Grammar News
Edition 134 December 2020
Grammar News
What you might have missed
On the cover
The 133rd edition of Grammar News, published in September 2020, was only in digital format.
The COVID-19 pandemic impacted on all our lives this year. For Year 12 students, valedictory celebrations were necessarily different. However, they were still able to process through Melbourne Grammar’s traditional ‘Avenue of Honour’.
To view this edition visit news.mgs.vic.edu.au HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE: A reflection by the Headmaster, Mr Philip Grutzner
You can read more about changes to the valedictory festivities on page 26.
Introducing The Art Gallery Our stories
Erratum
• Paul Schreier (OM 1986) discusses the key role he is playing in our response to COVID-19.
The June 2020 edition of Grammar News included the following inaccuracies:
• Brand strategist, Lorenzo Bresciani (OM 1985), highlights the need to keep brands current, now and in the future.
Page 20
• Daryl Evans’ (OM 1960) life in education showcases the value of every learning experience. • Dan Church’s (OM 1990) connection to the School stretches back almost four decades. Our history • The School’s early overseas trips included a nine-week journey to India in 1927.
• The article titled ‘Class of 2019 update’ indicated that Zacch Seah was in Year 12 in 2019. This is incorrect. He was in Year 11. • The following person should have been included in the list of members of our community recognised through the 2020 Queen’s Birthday Honours: - The late Mr Ernest (Tony) Bilson OAM (OM 1961) For service to the restaurant and catering industry. Page 21
Learning during lockdown
• The article titled ‘Connections across time through sporting prowess’ indicated that William Ronald (OM 1905) won the Champion Challenge Cup for the Best General Athlete of the Year twice, in 1903 and 1904. This is incorrect. He won it once, in 1904. (He won the Champion Athletic Cup in 1903.)
• Art classes have been transformed with the introduction of new online approaches.
We apologise for any inconvenience these inaccuracies may have caused.
• Read about the 1960 Refuge Cove expedition - 17 days of discovery.
• Year 3 packed their bags and virtually ‘travelled’ to New Zealand this year.
Do we have your email address? The next edition of Grammar News, to be published at the end of Term I 2021, will be a digital only format. We need your email address to be able to send it to you. To update your contact details Contact School Reception +61 3 9865 7555 mgs@mgs.vic.edu.au or visit mgs.vic.edu.au/update-details
Grammar News aims to connect our School community with our initiatives and activities, present news about our Old Melburnians, and explore the ideas that are shaping our School and leading us towards new ways of thinking. Free to School community members, Grammar News is published four times a year, at the end of each School Term – digital only at the end of Terms I and III, with print and digital editions at the end of Terms II and IV. For further information and to provide feedback: newsletter@mgs.vic.edu.au Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised that this magazine contains images and names of deceased persons.
Edition 134, December 2020 Contents 04 From the School Council 05 From the Headmaster
FEATURES
06 Writing out loud
33 Friends of Grammar
Melbourne Grammar is a school that values ideas. Here we present stories about students vocalising their ideas to others.
34 The Old Melburnians 35 Obituaries
06 Understanding the other: debating and public speaking
36 Featured artwork
08 Historic debating wins in 2020
ARTICLES
09 National History Challenge success 10 A new debating event at Wadhurst
24 COVID-19 timeline
10 Poetry in motion
An overview of COVID-19 related events at the School during 2020
12 Excellence in oration
26 Tackling lockdown fatigue at Wadhurst
13 auspicia in Latin reading competition
A unique initiative engaged and motivated students during off‑campus learning
26 Same, same but different
Valedictory was a little different this year
28 A record of cricketing achievement
The history of cricket at Melbourne Grammar School
32 A quarter century of service Lloyd Thomas has given time, energy and guidance to the School for more than 25 years
ONLINE EXTRAS View more at the Grammar News digital site news.mgs.vic.edu.au • National History Challenge submissions • Year 5 original poems • Sir Kingsley Norris Orations • The life of Peter Kanoa – extended article • Obituaries (2010 – 2020)
14 Fond memories and inspirational journeys Meet five Old Melburnians with diverse life stories 14 Christian Bennett (OM 1986) 16 David Morton (OM 2009) 18 Vivienne Crompton (OM 2005) 20 Edward Fanning (OM 1952) 22 Peter Kanoa (OM 1969) Grammar News No. 134 - December 2020
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FROM THE SCHOOL COUNCIL
Reflecting on a year of resilience 2020 has seen Melbourne Grammar achieve things we may have said were impossible a year ago, proving that we can do our best work in times of crisis. This year has reminded us that we are resilient — that we can continue to make progress in the face of difficulty. And it has shown how much we can achieve through our ability to operate as a community. For the School Council, the many significant decisions made this year have been guided by the view that support for members of our School community is paramount. For example, it was our belief that no child should miss out on their education at Melbourne Grammar because of financial hardship experienced due to the unique circumstances of 2020.
Andrew Michelmore AO
We were able to offer this support, as well as fee rebates to all students during 2020, as a result of the financial stability the School has built over many years of prudent governance and management. This year’s Annual Giving campaign showed that others also share this desire to support members of our School community. Thank you to the parents, Old Melburnians and other donors who contributed so generously. Through the remarkable performance of this campaign, we were able to provide additional assistance to those facing immediate and severe financial impacts. We were also able to continue with capital works already underway at the start of 2020, and I am pleased to report that the refurbished Myer Music School is on track to open in 2021. We farewelled two valued Council members during 2020. Former Headmistress of Christchurch Grammar School, Beryl Gregory OAM, has shared her time, energy and intellect with us for almost 10 years. As a Council member and a member of the Admissions Committee, she offered invaluable expertise in educational matters and we are grateful for her sage and steady counsel. Beryl also played a key role in the Grimwade House 100th anniversary celebrations in 2018.
We also farewelled Lloyd Thomas after 12 years on School Council, the past three as Deputy Chair. In addition to serving on Risk Management & Audit Committee, and Nominating Committee, Lloyd served 19 years on the Melbourne Grammar School Foundation Board, including 10 years as President. His contribution to our decision making has been tempered by balance, maturity and experience, and by a clear appreciation for Melbourne Grammar’s educational aspirations. You can read more about Lloyd’s contribution to the School on page 32. Thank you to Beryl and Lloyd for their outstanding support of the School over many years. I am delighted to advise that Mary Clark has been elected Deputy Chair of the School Council. Mary is recognised for her professional expertise in strategic communications and issues management. She brings a deep understanding of contemporary social issues and how they intersect with the School. A past parent, Mary has been a dynamic member of Council since 2011. She has served as Chair of the Marketing and Communications Committee for the past ten years, and been a member of the Nominating Committee since 2017. I look forward to working with Mary in this new capacity. Andrew Michelmore AO Chair of Council
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Melbourne Grammar School
FROM THE HEADMASTER
What have we learnt? So what have we learnt from our COVID-19 off-campus experience? Some people now think that traditional schooling can be completely replaced by an online approach. I disagree. Yes, we have proved that off-campus learning can be done successfully in short bursts, but learning is a deeply social experience.
Philip Grutzner
The COVID-19 pandemic has presented us all with challenges and caused us to think differently about our lives. At Melbourne Grammar School, the most obvious impact has been on our educational program. All students experienced periods of off-campus learning during the year, with some in lower secondary remaining in this mode for more than 21 weeks. Classroom activities were modified with considerable success, but many co-curricular activities such as theatrical productions, sporting competitions and outdoor experiences were cancelled. In true Melbourne Grammar style, our community collectively adapted and achieved great outcomes under difficult circumstances. Almost all students managed situations they might have previously thought not possible and, as a consequence, developed a stronger sense of independence, confidence and resilience.
This year, we have appreciated that learning, whether at school or online, is where a journey of discovery is shared between the teacher and their students, with problem solving, group work, discussion and debate lying at the core of this paradigm. Clearly, this is better done on campus and in person. A logical step from this is then to consider what is the purpose of homework? Should it shift from the current common practice of asking students to simply finishing classroom work to a different approach? Perhaps, instead, we should be asking them to undertake more straightforward knowledge acquisition tasks at home, such as watching a video or reading source material, in preparedness for a robust interpersonal learning experience in the classroom the next day. Or perhaps the answer lies somewhere in between. On-campus social engagement has other benefits. For truly effective pastoral care to be in place, staff need to really know and understand their students. To achieve this, face to face social interaction is essential. Body language and other non-verbal cues offer teachers insights into students’ feelings and emotions. These don’t always translate well over an internet connection.
