Grammar News No 106 Dec 2011

grammar news Print Post PP344276/00024

Number 106 – December 2011

Cover:

THUMBS UP - George van Veenendaal with Andrew Hurley lead the pilot group from MGS undertaking the Year 10 Outdoor Education programme, ‘Beyond the Gates’

Above:

COMMON INTERESTS – Barry Humphries (OM 1951) & 2011 School Captain Nick Langford caught up in November, see page 23 for the interview

Opposite:

ARTS ICON - Rudyard Kipling as played by Year 8 student Tom Russell in the Wadhurst production of the British writer’s masterpiece, The Jungle Book

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, Nick Gibbons, Drew Gamble, James Grant, Nathan Jessup, Jan Rizzo Hayley Scarr, Heath Sheridan, Peter Tooke & MGS Archives

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.

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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 Outdoor Education 14 Beyond the Gates 16 An Anglican School 18 Valete 20 The Foundation 21 Archives 22 The Old Melburnians 24 Branches & Reunions 26 Community News 28 Friends of Grammar 30 Retired Staff Association 31 The 133rd Old Melburnians’ Dinner

About this issue Welcome to the final Grammar News for 2011. In this issue we focus on Outdoor Education at Melbourne Grammar School, following the announcement of the Year 10 programme, ‘Beyond the Gates’, which is being introduced next year. A pilot group of Year 10 students have undertaken the course, which starts at MGS and ends at the highest point in Australia, Mt Kosciuszko. Elsewhere in this issue you can read about just how busy it’s been for the three campuses with plenty of activity in the Arts, the opening of new buildings and a variety of student achievements.

There are pictorial memoirs from the final week for the Year 12 students as they prepared themselves for their VCE exams and farewelled the School. You can read 2011 School Captain Nick Langford’s interview with none other than Barry Humphries (OM 1951). In addition, the School’s three Chaplains reflect on the year that was, and, of course, many Old Melburnians caught up regularly throughout 2011. You can see and hear from many of the School’s old boys.

As always I welcome your comments and feedback and hope you enjoy Grammar News, Issue 106. In closing, I’d like to wish all readers a Happy Christmas and safe and prosperous New Year and I look forward to sharing more of the School’s news with you in 2012.

Chris Bisogni Editor Melbourne Grammar School – Grammar News

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From the School Council The pride of Melbourne Grammar School One is the development of the new outdoor education programme, ‘Beyond the Gates’, the main theme of this edition of Grammar News and described in detail in other articles. Suffice to say, that for many of our students, this programme will provide an intense introduction to the wonder and excitement that come from a significant period of outdoor life and adventure in the wonderful high country of South East Australia. They will discover things about nature, their environment, themselves and their classmates which they could not otherwise imagine. The experience will provide an element of personal development which will stand the students in good stead for the rest of their lives.

Emeritus Professor Richard Larkins

Melbourne Grammar School rightly prides itself on the quality of its VCE academic results. These are consistently outstanding and the School will do everything it can to ensure that this trend continues. A high ATAR provides our students with the opportunity to choose their university course. It is, of course, important to emphasise that with the diversity of university programmes now on offer, there are plenty of opportunities for the ‘late bloomers’ to achieve their career goals, even with a mediocre VCE outcome.

For example, there are pathways for mature age entry to university, transfers from one course to another and opportunities for retraining in new professional disciplines later in life. Our pride in the measurable outcomes at VCE level should not detract from the greater importance the Council and staff place on the broader aspects of education.

The School wants to prepare our students to be able to achieve their full potential. This will not only mean that they should be able to have successful careers, but that they should also be rounded individuals who are able to have happy family lives and to contribute to the broader community. A sense of purpose, strong personal resolve, respect for other cultures and beliefs, a strong moral compass and a commitment to help others are among the characteristics we would hope students will carry from Melbourne Grammar. Educationally, an intense curiosity, manifested by a desire to continue to learn and imbibe the richness that comes from the diversity of our natural world, and from the cultural diversity of its people, will help our graduates to live their lives to the full.

Two recent developments at the School will help its students acquire these broader attributes.

The second has been the opening of the Languages Other Than English (LOTE) and Performing Arts Centre on the site of the Boarders Dining Hall and the Morris Library. The reinvention of this historic and nostalgic, but degraded and dysfunctional space into state-of-the-art teaching, learning and performing facilities, has been an architectural triumph.

It represents both the challenges and rewards that come from the School inhabiting heritage buildings which need sensitive restoration to maintain their historic links, to make them highly functional for today’s students.

The investment in this new Centre reflects the significance that the School places on languages and culture. The School has active programmes in Latin, two European languages, French and German, and two Asian languages, Japanese and Chinese.

Latin, for many of our students, provides a wonderful window into an extraordinary culture from two thousand years ago. Apart from the intrinsic attraction of a beautifully logical language, the study through it of Roman achievements places our own time and lives in perspective.

French and German provide a gateway to the wonderful cultural richness of continental Europe and counterbalance the narrowness of the Anglocentric view that the current world dominance of the English language promotes. In this ‘Asian century’, for many boys to gain an introduction to Chinese or Japanese language and culture, will help our country to engage more effectively and sensitively with the countries in our region.

Education should never be considered complete; it is a lifelong process. But these recent developments will help our students to be more aware of the challenges, opportunities and rewards that lie ahead and prepare them better to lead rich, contributory and fulfilling lives.

Richard Larkins President

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Melbourne Grammar School – Grammar News

From the Headmaster Beyond the Gates When 2010 Dux of School, Peter Lioufas, returned to Melbourne Grammar in February for the Academic Assembly, he related to the students an interesting personal story. He said that mid-year in Year 12 he ‘hit the wall’ with regard to his academic studies. Having achieved excellent results through the first semester, he lost interest in studying and did little work for an extended period, which was most unlike him. He said that what got him back on track was remembering his School outdoor education trip to Tasmania in Year 10. He described himself as being totally sick of hiking and so decided to lie down in the grass as his group walked past. He called out to teacher, Mr Glenn Matthews, to “call someone to come for me… I have had enough and I want to go home”. Mr Matthews replied that would not happen and he could lie there as long as he wanted, but the group was moving on. After some time, Peter lifted his head and saw that the boys had nearly disappeared from view. He moved quickly to catch up. He said the memory of this incident helped him get back to academic work, with the result being that he excelled in the VCE at the highest possible level.

It is this transferability of skills and experiences that makes outdoor education such an important part of any school.

Outdoor Education fits comfortably under the Melbourne Grammar School vision statement of providing for the ‘academic, physical, emotional, psychological, social and spiritual dimensions of student life’. Accordingly, the opportunity to engage in outdoor educational experiences, in which healthy experimentation, risk-taking, practical skill development, resilience, teamwork and the identification of a positive lifestyle, is crucial to the education Melbourne Grammar must offer in the 21st Century. MGS is obliged to provide an innovative, unique and highly effective outdoor educational programme for all of its students.

Of course Melbourne Grammar School already devotes a large amount of time and resources to Outdoor Education.

Commencing with an overnight experience in Year 2 at Grimwade House, each subsequent year group is involved in outdoor activities which involve our camp sites at Woodend, Camp Dowd and the LGR programme at Breakfast Creek, in addition to other locations around Victoria and interstate. Over the last two years significant work has been undertaken to establish a whole school approach to Outdoor Education at Melbourne Grammar.

Accordingly, in 2012 we will embark on a unique venture over 21 days, which we have named the MGS ‘Beyond the Gates’ programme. The vision is to create an exercise which is far more than an outdoor experience; it will be an integral part of the co-curricular offering at MGS. I regard this programme as a central part of the leadership, pastoral and personal development programmes at this School. The title

Roy Kelley

‘Beyond the Gates’ provides a metaphor for the experience of being ‘off-site’, but also links it to the personal attributes and skills required of MGS students well beyond their time at school.

The Year 10 cohort was selected for this programme for academic and social reasons. I have long maintained that the second year of senior school can be the most difficult of all for boys. Many lack clear goals for academic study, at a time when both positive and negative peer-related influences grow strongly in their lives. Some boys merely ‘tread water’ and become disengaged in the educative process. My hope is that the ‘Beyond the Gates’ programme will positively address such issues.

This compulsory Year 10 programme is aimed at delivering a shared, culminating OE experience which builds upon each of the previous MGS camps experiences and skills to provide a journey based activity which will involve leaving the gates at MGS to a series of locations through hiking, rafting, bike riding and a solo overnight stay to reach their final destination: the highest location in Australia, the top of Mt Kosciuszko. Along the way, the boys will experience many highlights and some lowlights. At times they will need to, like Peter Lioufas, drag themselves out of ‘the pit’. In one of Australia’s most beautiful wilderness environments they will utilise the variety of ‘hard’ and ‘soft’skills learned on previous OE trips, they will deal with the isolation from the comfort zone of family and school, they will enjoy a reflective personal and group experience and, importantly, they will celebrate the adventure upon their return to school.

