grammar news Print Post PP344276/00024
Number 105 – September 2011
Above:
VIEW FROM THE TOP – An aerial shot showing Senior School in all its glory on a mid-winter’s day
Front:
TODAY’S STUDENTS – Zak Stephenson, one of 10 Indigenous students who currently attend Melbourne Grammar School, in class with Louis Raymond
Opposite:
ACTION! – Michael Vuckovic (left) & Hugo Monotti steal a scene in the August production of My Fair Lady
Grammar News is published for the Melbourne Grammar School community. Published by: The Lodge, Melbourne Grammar School, 355 St Kilda Road, Melbourne, Victoria 3004 Telephone: (03) 9865 7555 Facsimile: (03) 9865 7577 Email: newsletter@mgs.vic.edu.au Editor: Chris Bisogni Layout & pre-production: Drew Gamble Photographs by: Chris Bisogni, Stewart Brook, Adam Cawood, Drew Gamble, James Grant, Heath Sheridan & Sachin Varadarajan
Melbourne Grammar School respects the privacy of its community members and is bound by the National Privacy Principles under the Commonwealth Privacy Act. For a copy of the School’s Privacy Policy please visit the School’s website at www.mgs.vic.edu.au or contact the School on +61 3 9865 7555. 2
Melbourne Grammar School – Grammar News
In this issue 4 From the School Council 5 From the Headmaster 6 Grimwade House 8 Wadhurst 10 Senior School 12 News 14 Sport 16 Grammar Foundation 17 My Fair Lady 18 Friends of Grammar 20 The Old Melburnians 22 Branches & Reunions 24 Community News 26 Archives 27 UK Cricket Tour
About this issue Welcome to Grammar News! As usual, there is plenty going on at Melbourne Grammar School in what has been a busy winter. In this issue we look at Melbourne Grammar School’s commitment to Indigenous students and how the School has developed its relationships with, and support for, its current and past Indigenous students. You can also read about May’s Reconciliation Week and Arts Week festivities, as well as celebrate the School’s Hockey and Rugby successes. Wadhurst’s Crop-a-Kid Day raised money for the Makea-Wish Foundation while also saving boys a lot of time combing their hair during the July holidays. Grimwade House’s A Matter of Hats was a colourful and entertaining production put on by the Year 6 boys and girls, while the Grimwade House Art Show exhibited a number of fine art pieces in honour of the National Gallery of Victoria. Elsewhere in this issue of Grammar News, you can catch up with news from Friends of Grammar and several OMs. We also focus on Arts across our three campuses and see how busy our students have been on the sports fields during the cold winter months in both House and School sports. As always, I welcome your comments and feedback and hope you enjoy reading the latest issue of Grammar News.
Chris Bisogni Editor Melbourne Grammar School – Grammar News
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From the School Council Lending a sympathetic ear Interventions in healthcare by a succession of governments had been reactionary, rather than strategic, introduced without adequate consultation and often withdrawn prematurely because of poor uptake. Research was often seen to be of more benefit to the researcher’s career than to the health of the community.
Professor Richard Larkins
As the theme of this Grammar News is Indigenous Australians, I will start with a little anecdote which may seem at first to have little relevance to MGS but has certainly shaped my views about Indigenous issues. In 1998, as Chair of the National Health and Medical Research Council, I was appointed by the Federal Minister for Health to the newly-formed National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Council. This Committee was Chaired by the Secretary of the Department of Health, who was the only other non-Indigenous member of the Council. The other members represented a variety of Indigenous organisations and communities. The meeting began badly. The Chair, a well-meaning and highly talented public servant, gave some introductory comments and talked of his ambitions for the Council, which were ultimately to improve the appalling health outcomes for Indigenous Australians. Every time he opened his mouth, one of the Indigenous members, the Chair of the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (NACCHO), a formidable man from the Kimberley called “Puggy” Hunter, would say something along the lines of, “You white fellas have been killing us black fellas for 210 years… why should we listen to you now?” I was introduced to him at morning tea. Quite disarmingly, he said “Richard, don’t worry about that stuff this morning. I have my electorate I have to play to too”. And he was right. He later invited me to meeting of the Executive of NACCHO, and the politics of that meeting was as torrid as that of any committee I have witnessed. As time went on, I became more and more sympathetic to the points made by the Indigenous members of the Council.
The story of “Puggy” Hunter had a sad sequel. At one of the meetings, after protesting about some issue, he said histrionically, “Anyway, you won’t have to worry about me for much longer, I am 50 and that is past the use-by date for a black fella”. He was found dead at his home in the Kimberley a month or so later. He had suffered a heart attack, a complication of his diabetes and renal disease, all too common problems in our Indigenous people. What is the point of this story? I think that it highlights the complexity of some of the issues surrounding Indigenous disadvantage. The terrible health outcomes are the result of an interacting array of issues stemming from dislocation from traditional land and culture, unhealthy lifestyles, poor and crowded housing, unemployment and disenfranchisement. The solutions require an intergovernmental and intersectoral approach which must be in partnership with Indigenous leaders and communities. In my opinion, the key circuit-breaker is education. Of course, other areas need to be attended to, but the longterm solution to allow the full participation of Indigenous Australians in the healthy, rewarding and prosperous lives that most Australians experience is to improve educational opportunities, participation and success at all educational levels. What role should Melbourne Grammar School play? The School has established an Indigenous programme in which selected boys, in the past mainly from the Northern Territory, have attended Melbourne Grammar as boarders. Overall, the programme has been very successful, with most of the boys completing year 12 and gaining access to university or some other form of post-secondary education. But perhaps the lesson from the “Puggy” Hunter story is that we should be adopting a sustainable and longterm approach by building a relationship with a particular Aboriginal community (perhaps in Victoria rather than further afield) and discuss with the community leaders ways in which we could build a long-term partnership with that community that might provide hope and aspiration, not just for the boys who take part, but for the whole community. Richard Larkins Chairman
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Melbourne Grammar School – Grammar News
From the Headmaster A diverse community When my predecessor, Mr Paul Sheahan, made the courageous decision to recognise Reconciliation Week at Melbourne Grammar School in 1996, he created a pathway for the School to remain true to one of its core values, namely ‘diversity’. At that time MGS would have been one of the first independent schools in Australia to adopt a formal Indigenous programme, which has since thrived and expanded to include the offer of Indigenous bursaries to enable worthy students to attend the School. Our mission statement includes the following description of this core value: “Students from different ethnic origins and different spiritual and social backgrounds will be offered places at the School to interact positively, to develop an understanding and appreciation of different cultures, beliefs and points of view to prepare them for living and working in a global community” The MGS commitment to Indigenous education is wideranging. Upon my arrival at MGS in April 2009, I was delighted to find that, earlier in the year, the first Indigenous School Prefect had been appointed at MGS, namely Patrick Heenan from the Tiwi Islands. Since 2005, 22 Indigenous students have enrolled at MGS through the bursary scheme and the success rate has been remarkable. Only three boys did not complete Year 12 and, of those who did, 70 per cent gained university entrance, a figure which is rarely achieved by Indigenous students anywhere in Australia. The School is especially proud of Todd Alexander, from Bairnsdale, who graduated last year with a VCE ATAR (formerly ENTER) score of over 97. Todd is enrolled to study at Trinity College in the University of Melbourne next year. Other Indigenous students are currently completing university courses at Melbourne, La Trobe, Charles Darwin and Griffith Universities. Another graduate is completing an electrical apprenticeship and three are playing AFL football. The programme has developed from one in which boys came from outside Victoria to one in which, currently, four Indigenous boys come from within the State and one from Melbourne itself. My hope in the near future is that we will develop specific partnerships with a Victorian Indigenous community, so that the benefit of our association becomes embedded within the whole community. Whilst we remain keen to see Indigenous bursaries expand in the future, it is important that our goals for the MGS Indigenous programme extend beyond financial assistance. The School has established the Barak Art Gallery in the Bluestone building; Indigenous history is offered as part of the Year 9 and 10 curriculum; the celebration of Reconciliation Week has become an integral feature in the School year. The School has developed links with the Clontarf Academy in Western Australia and Shepparton community groups, and previously with the Worawa Aboriginal College in Healesville,