Relationship building has been altered in other ways as well. Our global outreach activities have soared through Webex this year, with a clear indication from teachers and students that they would like to do more in the future. Student, parent and teacher interviews occurred with all three parties linking from different parts of Melbourne, Victoria or the globe, and we were able to hear from speakers and collaborate with peers located in countries far away. It seems likely our new approach to engagement has merit for our educational future. Changes to the teaching and learning pedagogy at Melbourne Grammar School will not come about without consultation, research and our own professional debates and discussions. What is important is that we consciously set about recognising the best of the online and oncampus learning models and apply them in our school in age and stage appropriate ways. This year may not have been what we have expected, but I am proud of the creativity, courage and kindness demonstrated by our students, teachers and parents every day. What’s more, our community has largely progressed through this difficult year with grace, dignity and care for each other. I look forward to what 2021 will bring. Philip Grutzner Headmaster
Grammar News No. 134 - December 2020
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WRITING OUT LOUD
Understanding the other: debating and public speaking
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Melbourne Grammar School
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e live in an age of increasingly simplistic perceptions of others. Now, more than ever before, we are connected to the world around us; however, our connections are increasingly shallow, bite-sized, and vapid. Sustained, meaningful interactions with another person have become increasingly replaced by short bursts of text messages, status updates, and shared memes. We are given snapshots (or Snapchats, perhaps) of others, but not a full sense of who others really are. As a teacher, one of my greatest joys is helping students broaden their perspectives of the world. But it is more challenging than ever to look beyond one’s own reality, when outside of it, what one sees are merely shadows, and not truth. This is why it is more vital than ever before that we encourage the exchange of ideas and perspectives in our classrooms and schools. This often, and necessarily, takes the form of respectful classroom discussion, or through simply being exposed to new concepts, perspectives and ways of thinking as part of the curriculum. Nevertheless, there is something also especially powerful about the form of communication and understanding wrought through the acts of public speaking and debating. We all know, of course, that participation in debating and public speaking offers students the opportunity to build confidence and to learn to communicate effectively. Both activities empower students to bring forth their inner perspectives to the world around them. They are also useful pedagogical tools, literally placing the student voice at the centre of the classroom. But the value of public speaking and debating is also somewhat spiritual and transcendental. At their heart, both activities facilitate our most profound understanding of another human being.
In essence, debating and public speaking are outlets for allowing perspectives (inner realities) to manifest sonorously into the world. A human perspective is not really something which can be passively consumed in 280 characters or 10 seconds of social media video content; it is something more raw, more personal, more multifaceted, complex, and full. And, in turn, a fully delivered speech is not a simple, digital moment to be consumed with mild curiosity; its sheer presence demands the audience’s full attention and awareness. When we watch someone else deliver a full speech, whether it is in person or over the internet, we are made to appreciate the wholeness of a different worldview. The person delivering the speech is putting their voice, their body, and their presence on the line, in order to communicate to the audience a point of view that they believe is valuable and compelling. When someone is speaking to us, in public, something is at stake. That is why we are more inclined to listen purposefully and, in that moment, to truly yearn to know someone beyond ourselves. Ultimately, debate and public speaking are about more than the communication of ideas. They enable us to sift beyond the superficial and lead us to appreciate fully the rich, enormous world contained within another human being. Vincent Chiang About Vincent Chiang Vincent Chiang (OM 2010) commenced teaching English and Philosophy & Religious Studies in the Senior School in 2018. He was appointed the Teacher in Charge of Debating in 2020. As a student at Melbourne Grammar School, Vincent was Captain of Debating. He was the recipient of numerous academic awards, including a Premier’s VCE Award in 2009 for his outstanding result in Classical Societies and Cultures, and again in 2010 for Literature. Vincent was Vice-Captain of Rusden, Captain of the Symphonic Wind Ensemble and acted in several School productions during his final year at the School.
At Melbourne Grammar we honour, challenge and build upon a history of ideas. In our newest addition to Grammar News, The Library, we showcase outstanding writing from across our School that continues this tradition of thoughtful investigation. Through poetry, essays, speeches and more, our writers explore ideas that are important to our students, staff, community and the wider world.
Grammar News No. 134 - December 2020
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WRITING OUT LOUD
Historic debating wins in 2020
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elbourne Grammar School has won the A Grade (Year 12) level of the Debating Association of Victoria (DAV) Schools Competition three years in a row. This is the first time a school has accomplished this feat in the 64-year history of the event.
Adding to this list of achievements, Melbourne Grammar also won the 2020 DAV Senior British Parliamentary Debating Competition and the 2020 DAV Monash Asian Studies Debating Championships, at which Year 12 student Patrick Irwin was named Best Speaker.
By simultaneously winning the B Grade (Year 11) level this year, our School is also the first to record State championships across two levels in the same year three times, having also achieved this in 2016 and 2019.
Finally, Luc Cazenave was also chosen to be one of the four Victorian representative speakers in the Victorian State Debating Team for the second year in a row. In recognition of his outstanding contribution to, and success in, debating, Luc was awarded Melbourne Grammar School’s most prestigious student honour: a Sir Brian Hone Medal.
2020’s victorious teams were: • A Grade (Year 12): Henry Garnett, Rowan Kilpatrick, Will Naughton • B Grade (Year 11): Kelvin Cao, Angus Cha, Albert Du, Will Flintoft Three students – 2020 Captain of Debating Luc Cazenave (Year 12), Felix Archibald (Year 11) and Felix de Silva Clamp (Year 10) – were each awarded ‘Swannies’ during the competition. This recognises the speaker in each region with the highest average speaker score across their year level.
Reflecting on this year’s success, Teacher in Charge of Debating Mr Vincent Chiang says: “I’m extraordinarily proud of the entire 2020 School debating team. I’m impressed by their dedication, talent, and the extent to which they have risen above the challenges of this year. It is really a testament to their character, resilience and intellectual curiosity.”
“Everything really came together this year,” says Luc. “The Year 12 group, in particular, has benefitted from the legacy of Mr Sam Greenland, former Teacher in Charge of Debating. We have also been inspired by recent students, Jack and Ben Solomon, both world class debaters. This year, Mr Chiang has done a really amazing job of helping us through in quite a difficult time.” According to Mr Chiang, the strength and depth of the debating team can also be attributed to Melbourne Grammar’s educational pedagogy. “We are a school that emphasises knowledge, truth, understanding and critical thinking as vital to the educational experience,” he says. “We offer a range of intellectually focused disciplines and ask students to explore ideas in a variety of ways.” Luc concurs, adding: “Other school teams seem to frequently offer predictable cases and present ideas they have thought about before, while our teams seem more able to think in new ways and successfully grapple with unfamiliar ideas.”
From left: Rear: Kelvin Cao, Albert Du, Will Flintoft, Henry Garnett, Rowan Kilpatrick, Will Naughton Front: Angus Cha, Mr Vincent Chiang, Luc Cazenave
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Melbourne Grammar School
National History Challenge success
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he outstanding research, analytical and writing skills of Melbourne Grammar School students have been recognised in the National History Challenge once again this year.
The National History Challenge is an annual research-based competition which asks students to respond to a designated theme through a 2000-word essay. The 2020 theme was ‘contested histories’.
In commenting on this student success, Headmaster, Mr Philip Grutzner, said: “We are blessed with so many talented students in our School and so many great staff who unlock their potential.”
Year 10 student, Oliver McDonald, was awarded the Young Historian Gold Medal for his entry in the History of Sport category. He also won the Young Historian Silver Medal in the Year 10 category.
For Oliver, the role of Indigenous people in the formation of AFL football captured his interest. Using newly available material, he successfully demonstrated how oral histories can effectively supplement more traditional forms of historical evidence while building a cogent view on the shaping of the game.
The six Melbourne Grammar entrants presented an excerpt from their essays to an online audience of students and staff during a period of off-campus learning.
Hudson Skinner, Year 11, was also awarded a Young Historian Silver Medal in the Using Primary Sources category. Hudson and Oliver, together with Year 10 student, Daschle Bennett, and Year 9 students Daniel Cash, Henry Feeney and Jack Lowman, all achieved an overall 2020 Young Historian Bronze Medal in this prestigious event.
Hudson made great use of the recently released ‘Palace letters’ – correspondence between Australia’s governor-general and the Queen written during the period of the Whitlam dismissal – to carefully reconsider aspects of the constitutional crisis of 1975 and ultimately create a highly sophisticated piece of writing.
An abstract of Oliver’s submission is provided below, with the full transcripts of Oliver’s and Hudson’s presentations available at news.mgs.vic.edu.au/the-library
Abstract: Indigenous influence on the development of Australian football by Oliver McDonald Since the first recorded football match between Melbourne Grammar School and Scotch College on 7 August 1858, the sport’s origins have been strongly contested. While everyone acknowledges the role of Thomas Wills in promoting Australian football as a way to keep cricketers fit during the winter months, the origin of the games’ ethos and rules remains in dispute. Some believe that the sport was developed solely by European settlers, but more recently there has been growing support for the view that the sport was inspired by Indigenous football games. On one side of the debate are those who say that documentary evidence proves that Thomas Wills was inspired by his boyhood experiences at Rugby School in England. On the other hand, there is growing evidence that Wills was exposed to the Indigenous game of Marngrook as a child in the Grampians region, and oral history passed down by Indigenous elders about Marngrook being played prior to European settlement testifies to this. My research suggests that this oral testimony is very persuasive, and needs to be given more weight.
