Light Blue - September 2017 by Geelong Grammar School

ISSUE 101 SEPTEMBER 2017

I THINK THAT TIMBERTOP IS T R A N S FO R M AT I O N A L AND A GREAT PLACE TO BECOME MORE MATURE. AND IT IS DEFINITELY A PLACE FOR E D U C AT I O N A DV E N T U R E S. - Aden Strong (E Unit)

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CHAIRMAN OF COUNCIL

WEDNESDAYS WITH IAN

FROM OUR PRINCIPAL

YEAR 11 RESILIENCE RETREAT

TRANSFORMATIONAL EDUCATION ADVENTURES

CHARACTER STRENGTH SCULPTURES

TEACHING CREATIVITY

MEET RACHAEL DEWHURST

Editor Brendan McAloon Design Chloe Flemming Claire Robson Photography Eddie Ablett Russell Coad Nick Fletcher Margie Gillett (Cordner, Clyde ’71) Kathy Hines Mike Howell Peter Lemon (FB’64) Michelle Leong Celia Morrison (Cl’15) Garry Pierson Katie Rafferty (Spry, Ga’84) Drew Ryan SBS Harry Swinnerton Ann Tyers (Fairley, He’68) Website www.ggs.vic.edu.au Email lightblue@ggs.vic.edu.au

TRANSFORMATIONAL EDUCATION ADVENTURES Brendan McAloon Editor

Education can transform a child’s experience of the world – enabling them to find the best within themselves and make the most of who they are. Timbertop was a transformational experience for Harriet Nixon (Ga’13). “This year has been tough, being away from the family and friends that I love and missing out on family life,” Harriet wrote at the end of her Timbertop year. “There have been times when I just want to go home, but the good has definitely outweighed the bad. I have the best memories. Timbertop has taught me so much about myself, given me independence and the chance to make my own decisions. As a person I feel that I have grown, developed, matured and built up my resilience. The accomplishment of this year and all that I have achieved means so much to me. I have been pushed out of my comfort zone endlessly and this is what I am thankful for. I now feel prepared to face the other challenges that life has to offer.”

CRICOS 00143G

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COMING TOGETHER

FOUNDATION CHAIR

MEET REV. GORDON LINGARD

BIDDLECOMBE SOCIETY

OUR FOUR-LEGGED FRIEND

TOORAK WELLBEING CENTRE GALA DINNER

ANZAC MUSIC TOUR

MAIL ROOM

THE SPIRIT OF KOKODA

As Harriet’s dad Ralph reflected, Harriet believed in Timbertop and Timbertop believed in Harriet. She was awarded the 2010 Osmand Neville Hunter Mackay Smyth Prize (The Timbertop Prize*) for making “the greatest all round contribution to life at Timbertop”. Over the next six years, Harriet refined all that she had learnt at Timbertop to blossom into “an extraordinary young Australian”, studying a Bachelor of Arts/ Laws (Honours) at the Australian National University (ANU) and supporting youth mental health organisation batyr. “Harriet had this amazing ability to instil in people incredible hope for the future of the nation,” Senator Fiona Nash, Deputy Leader of the National Party, explained. “She embodied everything that was good with optimism and hope. She made the most of every day. Her charity work was incredible. Everything she did, she did to the nth degree.” On 29 December 2016, Harriet lost her life in a freak accident; hit by a falling tree branch while helping set

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up a music festival on the NSW Central Coast. “She had her incredible life before her, but what I think is amazing is that she packed into 21 years more than most people do in their lifetime,” Senator Nash said. Ralph explained that Harriet’s motto at Timbertop was “a day at a time”. “She gave all that she had,” he said. Harriet’s obituary appears on page 50 of this issue of Light Blue. The theme of the issue is “transformational education adventures”, which is at the heart of the School’s purpose – “to inspire our students and community to flourish and make a positive difference through our unique and transformational education adventures”. Timbertop is a unique part of the Geelong Grammar School journey where our students confront common challenges that teach valuable life skills; building confidence, resilience and independence. Students like Sophie Browne (M Unit), featured on pages 8-9, are inspired to push themselves

beyond what they think they are capable of achieving. Harriet Nixon believed her achievements at Timbertop taught her “the skills to accomplish anything”: “The other day when I was reading over my journal, I read: ‘Oh my gosh, we have a 5.1km run today. I don’t think I’ve ever run 5km before.’ And look at us now. We just ran 28km.” Harriet was inspired to flourish and make a positive difference. In turn, Harriet’s life, so tragically cut short, is an inspiration for us all – to find the best within ourselves and make the most of who we are. *The School has inaugurated the Harriet Nixon Prize to recognise the contribution of girls to the life of Timbertop, alongside the Osmand Neville Hunter Mackay Smyth Prize, which will recognise the contribution of boys

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CHAIRMAN OF COUNCIL In early July I had the privilege to participate in a reunion dinner at Albert, in northern France, to commemorate the 100th anniversary of a dinner held by serving Old Geelong Grammarians and Old Geelong Collegians between battles on the Western Front during the First World War. There were 35 at the original dinner on 7 July 1917 and 64 this year, with many direct descendants of the original group. The dinner was the centerpiece of a two-day tour of battlefields and memorials around the valley of the Somme, including Villers-Bretonneux.

All those who were there from The Geelong College and Geelong Grammar communities were treated to a moving and informative time as we learned more of the horrors, heroics and despair that was a particular feature of that war. James (Bim) Affleck (Cu’67) provided detailed stories of old boys from both schools, largely informed by his own books written on the histories of both Old Collegians and Old Grammarians in the First World War. A service was held at the Australian Memorial at Villers-Bretonneux at which each Principal read the honour roll from each school from the First World War. The extent of interconnectedness between the two schools was highlighted in the honour rolls and amongst the attendees. My thanks to the Community Relations teams from both schools for arranging the event but particularly to Mike Howell, Director of Community Relations at The Geelong College, for being the main driver and organiser of this meticulously planned event.

The School’s purpose document is essentially a combination of vision, mission and strategy documents that many organisations prepare. If you haven’t studied it I suggest you do – it is available on our website and has been included in earlier Light Blue publications. Our Purpose, as set out in the document, “is to inspire our students and community to flourish and make a positive difference through our unique and transformational education adventures”. This (and indeed the whole purpose document) was not dreamed up by some advertising firm or clever copywriter. The School’s purpose was the direct result of extensive work by a cross-section of our own staff; examined, reviewed and approved by their peers and by senior management. It is an authentic reflection of what our staff believe the School’s (and therefore their) purpose is.

As you will see from news elsewhere in this edition of Light Blue there is much going on at the School. A number of new staff have been appointed and there are many innovations and new initiatives around the campuses. Although it is sad to lose quality staff, we recognize the importance of new challenges and encourage all our staff to pursue positive career choices when the opportunity presents. We believe this allows the School to also introduce new staff who bring different ideas and experiences to enrich our School. Additionally, we believe that some of the staff who leave us to build their career will be future candidates to return to the School in more senior positions with a wealth of broader experiences to bring with them.

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Geelong Grammar is more fortunate than most schools in having the resources, facilities and programmes to undertake this lofty mission. But it is only the result of courageous, innovative and far-sighted decisions made in our past and the willingness of our staff to embrace such a challenge that makes it possible to achieve this purpose. An education at GGS is a journey that takes its students through a variety of environments and experiences which are transformational and do enable them and our community to flourish. The strong position of the School today is, I believe, a direct result of it continuing to be innovative and vigorous in pursuing experiences for young boys and girls that improves their education, wellbeing and sociability. In my last Light Blue article in April I encouraged our politicians to find a way to put aside the petty debates on school funding and come up with a fair and deliverable funding model. I wasn’t holding my breath! However, I should give credit where it is due and, although there were still a number of shrill, extreme and mischievous contributors (not all politicians I might add), I think the Government, with sensible amendments from some minority parties, has delivered a model which has the best prospect yet of delivering fair, transparent and adequate funding for all schools. LIGHT BLUE - GEELONG GRAMMAR SCHOOL

School Council approved the construction of the South wing of Clyde House at its August meeting. This will be a new major construction, replacing all of Clyde except for the North wing, which was renovated last summer. It will cost more than $6 million and represents the majority of our capital expenditure for the next year. It is an important project to bring the standard of accommodation at Clyde up to the level of our other senior boarding houses and continues our commitment to the School’s strategic priorities. At this time, nearing the business end of the year for our Year 12 students, I wish them and their families a calm and productive period over the next two months to prepare for their exams. I know from direct experience that this time can be very testing for students, their families and their teachers. Please approach any issues with a positive disposition and work together to help our students finish their “transformational education adventure” at GGS by doing their best. Jeremy Kirkwood (FB’79) Chairman of Council

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Education should be an adventure. It should be exciting, as students embark into the unknown to find new knowledge and to develop new skills. Ideally, students should go into each classroom or laboratory, each rehearsal and each training session, excited about what they are going to learn or develop. Teachers should be excited about the learning possibilities which are about to unfold and the way that they can see their students stretch themselves and grow in capacity and skill. As with all adventures, there should be challenges which make us draw upon resources which we did not know we had and it should be enjoyable, as we take pleasure in learning with our friends and sharing our experiences with those around us.

Part of our transformational adventure is to encourage our students to look towards boundless horizons – so that they aspire to push themselves beyond what they think is possible, now and in the future. However, boundless horizons is not just a metaphor, it is also about encouraging our students to see the whole world as their community and not just the immediate vicinity of Geelong, their home State or Australia – indeed, it is about encouraging them to be global citizens. I attended the World Leading Schools Association (WLSA) Conference in Shanghai in July. (The School was a founding member of WLSA in 2011. Its aim is to bring schools in the east and the west together to share educational philosophies and practices.) I was chairing a panel discussing the topic of what it means to be a global citizen and the consensus was that a large part of it is an open mind and a respect for other cultures and communities. However, one can only learn so much through theory and thus it also requires our students to visit other countries, so that they can speak to people in their own communities.

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FROM OUR PRINCIPAL

Education should also be transformational as it changes who we are, as we grow different levels of knowledge, skill, confidence, motivation and self-belief. Our students do have a wide variety of transformational opportunities, in their challenging academic programmes, Timbertop, Positive Education, Creative Education, the all-round education and living in a community, to name but a few examples. “Transformational education adventures” is the theme for this edition of Light Blue, but it could be the theme for every edition, as all that we do stems from providing students with transformational education adventures – and we do it, week in, week out.

That has been part of the rationale behind the South-East Asia tours which I have undertaken each year. It is very important that I understand the cultures, traditions and communities from which 8% of our students come and from which other students have more distant roots. It is also important to reach out to our Old Geelong Grammarians and our current and past parents who live in these countries (including expat families from Australia), as it gives a tangible sign of the embracing nature of the School.

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I really value the fact that we have students enrolled from about 20 countries each year, so that our students share their educational adventures with students from a variety of countries and backgrounds. This provides a richer experience for all of them and encourages the growth of a mindset which expects boundless horizons. This year’s South-East Asia tour was clearly my last visit as Principal and it was a great pleasure to see so many former students and former and current parents at each location. Overall, numbers were twice as high as they were last year. Let me comment on a few highlights. In Jakarta, there was a large number of students who had been at the School in my time and to see them again and to learn how their careers had evolved was fascinating. Almost all of them had continued their education or employment, in at least one other country, in addition to Indonesia (and Australia). In Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Bangkok and Hong Kong, it was a delight to see so many OGGs and parents, whom I have seen on many occasions and who are so interested in, and loyal to, the School. In Shanghai, that level of support is growing and getting stronger every year. Our students and staff have also been travelling to other parts of the world and have been able to broaden their understanding of other countries and past historical events. The ANZAC Music Tour in the Easter holidays was a very special trip as the students not only had the opportunity to visit France and Belgium, but also got to perform at a variety of locations, as you can read on page 22. Most memorably they participated in the Last Post ceremony at the Menin Gate in Ypres. In the most recent holidays another group of students walked the Kokoda Track, again giving them a deeper understanding of the heroic action of Australian soldiers, this time in the Second World War. The students’ report is on page 23. Other educational adventures are being experienced closer to home, at our four campuses. Timbertop is an educational adventure in its own right and so many of our students would tell you that it is the best year of their schooldays. The School’s

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1. Christine Meek, Roland Wu (P'93) and Stephen Meek in Hong Kong 2. Andy Susanto (FB’96), Bill Patterson (P’95), Richard Lee (M’92) and James Killingsworth (P’96) in Singapore 3. Michael Sheridan, Fiona Hamilton and Mechai Viravaidya (P'59) in Bangkok 4. Alison Lindsay (Je’84) and Lucy Nock (EM'12) in Shanghai 5. Sulayman Tun-Ismail (FB'10), Tawfik Ismail (FB'71) and Seth Tun-Ismail (FB'07) in Kuala Lumpur 6. Dejvit Santikarn (Cu'73), Ben Nandabhiwat (P'13), Stephen Meek, Champ Suksangium (Cu'11) and Charlie Chanarat (Cu'74) in Bangkok 7. Mury Susanto (FB'95), Liana Sudjati (Ga'08) and Ade Kamayana (Cu'05) in Jakarta

focus on Creative Education is a remarkable adventure which will give our students the skills to be able to adapt to the demands of the workplace for years to come. The School, under its Coordinator of Creativity and Innovation, Dr Tim Patston, is doing some remarkable work as you can read about on page 10. We were very fortunate this term to welcome one of the world’s leading academics on creativity, Dr James Kaufman from the University of Connecticut, the author of over 40 books and 250 articles on creativity. He is extremely interested in the work that the School is doing on creativity and he is working with Tim Patston on the evolution of the School’s programme. Educational adventures are not, of course, just for the students. Changing jobs and coming to work at the School is a great educational adventure for each member of our staff and it is always a pleasure to welcome new staff into the School. We have four staff who have taken up senior positions from the start of Term 3. Our new Senior Chaplain is the Reverend Gordon Lingard who joined us from a parish in Bendigo. Rachael Dewhurst has taken over as the new Head of Campus at Bostock House, while Joanne Nitz is the new Director of Advancement. Each of them is welcomed more extensively elsewhere in Light Blue. Our new Director of Community Relations is Brendan McAloon, who was previously our Marketing and Communications Manager. He has also been – and continues to be – the Editor of Light Blue, where he has done an excellent job. This is an exciting place at which to work and to study, for we do seek to give our students and staff “transformational education adventures”. The School has always been aspirational and this edition of Light Blue confirms that we continue to strive for new heights and new goals. Stephen Meek Principal

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TRANSFORMATIONAL EDUCATION ADVENTURES

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TRANSFORMATION IS ABOUT CHANGE – YOU SEE A CHANGE OR YOU MAKE A CHANGE. TIMBERTOP IS A BIG CHANGE IN EVERYTHING. IT’S A CHANGE IN LIFESTYLE. YOU HAVE TO CHANGE YOUR ATTITUDE TOO. NOT ALL CHANGES ARE POSITIVE. UP HERE, BEING AWAY FROM YOUR PARENTS CAN BE NEGATIVE AT TIMES AND CAN MAKE YOU FEEL DISCONNECTED, BUT IT DEFINITELY TRANSFORMS THE WAY YOU BEHAVE. I’VE LEARNT TO BE MORE INDEPENDENT AND I THINK I’M A BIT MORE MATURE. I HAVE DEFINITELY CHANGED IN THIS ENVIRONMENT. THE WINTER EXPEDITION TO MT STIRLING BEFORE EXEAT GAVE ME A LOT MORE CONFIDENCE IN WHAT I CAN DO. NOT MANY OTHER SCHOOLS GIVE YOU THE OPPORTUNITY TO GO OUT AND CROSS-COUNTRY SKI UP A MOUNTAIN. THAT WAS AN AMAZING ADVENTURE FOR ME. IT ALSO TRANSFORMED THE WAY I THINK ABOUT WHAT I’M CAPABLE OF. - Sophie Browne (M Unit)

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level in the classroom in order to maximise the creativity of their students. (Big-c creativity consists of eminent and lasting creative contributions, such as classical music composers whose works have lasted centuries.) Creativity is also related to wellbeing, and hence to Positive Education. According to Professor Kaufman, creative people are more likely to be in better physical health, be more resilient, have less personal stress, be in better moods and have a higher state of general wellbeing. “There are so many studies that show that creative people are happier, they’re better able to deal with trauma, they tend to be more successful,” he explained. This is good news on top of the benefits gained from an increased skills set for our students. In July, we were fortunate to be visited by Professor James Kaufman, a world-leading expert in the field of creativity from the University of Connecticut. Professor Kaufman has authored over 35 books and 200 articles during his 20 years of studying creativity. He has been advising Geelong Grammar School for the past two years as we develop our new programmes in Creative Education. Professor Kaufman visited the Toorak and Corio campuses, meeting with staff and students. He also gave two public seminars, one at Deloitte’s Centre for the Edge in Melbourne’s CBD and another in the SPACE at Corio. Another key part of his visit was working with the Coordinator of Creativity and Innovation, Dr Tim Patston, and Professor David Cropley from the University of South Australia on the research which the School has been undertaking in the past two years to help us understand how teachers and students think about creativity, and how creativity is developing in our students. He also assisted on the development of teaching materials for use in the classroom.