Roy Kelley
all of which proves that the MGS programme is broad in focus. In addition, 18 months ago, the School appointed an Indigenous university student to work at MGS via the Federal Government’s cadet programme. There is no doubt that our initial moves into this area have created some difficulties, but there have been significant successes as well. I congratulate Mr Michael Ford and Ms Nat Charles at MGS for their passion, organisation and commitment to the Indigenous programme since its commencement. Whilst there are gaps in our Indigenous knowledge, experience and understanding, as well as with the financial and human resources required to deliver a sustainable, long-term programme, we remain committed to achieving success. By doing so, MGS will create significant outcomes to the core values of MGS, which include ‘diversity’, ‘a sense of community’, ‘compassion’, ‘an appreciation of the world’, ‘leadership’, ‘integrity and moral courage’ and ‘learning leading to understanding’. As Jackie Huggins the Aboriginal author, historian and activist, once stated, “Citizenship has not delivered Indigenous Australians the same quality of life other Australians expect. Basic human rights involve health, housing, education, employment, economic opportunity, and equality before the law, and respect for cultural identity and cultural diversity. These human rights must be capable of being enjoyed, otherwise they are empty gestures.” My sincere hope is that we are moving well beyond ‘empty gestures’ in creating the Indigenous education programme at Melbourne Grammar School. My strong belief is that we are providing unique, positive and beneficial experiences which will be life-changing for all concerned. Roy Kelley Headmaster
Melbourne Grammar School – Grammar News
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Grimwade House Happy Birthday NGV
Grimwade’s Karate kid
They say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery and, for that reason, the National Gallery of Victoria should feel suitably flattered. This year’s Grimwade House Art Show celebrated the 150th birthday of the National Gallery of Victoria in suitable style – by holding an art exhibition. The opening of the exhibit on 2 June, the theme of which was ‘Happy Birthday NGV’, showcased the creative talents of the Grimwade House students. Sculptures, sketches, paintings and prints were all on display, with proud artists and their equally-proud families attending to help with the celebrations. The exhibition was well-attended by members of the School community and no doubt those from the NGV were on hand to see just what might be gracing their walls in years to come! HEAVY MEDALS – Aaron Collins display’s some of his medals from a successful year practicing his martial arts
Aaron Collins first took up Karate when he was four years old “for something to do”, and since then he has managed to turn this pastime into a multiple award-winning pursuit. The Year 6 Grimwade House student is one of Australia’s best junior Karate competitors, under the guidance of Sensei Marco Mazzanti. Among his swag of honours is a gold medal won at the recent Commonwealth Championships, where Aaron represented his State. Aaron took the gold medal by defeating New South Wales’ top competitor. He also managed gold in another discipline, Kumite, for Victoria.
EYES FOR ART – Izabella Paz & Coco Swansson admire the works of art at the opening of the Grimwade House Art Show in June (above) while Louis Sitch proudly points to his masterpiece
Aaron spends up to 10 hours every week in training and if he keeps his current form up, he will need to work on his neck muscles, such is the weight of the medals. While the awards are welcomed, Aaron also admits it can be tough on his body. “Last year, I fractured my left wrist in the Kumite finals, and earlier this year I suffered a tear to my right hamstring at training, both resulting in four weeks rest,” he says. But for someone with such high ambitions, Aaron hopes to one day reach the ultimate in his sport and represent his country at the highest possible level. However, like any boy his age, it’s not all about the awards. “The things I love best about Karate include competing, the friendships and learning new things.” With moves like his, who are we to argue?
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Melbourne Grammar School – Grammar News
A Matter of Hats
GREETINGS – Cast members, Isabelle Stewart, Sarah Ward-Ambler, Morgan Galea, Angus Kiel, Jode Moorthy & Angus McLennan, shine on stage during May’s production of A Matter of Hats
When the curtain closed on Grimwade House’s A Matter of Hats, so did the very colourful, spectacular and entertaining production involving every boy and girl in Year 6. A Matter of Hats captivated the audience with various singing, acting and dancing roles in a highly amusing and engaging story. And so the story goes… A Matter of Hats was a fantasy adventure about a group of children who discover an attic full of old rare costumes. Suddenly, when playing with these costumes, they are transported into a strange theatre world where they are greeted with mystery, challenge and much laughter as they meet, and eventually outwit, several largerthan-life classic literature characters. The musical, which was written, choreographed and directed by Christine Barratt, was well supported by Director of Music, Lyn Richardson.
The students gained much from the experience of learning and rehearsing numerous choreographed scenes, before performing them over three spectacular nights to appreciative audiences. They overcame anxiety and built confidence throughout the process of getting it right on the night. Staff and parents of the Year 6 students assisted with photography, costuming and props – not to mention getting the stars ready for each performance. For those lucky enough to experience A Matter of Hats, the incredible talents of the Year 6 students will not be quickly forgotten.
Melbourne Grammar School – Grammar News
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Wadhurst A plant to upstage The Jungle Book As part of the preparation for the annual play (this year based on Rudyard Kipling’s The Jungle Book), Wadhurst has welcomed artist-in-residence, Andrew Plant. Andrew will be working with the boys to design and build the stage sets for the November production.
Andrew trained as a zoologist, but is now an illustrator, author, science educator, theatre designer, director and choreographer. Much of Andrew’s art and many of his stories have a zoological bent, with a passion for dinosaurs. The Jungle Book provides a whole host of challenges for Andrew and the boys to bring to the stage, especially the colourful nature of the work. “It’s a terrific opportunity for the boys to work on something they will be proud of – and Andrew’s experience in the world of art, literature and education provides a great backdrop to what he is able to offer the boys in terms of advice and creativity,” said Wadhurst’s Head of Visual Arts, Adam Cawood. Andrew’s 20-plus years’ experience includes working throughout Australia’s regional centres and overseas. He regularly presents at the South Australian Museum’s annual Palaeontology Week and in 2010, he presented in Alice Springs for the Children’s Literature in the Centre festival. This year Andrew travelled to China to work with students at the Western Academy of Beijing and the Beijing City International School.
HIGH THERE – Andrew Plant helps bring The Jungle Book to stage by working with the Wadhurst boys on set design
“We are really looking forward to seeing the results. I have no doubt audiences and members of cast and crew from The Jungle Book will transcend themselves to a time and place far far away,” Adam added.
ROLLIN’, ROLLIN’, ROLLIN’ – The Wadhurst boys preparing the set for the Term IV production of The Jungle Book
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Melbourne Grammar School – Grammar News
Hair today…
Awesome foursome
CLIP GO THE SHEARS – Wadhurst boys face the clippers for their fundraising efforts on Crop a Kid day on the last day of Term II
SCRUM – Lachie Stout, Andrew Smylie, Freddie Young & Tom Collins, Wadhurst’s State Rugby representatives
Wadhurst resembled a hair salon on the final day of Term II, with boys volunteering to have their heads shaved, all in the name of charity. The beneficiary of the event was the Makea-Wish Foundation, which Wadhurst has been supporting for eight years. Fringes were waved goodbye on the goodnatured morning, as professional hairstylists and their clippers took to the boys’ hair, with crops ranging from levels one to four the order of the day.