I am excited by the opportunity, the learning experiences and the transferability of skills which will emerge from the unique MGS ‘Beyond the Gates’ Outdoor Education programme. I have no doubt that it will become a memorable feature in the life of our students.

Roy Kelley Headmaster Melbourne Grammar School – Grammar News

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Grimwade House London 2012?

Working together

Grimwade House was transformed into ‘the sporting capital of the world’ on Friday 18 November, for the annual Junior Primary Athletics morning. Under cloudless skies, the Grimwade Oval was awash with the colours of the Houses – yellow (Millear), green (School), red (Austin) and blue (GreySmith) – and the sound of cheering parents enveloped the area.

The Sciences and the Arts came together at Grimwade House during what was a fascinating week in September.

Cameron Robbins, Melbourne-based sound artist and sculptor, spent a week at Grimwade as the Artist-inResidence. His work relies, with great success, on the weather fuelling his wind-powered ‘drawing machine’.

The event was the culmination of the Prep, Year 1 and 2 classes spending time during their Physical Education lessons preparing for the morning, with the 80-metre race our first event. All children were grouped and then raced off down the track in front of the large crowd. The races were well contested and as the Junior Primary students rested under the House shade tents, the toddlers from the crowd

NATURE’S OWN – Artist-in-Residence, Cameron Robbins, wows the students with his machinery that results in interesting art & interested children as well

When Cameron worked at Grimwade House, all year levels spent time with him, admiring his drawing machine as it responded to the wind (and the rain!). The students gained much joy hearing him speak about the whimsical smaller machines he creates, which have ‘arms’ for holding marker pens and the ability to turn cogs at varying speeds to drive the pens faster and faster across the surface of a sheet of paper.

HIGH FIVE – Mietta Passons awaits a high five as her friends intently watch the action during the Grimwade House Junior Primary Athletics

were invited for a race – let’s just say the future of Athletics at Grimwade House is looking strong… and fast!

The Junior Primary students then split into their classes and headed off to a variety of stations where they demonstrated a particular motor skill that they had covered through the year. The students thoroughly enjoyed their circuit and the parents were able to walk around and watch their child perform a variety of skills The morning underlined the wonderful ‘family feeling’ that permeates Grimwade House with plenty of support from FOG Grimwade, parents, friends and staff.

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Melbourne Grammar School – Grammar News

Students were also fascinated by Cameron’s demonstration of an old vinyl record he played on a turntable, with a cone of drawing paper as the amplifier and a sewing needle ‘playing’ the record. He created ‘arm extensions’ from wire, with a loop formed at the end to hold a marker pen. Students were encouraged to stand and watch as it repeated a circle one hundred times on a piece of drawing paper.

Cameron spoke of his sound sculptures, which he installs in coastal areas in Victoria and on an island off Japan, and how he uses the surging movement of the ocean to push air through different-sized pipes. The sound which is produced is quite haunting, reminding many students of the recorded sounds of whales and dolphins.

“Cameron was a great communicator and extremely generous. He even donated one of his wind drawings to Grimwade House,” says Head of Visual Art, Jan Rizzo.“ He left lots of marvellous ideas in our heads about the links between Art, Science and Music and the role artists play in helping us to understand the world in new and exciting ways.”

Growing bigger every day

The latest addition to the Grimwade House community is making its mark on the School. Officially opened on 19 August, the Multi-purpose Learning Centre is home to After School Care facilities, the Tuckshop, two Chinese language and two Junior Primary classrooms.

Care building into a facility for Junior Music and the Bookroom. The completion date for this is expected to be mid-January 2012.

The building is part of the Federal Government’s Building Education Revolution and was completed in seven months, predominantly by Peter Elliott Architects and Edmanson Constructions.

The Local Member for Ports, Michael Danby, officially opened the building with guests including the Headmaster, Roy Kelley, Chairman of School Council, Emeritus Professor Richard Larkins and Head of Grimwade House, Andrew Boyd. Andrew’s predecessor Peter Valder also attended the opening with Grimwade House’s Preps, Years 1, 2 and 3 students providing the entertainment.

The original building was half the size of the new building and housed the Pastoral Centre, the Tuckshop and two junior primary classrooms.

Further development of Grimwade House includes the current refurbishment of the old Science and After School

IT’S OPEN – Former Chairman of School Council, Sandy Clark, Headmaster Roy Kelley, Local Federal MP Michael Danby, Head of Grimwade Andrew Boyd & Chairman of School Council Emeritus Professor Richard Larkins at the opening of the Grimwade House Multipurpose Learning Centre

Melbourne Grammar School – Grammar News

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Wadhurst Valedico Frank

Straight from the art Wadhurst’s Art and Music Exhibition 2011 was launched in spectacular fashion at the Motor Works Gallery on 16 November, with music and the creative arts combining on what was a night to remember. Adam Lee, who was part of the 2011 Wadhurst Artist-in-Residence Programme, officially opened the exhibit before more than 150 proud boys and their families.

Wadhurst’s Year 7 choir greeted guests, singing Australian rock songs from the 1980s and 1990s, while a wide variety of art adorned the walls and shelves of the Gallery. It wasn’t just the standard of art that impressed, but the range as well.

The Year 7s’ work included perspective, scale and tonal rendering drawings, Henry Moore-inspired 3D abstract sculptures made from DAS modelling clay, and water-colour paintings. Not to be outdone, the Year 8s’ work included juxtaposed cross-cultural mixed media on canvas, Disneyinspired 3D sculptures and slide show animations and digital imagery.

There was a festive feeling to the opening of the exhibition, which ran for two days, with Wadhurst’s Head of Art, Adam Cawood, understandably proud of his charges.

BONA FORTUNA - Passionate & charismatic Frank Vergona is leaving Wadhurst having first joined the teaching staff in 1985

“To look around and see the culmination of a lot of hard work from a lot of very talented people, including [Art Assistant] Mel Dennis and the various Artists-in-Residence we’ve had throughout the year, is a huge buzz, but the biggest stars of the exhibit are, without a doubt, the boys,” he said.

One of Wadhurst’s most recognised names, faces and voices has left the building. After 26 years as a Latin teacher to Year 7 and 8 boys, Frank Vergona is calling it a day.

Frank began his teaching career at Geelong High School in 1972, before moving to Dandenong High School. He came to Melbourne Grammar School in May 1985, having taught for the previous eight years at Xavier College.

Those who studied under Frank would agree that he taught with real passion. He regularly instilled in his students a sense of self-belief, whilst insisting they adopt the selfdiscipline that is required to learn a subject such as Latin.

Generations of students will attest that “if you don’t know your vocab you’re not in the hunt”, as Frank so regularly said.

Frank’s teaching, his football umpiring, his ability to talk football or cricket and his booming operatic voice in the carpark or during the Wadhurst Music Concerts and Staff Chapel Services, will all be greatly missed.

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Melbourne Grammar School – Grammar News

ON SONG – The Wadhurst choir entertained visitors to the Motor Works Gallery during the opening of the Wadhurst Music & Art Exhibition

The Jungle Book

DECKED OUT – The Wadhurst Deck became the set for The Jungle Book in what was the culmination of the efforts of everyone at Wadhurst

The show opened with The Voice (narrator Wills Nuske), who set the scene of mystery and mayhem as the orphaned Mowgli, played by Thomas Batt, was chased onto stage by Shere Khan (Alexander Cushen).

Tom Russell played Rudyard Kipling, whose character’s mind returned to his days in India. His memories were accompanied by the exciting, but chilling howling of wolves (provided by the wolf-like Tom Cameron). Rudyard’s writing was occasionally interrupted by his wife Caroline, played by Charles Gilmour, as ‘she’ delivered tea and often complained of the intrusion of rats. The King Rat, (Max Mezger) appeared singing and playing the cello; not to be outdone were Ed Faulkner on guitar and ‘The Jungle Boys’ on percussion.

Mowgli is adopted by brave wolf-parents – and who better to play them than James Cuming as the father wolf, Zeus, and Alex Gruen as the mother wolf, ‘The Demon’. Their Wolf King (Milan Kantor) battled to maintain his leadership position as Fury the Wolf (Jack Bickford) and Bolt the Wold (Jack Spargo) also plotted to get rid of the man-cub, who challenged their sense of conformity.

