doesn’t match the writing
Some writing on the lines Some fullstops Some capital letters Spaces between words One sentence Only part of the picture matches the writing
Writing on the lines Fullstops Capital letters More than one sentence Include: Why? When? What? Where/? How? How did you feel? Picture matches the writing Sitting properly Driver in the front seat (hold your pencil correctly) Read over your writing More than one sentence
• Innovative Teaching at The Geelong College •
Prep students practising their writing
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Our Classified Organ In the January 2005 edition of Ad Astra, Mr Alan Glover (OGC 1936) wrote about a wonderful Wurlitzer pipe organ that was to be installed in the George Logie-Smith Auditorium in the Keith Humble Centre for Music and Performing Arts. The historic Wurlitzer organ has been brought back to life thanks to a long and costly restoration process entirely funded by Old Geelong Collegian, Bert Fagg (OGC 1929). The organ, which was built in 1921 as the demonstration Wurlitzer for Australia, has been completely rebuilt and is now housed in the George Logie-Smith Auditorium of the Keith Humble Centre. It was classified by the National Trust (VIC) in 1992. The restoration team of four men, ably led by Julien Arnold of Melbourne, has done a magnificent job of bringing the organ back to pristine condition. Hundreds of hours of meticulous work are behind this achievement. We were fortunate in obtaining the services of two of America’s leading ‘tonal finishers’ who spent a week fine-tuning the pipework to suit its new location. These experts had done the tonal finishing of the rebuilt Melbourne Town Hall organ, and incidentally they described the oboe horn rank of pipes on the College’s organ as the best they have ever heard! The only part of the organ visible in the auditorium is the console or playing desk.
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Encased in repolished Honduras mahogany, it is a thing of beauty. The console is connected by cable to the organ itself and is on a moveable platform so that when wheeled out of its room it can occupy a variety of positions on the floor of the hall as the occasion requires. Members of the school’s Music staff who have ventured into the large chamber containing the hundreds of pipes and working parts are always astonished at its extent and complexity. How does it sound? “Superb!” “Magnificent!” are the typical reactions after hearing the organ. The remarkable thing about an organ of this type is its versatility. It can sound like a concert or church organ or, taking on a lighter guise, it can ‘sing’ as if in a theatre. Mr Glover is particularly pleased to have this organ remain in Geelong. The instrument had belonged to his father-in-law, Oswald C. Hearne, of Geelong since 1928. Alan was able to persuade the trustees of the Hearne estate to donate the organ to The Geelong College.
Alan Glover (OGC 1936) admires the Wurlitzer organ console in the Senior School auditorium
The impressive range of organ pipes and percussions are contained within a chamber above the auditorium
The Geelong College
in the international spotlight
T
The HMC film crew recorded footage at various locations and events around the College, including the Dining Hall and Campbell House Assembly
he Headmasters’ and Headmistresses’ Conference UK (HMC) represents the Heads of some 250 leading independent schools in the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland and has a further 60 or so international members. HMC exists to serve and support its members and to exemplify excellence in education. As an international member of HMC, The Geelong College was invited to be featured at their Annual Conference in October and also on their website for 12 months following on from the conference. We were one of only five international schools (and two Australian schools) chosen to be represented in this way. This invitation presented as a wonderful opportunity for the school to lift its international profile and to allow a wider audience to see what The Geelong College has to offer its students.
On Thursday 17 September, a film crew from ITN Consulting, a production company in the UK, arrived early to begin filming at Campbell House, Middle School and Senior School throughout the day to gather footage for the 3 minute video. Unfortunately, the sun did not shine on that day and persistent gray skies and rain meant that we had to confine the filming to indoors. However, we were able to make use of some other footage that had been taken on a variety of other occasions to supplement the filming and interviews that were done on that day. The end result was wonderful and you can view it online at www.hmc.uk.org and follow the HMC TV News link click on the "Channel" icon to find the link to the College film.
Geelong: A Whole New World For Tanna Teachers L
ife in Australia is certainly different to life on the island of Tanna in Vanuatu, as three Tanna teachers discovered during a two-week visit to Geelong in October. Hosted by The Geelong College and funded by the Uniting Church, the visit was the first time Lenakel Presbyterian College Principal, Mr Shim George and Deputy Principal, Mr Pascal Lally had experienced life in a western culture, and the second visit to Australia for Science teacher, Mr Robert George. During their stay, the teachers participated in classes at The Geelong College, attended professional development workshops and visited a number of Victorian tourist attractions in an effort to learn about Australian teaching methods and the Australian way of life. Lenakel Principal Mr Shim George said one of the best parts of the visit was participating in classes at the College. “Participating in classes at The Geelong College allowed us to learn some new teaching initiatives that we will take back to Vanuatu
Head of the Preparatory School and former and pass on to teachers from all over the College Board Member, Mr Ian Macmillan, country,” Shim said. revived the relationship between the College “We are very proud of our relationship with and Tanna in 2006 by recommending it as a The Geelong College – many of the other local destination for the College’s unique Outreach schools are quite envious of us! We enjoy program, Fulfilling Lives. To date, two student having the Geelong students visit us and look groups have visited to Tanna, with a third trip forward to continuing the relationship for being planned for 2010. many years to come,” he said. The relationship between the College and the island of Tanna stems back to 1896. Past College parent, Reverend Thomson Macmillan, spent 40 years on Tanna as a Presbyterian Church missionary and Reverend Macmillan’s four sons, two grandsons and four great-granddaughters Mr Julian Carroll, Dr Pauline Turner, and Tanna teachers have all attended The Mr Robert George and Mr Pascal Lally catch up with Geelong College. His some Middle School students grandson, former
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Recent Archive
Donations Name
James Turner William Thomas Ashburner Audrey Davey Marilyn Armstrong
1. Digital images x4 of Preparatory School program for the play, Joseph, 1970. 1. Letter including biographical details sent by Don Macmillan in 1973 to Will Ashburn 1. Painting Yimas Lakes by Harley Dickinson 2. Photographs,ephemera, hatband and books originally belonging to Des Davey. 1. Prep School prize medallions x 4 from the 1920s. 2. Hat Band (Orig Garry Armstrong)
Marjorie Menzies
1. Collection of ceramic cups, saucers and coffee jug with College Crest.
Elspeth Ferguson
1. Whole of School photo, 1933 2. Football 1941; Prefects, 1941 3. Rowing (nd) 4. Mikado Cast , 1941 5. Rowing 1st VIII, 1940. 6. Jim Ferguson (Mikado 2005)
Bob Buntine
1. Photograph 3rd VIII 1946
Anonymous
1. Award Prize Bookplates
Geoffrey A Donnan
1. Biographical information about Sir Robert Honeycombe
John Fairnie
1. OGCA Cufflinks circa 1950.
Brett Green
1. College Sports Coat, circa 1981
Jill McCallum
1. Collection of Pegasus magazines and ephemera.
Charles Rockefeller
1. Four DVDS of Geelong College Football in 1977.
Peter Young John Cole John Paton
1. Photograph album on loan for copying 2. Rowing Logbook on loan for copying 1. Rowing Logbook, 1969 on loan for copying 1. Photographs Rolland House and Mackie House 2. School Caps originally S Paton and J Paton. 3.Photograph album on loan for copying
Jenny Clouster
1. Photograph of a student group in fancy dress
Graeme Palmer
1. Photographs of memorials to George and Norman Morrison in Geelong
Lois Comeadow
1. Photo 2nd generation Collegians, 1901 2. Photo Henley Crew October, 1904
Margery S Rix
1. War Service Booklet 1939-1946.
David Leslie
1. Book 1961 Centenary History 2. Photo War Memorial Wing. 3. Aerial photo Senior School Campus circa 1961.
Stephen Miles
1. Collection of materials including photographs, Record Book, Order of Service Book and Work Book circa 1960.
John H Sloane
1. Photo rowing crew, 1918 2. Under 15 100yds Cup, 1916 (E M C Webb) 3. Geelong College Cup 2nd 1915 (C M Webb)
Hugh Seward
1. Cadet uniform
Frances Ashburner Wal Lawson John Fleming John Tuck Angus Callander Anonymous
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Item
1. Collection of album photographs from J A Lowson (1940-49) 2. Mounted photo band, 1949. 3. Mounted photo NCOs, 1949. 1. DVD copy of 1947 film extracts originally filmed by John Taylor. 1. Dress blazer with Pegasus pocket 1. Set of fee receipts and invoices 1943 to 1945 2. Photo 1945 4th VIII 3. Photo 1944 1st VIII 5. Collection of Pegasus magazines 1962 to 1968. 1. Book HMAS Armidale Lives On including material about John ‘Jack’ Warwick Callander 1. Sports tracksuit pants 2. Sports socks
William Millar
1. Collection of Pegasus magazines 2. Glee Club programs 3. Newspaper cuttings 4 Award book, 1869 5. Loose photos x 4. 6. Photo album for digital copying.