For the first time in the Wadhurst’s history, four boys have been chosen to represent Victoria in the Under-14 Schools Rugby team. Lachie Stout, Andrew Smylie, Freddie Young and Tom Collins can now count themselves among Victoria’s best Rugby players.
While the boys no doubt enjoyed the school holidays without the need for a brush and comb, their thoughts were also with a nine-year-old sufferer of Acute Lymphatic Leukaemia, who has wished for a trip to Disneyland in the USA for him and his family through the Foundation. “Boys being boys, they wanted all sorts of haircuts and styles. We had to get through something like 65 heads of hair, so it was a pretty frantic morning, but well worth it,” said Wadhurst Personal Development teacher Matthew Houniet. Thanks to the efforts of the Wadhurst boys, more than $14,000 was raised, more than enough for the young boy to fulfil his wish.
The four were selected following trials that were held in early June, with more than 70 hopefuls turning out to impress the selectors in what was an intensive two-hour trial at Fawkner Park. “It is a testament to their dedication and fair play that the boys now have the distinction of being State representative players,” said Wadhurst’s LOTE coordinator Greg Hughes, who is also the manager of the State team. “They are leaders in their own right in the School team and they are great role models for our young group of MGS players,” he added. The boys recently travelled with the squad to Tasmania to play in the interstate carnival.
Melbourne Grammar School – Grammar News
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Senior School For Colin, it all adds up The world at his feet When a photographer from a local newspaper approached Colin Lu for a picture to accompany a story on his recent maths achievements, he asked the Year 12 student to pose with a calculator. Colin’s response was, “I actually don’t use a calculator when I study maths.”
UP THERE ON THE PLATFORM – The Hon Peter Garrett, Minister for School Education, Early Childhood & Youth congratulates Colin Lu on his selection in Australia’s IMO team
Colin’s results in both local and international maths competitions make for very impressive reading and to list them all would take up too much space. Some of Colin’s outstanding achievements include three medals and three prizes at six separate Australian Maths Competitions, two first prizes and two outstanding awards at the University of Melbourne Mathematics Competitions and a Bronze Medal at the recent International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO) that was held in Amsterdam. He was also part of the Australian team that tied with the English team for the ‘Maths Ashes’ in the lead up to the IMO. “He is a very, very talented mathematical scholar who has worked wholeheartedly to excel in this field,” says Melbourne Grammar School’s Acting Head of Mathematics, Ray Armstrong. “We only rarely manage to get boys into the Australian Olympiad team, so it is an exclusive achievement.” If you think you might have had a chance at the IMO, here’s one of the questions Colin managed to solve in Amsterdam: ‘Let f be a function from the set of integers to the set of positive integers. Suppose that, for any two integers m and n, the difference f(m) − f(n) is divisible by f(m− n). Prove that, for all integers m and n with f(m) < f(n), the number f(n) is divisible by f(m).’ Australia finished equal 25th in the IMO, which pitted Colin and his country against more than 600 students from 101 countries.
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Melbourne Grammar School – Grammar News
DEEP IN THOUGHT – Michael Gu contemplates another geography question on his way to fourth place at the National Geographic World Championship
Most teenage boys think they know a thing or two about the world. In Michael Gu’s case, the Year 10 student can prove he does, with a fourth place at the National Geographic World Championship recently held in San Francisco. Michael was part of a three-member team that represented Australia, having navigated his way through State and national competitions. They were up against teams of students (16 years and younger) from Bulgaria, Canada, China, the Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, India, Mexico, Nigeria, Poland, Russia, Singapore, Slovakia, Taiwan, the UK and the USA. Australia finished equal fourth with the USA. On top of earning himself a place at the World Championships, Michael also got to tour the facilities of Google’s headquarters. “There were bicycles – in Google colours – available to all staff for riding between all the buildings and the extensive grounds; there were multiple free cafeterias which specified every ingredient of the food and the cooking method, with recyclable, compostable or reusable containers; and there were staff on breaks playing pool or volleyball!” he said. Russia was crowned the World Champion, by correctly identifying the following: ‘This island has a population of about 57,000 people, with the most settlements concentrated on the west coast. Very little of this island is suitable for agriculture.’ For the answer to this and to see other questions from the competition, please go to: www.mgs.vic.edu.au/grammarnews
Greater than the sum of its arts Senior School’s inaugural Arts Week (23 – 27 May) brought together the many facets that make up the Arts at MGS in a sure-to-be-repeated week. Everything associated with the Arts came under the spotlight, on the canvas, onstage and in the music halls at MGS, in what was the brainchild of the Senior School’s Prefect body. Captain of Music, Nick Montgomery, Captain of Creative Arts, Henry Hunt and Performing Arts Prefect, Hugo Monotti came together to form what they called an ‘Artistic Coalition’, and spent three months planning events and activities for Senior School. Included in what was a memorable week was an open canvas painting in the Quad, an art exhibition of student work in the Nigel Peck Centre for Learning & Leadership, video screenings, a House chalk-drawing competition, theatre sports and musical performances. “We had a series of meetings to discuss what we specifically wanted to do during the week, slowly developing a schedule and an idea of how the week was going to look,” said Henry Hunt.
WORK OF ART – The open canvas painting in the Quad was a work in progress throughout Arts Week
“The inaugural Arts Week 2011 saw a wide range of programmes taking place, bringing the arts out of their hideaways and into the Senior School’s main campus area,” he added. Head of Creative & Performing Arts, Cat Poljski could not get the smile off her face all week. “It’s a great credit to the boys for initiating and organising this, and for so many in the School to be able to see what Arts is about has been the great reward for them,” she said. You can see a gallery of Arts Week photographs in the new Student Work section of the School’s website. SAY WHAT – Theatre sports provided an entertaining addition to Arts Week with regular performances in the Higgins Theaterette
BRASSY & CLASSY – Music also featured in Arts Week
SPLASH DOWN – Blurring the boundries between creative arts
Melbourne Grammar School – Grammar News
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News Warm winter moments
On your bikes gents!
With the winter sports season now behind us, Melbourne Grammar School is the proud holder of two trophies – the Associated Public Schools (APS) Hockey and Rugby Victorian Schools’ Rugby Union (VSRU) titles. In what was a season few who were involved will ever forget, the 1st XV Rugby boys overcame the Rugby powerhouse, St Kevin’s College, 25-13 in the final on Saturday 6 August. The victory capped off a season in which the team lost only once, to St Kevin’s, two weeks before. The Hockey 1st XI brought to a close a season in which their record was 17 wins and just two losses. The side has not lost to an APS School since July 2010 and took out the title against The Geelong College, 7-1. Melbourne Grammar School last held the VSRU 1st Division Premiership Trophy in 1976 and the APS of Victoria Hockey Championship Trophy in 1995. Meanwhile, winter became summer for the School’s senior cricketers, who had a successful tour of the UK during the school holidays. For the first time Melbourne Grammar School fielded two teams, playing a total of 15 matches against a mixture of school, club and village teams (see page 27). For more on the winter sports programme at MGS, see pages 14 and 15.
