grammar news Print Post PP344276/00024
Number 109 – December 2012
Above:
THIS IS YOUR CAPTAIN SPEAKING: Jordan Santucci & Jack Campbell catch up with Richard Champion de Crespigny (OM 1974) who returned to Melbourne Grammar School & spoke about his experience in piloting the stricken QF32 flight after one of its A380 engines failed shortly after take-off from Singapore in November 2010
Front cover:
HI PADS: Fraser Ponsford, Harry Chan, Harry Bede, Charlie Bidgood & Sam Cameron show off the mobility of the iPad which will become compulsory for Year 7 students in 2013 (see page 10)
Opposite:
TIMELY TALE: Harrison Smith as Tiny Tim in the Wadhurst production of the Charles Dickens classic ‘A Christmas Carol’ (see page 11)
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 Cawoood, Drew Gamble, James Grant and various staff & students on tours & camps
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
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In This Issue 4 From the School Council 5 From the Headmaster 6 The Foundation 7 News 8 Grimwade House 10 Wadhurst 12 Senior School 14 Beyond the Gates 16 Valedictory Day 17 Boarding 18 Out & About 20 Archives 21 IT Department 22 The Old Melburnians 24 Branches & Reunions 26 Community News 28 Friends of Grammar 30 Retired Staff Association 31 134th Old Melburnians Dinner
About this issue Welcome to Grammar News, Issue 109. In this issue we focus on information technology and how it is ingrained in almost every facet of school life. Melbourne Grammar School has long been at the forefront of utilising technology in the classroom, and this looks set to continue. The introduction of iPads to the Year 7 curriculum, and the efforts of one Grimwade House family in developing an app, are both examples of the growing impact technology is having at MGS. Elsewhere in the magazine, you can read about one Year 10 student’s experience on Beyond the Gates and also meet the inaugural Director of Boarding, a name and face that will be familiar to many in the School community. As we close in on the end of 2012 we farewelled our Year 12 students and look forward to sharing their VCE results with you in the next issue of Grammar News. You can also read about not one, but two significant productions, Wadhurst’s A Christmas Carol and Senior School’s An Ideal Husband. A number of OMs have taken the time to share their news with us and we also feature photographs of some of the functions we have held in recent months. I hope you enjoy this issue of Grammar News and wish you all a safe and restful holiday period and all the best for 2013 and beyond.
Chris Bisogni Editor Melbourne Grammar School – Grammar News
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From the School Council
Emeritus Professor Richard Larkins
The role of the Council In this edition, I wish to write on the role of the School Council (Council) in the governance of MGS. The School is registered as a company limited by guarantee under the Corporations Act 2001. This confers on the Council a range of responsibilities relating to financial and compliance requirements overseen by Australian Securities and Investments Commission. MGS operates – constitutionally – on a not-for-profit basis and all monies generated within the School must be used to fund the School’s recurrent and capital expenditures and are not available for distribution outside the School. There is a proposal before Federal Parliament to establish a new body, the Australian Charities and Not-For-Profits Commission (ACNC), to bring under one legislative framework the large number of not-for-profit organisations governed according to a variety of Commonwealth and State regulations. This is unlikely to have a big effect on the role or responsibilities of the Council. The Council comprises up to 13 people, one of whom must be the Archbishop of the Diocese of Melbourne (or his nominee). The Nominating Committee of the School is responsible for identifying candidates for Council (and its committees), noting that under the Constitution of the School, six of the members of Council require the prior approval by the Archbishop-in-Council. Although, if
two candidates nominated by the School are vetoed, a member can then be appointed without being approved by the Archbishop-in-Council. The Old Melburnians Society and the Melbourne Grammar School Foundation may each recommend one person to be appointed to Council. Members of Council are subject to re-election, on a rotational basis, by the members of the School (the Association) at the Annual General Meeting of the School. The composition of the Association is set out in the School’s Constitution and comprises representatives of key school constituencies: the Anglican Church; the Friends of Grammar; The Old Melburnians Society; and the Melbourne Grammar School Foundation. The terms of appointment and reappointment of the Council members are limited to a total of 12 years. The selection of the members of Council takes into account the likely level of commitment to the School and its objectives. Apart from ensuring an appropriate balance of financial, business, legal, management and educational skills and experience, the members very often have some current or historical association with the School. For example, they may be OMs or current or past parents. Care is taken to avoid conflict of interest. MGS is fortunate to have a large number of talented and committed people associated with the School to draw upon, not only for membership of Council but for the committees of Council that work with senior managers of the School to provide expert advice to Council. These are the Finance and Planning Committee; the Investment Management Committee; the Building and Grounds Committee; the Marketing and Communications Committee; the Admissions Committee; and the Board of the Melbourne Grammar School Foundation. The Foundation is governed internally within the School by its own constitution, which safeguards funds raised by the Foundation for philanthropic purposes. A key function of school boards (and indeed the board of any organisation), is the appointment and the monitoring of the performance of the CEO – in our case the Headmaster. His performance review consists of the Council annually approving the goals of the Headmaster and reviewing his performance, with a more formal 360-degree review undertaken every second year. The Council is conscious that in addition to its financial and legal responsibilities, one of its important duties is to help the staff and the students of the School to achieve the best possible outcomes. This broader role extends to providing a positive environment and fully supporting the higher order educational objectives for which the School was founded. Richard Larkins Chariman of Council
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From the Headmaster