Not even Hadyn Berry, who played judge wolf elder Luca Sdraulig, flying high as Chil the Kite and Mang the Bat, played by Dakota Fletcher, could bring justice to the occasion, leaving them to maintain a watchful eye on the boy as he learnt all the languages of the jungle. Mowgli ignored the grandfatherly advice of Ikki the Porcupine (Joshua Kerin) and Mao the Peacock (Lachie Ross) as he continued his risk-taking behaviour.

Kaa the Python, admirably performed by William Coote, joined forces with Baloo the Bear (Andrew Udovenya) and Bagheera (Will Swansson) to trap the mischievous monkeys, who sent Ben Wilkinson flying over the audience, to lure Mowgli away. The Monkey King, (Freddie Young) and his Bandar-log tribe were no match for the Cobra Hoods, and the monkeys were stomped on by Mason Tilly (as Hathi the Elephant) and sacrificed to the Sacred Cobra (Leo Monichino).

Mowgli learns that there is more to life than just having fun, for it can lead to boredom, which leads to an encounter with the Village Boys. The friendship of The Big Grey Wolf, played with aplomb by Billy Stafford, helped Mowgli stand against Alex McLeod, the Priest and Harry Nettlefold as Buldeo the Hunter. Having the conviction and strength of Alan Truong as Rama, the King of the Buffalo, enabled Mowgli to survive and restore the order of the Jungle. After all, Shere Khan, was right in claiming that Mowgli “does not belong”.

Mowgli learns to accept that his individuality and abilities offer strength and that, in the face of adversity, one can stand alone.

Another Wadhurst School Play now comes to an end for seventy keen actors and a wonderful support crew, led by Stage Manager Benjamin McGinn. If there is something to learn, we can learn it from Kipling, who told us: “What a story! What a life! What an adventure we all must live!”

Fiona Mackenzie Wadhurst Co-ordinator of Drama Melbourne Grammar School – Grammar News

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Senior School History can repeat It was a tale of the two Henrys for MGS in the National History Challenge. Henry Storey, Year 9 and Henry Gardiner, Year 10 both helped the School make its mark in the competition.

The National History Challenge is judged on the quality of research, with students from Years 5 to 12 invited to participate and demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of Australian history.

The theme for the 2011 National History Challenge was ‘Defining Moments’. The competition required students to submit essays of between 1000 and 2500 words, or a film, on a topic of their choice which addressed the theme.

Henry Storey’s entry, The Last First Contact, was about the Pintupi Nine, who were the last Indigenous tribe to come out of the desert. It won a number of awards, including State Winner in the Category of Indigenous Australia, State and National Winner for all Categories Year Level 9/10 and Young Historian of the Year for Victoria. Henry Gardner’s essay Stages in Australia’s History was about his family’s theatrical company and earned him the Certificate of Excellence for the National Archives of Australia.

In addition, there were three other entries from MGS students. A group film was made by Year 10 students Matthew Webb, Francis Stewart and Michael Fasulakis entitled, Tunnels, Mines and Mates (The Battle of Hill 60, 7th June 1917). Maxim Cave, also in Year 10, wrote an essay called Vivian’s Postcards (The history of a working class woman), while Year 10 student Lachlan Strover wrote an essay titled Dachau’s Gates to Freedom (The story of my grandmother’s escape to Australia).

“The achievements of the boys is a testament not only to the School’s history programme, but also the boys’ abilities as young historians to draw out the important facets of history, based on diligent research and expressed in engaging narratives. I could not be more proud of all their efforts and their results,” says History teacher Adrea Fox.

STORY TELLERS - Maxim Cave, Henry Storey, Lachlan Strover, Henry Gardiner, Mrs Adrea Fox, Matthew Webb, Francis Stewart & Michael Fasulakis make up Melbourne Grammar School’s History ‘Dream Team’

At the recent 2011 National History Challenge Awards at Parliament House in Canberra, Henry Storey’s entry, The Last First Contact, earned him recognition (and a gold medal) as Victoria’s Young Historian of the Year, in addition to the most outstanding student in the Year 9 and 10 category.

Better LOTE than ever

centralised language centre for its Chinese, Latin, French, German and Japanese staff and students.

The School’s LOTE (Languages Other Than English) Centre was officially opened on Friday 25 November. More of a refurbishment than a rebuild, the Senior School now has a

Designed by Peter Elliott Architects Pty Ltd and built by Buxton Constructions, the 11-month project saw the redevelopment of what was the old Morris Library, AV Centre and Coleman Room. The old Morris Library area has been turned into six classrooms, an open-plan study area for 16 teachers, two meeting rooms and a demonstration kitchen. The Coleman Room has been refurbished into a Drama teaching space with a Green Room, Drama teacher study, and equipment storage areas.

Chairman of School Council, Emeritus Professor Richard Larkins, officially opened the Centre which is the pride and joy of the Head of LOTE, Florence Guthrie.

LET THERE BE LOTE – Plenty of natural light is a feature of the new Senior School LOTE Centre that was officially opened by Chairman of School Council, Emeritus Professor Richard Larkins 10

Melbourne Grammar School – Grammar News

“The LOTE Centre has exceeded my expectations and it is going to enhance the School’s languages programme.

Already the staff and students have made themselves at home and we look forward to fully utilising the space in 2012 and beyond,” Florence said.

Drama aplenty for VCE students Drama will be offered as a VCE subject for Melbourne Grammar School students for the first time in 2012, with 12 boys expected to take up Drama (Units 1 and 2) in Year 11.

Drama (Units 3 and 4) will be a Year 12 VCE subject in 2013.

VCE Drama provides students with opportunities to explore ways in which drama represents social, political and historical contexts, narratives and stories. Students develop an understanding of the language of drama, including terminology and expressions appropriate to the context of the drama that students create, perform and analyse.

Students develop an appreciation of drama as an art form through participation, criticism and aesthetic understanding.

Drama is considered an academic discipline while the theatre, best reflected in the various school productions such as this year’s Much Ado About Nothing, My Fair Lady and Sweeney Todd, is considered co-curricular.

Head of Drama, Mark Brady, is thrilled to be able to offer Drama to students.

“MGS is providing an avenue for students to develop their sense of communication through far more creative and advanced methods. Drama offers opportunities for students to utilise their creativity, imagination, ideas and skills. The VCE Drama course is specifically designed to help students discover, explore and develop ways to make and present Drama,” he said.

Drama takes the number of VCE subjects offered at MGS to an impressive 44*.

VCE subjects on offer at MGS 2012

ACTION – Productions such as 2011’s My Fair Lady will no doubt receive a boost thanks to the introduction of Drama as a VCE subject from 2012

Accounting

French

Media

Australian & Global Politics

Geography

Music*

Biology

German

Philosophy

Chemistry

History*

Physical Education

Chinese*

Info Tech - Applications

Physics

Classical Studies

Japanese*

Product Design & Technology

Drama

Latin

Psychology

Economics

Legal Studies

Religion & Society

English*

Literature

Studio Arts

Environmental Science

Mathematics *

Visual Communication & Design

* The total number of 44 is the result of the multiple Chinese, English, History, Japanese, Mathematics and Music options available to students.

Melbourne Grammar School – Grammar News

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Outdoor Education Camping out Grimwade House style It was the night before sleepover and all through Grimwade House, not a creature was stirring… not even a mouse. The following night is a different story altogether, as 44 energetic Year 2 students and eight Junior Primary teachers were sleeping over at school.

The children came with their sleeping bag, pyjamas, toothbrush, a furry friend and some mixed feelings – from extreme excitement to some nerves. They said goodbye to their parents and started on their first leg of Melbourne Grammar School’s outdoor education experience.

2TS and 2HS slept at school on 14 October and 2D and 2P on 21 October. The children were engaged in a variety of team-building activities, followed by a pizza dinner. Next they changed into pyjamas, ready for the most stylish fashion

parade the Alfred Felton Hall has ever seen. Certificates were awarded for fashions-on-the-field, and a highlight for the children was seeing their teachers in their pyjamas.

The children slept in Harleston classrooms and this experience helped some children overcome their concerns about sleeping away from home. Everyone woke bright and early on Saturday morning, ready to tell their parents about the fun.

Quotes from the campers: Fleur Anstee: We had the best time at the sleepover.

Annie Joscelyne: I was surprised to see the teachers in matching PJs. They must go shopping together on Saturdays.

Ed Mackinnon: One of my friends snores really loudly.

Charlie McNamara: I can’t believe we had to stay in bed until 6:45 am.

Jest Cetiner: I loved the Pyjama parade; I did a really cool walk.