Grammar News No. 134 - December 2020
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WRITING OUT LOUD
A new debating event at Wadhurst
Poetry in motion
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D
n the online teaching environment of 2020, it would have made a great deal of sense to suggest that the debating component of the Year 8 English curriculum should be jettisoned, when connection between speaker and audience, teacher and student, could have a stilted aura compared to the life of a classroom. However, Wadhurst English teachers demanded this would not be the case and, from this, the inaugural Wadhurst Online Debating Festival (WODFest) was born. Every Year 8 student took part in a debate via Webex, over two sessions on a Wednesday afternoon with the proceedings adjudicated by teachers. For one hour, Wadhurst became a theatre of intellectual battle in which students invoked the ethos, pathos and logos modes of persuasion passed down by the classical world. In addition, Year 7 students each viewed a debate of their choice. Despite the possibly less familiar medium, students were expected to adhere to the established standards of a debate, exemplified by the viewing of a Senior School debate which modelled what a debate should look like – tenacious, uncompromising and composed – during the prior week.
On the day, Mr Greg Caldwell, Head of Wadhurst, oversaw the topic ‘Attending an all-boys school prepares students for the future’, while Ms Lauren Smith, Coordinator of Drama, adjudicated the topic ‘Good guys finish last’.
“While we were all a little weary from weeks of isolation and online learning, the opportunity to debate and communicate with such purpose was a welcome change. It was a reminder of how enjoyable, yet challenging, public speaking can be.” Dimitri Gasis, Year 8 student
The success of the program was due in no small part to the zeal and energy of Mr Paul Stewart, Coordinator of English. Romans such as Marcus Fabius Quintilian believed that to be a masterful orator that one must first be a good citizen. The quality of debate on the day showed that Wadhurst shares the company of many a good citizen. Wadhurst debaters are encouraged to develop and cherish the art of argument, so that one day they may cultivate this skill in order to use it as a force for good in the world. David Roche, History Coordinator and English Teacher at Wadhurst
10 Melbourne Grammar School
o you remember the first time you stood up and spoke in front of a large, unfamiliar audience? How did you feel? Nervous, daunted or, perhaps, invigorated? Students regularly speak in front of their classmates at all year levels at Grimwade House. However, for many, the annual Year 5 Poetry competition is their first formal experience of public speaking. All Year 5 students must participate, reciting a lengthy poem to a sizeable forum which, for the final, included students, staff, parents and a four-person judging panel.
The competition builds on a unit of study undertaken during Term III which focuses on poetry. “We explore a different poet and poetry style each week. This means that students are exposed to a wide variety of genres which, ideally, ignites their passion for this type of literature,” explains Ms Jo Clancy, Year 5 Coordinator.
“I believe poetry builds essential vocabulary, fluency, expression and writing skills for students. I hope this study of poetry will mean they have a life‑long love affair with it.”
Students may choose to recite either an original or known poem for the competition. This year the poems ranged from Dr Seuss to Shakespeare, together with some wonderful individual compositions. The performances are judged based on the students’ time, memorisation and delivery . However, given the competition occurred online this year, the judging criteria were extended to include how innovative students were in creating an interesting visual background for their presentation. The 2020 winner of the competition was Natalie Grant (pictured left). “Natalie delivered an outstanding performance of her original poem Street Boy during the Year 5 Poetry Competition,” said her classroom teacher, Ms Cristina Campagna. “The powerful themes of her poem were palpable, as she took the audience on a journey of the young boy’s feelings to finding hope.”
A selection other original poems written during the unit of study are available in The Library at news.mgs.vic.edu.au/the-library
STREET BOY Where do you want to go, street boy down the alley, but the alley goes into nothing? you ride trains and buses, but you miss home where do we go now the streets call you but there is nothing? Am I going insane? you want home but home doesn’t want you, you don’t feel like you belong but who’s there to help you think the world has turned its back on you or maybe you have turned your back on the world you cry and cry, but nobody comforts you is this where loneliness begins it can be a terrible feeling I never knew what it felt like but nobody really knows what loneliness is people may be orphans but sometimes they have siblings or friends nobody knows what it’s really like loneliness can come at any time anywhere but it’s not just being with no people its being left alone with no home or no family loneliness can kill loneliness can make you sick but loneliness can be fought with love you may not like a family but deep down they are your strongest allies you may not like them they may be rude, but they are the ones who care for you the most you may not feel like you belong but always remember you will always be loved Natalie Grant, Year 5
Grammar News No. 134 - December 2020
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WRITING OUT LOUD
Excellence in oration
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he Sir Kingsley Norris Oratory Competition is an annual public speaking event held in the Senior School at Melbourne Grammar School. Boys compete by composing and presenting a lengthy speech on a topic of their choosing.
The final is usually around 18 students with the winner announced on the last day of the competition, as determined by a judging panel of around seven teachers. Judging criteria relates to content, flow, use of English, timing, presentation and impact.
The competition was established in 1977 on the basis of a financial contribution to the School by Sir (Frank) Kingsley Norris (OM 1910). Sir Kingsley wanted to support the improvement of the oratory skills of students. He mandated the use of the words ‘different’ and ‘only’ in each speech because he thought they were grammatically misused in society.
The topics presented this year were wide and varied, representing the interests and ideas of a diverse group of students. Topics ranged from ‘Tribalism, Truth, and Modern Politics’ to ‘You’re ordinary. And that’s fine.’ to ‘How Mario Kart illustrates the difference between equality and equity.’
Typically, around 50 boys enter the heats, which are held during lunchtimes over two days in which the first minute of each speech is presented.
Henry Carmichael, Year 12, was named the 2020 Sir Kingsley Norris Orator, and Year 9 student, Daniel Cash, was named 2020 Junior Sir Kingsley Norris Orator.
About Sir Kingsley Norris Major General Sir Frank Kingsley Norris KBE, CB, DSO, ED (OM 1910) was a leader in Victoria’s medical community and a distinguished military officer. He was a keen sportsman while at Melbourne Grammar, and was a member of the Athletics, Lacrosse, First XI cricket and First XVIII football teams, captaining the football team in his final year. He went on to study medicine at the University of Melbourne before taking on several significant roles in Victoria’s medical community, including President of the Melbourne Medical Association and Chief Commander of the St John Ambulance Brigade. Sir Kinsley served in WWI, WWII and the Korean War, eventually rising to the role of Director General of Medical Services and receiving numerous honours for his outstanding contribution to the armed forces over many years. Sir Kingsley was honoured as a Knight Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire for his services to medicine in 1957.
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Melbourne Grammar School
Excerpt: Speech by 2020 Junior Orator, Daniel Cash (Year 9) How evil leaders are elected and what we must learn from this We look these days upon history with a degree of complacency. That which occurred before us will not occur again; we are smarter, wiser – we have hindsight. But that is our grave mistake. For we have always had hindsight. Before a man like Mao was allowed to come to power, we had the examples of Hitler and Mussolini and Franco, and before them, we had Stalin. Before Stalin, there was Zulu, and, to go further back, Caligula, Nero and Sulla. Even earlier in history we may observe Qin She Huang, the original burner of books. The mistakes which we think we will not make again have been made over and over, by the most civilised and educated peoples. How, then, does this happen? How are modern-day dictators born? How do they rise to power? And, once they are in their seat, how do they stay there? How do men like Mao and Hitler and Stalin and Franco and Mussolini – many of them men of civilised, developed countries – manage to get elected? And, most importantly, what must we learn from this? …
Excerpt: Speech by 2020 Sir Kingsley Norris Orator, Henry Carmichael (Year 12) Why you should listen in Chapel …Why do we go to school? … Because the ever-expanding portfolio that is our education comprises of experiences and lessons learned about ourselves, about others and about life. That’s why we’re here. That’s why school is vital for shaping future generations for it is the vessel by which we develop an understanding of how to be a good thinker, a good listener and a good person. And where is it where these lessons are the forefront idea of discussion and reflection? For me, it’s Chapel. Simply being at Chapel encourages us to introspect and learn about ourselves. There is a particularly vivid and even observable dichotomy between the ambiance and peace as we enter the Chapel, and the chaos and stress of the day that lies ahead. It is as though when we walk through those grand doors, greeted by a relaxing tune from the organ, whilst the herbal incense manifests in our nostrils, we are invited to stop looking outwards for a while, and look inwards; to reflect and meditate. …
auspicia in Latin reading competition Melbourne Grammar students have dominated the Classical Association of Victoria’s (CAV) Latin Reading Competition this year. Achieving first place in their respective year levels were Jaden Taveira (Year 9), Roddy Dong (Year 10) and Harlan Wright (Year 11). Second place recipients were Kelvin Cao (Year 11) and Peter Frangos (Year 11, competing in the Year 12 division). The competition asks participants to speak a provided Latin passage. Students are judged on accuracy , fluency and expression. Latin is a relatively small VCE subject with around 200 – 300 students at Year 12 level each year. Fifty-eight students drawn from 10 schools entered the 2020 Latin Reading Competition. An annual event, the competition has been running for over 40 years. In speaking to these high achieving students, Head of Latin, Mr Ali McWhirter said: “I want to congratulate you all on your most deserved successes. You should be extremely proud of the efforts that you made to prepare for the competition, and also your motivation to go far beyond the syllabus in this difficult year.” Mr McWhirter also commended Mr Andrew Williams, Latin Coordinator at Wadhurst, for his expertise in preparing the students for the competition. “We have a real depth of teaching capability at Melbourne Grammar and this translates to excellent outcomes for students,” he said.