Professor Kaufman also visited the Texts and Traditions classroom in Year 10 where the RISE model of Creative Education (discussed in the December 2016 issue of Light Blue) is being taught explicitly for the first time. Professor Kaufman was pleased to see Creative Education in action, commenting that it was great to see theory in action and the students being highly engaged in their learning. “What Geelong Grammar is doing is that it is teaching its students to be creative in the way that is valued in the workplace and at university,” he observed. “(It is teaching) very specific aspects of creativity that are most aligned with eventual success.” It was a pleasure to host Professor Kaufman for a week at Geelong Grammar School. Collaboration is one of the keys to creativity and having his wisdom, expertise and knowledge shared with our community was a wonderful experience. Dr Tim Patston Coordinator of Creativity and Innovation

During the seminars, Professor Kaufman talked about the key ideas in creativity which are most relevant to education. His presentation on creativity, ‘What you need to know and what you need to do’, was very practical. He focused on the idea that most people have an opinion about creativity, but that often there are misunderstandings. Many think that novelty in an idea is creative, such as paving a driveway in salami, but this fails to recognise that in order for something to be considered creative, it must also be useful and task appropriate. He then discussed how creativity develops in all of us over time, using his Four C Model for Creativity. Children exploring the world develop mini-c ideas, which explain their world to them for the first time. Curiosity is very important at this stage, as children learn to understand the world around them. Following this phase is little-c, when knowledge and skills begin to come together, often in an educational setting. Much of schooling is spent in this phase. The most critical part of little-c development is feedback – if students are to develop their creativity they must be given timely and appropriate feedback which is “just right” according to Professor Kaufman’s Goldilocks metaphor. The next stage of development is pro-c in which development occurs through increasingly higher levels of knowledge and skills, plus feedback and, most importantly, practice. Teachers must be at the pro-c

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TOP 5 TIPS Creativity is directly connected with domain-knowledge, expertise and persistence. The “mad genius” stereo generally isn’t true. You type do have to suffer to be cre n’t ative.

It helps to think about creativity, like intelligence, being malleable, not fixed. It’s stretchy. t is Another thing to think abou le op Pe . on the role of motivati y the en wh ve are more creati are personally interested. Passion = More Creativity

People need to know when to be creative.

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PROFESSOR KAUFMAN’S

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Wednesdays with Ian The winter sun slants across garden beds sprouting with spinach, lettuce, leafy carrot tops and a tangle of climbing peas. Retired Toorak Campus gardener Ian Hagley is stooped, encircled by a gaggle of Year 2 students. They are carefully selecting ingredients for the vegetarian chow mien they will be cooking later today – broccolini, spinach and mizuna (Japanese mustard greens). “I’ve bought some garlic, spring onions, mushrooms and red pepper to supplement what we pick from the Children’s Garden,” Science teacher Allison McKenzie explains. “We’ll cook it all up with soy sauce, oyster sauce and sesame oil, and serve it with noodles.” 12

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The Children’s Garden is a hub of activity every Wednesday. Year 2 and Year 4 students rotate between the garden and the kitchen as part of the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden programme, the Green Team of budding young gardeners weed, water and plant at morning recess, while students, staff and parents drop in throughout the day to say hello to Ian, often leaving with an armful of lemons. “It’s what I love about it,” Ian said. “I love being able to show the children different things in the garden. They love to learn and they’re so interested in everything.” When Ian retired in 2013 after 13 years as Toorak Campus’s full-time gardener, he was looking forward to relaxing with his wife Anne, pottering around his own garden in Box Hill. “I’d worked hard all of my life. I was milking cows when I was 10 years old, so I was ready to retire… but I got talked into this and it’s been the best thing I’ve ever done.” For the past three-anda-half years Ian has returned every Wednesday to work in the Children’s Garden, which was designed by current parent Fiona Brockhoff (Je’81) and features everything from fruit trees to Indigenous bush tucker. “I don’t do it for the money, I do it for the children,” Ian explained. “I think hands on, practical learning is really important. They learn about soil, they learn how to look after plants, they learn about insects and recycling. They get the opportunity to understand where their food comes from and they take ownership of it – it’s their garden, it’s not my garden.”

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Allison believes the Children’s Garden provides a vital link between Positive Education and the trans-disciplinary learning of the Primary Years Programme (PYP) of the International Baccalaureate (IB), which makes connections across subject areas. “The latest research shows the importance of nutrition to mental and physical wellbeing,” she said. “The Kitchen Garden programme teaches positive food habits. The children love trying new veggies and when they know where it comes from, they’re more likely to try it – you’ve got kids eating kale fresh out of the garden and it tastes delicious. The PYP unit ‘How Does Your Garden Grow?’ teaches our Preps about the science of plants, how plants grow, how they pollinate and the cycles of nature. There is a strong link to the Science programme. We dissect plants, study root vegetables and explore the world of insects. The garden also teaches students about environmental sustainability and how we share the planet.” Allison and Ian are both looking forward to the completion of the Toorak Wellbeing Centre, which will feature a nutrition centre and kitchen classroom. “To have that resource as a place for kids to go to learn more about nutrition will be wonderful,” Allison said. “It will enable us to implement the Kitchen Garden programme throughout the School a lot better, which is really exciting. It will further promote healthy lifestyles, backed by science and utilizing the latest research on nutrition and wellbeing. It’s really quite groundbreaking when you think about it.”

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YEAR 11 RESILIENCE RETREAT

The well-known story of Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll is a remarkable allegory for the obstacles people face as they seek a meaningful path through life, and a well-known metaphor for the challenges of ‘growing up’. In the story, Alice’s charmed existence is dramatically altered when she indulges her curiosity and follows the White Rabbit. Adventures and challenges ensue, and Alice is not the same girl at the end of the tale. In order to overcome the obstacles throughout the story, Alice draws on other people for support and advice, and learns that not all is as it seems. The themes in Alice in Wonderland aligned to the intention of our third annual Year 11 Resilience Retreat.

Our two-day retreat used the theme of Alice in Wonderland to examine the idea that in life, there are inevitably times when we go ‘down the rabbit hole’ and find ourselves facing unforeseen challenges. The retreat was held on campus for the first time this year, utilising the SPACE as a hub. Workshops were held all around the school, with opportunities for students to explore different wellbeing strategies through creative activities such as music, drama, games and physical exercise. Students also learnt about the importance of good relationships and strategies to build them, gratitude, micro-resilience, disrupting the amygdala hijack, acceptance commitment therapy (ACT), the power of hope and even analysed the survey data from their own cohort to better understand The interim findings of the where there was need for support… four-year University of Melbourne - Alice in Wonderland resulting in a sleep-in on day two. Positive Education research project Rounding out the experience were noted a decline in reported mental lunch-time food trucks, a themed dinner and movie night. wellbeing and satisfaction with life in Year 11, while also reporting a simultaneous rise in symptoms of depression and anxiety. The In offering students the choice of a diverse range of activities research team recommended a “student retreat which focused and workshops, they were given agency to focus on what specifically on managing challenging life events for young people”, interested them, acknowledging that not all strategies work which we successfully initiated in 2015. Compared with students for all people. The retreat was an opportunity for students to at similar schools, Geelong Grammar School students report continue to develop their pre-emptive skills in dealing with the higher levels of wellbeing in both Year 9 and Year 10. Moreover, in inevitable stresses of Senior School, final examinations and contrast to similar students in other schools, the mental wellbeing life beyond school. We focused, like Alice, on the importance of our students continues to rise across Year 9 and Year 10. of being able to adapt to unexpected changes, of developing

“It’s no use going back to yesterday, because I was a different person then.”

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identity, of believing in the seemingly impossible, following your own instincts, knowing who you can rely on for help and developing personal growth and reflection strategies. Many sessions were created and presented by teachers, further emphasising the importance of a range of different strategies in overcoming challenges in life – each workshop drew on the experiences and interests of the staff member who designed it. It is so important to remember that Positive Education requires a context – there is no ‘one size fits all’, and not every strategy will work for every person. We were incredibly fortunate that the retreat coincided with a visit from acclaimed American psychologist and author Dr Maria Sirois. An expert in post-traumatic growth, Maria talked about the ‘swamp’ that we all experience – the daily negative experiences that drain and deplete us. Interestingly, and somewhat paradoxically, the list of things that students identified as being in their swamp were very similar to those in their ‘pond’ – the positive experiences which uplift and reinforce us. Friendships, parents, school for example all seemed to be sources of both joy and frustration, of optimism and disappointment. Maria’s message is that we can choose to focus on what makes life hard and miserable and stop there or we can acknowledge what makes life hard and miserable, work with it, make healthy choices about the swamp and see the good as well. If we can see the opportunities in the swamp, we can live in the paradox – we can experience pain and choose practices and perspectives that sustain us.

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In addition to sessions developed and delivered by staff from within the School, we had visiting speakers from youth mental health organisation, Batyr, which focuses on identifying the ‘elephant in the room’. Two engaging young adults told stories of their own mental health struggles, offering useful strategies and advice to our students. Their engaging session created a space in which students were able to ask questions and gain insight, and to learn from the experiences of others and to reach out to the services around them. In response to survey feedback from students, who consistently reported good quality sleep as one of their largest wellbeing challenges, Janet Etty-Leal ran three workshops on mindfulness, meditation, relaxation and sleep. Ultra-marathon runner Richard Bowles took a break from training to speak about how he planned for resilience, by thinking ahead to what his challenges would be and how he could prepare to overcome them. He ran engaging sessions with the Year 11 students, helping them to develop approaches to tasks which allow them to be ready to adapt to the obstacles along the way. An enjoyable and engaging two days finished with words from the Director of our Institute of Positive Education, Justin Robinson, who again emphasised the message of Alice; to accept what is out of your personal control, while committing to action that will contribute to a full and meaningful life. Cat Lamb Trainer and Content Developer, Institute of Positive Education

Character Strength

SCULPTURES

Bostock House students collaborated with Artist-in-Residence, Barwon Heads painter and sculptor Kaz McGlynn, in Term 1 to create artworks that represented different character strengths. Students drew with colour markers, chalk and pastels, while some year levels also experimented with enamel paint and stencils. Artwork by WeiHan Huang (Prep), Georgia Lancaster (Yr1), Lucy Borrack (Yr2), Charlie Haigh (Yr3) and Grace Nadorp (Yr4) was then selected to be made into a series of colourful metal sculptures installed at the entrance to Bostock House in Term 3 and unveiled on Friday 4 August. An exhibition of the artwork created with Kaz was also on display, prompting lots of conversations about what students had learnt about Positive Education and character strengths.

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MEET RACHAEL DEWHURST HEAD OF BOSTOCK HOUSE

Our new Head of Bostock House, Rachael Dewhurst, feels like she’s back home. Rachael grew up in Geelong, went to school in Geelong and started her teaching career in Geelong, before spending 19 years working in international schools in Istanbul, Malaysia and Hong Kong. “I feel like I’ve come full circle,” she said. “I’m back in Geelong and I love it.” Rachael was Vice Principal/PYP Coordinator at Beacon Hill School in Hong Kong before returning to Australia last year. “One of the things that appealed to me most about Bostock House is the size. You get to know the children and you get to spend time on developing relationships. After working in a primary school with 900 students, where you don’t have that level of intimacy, you can’t develop the depth of relationships. It’s exciting to have more of a pastoral role, where you are more face-to-face and you can better understand the needs of the students, staff and the parents.” Rachael is passionate about teaching and learning, particularly curriculum development, teaching pedagogy and professional development. “I’m a firm believer in children developing independence and becoming responsible for their own learning,” she said. “Independent learning needs the support of strong foundational skills – children have to have strong literacy and numeracy skills. I really believe in teaching children how to learn and the best ways in which they can show their understanding.”

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I’M A VISUAL LEARNER AND I DIDN’T GET THE OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN LIKE THAT AS A YOUNG GIRL – IT WAS FOCUSED ON TEXT BOOKS AND REGURGITATING INFORMATION. THE SCOPE NOWADAYS FOR CHILDREN TO SEE THEMSELVES AS SUCCESSFUL LEARNERS IS A BIG IMPETUS BEHIND THE WORK I DO IN COLLABORATION WITH OTHERS

Having recent experience as a classroom teacher to complement her background in leadership positions in large international schools, Rachael brings a “huge” amount of respect for the work that teachers do. “It’s not just face-toface classroom teaching, challenging and inspiring students in class every day, but there’s also administration, curriculum development and nurturing relationships. You never stop learning and to see teachers enthused about their own learning gives me a real buzz. For me, professional development is very important.” Beacon Hill School is part of the English Schools Foundation (ESF), which is an association of 22 schools in Hong Kong. So while Rachael loves the smaller size of Bostock House, she believes that being part of a larger educational institution is beneficial for teachers to keep learning and growing. “At Geelong Grammar School, you are part of a bigger picture. You are not working in isolation. You have great opportunities to learn from other people from other campuses. That connection to something bigger presents teachers with so many varied opportunities.”

Rachael said that she felt very fortunate to have the opportunity to be the new Head of Bostock House following Daryl Moorfoot’s retirement after 37 years at Geelong Grammar School, including the last 10 years as Head of Bostock House. “Every conversation with parents and staff is about how special and unique Bostock House is,” Rachael said. “It has been so lovely. The parents and staff have been very welcoming and the children are just really, really nice kids. It’s like a family but it is a school at the same time. I’m so grateful. I pinch myself every day.”

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COMING TOGETHER

National Reconciliation Week is different and special to me because it’s not only about celebrating and creating awareness of Indigenous culture, but it’s also focused on uniting non-Indigenous and Indigenous Australians. It is an opportunity to educate the community about Indigenous issues, but the focus isn’t negative – it’s really about coming together and celebrating our ability to come together. National Reconciliation Week culminated with our APS Indigenous Round against The Geelong College. The Year 5 and 6 students made message sticks that our team captains gave to the Geelong College team captains as a symbol

that we wanted them to join us and be involved and be a part of this day and to celebrate with us. Message sticks are a traditional form of communication that has been used for thousands of years by Indigenous people. When I go home to Warrnambool, my grandparents have message sticks that have been passed down in our family. Message sticks were used to invite neighbouring groups to gatherings, so to give one to someone else is also a sign of respect. We held a concert that night in the SPACE. We had lots of people perform – Indigenous artists, students and members of the community. It wasn’t all Indigenous songs. It was whatever people felt they

wanted to express. The concert ended with John Baxter’s (Yr12 P) cousin Deon Baxter and Joel Wiggins performing their song ‘Reconcile’. It was a really special atmosphere because we felt like we’d all witnessed something that was connected to something bigger than us. I felt very privileged and proud. To see an opportunity like National Reconciliation Week and to make something meaningful from it made me feel very proud and thankful – thankful for the opportunity. I hope that it does carry on into the future so that students that come to this School have the opportunity to be involved and participate in something like that. Tarryn Love (Yr12 A)

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MEET REV. GORDON LINGARD SENIOR CHAPLAIN

Our new Senior Chaplain, Reverend Gordon Lingard, believes faith should be meaningful and relevant. “I always want my messages to be practical so people can take something away which is useful,” Gordon said. “If you’re preaching messages that aren’t relevant and people can’t apply them to their life, they switch off. We need to ensure that Chapel makes sense to students. In much the same way that Pos Ed and wellbeing do, I think that faith should have an experiential relevance in our lives and that we should practice it on a daily basis. It really is about putting into practice what we read in the Bible and what Jesus would do – simple as that.” Gordon has spent the past six years working in the Anglican Diocese of Bendigo, most recently at St Luke’s White Hills and True North (St Clement’s Huntly), having previously been a Chaplain at St Leonard’s College and has also taught Religious Education at The Geelong College. “When this position came up and it involved living on campus as part of the community, both my wife Judy and I were very excited. The fact that it was Geelong Grammar School, increased the sense of excitement along with the opportunity to connect with lots of young people that are going to make a difference in the world. We warmed to the relational aspect of a community like this and to be normal people who happen to have a faith in God.” Gordon’s faith in God has guided an interesting life journey across a variety of denominations. Born in Germany and

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I ALWAYS WANT MY MESSAGES TO BE PRACTICAL SO PEOPLE CAN TAKE SOMETHING AWAY WHICH IS USEFUL. IF YOU’RE PREACHING MESSAGES THAT AREN’T RELEVANT AND PEOPLE CAN’T APPLY THEM TO THEIR LIFE, THEY SWITCH OFF.

baptized into the Church of England by a padre of the British Army of the Rhine, Gordon grew up in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, where his family went to the local Salvation Army Citadel. He studied teaching at university and briefly stopped attending church before discovering the Baptist Church and becoming a Baptist minister, albeit one most comfortable with a more “relaxed and relational” approach to worship. “We were heavily influenced by the Vineyard Movement, which is sometimes described as the ‘radical middle’” he explained. “It was back to the roots, nice and relaxed, which was really embraced by the Anglican Church in England.” Having married an Australian in Judy, Gordon had emigrated to Australia and was living and teaching in South Melbourne when, in 1984, he decided to return to study at St John’s College, an Anglican theological college in Nottingham. Later, while teaching at The Geelong College and leading All Saints Vineyard Church, he and Judy became involved at St Matthew’s Anglican Church in East Geelong. “We decided that we were going to more fully embrace the Anglican fold,” Gordon explained. “Prior to

that, we were going where the need was. We love the Anglican Church for many reasons but particularly for its history, inclusivity and breadth. We met Philip Huggins and, after a period of further study, I was ordained as a deacon in St Paul’s Cathedral.” The one constant of Gordon’s faith journey has been his interest in making the connection between church and contemporary society. “It has to be people-centric, focusing on the real purpose of church, which is relationships, with both God and people.” He and Judy hope to build strong relationships with the entire Geelong Grammar School community and make connections across the School. “I think what I like about being a School Chaplain is being able to go into every part of the School and be recognised for who I am in my role. Through that, I have the God given opportunity to have input into so many different areas across the School, from Prep to Year 12. It is a very exciting prospect.”