TOUR DE FORCE – Members of the ‘Jimmy Dooley Rollers’ after an early morning practice in preparation for their fundraising cycle from Adelaide to Melbourne
If you were impressed by the efforts of Cadel Evans in the Tour de France, then read on. A group of ten Melbourne Grammar School staff members are riding from Adelaide to Melbourne – and it’s all for a good cause. The ‘Jimmy Dooley Rollers’ – Daniel Church, David Aitken, Ben Hanisch, Greg Lochhead, James Bourne, Jeremy Hamilton, Brendon Mulligan, Nathan Jessup, Ivan Mathieson and Justin McNamara – are spending the Melbourne Cup weekend pushing their pedals and covering 1000km in three days, raising money for Autism Victoria along the way. “It’s an issue that doesn’t have the profile of some of the other charities, and having raised money before for causes such as Movember and beyondblue, we felt it was a great chance for us to bring awareness and hopefully, some significant funds to Autism Victoria,” said Melbourne Grammar School Head of Rowing, Daniel Church. The group hopes to raise up to $10,000 and are prepared to work hard for their money. “To ride 1000km in three days is a big ask, so we’ll be riding in relay. One group will be on the road, rotating every 70-80km, with each group covering between 120km and 140km per day. Day two is a nasty one – 390km!” Daniel said. “As for the name, it originated earlier this year, when we noticed a racehorse by the name of Jimmy Dooley that paid $12.90 – the rest is history!”
IN ATTACK – Captain of Rugby, Antony James prepares to fend off a St Kevin’s College student with Jack Porritt in support
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Melbourne Grammar School – Grammar News
For more information on Autism Victoria go to www.autismvictoria.org.au.
The threads of history
CAPTURING THE SPIRIT – Wurundjeri dancers perform a ceremonial dance in the Quad, to mark the commencement of Reconciliation Week for 2011
There is a single stone in the Chapel Quad near the Chapel of St Peter that lies almost unnoticed – despite the thousands of black school shoes that run, walk and skip across it every day. It says: “Melbourne Grammar School recognises the Wurundjeri people as the former custodians of the land on which the School is situated”. In making this acknowledgment, the gentle threads of history that link us to a people and to a land that lie beyond our imagination are thus maintained. There is no doubt that we are enriched as a community in being called to remember that past, whenever we can. For one week, once a year in May, Melbourne Grammar School staff and students gather in the Quad to mark the beginning of Reconciliation Week via the raising of the Indigenous flag. We pause on that Monday morning to remember the past, but also to reaffirm our commitment to a vision of Reconciliation that demands something from each of us as we envisage a future for this country – Indigenous and non-Indigenous but Australians all – that is at best unknown, but little by little allows us to hope. In 1996 Patrick Dodson gave the National Press Club his thoughts on reconciliation: “My grandfather taught me how to think about relationships by showing me places. He showed me where the creeks and rivers swirl into the sea. The fresh water meets the salt, the different worlds of ocean and river mixing together. He showed me the foam and the turbulence, pointed to the eddies and swirling mud,
the colours intermingling. And he showed me where it was always good to put a line into the water and wait for a feed. The river is the river and the sea is the sea. Salt water and fresh, two separate domains. Each has its own complex patterns, origins and stories. Even though they come together they will always exist in their own right. My hopes for Reconciliation are like that.” This powerful image, which celebrates an image of diversity and difference drawn from the life sustaining force of water, speaks to the heart of our humanity. Our ritualised expression of Reconciliation here at the School is a coming to terms with one’s own truth – a complex and at times confronting process that takes enormous courage, whether it be as an individual, an institution or a nation. In pausing, as we do once a year, to remember where we came from, we make real our commitment to a better future, helped in no small part by the 10 Indigenous young men in navy blue, whose willingness to leave their homes, schools, families and communities is a lesson in courage and self-possession few of us could ignore. Their presence as proud Indigenous Australians has added another layer to the rich complexity of our community, so that the next 153 years of Melbourne Grammar School will be better for the legacy that they’re in the process of leaving behind. Next time you’re in the Chapel Quad, look down, and remember... Nat Charles Melbourne Grammar School – Grammar News
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Sport Good sports Winter is traditionally a busy time of year on the sports calendar at Melbourne Grammar School. Here’s a sample of what our staff and students achieved on the sporting fields.
Grimwade House
Wadhurst
Sport continues to maintain a high profile at Grimwade House. APS sports teams have been training on Monday and Tuesday nights, while APS games take place on Wednesday afternoons. Our teams have just completed their winter season; Football teams at both Year 5 and 6 levels have been tremendously successful, and our Volleyball and Netball teams have also experienced some impressive wins. The spring season has just begun and Basketball seems to be a very popular choice for the Upper Primary students. Grimwade in fact, has eight Basketball teams, the most of any APS school. Hockey is also a sport that is well represented and our 6A and 5A teams should go through the term undefeated.
Wadhurst entered 23 teams, over seven sports, every weekend of the 2011 Winter Sport season. An old friend was welcomed back this winter, with the refurbished Wadhurst Oval back in action. Having a third oval in operation certainly added excitement and activity to the South Yarra campus. For someone standing on the Witherby Tower corner of the Steele Oval, three games of sport could be viewed, making for quite a sight, with the sea of colour and activity, fantastic to witness.
Aerobics is now in its sixth year at Grimwade. In 2011 we have seven teams, with girls ranging from Years 4 to Year 6. All of our teams qualified for the State Aerobics Championships, which were held in early August. All seven Grimwade teams successfully made it through to the finals, and in front of a large crowd and full table of judges, the girls managed some outstanding results. MGS came home with one gold medal and two bronze medals. Five teams will now compete in the Australian Championships in September. Girls’ sport at Grimwade House maintains a healthy profile through the Aerobics programme. Our Snowsports team have begun their season and no doubt will achieve great success, as they have done for many years. Grimwade continues to build on an impressive reputation in the snow, with a huge team of very talented skiers. The Grimwade House swimming team completed an outstanding day of swimming at the APS Combined District Swimming this year. When results were collated, it was found that our boys and girls had won almost 70 per cent of the races on the day! Many of our students (and all of our relay teams) then competed at Divisional level and then at the Eastern Metropolitan Region Championships. The final event for the swimming season was the State Swimming Championships, and Year 4 student Hudson Ross managed to come second in his Backstroke 10 Year final. Brian Brennan (also in Year 4) managed to swim a State Record in the 10 Year 50 metre Freestyle, taking home a gold medal! The Sport programme is a healthy one at Grimwade and is well supported by the Physical Education and Upper Primary Teaching staff. Andrew Parkes Grimwade House, Head of PE & Sport
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Melbourne Grammar School – Grammar News
Our highlight of the Winter Season was the U13 Rugby team, which went undefeated for the first time in 17 years. Rugby was our most successful sport, with one team at each year level. Coaches Greg Hughes, Max Backhouse and Tom Kilmeister, along with a strong parent support group, were outstanding. Basketball saw marked improvement on recent years, with six teams across both year levels enjoying a reasonable season. AFL saw five teams across Years 7 and 8, recording a mixed bag of results, despite the use of the reincarnated AFL/Cricket Australia-approved synthetic turf on the Wadhurst Oval. Our Hockey teams enjoyed great success, with three teams in Years 7 and 8 showing remarkable depth and skill. Hockey continues to go from strength to strength at MGS, as does Soccer, with six teams across both levels. Cross Country included a small team of three, but they represented the School with great pride. Term III has Wadhurst entering four Water Polo teams and an Athletics squad, with 85 competitors. Paul Jubber Wadhurst, Director of Sport & PE BUNCH IT UP – Wadhurst footballers warming up pre-match
GOOD JOB - Fraser Brown, Tom Jessup, Matthew Ralph & Tom Turner celebrate during their undefeated season
Senior School We have just completed the Winter APS season, with Hockey winning the Premiership. Congratulations to Captain Kip Davey, Coach Mark Taylor and Teacher in Charge of Hockey David Aitken. This victory has been three years in the planning and it is very rewarding to see our boys win the ultimate prize in 2011. Our 1st XV Rugby team also won the 2011 Premiership in the Victorian Schools Rugby Union Competition, in the Grand Final against St Kevinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s College. For those who witnessed the Final, this was a special day for MGS Rugby. Our boys played brilliantly on the day to defeat a quality team. Special thanks to Captain Antony James, Coach Tyron Mitchell and Teacher in Charge of Rugby Rob Shields for their efforts in preparing the team this year. The MGS 1st X1 Soccer finished eighth this year. I suppose the boys would be disappointed with this result, but after six rounds they were third on the ladder and only one win away from leading the table. However, Soccer looks very good for 2012, with our unbeaten Year 9s moving up and some quality players in the current Year 10 team establishing themselves as 1st team players next season.