Read the full speeches at news.mgs.vic.edu.au/the-library Grammar News No. 134 - December 2020
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OLD MELBURNIAN STORY
(Image source: Woolworths Group)
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Melbourne Grammar School
The history classroom leads to a remarkable career
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hen asked about the defining challenges of his career, Christian Bennett (OM 1986) mentions two world events: the 1999 East Timor crisis, and COVID-19. Working as First Secretary (Political) at Australia’s Embassy in Washington DC between 1997-2000, Christian’s role became dominated with an unfolding international situation on Australia’s doorstep. “Dealing with the crisis in East Timor took me to every corner of US politics, from the State Department to the White House Situation Room, to Congress, NGOs and think tanks, as well as the media, to help secure support for Australia’s position,” he explains. “It was a unique challenge for Australian foreign policy and a privilege to play a small role in navigating a successful outcome.” Working for the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) was the result of a keen interest in history and politics that began during Christian’s time at Melbourne Grammar. “The School instilled a real passion for knowledge largely because the quality of teaching was so high,” he says.
“My American History teacher, Campbell Bairstow, was so passionate and enthusiastic. He started the obsession with international relations and US history that led to my choosing DFAT over other roles. I speak to Campbell every so often and remind him: ‘It all started in your classroom!’” From Washington, Christian moved to the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet and progressed through senior DFAT roles including Assistant Secretary (Americas Branch), North Asia Adviser to Foreign Minister Downer and the Australian High Commissioner to Brunei. He later joined the private sector primarily in government relations and public policy roles, working for Santos, BHP and GE before taking on his current position as Group Head of Reputation at Woolworths. Unsurprisingly, 2020 has been a particularly busy year. “Government regulation touches on every corner of the food supply chain. In a crisis such as COVID-19, my team was at the centre of many of our most pressing challenges to preserve food security, staff and customer safety, and store operations,” explains Christian. “I was incredibly proud of how my team, as part of the broader Woolworths effort, rose to this enormous task.”
Taking a moment to reflect, Christian describes this extraordinary period in terms of future opportunities. “We’ve seen a permanent change in the role of digital platforms in meeting everyday needs, and the convergence with bricks and mortar assets,” he says. “What I’m most proud of is that, as a company, we responded in a purpose-led way. It was never a question of cost, it was about what was the right thing to do, and especially to support the most vulnerable groups in the community.” With two sons at Melbourne Grammar, Christian sees a continuation of the values he learned during his own time here. “There was that underpinning emphasis on values, on excellence – on giving people the confidence and capacity to excel – and on contributing to the community,” he says. “Watching my boys, my sense is that all three characteristics are stronger than ever. The School has done an incredible job during this challenging year. I never underestimate the value of my Melbourne Grammar education as the foundation for my career.”
Grammar News No. 134 - December 2020
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OLD MELBURNIAN STORY
The winding path to creative success
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Melbourne Grammar School
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racking his journey from Melbourne Grammar student to professional artist, David Morton (OM 2009) emphasises the role of learning from every experience. “I wasn’t really a model student when I was at Melbourne Grammar, but I think I was always open to growing and developing,” David says. “It helped that I had the whole Visual Arts Department behind me. My teachers were the people who taught me things like how to process film, basic graphic design principles – these are skills I still use today.” David began his career in the competitive graphic design field, which meant his own artistic projects remained in the “hobby” category. Then, when he took on an assistant role at a photography studio, the new environment challenged him to learn a much broader range of artistic skills. It also led to bookings for campaign shoots in Mexico, Bali and New Zealand for the lingerie brand Intimo. “I was dropped in the deep end with that role,” he explains. “That was where I learned how to do things like build sets and design lighting, even how to take care of the energy in the room during a shoot. This work started paying for my art, and the skills I was learning also started feeding into what I was making.”
Having hit a “ceiling” in this role, David shares that the next step in his career wasn’t immediately obvious. “I felt a bit lost as to what I wanted to do,” he says. “My art was the only thing that was making me happy at the time, so I decided to try to make a real go of it.”
“He wanted to pitch me to Nike to create murals for the interiors of Nike’s new Flagship Australian store at Melbourne Central. I was in Berlin when I got the news, and it was kind of surreal. These are the kinds of jobs you only dream about.”
Applying for a dedicated studio space at a Footscray arts collective gave David the creative boost he needed. “That was the best decision I ever made,” he says.
Working intensively over four months in 2019, David created the interior murals that are now seen by every person who visits the CBD store. “Having your work out in the physical world is big,” he says. “It’s very different from sharing it in the digital space. Sharing in person is completely different.”
“Having that connection with other artists is so important, especially when it means working alongside and learning from people who are different from you. That’s how you grow.” When David’s big break came, it was the result of an informal project: decorating bollards across the Melbourne CBD with his signature paste-up collages. “An art director happened to see them and got in touch with me about two years later,” David explains.
When asked for his advice to Melbourne Grammar students with an artistic career in their sights, David returns to the value of learning and self-development. “It’s tough at first, but if you persist, it will pay off,” he says. “Learn from everything, and use everything you learn. None of the knowledge you gain is ever wasted.”
You can view more of David’s work at: www.davidcmorton.com and @david_cmorton
Left: Photographer – Tom Ross for Spacebetween Above: Photographer – Matty Smith for Nike
Grammar News No. 134 - December 2020
17
OLD MELBURNIAN STORY
The power of strong educational foundations
A
few years ago, Vivienne Crompton (OM 2005) walked away from a promising career in law to pursue secondary school teaching, and she hasn’t looked back since. “I always had the desire to be a teacher, even as a teenager, but it remained in the background,” she explains. “I wasn’t really enjoying my legal work, and decided to turn to a path I had been guided away from by others. It was absolutely the right decision for me.” Now a teacher of VCE History, VCE Australian and Global Politics, and English, Vivienne believes that the role is about far more than just imparting knowledge. “It is so important to teach students how to think for themselves,” says Vivienne. “Students must learn how to stand up for themselves, and to be able to state their opinion in a constructive way.” Vivienne says that, in her case, these foundations were instilled at Grimwade House, where she gained confidence in her ability to tackle the challenges before her. “Grimwade House teaches you to believe in something and work hard for it,” she remembers. “It’s where I learned grit and resilience – to stand up and be counted, problem solve, and get on and deal with things.” “We often talk about future-proofing through education. 2020 has proven that no one can predict what will happen in times to come,” adds Vivienne.
18
Melbourne Grammar School
“I think we need to lay the educational groundwork which enables students to withstand anything the world throws at them.”
“It doesn’t matter how long you went to Melbourne Grammar, or which campus you attended. You are still part of our Grammar community,” she says. “I find it strange that some Old Melburnians question my role on the Council, but the fact is that, as a community, we don’t put arbitrary measurements on who belongs. If you’ve worn the uniform for one year or thirteen, you are an Old Melburnian.”
“As teachers, we’ve had to go above and beyond this year because our students’ usual support mechanisms were somewhat stripped away,” she explains. “When teaching online this year, my school only allowed us to speak with students. I couldn’t see them. When we were covering confronting topics in class, I had to do a lot of follow-up during and after my classes to check they were all okay.”
“I have remained great friends with some Grimwade House classmates to this day. Some people do have an apprehension about touching base with their old school and attending reunions, but they shouldn’t,” says Vivienne. “You will always be welcome at Melbourne Grammar.”
In 2015, Vivienne was approached to join the Old Melburnians Council, making her one of the younger members of the group. In this role, she helped develop strategic plans and engagement strategies, and acted as an advocate for involvement in the Old Melburnian community. Her message to other Old Melburnians is a simple one: “Turn up to have your voice heard.” “You get out of things what you put in, and I know so many people who get so much out of continuing to be involved with the Old Melburnians,” says Vivienne.
Having made herself available to her students so much this year, Vivienne has stepped aside from her Council role for the moment. “I had to do the right thing by my students, but I stepped aside with a very heavy heart and I’d love to come back,” she says. “Melbourne Grammar knows that no school can rest on its laurels and that we must maintain our connections with our alumni,” Vivienne adds. “I’d encourage all Old Melburnians, especially our younger alumni, to speak up about what they want from this community.”
Grammar News No. 134 - December 2020
19
OLD MELBURNIAN STORY
Colonel Rupert Fanning, DSO (OM 1909) had a distinguished military career serving in both WWI and WWII, and as part of the Permanent Australian Army in Australia. He was later appointed Manager of the Royal Melbourne Hospital.
Colonel Rupert Fanning, DSO (OM 1909) 20 Melbourne Grammar School
In 1909, Rupert Fanning was Captain of School and also Captain of the undefeated APS Champion cricket team. You can read more about the history of cricket at Melbourne Grammar on page 28.