Lizzie on Quamby Farm Cloud Street

OUR FOUR-LEGGED FRIEND The Equestrian community at Geelong Grammar School is tightknit and provides students with a valuable outlet. Riders spend time with like-minded students while learning valuable lessons about hard work and responsibility. The David William Robert Knox Equestrian Centre also provides students with an escape from their often busy life at Corio. The programme offers so much but, at the end of a long day, sometimes it’s just nice to see someone that loves you.

Bailey – a retired racehorse – responded well to the riding change, and partnered Lizzie to an incredible haul at the Equestrian Victoria Interschool Championships in April 2017. A three-peat of victories - Champion in Senior Novice Dressage, Champion in Combined Training 60cm, Champion in Secondary Working Hunter – will see Lizzie compete at her second Australian Championships in Toowoomba in September; her first since joining the School from Braemar College.

Students in the Equestrian programme at GGS, like Gen (Yr12 Cl) and Lizzie Brand (Yr10 Cl), are in the enviable position of having their pet – a member of the family – with them on campus while boarding. The benefits are immeasurable- their horse provides emotional support; a welcome distraction; an outlet for affection when home feels like a world away. Equestrian brings out a rider’s competitiveness; their creativity; their resilience. Ultimately, it brings joy.

“You go into these events not really knowing how you’ll go, but I hope to do well” Lizzie said, modestly, having finished second in the 60cm Combined training event in 2016.

Gen and Lizzie have been riding together since they could walk. “I’ve been riding since I was two,” Gen said. “It’s a long-standing bond that we have (as sisters).” This bond has more recently stretched to include a third member, of the four-legged variety. Gen partnered Quamby Farm Cloud Street – “Bailey” for short - with great success in 2016; qualifying for and competing at the Australian Interschool Championships, winning Reserve Champion in Elementary Dressage while being a part of the victorious Victorian Senior Dressage team. “This year I got a new horse, so Bailey became Lizzie’s,” Gen said.

Coming from Braemar – a school steeped in Equestrian history and a stone’s throw away from some of Australia’s leading horse training facilities surrounding Mt Macedon – it’s a feather in the School’s cap that our facility was a major pull for both girls. “I wanted to follow Gen (to Corio) because of the facilities and I wanted to experience boarding,” Lizzie explained. “They’re the best facilities of any school (I’ve seen),” Gen added. While the facilities played a part in bringing Gen and Lizzie to the School, the bonds formed – with students, staff and animals alike – is what makes the Equestrian programme so special. As the days grow longer in September and Athletics takes centre stage at the School, the hive of activity at the Equestrian Centre continues unabated. As Nationals pass and exams begin, the value of the equine at Corio remains a constant. Nick Sculley

Lizzie will be joined at Australian Championships by Hannah Bufton. Gen qualified, however she will not be competing due to Year 12 commitments. Olivia Batten also qualified for Nationals but will be unable to compete due to an injury sustained by her horse.

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ANZAC MUSIC TOUR Each year, the School offers a number of tours within Australia and overseas. Each tour sets out with a purpose or set of goals; be it overcoming adversity and building resilience (Kokoda), exploring Indigenous culture and history (Arnhem Land), or building on prior learning (Japan tour). This year’s ANZAC Music Tour – commemorating fallen Old Geelong Grammarians in World War I across Europe – ticked a number of these boxes.

The Music Tour travelled through Belgium and France, performing in the churches of Pozières and Fromelles and at formal ANZAC ceremonies in other venues. The group attended the ANZAC Day Dawn Service at Polygon Wood and marched with other dignitaries and visitors to the Arc de Triomphe in Paris for the La Flamme ceremony. Littered among the performances and cultural experiences, including a visit to the Louvre and the Eiffel Tower, the tour visited many ANZAC memorials and war cemeteries to commemorate Old Geelong Grammarians and the sacrifices they made in the war. “Prior to the tour, we were tasked with researching an OGG who died in WW1 and, once there, delivered a summary of their life and involvement in the School as we visited each of their final resting places,” Brodie Murray (Yr10 M) explained. Brodie was assigned Thomas Noel Heath Stretch (1912); a House Prefect who excelled athletically (both on the track and on the water) during his time at Corio. Brodie, a gifted tennis player who discovered a love of longdistance running during his Timbertop year, quickly found his common ground with Thomas. Brodie and his Dad, Ron Murray, made a boomerang and placed it on Thomas’s grave in the Peronne Road Cemetery, Maricourt. “Visiting his grave was a very emotional moment,” Brodie said. “It made me consider my own life (at GGS) and the parallels with Thomas’s School life over a century ago.” “It (the Tour) was an amazing experience; one that has changed my outlook on how I reflect on historical events,” Brodie said. A valuable lesson for a student with an interest in history, about to begin VCE. Thomas achieved a lot in Senior School, while Brodie – between his Tennis, Cross-Country and recent turn as Uncle Fester in the Senior School Musical – is beginning to make his mark at Corio. Nick Sculley

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THE SPIRIT OF KOKODA The 2017 Kokoda Trek was a great success and a rewarding experience for all involved. The group was challenged both physically and mentally over the eight days on the track, which runs for 96 kilometres through the Owen Stanley Range in Papua New Guinea and reaches a height of 2,190 metres (7,185 feet) as it passes around the peak of Mount Bellamy, but in the end the achievement was one that will never be forgotten. Learning and understanding the history of the Kokoda Track was one of the highlights of the trip. Over the eight days, the group participated in four memorial services along the way to commemorate the lives that were lost on the track. These took place at the Memorial at Kokoda (Day 1), the Isurava War Memorial (Day 2), Brigade Hill (Day 5) and Bomana War Cemetery (Day 8). The track travels through the land of the Mountain Koiari people. We passed through many villages and experienced a lot of Papuan culture. We met families and children, gaining an insight into their way of life, and how it compared to ours. On our fourth night, in a village called Kagi, all of the children from the village sang to us and welcomed us into their village, which was something that we will never forget (we have since raised money to go towards buying a solar-powered fridge for the village). Getting to spend time in the villages was definitely a highlight for all of us, and a memorable part of the trek. Throughout the trek we were accompanied by a group of 18 porters, who were local Papuans, ranging in age from 16 to 60. The porters carried all of our main meals for each day as well as tents and other gear. Although they were mostly shy at first, getting to know the porters and talking to them throughout the trek was unquestionably a highlight for all. ‘The boys’, as they were known, never failed to instil enthusiasm into the group and they will definitely be remembered for their energetic and caring natures. In all, Kokoda was an amazing experience for everyone involved and one that will be remembered for years to come. Georgie Biggs (Yr11 EM), Nina Morrison (Yr11 A) and Laura Sunderland (Yr10 EM)

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FOUNDATION CHAIR

Long-serving Foundation Board member (2004-14), Brigid Robertson (Gordon, Cl’77), with Foundation Chair, Penny McBain, at the Toorak Wellbeing Centre Gala Dinner on Saturday 17 June

Joanne Nitz, Director of Advancement and Executive Director of the Geelong Grammar Foundation

THIS YEAR THE SCHOOL PROVIDED FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO MORE THAN

260 STUDENTS

I am delighted that Joanne Nitz has been appointed to the role of Director of Advancement and the Executive Director of the Geelong Grammar Foundation. Joanne joins us from Perth College, a girls’ Anglican day and boarding school, where she was the Director of Community Development. In her previous role, Joanne launched the Perth College Foundation and established the College’s inaugural Annual Giving and Bequest programme, the Jacaranda Society, winning the 2014 Educate Plus award for Fundraising Excellence in Annual Giving and Bequests. She also oversaw the Major Gifts Campaign for the College’s Senior Learning and Leadership Centre. Prior to Perth College, Joanne worked at CQ University Australia in Rockhampton as Alumni Relations Manager and Acting Director of Development and Alumni Relations. Before that, Joanne was Marketing Manager at The Southport School, a boys’ day and boarding school on the Gold Coast in Queensland. Joanne brings a real passion for philanthropy and a desire to bring the benefits of philanthropy to GGS. Joanne has been busy meeting and engaging with members of our community and we have all been impressed with her enthusiasm, vision and willingness to get things done. I am very much looking forward to working with Joanne and her team, continuing the great work in building the School’s Scholarship Programme and Biddlecombe Society, whilst fostering support for the Toorak Wellbeing Centre, Yacht Club rebuilding project, Richard and Janet Southby Visiting Fellows Programme, Positive Education and Annual Giving. Annual Giving is an opportunity for every member of our community to make a positive difference to our School. It is something everyone can participate in and support the School to the best of their ability. Every gift to Annual Giving makes a difference, no matter how small. Gifts can help transform our campus libraries into modern learning environments, funding the purchase of iPads and the conversion of storage spaces into collaborative study rooms. Gifts can help the ongoing refurbishment of Timbertop, including the recent rebuilding of J and K Units, enhancing this unique learning experience. Gifts can help the School to provide scholarships and bursaries that enable a diverse range of students to experience a Geelong Grammar School education. Since Annual Giving was established in 1997, it has raised almost $1.7 million for scholarships, including the Annual Giving, Clyde, Hartley Mitchell, Hermitage and Michael Collins Persse scholarships, as well as the James Darling Memorial Fund. These scholarships have provided life-changing opportunities for so many students who could not otherwise have attended the School. This year, the School provided financial assistance to more than 260 students (around 23%) at Corio and Timbertop through scholarships, bursaries and other awards. This is a wonderful example of the power of philanthropy. We are extremely proud that the 2017 Annual Giving campaign highlights the Tommy Garnett and Indigenous scholarship funds. If you have not already supported Annual Giving this year, I would strongly encourage you to consider giving back to the School in this way and making a positive difference for future generations of Geelong Grammar School students. Penny McBain Chair, Geelong Grammar Foundation

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There is an enhanced recognition of the role of the Biddlecombe Society following a series of gatherings across Australia over the past few months. The South Australia Biddlecombe Society Luncheon took place at the Adelaide Club on Tuesday 9 May, featuring Vice Principal, Charlie Scudamore, as guest speaker. The inaugural Western District Biddlecombe Society Cocktail Party was held at the historic Wooriwyrite homestead, home of Sue and John Morrison (M’80), on Thursday 13 July. The inaugural North East Victoria Biddlecombe Society gathering was hosted by Ros (Ritchie, Cl’76) and John Adams at Ros Ritchie Wines’ Barwite Vineyard on Thursday 17 August. The events were attended by a broad cross-section of the School community, including Old Geelong Grammarians, Clyde Old Girls, Hermitage Old Girls, as well as past and current parents.

These events followed on from a successful Bellarine Peninsula Biddlecombe Society Luncheon at Barwon Heads Golf Club on Thursday 16 March, with further events to be held in Sydney on Thursday 7 September and Melbourne on Thursday 26 October. “I am delighted that there is a growing awareness of the Biddlecombe Society and an increasing understanding of the fact that a bequest will help to support the School in years and decades to come,” Biddlecombe Society Chairman, Neil Robertson (FB’72), said. “Our membership continues to increase, not only within Victoria but interstate too. The kindness is overwhelming and these events are an opportunity for us to thank those who have made provision in their wills to support the School, or are intending to do so. To all those, I give my heartfelt thanks.”

1. North East venue: Ros Ritchie Wines, 1974 Long Lane, Barwite 2. Lucy Gubbins, Suzi Mann and Bec Manifold 3. Knox Paton (M’85), Sam Wilson (M’84) (Biddlecombe Society Committee member) and Tom Calvert 4. Tim (FB’73) and Anne Young 5. Adam Kempton (P’75), Rob McGavin, Susan Morrison (host), Bec Manifold and Neil Robertson (FB’72) (Chairman of the Biddlecombe Society) 6. John Adams (host), Marshall Yencken (P’87), Ros Adams (Ritchie, Cl’76) (host) and Sophie Yencken 7. John Morrison (M’79) (host) and Al Wills 8. John Hawkes (FB’71), Bronny Hawkes and Peter Smiles 9. Jeremy Madin (FB’64) and Neil Robertson (FB’72) (Chairman of the Biddlecombe Society)

The Biddlecombe Society was founded in 2002 to honour those that remember the School in their wills. It takes its name from one of our greatest benefactors, Janet Biddlecombe (née Russell) who with her husband John, funded six masters’ residences at Corio between 1920 and 1925. The Biddlecombe Society is integral to the School and its future. It comprises a wonderful group of people who have a deep commitment to the School and we very pleased to have welcomed many new members. During the past two years a number of bequests, including those of Dr Bruce Lawrence (Ge’64), Dr John Emmerson (M’55) and the Hon Frank Callaway, have enabled students to attend the School who would otherwise have been unable to do so. For further information please contact Garry Pierson, Associate Director of Advancement, on: +61 3 52739136 or garryp@ggs.vic.edu.au LIGHT BLUE - GEELONG GRAMMAR SCHOOL

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BIDDLECOMBE SOCIETY

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Gala

TOORAK WELLBEING CENTRE DINNER

The Glamorgan Parents’ Association combined with the Toorak Wellbeing Centre Fundraising Committee to host a wonderful Gala Dinner in the Great Hall of the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) on Saturday 17 June, coinciding with the NGV’s Van Gogh and the Seasons exhibition. The night featured current Toorak Campus parent, actress and author Madeleine West, as MC and the Director of Deakin University’s Food and Mood Centre and President of the International Society for Nutritional Psychiatry Research, Professor Felice Jacka, as guest speaker. Entertainment was provided by the Toorak Campus Chamber Strings and party band Urban Playboys, with a live auction expertly conducted by Jock Langley (P’83), Director of Abercromby’s Real Estate. The Gala Dinner raised $120,727.00 for the Toorak Wellbeing Centre, with support from major sponsors Abercrombie & Kent, Mercedes-Benz Melbourne Airport, Liberty Belle, Candela Nuevo, Emma and Tom’s, Cockies Barrabool Hills Brewery and Mitchelton Wines, as well as many generous Toorak Campus families. “The event produced everything we had hoped for,” Chair of the Toorak Wellbeing Centre Fundraising Committee, Susannah Calvert-Jones, said. “There was a positive community atmosphere and the opportunity to contribute and be part of something very special.”