Both AFL and Basketball were the victims of a few very close results during the season that did not go our way. Just one straight kick or basket in our favour would have resulted in higher finishes than eighth and seventh, respectively. Cross Country finished a respectable fourth in what was a close competition during this season. Special thanks are given to Tony Keech for stepping in to be Teacher in Charge of Cross Country for 2011. It is our aim for 2012 to provide a more complete competition programme for all students at MGS. This will be achieved by ensuring more games for some of our grades, and hopefully, increasing the number of teams entered in competitions to ensure maximum opportunity for all our boys to participate in sport at MGS. I would like to thank all the staff, coaches, students and parents for their support and assistance in ensuring that Melbourne Grammar School provides a comprehensive and effective sporting programme. Nick Gibbons Senior School, Director of Sport
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Grammar Foundation ‘We’re not all football players’ It would be easy to write this piece about our current Indigenous students, for their stories speak engagingly of Australia’s collective history of grief and loss, and make
compelling reading. They are stories of home, their families, their history, their challenges, but they also speak of a future that burns bright with optimism and hope – how they now dare to dream about university and lives beyond school. It is because of this optimism that I feel, as a progressive institution with ‘Learning and Leadership’ as our motto, with values including integrity and moral courage, we must rise above compounding the stereotypical image placed on these students; not focus on the past but look to the future and emphasise Bernard Kelly’s words, “We’re not all football players”. The reality of many Indigenous families in modern Australia (and particularly in Victoria) is of mixed-race families striving to want more for their children, as surely we all do. Over the past six years, Melbourne Grammar School has offered education and hope to 22 students, their families and their communities, and we want to continue doing this in years to come. However, more can be done. Doing more is not just about extending this hope to more families. It is about embedding understanding and empathy for these Indigenous issues tangibly throughout our entire School and community, by further developing relationships with Indigenous communities within Victoria. It is about developing strong pathways of support into tertiary education and onwards into professional lives and recognising that our Indigenous students occasionally need different types of pastoral care. It is also about being able to offer home stay arrangements for their families so they can witness MGS plays, recitals, art shows, athletics and so on. Doing more will help instil and cement the sense of self belief so visibly delicate amongst this group of lads, as well as helping realise leadership potential within a community where the importance of education and learning is arguably more critical than most. Noel Pearson, an Indigenous lawyer and activist, wrote: “Our hope is dependent upon education. Our hope depends on how serious we become about the education of our people.” Melbourne Grammar School is serious about education and it is committed to making a difference. We are seeking families and individuals who feel strongly about Indigenous issues to contact us so that, with help and support from the School Community, we can move our Indigenous programme forward, create hope and do more.
HELPING HAND – Bernard Kelly (left) & Nathan Drummond are two of Melbourne Grammar School’s Indigenous students who want to help the School community remould the stereotypical view of Indigenous boys
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Please contact Rachael Henshilwood on + 61 3 9865 7683 or email rjhenshilwood@mgs.vic.edu.au for more information. Rachael Henshilwood Director of Development
My Fair Lady My Fair Lady comes to MGS It was musical time again for the Senior School’s August Production this year. In what was the sixth collaboration of director Tim Scott, choreographer Jenny Vincent-Green and musical director Philip Carmody, the chosen vehicle to showcase the acting, singing and dancing talents of MGS boys and MGGS girls was the enduringly popular hit, My Fair Lady. This is a big show, with major challenges for director, designer, choreographer and musical director, not to mention the performers. Members of the Ensemble play multiple roles, changing in the course of the show from Covent Garden characters to household servants, upper class Ascot race-goers and finally guests at an Embassy Ball. All that meant further challenges for the costume department and a very busy night of costume changes! The stage crew were busy too, with frequent set changes demanded to represent locations as diverse as Covent Garden, Professor Higgins’ study, a field at Ascot and the Embassy ballroom. Competition for places in the cast was fierce: 53 boys and 28 girls auditioned, from whom 26 boys and 17 girls were eventually selected. The leading roles of Professor Higgins and Eliza Doolittle were filled by experienced performers, Nick Langford and Eloise Cassidy. Nick’s energetic and slightly aloof Higgins was complemented by Charles Vaughan’s no-nonsense Colonel Pickering, while Eloise’s strong and determined Eliza was well-matched by George Target’s performance as her larger-than-life father, Alfred P. Doolittle. Penny White’s Mrs Pearce, Higgins’ housekeeper, and Magdalenna Krstevska’s Mrs Higgins, his mother, embodied suitably sobering, older women, while Kai Chee and Alex Balnionis were thoroughly engaging as Jamie and Harry, comical sidekicks to Doolittle. Tom Singleton’s performance as the hapless Freddy, longing for an Eliza who has become too much caught by the Higgins charisma, won a typically sympathetic response from the audience. The show’s big numbers were an opportunity for members of the Ensemble to display their considerable versatility as they sang and danced their way through Covent Garden, Ascot and the Embassy Ball, all the way to the church on time. Amongst them, Performing Arts Prefect Hugo Monotti brought a comical bounce to Zoltan Karpathy. Meanwhile, all the onstage activity was given strong backing from the orchestra, comprising mainly current MGS students.