Alannah Mitchell: My favourite part was the pizza. I ate 5 pieces.

NOT QUITE BUSH TUCKER – (left) Hugo Williams, Edward MacKinnon, William Du & (clockwise from top left) Sienna Simpson, Madeleine McGregor, Penny Hunt-Smith & Sabine Walterfang, tuck into their dinner during the Grimwade House Year 2 sleepover

Sophie Macaw: The teachers did a funny play! Miss Scarr was Cinderella and Mr Santamaria was her wicked stepmother. It was so funny.

Melbourne Grammar School Outdoor Education summary 2012 Year

Camp

Where

Duration

2

Sleepover

Grimwade House

1 night

3

Overnight

Alpine Ash Retreat, located near Toolangi

1 night

4

Two Night

Alpine Ash Retreat, located near Toolangi

2 nights

5

Robert Knox Camp

Woodend

3 nights

6

Walkerville Coastal Reserve

Walkerville

4 nights

7

Robert Knox Camp

Woodend

5 nights

8

Camp Dowd

Gippsland

5 nights

9

Year 9 Camps

Throughout Australia

2 x 5 nights

Beyond the Gates

Victoria/NSW high country

20 days

10

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Melbourne Grammar School – Grammar News

The pioneers of Beyond the Gates

TRAILBLAZERS – The group of Year 10 boys, ready for the challenges that lie ahead on the ‘Beyond the Gates’ pilot programme

At the time of going to press, the pilot programme for ‘Beyond the Gates’ was underway, with twelve Year 10 boys undertaking the course. The aim of the trip was to learn from the experience, in order to tailor it for the official introduction to the MGS curriculum from 2012.

are very proud of that fact, while being aware that not everything may go to plan. It truly is an expedition!” he said.

“Leaving civilisation behind to enjoy the amazing views, the beautiful scenery and the serenity is something we are all looking forward to, not to mention the adrenalin rush of white water rafting - the Mitta Mitta is one of the best white water rivers in Victoria. To summit Mt Kosciuszko after travelling together for 20 days straight, will be something we won’t forget in a hurry.”

MGS Camps Programme Manager, Michael Milnes, says there has been a healthy mix of excitement and trepidation among the group. “The boys are very excited and keen to get out there. They understand that they will be the very first group of boys from MGS to tackle this expedition and

For more pictures of the pilot programme please go overleaf.

Beyond the Gates 2011 Pilot Day

Location/activity

Activity

Day

Location

Activity

1

MGS to Mt Beauty

Transport

11

Mitta/SOLO

Hiking

2

Prep day at Mt Beauty

Preparation

12

Stony Creek

Hiking

3

Start Windy Corner Pretty Valley

Hiking

13

Johnnies Top

Hiking

4

Cope Hut

Hiking

14

Buenba Hut

Hiking

5

Kelly Hut

Hiking

15

Charlies Creek

Hiking

6

Joker Flat

Hiking

16

Davies Plain

Hiking

7

Winter Take Out

Rafting

17

Buckwong Creek

Hiking

8

Faithfuls Beach

Rafting

18

Tom Groggin

Hiking

9

Hinnomunjie

Rafting

19

Dead Horse Spur

Cycling

Taylors Crossing

Rafting

20

Dead Horse (Summit)

Hiking

21

Travel to MGS

Transport

10

Melbourne Grammar School – Grammar News

13

Beyond the Gates

14

Melbourne Grammar School – Grammar News

Melbourne Grammar School – Grammar News

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An Anglican School The School’s three Chaplains reflect on 2011 and offer a personal insight into their year at the three campuses.

Grimwade House

Wadhurst

Reverend Bill Peacock Grimwade House Chaplain

Reverend Eleanor O’Donnell Wadhurst Chaplain

A highlight for me this year was participating in the Year 6 study tour of Canberra. It was a fantastic five-day experience, involving nearly 100 students and eight staff members. It was a logistical and organisational triumph!

At Wadhurst, all Philosophy and Religion classes are taught by the Chaplain. For a surprising number of students entering Year 7, it is the first time they have formally studied religion. For many others, it is the first time they have been invited to approach the subject from an academic, rather than a confessional, perspective.

Naturally, we visited all the main tourist and educational facilities – the War Memorial, Parliament House, the National Museum, the National Archive, the High Court Building, the Mint, Old Parliament House, Questacon and so on – in a hectic round of learning opportunities.

We were accommodated at the Australian Institute of Sport, which was fascinating in its own right, as we were able to tour the facilities and meet some of the athletes.

The students entered into the whole experience with enthusiasm and were fully engaged at every station, answering questions intelligently and asking searching questions in turn. The students were a credit to themselves, their families and the School.

I appreciated the opportunity to engage with students and other staff members in a different context and to relate to the students outside the classroom and the Chapel.

The classroom teachers of Grimwade are extraordinarily skilled in managing, encouraging and teaching their students.

In addition to the structured learning opportunities provided by the places we visited, there were many other more informal opportunities to reinforce values like consideration, respect, courtesy and cooperation.

Melbourne Grammar School takes its reputation for academic rigour across the subject areas seriously.

An Anglican School with a genuine faith backbone, it nevertheless rightly insists that the classroom is a place for a broad liberal education. This is a great gift we bring our students and it means that when Chaplains teach in the classroom we, like the rest of the teaching staff, are there to educate students… not to insist that they share our world view.

At Wadhurst, I explain to each new class at the beginning of each semester what I am up to in the classroom: I am there to invite them to think into and explore a fascinating and engaging subject area, to apply their minds and to draw their own provisional conclusions.

In Year 7, some students take a while to understand. They come to realise that the person who leads Chapel as an unapologetically Christian experience, and who speaks from a Christian conviction at Assembly, has a somewhat different agenda in the classroom! By the end of Year 8 students have worked out that the classroom is a place for open engagement with philosophical and religious ideas right across the faith and non-faith spectrum, and that Philosophy and Religion is a great subject for everyone.

When my students leave Wadhurst with this attitude, I am delighted!

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Senior School

Help needed: Values in Action As part of the School’s Values in Action programme, up to 16 MGS students will fly to Vietnam in April 2012 – but first they need your help.

The boys will be funding the trip themselves, but require additional money for a range of community organisations they are supporting while on their visit, including The Fred Hollows Foundation and the Agent Orange Orphanage.

Reverend Ron Noone Senior School Chaplain Pastoral theology is the branch of theological education that concerns the more practical aspects of ministry. Recently, the talk is of ‘praxis’, which is something akin to the application of the theory and the practice. The pastoral work of the clergy varies from one denomination to another and, indeed, from one school to another.

Pastoral theology is a big field and includes the celebration of public worship, administration of the sacraments, preaching, ministry to the sick, the bereaved and the dying – generally called ‘the cure of souls’. It also includes youth work, social agencies, teaching and any other practical aspect of ministry.

In the school setting in recent years, some of the Chaplain’s pastoral work has been undertaken by School Counsellors and Psychologists, who are trained from the clinical perspective.

They are responsible for counselling the boys from a specific point of view and are professionally trained to help students and staff in ways most Chaplains aren’t trained to do.

The Chaplain is the pastor to all the students and staff, including the Headmaster, and discusses with the Head from time to time, the ‘health’ of the community. Sometimes it is simply ‘befriending’ students by chatting to them in the Quad or while they are playing sport, rehearsing for a play, a concert or the Chapel Choir. It means simply listening and being an ‘ear’ for their concerns, their hopes and fears as they progress through the School. This may sound like a small thing, but I can assure you it isn’t.

Along with the pastoral role of the Heads of House, the tutors and other teachers, the Chaplains help to make the boys feel secure by demonstrating that someone cares about them and their interests and will share their pain in times of sorrow and rejoice with them in times of happiness.

They know the door is always open to them, when the concern may not relate to the School Psychologist.

When you are teaching, you are pastorally caring for your people and this is even more so in the school setting.

GOODWILL – MGS has been visiting Vietnam for six years now as part of the Values in Action programme

“The aim of the trip is to initiate a relationship with an underprivileged school in the north of Vietnam, just outside Hanoi, but we will also be revisiting the Fred Hollows Foundation and helping with the work they are doing. In addition to this, we will help build a family home in the Mekong Delta,” says Teacher-in-Charge Phillipa Hurley.

The 12-day tour will begin in Hanoi and the surrounding area including visits to Danang on the central coast and Ho Chi Minh City in the south.

For more information or to help support the Vietnam trip, please email Phillipa Hurley at pchurley@mgs.vic.edu.au.