Michael Roland
1. Reel of 8mm film of the College especially the Preparatory School circa 1960.
Senior School Outreach Coordinator, Mrs Debbie Filling, and her daughter, Year 12 student Nicole Filling, have both had a very fulfilling year – for very different reasons! Nicole’s journey began in April 2008, when she entered the National Geographic Channel Australian Geography Competition along with 89,000 other students. Nicole was the highest scoring Victorian Year 11 student in the competition, which gained her entry into the Geography Big Day Out in Noosa in December 2008. The week-long program in Noosa included testing and fieldwork and was used to select the Australian team for the Asia Pacific Regional Geography Olympiad, which was held in Tsukuba, Japan in August 2009. Nicole performed exceptionally well at Noosa and was the only Victorian student and the only female to be selected for the Australian Olympiad team. The Australian Olympiad Team, which consisted of four students, had great success in Japan. Nicole was one of only two students at the Olympiad to receive a silver medal, with two other students on the team receiving bronze medals. Nicole said she had a wonderful time at the Olympiad and enjoyed mixing with the other students. “I was one of only five female students at the Olympiad and roomed with a Japanese girl during my stay. The only other girls were from Taiwan so it took a couple of days for us to break down the language barrier,” Nicole said. “As well as attending the Olympiad I was also able to visit the Geographical Survey Institute Japan and learn how it gathers earthquake research, which was very interesting,” she said. Not unlike Nicole, Debbie’s year has also included tests, training and fieldwork – but of a different kind. At the beginning of 2009, Debbie became one of 44 individuals from 35 workplaces in Geelong to participate in the 2009 United Way Loaned Executive Program. United Way Geelong Region is a notfor-profit organisation that aims to build capacity and mobilise resources to improve lives and create positive, long term social change in the Geelong region. United Way supports over 70
community organisations in Geelong in the areas of aged care, child and family services, crisis services, disability services, health and rehabilitation and information and referral services. The Loaned Executive Program recruits individuals from the Geelong workforce to become ambassadors for United Way, spreading the word about the work United Way does in the community and encouraging payroll contributions. As part of the program, Loaned Executives complete three days of training through the Gordon Institute of TAFE which focuses on developing skills such as public speaking, selling, time management and team building. They also participate in a diverse range of community and business networking opportunities, which help them to grow in confidence and develop their communication skills and leadership ability. Debbie was nominated by The Geelong College Principal, Dr Pauline Turner, to take part in the Loaned Executive Program and it was a challenge she thoroughly enjoyed. “The 2009 Loaned Executive Program provided me with an opportunity to help make a difference for the many organisations that United Way support in the Geelong region,” Debbie said.
“I completed around 10 staff presentations across The Geelong College and St Joseph’s College, thanking those people who were currently pledging money to United Way through the Workplace Giving Program and to update the groups on the work United Way is presently undertaking in the community.” “Another aspect of the presentations was to encourage people to take part in United Way’s Workplace Giving Program. As a result, the amount of money pledged across the two schools nearly doubled, and there was an increase in the number of pledges which was pleasing to see.” “Of the 44 people involved in the 2009 Loaned Executive Program I was the only teacher, and I really enjoyed interacting with people from other professions. I also enjoyed learning about the many wonderful community organisations that are operating in Geelong. There are so many organisations doing some great things in our community and it is nice to know that by participating in the United Way Workplace Giving Program, I am contributing to that work in some way,” she said. It has certainly been a big year for Nicole and Debbie and, with Nicole taking a gap year placement at Cranleigh Preparatory School in Surrey, UK, who knows what 2010 will hold for this mother-daughter duo!
Relationship
A ‘Ful-Filling’
What will 2010 hold for this dynamic mother-daughter duo, Debbie and Nicole Filling?
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The Geelong College Foundation
Founding Members of the Morrison Society present at the launch were thanked and presented with a Morrison Society badge. Pictured (left to right): Mr Geoff and Mrs Betty Betts, Ms Davina McIntosh, Mr Garth Little (OGC 1942), Mr Cam Emerson (OGC 1958), Mr Alan Glover (OGC 1936), and Mr Rob Logie-Smith (OGC 1955) and Mrs Sue Logie-Smith
The Morrison Society Launch
After almost 12 months of planning by The Geelong College Foundation, The Morrison Society was launched on Friday 16 October 2009 at a luncheon in the College Dining Hall.
G
uests comprising major donors, The Geelong College Foundation members, Old Collegians and a number of School Council and Foundation Board members attended to celebrate the beginning of the new Society and to hear what the Principal, Dr Pauline Turner, the Foundation President, Mr Michael Betts (OGC 1965) and the Guest Speaker, Mr Robert Ingpen AM (OGC 1949) had to say on the subject of bequests and their importance to the future development of the school. The Morrison Society was formed to recognise those members of the College community who have notified the school that they have left a bequest to The Geelong College or to The Geelong College Foundation in their Will. Anyone who does so in the future, except those who wish to remain anonymous, will become a member automatically. The Society enables bequestors to be thanked and acknowledged during their lifetime. It also raises the profile of bequests as a method of giving generally. Many people are asset rich but cash flow poor, but a
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bequest enables them to plan a gift as part of their estate. During the luncheon Mr Betts introduced the Patrons of the Morrison Society, Mrs Jill Humble and Mr Robert Ingpen, and presented them with their Morrison Society lapel badges. Mrs Humble and Mr Ingpen presented Morrison Society badges to the ten other founding members who were in attendance. There was a sense of occasion and a feeling amongst the guests that they were present at the beginning of something special and significant. In her speech, Dr Pauline Turner reflected on the scarcity of government funding for building projects over the school’s 148 year history, except in the 1960s, when all schools in Australia received funds to develop Science laboratories and libraries, and again this year through the Rudd Government’s building stimulus package made available to all primary schools. “In the absence of external grants for most of our life, the College has had to generate its own funds to effect necessary capital improvements across the school,
relying on fee income from parents, periodic loans and capital campaigns, together with the occasional bequest,.” Dr Turner said. “In terms of scholarships or bursaries, a growing number of old Collegians have sought to create opportunities similar to those from which they themselves benefited as students. Some have even chosen to make a cash donation rather than leave the money in the form of a bequest so that young people could benefit straight away. Several full and part scholarships and some occasional bursaries have been created as a direct result of these donations.” “I was also delighted that a separate bursary fund was able to be established several years ago through a very substantial bequest from an Old Collegian: this has already enabled three very fortunate young people to enrol at the Senior School with two more coming next year. There have also been a number of notified bequests earmarked for future scholarships to the value of three quarters of a million dollars in one particular case! These bequests will continue to strengthen
The Geelong College Foundation
Geelong College Foundation President, Mr Michael Betts with Morrison Society Patrons, Mrs Jill Humble and Mr Robert Ingpen at the Launch
Mr Michael Betts presents Mrs Jill Humble with her Founding Members badge.
the school’s support base and help create an excellent range of opportunities for future College students,” she said. In terms of capital development, Dr Turner said that three major projects have been achieved since 1995 thanks to a generous suite of bequests, with a number of smaller bequests also enabling various other projects to see the light of day. “Firstly, there was a substantial refurbishment of Mackie House, transforming it into a much more liveable and comfortable environment for our boy boarders. Secondly, a new Principal’s residence was able to be constructed following the transfer of the previous residence from Davey House. A very special third major bequest came unexpectedly from Mrs Jill Humble, who had enjoyed close associations with the College. The value of Jill’s bequest ($2M), the highest the school has received, significantly contributed to the construction of The Keith Humble Centre for Music and Performing Arts, named to honour the memory of Jill’s husband, which opened in early 2006,” she said.
Mr Russell Smith (OGC 1949), Mr Max ‘Tinkle’ Bell (OGC 1945) and Mrs Margie Smith.
Dr Turner concluded by saying that bequests are of great value to the College – both historically and into the future, helping to resource the College’s continuing mission as a school that fosters excellent as well as inclusive education. Mr Michael Betts spoke about the naming of the Morrison Society in honour of Dr George Morrison and his son Mr Charles Norman Morrison, the first two Principals of the College. He explained that those who make a bequest before the end of 2010 will be denoted as founding members of the Morrison Society. He congratulated the founding members present at the lunch, mentioning that some have preferred to remain anonymous and that there will undoubtedly be bequests of which we are not aware. Guest Speaker, Mr Robert Ingpen, referred back to Victorian England and the novels of Charles Dickens to set the scene for the founding of The Geelong College in 1861. “In those times only the wealthy could afford an education. To some extent this
remains the way things are even now. Fortunately we now understand education to be fundamental and a constant...but we still struggle to draw attention to the need to improve children’s education, health and welfare services,” he said. Mr Ingpen envisaged a future of greater social equity and utopian ideals. He looked forward to a time when a multiplicity of bequests would have expanded the bursary and scholarship funds to enable the College to make its style of education available to more diverse and socially disadvantaged students so they could achieve their potential. Making a bequest is providing a gift for the future, beyond your own lifetime, to support the growth and development of The Geelong College and the education of future generations of students. For further information or to request a brochure you can call the Foundation Officer on 5226 3779. Carol Barnard Acting Foundation Officer
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Community Events
Athletics Dinner
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– Monday 26 October 2009
1. Jenny and Libby Graham and Dr Pauline Turner 2. Eliza Curnow, Xavier Hatch, Tom Perkins and Nicole Filling 3. Rod Taylor, Piers Flannagan, Ric, Charlie and Wendy Barham 4. Kim and Rob Walker, and Nancy Bellew and Mark Hearsch 5. Laura Walker, Kameiko Gray and Emily Fuller
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ELC 5 End of Year Celebration
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1. The ELC 5 class enjoy a well deserved picnic after their concert 2. Nick and Dianne Lord 3. ELC 5 students enthusiastically perform one of their concert items 4. Jane Collicoat, Eliza Santalucia, Sue Santalucia and Anne-Louise O’Donoghue
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Music Dinner
– Thursday 17 September 2009
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1. Peter Hannah, David Gardner, Gary Tigani, and Gerard Mack 2. Libby, Claire and Andrew Arundell 3. Dr Pauline Turner with Alice Morgan and Laura Stekelenburg 4. Dorothy Tang, Cathy and Sonia Campanaro 5. Stephen and Audrey Foy and John Stekelenburg
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Winter Sports Dinner
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1. Harrison Byrnes, Ben Gardiner and Guy Fanning 2. Mark Cheatley, Luke Soulos, Dr Pauline Turner and Gareth Gilby 3. Andrew Johnstone, Richard Carr and Scott Chirnside 4. Girls 1st Netball Team 5. Katherine Holding, Emily Carr, Gillian Pasque and Georgia Ratcliffe
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Parent support groups: in focus
he Geelong College is fortunate T to have a strong parent support network that operates through various support groups for Music, Drama, Sport and school life. In this edition of Ad Astra we take a closer look at two of those support groups.