WHAT A SHOW – The clock was wound back & the audience were in raptures during My Fair Lady More pictures: www.mgs.vic.edu.au
Audiences were very large and enthusiastic and the cast and crew deserve to feel justifiably proud of their collective achievement. Tim Scott Director
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Friends of Grammar Grimwade “Dear FOGG Mums. Thank you for making everyone a hot chocolate. We love you working in the school. Love from 2Hs.” Undoubtedly one of the best things about being part of FOGG is the opportunity to contribute to the lives of our children during their time at Grimwade House. Whether contributing in small ways, such as handing out end-of-term hot chocolates, or assisting with more significant events, such as parent information sessions, Prep Grandparents’ Day or Holy Communion, it is always a delight to support the School in its endeavours to enrich the lives of our children.
and the opportunity it presents to come together as part of the broader school community. I would once again like to thank our class representatives for their many contributions over the last few terms and as always, our fabulous Friends of Grammar Grimwade 2011 Committee. Madeline O’Connor FOGG President
Wadhurst HAPPY MUMS – FOGG’s Stella Takis & Wendy Davies wait for customers at the Mother’s Day stall
Since the last edition of Grammar News, FOGG has been involved with many activities around the School, including handing out 800 oranges and ‘snakes’ at Cross Country Day, our annual Mothers’ Day stall at the beginning of May and our ‘Year 3 Father and Child Night’, an event which brings each child and their father together for an evening of fun and games. The Year 6 musical, A Matter of Hats, ran at the end of May, and this was definitely a highlight for Term II. Having a child in Year 6, I was struck by how much the children benefitted from the process of working as a team to put together this production, from auditions and costume fittings through to rehearsals and the final performance. It was really a terrific exercise and FOG Grimwade was proud to support the musical by organising pre-show drinks, the cast photo boards and the cast party. Looking forward, our focus will be on the inaugural Melbourne Grammar School Lunch, which will be held later this year. We are very excited about this forthcoming event
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In my review of last term, I would like to mention a couple of standout regular events. The Wadhurst Family Breakfast was held on the last Thursday of Term II and it was a great success, with over 150 parents and boys attending. FOG laid on cappuccino and tea for the parents and hot chocolates for the boys to enjoy, followed by ham and cheese toasties and various pastries and delicious treats for all. Congratulations to all involved. The Mother’s Day stall in May was also a tremendous success. The boys were very enthusiastic about the gifts on offer for their Mums and we know all the Mums cherished their presents. In addition, the various houses at Wadhurst have all enjoyed luncheons, coffee mornings and walks around the Tan. Thanks to all the class representatives for their coordination of these valuable social and school community activities. The boys have been busy settling back into schoolwork after a well-deserved holiday break. The winter sports and music performances have all begun. The boys very much look forward to these events, which are always well supported by the Wadhurst community.
Two major events that will happen after press-time in Term III are the Wadhurst Music Concert which was held on 25 August and the Father & Son Trivia Night on 1 September. Both will be a lot of fun for the boys and their parents. All Friends of Grammar events are advertised in the Bulletin. Regarding the spending of FOG funds that have been raised, we are thrilled to advise the School community that we have been able to grant Greg Caldwell’s ‘wish list’. This list comprises many items that will benefit the boys whilst at Wadhurst, such as science lab pets, stereo microscopes, digital SLR cameras and more. Finally, I am pleased to advise that we have been able to re-open the old Wadhurst tuckshop twice a term for the boys as an extra treat for them. This is now known as the ‘Tucker Box’. We provide the boys with hot dogs, sour sticks and many other special treats on the day for $6.00. Money raised from this activity will be given to charities nominated by each House at the end of the year. Once again I would like to thank Greg Caldwell and his staff for their continued support of Friends of Grammar Wadhurst and also my fabulous Committee for their dedicated efforts and time given in working to maintain a happy and friendly parent community at MGS. Amanda McGinn FOG Wadhurst President
GOOD START TO THE DAY – The Wadhurst Family Breakfast was a well-attended event transforming the Wadhurst Hall into a food hall
Senior School The success of the first annual all-school winter coat drive at the end of Term II was evident as bags and bags of coats donated by the MGS community were delivered to ‘Off Your Back’, a local charity supporting homeless Victorians. August heralds the end of the winter sporting fixtures, and the end of a busy winter season at the Kiosk at Flack Park. The Kiosk, through the tireless efforts and creative culinary genius of Jane Hiscock, Mandy Hurley and their fabulous team, generates great community spirit at Flack Park. They supply loads of hungry, muddy boys and their equally hungry parents with fresh coffee, a gourmet BBQ and delicious fare (all recipes from the MGS cookbook, Sharing Food, of course!) on frosty winter Saturday mornings down at Flack. Term III is well underway, and already we have had the MGGS/MGS production of My Fair Lady and Jazz in the Memorial Hall. As we go to press, The Boys Big Breakfast is upon us (Monday 5 September) with guest speaker Jeff Kennett, as is the Community Speaker Series on Tuesday 6 September, with guest speaker Paul Dillon, as he talks about teenagers, alcohol and drugs.
At last, all is confirmed for the Inaugural Grammar Lunch. We are so excited to have Barry Humphries (OM 1951) as our guest speaker. The lunch will take place in the beautiful Myer Mural Hall on Thursday 10 November. Invitations are almost ready and bookings will be via the School website. Keep your eye on the Bulletin for regular updates on the lunch. I would like to thank all the class reps for their wonderful enthusiasm and effort in supporting and bringing together the community. They are an amazing army of creative and dedicated women and an integral part of the MGS community. I would also like to thank Andy Barraclough and the Uniform Shop; Judith Mein and The Lodge; Peter Tooke and Nezda Leigh; Anne Thomas and Margaret Browning for their continued support and the fabulous FOG Committee girls for their incredible energy, humour and enthusiasm. Kate Alstergren FOG Senior School & Executive President
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The Old Melburnians Council
Philip Solomon
Ongoing hard work I am pleased again to be reporting to you in my capacity as the President of the Council of The Old Melburnians. Is not the year progressing quickly? The weather is warming and before we know it that most famous old Caulfield Grammarian, Chris Judd, will be a three-time Brownlow Medallist! The Old Melburnians have been busy over the winter period. Preparation for the annual Old Melburnians Dinner progresses well. As I have previously reported, we are very pleased that our State’s Premier, Mr Ted Baillieu (OM 1970), will be the guest speaker at the Dinner, to be held on Friday 7 October at the Melbourne Cricket Club. The evening will be an enormous success, and to misquote a famous quote, “Buy early, and encourage your friends to buy early as well.” Next, I am pleased to report that the Old Melburnians Fellowship for 2011 has been awarded to Robert Gomm. Robert completed studies at Melbourne Grammar in 2004, and thereafter completed commerce and arts degrees at Monash University. In 2010, he was elected to the role of Managing Director of AIESEC, thereby leading 800 Australian AIESEC members. AIESEC is the world’s largest youth-run organisation, focusing on providing a platform for youth leadership development (see: www.aiesec.org). Robert will utilise the Award in relation to that elected position, to further the aims of AIESEC.
members of our community younger than 28 to consider whether an endeavour they wish to undertake might suitably lead to an application in 2012. Next I mention the good progress being achieved in the Mentoring Program, established this year under the guidance of our Treasurer, Andrew Tulloch (OM 1986). A good number of those individuals approached to be mentors have agreed to act in that role. Any members of our community interested in participating, as a mentor, can complete an online application at www.oms.org.au. The Council intends that potential mentees be invited to submit applications later this year and I will report further in my next column. Otherwise, I can report that successful 60- and 55-year reunions have recently been held. As President of the Old Melburnians, I attended an excellent dinner of the Old Scotch Collegians Association in May. The principal learning from that dinner is the undesirability of serving haggis! In addition, a very successful function for Grimwade Girls was held in the city in May. The Council is grateful to Fiona Forsterling for her drive in organising the event. I thank the members of the Council for their ongoing hard work, and record with gratitude our thanks to the Lodge, in particular to Stewart Brook, for his assistance to The Old Melburnians Society in progressing its various endeavours. Philip Solomon President
The Old Melburnians is delighted again to have had the opportunity to provide the award of the Fellowship to such an impressive young Old Melburnian. I would encourage all
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The Old Melburnians Swede memories Tord Hedström’s (OM 1962) memories of his time at Melbourne Grammar School are fond ones, though he does suffer from the tyranny of distance after his five years at the School. Tord returned to his native Sweden within two years of matriculating from MGS and while he has had little direct contact with the School since then, his memories are still relatively fresh. “The difference between Old Melburnians and me is that for much of the time, I have had nobody to share my memories with,” he says. He remembers not only the teachers but their nicknames, including ‘Peanut’ Jim Lawry, ‘Shovel’ Noel Austin, ‘Joffa’ Reynold Jukes and ‘Twitter’ John Thwaites.