Melbourne Grammar School – Grammar News

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Valete Lawrence’s stay adds up Lawrence Doolan began at Melbourne Grammar School in 1976 and was appointed Head of the Mathematics Faculty in 1984. Among Lawrence’s greatest achievements were, without doubt, helping generations of students develop their problem solving techniques. In addition, he was the first school teacher to be involved in the Australian Mathematics Olympiad Committee and was the State Director of the Olympiad for five years. He mentored a number of MGS Mathematical Olympians and his passion for Mathematics included initiatives such as Saturday morning enrichment classes. More recently, he set up joint after-school classes with Scotch College.

Lawrence’s favourite branch of Mathematics is the Philosophy of Mathematics, though he has an uncanny overall knowledge of many branches, including Number Theory and the History of Mathematics.

Lawrence has been just as active outside his department, through the Head of Department Committee (which later became the Curriculum Board), the Professional Development Committee and the Aboriginal Reconciliation Committee. He encouraged scholarship and academic excellence and organised internal and entrance scholarships for 24 years, serving on the Testing Committee.

Lawrence’s other passions include the theatre, films and reading. He shared these interests through his involvement with the Quad and School Plays (15 years) and as adjudicator of House Debates, coordinator of the Sir Kingsley Norris Oration competition and the now defunct Sixth Form Society.

Lawrence’s involvement in teaching and learning was multidisciplinary and he accepted all invitations to give talks to Poetry, History and Philosophy classes. He also taught Latin on a few occasions and visited China in 1980 with the first school group to be invited to Nanjing by the Chinese Government.

Lawrence’s interest in sport extends to his keen interest in running, he still runs most mornings and he organized MGS Cross Country Running and House Athletics for many years.

To suggest Lawrence has been fully involved in the life of the School for his time at MGS would be a huge understatement. He has inspired many staff and students and has always been generous with his time and advice. He leaves a marvelous legacy to Mathematics education here at MGS and beyond.

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Melbourne Grammar School – Grammar News

Peter’s passion for history Peter Newbury arrived at Melbourne Grammar School in 1982 flushed with the dual success of achieving his first (and only) full time job (History teacher), and having seen off the challenge for the role by the now Lord Mayor of Melbourne, Robert Doyle.

Peter has the most profound respect for knowledge. He has a love of learning, together with an insightful mind and an elephantine memory. Very few days pass without a moment of excitement about something that he had just learned.

Those who worked closely with Peter would attest to the fact that the History office was not the place to be if you had to get some work done, because the wonders of the world were seemingly forever under exploration.

“Working with Peter Newbury is a singular and profound experience because as the Head of History, he showed complete and unending faith in his staff,” says History teacher Glenn Matthews. “Somehow without the ravages of administrative inclination, he nurtured a Department that grew and thrived in an era when in most institutions, History became history.”

His imagination and support for his colleagues meant that he backed the institution of new and exciting courses, like History of Espionage (a passion of his) or Indigenous History, in order to revitalise the Department. He leaves Melbourne Grammar School with the History Department in good health.

“Sharing an office with Peter Newbury for over a decade, mostly just the two of us, was one of the richest and most rewarding experiences it is possible to have,” says Glenn.

“He would frequently arrive back in the office, suffused with energy after yet another ‘educational triumph’ and then embark on an extended disquisition about the stock market and history.”

Peter will retain an ongoing association with the School through The Hancock Society, which he co-founded. That is the least part of his rich legacy, which grow in the gardens of knowledge of his legions of students, who have carried his gifts out into the world.

The final week of October featured a number of events to farewell the 2011 Year 12 boys as they began their final preparations for VCE exams & life beyond the Bluestone. Here is a collection of pictures from what was a memorable week.

Melbourne Grammar School – Grammar News

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The Foundation Bequests: Far from a melancholic topic…

Life is simply too short. Our early ambitions of life adventures fade over time into distant dreams, and hindsight is one of those inner voices that usually tell us what we secretly already knew all along.

A bizarre way to introduce the topic of bequest giving? Not so.

Writing a Will and leaving funds to close family, friends and causes which we hold dear to us, allows us to contribute even after we’re gone. This is far from melancholic but actually, decidedly stimulating. Thinking ahead, past our time here, requires a certain nerve; ambition and hope for others and confidence in values. It really is inspirational foresight.

It was the confidence in our MGS values that struck me most when I recently attended the Annual OM Bluestone Luncheon. (Invitations are sent to all OMs who left School more than 50 years ago.) Members of our School’s bequest group, the Witherby Tower Society, were asked to stand up

so that we could publically thank them. I was truly touched to see the pride in which nearly 30 per cent of those in the room stood.

Speaking to a number of these men, a common theme emerged in their questioning of the School today, and their memories of MGS; it was that the values of Melbourne Grammar School remain as strong today as they did when they were boys. I was swapping stories of Community Service during the War years with our refugee homework clubs; Brian Hone’s wise leadership thoughts with Roy Kelley’s stories and the universal pride in choices made by our current boys.

It is this confidence of values and belief in the importance of education that have led these gentleman and their families to remember their early ambitions dreamt at MGS, and to want these to be realised by students for many years to come.

By becoming a member of the Witherby Tower Society and leaving a bequest to MGS, no matter how big or small, each of them have shown confidence in our values and ambitions for the future of our great School and indeed the future of our children.

Life is too short, but let’s not wait for hindsight to tell us that. Melbourne Grammar School makes a huge difference in the lives of so many families through bursary support programmes and in so many communities through our Values in Action programme. This is only possible thanks to our generous donors who believe and support us, and enable this to happen.

To join or learn more about this growing Society, please call me on (03) 9865 7683 and tell me about your inspirational foresight.

Rachael Henshilwood Director of Development

New Chairman At the recent Witherby Tower Society Luncheon, held on Monday 12 December in the newly refurbished Coleman room, following three successful years as Chairman of our Witherby Tower Society, Michael Bartlett (OM 1973) has handed the reigns over to Andrew Guy (OM 1965). Michael has kindly agreed to remain on the WTS Committee and he and Andrew look forward to further developing this important Society over the coming years. The School would like to thank Michael for his excellent leadership in his role of Chairman of the WTS and for his on-going support.

SOCIETY MEN – Incoming Witherby Tower Society Chairman Andrew Guy (OM 1965) with his predecessor Michael Bartlett (OM 1973)

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Melbourne Grammar School – Grammar News

Archives What’s in a name?

CALL IT WHAT YOU WILL – Whole School photograph from the early 1900s

The name ‘Melbourne Grammar School’ was formally recognised at an extraordinary meeting of the School Association on 2 August 1991. Prior to that, the School was formally known as ‘Melbourne Church of England Grammar School’… or so it would it would seem.

According to Keith Officer, later Sir Keith Officer (OM 1902) and a man who would later head Australia’s Foreign Affairs Department, there was no evidence to suggest that the School was ever formally named.

He wrote a letter to the editor of The Melburnian in 1926, which commenced: “On investigation it appears that we have no real name – a description was applied to us at our foundation and we have been trying ever since to find a name out of this description…”

I will not go into the exact detail of the four-page letter; suffice to say it was well argued for a change of name for the School. In response to the letter, The Old Melburnians Society passed a resolution in July 1927 calling for a more appropriate name to be found for the School than ‘Melbourne Church of England Grammar School’. The resolution was passed with only two dissensions and called on Old Melburnians to suggest new names for the School.

It produced a veritable flood of letters in support of a change to the name of the School. Listed (right) are some of the names suggested, and the reasons they were considered.

Having looked at all of the suggestions, most would agree that the decision made by the School Association to change the name to ‘Melbourne Grammar School’ was the most appropriate.

Melburnia – The name ‘Melburnia’ and ‘Melburnians’ had been in use for many years, and the Games Committee had officially adopted the name Melburnians in 1887. It was a logical progression that the name be applied to the School as a whole. Some however objected that it was too “effeminate”.

Melbourne School – This was a derivation of ‘Melbourne Church of England School’. Many hoped that in time all references to the Church of England would fade from the name.

Melburn School – Another name considered (that was just plain wrong on so many counts!).

St George’s School – This was another name that had widespread support. It was suggested by Headmaster George Blanch. St George, of course, was the patron saint of England. One criticism was that it was “too beastly common”.

Bromby School – Another that had appeal to many Old Melburnians, as it was named after the first Headmaster of the School Dr John Bromby.

Melburnia House – This was a suggestion for Senior School, and not the School as a whole, as we had Grimwade House, Wadhurst and the Senior School, but according to some it did not have enough gravitas.

Melbourne Church of England in Australia Grammar School – Anticipating a greater sense of independence in the future, this mouthful of a title was suggested.

Bromburnian Grammar School – This suggestion garnered the least support, and was a combination of two of the previous names for the School.