Five generations of connection and tradition T
he history of the Fanning family is inextricably linked to Melbourne Grammar School. For Edward Fanning (OM 1952), the School has been a presence all his life, with five generations of Old Melburnians among his family members, some of whom are still involved with the School today. “My grandfather, who emigrated from England as a young man during the Gold Rush, was living in St Kilda Road opposite Melbourne Grammar in the late 1800s,” Edward explains. “The then Headmaster, Mr George Blanch, personally approached my grandfather and asked him to enrol his two sons, Rupert (Edward’s father) and William, at the School. That’s where our family’s history with the School really began.” As a young Melbourne Grammar student, Edward was already aware of that fact that he was continuing a family tradition. “I deeply respected my father’s connection to the School, even though we were apart for four years during WWII due to his army commitments,” he says. “He was transferred to Queensland for this period, but I l saw his name on Honour Boards, and knowing that my father had been to the School made a deep impression on me.” During these early years, Edward also had an experience of disruption that may well resonate with students who have navigated off-campus learning during 2020. “US troops occupied the Wadhurst building during part of WWII, so many of us were evacuated up to Healesville for the most of 1942. Others moved to Grimwade House,” Edward remembers. “I have vivid memories of that time. I made many friends, some of whom I’m still in touch with today.”
“When we finally came back to Melbourne the troops were still based at Wadhurst, so we all shared the Grimwade House campus with the younger students during 1943,” Edward adds. “They went to class in the mornings and we attended in the afternoons.” After leaving school, a cadetship at fibre and fabric manufacturer Courtaulds began Edward’s career in active sportswear, focusing on footwear. This career included a whirlwind eight years in the 1970s establishing the Australian market for an as-yet-unknown brand: Nike. “Marketing was the buzzword in those days – creating demand for a product and satisfying that demand,” Edward says. “Our company secured the first licence to market Nike sportswear outside America, but who’d ever heard of Nike? We had to establish an entirely new market here, and that was the challenge.” The strategy to tackle this cold-start problem was to approach Australia’s better-known athletes and convince them that Nike’s new waffle-soled shoe could give them a training edge. The shoes spoke for themselves, and once they began appearing on the feet of tennis players, cricketers and marathon runners, attitudes to the brand quickly changed. Within months, Edward was unable to meet demand.
“I think it was the atmosphere of Melbourne Grammar that I enjoyed most, but I don’t just mean the buildings,” Edward adds. “When my father was away during WWII, the school became very important to me. I learned to appreciate friends, and I absorbed the traditions and values of the School almost by osmosis but, above all, I developed a respect for the efforts of those who came before me.” When the time came for Edward to send his own sons to school, there was no question about where they would enrol. “I was completely dedicated to the idea of our sons, Clive Fanning (OM 1979) and Marcus Fanning (OM 1978) going to Melbourne Grammar,” he says. “I’m pleased to say they have the same positive memories of their time there.” And Edward’s grandson, Edward Fanning (OM 2010), has continued his association with the School as a stalwart of the Old Melbournians Football Club bringing great delight to his grandfather.
“It was electrifying really, we didn’t realise we had a tiger by the tail,” Edward says. “Attitudes to fitness were changing then too. Tracksuits were becoming a fashion item – women even wore them to cocktail parties.”
Grammar News No. 134 - December 2020
21
OLD MELBURNIAN STORY
The life of Peter Kanoa
D
uring last year’s highly successful March 50-year reunion of the 1969 cohort, amidst the chatter, one incessant question was also heard: “Where’s Kanoa?” That was fellow student Peter Kanoa (OM 1969), an Indigenous Australian from Heywood in southwest Victoria who spent seven years at Melbourne Grammar School. Tragically, no one knew that Peter had died a few months before in September 2018 from kidney failure, aged 66. Peter, believed to be the School’s first Indigenous student, was a forerunner of Melbourne Grammar’s Indigenous program. Universally popular, he was a superb athlete – unbeatable as a sprinter in his years at the School and a dynamic, charismatic footballer. Having completed Leaving, Peter left school after 1969 – and thus began his multi-directional life as social activist, community leader, musician, bicycle and motorbike fan, family man and patriarch, and Indigenous elder. An encounter with Jim Berg from the Aboriginal Legal Service led Peter to a field officer’s job with the service in Fitzroy in the early 1970s – and Peter’s life course was set. Mr Berg and then lawyer, The Honourable David Parsons (OM 1968), urged him to take an administrative position with the Central Australian Aboriginal Legal Service in Alice Springs in 1975.
Peter Kanoa winning a sprint race at the 1966 House Sports (Archives image no. 000269) Right: Peter Kanoa holding the Indigenous flag, together with his wife, Linda, at a Land Rights March in 1976, the first of its kind in central Australia. Thank you to the Honourable David Parsons (OM 1968) and the Honourable Geoff Eames AM QC for their assistance with providing this image.
22 Melbourne Grammar School
For the young urban activist, it was a new experience, learning about his people’s “spiritual belonging to the land, not OWNING the land”, he told radio broadcaster, Jon Faine, in an ABC interview in 1993. He attended bush courts which were up to six hours flight from Alice Springs. “You felt you were in a different world,” he said. It was also a time of the growing land rights movement. Further jobs in Indigenous affairs came after his return to Melbourne. He was involved in setting up the Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency (VACCA) in the early 1980s, becoming program director/chief executive from 1987 to 1992.
In 1991, Peter took leave for four years to study law at the University of Melbourne, then returned to VACCA from 1996-97 as CEO, setting up youth homeless and crisis centres in Melbourne and country Victoria. “He was tireless in ensuring that children remained connected to their family, community and culture,” said his nephew Tim Kanoa in his eulogy at Peter’s funeral. “There are many people in the community who have told the family, that if it were not for Uncle Peter, they would not know who they are.” He was the boss. During one robust and fierce work discussion, Peter was not contributing, just sitting and listening in. “Now after 10 minutes, Uncle Peter leaned forward, everyone stopped to listen”, said Tim. “He said, ‘Now we are going to do this, this and this’, and looked at me straight in the eye, eyebrows raised, and said, ‘Ain’t that right neph?’’’ Tim agreed! Peter loved music, “plucking that bass, strumming that guitar” and singing with “that big powerful voice”, Tim said. He wrote songs, played in bands, did solo stints, played bass for a short time with the Warumpi Band, appearing on TV; and played in a support band for Prince at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Music was also politics; Peter was part of The Black Arm Band, formed in 2006, which joined with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra in a show, ‘Hidden Republic’. It also toured as part of the Cultural Olympiad connected with the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver, where Peter met the Four Chiefs of the Four Nations of Vancouver.
Reflecting on Peter’s music career, “the best performances were those sitting around with family with Uncle Peter and his councils and nephews playing (Bob Marley’s) ‘No Women No Cry’,” Tim said. A ‘69er’, Peter was smitten with a famous film of that year, ‘Easy Rider’; all he wanted to do after seeing that was get on a Harley Davidson motor bike and ride up the centre of Australia. Work and family made that impossible, but in 2012, he got his motorbike licence, bought a motor bike and achieved that lifelong dream. His love of movies never left him. “It didn’t matter whose house it was, Uncle Peter would also gain control of the TV remote,” said Tim. Tragedy also struck; Peter lost his first wife Linda in a car accident, but two subsequent marriages produced five children, then ten grandchildren and even two great grandchildren. “He was always big on family, making sure his children knew who they were, what their cultural identity is,” said Tim.
Towards the end of his life, Peter became unwell. “However, he stayed absolutely true to himself and his values,” said Tim. “He never complained, he took it as it came, ‘One day at a time’, he said. He was humble, he was content, he knew that he had achieved all he set out to do.” Peter, whose Indigenous name was Peter Wallabulla Amunba Amut Rotumah, was buried at the Weerona Cemetery, Greenvale on 11 October 2018. Hundreds of people attended the funeral. “He was tireless and strong in supporting Aboriginal families and children,” said VACCA chief executive Muriel Bamblett. “Peter will be remembered for his joyous and generous attitude to life.” Philip Hopkins
In the late 1990s, Peter, ‘a Gunditjmara and Bunitj Man’, formally changed his surname to his original family name Rotumah. Peter’s grandfather Etike was from Rotuma, one of the Fiji Islands. Etike came to Australia, adding an ‘H’ to the name to anglicise it, and married a local. He gave his son, Peter (Peter’s father) his traditional Rotuman name ‘Kanoa’, which means the ‘Free One’ or ‘Free Spirit’. You can read an extended version of this article at news.mgs.vic.edu.au SEARCH: ‘KANOA’
About Philip Hopkins Philip Hopkins (OM 1970) was a contemporary of Peter Kanoa at Melbourne Grammar School, playing with him in football which he captained in 1970 and as members of the Athletics team. Both boarders at the School, Peter was in Perry House and Philip was ultimately Captain of School House. Philip has been a journalist for 40 years, having worked in his native Gippsland and Latrobe Valley before joining The Age, where he worked for 25 years, serving on the Foreign Desk and in the Business section. He has degrees in German, Politics and Russian and a Master of Arts in European Studies from Monash University.