IT Rules I remember reading in the early 1990s that if a teacher from the 1890 era walked into a modern Australian classroom, he or she would have few surprises. The blackboard might have been replaced by the whiteboard and there may be a projector in the classroom. Students may have a laptop rather than a notepad, but they would still be sitting in rows on chairs in front of desks and the teacher would dominate the learning environment. It is true to suggest that the first wave of information technology, via computer laboratories and notebook programmes, did not transform very much in education, but the second wave that is coming through touch technology is doing so. Instant communication is allowing content to be delivered freely, quickly, conveniently and in a far more engaging fashion. The current societal belief is that people can now ‘learn anything, from anyone, anywhere, at any time’. I believe this view needs to be challenged by acknowledging some of the reality, but revealing its disadvantages as well. Twenty-first century learners require a holistic solution that demands a new ‘lens’ for the acquisition of skills, the delivery of curriculum, pedagogy and assessment. The move towards greater student control of their learning has been accelerated by information technology. Whilst this provides new challenges to schools, the opportunity to inculcate important values such as integrity and justice, to encourage persistence and resilience and to develop positive human relationships into the learning environment, suggests that schools and teachers still have a crucial role to play. More than twenty years ago, Melbourne Grammar School was one of the first schools in Australia to adopt a notebook computer programme. After an extensive whole school IT network upgrade this year, MGS is now exploring the ways in which we can enhance the teaching and learning dynamic through new technology. We are currently devising a sequential programme in which touch technology devices will be built into our curriculum from Grimwade to Wadhurst. Year 7 students will require iPads, rather than notebook computers, in 2013. The Senior School is preparing to use iPads in class in 2014, which will involve an extensive teacher professional development programme next year. The aim will be to ultimately move the School towards a BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) platform. This move is based around the advantages in pedagogy which result from the technology, rather than the ‘bells and whistles’ of the device itself. We have trialled iPads in recent times and have been impressed with the way in which they support key-skill areas such as complex communication,
Roy Kelley
media literacy, creativity and personalised, self-directed learning. Significantly, these devices offer teachers ways to improve their management of classroom time and space, as well as providing the flexibility to vary learning activities at a moment’s notice. This freeing up of student IT devices has its problems, but it also has many exciting opportunities that will mirror the IT revolution currently affecting all forms of society. As terms such as ‘apps’, ‘Android’ ‘touch technology’ and ‘cloud computing’ are now commonplace, we need to provide for this current generation of students who are digital integrators rather than digital transactors. However, this move needs to be supported by changes to the structures, programmes and processes in schooling and education. Education needs to move from closed book examinations to an open book world; from a priority on memorisation to one of accessing information; from regurgitation to the development of cultures of thinking; from didactic teaching to learner-centric practices; from rigid classrooms to more organic structures, to mention but a few changes. The traditional educational world of the three Rs of reading, ‘riting and ‘rithmetic will be reconfigured into the future four educational Rs of real skills and knowledge, relevance, responsiveness and relational learning. The education landscape is changing and ours is an exciting and challenging future. Roy Kelley Headmaster
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The Foundation
Rachael Henshilwood
“…one of the biggest challenges facing institutions such as MGS nowadays is the need to be relevant in this changing world, but to also to remember our past, and the traditions and values that have shaped what the School is today.” Bruce Parncutt (OM 1968)
Staying relevant in a changing world I witness daily dilemmas the MGS management team, and indeed our teachers, face in addressing this challenge. How does a school like MGS continue to innovate and progress, while remaining true to its tremendous history? The fundraising initiatives that the School has developed over the past year make this challenge a little less daunting, they both honour our heritage and enable us to be progressive, at the forefront of learning and leadership. The School is seeking financial support for the ‘Four Pillars’. All play an equal part in achieving our vision and making MGS the school it is today and the school we hope it will be in the future. 1. Buildings – Historically, buildings have always been a key focus of fundraising initiatives at MGS, and the need to refresh and innovate across our three campuses will always be a significant financial pressure on the School. As we learn more about the potential shape and future of teaching, it is evident that the relationship between teaching and our facilities will also need to adapt. It is an exciting transition but, over the next 50 years, a costly one too. 2. Scholarships and Bursaries – Student diversity has to be one of the most important relevancies of appropriately educating our children for the world post-MGS. The strength and variety of the human relationships we develop helps define who we are, and in this vastly changing world this has to be a critical component of the MGS experience. Supporting this fund enables the School to attract those who are academically and musically talented as well as those who are culturally, worldly and spiritually rich, but not financially able. 6
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3. Indigenous Programme – Staying relevant also means understanding and appreciating our own cultural heritage. If we are serious, as a leading Australian School, about educating the leaders of tomorrow, we have to be serious about Indigenous education. MGS currently has 10 Indigenous students spread across Years 7-12. Over time, we would like to grow this number but need financial assistance to do so. We are also looking to grow the opportunities open to all our MGS students over time; to learn more about Indigenous issues through local experiences within the camps structure; to create opportunities to work with remote indigenous communities. Not only do we want our children to have a worldly understanding, but arguably more importantly, an appreciation and empathy of Australian issues. 4. Endowment Fund – This critical fund enables the School to realise its vision by responding quickly and strategically to the ever-changing needs that enable us to remain a relevant organisation. It gives MGS the capacity to take advantage of emerging opportunities to strengthen academic standards, student life and to improve facilities. This fund is predominantly supported by our wonderful Witherby Tower Society members, who have pledged a bequest to the School in their will. MGS understands the challenges of keeping our School, and therefore our students, relevant as they go out into this changing world. We are ready for this challenge and with your help, we can continue the great MGS heritage for generations to come. Rachael Henshilwood Director of Development
News Parncutt Library “The School provided an excellent education for me and my five brothers and more recently, my two sons. It’s been a privilege to have the opportunity to give something back on behalf of my family and I’d like to particularly acknowledge my wife Robin Campbell, for her unwavering support.”