The Senior School Parents’ Association (SSPA) and the Preparatory School Parents’ Association (PSPA) provide a valuable contribution to College life through their social and fundraising activities. The two groups operate separately from each other and traditionally represent the two campuses. Each year they host a number of events including the Welcome Drinks for the Senior School and Middle School and the Welcome
Barbeque for Campbell House and the ELC, Year Group Dinners/Cocktail Parties and the Valedictory Dinner for Year 12 students and family members. These dinners also provide the forum to help foster good relationships among parents, teaching and administrative staff. The groups also raise considerable funds used to develop facilities and purchase equipment and furniture in and around both campuses. The most significant of those for 2009 for the SSPA was the construction of the hospitality/BBQ area built on the corner of the swimming centre and near the tennis/hockey courts at the senior school campus. The SSPA and the PSPA meet six times a year, with the SSPA meetings usually held on a Monday evening and the PSPA meetings held on a Friday morning. Dates of all the meetings are recorded in the school calendar.
We are keen to hear from parents who would like to get involved in this aspect of College life and help maintain a tradition that has been built up over many years. We will soon be setting up a volunteers register to help with the dinners, so if you are unable to join the committees but still want to contribute, this is an easy way to get involved and perhaps have a bit of fun along the way. If you would like any further information, please contact the Community Relations Office on 03 5226 3123 who will put you in contact with the relevant group. David McGowan President, Senior School Parents’ Association Lynne Gorell President, Preparatory School Parents’ Association
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Year 10 Parents' Dinner
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Year 8 Parents' Dinner - Friday 28 August 2009
1. Dr Pauline Turner, David and Tereza Varley 2. Mark and Helen Shelley, Andy and Chris Rolland 3. Michael O'Donnell, Eoghan Brownen, Janice Vrablec 4. Stuart McCallum, Angus McKenzie, Julie O'Donnell, Harry Roberts 5. Sara Peace, Lou Caithness, Julian Carroll, Lynne Gorell, Lynda Stuart
- Friday 31 July 2009
1. Dan Clifford, Craig Scott, Peter Murrihy, Sue Scott and Vicki Murrihy 2. Meredith and Michael McEvoy 3. Rahmayanti Rosyada, Julie Gainey, Jenny Kittelty and Carolyn Matthews 4. Gerard Donovan and Roxanne and Chris Steinfort 5. Fiona Carr, Deb Brodie and Beau Johnstone
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Years 4, 5 and 6 Parents' Cocktail Party
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Years 11 and 12 Parents' Cocktail Party
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- Friday 24 July 2009
1. Dr Pauline Turner and Amanda McFarlane 2. Roy Nicholson, Karen Pascott, Bronwynne and John Calvert 3. Genevieve Seabrook, Nicole and Jim Brown 4. Sally Smith, Sarah Jennett, Emma Malone, Nancy Findlay 5. Cath Rose, Anne Taylor, Leanne Pereira
- Friday 12 June 2009
1. Clive and Robyn Pugh and Lyn George 2. Greg Smith, John Uebergang and Colleen Bourke 3. Greg Westman, Simon Guthrie and Ashley Brimacombe 4. Ross George, Chris Maltby, John Hill and Andrew Morrison 5. Sue and Tony Bull with Stuart Monotti and Deb Mann
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THE OLD GEELONG COLLEGIANS’ ASSOCIATION
From the President Welcome again to Ad Astra for this, the 50th anniversary of its inception. Another busy year draws to a close and I am pleased to reflect on the many wonderful activities that our Old Collegians have been involved in. While we take great pleasure in welcoming hundreds of Old Collegians to the dozen or so reunions and social events we run each year, both at the school and other locations, a particular highlight for me has been the generosity of over 50 Old Collegians who have involved themselves as speakers and presenters at the three Career Edge breakfasts that were introduced this year for the benefit of Years 11 and 12 students at the school. These members of our Association have given their time and particular expertise to help inspire and assist the senior students of the school as they consider their future study and career directions. One of the things that the Association is particularly proud of is the Old Geelong
2009 OGCA
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Collegians’ Scholarship. The scholarship is endowed by the OGCA and available to the son or daughter of an Old Collegian. We are very pleased to be able to assist Old Collegians in this way and to introduce the most recent recipient of the scholarship, Isaac Crawley, to you in this edition of Ad Astra (see page 32). We are, as usual, sad to note the passing of many of our Old Collegians, but very pleased to honour them in these pages. It has been a longstanding tradition that at the Annual General Meeting of the Association each year, a list of our members who have passed in that twelve month period is read out and one minute’s silence is observed. We pass on our sincere condolences to the families and loved ones of those we have lost. I am very pleased to advise that the Association now has a new Vice President. Ms Bridgette Kelly (OGC 1997) was elected Vice President at the AGM on 20 October. I am delighted to welcome her to the position and congratulate her on her election.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank the outgoing Vice President, Mr Chris Crawford (OGC 1973), for his outstanding contribution to the committee and to the position of Vice President. I also congratulate our other Executive members, Mr Steven Skoglund (OGC 1983), Treasurer; Paul Mishura (OGC 1992), Secretary; and Caroline Dyson (OGC 1996), Junior Vice President, who were re-elected to their positions. You can meet all of our committee members below. I hope you enjoy reading through the pages of this anniversary edition of Ad Astra and, in particular, the Old Collegian section. May I take this opportunity to wish all a very Merry Christmas and a healthy and prosperous 2010. I look forward to catching up with many of you during the year. Jim Marendaz (OGC 1972) President – Old Geelong Collegians’ Association
Jim Marendaz (OGC 1972), President Bridgette Kelly (OGC 1997), Vice President Caroline Dyson (OGC 1996), Junior Vice President Paul Mishura (OGC 1992), Honorary Secretary Steven Skoglund (OGC 1983), Honorary Treasurer David Waterhouse (OGC 1980), Immediate Past President Matt Bridges (OGC 1992) Reece Cordy (OGC 2006)
Chris Crawford (OGC 1973) Jim Fidge (OGC 1954) Andrea James (OGC 1974) David Jarman (OGC 1955) Amanda May (OGC 2006) John O’Brien (OGC 2002) Bill Phillips (OGC 1968) Adam Wightman (OGC 2000)
THE OLD GEELONG COLLEGIANS’ ASSOCIATION
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Old Geelong Collegians’ Scholarship 2010 B
Isaac Crawley
eing named as the recipient of the Old Geelong Collegians' Scholarship for 2010 has left Isaac Crawly feeling ‘stoked’ and extremely privileged. Isaac, who will be moving into Year 9 at the Senior School in 2010, found out he was the successful scholarship recipient at the beginning of Term 2 this year. “My step-dad, Andrew Wood, attended The Geelong College between 1976 and 1981 which allowed me to apply for the scholarship,” Isaac said.
“To apply, I had to sit a 2-3 hour exam and provide details on my academic and sporting achievements and musical background. My family were extremely excited and proud to find out I would be receiving the scholarship and I feel very privileged to be acknowledged as an all-round student. I feel like I have really accomplished something.”
“After attending Orientation at the Senior School at the end of Term 4, I am definitely looking forward to next year. I am looking forward to the academic and sporting challenges and just having a great time at school. It should be an awesome experience!” he said. The Old Geelong Collegians' Scholarship is endowed by the Old Geelong Collegians' Association and is available to the son or daughter of an Old Collegian. To find out more about the Scholarship, please visit the College website www.geelongcollege.vic.edu.au
“I will be entering Coles house when I start Year 9 which is the same house my step-dad was in when he attended the College. He loves showing me all his Athletics medals and I am hoping I can win some medals of my own to show him!”
Isaac Crawley
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THE OLD GEELONG COLLEGIANS’ ASSOCIATION
Cricket anyone? The Old Geelong Cricket Club is seeking players, supporters and sponsors for its inaugural season in the MCC XI Competition against other APS and AGS 'old boy' sides. Made up of Old Geelong Collegians and Grammarians, the club provides a great way for ‘old boys’ to continue playing cricket and to renew old rivalries and friendships established over schooling life. The 13 game season runs until the end of February 2010, with the 40-over-a-side games played on Sundays on turf wickets. The OGCC home games are played on the main oval at Geelong Grammar School, Corio, and at Fawkner Park in Melbourne.
Ogs Tim Hope-Johnstone with his Premiership side
Upcoming games include: 16 January 2010 30 January 2010 6 February 2010 13 February 2010 20 February 2010
Old Brighton v OGCC Old Scotch 2 v OGCC Old Haileybury v OGCC OGCC v Melbourne Cricket Club Old Melbourne Grammar v OGCC
Dendy Park Main Oval, Scotch College Haileybury College Main Oval, Geelong Grammar School Flack Oval, Todd Road
Please call President Roly Imhoff on 0419 003 264 or email roly@gophotoandweb.com.au if you would like to be involved. Charlie Fairbairn (OGC 2001)
Hope-Johnstone (OGC 2003), the side The Old Geelong Football Club (Ogs) lost just two games for the year on enjoyed a challenging, but ultimately the way to the Grand Final. In a hard rewarding 2009 season. The senior fought game, the Ogs kicked away side struggled early before finding after half time to defeat Therry Penola form in the middle of the season to by 29 points. Callum Wood (OGC 2008) record some great victories. In the end had an amazing year, winning the the team managed five wins, which Under 19 best and fairest, and also was enough to avoid relegation and being awarded the medal for best on keep our spot in C section for 2010. Under 19 Best and ground in the grand final. Standout performances came from Fairest, Callum Wood Jamie Bell (OGC 2000) who finished The committee is already working runner-up in the best and fairest, while hard to ensure season 2010 is a successful one, Matt Goldsworthy (OGC 1999) was leading goal and new players are always welcome. Keep an eye kicker. Charlie Fairbairn (OGC 2001) was awarded on www.oldgeelong.com.au for regular updates most consistent. over the Summer. The biggest success story of the year was Alex Southey provided by the Under 19 side. Under coach Tim
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Games
DECEMBER 2009
Masters of the
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number of Old Geelong Collegians and friends of the College joined 28,000 other competitors from around the world to take part in the 2009 World Masters Games, held in Sydney in October.