Grammar News No. 134 - December 2020 23
SCHOOL NEWS
COVID-19 timeline An overview of COVID-19 related events at the School during 2020. 3 JANUARY
16 MARCH
China reports a cluster of viral pneumonia of unknown cause cases to the World Health Organisation (WHO)
11 MARCH WHO declares COVID-19 a pandemic
27 JANUARY Melbourne Grammar advises students, parents and staff not to enter campuses if they have been in areas of China in past two weeks or in close contact with someone who has been there
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews declares a state of emergency and introduces new preventative measures including requirements to stay at home
30 JANUARY
Outbreak spreads across China and to other countries
WHO declares global health emergency
JANUARY
25 JANUARY Australia confirms its first cases
FEBRUARY
17 APRIL All students commence Term II classes in off-campus mode
Australian stock markets suffer greatest single day fall ever
All students commence off-campus learning
MARCH
School launche Appeal seeking for families finan impacted by the pandemic. Raise amount in recen
26 MARCH School launches COVID-19 Resource Hub
APRIL
MAY
2 FEBRUARY
18 MARCH
8 APRIL
Global air travel begins to be restricted
Boarders begin exodus from Boarding Houses
School Council advises rebates will apply to Term II School Fees
JUNE
Metr Melbourne re Stage 3 res
26 MAY 16 MARCH
The health and wellbeing of members of the Melbourne Grammar School community, and those beyond, is our highest concern. Email to School community members from the Chair of Council and the Headmaster, 7 April 2020
Cancellations announced, until further notice: - r emainder of APS Summer sports season, including APS Swimming/Diving Finals, Head of the River and National Rowing Championships - assemblies, House assemblies, chapel services, concerts, large musical groups, VIA program, parent teacher nights and school social functions - interstate and overseas trips
24 Melbourne Grammar School
Students in Years 3 – 10 return to on-campus learning
12 JUNE 23 MARCH
DURING JANUARY
9 JUNE
-u pcoming LGR and other camps
NSW / V borde
Students in Prep and Years 1, 2, 11 and 12 return to on-campus learning. No visitors allowed on campus.
Board re-op 11 and
Flexibility, optimism, generosity and genuine care for others are all traits I think will be important as we move through the next weeks and months.
23 JULY Mandatory face covering commences in metropolitan Melbourne
I am sure you will join me in reassuring children that, although some things are changing, many things remain constant – in particular, our care and your love for them.
1 OCTOBER School Council advises rebates will apply to some School Fees for Term IV, 2020
23 JULY All staff and students aged 12 and over required to wear a mask when on campus. Mask may be removed when teaching.
From the Headmaster, Parent Bulletin, 19 March 2020
School Council advises that rebates will apply to School Fees for Term III, 2020.
12 OCTOBER Students in Prep - Year 7 and Years 11 and 12 return to on-campus learning
Year 10 Beyond the Gates (BTG) program cancelled.
2 AUGUST
9 NOVEMBER
State of disaster declared across Victoria.
es Annual g support nically e es largest nt history
Further relaxation of lockdown rules with travel between metropolitan Melbourne and country Victoria now possible
Metropolitan Melbourne moves to Stage 4 lockdown which includes night curfew and additional ‘stay at home’ restrictions
JULY
8 JULY
ropolitan eturns to trictions.
Victorian er closes.
AUGUST
5 AUGUST Year 11 and 12 students return to off-campus learning
SEPTEMBER
OCTOBER
23 NOVEMBER Victoria/NSW border reopens
NOVEMBER
13 AUGUST APS 2020 Winter Sport season is cancelled. Cordner Eggleston Cup is cancelled
24 OCTOBER AFL Grand Final held at the Gabba in Brisbane
10 NOVEMBER VCE exams begin in Victoria, delayed from 28 October
30 DECEMBER
15 JULY Students in Prep Year 10 commence off-campus learning
26 OCTOBER Students in Years 8 - 10 return to on-campus learning
13 JULY
ding Houses pen for Year d 12 students
DECEMBER
14 JULY
14 SEPTEMBER
Students in Years 11 and 12 commence on-campus classes
Modest relaxation of some lockdown rules in metropolitan Melbourne
28 OCTOBER Further relaxation of some lockdown rules in metropolitan Melbourne
VCE results released, delayed from 10 December
Shaded sections indicate School holidays Grammar News No. 134 - December 2020 25
SCHOOL NEWS
Tackling lockdown fatigue at Wadhurst
C
OVID-19 presented many opportunities and challenges for students. Our Wadhurst boys spent over 150 days learning from their bedrooms, living rooms or studies – certainly not what anyone is used to. Some embraced the change, while for others, challenges ebbed and flowed.
From general bicycle upkeep and maintenance, understanding stocks, gaining music appreciation through developing Spotify playlists, to cooking up a storm, students were able to listen, learn, move and groove. About 250 participants were involved in any given week, with groups varying in size from five to over 70.
To combat lockdown fatigue, a three-week initiative was introduced to engage and motivate students as they endured the final stages of offcampus learning. Initially, staff offered one-hour sessions on any area they were passionate about outside their learning area.
“A student-led activity of drawing flora drew in an intimate group, but it provided such a lovely bonding for these boys,” Mr Newton said. “They had discovered interest in an area that they otherwise wouldn’t have thought about, and now they know a group of other students who share that interest.”
“There was such a breadth of activities on offer,” said Wadhurst Deputy Head Dan Newton. “A late afternoon/early evening timeslot allowed for the boys, their siblings and perhaps their parents to join in as well.” Roles were reversed halfway through the initiative, with students creating activities and running workshops for their peers. “This was a great opportunity for students to take ownership, drive the task and take on a leadership role,” Mr Newton said. “It meant students had to understand the task, determine a method of teaching, deliver the task online and provide feedback to other students.”
26 Melbourne Grammar School
“Students felt like they were learning something for the love of it, not because they had to or because they were being assessed on it,” Mr Newton added. “It was purely to spark interest and curiosity in areas outside the classroom that they otherwise wouldn’t have thought to explore.” “It doesn’t quite replace the experience of being at School, but it was a fantastic initiative to see students learn something new,” Mr Newton concluded. “Perhaps we might see some of these activities replicated on campus or even added to the Wadhurst curriculum in the future”.
Same, same but different The final few days of Year 12 at Melbourne Grammar is a celebration of achievement, involvement and friendship. At Melbourne Grammar, we farewell these students through traditional festivities such as the Valedictory Chapel Service, Ceremony and Dinner, recognising their contribution to the School and enabling them to share their emotions and exuberance with each other. This year some aspects of Valedictory events were a little different, although the joy mingled with sadness on show each year was ever present. Students still crossed the stage and received their certificates and prizes from the Headmaster, Mr Philip Grutzner, as part of the Valedictory Ceremony but this was done ahead of time and under COVID safe conditions. This aspect of the Ceremony was recorded, along with the speech from the keynote speaker, Dr Brendan Murphy (OM 1972), former Chief Medical Officer and now Secretary of the Commonwealth Department of Health. These elements formed part of an online event in which families were encouraged to enjoy together at home. One benefit of this approach was that a much wider group of family members were able to be part of the celebrations. On their final day, the boys walked through a human ‘Avenue of Honour’ to the Old Melburnians War Memorial Hall where they were greeted by the sound of their favourite hymn The Lord of the Dance being played by our Director of Music, Mr Philip Carmody. Here, Mr Andrew Tulloch (OM 1986), President of the Old Melburnians, welcomed the students into the Old Melburnian community.
Grammar News No. 134 - December 2020 27
HISTORY & RECOLLECTIONS
A record of cricketing A record-breaking partnership James Sharp (OM 1916) and Robert Herring (OM 1917), pictured left, set the School’s most extraordinary record in 1915. Not only did they make a 345-run partnership, but between them scored 743 of the team’s 961 runs against The Geelong College. This stood for decades as an unbroken world record for a school team. James Sharp’s unbeaten 506 runs included 5 sixes and 77 fours. Robert Herring’s 238 runs was his second double century of the season.
As a School, we can celebrate many remarkable performances across our cricketing history. In fact, Melbourne Grammar has won or shared the APS cricket premiership 37 times since the competition commenced in 1891. Here, we look back on a few more of the milestones our cricketers have achieved.
Nearly 90 years after this remarkable feat, our group for parents of School cricketers was aptly named 'The 961 Club'.
Test cricket successes Two Old Melburnians have been selected for the Australian Test team. Jack Barrett (OM 1876) played in two Test matches in England in 1890. He was the first to bat right through a Test match innings (2nd innings, Lords Test 1890). (Edward) Ted a’Beckett (OM 1926), pictured top right, – a star of the School’s cricket teams that won the premierships in 1925 and 1926 – captained the cricket and football teams in both those years. He took 26 wickets during the 1925 season, and in 1926 made a century and took 35 wickets.
1
28 Melbourne Grammar School
A’Beckett took a wicket with his first ball when he made his debut for Victoria in the 1927/28 season. He went on to play 47 matches for Victoria and four tests for Australia (1928–32) before retiring from first class cricket to work as a solicitor.
The Tri-Grammar Shield
2
Our first class players At least 56 Old Melburnians have played first class cricket for Victoria, interstate teams, Oxford University, or English county clubs. These include: • Robert Herring (mentioned above) was a member of the First XI for five years (1913–17). He played in the three premiership teams of 1913 to 1915, captained the 1915 side, and later played for Victoria. • Edward a’Beckett (OM 1958), son of (Edward) Ted a’Beckett, played in the First XI for three years, including the premiership year of 1957. He captained the team in 1958 and was chosen for the Victorian team in 1966. • Two members of the premiership team of 1920 played for Victoria: Herbert Guthrie (OM 1920) and Harold Austin (OM 1922). Austin also contributed to the First XI premiership teams of 1921 and 1922. • Leslie Rainey (OM 1898) was chosen in the First XI for three years, including two premiership years (1896, which he captained, and 1897), and later represented Victoria. • Vallancey Brown (OM 1930) played for Victoria. While at school he had been selected for the First XI that won premierships in 1929 and 1930.