Changes to LOTE
PROUD FAMILY: Bruce Parncutt (OM 1968) (fifth from right) with members of his family at the official opening of the Parncutt Library
The library on the South Yarra campus will now be known as the Parncutt Library, following an official naming ceremony on Wednesday 21 November. The Parncutt Library is named after Bruce Parncutt (OM 1968), in acknowledgement of his contributions to the School as a member of School Council, the Foundation Board and as Chairman of the ‘Tomorrow’s Leaders Today’ fundraising campaign. More than 70 members of the School community attended the ceremony, including Bruce and members of his extended family, as well as Chairman of School Council, Emeritus Professor Richard Larkins and Headmaster, Roy Kelley. Bruce’s involvement in Melbourne Grammar School dates back to 1963 when he first entered Wadhurst. He has since sent his two sons to the School, Mark (OM 2006) and David (OM 2008). However, it is his time served as a volunteer that has perhaps had the biggest impact on Melbourne Grammar School. Bruce was a member of the School Council for 10 years (1999-2009), and a member of the Foundation Board for 18 years (1992-2010), including five years as President (1992-1998). Bruce is also a member of the Witherby Tower Society. “It’s very humbling,” Bruce said upon learning that the Library would be named after him. ”I recall as a student I would walk around Melbourne Grammar School and I’d notice names on buildings and rooms and often wonder ‘Who was that man and what did he do?’ I never really did find out what many of these people had done, but I hope that if some students ask this question about me in the future, someone might tell them, ‘Well this guy was an Old Melburnian who was asked to do a job and did it to the best of his ability,’” he added.
In 2013 there will be changes to the School’s Languages Other than English (LOTE) programme, following a review commissioned by the Headmaster in the second half of 2010. The review was completed by a consultant working for Independent Schools Victoria and generated a number of recommendations, which were then evaluated and approved by the School Executive. Two of the major recommendations have resulted in significant changes to the languages the School will offer. One of the recommendations was the recognition of the need to increase the amount of teaching time devoted to LOTE, particularly at Grimwade and Wadhurst. A second recommendation made it clear that ‘start-up’ languages in Year 9, such as German and Japanese, suffered when compared to those that had a longer exposure through the MGS curriculum, such as French, Latin and Chinese. As a result, the School Executive agreed that from 2013, the School will offer four languages, with Japanese being added to the Year 7 curriculum. More time will also be devoted to language study. Such a decision means that German will no longer be offered as a Year 9 subject, commencing from 2013, and Japanese will remain as a start-up language in Year 9 until 2015 when it will become a continuing language. The changes are consistent with the demands of the Australian Curriculum which emphasises, through the Cross Curriculum Priorities, a stronger focus on Asia. “We are regularly reviewing how we operate and constantly updating our pedagogy,” said Director of Teaching and Learning, Chris Bradtke. “With Australia’s increased focus on engagement with Asia, it makes sense to place our two Asian languages (Chinese and Japanese) on an equal footing with our classical language (Latin) and our European language (French).” The increased teaching time for each language is an important component of the changes. “Our aim is to have MGS students conversational and functional in a language by the end of Year 10. The changes will help achieve this aim.”
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Grimwade House Remembering Chloe In the Junior Art room a chandelier hangs in honour of Chloe Rutherford, whose peer group finished Year 6 at Grimwade House this year. Chloe passed away from leukemia in 2009. Those who have watched over this group of girls and boys since the beginning of their time at Grimwade House, can’t help but remember Chloe, her parents and her sister Lily at this time. Hanging from the chandelier is a tag which reads: Chloe Rutherford was a much-loved student at Grimwade House. One of her wishes on her final birthday on 10 July, 2009 was for a chandelier. This one, found a few days later, in a quite magical way, will continue to twinkle in the Art room in her honour. At her family’s request, Chloe’s chandelier hung in the Alfred Felton Hall during Chloe’s funeral service. Crystals from the chandelier have discreetly been part of events in this, her friends’ final year. For example, they were glued onto the wand held by one of the lead characters in The Rainmaker, the Year 6 Musical, so that the spotlight would hit the crystals as the magic spell caused rain to come. They were also glued to the book held by the figures of a boy and girl in the cut-out model at the door to the performance. Crystals from the chandelier were also a part of one of the final Year 6 gatherings, so that students carried away a memento of their time knowing Chloe. Our hope is that they do so with optimism and gratitude for the life they have in front of them. Chloe’s parents, Grant and Melissa, have set up the Snowdome Foundation, which helps raise awareness and funds for those with blood cancer. For more information, please visit www.snowdomefoundation.com
Music to our ears The Alfred Felton Hall was the venue, and the Middle Primary Music Assembly Concert was the event, for a group of eager and talented primary school students during a memorable afternoon of music in early November.
SWEET MEMORIES: Coco Swansson, Paige Athanasopoulos & Babette Buddle beneath the chandelier that hangs in the Junior Art Room in honour of their late friend Chloe Rutherford 8
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This event was the chance for staff and students to showcase the efforts of the Grimwade House Music Department. This bi-annual event is an informal occasion for parents and grandparents to listen to the young talent in their families. Just over half of the Middle Primary School students participated in the concert, with most having spent two periods per week learning musical pieces. This year’s
event had everything from choral works to the small and large ensembles and solos. “The children are usually very excited about performing with their ensembles, and there is no shortage of smaller performance opportunities leading up to these occasions,” says Middle Primary Music Teacher, Deborah Tait. “The overall aim of music performance, as part of a music education, is to achieve self-growth and enjoyment. Musicianship is a tool that supports children throughout their lives, and the challenges of learning an instrument, or singing in harmony, is a necessary part of the development of musicianship.” “As music teachers, part of our job is to find the right balance between finding repertoire that is enough of a challenge to provide incentive for learning and also achievable for performance in the time available to rehearse. An added bonus is if the music is also interesting and delightful to listen to for the audience.”