Following the mandatory stint in national service for his homeland, Tord negotiated his way through as a civilian in Sweden’s military hierarchy and returned to Uppsala and the University hospital as Administrative Director, where he spent 15 more years, even instilling the MGS mantra of ‘learning and leadership’. Today, he spends his spare time following the stock market and attending shareholder meetings. He also took over the general store in Näshult, the village where he lives, and has turned it into a museum where he hosts visitors from the city for dinners. When he sees fit, he displays the Eureka stockade flag and his digger hat from his days as a cadet at MGS. Australia, it seems, is never far from his mind.
“I still feel guilty to this day asking my (Witherby) Housemaster ‘Twitter’ Thwaites’ permission to go home because of a sore throat. It was actually something I had made up, as there was no soreness. ‘Twitter’ said OK, and off I went.” Tord adds that ‘Twitter’ clearly didn’t bear a grudge, as he topped his Social Studies class later in the year. Upon leaving MGS, Tord studied law at Melbourne University, however after one year, his parents were keen on him returning to Sweden. “They gave me an open ticket to Sweden on the condition that I returned there. I spent three months travelling through Asia and when I finally turned up at Sweden’s Uppsala University (where he continued his studies in law), I was soon identified as the mad Australian. I could not speak proper Swedish and I had to learn how to swear. I asked questions you were not supposed to. I had learned a lot about Asia, which was still hardly on the map, while Australia was something exotic,” he recalls.
HOME SWEDE HOME – Tord in front of his home
“I live in the countryside in the forests in the south of Sweden in a small village in the house of my grandfather, which dates back to the 1870s - and it’s furnished accordingly! I have put up several Australian paintings, mostly my own from art classes with John Brack. I also have the Aboriginal flag of black and red with a yellow sun. I think the Aboriginal philosophy teaches us a lot, in their attitude towards how we are destroying the earth and ourselves.” Tord would naturally welcome any members of the MGS community who might happen to be passing through Näshult. He’d love to catch up and, of course, be reintroduced to that Australian accent that caused so much confusion back in the 1960s!
G’DAY – With John Robert (OM 1962) who visited his former classmate. Tord encourages other OMs to follow suit
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Branches & Reunions 1971 Forty Year Reunion
1951 Sixty Year Reunion
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Allan Taylor, Ken Millis with Julian Mendelsohn
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Geoffrey Case & Arthur Day
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Stephen Hawes, Simon Gramp, David Arden & David Fowles
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Leigh Machin & Tony Thomas
10 Graham Capp, Peter Brown with Alan Jenkins
2001 Ten Year Reunion 3
Alex Tsymbalov & Charlie Li
Grimwade House Reunion
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George Alexander & Tom Partridge
11 Fiona Forsterling (OM 1999), Nerida Blanche (OM 1994) & Elizabeth Caudle (OM 1997)
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Andrew Marson & Angus Tandy
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Alan Hunt, Alister Carter & Jeremy Wood
12 Emma Perkins (OM 2004) & Head of Grimwade House Andrew Boyd
1956 Fifty Five Year Reunion 7
Fred Davey with Old Melburnians Councillor Dick Cotton (OM 1957)
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Community News Weddings
will close when Godfrey retires at the end of 2011. Godfrey and his wife have three children, with two sons – Tom (OM 1981) and Charles (OM 1982) – having attended Melbourne Grammar School. Godfrey finished playing football in 1956 and took up golf and has been an active golf administrator. He spends most of his time at Sorrento.
Congratulations The Grammar community is pleased to congratulate the following couples who recently celebrated their marriages in the Chapel of St Peter:
1 April 2011 Alexander Sylvan (OM 1993) & Amy Greaves
9 April 2011 Benjamin Gibson (OM 1993) & Alexandra Gray
9 April 2011 John Illman & Adrienne Richardson (staff)
14 May 2011 Nicholas Browne(OM 1999) & Katherine Gaylard
29 May 2011 Jonathan Gallwey (OM 2004) & Shea Gittoes
18 July 2011 Nicholas Barnes (OM 1989) & Amanda Brady
The School Archives was most fortunate to receive the biography of Arthur Moore (OM 1892), the first Old Melburnian to become a State Premier. Arthur was Premier of Queensland from 1929 to 1932 and his biography was written by his grandson, Dr David Moore. The biography is a remarkable insight into Arthur’s life in politics and his time as Premier of Queensland during the onset of the Great Depression. Steve Cherry (OM 1951) writes that he is a ‘retired’ parish priest, but says that while there are many clergy in the bigger cities, there are not many in the rural areas and as a result he is still very much in demand. John Richardson (OM 1951) is still farming in Ararat and spends some of his time with his wife Jane, caring for their 13 grandchildren. John is still a keen supporter of the Melbourne Football Club and is President of the Veterans Section of the Chalambar Ararat Golf Club. Godfrey Howitt (OM 1951) writes that he had a commercial career in wool, stockbroking and metals. The last two years he has spent running an aluminium distribution company that
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Graham Capp (OM 1951) writes that after graduating with a medical degree in 1957 he spent four years in hospitals working both in Melbourne and interstate, before joining a general practice in the Rosanna area where he stayed for the next 40 years. Since his retirement some ten years ago, his week has been fairly evenly split between Ivanhoe and Sorrento, with occasional trips overseas mainly to the United Kingdom and other parts of Europe. Family duties take up a considerable time, as one might expect with six children and 13 grandchildren, giving support to his wife Margaret who is still working part time as an educational psychologist at Ivanhoe Girls Grammar School and in private practice. Dick Lancaster (OM 1951) writes that he continues to operate as a consultant to the engineering plastics industry in Australia, particularly in regard to sales, technical advice and market development. In November 2010, Dick was accredited as a Life member of the Plastics Pioneers Society of Australia and New Zealand, following 50 years of continuous service in the plastics industry. Dick was also included by
invitation in the Stanford Black Book (Who’s Who) for outstanding achievement in the plastics industry. Tom Lyle (OM 1951) has written a book on his time at Melbourne Grammar School titled Ten Years at Melbourne Grammar 1942-1951. The book describes his wonderful experience as a boarder at Healesville during the war years, boarding school life at Grimwade House and finally his time in the Senior School. Tom is the first to admit that he had no intention of writing a book, but started to write down a few stories about his time at School for his grandchildren. When the stories kept coming, the notion of a book grew from there. The book is a very entertaining read and contains some remarkable photographs and a number of excerpts from newspapers of the day. Alan Jenkins (OM 1951) informs us that he spent almost all of his working life in the textiles industry, holding a variety of positions and receiving a number of special degrees at RMIT and the City and Guilds London Institute. He retired at 68 and has been married for 53 years, has five adult children and between them they hold a Doctor of Philosophy and three Masters degrees. Bob Moran (OM 1951) writes that in 1998 his wife Glenys was diagnosed with myeloma, a cancer of the plasma cells in the bone marrow, for which there is no cure. Average survival rate is five years. At the time very little was being done by way of support for myeloma patients and their carers. In association with another carer, Brian
Rosengarten (OM 1963), he co-founded what was to become the Myeloma Foundation of Australia (MFA). Together they employ specialist nurses, run seminars and publish newsletters, in addition to running a helpline and catering for the needs of hundreds of patients and carers around the country. After 10 years as MFA President, he retired and now serves as its Patron. In 2008 he was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for services to the Myeloma community. Sadly, his wife Glenys passed away in February this year. Glenys lived with the disease for 13 years and was a major contributor to MFA, and an inspiration to others in her community. Colin Stubbs (OM 1951) writes that he joined stockbroking firm Ian Potter and Co when he left School. In 1969, he became a member of the Stock Exchange of Melbourne, as well as a partner of Potter Partners. Colin retired from the partnership in 1994 and became a consultant at Potter Warburg, now UBS Australia. Colin has held a number of directorships, including Ardmona Fruit Products, Norwich Union Australia Limited and Chairman of Barloworld Australia Limited. Colin is currently Chairman of Chalmers Limited and DMP Asset Management Ltd. He was a former President of and holds a life membership with the Essendon Football Club. Colin’s interests include operating an Angus stud property at Romsey. He joined stockbroking firm Morgan Smith Barney in 2010.