Rowing was certainly the event of choice, with at least seven friends and Old Collegians taking to the waters of the Sydney International Regatta Centre at Penrith Lakes to show them how we row here in Geelong! Unfortunately a number of the rowing events were cancelled due to inclement weather. However great success was enjoyed by all the Geelong competitors, with a number taking home medals. Ian Macmillan (OGC 1949) competed in three events – the H8, I4 and I8. ‘H’ events include competitors with an average age of 70 years to less than 75 years. ‘I’ events are from 75 years to less than 80 years. Ian and his crews rowed extremely well and succeeded in winning the Gold in the H8 and I4 and Silver in the I8. Duncan Ashby (OGC 1991), Peter Lawson (1990) and Simon Mitchell (1992) rowed together in the A8 (27 years to less than 36 years), making it to the final. Duncan also rowed in the A4, A pair and B quad (36 years to less than 43 years), making it to the final in all events. Peter and Simon also rowed together with Andrew Logan (OGC 1987) in the A4, also making it to the final. According to Duncan, the Russian crews provided strong competition in the A and B events, and will be the teams to beat in future Games. Past parent and Albert Bell Club member, Jeff Sykes, and Jimmy Thomas (OGC 1952) joined forces to row in the G division double skull (65 years to less than 70 yeasr), where they took out the Gold medal. Jeff and Jimmy also teamed up with current College rowing coach Paul van Prooyen in the G quad where they won a silver medal.
David Ramage (OGC 1953) was another Old Collegian rower in the Games, competing in the F8 event where the crew won an unexpected silver medal. David and his crews also won silver medals in the G4+ (with cox) and G4– (without cox). David mentioned that the Russians were also strong contenders in his events, as were the New Zealand crews. On completion of his events, David was invited to row with an American based club – The Kent Mitchell Club – in a G8 heat at the Games which they won convincingly. Unfortunately the final was cancelled due to the weather so they were unable to see just how far – and fast – they could go! It was not, however, all about the rowing. Stewart McArthur (OGC 1951)remained on dry land to compete in the half marathon event. At age 72, Stewart completed the 21km run in 2 hours and 13 minutes. While this time was a little slower than Stewart’s norm, he was proud to have started and finished the run! Stewart runs two half marathons each year and trains by running 5-6km most mornings along the Barwon River. Congratulations to everyone who competed in the World Masters Games in 2009 – no doubt there are more than we have mentioned here. It is wonderful to see our Old Collegians and friends representing their sports in elite events such as the World Masters Games and achieving amazing results, many years after they did the same for the College!
Photos Captions 1. Duncan Ashby (7 seat), Andrew Logan (6 seat), Peter Lawson (2 seat) and Simon Mitchell (Bow) rowing with the Corio Bay B Eight in the final. 2. Jimmy Thomas and Jeff Sykes with their World Masters Games medals 3. Stewart McArthur in full stride 4. Ian Macmillan (fourth from the left) on the winners podium 5. David Ramage (second from the right) with the F8 crew after their Bronze medal win
THE OLD GEELONG COLLEGIANS’ ASSOCIATION
Ward Sims at a recent gig
Jack’s Castle band members
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elbourne indie band Jack’s Castle, featuring Geelong band members Ward Sims (OGC 2003) and John O’Brien (OGC 2002), are set to release their much anticipated album in the early part of 2010. The album will draw on the success of their independently released EPs- The Falling EP (2008 Green Media Distribution/MGM) and The Lemon Tree EP (2006). Since their beginnings in 2006 the boys have been busy honing their song-writing craft in light of the debut album. Cutting their teeth in and around Geelong and the Surf Coast in the early days, the quartet is now recognised as a formidable force on the Australian independent music scene. The last three years have seen the band travel across the country touring and supporting a number of national artists and playing countless shows across hometown Melbourne. The band launched The Falling EP in March 2008 to a maximum capacity crowd at the Corner Hotel in Melbourne
Jack’s Castle John O’Brien said the launch was a strange experience. “Only a year before we launched The Falling EP, we were lining up at open mic nights just to play a song or two to an empty room. Then we were suddenly playing at the Corner to a crowd who actually knew the words to our songs! It was a bizarre feeling," John said. More recently Jack's Castle was nominated as a Top 5 National Finalist in the Live Category of the 2008 Music Oz Awards. The nomination recognised the band's determination in building up a national fan base over the past three years, and reputation as one of Melbourne's most popular independent live bands. Jack’s Castle are teaming up with acclaimed producer, Joe Hammond, who has worked with the likes of Paris Wells and The Boat People to produce a progressive debut that seamlessly blends organic acoustic flavours with electronic overtones. Jack’s Castle will bunk down for two weeks in a home studio in Hawthorn where they will thrash out the mix for the new 10 track
album. The recording will then be mastered in the US in preparation for commercial release in March 2010. In March next year the boys will embark on a whirlwind national tour that will take them to most capital cities over a two month period. Moving gear across the country, late nights and musty motel rooms will become a constant! Ever striving to improve their song-writing, lead singer, John O’Brien, has been invited to work and collaborate with former front man of The Kinks, Ray Davies, in the UK where he will spend a week brainstorming, writing and deciphering all things music. In due course the boys hope to tour overseas but are looking forward to playing a ‘few of their favourite spots’ down along the Surf Coast and their adopted home Geelong in the not too distant future. Keep an eye out for their release in the New Year.
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Farming Dr Graeme Quick (OGC 1949) has lived and breathed farming his entire life. Graeme’s passion for farming and machinery developed very early on from life on a farm near Anakie, and he is now sharing his extensive knowledge with people all over the world through his work and a series of books on farm machinery. Graeme attended The Geelong College from 1949 to 1953 and went on to study Mechanical Engineering at The Gordon Institute of TAFE and Melbourne University. Graeme has been successful in gaining Engineering positions for a variety of organisations and government departments across Australia and Asia, as well as numerous teaching positions, and has been professionally involved in Engineering in 35 countries, 21 of those in Asia.
by the Book In 1997, Graeme joined the faculty of Iowa State University, where he had previously obtained his graduate degrees, working in the Agriculture and Biosystems Engineering Department. Graeme has since moved back to Australia and lives on a small acreage in Queensland with his wife where they grow cabinet timber trees. Graeme also continues to work as an engineering consultant. Over the years, Graeme has collected an extensive amount of information on farm machinery which has resulted in the publication of ten books, the latest being International Harvester Tractors and Equipment in Australia and New Zealand (Rosenberg, 2009). This book focuses on International Harvester, Australia’s largest farm machinery enterprise whose main
Graeme Quick measuring soy bean harvest losses in Queensland. factory was based in Corio near the Ford Motor Company until 1984. Graeme’s next book is Tall but true Tractor Tales, which he hopes to publish in 2010. Graeme has experienced much success with his writing. His first book, The Grain Harvesters (1978), has sold over 40,000 copies worldwide and is now on its 7th print run. Graeme’s father was Mr Ross Quick who attended The Geelong College in 1925 and went on to teach at the College for many years. Sadly, Ross passed away in 1965 at age 54.
A Message from the
Land of Sand
ing d high school build The new primary an tar Qa in on work from where Basil will so
Students from Basil’s school on an excursion to the ‘singing sand dunes’
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The United Arab Emirates has been home to Basil Collins (OGC 1971) since 2005, when he moved to Abu Dhabi to work as an English Education Consultant. As part of his role with American company, Mosaica Education, Basil assisted the UAE government to introduce reforms in the public school system. “Removing the rod from the classroom and installing a curriculum was demanding but rewarding and helped me to learn many new things about his Arabic/Moslem brothers,” Basil said. “It was also quite an eye opener as to how excellent Australia’s educational standards are in comparison to such a thriving country. The need for educational reform and development in this region is immense,” he said. While in Abu Dhabi, Basil also completed his Masters in Education through Charles Darwin University, Darwin Australia. Although very happy working in Abu Dhabi, Basil accepted a new position in neighbouring Qatar in 2008 as Academic Head of English as an Additional Language in a start-up project school, The Mesaieed International School. Created by the Gas and Oil giant Qatar
Petroleum, the school employed Basil to provide educational services for the children of international families who are working in the Qatar, in particular in the nation’s gas and oil resources sector. Basil said that huge progress has been made in the school’s inception year with the international head count covering around 15 Nationalities. “The academic challenges in English for many of our students has been intense but already it seems the seed of English as a language has been sown in fertile sand (pun intended),” Basil said. On top of an exciting and challenging year, Basil also managed to re-marry in Sydney last May on the First Fleet Steps and 12 months and 15 days later, his wife, Delyn, gave birth to a baby boy, Marc Sandy Lapinid Collins. Marc is Basil’s fourth child. The Qatar school year runs from late August to early July and, after spending his summer break with all his children and returning to Geelong for his father Sandy Collins’ (OGC 1936) 90th birthday, Basil is looking forward to continuing the progress made at The Mesaieed International School over the next 12 months.