• Harcourt Dowsley (OM 1937) was chosen for three years in the First XI and captained the 1937 premiership team. In the APS season of 1936, his highest score was 170 and he averaged 61 with the bat – the best in the competition. He represented Victoria from 1937 to 1947. • Val Holten (OM 1945) played in the First XI for two years, including the premiership team of 1944, and represented Victoria during the early 1950s.
Sesquicentenary success In Melbourne Grammar’s sesquicentennial year, 2008, the cricket team, pictured over page, delivered a perfect gift: an undefeated season achieving the first APS cricket premiership since 1976. Melbourne Grammar scored 355 runs in the final match against Haileybury College. James Bett (OM 2009) took 44 wickets for the season, including 8/37 against Scotch College. The 2008 Captain of School and Captain of Cricket, Charles Shaw (OM 2008), scored two centuries in 2008, following on from two in 2007. Louis Cameron (OM 2009), a member of the 2008 team, later played cricket for Victoria. Another member, Alex Keath (OM 2010) also played for Victoria from 2010 to 2015.
Melbourne Grammar also won the Tri-Grammar Shield in the sesquicentennial year. This competition between Brisbane Grammar, Melbourne Grammar and Sydney Grammar commenced in 1998. Since its inception, Melbourne Grammar has won on eleven occasions, with Brisbane Grammar and Sydney Grammar both winning six times. Sydney Grammar and Melbourne Grammar began playing an annual match in 1876, predating the Ashes by more than five years. The first match was held at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. The teams now contend for the trophy ‘The Bat’, created in 1976. Cricket matches have been held between these two rivals almost every year and continue to form part of the Tri‑Grammar Cricket Festival. Of the 126 times Melbourne Grammar has played Sydney in these interstate tournaments, they have won 63 times. Sydney Grammar has won 58 times, with four draws and one tie. (No games were held during 1880-82, 1884, 1915-17, 1930-38 or 1942-44.) These interstate matches witnessed some remarkable performances: • Alex Keath (OM 2010) made 200 not out against Brisbane Grammar in 2009. • In 2006, Daniel Sartori (OM 2006) scored 200 and took 4 wickets for 90 runs against Brisbane whilst Bryan Vance (OM 2006) scored 140 against Sydney in the same year. • Max Stevenson (OM 2019) made a match-winning score of 162 against Sydney in 2019, which is the highest score against Sydney by a Melbourne Grammar player.
Grammar News No. 134 - December 2020 29
A record of cricketing achievement continued
Other notable achievements • In 1876, Hugh Ross (OM 1876), pictured right, took 18 wickets for 58 runs in one match against Scotch College. • In 1923, Bruce Dunlop (OM 1923) and James Bryant (OM 1923) made a 367 run partnership against The Geelong College. • In 1976, when Melbourne Grammar won the premiership, bowler Mike Davis (OM 1977) bagged 34 wickets, including 7/72 against St Kevin’s College. Spinner John Thomson (OM 1976) took 7/61 against The Geelong College, and Craig Henderson (OM 1976) made 163 runs against Xavier College. • In 2000/01, Owen Webb (OM 2001) scored three centuries with a highest score of 144 against Wesley College. • In 2005/06, Captain of Cricket Bryan Vance (OM 2006) scored six centuries with a highest score of 204 against Xavier College. He finished the season with 799 runs at an average of 88.8. In the same season, Daniel Sartori (OM 2006) scored four centuries including two double centuries with a highest of 201 against St Kevin’s College. Tom Corker (OM 2006) scored two centuries and featured in a 316-run partnership with Bryan Vance against Xavier College. Although the team was one of the School’s strongest in recent times, Melbourne Grammar lost the premiership to Haileybury College by one point.
• Jack Slade (OM 2007) took 7/66 against Haileybury in 2006/07 and Joshua Skala (OM 2010) scored three centuries in 2008/09 with a highest score of 130 against Brighton Grammar School. • In addition to his interstate success, Alex Keath (OM 2010) scored two centuries in 2009/10. • Zach Merrett (OM 2013) scored two centuries in 2012/13. • Edward Faulkner (OM 2016) took 7/24 in the last match of the 2015/16 season against Scotch College to help clinch the premiership. • Max Stevenson (OM 2019) made four centuries as well as taking 5/41, including a hat trick, against Geelong College. He scored 633 runs at an average of 90.4 to top the APS average for the season.
A new scoreboard The First XI have largely played their home games on the Main Oval. A new electronic scoreboard was unveiled in September 2018. Named in honour of Angus Mackay (OM 1952), the 1952 Captain of Cricket and a School benefactor, it is a state-of-the-art instrument.
International tours International cricket tours to England began in 1993, with trips every two years after that. The three-week tours included regular games against schools such as Eton, Harrow, Wellington, Eastbourne, Lancing and Bedford as well as games against Urchfont Village in Wiltshire and the Royal Household at Windsor. A tour of Lords, the home of cricket – alongside seeing international games there and at other test venues – were highlights of the trips. Other tours included games in Ireland, Scotland, Wales and on Guernsey and Jersey Islands, allowing our teams to play cricket on overseas pitches and connect with other schools’ rich histories.
30 Melbourne Grammar School
Staff involvement Staff have made notable contributions to the success of cricket at Melbourne Grammar. Noel Austin (OM 1937), a member of the 1937 premiership team, went on to teach at Melbourne Grammar (1941–82) as the Head of Classics, and also as the Master in Charge of the First XI from 1952 to 1972. During that time the School won premierships in 1957, 1959 and 1965. From 1999, Mathematics and Chemistry teacher Dr Marcus Richards was the Teacher in Charge of Cricket for 20 years. Under his leadership, Melbourne Grammar won two premierships in 2008 and 2016 and finished second six times, three of these by only one point. In addition to coaching the Second XI for 17 years, Dr Richards fielded over 200 teams in APS competitions and was involved in five England Cricket Tours and 20 Tri-Grammar Cricket Festivals, seven of which he organised and hosted.
1- From left: J.C. Sharp and R.W. Herring,1915 (Archives image no. 000992) 2- First XI, 1926 Premiers. From left: R.R. Renowden, B.H. Trend, H.R. McCrae, P.F.V. Turner Esq., W.H. Millear, J.C. Campbell and F.W. Farrier, P.O. Graham, L.R. Vollugi, J.S. Morell (Vice-Captain), E.L. a’Beckett (Captain), A.M. WIllis and C.N. Austin (Archives image no. 005937) 3- First XI, 2008 APS Premiers and Champions. Back row (from left): M.A.K. Wilson, J.R.A. Bett, N.D. Voyage, H.W. Trotter, T.R. Morris and L. Cameron. Middle row: Mr M. Ford (coach), R. Mitchell, A. Keath, L.J.G Cameron and Mr G. Lohhead (coach). Front row: J.K. Land, R.J. Thomas, C.E. Shaw (Captain), L.F. Gooley, W.H.A. Payne and S.R. Land. (Archives image no. 004829)
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4- Match at the Melbourne Grammar School ground against Geelong Grammar School. Melbourne Grammar is batting. Photograph taken from Witherby tower, 1888. (Archives image no. 000494) 5 - First XI, 1876. Standing (from left): G.R. Buckley, C.Y. Shuter, J.W.B. Amess, H.M.P. Ross, F.G. Smith (Captain), T.D. Watson, G.F. Wright, F.S. Stephen and H.A. Smith. Front: E.S. Herring, W.A. Menzies and R.M. Watson. (Archives image no. 001053)
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Grammar News No. 134 - December 2020
31
OUR COMMUNITY
A quarter century of service
S
chool Council Deputy Chairman, Lloyd Thomas steps away after 25 years of service to Melbourne Grammar School this year, leaving a legacy that highlights the impact volunteers can have on the School. According to Lloyd, involvement in the school is not a case of ‘giving back’ but, more importantly, ‘putting in’ and this is something everyone can do. Lloyd was a member of School Council from 2008 until retiring from the role this year. He was also President of the Melbourne Grammar School Foundation Board from 2009 to 2017, having served on that Board for 19 years. In this capacity, he was instrumental in realising the Geoff Handbury Science and Technology Hub, arguably one of the finest buildings of its kind in Australia. Over the years, he has led countless fundraising efforts, both small and large, all with an intended agenda to grow the philanthropic culture of the School. “Lloyd’s service is singular,” says Philip Solomon who took over from Lloyd as President of the Foundation Board in 2017. “In addition to being an exemplary leader, he offered his time and energy with extraordinary generosity. Raising money involves shoe leather, and he wore his out on behalf of the School.”
32 Melbourne Grammar School
Lloyd has an intergenerational connection to Melbourne Grammar, with three sons already graduated and two grandchildren currently attending the School. His wife, Debbie, has also been a strong supporter of the School, serving as President of Friends of Grammar in 1996 and, together with Lloyd, being a generous donor to the School. But Lloyd sees his role in supporting the School extending far beyond these family ties.