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SECTION 03 — FOUNDATION

1. Libby and Richard Simpson (P’84) with Glamorgan Association President Anabelle Guest (middle) 2. Sally Cleary 3. Bo Xuen and Jeff Chan 4. Hope Ferguson, Sarah Manifold (Ga’86), Susannah Calvert-Jones ,Professor Felice Jacka, Deb Hallmark and Anna Jordan 5. Ian Hagley, Caroline and Andrew Venn, Christine and Stephen Meek 6. Year 6 student Jeremy Gray 7. Sarah Pizzey, Darren Moulton, Yvonne Chow 8. Charlie Scudamore 9. Nigel Barry, Christine Coonar, Ben Apted (A’94), Stephanie and Richard Stanley 10. Madeleine West

Welcome to The Mail Room, a place for our wider School community to share news, notes and pictures of life beyond school. The Mail Room builds on the strong sense of community that we share and the foundation work of our Curator, Michael Collins Persse, who remains our invaluable oracle of information and the source of much of the content within. As a thriving boarding school, our mail rooms at Corio and Timbertop are central to the life of the School and the flow of information, from parent to student and beyond. Long may this continue.

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THE INVISIBLE FARMER University of Tasmania academic Dr John Paull has revived the story of pioneering biodynamic farmer Ileen Macpherson (Clyde 1911-16). Dr Paull has written a paper about Ileen’s remarkable life for the international Journal of Organics (Vol.4, No.1, 2017) as part of the largest ever study of Australian women on the land, the three-year Invisible Farmer project, funded by the Australian Research Council. Dr Paull discovered Ileen’s story in the archives of the Goetheanum, the world centre of the Anthroposopical Society in Switzerland. Ileen’s partner, Italian migrant Ernesto Genoni, had studied with the society’s founder, Austrian philosopher Rudolf Steiner. Steiner had developed practical endeavours from his so-called “spiritual science”, including Waldorf education and biodynamic agriculture. Ileen and Genoni joined Steiner’s Experimental Circle and founded Australia’s first biodynamic (therefore also Australia’s first organic) farm, Demeter Farm, in Dandenong in 1934. The 40-acre farm had a small dairy, with manure converted into compost for vegetables, which were then sold on the wholesale market in Melbourne. “Ileen played an important role in all of the farm activities, from research to application of biodynamic techniques to gardening to milking cows,” Dr Paull explained. Ileen had grown up in the Riverina region of southern New South Wales. Her father, Walter Macpherson, ran cattle and sheep at Paika Station near Balranald and Goonambil Station at Urana. Ileen attended Clyde School from 1911, when it was located in a twostorey Edwardian building on Alma Road, St Kilda. She was known as ‘Ikey’ at Clyde, where she was a prefect, talented dancer and outstanding athlete, representing Clyde in running, hockey, basketball and tennis. The third edition of The Cluthan (May 1915) wondered: “Could anything surpass the grim determination writ upon every feature of Ikey Macpherson, as she patters up the field?” The same grim determination was on display when Ernesto returned from a visit to Europe in 1939 and found Ileen unable to walk. He wrote: “The last month Ileen carried on the milking by herself, but her legs began to give way.” She was diagnosed with pernicious anemia, a vitamin B12 deficiency which leads to nerve damage, muscle weakness and loss of reflexes. Despite intensive treatment at the Epworth Hospital from 1943-46, Ileen would never walk again. Ernesto built a new, wheelchair-friendly house for the couple at Namur Street, Noble Park, and spent the rest of his days “looking after Ileen almost like a nurse”. They sold Demeter Farm in 1954 but maintained a large vegetable garden at Noble Park and remained active in the Anthroposophical Society.

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“Australia is now a world leader in organic farming,” Dr Paull explained. “Organics has been growing at 16% annually for the past two decades and accounts for a massive 45% of the world’s certified organic agriculture hectares. But, in the beginning (there) were just a few pioneers – so nearly invisible now. More than eight decades ago, Ileen Macpherson, with her Demeter Farm and her partner Ernesto Genoni, blazed a trail for the development of biodynamics and organics.” Ileen died on 3 June 1984, nine years after Ernesto. She was 85 years old. She left her house and land to the Dandenong Council for a park. The Ileen Macpherson Park can be visited at 17-19 Namur Street, Noble Park. For more information about The Invisible Farmer project visit: www.invisiblefarmer.net.au

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COMMUNITY NEWS 1949

Michael Cook AO (Cu’49), who was born on 28 October 1931 and died on 18 June 2017, was remembered by Michael Thawley AO (FB’67) as embodying “the best of what it means to be a public servant”. Both men served as Australian Ambassador to the United States of America following distinguished careers as diplomats and public servants, and Thawley admired Cook enormously. “He was dedicated and his integrity absolute. His intellect crystal sharp and rigorous. His advice was meticulously thought through and persuasive. He was Australia’s pre-eminent strategic thinker. He was determined – dare I say adamantine – in preserving his independence in the face of political or bureaucratic pressure.” Born in Burma where his father was a mine engineer, Michael Cook arrived at Corio in 1942 and spent his final year as School Prefect, President of The Areopagus, Captain of Athletics and Athletics Champion. He gained a scholarship to attend Trinity College at Melbourne University and embarked upon a decorated career in the public service, starting as a cadet in the then Department of External Affairs in 1954. He served in Egypt, Thailand, Indonesia, at the United Nations in New York and as Deputy High Commissioner in London, before becoming Ambassador to Vietnam, Deputy Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs, chief of staff of Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser’s (Gl’37) office (1979-81), the longest serving Director-General of the Office of National Assessments (1981-9) and Ambassador to the United States (198993). “His career intersected with some of the biggest issues of the times,” Thawley said. “He was on his first posting in Cairo at the time of the Suez crisis; he worked in the UN branch during the tensions over the incorporation of Dutch West New Guinea into Indonesia and then Konfrontasi between Indonesia and Malaysia. As head of the North Asia branch in the Department of Foreign Affairs in 1972 he managed the opening of diplomatic relations with China. He was in Saigon just before the final take-over of South Vietnam. Returning to run the North and West Asia division he negotiated the NARA (Nippon-Australia Relations Agreement) treaty with Japan. In Washington (he) was at the centre of tumultuous events: the Soviet Union collapsed, the Berlin Wall fell and Germany was reunited. He had to deal with fights over trade and the breakdown of the US-NZ leg of ANZUS.” His final assignment came in 1993, when then Prime Minister Paul Keating commissioned Cook to head an inquiry into reports of KGB infiltration of ASIO. Retiring to London, he was Chairman of the Menzies Centre for Australian Studies at King’s College London (1997-2011) and served on the board of the International Institute for Strategic Studies. “Later on when asked why he had chosen his career, Michael used to find himself repeating the words of Sir James Darling (Headmaster 1930-61) about the duty and satisfaction of serving society,” Thawley said. “He was a remarkable and inspiring man. His pride in his profession and his great dignity will be what I shall most remember.”

1953

David Power (Cu’53), who was born on 25 February 1935 and died on 21 May 2012, was an innovative farmer who played a pioneering role in the development of the asparagus industry in Australia. David had been School Captain of Tudor House before a distinguished time at GGS, where he was Senior Prefect, House Captain of Cuthbertson, Vice-Captain of Rugby and member of both the 1st XI Cricket and 1st XVIII Football. David came to Corio from his family’s property, Wirrilla, near Jugiong, on the banks of the Murrumbidgee River. After

leaving school he spent time as a jackaroo at Jemalong Station on the Lachlan River near Forbes, learning about irrigation, before taking over Wirrilla after his father Angas (Cu‘21) died in 1964. In addition to lucerne and sheep, David utilised the river flats to grow vegetables. He introduced asparagus and Wirrilla became the largest asparagus farm in Australia, with David organising QANTAS to provide direct flights of his asparagus to Japan. He expanded the operation to Katherine in the Northern Territory, producing mangoes, red flush grapefruit and lemons for both Australian and overseas markets. He established vineyards at Wirrilla and opened a successful cellar door in Jugiong, where he was active in politics and business. David married Annabelle (nee Ayrton) in 1961, and the couple had three children, Skye, Angas and Henry. They retired to Bowral, where David died in 2012, having hit what he maintained was his best drive ever at Bowral Golf Club only the afternoon before. Brian Fraser (M’53) was born on 4 May 1935 at his family’s farm, Heatherlie, where he died peacefully 81 years later on 11 January 2017, having lived his life at the heart of the Tallangatta Valley community in north-eastern Victoria. Between raising five children with wife Mary and running the family’s successful sheep and cattle farm, Brian always found time for others. He was the president of Tallangatta Primary School and Tallangatta High School, he was recognised as a Paul Harris Fellow for his work with the Tallangatta Rotary Club, and was a member of the Tallangatta Valley Fire Brigade for more than 60 years, including two decades as group officer of the North East Region (CFA District 24). A passionate advocate for farmers and regional communities, Brian was district president of the Victorian Farmers Federation for many years, established the Albury-Wodonga Superfine Wool Growers’ Association and was a founding director of the Australian Wool Network (AWN). He organised and chaired a National Wild Dog Summit in Wodonga in 2002, laying the groundwork for the National Wild Dog Action Plan implemented in 2014. He also appeared alongside neighbour Bernie Ferri on ABC TV’s The New Inventors in 2006 with a cement spreader used for road repairs, the Krata Shaka, and reportedly built the nine-hole Tallangatta Golf Course using Milo tins for holes over the course of three weekends. “Brian always had time for a chat and to provide advice — quite often solicited, sometimes not,” his local MP, Bill Tilley, told the Victorian Parliament in March. “His lifetime of knowledge and experience will be sadly missed by a community that benefited enormously from his community spirit and drive.” Brian is survived by his wife Mary and their children, Kate, Belinda, Mac, Sarah and Anna.

1954

Peter Gebhardt (M’54), who was born on 23 August 1936 and died on 22 July 2017, was a progressive educator and Principal of The Geelong College who became a County Court judge, published poet and passionate advocate of Indigenous education. The descendant of pioneering German pastoralists who settled in South Australia in the 1830s, Peter spent 12 years at GGS (1943-54) and was a School Prefect, active in debating, drama and the Literary Society. He attended Trinity LIGHT BLUE - GEELONG GRAMMAR SCHOOL

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1955

Reginald Seng Hpa (Ohn Kya, P’55), who was born on 3 October 1936 and died on 4 May 2017, was a political refugee who fled the 1962 military coup in Burma to settle in Australia and forge a new life in the Wimmera town of Stawell. Reg’s father and grandfather were both Chief Minister of Hsenwi State, a Northern Shan State of what was then British Burma. Reg arrived at Corio in Year 10 from St Joseph’s College in Darjeeling, India. Rosamund (Clifford, Cl’41) and Geoffrey Fairbairn (P’42) were Reg’s guardians and he spent his holidays at Mt Elephant Station, Derrinallum. He attended Trinity College and graduated from Melbourne University with a Law degree before returning to Burma in 1960. However, when the Burmese military staged a coup to overthrow the civilian government in March 1962, Reg and his family were forced into exile. Through contacts of his former Economics teacher, Noel ‘Nogger’ Newman (P’24), Reg started his law career with James Herbert Webb (M’22) in what would become JH Webb & Seng Hpa Solicitors in Stawell. Reg enjoyed the country lifestyle and became immersed in the local community – acting as solicitor for the Shire of Stawell (now Northern Grampians Shire), Stawell Water Board and Stawell Football Club. He helped establish hockey, squash and badminton clubs, and raised money for the Stawell Leisure Centre. “He was very communityminded and left Stawell better for his being there,” local real estate agent Terry Monaghan told The Stawell Times-News. “As a solicitor he broke the mould with his open door policy and his unique and interesting life experiences shaped his view on how to approach and solve problems.” Reg is survived by his children, Zanda Dinsdale (Seng Hpa, Je’77) and Bryan Seng Hpa (P’79), and step-daughter Traycie Walker (Ga’84).

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1958

Francis ‘Frankie’ Castle (Healy, Cl’58), who was born in Melbourne on 15 March 1941 and died in Lusaka, Zambia, on 7 July 2017 following a major operation, was an athletic schoolgirl who chased adventure in outback Australia and Africa. Frankie grew up in the Macedon Ranges, attending schools at Lancefield and Riddells Creek, before becoming a border at Clyde. She excelled at tennis, athletics, golf and hockey. She represented Victoria and Melbourne University for hockey and, having taken up golf again in her 60s, played in the Zambian Women’s Golf Team for eight years, playing off a single figure handicap. Frankie was also a superb horsewoman, winning the Queensland Ladies Campdraft competition at Blackall in western Queensland while working her way around Australia, from Esperance up into the Kimberley to Wyndham and across the Northern Territory to Queensland. Her next adventure was to Africa, where she ended up with a job domesticating puku (a medium sized antelope) at the Luangwa National Park in Northern Rhodesia (now Zambia). It was here she met her future husband, John Castle. They married and had two children while farming in Rhodesia with the civil war raging around them (Frankie slept with a loaded rifle under her pillow). Eventually they moved to South Africa, then Botswana, and finally ended up back in Zambia, developing a timber business at Kabwe and Chingola, near the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo. Along the way, Frankie developed an almost encyclopaedic knowledge of plants and wildlife, especially birds, and wherever the family lived she developed wonderful gardens. Frankie is survived by a son and a daughter.

1959

Anthony Hollick (P’59), who was born in London on 30 July 1942 and died on 29 October 2016, was a British libertarian thinker and founding member of the Libertarian Alliance described by colleague David Davis as a “colourful, angry, articulate, tormented and reflective gentleman”. Anthony was expelled from both Dulwich College and GGS, and was an autodidact who never attended university. He was active in The Areopagus and Philosophical Society at Corio, and notable for “forgetting his part” in Perry House’s 1959 performance of American comedy You Can’t Take It with You. Anthony was a founding member of the Libertarian Alliance in the early 1970s, and worked for the National Association for Freedom (renamed as The Freedom Association) and the Alternative Bookshop alongside libertarian political activist Chris R. Tame. He was an active member of free market think tank, the Adam Smith Institute, and FOREST (Freedom Organisation for the Right to Enjoy Smoking Tobacco). He was an early adopter of computers and the internet whose enthusiasms were many and varied, from designing and developing electric roller skates to recycling decommissioned US submarines. Anthony was also a keen horologist who wrote a detailed paper about relational dynamics in physics. “Curious, engaging, yet at times irascible, he not only immersed himself in the world of ideas but he also found endless fascination with the human capacity to combine progress and dignity with all manner of idiocies and diversions,” Chief Executive of The Cobden Centre, Dr Tim Evans, wrote. “He combined intellectual rigour and compassion with wit and humour.”

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College, where he was editor of Fleur de Lys, and studied Law at Melbourne University, but was encouraged by Sir James Darling to teach. He taught English and Latin at GGS, followed by a stint at Shore (Sydney Church of England Grammar School). He then undertook a Masters of Teaching at Harvard and taught at Milton Academy outside Boston before returning to Australia, where he was appointed Headmaster of All Saints College Bathurst (196675) before his 30th birthday. After a decade at All Saints, Peter was appointed the eighth Principal of The Geelong College (1976-85), where he was described by former Geelong College School Council member Robert Ingpen (OGC’49) as “a transformative leader” who “ruffled feathers”. Peter’s career then took a radical turn. In 1986, some 27 years after completing his Law degree, Peter commenced an article clerkship with Brian Flynn in Coburg. He was admitted to practice in March 1987 and went straight to the Bar, developing a flourishing practice. Peter was appointed a Judge of the County Court in May 1996 and served with distinction for more than 10 years. He wrote and published poetry, including Their Stories, Our History (Helicon Press, 2003), as well as an autobiography, Functus Officio: a memoir (Blurb, 2014). Peter was a passionate advocate of Indigenous education. He organised a scholarship for an Indigenous student to attend All Saints College in 1969 and was the driving force behind Trinity College’s Indigenous Education Program, personally funding the first Visiting Indigenous Fellow. Peter is survived by wife Christina and their children Nicholas, Sophie and Anna.

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Hirschfeld-Mack was in the Tatura internment camp when he was rescued by Darling. He arrived at Corio in March 1942, and almost immediately started to implement Bauhaus principles of self-knowledge, economy of material and form, and reform of society through art into the GGS syllabus. It was not long after his arrival that he managed to get all the boys to do something manual and creative. According to the Australian Dictionary of Biography, Hirsch promoted his pupils’ self-knowledge, introduced them to avant-garde painting techniques, and encouraged wood-carving, weaving, musical instrument-making, leatherwork and other crafts.