THE OLD GEELONG COLLEGIANS’ ASSOCIATION
The Duigan Story The Geelong College and Australia’s Centenary of Flight What does The Geelong College have to do with the Australian Centenary of Flight? Embedded in the College’s history are links to Australia’s first aeroplane pilot, Mr John Duigan. John Duigan attended Brighton Grammar in the 1800s, and upon finishing school, went on to attend The Working Man’s College (which later became RMIT). John then went to study Engineering and Electricity in Europe and England, but became intrigued by the ‘new’ aviation. All over Europe, people were putting together pieces of cloth and wire with heavy engines, trying to get ‘up there’. Upon returning to Australia, John went to the family’s sheep station ‘Spring Plains’ near Mia Mia in central Victoria which his brother, Reginald, managed. During this time, John communicated with some of the early flyers in Britain, receiving new aviation magazines as they were published. Soon enough, John’s intrigue led him to construct a large biplane glider which was tethered to a straining post with 40 feet of fencing wire. In a strong wind, John’s glider became airborne and this is how he taught himself flying control. With help from Reginald, John began constructing a full scale flyer made from Mountain Ash, Red Pine, hoop iron from wool bales and quarter-inch coach bolts. The Tilley engine, suspension and wheels were made in Melbourne. After two years, John had constructed Australia’s first aeroplane and became Australia’s first pilot. On 7 October 1910, John flew nearly 200 metres in his plane.
So what does John have to do with The Geelong College? Five of John Duigan’s relatives attended The Geelong College! Reginald Duigan’s three sons (John Duigan’s nephews) Wing Commander Brian Duigan (OGC 1929), Squadron Leader Terry Duigan (OGC 1930) and John D. Duigan (OGC 1942) attended The Geelong College between 1929 and 1945. Wing Commander Brian Duigan flew Wellingtons, Lancasters and Mosquitoes in World War II, and Terry Duigan flew Catalinas
and Liberators. At 80 years plus, John D. Duigan built and flies his own Ultralight machine on Flinders Island where he now lives. Wing Commander Duigan’s son, John L. Duigan, attended the College from 1963 to 1966. The late Terry Duigan and his wife Dr Gwynne Duigan, have a son Michael Duigan who also attended The Geelong College from 1956 to 1961. Michael now lives in Sydney.
However the connections do not end there! Mr Terry Egan, who was Head of Fine Arts at the College from 1972 to 1997, attended an annual gathering of Australian light planes in Narromine (he flew himself there, of course!) and was involved in a discussion about building a Duigan replica. On returning to Geelong, Terry made contact with Terry Duigan’s wife, Dr Gwynne Duigan, who was living in Newtown. Gwynne was enthused about the project and so began a 12-month process to build a flying replica of Australia’s first aeroplane.
John Duigan airborne in Bendigo and Mia Mia
But there’s still more! A number of friends of the College joined Terry on the replica build team. Mr Robert Wells, who taught at The Geelong College from 1975 to 1994, and Mr David Head and Mr Geoffrey Everest, both past parents of the College have assisted Terry to construct the replica in his workshop in Newtown, faithfully following John Duigan’s design and materials. To date, the completed airframe has been built, most of the fabric has been placed on the wings and works on the undercarriage and propeller are underway. A working replica of the Tilley engine is underway, however will not be completed in time if further funds are not found. The Duigan family and two major benefactors have enabled the airframe and ancillaries to be completed, but the team would love any College connections to contribute in a large (or small) way to finish off this amazing project. A celebration of the replica will be held at Mia Mia in mid-July and a flight is planned in Bendigo for 7 October 2010, marking 100 years since John and Reginald Duigan first took to the skies in their aeroplane. You can follow the progress of the replica project by logging on to www.duigancentenaryofflight.org.au
The replica airframe under construction in Geelong
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Obituaries Bruce McLeod 1933-2009 Bruce McLeod joined The Geelong College Senior School in 1971, bringing with him a wealth of experience and skills. Bruce was Head of McArthur House from late 1971 onwards until he became first Boarding Master for Upper Mackie, then Head of the boys’ combined boarding House in 1975. He remained Head of Mackie until 1980 and, upon his departure from this role, the students expressed their appreciation of his accomplishments by giving him a standing ovation. A love of adventure and an enthusiasm for natural environments saw Bruce assume a leading role in bush camping, excursions to the Grampians and treks to numerous destinations. A trip to Lake Eyre was one highlight of that era that students fondly
recall. Bruce pioneered gliding at Benalla and this was an annual event for many years. Bruce made an often profound difference in the lives of young people. He was a passionate and gifted mathematics teacher who cleverly and innovatively linked his lessons to his students’ interests and who took the time to truly know them as individuals. He inspired others to teach. Bruce and wife Pam’s care of Collegians, particularly their loved Mackie boys, was notable. They were kind and effective parents to all who needed them. Their sons, Bram (OGC 1983) and Rory (OGC 1984), were little brothers who helped boarders to feel at home. Whether building a canoe in the House of Guilds and sharing his skills with students, or crafting a maths examination, or mending a colleague’s car, Bruce was a man who pursued and achieved excellence and who was
embarrassed by thanks. While modest and self deprecating, he demonstrated an enviable range of talents and interests. He was always the first to offer to lend a hand to anyone in need of assistance. His truck was on call for removal, transport and the adventures of all. He loved mathematics, flying, sport, reading and, most importantly, people - especially his wife and sons, and his extended family and friends linked by College. Bruce epitomized warmth, good humour, accomplishment, intelligence, competence and practicality. Significant numbers of Old Collegians, including current staff, gratefully state of Bruce “He was my favourite teacher”. Julie Gainey Head of House – Wettenhall, The Geelong College
LADE, Harvey Wettenhall 1924-2009 OGC 1938, Company Director, Shipping Manager and Executive of ‘Siapu’, Mt Eliza, died on 18 October 2009. Harvey, born in Deniliquin, NSW, was the son of Allen Wettenhall Lade and Ella (nee Woodward) and spent much of his working life overseas. He was Chairman of the Straits/ Aust Shipping Conference, Singapore from 1960-1966; a Representative of the Far Eastern Freight Conference, Kuala Lumpur
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1966-1974; and Chairman of the NZ East Asia Shipping Conference, Wellington from 1974-1980. He later became Executive Officer of the Victorian Retirement Association in Melbourne. Harvey was well known among Old Collegians, usually as ‘Digger’ and was a devoted genealogist. He was educated as a boarder at the College from 1934 to 1941 and played cricket in the 2nd XI, and football and athletics with the Under 16 teams, but he was often noted for his performances in the chorus of the Glee Club Gilbert and Sullivan productions. Patrick Grutzner (OGC 1939)
recalled that on one occasion he was listening to the Pirates of Penzance (1940) and Harvey sang, ‘Why would a fly’s football be distinctly heard?’ only to roar with laughter when told the actual words were, that ‘a fly’s footfall be distinctly heard.’ His sons Mark (OGC 1973) and Dr Stephen Lade (OGC 1971) were also educated at College. Compiled with the contribution of Patrick Grutzner (OGC 1939)
THE OLD GEELONG COLLEGIANS’ ASSOCIATION
Obituaries
MORRISON Alistair Gwynne 1915-2009 Author, colonial administrator, bibliophile and ornithologist, who lived in Canberra for many years, has died aged 93.
The late Harvey Lade with Alistair Morrison in 1993
Born in Beijing, China he was the son of Dr George Ernest ‘Chinese’ Morrison and grandson of founding College Principal, Dr George Morrison. As a grandchild, his connection with the Morrisons of The Geelong College was the closest of all the current surviving descendants of George Morrison. Alistair led an exotic life. He grew up in England,
was educated at Malvern College, travelled to Scandinavia and South America and eventually joined the British Colonial Service, becoming a key figure in the transfer of colonial rule in Sarawak during the 1960s. He later worked for the Joint Intelligence Office in Canberra before retiring in the mid 1970s. His marriage to the famous photographer Hedder Hammer left no children. Sources: Reece, Bob Sydney Morning Herald; London Times 9 Sept 2009.
Members of the OGCA are saddened to announce the deaths of the following former students, staff and friends of the College and extend their condolences to family and friends BAILEY, David William (1913-2008), OGC 1928, died at Berrigan on 9 November 2008 aged 95. He was the son of David J Bailey and his wife Catherine. Born at Berrigan, NSW he attended Berrigan State School before attending the College as a day boarder from 1927 to 1928. During World War II, he enlisted to serve in the 2/8th Battalion which was sent to the Middle East in May 1940 and subsequently fought in battles at Bardia, Tobruk, and Greece in April 1941. In early 1942, after a period of garrison duty in Syria, the Battalion returned to Australia for the defence of Darwin, serving there until June 1943, when they moved to Queensland for training. David Bailey was eventually discharged on 2 May 1944. His son Ank (OGC 1964) also attended the College. Sources: World War II Nominal Roll. Sources: Age 11 Nov 2008 BEITH, Allen Duncan (1925-2009), OGC 1938, of Buderim, Queensland died 25 July 2009. After attending Geelong High School, he was enrolled at the College in 1939. At the College he became a corporal in the College Cadet Corps. After leaving School in December 1941, he worked for a period then enlisted in the AIF on 4 August 1943 serving as a corporal with the 2/24th Battalion. The 2/24th served in the Middle East and at Tarakan on Borneo. Alan was discharged from the army in October 1946. His brother, W M Beith (OGC 1945), also attended the College.