Stewart Brook Alumni & Archives Manager Melbourne Grammar School – Grammar News

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The Old Melburnians Council

Philip Solomon

I am pleased to have the opportunity to report to you, in this Festive Season, on what The Old Melburnians have been up to most recently.

I will focus first on the Annual Dinner of The Old Melburnians, held in October at the Melbourne Cricket Club.

There was an excellent and enthusiastic turnout. The guest speaker was the Premier, Mr Ted Baillieu (OM 1970). We should feel pride as a School community that the Premier is an Old Melburnian, and that pride, I think, should be amplified by the fact that the last Premier was also an Old Melburnian and on a different side of politics.

The speech of the Premier was outstanding: sophisticated and engaging. He weaved the role of Melbourne Grammar into the fabric of Melbourne society more generally, including by reason of its geographical location on Melbourne’s principal boulevard. He spoke, with fondness, of his own time at School; and produced his report cards from School [“Note to parents: If your son or daughter may in due course be Premier of Victoria, save their report cards.”]

I would also like to mention the speech that evening of Nick Langford, Captain of the School in 2011. I have had the opportunity in my time as President of The Old Melburnians to hear Nick speak on numerous occasions. His poise and presence, and his ability to deploy words, has reflected credit on the School all year - none more so than at The Old Melburnians Annual Dinner.

never heard the Games Song belted out with such gusto!

Again, the three Year 12 speakers were marvellous and it is a credit not only to them, but to the School more generally, that young men can present with such composure before an audience of more than 500 people.

A new broom sweeps through The Old Melburnians next year. The OMs Council is delighted to report two new members. Andrew Brookes (OM 1974) is well known to many in the School community, including for his involvement in theatre and orchestra. The other is Luther Ellis (OM 2008), the School Vice-Captain in 2008 and the first recipient of The Old Melburnians Fellowship in 2009. Both will make important contributions. It is also the end of an era. Simon Derham, a substantial contributor to the business of The Old Melburnians, retires after many years of fine service. In addition, Fiona Forsterling, the first ‘Grimwade Girl’ to join the Council, has reluctantly resigned in the circumstance where she and her husband are availing themselves of new and exciting opportunities in Canberra. She has been an important contributor to the re-engagement of The Old Melburnians with past Grimwade girls, and I hope that engagement will now continue through others.

The President of The Old Melburnians in 2012 will be Ameet Bains, the 1995 School Captain. It thus follows that the task of announcing the third Brownlow Medal of Chris Judd will now pass from me, to him!

Season’s greetings to all.

I also had the opportunity, as President of The Old Melburnians, to attend the Year 12 Valedictory Dinner. I have

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Philip Solomon President

The Old Melburnians The world’s their stage Barry Humphries (OM 1951) and 2011 School Captain, Nick Langford, discussed their mutual love for the theatre, Barry’s memories of his time at MGS and his bizarre plans for the School’s ovals.

How does it feel to be back in Australia and mixing with the Melbourne Grammar Community?

Daunting! I gather the School has changed a lot. As far as I can see when I drive past and look through the gates, it seems to be to be a little over-built. I think perhaps the ovals should be used for buildings. I never really approved of the ovals. When I was at Melbourne Grammar, I always thought the ovals were a terrible waste of space. They could be planted with trees, make them into small forests. Anything but sport. Sport is a waste of time. Any serious student considers sport a total waste of time – and a danger to their health. I attribute the fact that I am still living and working very hard to the fact I never do any exercise at all!

Good! So what are some of your fondest memories of your time at MGS? A lot of pleasure is retrospective. You don’t think you’re having a good time until much later and you look back and, compared with how your life looks now, it didn’t seem so bad. It could even be described as ‘halcyon’. But the thing I did enjoy at the School, the first thing, was the architecture.

As I was born before the Second World War, in that age, anything that was more than a few years old, say 20 years old, was enthusiastically pulled down. To be educated in an old building, and rather a handsome old building, and a beautiful Chapel, that’s what I enjoyed the most. I did make a few friendships which remain with me today.

To what extent did MGS allow you to realise your niche as a performer and help you discover your true potential?

I think that was my very first theatre role and I didn’t have to say much. I did play a bigger part in the Ghost Train, again a female character. I think I was a vamp.

There were things that I am very grateful for. We had a very eccentric music teacher, for example, who was also the organist, whose name was Albert Greed. He was very fond of wandering up to the Botanical Hotel at lunchtime and would return in a fairly cheerful mood after lunch. But he played enthusiastically in the Chapel and he really did inspire my early love of music, which remains with me today. We also had an Art master who was employed because of his prowess in athletics. I think because some authority said that the School had to teach Art, they thought ‘who can draw?’ – and they found that the Athletics coach could draw a bit. I quite enjoyed those Art classes and became secretary of the MGS Arts Club and invited real living artists to come and talk to the School, one of whom was Noel Counihan, a well-known artist and socialist of the time.

Do you think things may have turned out differently for you if you’d attended Melbourne Grammar School today?

There wasn’t so much to rebel against! What really flexed my muscles back then were the things I could rebel against, such as cadets, and so I became a conscientious objector.

I’d been reading the autobiographies of Robert Graves and I learned about Bertrand Russell and a group of conscientious objectors from the First World War. I sympathised with them then, though less so in the Second World War when we had a palpable foe. It was a different war. But compulsory sport, compulsory cadets, when I came to the Headmaster at the time, Joe Sutcliffe, to tell him of my objection to cadets, he had this sudden respect for me and called me by my first name for the first time. I always found being referred to as ‘Humphries’ was hard to take. Mr Sutcliffe was surprised and rather delighted by my conscientious objection.

What were you like at School Barry?

Freakish. Superior. But underneath nervous and insecure and deeply deploring the sort of vulgarity of the language and the scatological conversations with other schools. I was in an elite group and I liked the company of Jewish boys, as they were outsiders to a degree. They were excused from Chapel and I became aware of the Jewish community through these friendships. Melbourne afforded sanctuary for so many Jewish people from the holocaust and they made a huge contribution, culturally, to Melbourne and Australia. The Jews brought to Australia great chocolate and great clothes for men, lawyers too, later on. I witnessed the arrival of many of these people, scared people, from Europe to Melbourne.

As far away from Hitler as they could get, all the way to Melbourne.

Melbourne Grammar School – Grammar News

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Branches & Reunions 1991 Twenty Year Reunion

Mornington Peninsula Community Function

1

Simon Keating and Sian O’Neale

7

Frank Macindoe (OM 1943) and his wife Bette

2

Roberto Venturini and Matthew Thomas

8

Brian List (OM 1950) and his wife Jennifer

3

James Keulemans and Jack Manning

9

Ken James (OM 1948) and his wife Priscilla

4

Lachlan Danckert and Alex Pocock

Bluestone Luncheon Old Melburnians Annual General Meeting 5

Cameron Smith (OM 1993) and Treasurer John Wilson (OM 1962)

1981 Thirty Year Reunion 6

Richard Culross and Andrew Simpson

10 Former Acting Headmaster Ian Rutherford (OM 1950) with Vice President of the Old Melburnians Nigel Thompson (OM 1969) 11 The Headmaster Roy Kelley with Australian of the Year, Guest Speaker Simon McKeon (OM 1973) and Chairman of School Council Professor Richard Larkins (OM 1960) 12 Former Justice of the Supreme Court of Victoria John Batt (OM 1953) and his wife Margaret with Simon McKeon (OM 1973)

1 2

3 4

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Melbourne Grammar School – Grammar News

5 6

7 8

9 10

11 12

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Community News Weddings Congratulations The Grammar community is pleased to congratulate the following couples who recently celebrated their marriages in the Chapel of St Peter:

15 October 2011 Campbell Alder (OM 1999) & Jessica Huntington

22 October 2011 Adam Swan (OM 1991) & Sarah Hinks

5 November 2011 Suman Reddy (OM 1996) & Anne Thomas

11 November 2011 Stephen Hii (OM 2001) & Jinny Hwang

19 November 2011 Peter Jackowski (OM 2000) & Stephanie Falkiner

10 December 2011 Marcus Pearl (OM 1999) & Prudence Barker

Former Justice of the Victorian Court of Appeal John Batt (OM 1953) informed us of the achievements of his friend and former classmate Ian Donaldson (OM 1953). Ian has written a remarkable book on Ben Jonson that was published to wide acclaim recently.

Ben Jonson: A Life, is “a superb biography of one of our greatest playwrights”, according to reviews published recently. John Batt writes, “Donaldson has made the study and exposition of the life and works of Jonson his principal (but by no means only) life’s work. He is and has long been a, if not the, leading authority on Jonson.