BRAIN OF AN ENGINEER, THE SOUL AND MIND OF AN ARTIST: LUDWIG HIRSCHFELD-MACK IT IS 1942. AUSTRALIA IS AT WAR. IN THE INTEREST OF NATIONAL SECURITY, THE AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT INTERNS THOUSANDS OF MEN, WOMEN AND CHILDREN. THE ‘ENEMY ALIENS’, ARE ACCOMMODATED IN CAMPS IN REMOTE PARTS OF AUSTRALIA. AMONG THEM THERE IS A CERTAIN GERMAN, WORLD WAR I LIEUTENANT AND RECIPIENT OF THE IRON CROSS. BUT THERE IS SOMETHING UNUSUAL ABOUT THIS INDIVIDUAL. HE IS AN ARTIST AND A FORMER STUDENT AND TEACHER AT THE INFLUENTIAL BAUHAUS DESIGN SCHOOL.

This year marks 75 years since Sir James Darling (Headmaster 1930-61) took the courageous and far-sighted decision to secure Ludwig Hirschfeld-Mack’s release from internment and offer him the Art Master’s position at Corio. HirschfeldMack (know at GGS as Dr Hirschfeld or Hirsch), was born in Frankfurt in 1893. He was encouraged to engage in art from childhood and received formal art education in Munich, Stuttgart and from 1919 at Weimar, the first site of Staatliches Bauhaus. Although Hirsch specialised in printmaking, he also investigated the connections between colour, light and music. Together with Russian painter and art theorist Wassily Kandinsky, the father of abstract art, he co-organised colour seminars and developed a series of exercises to investigate the nature of colour, light and dark, black and white, and the relationship between colour and form. Later, Hirsch taught art in various schools across Germany. However, the rise of Hitler forced him to leave his fatherland in 1935. Fearing persecution for his part-Jewish heritage, HirschfeldMack migrated to Britain. He taught unemployed miners in Wales and became an Art Master at Dulwich College in London. He remained active as an artist. In 1938, he lent a selection of his works to the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York for its Bauhaus retrospective. Shortly after that he was offered a job at Harvard under his former teacher and friend, the celebrated architect and founder of the Bauhaus School, Walter Gropius. But things took a different turn. With the fall of France in 1940 and rising fear of ‘fifth column’ sympathizers, Hirsch was arrested and held at the Huyton internment camp near Liverpool, before being deported to Australia.

More importantly, he was way ahead of his time in terms of thinking about the future of education. Education and creativity expert, Sir Ken Robinson, was only eight years old when Hirsch wrote his 1958 essay, ‘Questions and Doubts about School Education’. Lamenting the fact that learning was increasingly based on the memorization and regurgitation of knowledge rather than equipping students with creativity and thinking skills, Hirsch strongly condemned the fact that fear about examinations seem to be a stronger stimulus for learning than true curiosity. Superseding the leaders of Positive Education by some 50 years, Hirsch argued that all school activities should be inspired by virtues. “Not a little progressive teaching is needed,” he reasoned, but “a serious rethinking of the basic aims of education in the light and the dark of this mid20th Century”. Pointing to signs of an increase in mental illness and the spread of juvenile delinquency, he advocated: “If our children are to have the chance they should have and which we should see they have, of developing into balanced, integrated human beings, we must do something and do it soon if our schools are to help build up a spiritually alive society”. In his classes students were given materials to explore, principles to apply and inspiration to create. Projects would start with exploration of a medium (e.g. paper, paint, straw or wood). Next, a problem which would test the students’ understanding of the qualities of the medium, as well as challenging their powers of invention or imagination would be introduced. Lastly, after the work was completed, an exhibition with or without discussion would conclude the process. As one of his students noted, tackling problems by observing, experimenting, innovating and above all thinking, was much more important to Hirsch than following rules. LIGHT BLUE - GEELONG GRAMMAR SCHOOL

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Hirschfeld-Mack’s actions were clearly reflecting his educational philosophy. In his 1958 essay, he argued that all school activities should not only be inspired by Christian virtues but also that development of the individual should be directed towards the aim of serving the common good – it should lead the individual to devote himself/ herself to a higher purpose. According to Hirsch, continuous investigation of students’ interests and curiosities should be paramount in developing curriculum. He also suggested that if we agreed that the development of the creative spark, “something of God within each individual”, was more important than the quantity of knowledge learnt, then the format of examinations should be changed.

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Hirsch retired in 1957, but he did not stop his art practice or art education – he lectured at The University of Melbourne, the Council of Adult Education and elsewhere. James Darling called him “the most distinguished person ever to have been on the staff of Geelong Grammar School”. He died in 1965. Before coming to GGS, I knew much about Bauhaus and its famous frontmen like Gropius, van der Rohe, Itten, Breuer, Bayer or Kandinsky. However, to be honest, I was totally unaware of Hirschfeld-Mack’s contribution. It was only after I became the Head of Visual Arts that I discovered his legacy and recognised his brilliance. Quite often now, when I walk to my classroom I look up at the windows of the Art School Flat, where Hirsch used to live. I try to imagine his famous jars of sour milk set on the window frame and him standing there, looking out towards the You Yangs. If I could, I imagine, I would wave to him and then come up for a chat.

I would thank him for his vision, integrity and enthusiasm, for modernising the Department and for elevating the role of Visual Arts at the School. Most of all, I would say “Vielen dank Herr Professor!” for his inspirational axiom that informs my own teaching practice: “Our future demands human beings who have the logical and truthfully working brain of an engineer and at the same time the soul and mind of an artist.” Dr Peter P Bajer Head of Visual Arts

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Observing the Bauhaus ideals of changing society and everyday life through art and design, Hirsch made a concentrated effort to impact the School’s environment and, through that, improve students’ learning. As early as 1943, he was involved in improving the garden in front of the Art School. In the same year, with the assistance of Mark Kellaway (Cu’44), John Court (Cu’47) and possibly Ian Basset (Cu’47), he designed and painted a frieze composed of a dozen panels representing scenes from the life of Christ. Several important projects followed, among them Art School Gates (1949), Founders’ Gates (1952), path leading to the Art School comprising 1,323 individually designed tiles (1955) and Centenary Gates (1957).

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STAFF NEWS Don Marles OAM (Staff 1955-78), who was born on 12 December 1927 and died on 9 April 2017, contributed enormous and multifarious service to the School for 24 years, including as Master of Corio for five years from 1973 and Acting Headmaster for much of 1978. Born and educated in Queensland, Don was a Science graduate with a major in Mathematics and Bachelor of Education when he arrived at Corio. He was such a gifted teacher of Mathematics that Tommy Garnett (Headmaster 1962-73) would later describe it as an “embarrassment”. “So great was his reputation as a teacher of mathematics among boys and their parents that it was sometimes difficult to fill other mathematical sets,” Garnett explained. He was an equally talented sports coach, particularly of Cricket, guiding the 1st XI to the APS Cricket Premiership in 1961 – the School’s first since 1925 – and delighting Dr James Darling (Headmaster 1930-61), who “celebrated for a long time drinking whisky on the road outside his house with tears rolling down his cheeks”. Writing to his brother in England, Tim Murray (P’53, Staff 1959-77) suggested Don had “moulded a group of mostly average cricketers into what must be the most determined, good fielding, hard working team ever”. Don’s team won the premiership again in 1962. He had taken a period of leave to teach at St Edward’s School in Oxford from 1955-57 and was a tutor in Francis Brown before succeeding Vic Tunbridge as Housemaster of Perry from 1963-71. He returned to England to teach at Wellington College in 1972 and succeeded Bill Hayward as Master of Corio from 1973 and Deputy Headmaster from 1974, ensuring a smooth transition for Charles Fisher (Headmaster 1974-78). Consequently, Don played a central role in the extension of coeducation, particularly through the amalgamation with Clyde and The Hermitage in 1976. With warm humanity and administrative genius, he helped steer the School through this transformative project. Don was Acting Headmaster during Charles Fisher’s five months of leave in 1978, and again after Charles’s tragic death when driving back from Timbertop in December of that year. He was appointed Headmaster of Trinity Grammar School in 1979 and over the next 13 years oversaw a period of rapid expansion, with the development of Trinity’s swimming pool, science labs, administration buildings, gardens, Chapel of the Holy Trinity and Junior School classrooms. Don proved an ambitious and foresighted Headmaster. He welcomed the first intake of international students and Trinity’s enrolments surpassed 1,000 students for the first time in the school’s history. He retired at the end of 1992 and the Marles Playing Fields at Bulleen were named in his honour in 1999. He was also a member of the Board of Directors of Ballarat Grammar School from 1994-2001. Don is survived by his remarkable wife Fay (nee Pearce), Victoria’s first Commissioner of Equal Opportunity (1977-86) and Chancellor of Melbourne University (2001-04), who gave so much to GGS as it developed, adapted and matured, and their children Victoria (He’70), Jennifer (Li’73), Elizabeth (Fr’76) and Richard (P’84). Michael Collins Persse MVO (Staff 1955-current), was awarded Medal (OAM) of the Order of Australia in the Australia Day 2017 honours for his service to secondary education and to history. Dr David Daintree (Staff 1973-74 and 1982-83), was awarded Member (AM) of the Order of Australia in the Queen’s Birthday 2017 honours for significant service to education, particularly to tertiary colleges, and as a scholar. Dr Peter Dunn (Staff 1977-2012), who was born on 2 April 1949 on the island of Anglesey off the coast of Wales and died on 18 May 2017, was an inspiring Science teacher who introduced Soccer as a sport at GGS and made an immense contribution to the School community during 37 years of service. Having completed a Master’s Degree in Zoology at Oxford University, Peter arrived in Australia to undertake a PhD at Australian National University (ANU), where he met his wife Lesia (nee Komarowski). They were married in Queanbeyan on 29 January 1977 and immediately drove the 744 kilometres to Corio for Peter to begin his teaching career at GGS on February 1. He taught Science, mainly Biology, with distinction – and with special pleasure in the International Baccalaureate (IB) course from 2000. He was both demanding and understanding of his pupils. “His work in the classroom was a lesson to us all; his preparation was thorough, his outstanding knowledge of content enabled him to stretch all of his students, and his expectations of each of them was such that they produced performances above what they expected and what was expected of them,” colleague Tom Ashton said. Peter was Acting Housemaster of Fraser (1983), Housemaster of Manifold (1984-92), Head of Sport (1997-2004) and GGS Delegate to the APS (Chair of the APS Delegates Committee, 2002-03). His sporting passion was Soccer, which he played as a boy on the streets of Liverpool. He introduced it as a sport at GGS in 1980 and was the driving force behind the introduction of the APS Girls’ competition in 2003. Therefore, it is fitting that the School’s Soccer Support Club, the Doc Dunn Club, is named in his honour. He was also a fine coach of sprinters, who made sure that he was up-to-date with current trends in training and coaching. He spent 1993 at Glenalmond College in Scotland and retired from teaching in 2012. “Pete was the consummate colleague, friend and family man – a man of integrity, with intelligence, common sense and a witty sense of humour – on whom we have relied for sound, solid and sensible advice, and who has always been the font of all knowledge,” Tom Ashton said. Peter is survived by his wife Lesia, a valued contributor to GGS, in charge of Tennis, as a relieving Matron and in supervising Music practice, and their daughters, Laura (Fr’97), Nicola (He’99), and Susanna (Fr’01).

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When long-serving and much loved member of the Timbertop community Jan Purcell passed away Brad Bolden, former Head of Outdoors, came into my office with an idea. He proposed that everyone who knew Jan could bring or send a stone to Timbertop and we could use them to build a permanent memorial for her on campus. We put the call out before her funeral and the response was overwhelming. For weeks stones arrived by post, were dropped off in the mailbox, were couriered or delivered to the campus in person. Most were accompanied by letters describing the wonderful friendship and formative influence Jan had had on

the lives of many. These stones came from places Jan loved and had spent time with friends. For those that sent them they represented the memories shared. The pile of stones grew rapidly. They were of all shapes and sizes and it soon became obvious that a little rock cairn would not suffice and that having them all visible would be problematic. We decided that Bald Hill would be the appropriate place to build a memorial to contain the stones. From Bald Hill, you can look back toward campus, out to the Barwite hills where Jan lived, and up towards Mt Stirling and Mt Number 3, where she loved to horse ride and spent many happy hours

with friends and colleagues. John Friday and Chris Archbold, current and former maintenance staff members, designed a beautiful seat and table arrangement from local stone which encourages visitors to sit, lean back on the stones and admire the view – not face inwards. It was felt that this is what Jan would have preferred. The memorial encased all of the special donated stones and has these at its core whilst still providing a utility and function to individuals and groups that visit Bald Hill for reflection, recreation, repose or to sit and quietly remember Jan. Tom Hall, Head of Timbertop

JAN PURCELL MEMORIAL

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Jan Purcell (nee Elliott, Staff 1984-2016), who was born on 19 June 1948 and died on 17 January 2017 following a short illness, lived her life at the heart of the Timbertop community. She was Assistant to the Head of Campus for 32 years, appointed to the position by Jeremy Madin (FB’64) in 1984. Jan grew up in outback New South Wales in the Ivanhoe area and was schooled by correspondence until the age of 16. She moved to Melbourne with her mother and undertook a secretarial course with the Army in 1966, working briefly at Victoria Barracks before joining GTV9, which subsequently led to work in advertising. Her love of horse riding was nurtured while working in Albury Wodonga on Uncle Bens’ advertising account and riding with the Lovick family. She featured in a Tourism Victoria documentary about the High Country and worked on the 1982 film of The Man From Snowy River. She met her future husband Paul at the Hunt Club in Merrijig before joining GGS. In an article in the August 2011 issue of Light Blue magazine, Jan said that she “quickly came to understand that things were never done to a half measure” at Timbertop, which reflected her ongoing dedication and passion for the place. “The easy road was never taken. Hard things and situations were embraced and dealt with every day. The place simply hummed with the busy-ness of nurturing independence, self-reliance and responsibility for oneself and one’s environment. Working at Timbertop has been a wonderful insight into what happens within this unique boarding school environment and a perfect opportunity to observe the closeness and bonds that grow between not only students but staff and students and staff and their colleagues.” Nobody understood its unique community better, in particular the bonds between its members of all ages and backgrounds. She was strong, sensitive, wise, and immensely helpful in ways beyond definition. She helped each Head of Timbertop to be his true self, never making comparisons between them but respecting the individuality of each – as she did with everyone else. Jan was also an active member of the local Mansfield community, involved in the Merrijig Rodeo, Mansfield Mountain Country Festival and Mansfield Hunt Club.

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PAST PARENTS’ NETWORK More than 120 people attended the Past Parents’ Network (PPN) annual Autumn Cocktail Party at the Melbourne home of Sam Hayward (FB’76), father of Daisy (He’09), Will (FB’10), Robbie (Toorak’06) and Marigold (Toorak’06), on Friday 21 April. The evening featured a performance by actor and singer Michael Cormick of a song from Pene Patrick’s new musical, Cabin Boy. The mother of Joe Patrick (Cu’10), Pene has written, directed and produced a number of short films and the musical performance was a highlight of the night. Another highlight was a speech by Principal, Stephen Meek, father of Henry (A’10) and a strong supporter of the PPN. The Past Parents’ Network was established six years ago and has grown in strength every year, with past parents travelling from country Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland and Hong Kong to attend the Autumn Cocktail Party.

UPCOMING EVENTS Hong Kong Cocktail Party – Tuesday 17 October 2017 The fourth annual Hong Kong Chapter event will be held at NockArt Gallery in Wong Chuk Hang, Aberdeen, Hong Kong (www.nockartgallery.com). NockArt Gallery was founded in 2014 by avid art collector and painter Michael Nock, father of Camille (EM’11) and Lucy (EM’12). Spring Afternoon Tea – Sunday 19 November 2017 The annual Spring gathering will be held at Kyneton Old Rectory, 61 Ebden Street, Kyneton (www.kynetonoldrectory.com). Built in 1850 and set on almost half an acre of stunning garden in the centre of Kyneton, the Old Rectory has recently undergone a major renovation.