“The Foundation Board and School Council was committed to making sure we could support buildings and grounds, continue the success of the bequests program, create an Indigenous bursary program that would lead to great outcomes and create scholarships that would increase diversity among our student population – all of which will always be important in underpinning a Melbourne Grammar education.”
“The pursuit of excellence in education here in Australia requires the likes of Melbourne Grammar,” Lloyd says. “If the School pursues and delivers excellence, this raises the bar for education more generally.”
To those considering making their own contribution to the School, either financially or through their time, Lloyd says the rewards are both immediate and long-term. “What excites most people is the ability to see progress – to invest in something and see that their effort is making a difference,” he says. “Melbourne Grammar continues to make impressive progress and, importantly, still has significant work it can do to contribute to Australian education.”
“I’m a believer that high quality education is important in developing a strong community,” Lloyd adds. “To achieve this, you need to be adaptive to change and take calculated risks to ensure that you don’t have to settle for the ordinary.” This belief in the intrinsic value of education has been a key motivator for Lloyd’s leadership, particularly when it came to developing the four fundraising pillars that shape our current philanthropic priorities. “You can’t say you’re a highquality school unless you deliver quality across all areas,” Lloyd explains.
Lloyd and Debbie are both members of the Witherby Tower Society, a group for those who have indicated they will leave a bequest to the School. You can read more about Lloyd’s contribution to Melbourne Grammar School in the ‘From the School Council’ article on page 4.
FRIENDS OF GRAMMAR
A focus on community
I
n keeping with the theme of 2020, Friends of Grammar had a year like no other!
The year started as expected with the usual flurry of activity. At Senior School, we held our welcome events, including a giant sausage sizzle, morning teas and cocktail parties. And then the pandemic hit, and our priority turned to supporting the community, requiring some creative thinking in the absence of traditional get-togethers. Fortunately, we live in an age of technology, and as we rapidly adjusted to life over Zoom and Webex, we found new ways to engage and connect virtually. The Year 12 community was an area of focus. We distributed ‘Care Packs’ to students, Morning Tea Boxes to mark exams, and we supported the School with ‘Bluestone Dreaming’, a book paying tribute to the Class of 2020. The Year 9, 10 and 11 students were not forgotten as we celebrated their return to campus in Term IV with doughnuts and coffee carts for students and staff.
With Wadhurst welcoming another 100 new families, it was wonderful that we were able to successfully hold all Term I events to help with this transition. We remained in contact with our families once learning moved off-campus and virtual coffee mornings became the norm. We did not let the Father/ Son Trivia night go by the wayside, bringing a virtual Trivia Night to the community instead. During the final part of the school year our purpose was to slowly bring the Wadhurst community together again after many months apart. FOG Grimwade House hit the ground running in Term I with a dizzying array of coffee carts, cocktail parties and the summer picnic, all opportunities to catch up for a laugh with old and new friends. Term II looked very different as we faced new challenges.
FOGG seized the opportunity to support and connect in any way possible, which included collaborating with the uniform shop to offer click & collect, coordinating teacher thank yous in inventive ways and year level Zoom Discos. We were grateful and humbled to witness the community rallying to support and catch up on a local level. Friends of Grammar would like to thank our fabulous volunteers and wonderful families for their unfailing support throughout the year. While 2020 did not go as expected, we came through it together as a community. Madeline O’Connor, Vanessa Leviny and Jo Harris, FOG Presidents 2020
Grammar News No. 134 - December 2020 33
OLD MELBURNIANS
Continuing to connect Andrew Tulloch
I
n 2020 the COVID-19 virus has impacted many of the traditional activities of the Old Melburnians Society and illustrated the importance of our core purpose – to foster goodwill amongst the alumni of Melbourne Grammar School and to support the welfare of the school. The Old Melburnians Society comprises 15,000 alumni, spanning generations and locations across the world. Fostering goodwill amongst such a diverse body is not easy in normal times, let alone in the midst of a pandemic with restrictions on movement and gatherings. However it would appear the sense of community is strong amongst Old Melburnians. We have had a series of successful webinar events which have been well attended. We also instituted a new ‘Gold Star’ program in response to the pandemic to support our senior Old Melburnians. Through the Gold Star initiative we became aware of the wonderful work being done by David Winter (OM 1972) running a Meals on Wheels program in Surrey Hills, and now have a number of OM volunteers helping David.
34 Melbourne Grammar School
In 2020 we adjusted our mentoring program into the ‘Blue Star’ program under the leadership of council member Bill Cowan (OM 1963) where mid-career OMs can advise early career OMs on navigating an economic downturn. There has been a very positive response from older OMs to assist and fifteen younger OMs are benefiting from their experience. This program will continue to be valuable in 2021 with the prospect of further disruption to the economy and careers. As we look to 2021 we hope we can retain this strong sense of community and volunteering that has been so important in 2020. We also seek to build our engagement with OMs who may have lost contact with the Society. If you are at all unsure whether we have your current email address please email mgs@mgs.vic.gov.au or visit mgs.vic.edu.au/update-details We also plan to help our many Old Melburnians’ affiliated clubs restart in 2021, including drama, football, cricket, hockey, soccer and athletics. The interruption to community sport and performance is a challenge across the State and we will support our clubs getting back on their feet, including the OMFC which was unable to fully celebrate its centenary in 2020.
The Old Melburnians also looks forward to welcoming our next cohort, the Class of 2020. There is no doubt this year group will have a special place in the Old Melburnians, having had a Year 12 experience like no other. We recognise the resilience and dedication of the Year 12 boys in 2020 and hope to see as many as possible participate in Old Melburnians activities next year. We commend the School for its support of the students in a very challenging year. Andrew Tulloch President of the Old Melburnians
OBITUARIES Old Melburnians Dick Cotton Fellowship The 2020 Dick Cotton Fellowship was awarded to Olivia Vizard (OM 2015) who is teaching at Tennant Creek in the Northern Territory. The Fellowship will help Olivia establish a program for Tennant Creek students to learn skills about radio and broadcast on the Tennant Creek community radio station. The students are predominantly indigenous and the opportunity to produce radio programs will be a point of pride for their extended families and community. Further information is available at: mgs.vic.edu.au/om-fellowship
The School has learnt of the following deaths in our community. We extend our sympathy to their families and friends.
Abraham, P L (OM 1960)
Johnston, J R (OM 1948)
Scales, P J (OM 1947)
Annois, R F L (OM 1946)
Last, R C (OM 1948)
Smith, P R L (OM 1962)
Baillieu, G W (OM 1952)
Lauer, A L (OM 1953)
Schwarz, P L (OM 1946)
Brockhoff, J A (OM 1948)
Longney, T P (OM 1959)
Staughton, P S (OM 1948)
Brookes, C H (OM 1947)
Martin AM, I G (OM 1944)
Sutterby, B (Current Parent)
Capp AM, W B (OM 1951)
McCreadie, D K (OM 1982)
Turnbull, D A (OM 1976)
Clayfield, I L (OM 1948)
McDonald, C K, (OM 1965)
Walker, J M (OM 1952)
de Winter, I L (OM 1951)
McNamara, P J C (OM 1956)
Warner, C A (OM 1971)
Dunn, R M (OM 1957)
Mercer, G M (OM 1966)
Webb, G A (OM 1956)
Dyer, S C (OM 1994)
Montgomery, I Y (OM 1952)
Williams, W McB (OM 1945)
Edwards, B C (OM 1942)
Moran OAM, R G (OM 1951)
Wittner, Z (Current Parent)
Falconer, S C (OM 1976)
Munro, R I (OM 1945)
Wood, J J (OM 1954)
Floyd, J H A (OM 1938)
Nash, J A (OM 1954)
Flude, A J (OM 1963)
Ng, E K (OM 1998)
Fox, R J M (OM 1960)
Ress, L (OM 1945)
Goddard, B H (OM 948)
Riches, P W (OM 1957)
Henderson, G D (OM 1970)
Robert OAM, G E (OM 1948)
Holloway, A (OM 1946)
Rowe, R L (OM 1952)
Johnston, A H (OM 1964)
Scales, J D (OM 1949)
Do you have a recent obituary to report? Please contact us if you are aware of a death in the Melbourne Grammar School community. mgs@mgs.vic.edu.au
Grammar News No. 134 - December 2020 35
FEATURED ARTWORK
Artwork by Ethan Richards, Year 11 This digital design was developed as part of a study into Pop Art in Year 11 Visual Communication Design. Visit The Art Gallery to view additional compositions created in this subject, as well as other pieces from different year levels. The Art Gallery showcases student artwork from across the School. Hosting mini-exhibitions, The Art Gallery highlights the steps students take while at Melbourne Grammar School towards a unique student portfolio, as well as building a deeper connection with art in all its forms. news.mgs.vic.edu.au/the-art-gallery
Melbourne Grammar School 355 St Kilda Road, Melbourne Victoria 3004 Australia +61 3 9865 7555 | mgs@mgs.vic.edu.au
CRICOS No 00977J