BENNETT, Dr Alexander Lister (1928-2009), OGC 1940, of Point Lonsdale died on 4 September 2009. He was educated at College as a boarder from 1939 to 1945 after attending Mirboo North Elementary School. Both of his parents were doctors in Mirboo North. He was the cox of both the 1st VIII of 1944 and 1945 and was a CQMS of the College Cadet Corps. Under the guidance of Albert Bell, the 1944 crew were to become only the second victorious College team in the Head of the River. In 1946, Alex commenced studying Medicine at Melbourne University where he continued as cox of both the Ormond College crew and Melbourne University crew. The Melbourne University crew were runners up in the Kings Cup and winners of the Australian University Boat Race in 1950. After graduating in 1951, he practiced as a doctor in Mildura. Following his marriage to Janette Anderson in 1953 he moved to Leongatha, purchasing an existing medical practice in 1955 and carrying out general practice. Throughout these years, Alex and Janette had a busy family life raising four children. Alex was actively involved in the establishment of the Leongatha Hospital which succeeded the original Bush Nursing Hospital and was particularly involved in securing equipment and specialist services for the community. He and Janette moved to Point Lonsdale after his
retirement in 1995 where he was a keen golfer and Probus Club member. Despite his ‘retirement’ he continued as a locum in country towns until 2003. Sources: Herald Sun, 7 Sept 2009; Bill Bennett.. BOWMAN, John Hamilton ‘Bowie’ (1932-2009), OGC 1945, died on 19 August 2009. Enrolled by his father Hubert P Bowman, he attended the College from 1938 to 1949 where he rowed and played football, gaining his Football House Colours in 1949. Like his father, he initially went to the University of Melbourne to study Law but became more attracted to an adventurous bush life. John lived and worked in the far north at Karumba and Yeleri, before returning to Victoria in about 1955 where he married his first wife Margery. He first farmed near Gellibrand before finding further farm work around Finley, NSW and eventually at his property ‘Goioramadda’ near Finley, NSW. In 1979, the family acquired a 135 acre property at Bellbrae establishing ‘Bowman’s Berries’ before moving to Aireys Inlet where he resided until his death. An active community member, he was an amateur thespian and in later years a passionate member of the Torquay Land Care Group and Spring Creek Action Group. With a spirited approach to life, he self published several books and built his own houseboat to sail on the Murray. His sons, Jeff (OGC 1971) and James Bowman (OGC 1977), also attended the College. Sources: Eulogies Jeff and James Bowman, 1 Sept 2009.
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Obituaries BROWN, Malcolm (1930-2009), OGC 1943, former grazier of Angus and Murray Grey Cattle who had retired to Albury, died on 1 November 2009. He was a boarder at the College from 1943 to 1947 having previously been at Cascade State School. His community involvement included the Riverina Graziers’ Association, Mountain Creek Fire Brigade, Albury SES and the Albury Show Society. He was particularly noted as a past president of the Albury Branch of OGCA. His sons Angus (OGC 1978) and Rod (OGC 1972) were both educated at the College. Sources: Age 2 Nov, 2009. CLARKE, Douglas Hughan MacCallum ‘Mac’ (1918-2009), OGC 1931, died on 9 July 2009 at Colac. The son of Cyril McCallam and Elsie (nee Vagg), he was educated at Colac West Primary School before attending the College from 1929 to 1936. At the College, he was a member of the Cadet Corps and in 1936, a cadet quarter master sergeant (CQMS). He served in the AIF during World War II, becoming a staff sergeant. The School database states that he was strongly interested in philately and particularly postal history, an activity he first started in the House of Guilds while boarding at the College. He exhibited his collection both nationally and overseas and often acted as a judge at stamp exhibitions in Australia and New Zealand. Sources: Herald Sun 11 July, 2009; Geelong Advertiser 11 July 2009. DANIEL, Neville David Beatty (1957-2009), OGC 1972, died on Saturday 18 July 2009. He was a student at the College from 1969 to 1975 after first attending Chilwell Primary School. At College, he played in the 2nd Cricket Team of 1975 earning Shannon House Colours that year. Neville’s brother is Raymond John Daniel (OGC 1980). Neville led a varied life as a developer, function centre manager and environmental volunteer. He evinced an early interest in adventure activities, and in 1974, was awarded an Outward Bound scholarship. A passionate fisherman, he wrote for fishing magazines and fly fished near his Tumut property in New South Wales. Between 1994 and 1996 he was National President of the Australian Aerochute Association. Sources: Geelong Advertiser 20-25 July, 2009
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DENNIS, Norman Alexander (19152009), OGC 1930, grazier, died at Colac on 17 April 2009. He was educated at the College from 1927 to 1933 and afterwards at Longrenong Agricultural College. In 1933, his final year at The Geelong College, he was a member of the Pegasus Committee, the Cadet Corps and a sub-prefect. Very shortly after the outbreak of World War II, he enlisted in the 2nd AIF at Warncoot, serving in 2/6th Battalion from November 1939, 2/29th Battalion from January to August 1941 and as a Captain in the 2/3rd Independent Company from August 1941. He was discharged from the AIF in October 1943 to join the RAAF eventually training as a Flying Officer. He was at the 5th Service Flying Training School at discharge in June 1945. For many years he lived at Coorameet, Warncoort. His father, Alexander William Dennis (1887-1969) attended the College from 1901 to 1905 playing in the 1st Football Team of 1905 and as a member of the rowing crew of 1904. Norman’s sons David (OGC 1958), Tom (OGC 1965), and Ned (OGC 1969) all attended the School. Norman was also a communication officer with the CFA. Sources: James Affleck; Dennis Family Herald Sun 20 April, 2009. Per Mrs Dennis DOUGLAS, Alan (1920-2009), OGC 1932, late of Eaglemont, passed away on 20 May 2009. Alan practised as an accountant. He was the son of Hugh Charles Edmund Lionel Douglas and Ruby Anderson (nee Gapes). Before entering the College as a boarder in 1933, he attended Dandenong High School. From January 1940 he served in the AIF and was discharged as a sergeant in December 1945. His son Roger (OGC 1958) also attended College. Sources: Age 22 May, 2009 GEORGE, John ‘Robert’ (1931-2009), OGC 1946, of Korumburra died, age 77 on 26 February 2009. An insurance consultant, he was the son of A E George and attended the College in 1947. He had earlier attended Leongatha High School. He was a member of the cadets and earned House Rowing Colours at the College. According to the 1996 Directory, he was a member of the Korumburra Apex Club from 1952 until 1972, its President in 1970-71 and a Life Member, CFA volunteer, a secretary of the Korumburra Football Club, and a member of the Korumburra Urban Fire Brigade. Sources: Sentinel-Times 3 March, 2009.
GLUYAS, Ronald Jack (1927-2009), OGC 1939, of Beaumaris, Victoria died 10 August 2009. Jack was a day student at the College from 1938 to 1942 having earlier attended Ashby State School in Geelong. Sources: Age 14 August, 2009. GRAHAM, Douglas James (1927-2009), OGC 1940, died on 6 November 2009 at Dunedin in New Zealand. He was born in Geelong and attended Flinders State School before being educated at the College from 1939 to 1945. In 1942, he was the winner of the T S Hawkes Prize (Under 15 Tennis Singles Championship). In 1972, he rowed with the 2nd VIII, was a cadet corps sergeant and School Prefect. He was particularly notable as the School Dux that year, which was also the final year of the Rev F W Rolland’s period as Principal. After leaving College he studied mechanical engineering at the University of Melbourne, graduating in 1949. He then worked for Cadbury in Hobart before transferring to New Zealand in 1963. He retired as Engineering Director of Cadbury in 1988. He is survived by four children, Linda, Gill, Diana and Ena. Sources: Age 9 November, 2009 HAMLYN, Alexander Laurence ‘Laurie’ OAM (1925-2009), OGC 1942, died 13 October, 2009. He was awarded an OAM on 26 January 2000 for ‘services to local government, particularly in the areas of land and water management’. Laurie attended the College as a boarder from 1941 to 1942 after education at Sale High School. Sources: Age 15 Oct, 2009. HEAD, John Frederick (1956-2009), OGC 1970, of Bannockburn died 21 March 2009. John first attended Chilwell Primary School before becoming a student at the College from 1967 to 1973. He was a member of Calvert House and a dedicated swimmer, a member of the Swimming Committee in 1973, and a participant in the Swimming Team from 1971 to 1973.
THE OLD GEELONG COLLEGIANS’ ASSOCIATION
Obituaries HIRST, Geoffrey Lewis (1934-2009), OGC 1949, of Prahran died 2 October 2009. A student at the College from November 1938 to 1951, Geoffrey and his brother Peter were among the handful of students at that time with the longest attendance record at the College. His father Cedric Lewis Hirst (19071986) had also been educated at the College from 1917 to 1925, and after war service had been a member of the College Council from 1945 to 1967 and a member of the Finance Committee. Sources Age 6 Oct, 2009 HOLLAND AC, Sir John (1914-2009) died in May 2009 at the age of 94. Over many years, Sir John was a generous benefactor to the College and took a great interest in its growth and activities. He was brought up at Flinders, on the Mornington Peninsula and attended Frankston High School, then Melbourne University where he studied Civil Engineering. During the Second World War, he served with the Australian Army Engineers Corps in the Middle East and in Greece. This was followed by service in Z Special, an elite corps engaged in covert operations in the Pacific. His most widely-known activity, however, was the founding and development of the engineering and contracting organisation, John Holland and Company in 1949. He was able to draw on the values instilled in him during his years of military service. Courage, initiative, fairness and leadership helped his company grow to the major engineering and construction force it is today. It was during his time at Melbourne University, and later in war service, that Sir John came in contact with Old Geelong Collegians. He was impressed with those he met and admired their school for its ability to instil enduring values and principles in its students. Indeed, so impressed was he that he and his wife, Joan, sent their three sons, Jock (OGC 1959), Richard (OGC 1963) and Peter (OGC 1964) to board at The Geelong College. From their school days until his death, Sir John continued to support the School along with a great number of other community organisations.