5 The many and various Autumn Cocktail Party attendees: 1. Host of the 2017 PPN Autumn Cocktail Party – Sam Hayward (FB’76), with Simon Peck, Richard Mackinnon (M’71), Daniel Hayward (FB’78) and Warwick Anderson 2. Keiko Sunaba, Maggie Duff, Gilbert and Janie Habla, and Daniel Hayward (FB’78) 3. Ian Dungey, Mary Hayward (Je’82), Karen Panton, and Janice Wise with son Peter Thompson (M’77) 4. Principal, Stephen Meek, addressing the gathering 5. Christine Olesnicky, Sally Kincaid, Markela Sargent-Peck and Suzy Rayment 6. Gabrielle Goldsmith, Sandie Foster, with Bill and Sally Diamond 7. Sallyann Pollard, Mima Piccolo, Joanne Waller and Debbie Haines 8. Anthony Bellofiore (FB’10), Pene Patrick, Joe Patrick (Cu’10) and Charlie Scudamore LIGHT BLUE - GEELONG GRAMMAR SCHOOL

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1960

Dr David Coles (P’60) was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for service to medicine and to rowing in the Queen’s Birthday Honours. David founded Canberra’s first dedicated cardiac unit at Woden Valley Hospital, now Canberra Hospital, in 1976 and was the unit’s sole cardiologist for 12 years – it now employs nine cardiologists and 35 nursing staff. David, who retired in 2012, also served as chairman of the ACT Division of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians. He was a member of the 1st VIII crew in 1959 and 1960 and has been an active and long-time member of the Canberra Rowing Club. He was chairman of the ACT Rowing Association and official doctor of the Australian Rowing Team. David is also the father of Rupert Coles (P’84), Nina Tomasoni (Coles, Cl’86) and Simon Coles (P’87).

1961

David Massy-Greene (Cu’61), who was born on 2 May 1943 and died on 21 August 2016, was captain of Qantas’s record-breaking Boeing 747-400 non-stop flight from London to Sydney in 1989. The marathon flight took 20 hours, 9 minutes and 5 seconds and set a new Fédération Aéronautique Internationale distance record and attracted global media coverage. Its average speed of 845.6km/h was also a record. The elder son of Lady Elizabeth (nee Sharp) and Sir Brian MassyGreene (M’36), David arrived at Corio in 1959, followed closely by brother Roger (Cu’65). He was a member of the 1st XV Rugby team, Secretary of the Camera Club and played the Duke of Gloucester in the 1961 production of Henry V. Upon leaving GGS, he undertook Qantas’s Cadet Pilot Course and was awarded the Lester Brian Trophy for dux of his year. He began flying for Qantas in 1966, starting in Cessna 172s, Cherokee 140s and twin-engine Piper Aztecs, before progressing to the world’s largest commercial aircraft – Boeing 707s, 767s and 747s – during a distinguished 33-year career with Australia’s flagship airline. While the record-breaking flight cemented David’s legendary status as a pilot (“The only pilot who could land the 744 one-handed whilst scratching his nose,” Boeing engineer Colin Coxhead recalled), he was also one of the driving forces behind the development and implementation of new technologies in the aviation sector, particularly GPS and satellite communications. After retiring from Qantas, he spent 12 years at Boeing in Seattle, USA, working on the development of the electronic flight bag, which is now standard equipment on most airline fleets. David returned to Australia to live at Coomba Park on the mid-north coast of New South Wales.

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Will Alstergren QC (M’78) has been elected President of the Australian Bar Association. A former Chairman of the Victorian Bar Council, Will was a founding member of the committee to set up the Melbourne Arbitration Centre and is a current board member of the Australian Centre for International Arbitration in Sydney. He has an extensive commercial law practice in the Supreme and Federal Courts. He has also conducted substantial Inquiries for the Royal Australian Navy and is a serving member of the Navy Reserve Legal Panel (Lieutenant Commander). Will was the founder of the Victorian Bar’s Duty Barristers Scheme and won the Victorian Bar’s Pro Bono Award in 2012. He is currently completing a PhD in this area. He is also Vice President of the Victorian Olympic Council.

1980

Jamie MacDonald (Fr’80) received an Australia Day Award for his outstanding contribution to the Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development’s media and events portfolio. After graduating from International Christian University (ICU) in Tokyo, Jamie spent 25 years in international tourism, working for the Australian, Hong Kong, Queensland and Abu Dhabi governments. Jamie was a pioneer in developing tourism source markets for Australia in China, South Korea, Indonesia, India, Sri Lanka, The Philippines and Vietnam, before moving to London to develop Queensland’s UK, Irish and Nordic markets. Jamie then joined the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority as their London-based Regional Director before returning to Australia to work for the Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development. Jamie is married to Kim (Griffin, Fr’80), who works for the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. They have two adult daughters.

1981

Nigel Dawkins (Cu’81), who was born 19 May 1946 and died on 1 December 2016, received the Pride of Australia medal for heroism for his part in saving a house during the 2013 Aberfeldy bushfire in Gippsland, which claimed one life and destroyed 14 houses. Originally from nearby Tinamba West, Nigel settled in the small town of Valencia Creek in East Gippsland, where he was highly respected for his building and carpentry skills. “You can learn a lot about a person as you watch them construct a home by hand from a bunch of sticks on the ground,” according to local Gippsland artist Ken Roberts. “Calm, quiet, meticulous and industrious… Nigel was a true old-fashioned artisan.” Nigel was involved in many local community groups in East Gippsland, including the Valencia Creek Community Hall committee, East Gippsland Landcare Network and Briagolong Tennis Club. He served as president and coach of Briagolong Junior Football Club and was a member of the Valencia Creek CFA for 15 years. He is survived by wife Rachel and their sons Matthew and Christopher.

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1978

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1984

Sadie Chrestman (Je’84) stars alongside her partner, former Sydney Morning Herald food critic Matthew Evans, in the fourth season of popular SBS television series, Gourmet Farmer. Since 2011, the couple (and son Hedley) have been busy turning a one-time apple orchard in the beautiful Huon Valley, south of Hobart, into Fat Pig Farm – a 70-acre one-stop farm-to-table experience. The farm is home to Wessex Saddleback pigs, chooks, a small beef herd, a pair of milking cows, a market garden and an apple orchard, which provides produce for a cookery school and lunch venue that hosts weekly Friday Feasts. You met Matthew on a blind date. Did you ever imagine that it would lead to you ending up in Tasmania raising pigs and picking apples? No!! It’s not every girl’s dream to marry a pig farmer. I read that you were living “a profoundly urban lifestyle”, working as an agent for screenwriters and directors in Sydney. Had anything you had done beforehand prepared you for what was/is a pretty audacious adventure? I have mixed feelings about boarding, but Timbertop was an incredibly formative experience that taught me resilience. I’m not a physically strong person (I particularly hate running and I was always the one

bringing up the rear when hiking), but I learned to love the outdoors and physical adventure and to realise just how capable we all are. My son goes to a school that focuses on play-based learning and they’re sent out into the bush in Grade 1. I wish that risky, adventure-based learning were more available to more kids across society. What has been the most surprising aspect of your move from inner city Sydney to the wilds of Tasmania? The flavour of truly fresh organically grown veggies. At most we pick vegetables the day before we cook them and the difference in flavour compared to veggies that have been trucked across the country is enormous. I still pinch myself when I eat a carrot straight from the garden. We’re incredibly lucky to have an enormous garden but most farmers’ markets sell produce that has been picked the day before and it makes a massive difference to the taste. I’m much more aware of death. For us to live, something must die; whether that’s a pig, a cow or the hundred slugs that would otherwise eat our broccoli. Have you always felt strongly about where food comes from or is it something you’ve become more passionate about as you’ve become more aware of the issues? I’m definitely much more aware of how most commercial food is reared and grown, what 200 years of European

style agriculture has done to the soil, and conversely, how many amazing farmers are now researching and practicing regenerative forms of agriculture. I gave up commercial chicken and pork in my twenties so I guess I was already aware of the miserable conditions on intensive farms. Eating my own pork is a revelation! It was hard at first, but I’d much rather eat an animal that we’ve named and loved. You seem to play a more prominent role in the new series of Gourmet Farmer. Was that a conscious decision or simply a natural evolution that reflected your increased involvement with the farm/business? Both. I’m in it enough to reflect the truth of our life, which is that I’m half of the business that we run, and the farm that we work. Many of our school community are involved in agriculture and food production. Others are entrepreneurs and business people. But I don’t think any are doing all of these things while being filmed for a national TV series. Does it feel slightly surreal? Luckily we live in Tassie in a community where many of our friends don’t own televisions, which is hilarious. Also I teach high school drama one day a week and 8th graders don’t give a toss about national television. So the series sort of happens in the background. We’re incredibly lucky

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You were very active in drama at GGS (your performance as Clytemnestra in the 1983 production of The Golden Masque of Agamemnon was described in The Corian as “magnificent”: “Perfect control and overwhelming natural talent were responsible for the highlight of the evening; her contribution as the evil but very beautiful queen was received very well by an admiring audience.”) and you went on to act in Los Angeles. How different is it appearing on screen as yourself in a TV series documenting a version of your own reality? I peaked early! It is ironic that I spent years studying acting to end up playing myself. I’m much better as myself, I think! Certainly happier. Sadie appears in the new season of Gourmet Farmer, Thursdays at 8.00pm on SBS until October 5. For more information about Fat Pig Farm visit www.fatpig.farm.

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to work with a producer/director, Josh Martin, who we trust completely to ensure that the final show is authentic. It’s very nice and very flattering when people like it and it allows us, Matthew in particular, to have a public opinion about how food is grown and reared and to be an advocate for regenerative farming.

Lieutenant Colonel Scott Hill (Fr’89), left, briefs Chief of the Defence Force, Air Chief Marshal Mark Binskin, in Suva, Fiji. Photo courtesy Navy Daily.

1989

Lieutenant Colonel Scott Hill (Fr’89) was awarded the Conspicuous Service Medal (CSM) in the Queen’s Birthday Honours for his role co-ordinating disaster relief in response to Cyclone Winston, which brought widespread damage to the Fijian islands in February 2016. Scott was Joint Task Force Commander for Operation Fiji Assist that at its peak involved around 1,000 Australian Defence Force personnel delivering critical aid supplies to Fiji and helping to repair schools, community centres and hospitals. The Navy’s HMAS Canberra and the Army’s 16th Aviation Brigade, which operates the MRH-90 helicopters, successfully completed their first deployments, while the Air Force conducted more than forty sorties between Australia and Fiji with C-17A Globemaster and C-130J Hercules transport aircraft. As Joint Task Force Commander, Scott was recognised for making “an outstanding contribution” to the ADF’s successful humanitarian response to Cyclone Winston. “He displayed outstanding professionalism, leadership and initiative in an extremely challenging and demanding situation,” the citation read. Winston was the most intense tropical cyclone ever recorded in the Southern Hemisphere, reaching category five intensity and causing catastrophic damage to the Fijian islands – 44 people were killed, 40,000 homes were damaged or destroyed and approximately 350,000 people (around 40 percent of Fiji’s population) were significantly impacted by the storm. The Fijian government declared a state of emergency on February 20, with Scott co-ordinating an ADF reconnaissance and assessment team to arrive in Fiji two days later. The ADF operation worked closely with the governments of Fiji, New Zealand and France over the next two months, delivering aid and humanitarian assistance, providing power and water to villages, constructing temporary shelters, and repairing schools, medical and community centres. Scott, who had previously co-ordinated ADF disaster relief in the wake of the Nepal earthquake in 2015, said that an enormous amount had been achieved across the Fijian islands in the space of 60 days. “There are kids back in their classrooms, people have some shelter and access to medical facilities thanks to our engineers,” he said at the conclusion of the mission. “Perhaps, most importantly, a bit of hope has come from the fact that their friends from Australia came to help.”

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OGG PRESIDENT

1 It was a busy time for OGGs in Europe and the UK during June and July. Ascot, Henley, Wimbledon, summer break for gappies… you know, all the serious stuff. On Wednesday 28 June, the OGG UK Branch continued a time-honoured tradition and hosted a superb London Dinner. On this balmy summer evening, 57 OGGs, community members and friends entered the grand portals of Australia House on The Strand. They were greeted by OGG UK executives James Earl (M’96) and Ed Smith (Cu’86), together with Australia’s High Commissioner to the UK, Alexander Downer (Bw’64). The 1918 building is a major landmark, built of Portland stone with different coloured Australian marble and timbers featured throughout. Australian black bean timber was used for carved panels in the Downer Room, named after Alexander Downer’s father, Sir Alick Downer (Cu’27), where the OGGs gathered for drinks and dinner. James and Ed pulled out all stops to arrange a delicious menu, with excellent wines supplied by Australia’s Redman Wines courtesy of Dan Redman (Cu’99) and the best of French champagne thanks to Ed. A magnum of Ruinart Rosé was the prize in a snap quiz called by James, asking people to guess the year of the very first OGG London Dinner. Dates were flung wildly about until someone guessed 1921. The Honorary Secretary of the OGG UK Branch in 1921 was C. E. G. Beveridge (M’16), so it was fitting to honour Mr Beveridge (School Prefect, House Captain, Captain of Boats, Captain of Football and Champion Rifle Shot, who was awarded the Rhodes Scholarship to attend Oxford in 1920) with a fine beverage. As guest speaker at his valedictory London Dinner, Principal Stephen Meek provided an enlightening summary of Positive Education and an update on the School. Thank you to James, Ed and Alumni Relations Manager Katie Rafferty (Spry, Ga’84) for their brilliant organising, and to everyone who came along and made it a terrific evening. James and Ed have taken up the baton from long-serving OGG UK representatives David Hudson (Ge’68) and Tim Tyler (P’54). James is a partner and head of the Sports Business Group at London law firm Fladgate LLP. His work focuses on commercial rights in the sports and entertainment sector. He recently advised on the complex transfer of Spanish striker Alvaro Morata from Real Madrid to Chelsea. Ed is a management consultant with digital marketing communications company Dentsu Aegis Network. He was previously executive director of sales and marketing at Foxtel, group marketing director at News Corp Australia, having also worked at the ad agency DMB&B in China and St George Bank.

The discovery by former OGG President Peter Chomley (Ge’63) of a handwritten menu from a 1917 wartime Reunion Dinner in his grandfather Rupert Chomley’s (OS’05) papers was the seed that blossomed into the commemorative gathering held in the village of Albert in northern France from July 6-8 (see Chairman of Council, pages 4-5). It was a journey into the past where 65 descendants and friends encountered the spirit and souls of OGGs and Old Geelong Collegians who served there 100 years ago. Thanks to James ‘Bim’ Affleck’s (Cu’67) historical research and the attention to detail of Mike Howell, Director of Community Relations at The Geelong College, it was like a well-directed film in which we all played a part. The script was unforgettable; the words spoken, the songs sung and the skirl of the bagpipes will long resonate in our minds. David Waterhouse (OGC’80), President of OGCA, Peter Chomley and I proposed a toast to the future of our combined alumni associations, particularly acknowledging the collaboration enjoyed nowadays at the Old Geelong Sporting Club (OGSC), where the friendly rivalry of schooldays transforms into combined loyalty and camaraderie. The OGG AGM was held on Tuesday 2 May in the Hawker Library. It was a pleasure to present Honorary OGG awards to long serving GGS staff members who have been outstanding contributors to the school, some for nearly 25 years. We congratulated and welcomed Matt Bouma (Contract Administrator and Estimator, Corio), Phil Marshall (Security Guard, Corio), Stephen Meek (Principal), David Oman (Estate Manager, Corio) and David Witcombe (Manager of Information and Communication Technology, Corio) to the OGG Association. Georgina Calvert (Fr’16) and Airlie Kinross (Ga’16) were also congratulated and acknowledged as the co-recipients of the OGG Prize for Dux of the School in 2016. Airlie and Georgina flew down from Sydney for the evening and it was delightful to share their enthusiasm about their future plans and appreciation for the education, opportunities and friendships they gained at GGS. Among changes to the OGG Committee for 2017, Vice President Lachie Stevens (M’96) and Treasurer Stuart Whitehead (Cu’94) stood down from the committee after nine years and four years of service respectively. Thank you to them both for solid and valuable contributions. With his excellent management skills and community spirit, Lachie has been a great supporter of the annual Year 10 Careers Day and a former OGG Treasurer. As a former Pivot Club president, he has helped to build the OGSC into a vibrant and successful community organisation. Welcome to our new OGG committee members appointed at the AGM, Rob Perry (A’83) and Will Richardson (M’02). Nina Anderson (Thomas, Cl’93) and David Henry (FB’70) were elected co-Vice Presidents, while Will was elected Treasurer. Other OGG committee members are Pin Affleck (Cl’97), Ian Coltman (FB’77), Bill Ferguson (P’72), Deidre Griffiths (He’68), Simon Kemp (Cu’70), Sandy Mackenzie (FB’59) and Annabel Southey (Cl’02). We are grateful that our Alumni Relations Manager, Katie Rafferty, continues as Honorary Secretary. We look forward to working with the new Director of Community Relations, Brendan McAloon, as the results of the OGG Membership Survey are analysed and implemented. The last decade has seen unprecedented changes in the Community Relations department’s staffing and capabilities. The OGG Association’s role and collaboration with other GGS support organisations will continue to adapt according to the needs and interests of the alumni community. Margie Gillett (Cordner, Clyde ‘71) OGG President LIGHT BLUE - GEELONG GRAMMAR SCHOOL

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1. OGG UK Branch executives Ed Smith (Cu’86) (left) and James Earl (M’96) (right) with OGG President Margie Gillett (Cordner, Clyde ’71) 2. Amanda Starkins (Slipper, Je’79), Hannah Starkins (He’14) and Justin Arter 3. Michael Thawley (FB’67), Georgina Turton (Brown, Cl’88) and Edward Buckingham (P’86) 4. Alexander Downer (BW’64) 5. David Montalto (Maude-Roxby, FB’49) 6. Dominique Cottee (Ga’09) 7. Suhail Nurbhai (Timbertop ’79) 8. Ella Cochrane (EM’16), Isabelle Stringer (EM’16) and Jemima James (EM’16) 9. Alex Hamilton (Ga’08) and Lizzie Ho (He’08) 10. Nick Probert (Cu’95) and Guy Lipman (Cu’95) 11. Edward Buckingham (P’86) and Julie Grills (A’87) 12. Alec Broers (Cu’55) and Suhail Nurbhai (Timbertop ’79) 13. Henry Dobson (Cu’03) and John Harvey (FB’55) 14. Principal Stephen Meek

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Thank you to the 1753 OGG, COGA and HOGA members who responded to our survey WHO ARE THEY? COGA 6% HOGA 9%

217

1024

RESPONDENTS WERE FROM OVERSEAS

480

RESPONDENTS WERE FROM INTERSTATE

OGG 69-86 YEARS 16%

RESPONDENTS WERE VICTORIAN

WHERE DO THEY LIVE?