AND THE BAND PLAYED: Among the many highlights of the Middle Primary Assembly Concert was the Year 4 Recorder ensemble known as The Lorikeets
An ‘app’ for happiness A simple speaking and listening task, set in a Year 3 class, led Sara Price to help tackle one of the biggest scourges facing young people today – bullying. The idea for her app ‘Positive Penguins’, grew from a ‘healthy mind and body’ project she worked on when she was just nine years of age. Sara’s efforts with the project, which in its earlier stages was a PowerPoint presentation, were well received by other students, and she was asked to present it to a School assembly. Parents then began asking if they could share the ‘Positive Penguins’ with their own children, who were experiencing issues ranging from anxiety and fear about being picked on, to anger and frustration over homework. During discussions around the dinner table, the Price family saw the wider potential of the ‘Positive Penguins’ and from this, the app was born. Sara and her two brothers, Charlie and John, were heavily involved in the project and together they helped with the design, even down to the tiniest details such as the penguins’ eye colour. ‘Positive Penguins’ is a simple, interactive and educational tool to help children understand why they experience a range of challenging emotions. In a fun way, it gives them practical ways to understand and cope with these emotions and, most importantly, change the way they think. “I decided to make my characters penguins because I’d learnt that they are one of the most resilient animals on
APPI DAYS: John, Sara & Charlie Price with the fruits of their labour
earth,” Sara says. “Earlier this year my family and I thought it would be great if we could make the ‘Positive Penguins’ into an app. That way, whenever you have bad feelings and negative thoughts, you can ask the penguins to help you change the way you feel.” After six months of development, the app is now available in the iTunes App Store.
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Wadhurst Adopting the iPad Having had a personal notebook computer programme for nearly two decades, this year the School has carefully reviewed what has been achieved in terms of teaching and learning with notebook computing. As a result, from 2013, it has been decided that all Year 7 students in Wadhurst will be required to have an iPad. The introduction of compulsory iPads marks a watershed moment in teaching and technology at Melbourne Grammar School.
professional development activities were centred upon how the device might be utilised in the classroom. In 2013 each classroom will also have an Apple TV installed, enabling teacher and student iPad work to be projected on to a bigger screen. All Year 8 students will have the option of continuing to use their notebook computers or they can use an iPad. The content of all Year 8 courses will be taught with the assumption that the majority of Year 8 students will continue to use their notebook computer.
Ni hao China! The 2012 Wadhurst China Tour marked the twenty-first year that staff and students headed off to the Middle Kingdom, and what a tour this year’s was! In the most comprehensive itinerary to date, 23 students and two members of staff visited Shanghai, Beijing, Xian, Guilin, Yangshuo and Guangzhou during the September school holidays. INTRODUCING THE IPAD: Wadhurst’s eLearning Coordinator Jen Pratten & Harry Werbeloff making the most of the iPad in preparation for its introduction into the Year 7 curriculum in 2013
Uppermost in the School’s belief is that technology needs to transform teaching and learning and not just transfer pen and paper to an electronic device. In recent years, both in and out of school, students have become increasingly engaged with and reliant on digital devices such as phones, notebook computers, iPads and tablet technology. The School’s investigation into touch technologies, and the iPad in particular, has revealed that these devices will offer significant advantages to students such as greater mobility, instant connectivity, long battery life and the use of appropriate apps, all of which will enhance students’ learning.
“The tour is offered to all Year 8 students who wish to hone their language skills and brush up or be introduced to the myriad aspects of China’s rich cultural history,” says Wadhurst’s LOTE coordinator Greg Hughes. The 15-day tour had plenty of highlights, including taking the bullet train from Shanghai to Beijing (where speeds exceeded 300km/h), climbing the Great Wall, school visits and working on a local farm. “This trip will be remembered for years to come by both staff and boys alike. We met so many great people on this tour,” says Greg, who added plans are already in place for the twenty-second tour, due in 2014.
“The iPad supports essential skill areas we are aiming to continue to develop within our students such as communication skills, creativity, collaborative content creation, self-directed learning and new media literacy,” says Wadhurst’s eLearning Coordinator Jen Pratten. Year 7 students will start school with an iPad that has been installed with some specific apps to be used both at school and at home. Many of the text books used in various subjects will be replaced by ebooks installed on the iPad. Students will be allowed to personalise their device with their own apps. The School is presenting them with the responsibility of setting up and managing this device in a way which suits them. Since May, all Wadhurst staff have been using an iPad in their daily programmes. Much of the year’s teacher 10
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TOUR GROUPS: Wadhurst students enjoying the sights & sounds of China on the tour of the Middle Kingdom
A Christmas Carol
SCENE STEALERS: Bassett Hornor, Angus Bartels, James Anderson-Nunn, Wills Nuske, Alexander Cushen, Will Swansson, Matthew Berry & Harrison Smith in the ‘Repentance & a Renewed Life’ scene from ‘A Christmas Carol’
Flying ghosts? Encouraging school boys to fight? What the Dickens? Precisely! Wadhurst celebrated the 200th anniversary of the birth of Charles Dickens in November by putting on A Christmas Carol, joining the many forthcoming festivities worldwide which celebrated and recognised this literary giant. Eighty-five roles were created to reflect the many stories of Dickens and absorb the student talent and interest shown in performing. One hundred people were involved in the backstage work of lighting, sound, prop and set management, supporting a talented cast who were ready to dance the quadrille at the Fezziwigs’ party and fly from the ceiling. Special aerial training was undertaken by Thomas Batt, Andrew Udovenya, William Coote and Harrison Smith with thanks to ‘Tiny’ Good (OM 1983) from ‘Showtech’. The usual Christmas carols were enhanced with the wonderful talent of, Director of Music, Julian Cairns and his adaptation of Richard Addinsell’s 60-year-old compositions. The audience saw the many stages of Scrooge as he grew from a boy to a youth and finally, to an adult, and these roles were played by Thomas Garnett, Harry Penfold and Morgan Galea, respectively. Dick Wilkins, played by Nicholas Ekkel, tried to convince Scrooge that time waits for no man, and that he aimed to be happy, ‘whether rich or poor’. Rejected in love, Scrooge rejected all.