HYETT, Simon David (1952 - 2009), OGC 1967, died on 9 July 2009. He was at the College from 1958 to 1970. Simon was a member of the 1st Boys Hockey Team in 1969 and a member of Shannon House. His brother, Rod (OGC 1969) was at College and his father, Bruce Alan Hyett (OGC 1937) was educated at the College from 1929 to 1941 entering the Preparatory School as a five year old. Sources: Geelong Advertiser 18 July, 2009; SMH 18 July, 2009. LONEY Graeme Benjamin (1935-2009), OGC 1949, died at the Geelong Hospital on 3 March 2009 at the age of 74. He first attended Swanston Street State School before becoming a student at the College from 1947 to 1951. Son of B H Loney. Sources: Geelong Advertiser 4 March, 2009. MABIN, Robert William John ‘Bob’ (19312009), OGC 1944, late of Wangaratta, died on 19 May 2009. He was one of three brothers who attended the College (the eldest son of Dr W J Richard Mabin) and attended Scotch College in Melbourne before boarding at the College from 1946 until 1949. He was a member of the 1st Cricket Team from 1948 to 1949, a member of the Cricket Committee, and a sergeant of the College Cadet Corps. Sources: Age 22 May, 2009 McLEAN, Ian Robert Andrew (1944-2009), OGC 1958, of Belmont died on 24 August 2009 in Tokyo while visiting his brother, Murray McLean OAM (OGC 1961), the Australian Ambassador to Japan. Ian attended the College from 1959 to 1962 following his attendance at Benalla State School. His father Rev J Alistair K McLean was a Presbyterian Minister at St Andrew’s Church, Benalla and was educated at the College from 1929 to 1930. Two of Ian’s uncles also attended the College - Ewen from 1930 to 1932, and Robert in 1931. Ewen will be remembered as a member of the College staff from 1940, Chaplain from 1954 to 1964, Registrar and School Archivist during the latter years. Ian was a member of the, PFA Committee from 1960 to 1961 and treasurer in 1962 , the Library Committee from 1959 to 1961, the Pegasus Committee in 1962 and an a underofficer (RQMS) in the College Cadet Corps. In 1962 Ian was also a Mackie House Prefect and a winner of the Robert Gillespie Scripture Prize.
McMASTER, Rev Andrew Melville ‘Mel’ (1922-2009) OGC 1936, of Dromana died on 5 September 2009. He was born at Mataura, New Zealand, the son of Rev James McMaster of St Georges Church and was enrolled at the College from 1932 to 1938. He completed studies at the University of Melbourne in 1946 (BD), was ordained at Hobart in 1948. He ministered at Glenorchy and Oaklands in Tasmania from 1951 to 1952, and was moderator of the Presbyterian Church of Tasmania before returning to Victoria in 1956 where he ministered at Swan Hill, Croydon, Kew, Noble Park and Shepparton. In 1971 he studied at the McCormick Theological Seminary in Chicago and, in 1977, helped establish the first synod model for the Uniting Church. He retired from active ministry in 1988 but retained a deep commitment to spirituality and prayer. He is survived by his children Ian, Elizabeth ‘Liz’ and Jan, six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. His brother, James Gordon McMaster (OGC 1934), also attended the College. Sources: Age 7 Sept 2009; Obituary Age 7 November, 2009. NEALE, Ian Donald (1938-2009), OGC 1925, of Macedon, died on 10 March 2009. He grew up on the family property ‘Berringama’ near Allansford and after schooling at Warrnambool High School, became a boarder at the Geelong College from 1953 until September 1955. He played football in several College teams including the Under 15A team in 1953 and the Under 16 B Team of 1954. Sources: Age 12 March, 2009. NEELY, Robert John (1939-2009), OGC 1952, grazier, stock and station agent of Mansfield died at his home on June 9 2009. He attended Mansfield Higher Elementary School before coming to the College as a boarder from 1950 to 1956. In 1956, he was a member of the Athletics Team and the 1st Cricket Team, a Cadet Corps Corporal and was awarded the J C Cunningham Trophy as winner of the Open Shot Putt. His brother and several of his children also attended the College. He was survived by his wife Lois, children John (OGC 1979), Joanne, Elizabeth, Gary and Helen (OGC 1987) and grandchildren, Kate, Jessica and Matilda. Sources: Age 12 June, 2009
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Obituaries RICHMOND, Graeme Ronald (1936-2009), OGC 1949, pharmacist of South Bunbury, WA died 31 May 2009. He was enrolled by R Richmond and attended Bentleigh West Primary School before education at the College from 1948 to 1952. He was a member of the Music Committee in 1952 and 3rd Football XVIII. After his retirement he moved to Kingscliff, NSW. He was notable as the McArthur House conductor for the House Music competition of 1952. ROGERS, Robert Ian ‘Bob’ (1918 -2009), OGC 1934, of Newtown, Geelong died on 28 January 2009. Bob was the son of Frank Oswald Rogers and Eleanor Clare (nee Cullen) and attended Miss Cathcart’s School in Geelong before entering Geelong College from 1925 to 1933. He worked as an architectural draughtsman with Messrs Stephenson & Turner Architects before enlisting in the RAAF on 3 February 1941. He trained at Western Junction, Point Cook, Mildura, and Uranquinty gaining his Flying Badge in September 1941. He was discharged with the rank of Flying Officer on 3 December 1945. His son Ian Rogers (OGC 1960) and his two granddaughters Tania (OGC 1995) and Kylie (OGC 1993) were also at the School. ROLLAND, Dr John Stothert ‘Jock’ (19202009), OGC 1934, was a notable dental surgeon and RAAF Flight Lieutenant during World War II. He died at Beaumaris on 25 August 2009. The son of Robert Monteith Rolland (18871976) and Eveline Cope Fynney, he was the nephew of the revered former College Principal, Sir Francis William Rolland. John Rolland was born at Sale and first went to Sale High School before enrolling as a boarder at the College where he was educated from February 1937 to May 1938. He was a participant in the 1937 Athletics Team and a member of the Music, Tennis and Pegasus Committees. He enlisted in the RAAF on 1 March 1941 to serve with 461 (Sunderland) Squadron also known as Anzac Squadron as it was raised on 25 April 1942. Pegasus Magazine in July 1942 reprinted a letter from him in which he reported that “I
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did a convoy escort last week and it was good fun: pick up a convoy at dawn and patrol nearly all day with them. It was beautiful sunshine all the time, which made it a most enjoyable day’s work. Two days before that we had a little affair with a German patrol boat off the coast of Spain. We fairly rocked them with a couple of sticks. I took some excellent photos of the actual bombing. The appearance of three enemy fighters caused us to hurry off at high speed. In two months here I have done 150 hours on operations. I have started a pipe and now cut a dashing figure with a permanent smoke screen.” In 1944 he was posted back to Australia to 40 Squadron, ferrying supplies and personnel between Australia and New Guinea. He was discharged from the RAAF on 18 February 1946. His son John also attended the College.Sources:Pegasus July, 1942 Page 46. James Affleck, Old Collegians’ in WWII. SMITH, Michael Philip (1955-2009), OGC 1969, of Glen Iris died on 6 October 2009. After early education at Apollo Bay Consolidated School he became a boarder at the College from 1969 to 1972. In 1972, he was Morrison House Captain and a School Prefect, a member of the Swimming Committee, General Games Committee and of the Cross Country Team of 1971 and 1972. WEAVER, Peter Haldenby ‘Jock’ ? (19392009), OGC 1954, of ‘Southerton Vale’, Boort, died on 2 February, 2009. He attended Geelong College from 1954 until 1956 after previously attending Boort Higher Elementary School. Sources: Age 4 Feb, 2009. WHITE, David William (1932-2009), OGC 1945, of Hawthorn died at Caritas Christi Hospital, Kew on 23 June. A son of a bank manager of the Bank of Australasia, he was a boarder at the College from 1947 to 1948. He had previously attended Rutherglen Higher Elementary School. Sources: Herald Sun 25 June, 2009; Age 26 June, 2009.
ZIMMERMAN, Ralph Henry (1923-2009), OGC 1938, lawyer, died at Carmel, Indiana, USA on 10 March 2009 at 85 years of age. He was the son of H B Zimmerman. Born in Chicago, he spent much of his early life in France and Australia. He was educated at the College from 1938 to 1941, later serving during World War II in the Military Forces of the United States. In his final year at the College he was a School Prefect, a Cadet Corps Sergeant and a member of the Debating Society Committee. In 1941, he was also a member of the 2nd Rowing VIII. He gained a BA at Melbourne University, eventually graduating in Law from John Marshall in 1951 before marrying Mabel R Asherman in October 1952.They had three children. He is survived by a son, daughter and five grandchildren. Sources: Pegasus December, 1945. www.Indy. com (Indystar.com)
The Geelong College gratefully acknowledges the assistance of all people who have contributed information about former Collegians. It should be noted that many reasons, including a lack of contact details and verifiable information, may influence the quality of published obituaries and obituaries may not always be published unless the College can confirm the death date of the individual named. The College also particularly acknowledges the work of Paul Mishura (OGC 1992) in compiling birth, marriage and death information and assisting with the discovery of information about former Collegians.
THE OLD GEELONG COLLEGIANS’ ASSOCIATION
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Here‘n’ Apologies There
We wish to extend our sincere apologies to Sophie McLennan (nee Halsall 2000), Ben McLennan and baby Cameron for incorrectly naming them as the Lannan family in the June 2009 edition of Ad Astra. Sincere apologies are also extended to Ben Lannan (2001).
Zoe Cambridge (nee Simms OGC 1994) recently moved from Point Lonsdale to the Sunshine Coast with her husband Andrew and three children Ned (age 6), Audrey (age 4) and Sam (9 months).