SOCIAL MEDIA

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49-68 YEARS 30%

34-48 YEARS 20%

83% ENJOY & VALUE READING LIGHT BLUE MAGAZINE

17-33 YEARS 17%

UNSPECIFIED

BASED ON FEEDBACK WE WILL:

AWARENESS OF OGG SOCIAL MEDIA CHANNELS

INCREASE AWARENESS OF REUNION TIMINGS INTEREST IN MENTORING

50%

17-33 YEARS

73% 36% AWARE OF TIMING OF THE NEXT REUNION

REVIEW DISTRIBUTION OF LIGHT BLUE TO YOUNGER OGG

PLAN TO ATTEND THE NEXT REUNION

OVERALL SATISFACTION 42

DEVELOP ONLINE MENTORING PROGRAMME

77%

PROMOTE SOCIAL MEDIA CHANNELS

“In many respects, the OGGA was functioning at a higher level of effectiveness than the other 15 school and alumni groups with which we have worked” Nicholas Guyatt MMG Education

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12%

34-48 YEARS

Our youngest OGGs showed the most interest in mentoring

17%

35%

REUNIONS

49-68 YEARS

REVIEW OPPORTUNITIES FOR CAMPUS TOURS

31%

21%

75%

69-86 YEARS

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HOGA Golf Day and Lunch, Barwon Heads Monday 2 October 2017 2007 10 Year Reunion Saturday 7 October 2017 COGA Fun Cup Golf, Barwon Heads Friday 13 October 2017 1

1987 30 Year Reunion, Melbourne Saturday 14 October 2017 COGA AGM and Lunch, Royal South Yarra Lawn Tennis Club Sunday 15 October 2017 1967 The Hermitage 50th Reunion Sunday 22 October 2017 Tower Luncheon Saturday 4 November 2017

OGG Motoring Event Saturday 4 November 2017 OGG Golf Day, Barwon Heads Friday 10 November 2017 1977 40 Year Reunion Saturday 11 November 2017 Glamorgan and Toorak Campus Reunion, Toorak Campus Saturday 25 November 2017 HOGA Christmas Concert and Lunch, Newtown Monday 4 December 2017

2018 1968 50th Timbertop Reunion Saturday 14 April 2018 OGG Timbertop Morning Saturday 22 September 2018 1978 40th Timbertop Reunion Saturday 22 September 2018

4 1. Receiving Honorary OGG awards from President Margie Gillett (Cl’71) at the OGG AGM were (L to R) David Witcombe, Phil Marshall, Stephen Meek and David Oman (P’66) 2. Airlie Kinross (Ga’16) and Georgina Calvert (Fr’16) were congratulated and acknowledged by Margie Gillett (Cl’71) at the OGG AGM as the co-recipients of the OGG Prize for Dux of the School in 2016 3. At the OGG Timbertop Morning in April were Perry 2008 boys James Gibney, Reuben Gill, Rohan Bush, David Bower and Liam O’Donnell 4. The girls from L Unit 2007 at the OGG Timbertop Morning (L to R) Back: Alex Coppe (Fr'10), Arabella Kempton (He'10), AJ Morgan (He'10) and Imogen Smith-Waters (He'10). Front: Olivia Jia (Ga'09), Olivia Blair-Holt (A'10), Lily Ge (Fr'10), Penny Chirnside (Cl'10), Chloe Gibson (He'09), Eilish Costelloe (A'10) and Elle Smith (Cl'10) LIGHT BLUE - GEELONG GRAMMAR SCHOOL

Dates to be confirmed for: 2008 10 Year Reunion 1998 20 Year Reunion 1988 30 Year Reunion 1978 40 Year Reunion For enquiries about any of the above events please contact Katie Rafferty, Alumni Manager on tel: 03 5273 9338 or email: oggs@ggs.vic.edu.au

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CALENDAR

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OGG GATHERINGS

In Japan: 1. Past staff members Yuki Sasaki (Makino), Yuka Tateo and Azusa Iwamatsu 2. L to R Natsuki Hattori (FB’96), Rae Koshida (He’10), Jun Tazawa (Cu’96), Soichi Hatoyama (Suzuki, Timbertop ‘93), Hibiki Nishimura (P’97), Kazunari Fukada (FB’95), Stephen Meek, Geoff Steele (Cu’97), Cam Systermans (A’04), Byron Frost (Cu’05), Masako Komagome (Aizawa, Ga’96) and Yu Mitsuhashi (FB’07) In Perth: 3. Athena Paton and Hugh Edwards (Cu’50) 4. David Wordsworth (M’48) and past Timbertop staff member Caroline Winwood 5. Andrew McMillan (M’77), Sally McMillan and Rory Argyle (FB’54) 6. Sue Monger (Crooke, Clyde ’66), John Harper (FB’54), Athena Paton and Nancy Harper In Sydney: 7. Venetia Farley (Cl’11), Yasmin Howes (Ga’12) and John Fairfax (M’60) 8. Anthony Maple-Brown, Amanda Maple-Brown (Ga’99) and Bill Anderson (M’59) 9. Mark Allen (FB’84), Liz Cartwright (Cameron, Clyde ’72) and Simon Fieldhouse (Cu’72) 10. Eve Collins (The Hermitage ’64) and Fiona Newman (MacGillivray, The Hermitage ’65) 11. Stephen Meek, Richard Woolcott (Cu’45) and John Paul (Cu’54) 12. Gavan Farley and Fiona Ratcliffe (Archer, He’77) 13. Past staff member Anita Turnbull, David Lloyd, Stephanie Cowley (A’07), Arthur Fesenko (FB’07) and Ben Drury (P’05)

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HOGA NEWS Proud to be Women Proceeds from the sales of Proud to be Women: A History of “The Hermitage” Church of England Girls' Grammar School, Geelong (1906-76) will be used to support local volunteer organisation Geelong Mums. Kristeen Hunter (Horne, He’66) and her family, who helped fund the publication of the history book, suggested the volunteer group, which helps to “re-home” new and pre-loved baby and nursery items to families in need. Powered by 450 volunteers, Geelong Mums works in partnership with Maternal Health Nurses, support and social service agencies from across the Geelong region, collecting, sorting and redistributing essential nursery equipment, clothing, books and toys to families in need. Proceeds from book sales have also been used to purchase a glass display cabinet, which will display memorabilia in The Hermitage House at Corio, and a garden seat, which will be installed in a newly landscaped garden area in front of the House. The seat will recognise all Old Girls, past and present, and show The Hermitage House girls where the spirit of their strength, grace and wisdom comes from. Proud to be Women, written by awardwinning Melbourne author Melanie Guile, was published in 2014. Melanie worked closely with HOGA to capture the history of the School, from its inception at Pakington Street, Newtown, in 1906, to its amalgamation with Geelong Grammar School in 1976.

At Old Girls Day in 2016 were: 1. Vicki Hambling (The Hermitage ‘68) and Kristeen Hunter (Horne, The Hermitage ‘65) 2. Jen Stewart (Speirs, The Hermitage ‘68), Prue Webb (Spittle, The Hermitage ‘70) and Judy Prasser (Vanrenen, The Hermitage ‘69) 3. Ann Tyers (Fairley, The Hermitage ‘68) and Naida Hutton (Glen, The Hermitage ‘68) 4. Sally Horne (Jaques, The Hermitage ‘68) and Judy Delalande (Bent, The Hermitage ‘68)

COGA NEWS

1.The COGA team played in the Women’s Interschool competition at the Kew Golf Club on 3rd April 2017 L to R, Back: Janet Coombes (Darlrymple, Clyde ‘67), Kate Richardson (Robinson, Clyde ‘75) and Anna Tucker (Kimpton, Clyde ‘71) Front: Mandy Snaddon (White, Clyde ‘67) and Roo Rawlins (Hornabrook, Clyde ‘59)

Jumble Sale The annual Clyde Jumble Sale was held at Toorak Uniting Church Hall on Thursday 22 June. The jumble sale has been a COGA tradition since the 1940s, raising funds for the Isabel Henderson Kindergarten in North Fitzroy. Organiser Jane Loughnan (Weatherly, Cl’70) and her team of 30 helpers set up the day before and manned the stalls on sale day. There was the usual pandemonium as the doors opened and buyers rushed in, yet this year’s proceeds of $2,000 was down on previous sales. We also missed two enthusiastic regulars, Jane Nevile (Lewis, Cl’45) and Wendy Read-Smith (Fenton, Cl’70), who both sadly died in the months preceding the sale – it wasn’t quite the same without Jane’s fabulous selection of homemade jams and preserves.

At the COGA Jumble Sale were: 2. Annabelle Pobjoy (d’Antoine, Clyde ‘65) and Jackie Mackinnon (Kelly, Clyde ‘69) 3. Elizabeth Landy (Manifold, Clyde ‘59) and Meg Hornabrook (Clyde ‘57) 4. Deb Bray (Finch, Clyde ‘72), Annie Spiden (Ross, Clyde ‘61) and Anne Stoney (Peardon, Clyde ‘62) 5. Ann Willcock (Thomson, Clyde ‘68), Fern Henderson (Welsh, Clyde ‘59); Debo McNab (Grimwade, Clyde ‘54)

Old Girls’ Day The COGA AGM and Old Girls’ Day lunch will be held at the Royal South Yarra Lawn Tennis Club on Sunday 15 October, with morning tea at 10.30am, followed by the AGM and lunch. We are delighted that Amanda Elliott (Bayles Cl’69) will be our guest speaker, especially during the Spring Racing Carnival as Amanda is the current Chair of the Victoria Racing Club (VRC). LIGHT BLUE - GEELONG GRAMMAR SCHOOL

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20 YEAR REUNION The 1997 20 Year Reunion was held on Saturday 29 April. Some members of the year group visited Corio for a campus tour before heading off to Little Creatures Brewery in South Geelong to meet the rest of the 1997 group. Around 87 people attended, enjoying the afternoon and late into the evening together. Thanks go to Pin Affleck (Cl’97) and Jimmy Legoe (M’97) for organising the reunion.

1. Ferg McTaggart (P'97), Clare Matson (A'97), Doug Ellinger (A'97) and Greg Mantzaris (A'97) 2. Will Cumming (Fr'96) and Rob Wittmer (Timbertop '94) 3. Sarah Freeman (McIntosh, Cl'97), Vanessa Vincent (Fr'97) and Sarah Hope (Ga'97) 4. Kate Manning (Ga'97) and Jimmy Legoe (M'97) 5. Sophie Whitlock (Bingley, He'97), Kate Hollick (He'97) and Jess Embling (He'97) 6. Piers Dumaresq (Cu'97), Andrew de Lautour (M'97), Andrew Nash (P'97) and Ross Abraham (Fr'97). Photo bomber: Wynstan Gilbert (M’97) 7. Andy Haining (Cu'97), Fiona Jones (de Crespigny, Ga'97), Mark Avery (FB'97) and Andrew Mackinnon (M'97) 8. Julia Bostock (He'97), G Officer (He'97) and Catriona Saunders (Hanlon, He'97) 9. Beck Douglas (Sincock, Fr'97), Jo Weir (Ashton, Cl'97) and Laura Wilkinson (Dunn, Fr'97) 10. James Imhoff (Cu'97) and James Milne (FB'96) 11. Tom Mitchell (P'97) and Aidil Azman (P'97) 12. Skye Stevens (MacKinnon, Cl'97), Fiona Jones (de Crespigny, Ga'97) and Pin Affleck (Cl’97) LIGHT BLUE - GEELONG GRAMMAR SCHOOL

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OGG SPORT Football Old Geelong Football Club fell agonizingly short of historic finals berths in both the VAFA’s inaugural women’s competition and men’s Premier C Division. The interest in women’s football has been huge, with a large number of girls joining the club over the pre-season, resulting in not one but two successful women’s teams. After winning their division in the lightning premiership, the Senior women’s team was placed in Division 1 – the second highest division in the VAFA’s women’s competition – and performed incredibly well, winning four of its first five games and finishing the season in fifth place, equal on points with Beaumaris but missing the finals on percentage. The side included plenty of Old Geelong Grammarians, including vice-captain Ally Kirkwood (Cl’14), Phoebe Chirnside (Ga‘14), Caroline Edwards (He’09), Brooke McKay (He’15), Annabel Rafferty (A’14) and Annabel Rothfield (He’13). After the premiership success of 2016 in Division 1, the men’s Senior team experienced a mixed Premier C season, playing some impressive football at times to push hard for a finals berth, beating second placed Old Haileybury in the final round of the home and away season to finish in fifth place, equal on points with Williamstown CYMS but outside the top four on percentage. This year welcomed many new recruits, including Jez Nettlefold (Cu’08), Ed Keach (M’14), Matt Kirkwood (FB’16), Charlie Comben (M’16) and Hugh Coltman (FB’16), while the likes of Tim Breadmore (FB’15), Rupert de Crespigny (Cu’10) and Josh Hutley (Fr’13) also made strong contributions. The men’s Reserves team stormed into the finals with a big win over Old Haileybury in the final round to cement third place on the ladder. Will Beasley (Cu’12), Will Holmes (Cu’12), Will Evans (M’12) and Andy de Fegely (FB’10) have featured prominently, while Dave Andrew (Fr’07), pictured above, and Harry Sleigh (M’07) have made welcome returns after extended absences. A talented Under 19 team endured a tough season in Section 3, but there were plenty of positives nonetheless, including the performances of Matt Planner (Fr’16), David Gist (M’16), James O’Shea (Cu’15) and Nic Neeson (A’16). In total, 145 Old Geelong Grammarians were registered to play for Old Geelong Football Club in 2017, a sign that the link between the Club and School has never been stronger. For more information on OGFC visit www.oldgeelong.com.au or www.facebook.com/oldgeelong Netball

Cricket

OGS Netball completed a very successful first season (February/AprilJune) for 2017, featuring six teams (including one mixed) competing in various locations around Melbourne (Prahran, Richmond and Ascot Vale), with two teams making finals and one making the grand final. We are still looking for players to join at all levels. For more information visit www.oldgeelong.com.au/netball

Old Geelong Cricket Club is looking forward to the 2017/18 MCC Club XI Cricket Competition, which is scheduled to begin on October 21. At this stage our 2nd XI will move up to Division 2 and our 1st XI will continue in Division 1, following last season’s premiership win against Old Scotch. We welcome new recruits of all levels. For more information contact Roly Imhoff (Cu’95): cricket@oldgeelong.com.au

Tennis The Old Geelong Tennis Club is looking ahead to its third seasons of summer tennis at the Royal South Yarra Tennis Club, with social singles and doubles, food and drinks. For more information visit www.facebook.com/ogstennis or contact Bella Kempton (He’10): arabellakempton@gmail.com LIGHT BLUE - GEELONG GRAMMAR SCHOOL

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2000

Harley Manifold (M’00) recently had portraits purchased separately for the personal collections of the Assistant Director of the National Gallery of Australia and the Director of the National Portrait Gallery of Australia. Harley, who studied Fine Arts (Honours) at the Victorian College of the Arts, has been a finalist in Australia’s richest art prize for emerging artists, the Metro Art Award, three times. He has also been a finalist in the Doug Moran National Portrait Prize (2015). His most recent solo exhibition was at No Vacancy Gallery in Melbourne.