and their perceptions of him and even got to witness his future and death. A scary thought! Scrooge was warned by the ghost of Marley, played by James Cuming, that he needed to show compassion or he would never be truly free. Time after time, Scrooge had rejected the lessons life offers. It was only when he examined his own legacy and realised that the time that has passed between his birth and death has had no meaning, as friends, work colleagues and relatives show no sadness in his passing, that he learned his lesson. The story asks the age-old question of destiny – can we truly choose our future and can we change the outcome if we change our ways? It is the faithful prayer and blessing of Tiny Tim which made Scrooge realise that being alive is the miracle itself. He rejoiced as he shared his good fortune with others and brought health and happiness to his world. When the original story was released, it was quickly transformed into a play, and its popularity revived many of our Christmas celebrations, such as feasting on turkeys and plum pudding and having presents under the Christmas tree. We could blame Charles Dickens for creating our ‘silly season’ or we could be clever and give the gift of his stories to someone special this year! Fiona Mackenzie Coordinator of Drama, Wadhurst
The elderly Scrooge and lead actor was Alexander Cushen, who was shown his past, present and future, providing the value of hindsight, the ability to see into the lives of others
For more pictures please visit: www.mgs.vic.edu.au
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Senior School An Ideal Husband
FINAL ACT: James Singleton (Lord Caversham), Sarah Udovenya (Lady Chiltern) & Edward Langley (Sir Robert Chiltern) in the final scene from ‘An Ideal Husband’
This year’s August production was Oscar Wilde’s satirical comedy, An Ideal Husband. In typical Wildean style, the play is much more about what constitutes a less-than-ideal husband and it is from this premise that much of the play’s comedy evolves. The choice of a Wilde comedy, even one comparatively less well-known, proved very popular with the keen young actors from MGS and MGGS. Competition for places in the cast was fierce indeed: 53 boys and 30 girls auditioned for a play with speaking parts for only ten boys and five girls! As a result it was a close-knit ensemble who arrived at opening night ready to entertain and amuse their audience. Elements of An Ideal Husband strike more serious notes than Wilde’s other comedies, especially in relation to the betrayal of Cabinet secrets and insider-trading of which Sir Robert Chiltern stands accused. But in the end, Wilde’s sense of the comic is too strong to allow potentially serious public scandals to outweigh the comic possibilities of a good farce. Edward Langley and Jack Martin were appropriately contrasted in the leading roles of Sir Robert Chiltern, the ‘ideal husband’ of the title, and Lord Goring, ‘the idlest man in London’, while Rosie Yates gave a striking performance as Mrs Cheveley, the woman who seeks to destroy Sir Robert’s comfortable life.
Sarah Udovenya was also strong as Lady Chiltern, the upright wife whose expectations of her ‘ideal’ husband almost bring him undone, while Camille Cargill’s Mabel Chiltern, sister to Sir Robert, was alternately flirtatious with, and dismissive of, her would-be suitor, Lord Goring. As Goring’s elderly father, Lord Caversham, James Singleton was very convincing; James Little’s Markby, a gender-switch for Wilde’s original Lady Markby, was engagingly witty and superior; while the two society dowagers, Lady Basildon and Mrs Marchmont, were impressively played by Alyssa Hall and Hannah Letten. Cameo support came from Kai Chee as the French diplomat, Vicomte de Nanjac, Dominic Weintraub as Mr Montford, secretary to Sir Robert, and the four household servants, played by Jonathan Walpole, Matthew Bowes, Jake Quan and Reilly Holt. The final cast of 19 was rounded out by Holly Cooke, Emma Hill, Lily Langford and Perri Rea, whose elegant presence and lively expressions brought additional life to the opening scene in the Chilterns’ house. Close to capacity houses greeted the cast on each of the three nights, and the warm reception they gave the performers was due reward for months of dedicated rehearsing and strong character development. Actors and crew alike deserve to feel very proud of their efforts. Dr Tim Scott Director For more pictures please visit: www.mgs.vic.edu.au
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Media screening
Valete Ron Noone
“Sophisticated, thrilling, funny & moving…” Students, parents and OMs laughed, cried, clapped and cheered at the variety of films on offer at the Fifth Annual Media Screening Night. A capacity crowd in the Higgins Theatrette watched documentaries, experimental works, personal narratives and extraordinary action sequences, all created by MGS students. In a first for Melbourne Grammar School, Year 12 student Tim Koren’s film SURF3D required viewers to don 3D glasses to ride the waves from the comfort of their seats in his surfing video clip. Film is just one medium students may explore in their study of Media; many boys choose photography and print to express their artistic and personal journeys. The class of 2012 used a variety of subjects and genres, with surfing, film-noir filmstrips, graphic novels, billboards, tourism posters and wood-mounted works among their choices. One of the highlights was by Year 12 student Max Gibson, who sensitively captured his grandmother’s inspirational migrant story in an exquisite photographic book and accompanying portraits.
Ron Noone
Ron Noone leaves Melbourne Grammar School this year after fifteen years of distinguished service, first as Head of Religious Education and for the last eight years, as Senior Chaplain. During his time here he has distinguished himself as a man of great charm and modesty, and of many talents and interests. It would probably be safe to say that not many of Ron’s predecessors as Chaplain have had a passion for surfing, and it is almost certain that none has enjoyed Sunday morning services in Harlem’s ‘Soul Saving Station for all the Nation’. Ron, however, is a passionate surfer, and he delights in telling the story of his visit to Harlem, when he and his colleagues were abused by the congregation because they were not exhibiting sufficient enthusiasm for the souls being saved.