Queen’s Birthday Honours 2011 Member of the Order of Australia (Am) Maxwell Henry Walker AM (Past Parent) Citation: For services to cricket, at a national and international level as a player and commentator, and the community through a range of youth and social welfare organisations.
Medal of the Order of Australia (Oam) Ann Carlyon OAM (Past Parent) Citation: For service to the community through a range of fundraising roles. Reginald Bruce Church OAM (OM 1949) Citation: For service to cricket.
Obituaries The School has learnt of the following deaths in our community. Our sympathy and understanding is extended to their family and friends.
A’beckett, E C (OM 1958) Bick, V R (OM 1934) Brett, S G (OM 1930) Browne, R D (OM 1945) Clapham, M H (OM 1957) Cole, R M C (OM 1958) Duncan, J W (OM 1941)
Alan Warne Eustace OAM (Past Staff) Citation: For service to youths.
Epstein, G L (OM 1935) Franks, P (OM 1933)
David Stewart Mckerrell OAM (OM 1959) Citation: For service to primary industry, and to the community.
Grant, D W M (OM 1951) Hancock, M F S (OM 1951) Hast JP, T I (OM 1945) Haysom, M J (OM 1957)
David Fowles (OM 1971) spent 35 years in the auction industry, with operations throughout Australia, Asia and New Zealand, eventually selling his Fowles Auction Group to US-based Manheim Auctions, the world’s largest automotive auctioneers. A love of wine (epiphany moment: “classmate Alister Purbrick’s (OM 1971) 18th birthday party in 1972 at his fabulous Tahbilk winery –v Tahbilk Marsanne”) ultimately led to the establishment of Plunkett Fowles Wines, whose ‘Ladies Who Shoot Their Lunch’ brand 2008 Shiraz has just been awarded the title of ‘Australia’s Best Shiraz’ in the Great Australian Shiraz Challenge. David’s fourth son, Jack, was School Captain at Scotch College last year.
Allan Taylor (OM 1971) travelled from Cape Town to attend the recent 1971 Forty Year Reunion, which was held at the Mercantile Rowing Club. Allan is a keen supporter of the School and keeps in contact with many of his friends and former classmates.
Herbert, J P (OM 1942)
Tony Chang (OM 2001) recently completed his Masters of Philosophy at the University of Cambridge in the United Kingdom.
Oliver, R L (OM 1959)
Andrew Gillard (OM 2001) has returned from four years studying in Fremantle and will commence work at the Austin Hospital as a junior doctor. Alex Tsymbalov (OM 2001) is working as an area manager for ALDI Stores and is engaged and will be married in January 2012. He is currently learning to fly the Cessna 172.
Kerr, W H D (OM 1937) Knight R N (OM 1946) Lowenstern, D P (OM 1971) Marshall, A (OM 1947) McDonald, W F (Past Parent) Nott, R J (Current Parent)
Paterson, R J (OM 1948) Robertson CBE MC, W T (OM 1935) Salter, G F (OM 1933) Salter, G J (OM 1957) Schweiger, A C (OM 1936) Smithwick, R V (OM 1931) Spittle, H S (OM 1944) Stell, S D (OM 1986) Sutton, W H (OM 1948) Weisser, J F (OM 1947) Whittakers, C W (OM 1967) Williams, P G (OM 1963)
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Archives The Battle of Fromelles With more than 1300 Old Melburnians on active service in the First World War, it comes as no surprise that many of them were involved in major engagements and campaigns. The Battle of Fromelles on 19 July 1916 on the Western Front was no exception. Author Ross McMullin (OM 1969) wrote in Wartime, a magazine of the Australian War Memorial acknowledging the 90th anniversary of the Battle of Fromelles, that, “the worst 24 hours in Australian history occurred 90 years ago at Fromelles. Not the worst in Australian military history, the worst 24 hours in Australia’s entire history. The Australians suffered 5,533 casualties in one night. The Australian toll at Fromelles was equivalent to the total Australian casualties in the Boer War, the Korean War and Vietnam War put together. It was a staggering disaster.” Among the casualties that night was Major Geoff McCrae (OM 1906) – pictured right, who was commander of the 60th Battalion, which was part of the 15th Brigade, led by Brigadier General H E “Pompey” Elliott. In July 1916, just after Elliott and his men had arrived at the Western Front, they received the startling news that they would be involved in the 5th Division’s full-scale attack on the Germans. The operation was ill-conceived and inadvisable for a myriad of reasons and, despite the urging of Elliott not to proceed, the orders were received to attack on the 19 July. The result was catastrophic, with one-third of the Australian casualties at Fromelles being from Elliott’s 15th Brigade.
‘Don’t forget me cobber’ – The hero carrying his wounded colleague was Sergeant Simon Fraser, a 40-year-old farmer, the image & story behind it has gone into folklore
Of all the thousands of casualties in units under Elliott’s command, none tormented him more than the death of Geoff McCrae, a talented and popular officer who had served under Elliott at Gallipoli and in the pre-war militia. Other Old Melburnians who lost their lives at Fromelles included brothers Charles (OM 1907) and Herbert Franklin (OM 1909), who were stretcher bearers and were killed by the same artillery shell. The School was recently invited to participate in a ceremony to mark the 95th Anniversary of the Battle of Fromelles and to pay tribute to those who gave their lives in that battle. During the ceremony, School Captain Nick Langford laid a wreath at the Cobbers statue of the Fromelles Memorial, just south the Shrine of Remembrance near St Kilda Road. Those who spoke at the service included the Premier Ted Baillieu (OM 1970) and Lambis Englezos.
REMEMBERING THEM – Captain of Melbourne Grammar School, Nick Langford & Zachary Ellis laid a wreath during a moving service to commemorate the 95th anniversary of The Battle of Fromelles
It was through the outstanding research and perseverance of Lambis Englezos that a mass grave was discovered at Fromelles. The discovery has led to the construction and dedication of the first Commonwealth War Graves Cemetery in more than 40 years and has seen the reburial of 250 soldiers with full military honours. 110 of those Australian soldiers have been identified and now have a known grave. Stewart Brook Alumni and Community Manager
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UK Cricket Tour
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Melbourne Grammar School 355 St Kilda Road Melbourne Victoria 3004 Australia T +61 3 9865 7555 F +61 3 9865 7577 mgs@mgs.vic.edu.au www.mgs.vic.edu.au CRICOS No. 00977J ABN 61 004 453 829