2002

Brenton Systermans (A’02) has been volunteering in Nepal as a high altitude medicine physician for non-government aid organisation, the Himalayan Rescue Association. Brenton was based at 4,200m at Pheriche in the Khumbu Valley (about a 13km walk from Everest Base Camp), treating locals and mountaineers on their way to summit Mt Everest.

2005

Richard Kyle (FB’05) is making a name for himself in Indonesia. After many years of modelling parttime and appearing in television commercials throughout Asia while studying Screen and Media Production at RMIT, Richard returned to Indonesia in 2016 to pursue an acting career. He has played support and lead roles in six films in the past two years, and his latest movie, Insha Allah Sah, a romantic comedy directed by Benni Setiawan, has been a box office hit in Indonesia. Known to his growing number of fans simply as ‘Richo’, he has 193,000 followers on Instagram and is a brand ambassador for a range of products, including men’s deodorant, a taxi service and energy drink. Richard also acts in a television sitcom, OkJek, and hosts the popular Indonesian travel programme, My Trip My Adventure.

2007

Films by Sunday Emerson Gullifer (He’07) and William (W.A.M.) Bleakley (FB’08) were among 10 short films selected as finalists in Sydney Film Festival’s prestigious Dendy Awards in June. Both were graduate films created as part the Victorian College of the Arts’ highly-regarded Master of Film and Television (Narrative). Sunday’s film, Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow, was highly commended, while William’s film, Birthday Party, was also screened as part of Melbourne International Film Festival’s Accelerator Lab programme.

2012

Emily Mannix (Fr’12) played for the Australian Diamonds in the 2017 Netball Quad Series against England, New Zealand and South Africa in August-September. Emily was rewarded for her break-out Super Netball season with the Melbourne Vixens, where she finished runner-up in the Sharelle McMahon Medal for the Vixens most valuable player, and has emerged as Australian netball’s most exciting young defender. “Emily creates her own intercepts many times and we were just delighted with her form,” Diamonds coach Lisa Alexander said.

LIGHT BLUE - GEELONG GRAMMAR SCHOOL

↓ Sophie Hewson (A’02) was a finalist in the 2017 Archibald Prize for a portrait featuring Indigenous artist and activist Richard Bell. The work, Untitled (Richard Bell), explored the Archibald Prize’s relationship with race, portraying “a cracked cartoon landscape brimming with fairytale myths of freedom and democracy”. “What does it mean for us to be participating in a prize that’s never been awarded to a person of colour?” Sophie asked. “For decades, artist and activist Richard Bell has worked to raise these difficult questions and to provocatively, intelligently and playfully challenge our conceptions.” This was Sophia’s third time as a finalist in the Archibald Prize, Australia’s highest profile art prize. She was a finalist in 2014 for a painting of her kissing singer-songwriter Missy Higgins (Cl’01) and a finalist again in 2015 for a self-portrait that continued her ongoing exploration of female self-objectification. “I am working, as a multidisciplinary artist, to generate ways of speaking about the body that are alternative to patriarchal ideology,” she explained. “I use my body in my work as a means to inhabit a new subject position.” Sophia has exhibited across Australia and internationally. She was selected by Art Collector magazine as one of Australia’s 50 most collectable artists. The 2017 Archibald Prize touring exhibition will be at the Geelong Gallery from October 28-December 10.

LIGHT BLUE - GEELONG GRAMMAR SCHOOL

SECTION 04 — THE MAIL ROOM

2002

↓ SECTION 04 —THE MAIL ROOM

2013

Harriet Nixon (Ga’13), who was born 21 June 1995 and died on 29 December 2016, was remembered as “an extraordinary young Australian,” by Fiona Nash, Deputy Leader of the National Party. Harriet grew up on a property near Moss Vale in the Southern Highlands of New South Wales and attended Moss Vale Primary School.

Her mother Fiona (née Langley), a florist, helped create the ceremonial bouquets presented to medallists at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, so five-yearold Harriet learnt the Australian National Anthem to sing along to the medal presentations. She delighted in singing the anthem to her classmates, then to the entire school assembly, followed by a guest performance on long-running ABC Radio programme Australia All Over hosted by Ian McNamara, who was so taken by Harriet’s performance that he invited her to open his Drought Relief Concert in Sydney in 2002. “It was a marvellous moment and I remember watching from the side of the stage and at the end of it I saw one bloke leap up and jump to his feet and the whole audience stood and gave little Harriet a standing ovation,” McNamara recalled. Harriet started her secondary school education at Oxley College in Bowral before attending Timbertop in Year 9, which she described as “the most amazing experience” that taught her “the skills to accomplish anything else in life”. Harriet believed in Timbertop and Timbertop believed in Harriet – she was awarded the Osmand Neville Hunter Mackay Smyth Prize (The Timbertop Prize*) for making “the greatest all round contribution to life at Timbertop”. She came to Corio in Year 11 and was a proud Garnett girl who embaced the spirit of GGS with integrity,

grace and gratitude. She was a member of the Karen Homework Club and the 2012 Lorne 160 team, which supported local food charity SecondBite. Harriet was also a member of the Senior School Band (flute) and Girls’ 1st Hockey team, and received the John F Mann Memorial Prize for Service. She completed all three levels of The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award and was awarded the programme’s highest honour, the Gold Award, by the Governor of Victoria in 2013. As part of achieving her Gold Award, Harriet volunteered at Bowral Hospital’s Emergency Ward, completed an expedition on Tasmania’s Overland track and participated in a cultural exchange in The Netherlands. Harriet took a gap year after Year 12, waiting tables at Biota Dining in Bowral and embarking on a working holiday through Europe, before enrolling at the Australian National University (ANU) to study a Bachelor of Arts/Laws (Honours). She attended Burgmann College, became involved with youth mental health organisation batyr (which has since named the Unsung Hero Award in her honour) and was elected President of the Civic 2 Surf charity, coordinating a relay run for 70 ANU students from Canberra to Bondi Beach. She was a member of the Federal Executive of the Young Nationals and worked as an intern for Deputy Leader, Fiona Nash. “(Harriet) was so special,” Senator Nash told the Parliament of Australia on February 15. “She had her incredible life before her, but what I think is amazing is that she packed into 21 years more than most people do in their lifetime. She was extraordinary. One minute she could be trekking up a mountain in trekking gear and the next minute be dressed up for a dinner looking like Audrey Hepburn – I am not kidding; she really did look like Audrey Hepburn. Harriet had this amazing ability to instil in people incredible hope for the future of the nation. She embodied everything that was good with optimism and hope. She made the most of every day. Her charity work was incredible. Everything she did, she did to the nth degree. It may only have been a very, very short life, but it was a life that was so well lived, and she gave so much to those around her.” Harriet died after she was hit by a falling tree branch while helping set up a music festival on the NSW Central Coast. She was a very proud OGG with a close circle of treasured school friends and strong family connections at GGS, including grandmother Janet Langley, a muchrespected Matron in Francis Brown House (1980-88), uncle Jock Langley (P’82) and cousin Tom Langley (Yr10 P).

Harriet is survived by her loving parents Fiona and Ralph and cherished sister Alicia (Yr12 Ga), who she admired and was immensely proud of. *The School has inaugurated the Harriet Nixon Prize to recognise the contribution of girls to the life of Timbertop, alongside the Osmand Neville Hunter Mackay Smyth Prize, which will recognise the contribution of boys

2016

Sasha Culley (Cl’16) is studying Chemical and Biological Engineering at Princeton University and rowing for the Princeton Tigers, which won the Women’s Open Rowing Ivy League Championship in 2016 and 2017. Sasha was a member of GGS’s all-conquering Girls’ 1st VIII crew in 2015 and 2016, and represented Australia at

the World Rowing Junior Championships in Rio de Janerio in 2015. Sasha had been studying Biomedicine at Melbourne University while attending Ormond College, before transferring to Princeton to commence Fall Term in September. Bentley Niquet-Olden (Cu’16) has been selected to represent Australia at the ITU World Triathlon Championships in Rotterdam. Bentley will compete in the 16-19 age group of the Sprint Race at the Junior World Championships at Rotterdam’s Rjinhaven Harbour. Captain of Swimming at GGS, Bentley finished in third place in the 15-19 age group of the five-race 2016/17 Gatorade Triathlon Series.

LIGHT BLUE - GEELONG GRAMMAR SCHOOL

↓ MARRIAGES

Justin Tang and Tim Bain (A’96), a daughter, Madeleine Skye, and a son, Sebastian Atlas, on 16 November 2016

Elizabeth Alder (Cl’03) married Charles Sullivan on 11 June 2016

Amy and Julian Baker (M’91), a daughter, Penelope Margaret, on 16 November 2016 Samantha and Christopher Darling (A’93), a daughter, Tabitha, on 11 July 2012 and a son, Alexander George, on 29 April 2014

Edward Baker (Cu’02) married Samantha Stevenson on 5 April 2016 Julian Baker (M’91) married Amy Walker on 9 April 2016

Marilyn Constance Hage née Tully (Hermitage 1950-57) on 28 May 2016 William Millar (Bill) Hale (1935-42) on 12 June 2017 Derek Garside Harrison (1941-48) on 3 February 2017 Guy Leonard Hart (1976) on 3 July 2017

Susan Buckley (Cl'99) married John Wallace (P'01) on 29 April 2017

John Murdoch Howard (1932-42) on 29 March 2015

Megan Daniher and John Durham (M’03), a son, Charles Michael, on 12 April 2017

Ella Cooper (Cl’05) married Julien Denizot on 24 June 2017

Alexandra Hogg and Henry Edgar (P’91), a son, Ernest Quentin Henry, on 8 July 2014, and a daughter, Olive Susan, on 2 May 2016

Laura Dunn (Ga/Fr’97) married Alexander Wilkinson on 1 September 2012

Lynette (Lyn) Rosemary James née McDonald (Hermitage 1941-53) on 13 July 2017

Pep née Lindblade (Ga’92) and Peter Effeney, a daughter, Abigail Mary, on 4 December 2009 and a son, Darby James, on 28 February 2014

Campbell Hanson (M’04) married Elizabeth Robin Henderson on 17 October 2015

Alison Beatrice MacDonald née Cutler (Hermitage 1948-51) on 25 April 2017

Christopher Hosie (A/M’96) married Elizabeth Clarke on 2 July 2016

Kenneth William Mackenzie (1941-47) on 18 May 2017

Maggie McKeand (He’01) married Monte Morgan (P’02) on 14 January 2017

Andrew Charles Murray Murnane (198492) on 1 August 2016

Nell Mott (He’07) married Lachlan Sullivan on 31 December 2015

Jane Warren Nevile née Lewis (Clyde 1942-45; widow of Sandford Nevile OBE [Chairman, Clyde School Council 1974-75; GGS Council 1975-82]) on 26 May 2017

Melissa née Harvey (A’02) and Charles Gardiner (M’00), a son, Edward Charles, on 16 November 2016 Jane née Kilpatrick (He’95) and William Gordon, two sons, James Reginald MacClaren on 26 December 2009 and Samuel George on 27 October 2012 Elizabeth and Campbell Hanson (M’04), a daughter, Madeleine Jean Wedgwood, on 17 February 2017

Christina Handbury (Fr’04) married Jack Lloyd (Cu’06) on 14 January 2017

Anna Officer (He’95) married Shaun Blanche on 11 March 2017 Felicity Robertson (A’04) married Edward (Ned) Jeffery on 8 April 2017

Donald Hamiltom Kerr (1931-35) on 19 January 2002 Beverley Eileen Lyon née Hoare (Hermitage 1935-46) on 9 April 2017

Graeme Thomas Norton (1946-57) on 24 June 2015 Christine (Chris) Page née Reynolds (Hermitage 1965-66) on 23 June 2017

Laura Conte and Andrew Harvey (A’97), a son, Montgomery Huxley Cecilius, on 30 May 2017

DEATHS

Zarith Sofia and Ben Ibrahim (FB’96), a son, Kyle Iskandar on 27 December 2016

David Wigram Allen (1937-41) on 18 January 2017

Marie Frances Panckridge née Rushbrooke (Hermitage 1938-49) on 4 August 2017

Laura and Phillip Ingle (P’96), four daughters, Alexandra Braxton on 28 July 2010, Charlotte Carter on 7 August 2013, Helen Marshall on 18 February 2015, and Phoebe Merwin on 28 June 2017

John McKenzie Anderson (Staff 195972) on 17 May 2017

William John (Bill) Panckridge (1934-46; GGS Staff 1952-87) on 24 June 2017

William Edward Murray (Bill) Bourchier (1938-42) on 14 May 2017

Henry Arthur Phillips (2005) on 9 March 2017

Jennifer and Andrew Lindblade (A’88), a daughter, Camille Scout Izumi, on 14 April 2010

Charlot Peter Bouvier (1939-42) on 29 March 2002

Wendy Corelie Read-Smith née Fenton (Clyde 1969-70) on 3 June 2017

Dr Frederic Nicolet (Ric) Bouvier (193741) on 6 May 2017

Brian Douglas Reeves (1944-48) on 17 September 2016

William Lawrence Bramwell (1942-44) on 22 June 2017

Michael Staniforth Ricketson (1934-39) on 5 July 2017

Elaine Minona Brennan née Bourchier (Hermitage 1935-39) on 28 September 2005

Jennifer Margaret Robin (widow of The Reverend John Robin [Staff 1982-84 and 1994]) on 18 April 2017

Christopher John (Chris) Caddy (196675) on 22 July 2017

Reginald Seng Hpa (1952-55 as Reginald Ohn Kya) on 4 May 2017

Frances (Frankie) Castle née Healy (Clyde 1953-58) on 7 July 2017

Geoffrey Reginald (Reggie) Smith (196066) on 22 April 2017

Michael John Cook AO (1942-49) on 18 June 2017

Arthur Davis Jellicoe Starling (1936-37) on 23 July 2016

George Henry Cox (1941-43) on 18 October 2016

John Edwin Sutherland (1946-53) on 30 May 2017

Dr Peter Anthony Dunn (Staff 1977-2010) on 18 May 2017

Donald Henry von Bibra AO (1946-49) on 6 June 2017

Brian Andrew Hazel Fraser (1948-53) on 11 January 2017

Dorothea Patricia Woodend (widow of Alan Woodend [Staff until 1982]) on 11 February 2017

Deborah Handbury (Fr’00) and Alex Lyons (Fr’99), a daughter, Annabelle Patricia, on 24 August 2016 Ellie Binns and Morgan McClure (A’09), a daughter, Stevie Em, on 24 October 2016 Cate née Kilpatrick (He’97) and Andrew McDonald, a daughter, Milla Rosemary, on 3 December 2011 and a son, Max Michael, on 11 November 2013 Katherine née Lindblade (Ga’94) and Dougal McIntyre, a daughter, Indigo Anna, on 8 January 2011 Priscilla Mendelson (Je’92) and Travis Reid, a son, Noah Mendelson-Reid on 21 July 2017 Amelia née Coote (He’96) and Sean Taylor, a daughter, Grace Florence, on 5 April 2017 Annie Gronbeck-Tedesco and Mark Vickers-Willis (FB’94), a daughter, Josie Louise, on 6 June 2015

LIGHT BLUE - GEELONG GRAMMAR SCHOOL

His Hon Sheamus Peter (Peter) Gebhardt (1943-54; Staff 1959-61) on 22 July 2017

SECTION 04 — THE MAIL ROOM

BIRTHS

↓ SECTION 01 — NAME OF SECTION GOES HERE www.ggs.vic.edu.au

PRINCIPAL'S REPORT FOR SPEECH DAY - CORIO CAMPUS