Timothy Black with his brother, Nicholas Timothy Black (OGC 1999) had his PHD conferred at a ceremony at Deakin University in April 2009. Tim's research looked at the reduction in energy consumption and the increases in network lifetime that occurs when base stations are geographically repositioned within a sensor network. Tim is now a Post Doctoral Research Fellow at Deakin University working on various projects including work for the Defence Forces and lecturing to Engineering students. He lives in Geelong with his partner Jemma, an Engineer with Ford Australia. Paul Brotchie (OGC 1948) retired on 30 June 2009 after 50 years of legal practice. Paul plans to continue to consult in his area of expertise – Owners Corporations.
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Reverend Lindsay Cartwright (OGC 1938) celebrated the 60th anniversary of his ordination on 1 May 2009 at a special celebration service held by the Presbytery of Perth. Sergeant John Cutler (OGC 1979) is teaching Music part-time and Melbourne High School and is attending the Gordon Highlanders Beating Retreat in Aberdeen, Scotland as part of Scotland’s Homecoming 2009.
Team which competed at the World Rowing Championships in the Czech Republic in July 2009. The Team came fourth in the Men’s 8 A Final and rowed a 5:33 in the repechage – just 3 seconds off the World Record. Lewis Hobba (OGC 2003) and Veronica Milson (OGC 2002) were selected to join the team on Andrew Denton’s new TV show ‘Hungry Beast’ which airs on the ABC on Wednesday nights at 9.00pm. Veronica and Lewis were among 19 people selected for the show from thousand who auditioned. Veronica is a Presenter/Reporter on the show and Lewis is the Web Content Producer. The Hon Peter Richards (OGC 1971) is the Senior Deputy President of Fair Work Australia, based in Brisbane. Toby St John Sutton (OGC 1992) will graduate from the University of Newcastle in December 2009 with a Bachelor of Medicine, after spending 12 years in the Australian Army. Toby married Dr Michelle Bullmore in Lorne, Victoria on December 12 2009 and will commence work as a junior doctor in the Newcastle area in 2010.
Benjamin Dendle (OGC 1999) was admitted as a Solicitor to the Supreme Court of Victoria on 20 October 2009. Benjamin is currently working as a Solicitor in Mergers and Acquisitions at Mallesons Stephens Jaques in Melbourne. Joshua Dunkley-Smith (OGC 2007) is the stroke of the Australian Under 23 Rowing
Associate Professor Mark Williams (OGC 1987) is living in Sydney with his partner, Dr Anina Rich. Mark and Anina are both Neuro Scientists at Macquarie University and have a daughter, Arianna, who was born on 20 June 2009. Joshua Dunkley-Smith
THE OLD GEELONG COLLEGIANS’ ASSOCIATION Trevor Witcombe (OGC 1968) has been teaching English in Taiwan for the past seven years and married Miss Fanny Wu in Taipei, Taiwan in March 2009.
Engagements Penelope Finch (OGC 2000) became engaged to Brian Keller on 24 January 2009 and will be married in February 2010. Georgina Hart (OGC 1996) became engaged to Robert Ovin on 24 September 2009. They plan to marry in Geelong in October 2010. Osman Mewett (OGC 1996) became engaged to Jodie Smith on 3 May 2009 in Canberra and will be married in Portarlington in April 2010. Sam West (OGC 2000) and Kylie Hynes (OGC 2002) announced their engagement to their families at Falls Creek on 31 July 2009. Sam and Kylie are currently living in Perth, with Kylie working in Real Estate and Sam working at Fantastic Furniture.
Marriages Hollie Goodall (OGC 1992) married Tim Lee on 25 July 2009 on Cullen Bay Beach, Darwin. Hollie has resided in Darwin for the past seven years and owns her own fitness business. Tim is an Officer in the Australian Navy.
Gideon Haigh (OGC 1983) married Charlotte Barker on 3 January 2009 at Chateau Yering in the Yarra Valley with Gideon’s mother, Isabel, acting as the Celebrant. Gideon and Charlotte honeymooned in the UK. David Ormerod (2001) and Jingning Xue were married at the Melbourne Registry Office on 9 October 2009, with their reception held the following evening at The Geelong College Dining Hall. David is working at Food Standards Australia New Zealand in Canberra. Alexandra Pye (OGC 2003) married Dylan Grant at the Russian Orthodox Church, Brunswick East, followed by a reception at Pettavel Winery.
Births Andrew Carland (OGC 1995) and Simone Carland (nee Holmes 1995) welcomed Emma Charlotte on 22 January 2009. A sister for Isabella and Ethan. Russell Dmytrenko (OGC 1995) and wife, Melanie, welcomed Max Russel, born 6 January 2009.
and Esther. Jen O’Donnell (OGC 1992), and husband, Paul Britton, are delighted to announce the birth of their son, Magnus Floyd, on 2 December 2008. A brother for Orvokki (age 3). Ryf Quail (1990) and wife, Nichola, welcomed their daughter, Isobella Rae, on 9 October 2009 in Auckland, New Zealand. Stuart Richardson (OGC 1993) and wife, Michelle, welcomed son, Sam Lucas, on 1 July 2009. A brother for Ella and Tom. Kate Suckling (nee Carey OGC 1996) and husband, Nigel, are delighted to announce the arrival of their son, Luke Alexander, on 12 February 2009. Lachlan Sutherland (OGC 1991) and wife, Rebecca, welcomed their first child, Angus Stuart Sutherland, on 27 January 2009. Lucy Teasdale (nee Thomson OGC 1995) and husband, Kirk, welcomed their second son, Geordie Austin, on 5 February 2009 in Bendigo. A brother for Archie.
Alexandra Mathers (nee Cameron OGC 1989) and husband, Andrew, are thrilled to announce the arrival of Harriet Mae Mathers on 31 August 2009. A little sister for Fergus
Almost 1200 users
O G C A Website Stay in touch with fellow Old Geelong Collegians! Visit the College website by logging on to www.geelongcollege.vic.edu.au >
OGCA (Old Geelong Collegians’ Association)
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The Geelong College OGCA Directory (at the bottom of the page)
At this point, please enter the following details: >
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You will then be asked to submit your personal information which will enable you to communicate with others in your year group who have already registered, as well as look up Old Collegians who are in the same career field as you or who may be living in your area. The website also lists upcoming OGCA events and photos from recent reunions and functions. If you do have trouble logging on to the site, please contact Catherine Middlemiss in the Community Relations Office at the College on (03) 5226 3123 or email cmiddlemiss@geelongcollege.vic.edu.au. ✶|
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OGCA Events
40 Year Out Reunion
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- Saturday 25 July 2009
1. Peter Cronk, Robert Davies, David Patterson, John Hamilton 2. Carol Webb, Peter Emery, Murray and Jenny Mountjoy 3. Peter Griffiths, Neal Durnan, Bill Slattery, Andrew Keen 4. Duncan Fraser, Neil Kearney, Chris Webster, Ian Bayley 5. John Clarke, Randall Jackson, Rod Taylor, Susie Heard
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Sic Itur Luncheon - Friday 15 May 2009
1. Helen Barber, Tom Gawith (OGC 1954), Keith Barber (OGC 1953), Bob Kendall (OGC 1973) and Terry Salter (OGC 1953). 2. Margaret, William (Year 11) and John Sloane (OGC 1940) 3. Valda Browne, Max (OGC 1940) and Margot Gillett, and David Browne (OGC 1944)
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30 Year Out Reunion - Friday 15 May 2009
1. Bruce Laidlaw, Nick Allen, Peter Hill and Bronwyn Kirby 2. Andrea James, Daniel Mahon and Ray Lancaster 3. Steven Vile, Mark McCallum, Lyndsay Sharp, Mary Rose Coleman and Jayne Liubinas 4. Liz Dennis and Christina Kavli
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THE OLD GEELONG COLLEGIANS’ ASSOCIATION
20 Year Out Reunion - Friday 9 October 2009
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1. Anna Tonkin, Jocey Davidson, Deb Fisher (nee Bradshaw) and Jane Reid (nee Brushfield) 2. Naomi Vagg (nee Johns), Kate Guaran, Melissa Hoare, Sally Hobbs (nee Jennings) and Cait Hawkins 3. Andrew Neville, David Wilmot, Will Hanson and Matt McKinnon 4. Anna Wilson, Lizzie Howie and Kirstie Tostevin 5. Tim Wilmot, Andrew Howie and Craig Kavanagh
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Staff Cocktail Party The OGCA hosted the Staff Cocktail Party on Friday 16 October 2009 in the Senior School staff room. Staff who had achieved 5 and 25 years of service were acknowledged at the event. 1. Back Row: Brett Green, Mark Torpey, Neil Myers, Front: Raelene Marendaz, Sharna Virtue, Dr Pauline Turner, Julie Gainey, Stewart McCallum
Sydney Reunion - Friday 14 August 2009
On 14 August 2009, 37 Old Collegians attended the Sydney Reunion at the Union Club. College Chairman, Dr Hugh Seward (OGC 1966) made a presentation on the College’s strong historical links with the Geelong Football Club and his very convincing hypothesis on the origins of the Cats strip of the blue and white hoops.
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Talbot Street Newtown Vic 3220 Tel +61 3 5226 3111 Fax +61 3 5226 3717 communityrelations@geelongcollege.vic.edu.au www.geelongcollege.vic.edu.au The Fulfilling Lives Art and Bundanon group opened their last exhibition in the Senior School Cloisters Gallery in November. Inspired by artwork created by Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama, Room of Dreams was created as an experiential environment. Multi coloured dots, eyes and clouds were added to a furnished black room, lit only by a black light fluorescent tube. This illuminated the dots making them appear to glow with an inner light. A soundtrack to add that extra transcendental dimension to the experience was also created.