This year, his 76th, has seen the culmination of his work, with both the publication

by Cambridge University Press of the Works of Ben Jonson, of which he was the General Editor, and the publication by Oxford University Press of Ben Jonson: A Life.“ Professor Ian Donaldson was Professor of English at the Australian National University from 1969 to 1991, and served as the first Director of the Humanities Research Centre from 1974 to 1990. In February 2004 he returned to the ANU and to his former position as Director of the HRC. In the intervening years he has been Regius Professor of Rhetoric and English Literature at the University of Edinburgh (1991-95), Grace 1 Professor of English Literature (1995-2002), Fellow of King’s College (1995-), and Foundation Director of the Centre for Research in the Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities (2001-03) at the University of Cambridge

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Melbourne Grammar School – Grammar News

His books include studies of Jonson and Shakespeare, Renaissance comedy, modern European drama, the practice of biography, the Rape of Lucretia and early views of the Australian Aborigines.

David Kennon (OM 1953) and John Wilson (OM 1955) recently visited North Bouganville in Papua New Guinea and travelled to the site of the Battle of Porton Plantation, where Robert Kennon (OM 1938) was killed in action on 9 June 1945. An article on the Battle of Porton Plantation was published in Grammar News in December 2005.

Andrew Prentice (OM 1961) (above right) writes, “Having lectured at Monash University for nearly 40 years, I was pleasantly surprised to learn in October that I had been selected to receive a 2011 Vice Chancellor’s Award for Teaching Excellence. The synopsis for the award read: ‘Dr Prentice’s enthusiasm and joy for teaching mathematics pours out from the many written comments about his lecturing style which have been collected by the Monash University Centre for Higher Education Quality. A Facebook website has been created by his students to show appreciation of Andrew Prentice’s immense contribution to the Monash maths experience’. In August, the Australian

Learning and Teaching Council presented to me a Citation for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning in the Sydney Opera House. It is reassuring to discover that my modus operandi of giving the best of my time and effort to assist students with their learning and achievement of career aspiration has not passed unnoticed! Only further effort on my part and future observations from space will tell whether the other arm of my career at Monash, namely the development of a mathematical theory for how our Solar System was created, will also end on a successful note.”

Andrew Stephens (OM 1981) and his family recently moved to Brisbane. However, his son Harry elected to stay in the boarding house as a member of School House.

Andrew has taken up the role of General Manger with the recently privatised and ASX listed QR National.

Chris Elstoft (OM 1986) returned to Australia in 2010 to take up a position in Canberra with the Australian aid agency AusAid as head of Communications and Research. He travelled this year to oversee AusAid’s work in the Mekong countries, Philippines, Burma, along with their Asia regional programmes.

This follows recent postings to Jakarta, Iraq and earlier postings to the Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea (all with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade). Overseas aid is doubling in the next five years, so AusAid is changing rapidly, and Chris is enjoying being part of that change management process.

Jack Manning (OM 1991) reports that after 13 years working as an officer in the Merchant Navy, he came ashore as an operations manager in 2007. Jack moved into business development more recently for P & O, mainly in the offshore gas and oil shipping sector. He says that the majority of his time is taken up by his four children.

Luke Ross (OM 1991) is married with two children, Charlotte and Etienne, and is currently working at LE Capital as a psychologist specialising in sales force effectiveness. Luke is also a Captain in the Australian Army Reserve and was deployed overseas to the Solomon Islands as part of the Multinational Contingent Regional Assistance Mission Solomon Islands (RAMSI).

Sam Maconochie (OM 2006) completed a Bachelor of Commerce at Monash University this year and is currently working for the family business, Hopkins River Beef.

The company supplies premium quality beef to some of Melbourne’s top restaurants, with sales increasing over 100 per cent in the past three years.

The brand now also has a strategic alliance with Coles Supermarkets and is now developing their trademark ‘Carbon Hoofprint’, producing high quality compost that will hopefully soon be available on the retail market.

Felicity Moffat (OM 2006) writes that she is in the last semester of a Veterinary Science Degree at the University of Melbourne and is currently in triathlon training.

Obituaries

Queen’s Birthday Honours 2010 Conspicuous Service Cross (CSC) Hugh Wade Cameron (OM 1992) For outstanding achievement as the Joint Education, Training and Warfare Command and Australian Defence Force Academy Legal Officer

The School has learnt of the following deaths in our community. Our sympathy and understanding is extended to their family and friends.

Bamford, W H (OM 1976) Bassett-Smith J P, P J M (OM 1924)

Queen’s Birthday Honours 2011

Begg, J P (OM 1964)

Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM)

Campbell, C G (OM 1924)

John Peterson Royle OAM (OM 1951)

Clayton, L R (Past Staff)

For service to medicine as a vascular surgeon, to professional associations, and to medical education, particularly relating to safety in the operating theatre

Day, R G (OM 1949) Dott, W A (OM 1934) Dunk, W P (OM 1944)

Matt Collister (OM 2006) completed a Bachelor of Commerce, majoring in Sport Management, and a Bachelor of Exercise and Sports Science at the end of 2010. Matt commenced his first job in 2011 as Competition and Events Coordinator at Little Athletics Victoria.

William Gubbins (OM 2006) has been studying at Monash University, where he is currently completing a Master of Laws (Juris Doctor). He had previously graduated from Melbourne University with a Bachelor of Arts (Honours in Environmental Studies).

William spent time residing at Ormond College, where he was awarded the Katie Lush Award for outstanding contributions to the College.

William also plays football with VAFA club West Brunswick Amateur Football Club.

Richard Gillespie-Jones (OM 2006) writes that he is about to graduate from RMIT in Town Planning later this year. Richard finished third at the Southern Conference University Games, representing

RMIT in hockey. He also competed at the Australian University Games, finishing sixth overall.

Leonard Shan (OM 2006) is a fifth-year medical student and has presented at the 2010 Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand.

Leonard has also published a number of papers in medical journals and is currently President of the St Vincent’s Hospital Medical Student Society. Leonard is currently involved in cardiac surgery research at St Vincent’s Hospital and in his spare time is a volunteer with St John’s Ambulance.

Sam Clark (OM 2006) completed his university studies in July 2011 graduating with a Bachelor of Business (Agribusiness).

Sam started with the ANZ Bank in their Agribusiness Graduate Programme in February this year.

Forrester, M J (OM 1957) Fullarton, A W R (OM 1951) Goodwach, O (OM 1955) Grieve, R A (OM 1945) Hale, G S (OM 1947) Harrison, L F (OM 1938) Hart, E W P (OM 1944) Hawkins, A C (OM 1942) Hocking DFM, P M (OM 1939) Hodges, P M (OM 1974) James, J O (OM 1949) Jeffery, R (OM 1944) Journeaux, H (Past Parent) Jurie, J J (Current Parent) Kiel, H D (OM 1942) Lawrence, M D (OM 1946) Lean, R W (OM 1932) Long, C F (OM 1936) Mandie, D (Past Parent) Montgomery, A Y (OM 1955) Nell, R G (OM1940) Nott, R E (OM 1930) Oliver, J R (OM 1948) Pyke, J J (OM 1953) Spring, W R (OM1936) Stevenson, J D (OM 1936) Stubbings, J (OM 1949) Swan, P L (OM 1952) Thomas, A (Past Staff)

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Friends of Grammar Grimwade House Throughout 2011 Friends of Grammar Grimwade has once again been a hive of activity. As always we’ve been kept busy with a range of events, from our own activities – to providing support for school functions – and our School community events, such as FOGG’s Annual Lunch and Tennis Day and, more recently, the inaugural Springtime Lunch.

Regardless of the event, all activities have been undertaken with one focus in mind – community building. FOG Grimwade has worked hard all year at this objective and it will continue to be the main focus of everything we do.

I would like to note the efforts of our 65 class representatives, who have also worked hard in this area.

It is not just the impressive range of more than 160 social functions and activities that they have organised, but also their care and attention with new families during the transition process, or in times of need when Grimwade families have experienced hardship or sadness.

Over the course of this year I’ve been fortunate to meet and work alongside so many different individuals and groups, this has included our class representatives, the FOG committees at Wadhurst and Senior School, staff at Grimwade House and the Lodge, the parent community and, of course, the children themselves. As this is my final contribution to the Grammar News, I would like to thank each and every one of them for their encouragement and support for Friends of Grammar Grimwade throughout 2011.