MEDIA STORM: An image from Jack Gibson’s media project
MGS media students are able to combine creative flair and an interest in the Arts, with a consistent and intelligent approach to theory. The best of the best are displayed at the VCE Season of Excellence at the Melbourne Museum. Previously, two MGS students have made the grade and this year a third was added to the list. Tom Nichols’ (OM 2011) film Ball Art was one of 17 selected from 300 entries for the prestigious ‘Top Screens’ category. His ‘infographic’ about the making of a cricket ball has since been featured on a number of websites and can also be seen on YouTube. In a world where Social Media feeds the headlines, and newspapers are yesterday’s news, who knows what audiences can expect at next year’s Media Screening Night?
Rugby, footy and helping others are Ron’s other great passions, and were fundamental in his decision to return to teaching after a stint as a parish priest. At MGS he was heavily involved in the rugby programme, he endeared himself to the ever-hopeful Geelong Cats fans on the staff, and he helped others in more ways than probably even he realises. As a classroom teacher he opened boys’ eyes to the wonderful history and divergent views of the world’s religions. As a priest he administered to the needs of his flock, not only current students and staff, but also a seemingly endless stream of OMs keen to be married in the Chapel of St Peter. To the staff he has been a great friend and the School community wishes Ron well in the next chapter of his life. Tim Morris Melbourne Grammar School – Grammar News
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Beyond the Gates Shevin Thayamkery recaps his journey on the Beyond the Gates programme. Shevin was part of Group 2 which left on 20 October and returned on 8 November, following 21 days of cycling, rafting and hiking to the top of Mt Kosciuszko.
We took a bus from School to Southern Cross station and then caught a V/Line bus to Wangaratta, where we stopped for a break. After that, we caught another bus to Mt Beauty, where we camped on our first night in a cosy caravan park. The first leg was the hiking, which lasted four days. The majority of the people in my group were reasonably comfortable with the hiking and found it quite enjoyable. Although some struggled a little and needed help, there were always people ready to lend a helpful hand. Our second leg of the camp was rafting along the Mitta Mitta River for four days, and everyone was very eager, excited and impatient to get into a raft and onto the water. The rafting section was most popular because it gave us a break from the hiking so our legs were able to rest up. The weather on the rafting days was quite warm, so we were lucky enough to be able to jump into the river to cool down. On the third day of rafting, our boat capsized. It was a good five minutes of constant adrenaline being pumped around my body. There were five of us on the boat, including the instructor, and we all fell into the water, and I am sure they all experienced the rush of exhilaration that I felt. We had to quickly swim to the bank because the current was pushing us into a rapid which was ominously named ‘Graveyard’. Of course, everyone was fine and we continued our journey down the river. After the rafting section, the mountain biking leg was scheduled to go for two days. The first day was a 25km ride and the second day was 45km. When we left the dirt tracks to ride on bitumen, we broke up into three pods, to let the vehicles overtake us more safely if there was oncoming traffic. Our group was fairly quick and quite easily completed the 45km on the second day before lunch.
Almost everyone in our group was cruising comfortably by the end of the bike riding. The next day was our 24 hour solo day. This was the day every one of us had to survive by ourselves in the forest, with no communication with anyone else. We were given a lot of food to keep us busy during the many hours of complete isolation and tedium, which was felt more keenly after the companionship of the previous days. It was a good break and rest day which we needed after many busy and tiring days. The last leg was eight days of hiking, which some people found challenging. Despite this, we coped really well and helped each other and reached the summit of Mt Kosciuszko together. We beat Group 1 to the top and claimed our bragging rights, even though they were supposed to be a day ahead of us. Even though it was pouring with rain and we did not have visibility over 50 metres when we got on top of the mountain, everyone was happy because we were coming home the next day. Our group was one of many that were very fortunate with the weather, and we only got rained on during the last three days of the trip. It felt great to get back home and have a shower and feel clean again. Also, the fact that we never have to eat any more dehydrated meat or mystery meat ever again was quite satisfying. I enjoyed the trip and certainly encourage all the Year 10s to follow in our footsteps and have a joyful time on Beyond the Gates. It was an extraordinary experience! Shevin Thayamkery For more pictures please visit: www.mgs.vic.edu.au
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Melbourne Grammar School – Grammar News
Melbourne Grammar School – Grammar News
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Valedictory Day The annual Valedictory celebrations for the School’s departing Year 12 students are a series of events and functions, creating mixed emotions for staff and students. Below is an excerpt of Year 12 student Sean Bolger’s speech presented at the Valedictory dinner on Friday 26 October.
Sean Bolger
“My story isn’t one of great hardship, great suffering, of overcoming incredible hurdles or one that I think is deeply moving or particularly profound. I have never been truly disadvantaged, I have not endured poverty, I have never been bullied for being different, I have not suffered depression or had to overcome the pain of losing someone close. Quite the contrary – I have been incredibly lucky throughout my life.
