FOUNDATION CHAIR

It has been energising to see the return to in-person activity across the School and particularly with our donor community this Semester. We have so longed for this, and we have certainly made the most of it in the first half of 2022. So far this year we have seen members and supporters of the Geelong Grammar Foundation turn out in strength to attend two Biddlecombe Society events, first on the Bellarine Peninsula and then in Adelaide. At each of these events we were able to share with our members the new visual identity for our important society of donors who have committed a gift through their Will. The design takes inspiration from the leaves of Biddlecombe Avenue and has been crafted into new pins for all members and stamped onto the front of our leatherbound membership book, naming and honouring the members of the Biddlecombe Society from establishment and into the future.

We also enjoyed the opportunity to connect with donors and other members of our community at the Geelong Grammar School and Geelong Grammar Foundation Black Tie Dinner, held at the State Library of Victoria in April. Our guest of honour at the Black Tie Dinner was our Medal for Service to Society recipient, OGG and Geelong Grammar Foundation Governor, Mr Tim Fairfax AC (M’64). The Medal for Service to Society is the highest honour awarded by Geelong Grammar School and the Geelong Grammar Foundation. It recognises individuals who, by way of the excellence of their achievements in their chosen profession or career, have enhanced society within Australia or elsewhere. For decades, Tim has provided support – particularly to rural communities – through his philanthropy, but also with time, knowledge and leadership. Tim believes that giving back to community is fundamental to our development and growth as human beings, whether through volunteering, sharing skills and experience, or through philanthropy. We were honoured to have Tim and his wife Gina Fairfax AC join us from Brisbane to attend the dinner. Those in attendance were also treated to the talents of our 10th James R Darling Orator for the evening, playwright, screenwriter and novelist, Joanna Murray-Smith. From one great alumni story to another, we launched our 2022 Annual Giving campaign late in the semester, highlighting the story of OGG and past scholarship recipient, Rohan Byrne (Fr’09). Rohan is now a PhD candidate at The University of Melbourne, but his commitment to community and giving back was apparent as he put his research on hold to assist in Australia’s response to COVID-19. Rohan is a strong advocate for the impact scholarships can have on the lives of students. For him, the scholarship he received to attend Geelong Grammar School was a gift from someone saying “I know you can do this” – and it made all the difference in setting him on his path to shape a better world. Many members of our community have joined together to support the 2022 Annual Giving campaign in which Rohan features. Our efforts to raise funds to support scholarships will continue across the remainder of this year so if you have not yet had a chance to join with me in supporting the campaign, I encourage you to consider making a gift at www.ggs.vic.edu.au/together. Together, we can make a positive difference.

It is my privilege to work with the members of the Geelong Grammar Foundation Board and our committees to bring to life the vision of our School through philanthropy. Thank you to all those members of our community who continue to give so generously to support our School through the Geelong Grammar Foundation.

Penny McBain Chair, Geelong Grammar Foundation

1. Chair of School Council, Paddy Hanbury (M'72); James R Darling Orator, Joanna Murray-Smith, Medal for Service to Society recipient, Tim Fairfax AC (M'64), Principal, Rebecca Cody, Chair of the Geelong Grammar Foundation, Penny McBain 2. Members of the Class of 1964 peer group 3. Tim Fairfax AC (M’64) receiving his medal from Foundation Chair, Penny McBain 4. Members of the GGS community gathered for the Black Tie Dinner in The Ian Potter Queen’s Hall of the State Library of Victoria 5. Carolyn Munckton (Cl’84), Juliet Cook (Robinson, Cl’82), Georgie Somerset (Robinson, Cl’82) enjoying pre-dinner drinks in the La Trobe Reading Room of the State Library of Victoria

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