Most importantly, I would like to acknowledge the incredible 2011 FOGG committee: Wendy Davies, Lorraine Dunlop, Sarah George, Kursty Harvey, Jacquie Hayes, Simon Heath, Sandra Leung, Mandy Mallios, Karen Mitchell, Maureen O’Keefe, Michelle Santoro, Stella Takis and finally Lynne Rees, who takes over as FOG Grimwade President in 2012.

What a team they have been!

My best wishes to all for a safe and restful holiday.

Madeline O’Connor FOG Grimwade House President

Wadhurst Since the last issue of Grammar News there have been a number of events worthy of mentioning. Our sell-out Father and Son Trivia Night was held in September, and was a busy, exciting and fun night for the boys and their fathers. After sharing wood fire pizzas on the Wadhurst deck, the fathers and sons headed into the Wadhurst Hall for their challenges which our ‘trivia man’, Marti, sets for them every year.

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Melbourne Grammar School – Grammar News

The Wadhurst Music Concert, held in the Old Melburnians War Memorial Hall, was a beautiful night. The boys provided us all with exceptional entertainment under the direction of the very talented Julian Cairns. Parents provided some delicious supper for all to enjoy at interval and a special thank you is offered all these parents for their help and assistance.

The Wadhurst Athletics Day was a sensational day, with great weather, a very green oval and a big crowd. The boys worked very hard for their Houses and the winning house was… Cain. Well done! FOG Wadhurst provided the parents and boys with an all-too-familiar sausage sizzle. Thank you to all the Wadhurst parents for all the beautiful cakes, slices, biscuits and cupcakes that were made for the cake stall.

The boys then focused their talents and hard work on the Wadhurst play, The Jungle Book. This was a wonderful evening, held on the Wadhurst Deck. Despite being delayed due to stormy weather, it was well worth the wait.

Well done to all the boys and Fiona Mackenzie for such a professional and outstanding production.

The final event for the year was the Wadhurst Art and Music Exhibition, which was held at Motor Works. This is another favourite event for many, as it allows families to enjoy the wonderful art, while also being entertained with excellent music from Julian Cairns, his band and the talented Year 7 and Year 8 choirs and music students.

FOG was thrilled to be able to support the Wadhurst ‘wish list’ this year, providing Greg Caldwell and staff with items such as Science lab pets, stereo microscopes, digital SLR cameras and more. We have also been able to reopen the Wadhurst Tuckshop twice a term for the boys. This is now known as the ‘Tuckerbox’.

A personal highlight was the presentation of Wadhurst Medallions at the Wadhurst final assembly to the Year 8 boys who are moving up to Senior School.

GOOD COMPANY - Barry Humphries, the Captain of the School, Nick Langford & the Friends of Grammar Events Committee gather before the inaugural Melbourne Grammar Springtime lunch

I wholeheartedly thank the Wadhurst FOG team for their exemplary effort, in addition the 2011 class representatives and the year-level coordinators. Special thanks to the Head of Wadhurst, Greg Caldwell, for his constant support and encouragement. I would also like to thank Lynda Bray for all her support and work for FOG Wadhurst during the year, plus all of the staff at The Lodge.

Finally, to the MGS community, may you all have a very safe and restful holiday period.

Amanda McGinn FOG Wadhurst President

Senior School On 10 November, over 570 parents from Grimwade, Wadhurst and Senior School, OMs and friends of Melbourne Grammar came together celebrate our Melbourne Grammar community at the inaugural Melbourne Grammar Springtime Lunch. Guests arrived at the magnificent Myer Mural Hall to the beautiful sounds of the Grimwade House strings. We were thrilled to have the company of Barry Humphries (OM 1951) as our guest speaker for our first Grammar Lunch, fresh from filming The Hobbit in New Zealand.

The Headmaster had the unenviable task of introducing our famous OM and, true to form, his witty insights primed the audience for what was to follow. Barry was brilliant, taking the audience with him as he reminisced about Melbourne, Myer, his mother and Melbourne Grammar. We were treated to an Ode to Melbourne Grammar School and an Ode to the Mural Hall. For over an hour the Mural Hall was filled with laughter as we listened to his stories.

After a standing ovation, which brought tears to his eyes, Barry then posed for hundreds of photos and reminisced

with guests. He so enjoyed the day that he missed his plane back to Sydney! The atmosphere of excitement, goodwill and enjoyment at the Lunch was wonderful and we look forward to the next Grammar Lunch.

This year FOG and the parent community have supported and supplemented the School and student programmes by committing funds to the Music, Art and English departments, to the Community Speaker Series, as well as to goodwill trips to Cambodia and to a new PNG scholarship.

2011 has been another colourful and memorable year at Senior School. Whether it has been the House Athletics at Newport, the Boys’ Big Breakfast in Memorial Hall, the Saturday BBQ at Flack Park, the soup lunches and coffee mornings, or the coming together to support a family, the MGS community is tireless in its enthusiasm, energy and warmth.

I would like to thank the boys for their great new initiatives this year, the class representatives for their enthusiasm and dedication, the Lodge, the Property, Finance and Catering Teams, the Senior School staff, Andy and her team at the Uniform shop and the Wadhurst and Grimwade FOG Committees for their friendship and support.

It has been such a pleasure to be part of the FOG 2011 team, an amazing group of women whose humour, wisdom, support and hard work have made this year so memorable. We look forward to a fabulous year in 2012 with new President, Sam Douros, and her FOG Senior School Committee.

Best wishes for a restful and safe holiday and for a great year in 2012.

Kate Alstergren FOG Senior School & Executive President

Melbourne Grammar School – Grammar News

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Retired Staff Association A year to remember

Lois Clayton

In March we visited Rupertswood Mansion, an historic 50-room mansion built in the Italianate style in 1874 for Sir William Clarke, who was the first Australian-born baronet.

The property originally covered an area of 31,000 acres, although today the estate has been reduced to 1,100 acres.

19 March 1931 – 29 September 2011

Our June AGM was held at Leonda. President, Tim Sullivan and Treasurer Brian McKittrick retired from the Committee.

Kathy Howell was elected as President, David Woods as Vice-President and Rick Rosenhain as Treasurer. Kathleen Comery continues as our hard-working Secretary and Peter Valder as the Editor of our newsletter Dino-News. The AGM was followed by the annual lunch, at which Kate McIntyre (OM 1990), spoke to us about her time at Grimwade House and her career after leaving school. In 2010 Kate was awarded a Master of Wine from the London-based Institute of Masters of Wine. We also heard from the Headmaster, Roy Kelley, and then School Captain, Nick Langford, with the Director of My Fair Lady, Tim Scott, entertained us with excerpts from the musical.

The tour of the Shrine in August was most informative. The Shrine is a wonderful building and the stories it contains are poignant and thought provoking. We lunched at the Observatory Café afterwards.

At the tour of Rod Laver Arena in September, our guide entertained us with stories about the players at the Australian Open Tennis, including how they choose their lockers and some of their superstitions. We learned about the arrangements Tennis Australia makes for the Australian Open, including Player Services, which handles the range of the players’ demands during the tournament.

Pam Carder and husband Neil hosted the Spring Picnic at their home in Mt Martha and their garden was in full-bloom as it had been open for the Open Garden Scheme the week before.

Kathy Howell President RSA ORDER ON THE COURT – Members of the RSA on their tour of Melbourne Park in September. Please visit the School’s website to see if you are able to match the faces with their names

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Melbourne Grammar School – Grammar News

The Melbourne Grammar Community was saddened to hear of the death of Lois Clayton in September.

Lois joined the staff of the Senior School in 1974 as a teacher of Senior Mathematics and over 20 years, until her retirement in 1993, was much admired VALE LOIS CLAYTON – Lois as and respected by her staff & students remember her colleagues and her students.

Her particular passion was for teaching Pure Mathematics and Maths 1 and 2 in the 1970s and early 1980s before the subjects changed to Maths A and B, and later to Change and Approximation, with the introduction of the VCE in the early 1990s.

Lois demanded the highest of standards from her students and was much revered as a teacher. She was in her element teaching the top sets in Years 11 and 12, but she also enjoyed for many years, the challenges of a lower stream Year 10 class.

When Lois joined the staff in 1974 she was the first woman to teach in the Mathematics Department at Melbourne Grammar and one of only a handful of women in the Senior School. Lois was a woman of great strength and she thrived on challenges. In the late 1980s and early 1990s she joined David Mottram in leading students on treks in Nepal, Kashmir, India and the Antarctic.

Lois died after a long illness and is survived by her children, Scott (OM 1979), Rhod (OM 1981) and Kellie. She is remembered by her colleagues and past students with much affection and admiration.

Sally Scott Mathematics Teacher

The 133rd Old Melburnians’ Dinner

Melbourne Grammar School – Grammar News

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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