Many of you in this room can relate to me I’m sure, at least in part. Perhaps you have suffered some pain or hardship. However, I believe it is important to keep in mind those who are less fortunate than ourselves. I believe it is incontrovertibly worthwhile for us all to – although it is cliché – ‘truly appreciate how lucky we are’. This means for the boys acknowledging not only the incredible opportunity we have received in attending this School, but, more than that, the fact that we have received an education at all. We have grown up in comfort, with opportunities and rights and with mostly only trivial concerns. It will always be of great benefit to never lose sight of how deeply fortunate each of us truly is. My first day at MGS works as a microcosm for my experience at the School in general. What I remember vividly is the kindness and warm-heartedness I encountered. People were introducing themselves left, right and centre, offering to take me to my classrooms, shaking my hand and asking me to sit next to them in class. I’m not sure exactly what I was expecting from a first day, but this blew all expectations out of the water. By the end of the day I was overjoyed with how welcoming and friendly everyone was to me. The teachers too were welcoming, understanding and kind. Before too long, I knew most of the boys’ names and had developed a genuine rapport with many of my classmates and teachers. I began to feel really comfortable, and I felt like I knew most of the boys in the year. I hope that, as each of us moves into the world, none of us loses sight of those who are less fortunate than ourselves. Injustice and inequality is widespread throughout the world we live in, and we should never for a moment think that we cannot make a difference. Don’t forget that with the great privilege we all hold comes an even greater responsibility to all those around us.” Sean Bolger 16
Melbourne Grammar School – Grammar News
Boarding Director of Boarding Melbourne Grammar School’s inaugural Director of Boarding, Michael Shaw, spoke with Grammar News Editor, Chris Bisogni on his new role within the boarding precinct. Congratulations on your appointment. What is the role of the Director of Boarding, and what will your responsibilities be? This new role as Director of Boarding at MGS is both strategic and operational in nature, but it gives me primary responsibility for the leadership, management and administration of our three boarding houses and over 20 staff who comprise the pastoral care team. As grand as this may all sound, the well-being and happiness of the 120 boarders in our care will be my prime consideration. The role comes with an extensive job description, but the Headmaster is happy for me to establish priorities in my first year or two, in the knowledge that I will eventually work my way through the list. You’ve been Head of House of Perry for eight years. What other experience have you had at MGS and prior to that? I started at MGS in 1989 as a tutor in Deakin House with Ken Emselle at the helm. From 1993 to 1995, I was also a residential tutor in Pasley House, which was the junior boarding house, before it moved next door to Creswick House. In 1996, I was appointed Head of Miller House to fill the large shoes of John Keogh, following his 20 years of distinguished service. In 2004, I took over from Rob Shields as Head of Perry House. Aside from my pastoral care roles, I have always loved my involvement in the co-curricular program at MGS. I have coached soccer, volleyball and athletics, and I have taken part in over 20 camps and overseas trips, including language trips to China/Taiwan and Values in Action trips to PNG. I have taught Chinese and Religious Education at both Wadhurst and Senior School and enjoyed stints as Head of Chinese and Head of Languages. Prior to my arrival at MGS, I spent some years studying both here and abroad and worked in New Zealand and Hong Kong. What do you anticipate being some of the challenges of your new role? As the inaugural Director of Boarding, one of the challenges will be explaining to people what I actually do! Establishing priorities in consultation with all interested parties from a long and fairly daunting job description will be my first challenge.
Mike Shaw
How important is boarding to a School like MGS in terms of its fit within the rest of the School? Very important is the short answer! A strong and vibrant boarding community should be the life and soul of any school. If this is not already obvious at MGS, I am keen to try and lift its profile. Boarding has a proud history at MGS. How important is it for you to hold on to that history and tradition, while also moving forward and evolving the boarding experience? I am very keen to ensure that the rich history of boarding at MGS – which goes back over 150 years – is respected, but we also need to look forward to see how we can offer an even better, more diverse boarding experience for generations to come. And finally, dare we suspect there might be some favouritism to your old Perry House staff and boys? Will School House suffer as a result? To be really honest, I have loved my time in Deakin, Miller and Perry over many years and I will always have a degree of loyalty to each of them. Therefore, School House has nothing more to fear than the other eight, but I would love to see Perry House break School’s grip on that elusive CrossCountry title!
Melbourne Grammar School – Grammar News
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Out & About Terms III and IV are traditionally a busy time for MGS students as they undertake a number of excursions and camps. Here is a snapshot.
Grimwade House
Wadhurst
Senior School
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Melbourne Grammar School – Grammar News
Melbourne Grammar School – Grammar News
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Archives Well catered for… With the Luxton Dining Hall closing for much needed renovations to the kitchen during the first two terms in 2013, it gives cause to reflect on the fact that catering has been an integral part of the life of the School over the past 154 years. Melbourne Grammar School opened on 7 April 1858, with 77 students in attendance – of whom 24 were boarders. Long before the first Headmaster, Dr John Bromby, opened the School that day – reading what would later become the School Prayer – the 24 students and staff would no doubt have been well catered for by the School’s domestic staff. Indeed, catering for all those staff and students, seven days a week, would have been a significant undertaking as numbers steadily increased throughout that first year, with the School Roll recording that in the last quarter of 1858 there were 136 students. Dr Bromby’s Diary entry for 8 April 1858, the day after the School opened, reads “…we sit down to dinner 40 every day and next week we shall dine nearly 50”. The greater numbers were a result of a significant number of day-boarders. By the following week, the good Doctor had established a routine for life at the School. He wrote “we rise at 6.30 am, prayers at 7.00, breakfast at 8.00, school 9.30 – 12.30 pm, dinner at 1.00, school 2.00 – 4.00, tea at 6.00, work to 8.30 and prayers and bed for the younger ones, the elder ones stay up until 10”. While the boarders were well catered for, the day students had to fend for themselves until Dr Bromby, in the latter years of his term as Headmaster, allowed an enterprising itinerant confectioner named Charlie to sell food outside the Domain Road entrance. It later emerged that along with various edible treats, the entrepreneurial peddler was offering personal loans with interest rates of up to 200 per cent! Not surprisingly, he was asked to move on. The second Headmaster, Dr Edward Morris, agreed to allow a Tuck Shop to be built just inside the Domain Road gate. The Tuck Shop had its fair share of upheavals before coming under the strict control of the remarkable Mrs Stowe, who was on staff from 1888 -1919. The year prior to her arrival, the enterprise was run and administered by a committee of boys, elected by their peers. The chairman and members of the committee undertook their roles very seriously and ensured that all items in the
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Melbourne Grammar School – Grammar News
Mrs Stowe
Tuck Shop inventory were of the highest order through regular quality control testing. With management of the Tuck Shop reverting to Mrs Stowe, quality control testing ceased and as a result, revenue increased some 400 per cent! While Mrs Stowe’s accounting abilities were in evidence, her skills in customer relations were sadly lacking, as she often wielded a short cane and served students at her whim. Catering at Melbourne Grammar School remains an integral part of the School, and has increased over the intervening century-and-a-half since those first boarders and staff sat down to breakfast on that opening day in April 1858. Today, with a fully operational Dining Hall, Cafeteria and Tuck Shop and three Common Rooms, as well as the countless catered events, which include reunions, House dinners sporting dinners, barbecues, breakfasts, meetings and special events, the catering department is as busy as ever. However, there has been one constant over the past 154 years, and that has been the voracious appetite of young men. The School has been fortunate that these needs have been so ably catered for and with the upcoming renovations, this will certainly be the case in the future.
IT Department Getting IT right
IT PEOPLE: Belinda Lane, Tony Hoye, Damian Jackson, Johann Eischeid, Peter Curtis, Seth Farrow, David Maloney, Tristan Dawson, Chris Brown, Nick Ackland & Geoff Hayes
A vital cog in the wheel that keeps Melbourne Grammar School moving is its dedicated IT Department. With a current headcount of 12 staff, it is responsible for the School’s technical services and database systems. In other words, the IT Department supports approximately 1850 students, 400 staff and over 3000 parents. The Director of Information Technology is Mr Peter Curtis, and his team is divided into three functional areas – Support, Technical Services and Database Systems Administration. The Support team is managed by the IT Service Desk Manager, Johann Eischeid. Johann’s team consists of five IT Service Desk Technicians who are the face of IT/AV and provide day-to-day support to teaching and administration staff, students and parents. The IT Service Desks are located at both the South Yarra and Caulfield Campuses. The Technical Services team is managed by the IT Network Infrastructure Manager, Tony Hoye. Tony’s team includes three IT Network Infrastructure Technicians, who provide high level technical expertise in the Network, Server and Infrastructure area. The School Database System Administration system, Synergetic, is managed by the Synergetic Systems Manager, Belinda Lane. Belinda manages the Synergetic software that supports Melbourne Grammar School in all areas of
the Student Management Database; future, current and past students and parents; along with the School Finance Database. “One of the biggest challenges in the IT Department is keeping abreast of new technologies – both hardware and software – and assessing their suitability for use at Melbourne Grammar School,” says Peter. The other challenge is the width and breadth of the School’s IT systems which cover both the South Yarra and Caulfield campuses, as well as supporting the various systems – Cisco, Microsoft, Windows, printing, Synergetic, Raisers Edge, Oliver, Clickview, VOIP, Apple Macintosh, iPads, the School Portals, CCTV Multimedia and digital signage. “Several of the IT staff are so dedicated to the School that they travel long distances each day to be at MGS. They come from country towns including Bendigo, the Geelong Surf Coast, Mornington Peninsula and the Dandenongs,” Peter added. For the technically minded, the School runs a Microsoft Active Directory network and the wired and wireless communications network is entirely Cisco. Wireless connectivity is available at all campuses.
Melbourne Grammar School – Grammar News
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The Old Melburnians Council
Ameet Bains
The end of the year has arrived and with it, another class of Valedictorians emerge from the Bluestone. As President of the Old Melburnians, it was with great pleasure that I attended both the Class of 2012 Valedictory Ceremony in the Old Melburnians War Memorial Hall and the Valedictory Dinner at the MCG.
It was with great pleasure that I announced 2010 School Captain Nick Fabbri as winner of the Fellowship. Nick will undertake an intensive Spanish language course, before embarking for an extended period teaching disadvantaged primary and secondary school children in Guatemala. We congratulate Nick on his success in a quality field of applicants.
What was apparent to me in attending both these functions, was that the School has produced another fine batch of young men. To hear some of the leavers speak so eloquently and thoughtfully, as they reflected on their journey through the School, was a pleasure.
The other key community programme which deserves a mention is the OMs Council-facilitated mentoring programme, established last year. Now that the programme is being extended, we strongly encourage more OMs to sign up, either as mentors or mentees, by visiting OMs Online: (www.oms.org.au).
The major honour afforded to me at the Valedictory Dinner was the opportunity to address the Year 12 leavers and their parents and, most importantly, formally welcome another 197 young men into the ranks of the Old Melburnians. On behalf of the OMs Council, I wish the entire Year 12 student body all the very best in their future endeavours. Our own major function, the Old Melburnians Annual Dinner (see page 31), was held in late August and was a great success. Those in attendance relished hearing from a number of the AFL’s most influential stakeholders, as well as catching up with old school friends. The night also was the forum in which we announced the 2012 winner of the Old Melburnians Fellowship. As many of you will know, the aim of the Fellowship is to provide young Old Melburnians with the support and encouragement to undertake travel, study and/or a project. It provides a unique opportunity for self-development, while at the same time benefitting the wider community. Furthermore, it is hoped that Fellows will become ambassadors within the wider School community and, in particular, be role models to students by participating in the School’s emerging Leadership programme.
The initial pilot for the mentoring programme targeted younger OMs starting out their professional careers, with a view to pairing them with experienced OMs mentors in their field of choice. We currently have over 40 mentors across a range of professions who have committed to assisting younger OMs. As a Council, we feel the broad and diverse OMs network is our greatest asset and should be leveraged accordingly. The mentoring programme is a simple but effective mechanism for doing this. Before finishing, I would like to record my public thanks to three retiring OM Council members who have given years of tremendous service, to the Council generally and the Executive specifically. Cameron Smith has served on Council for four years, including a stint as Treasurer. John Wilson retires both as Treasurer and as a Council member having served on Council for two years. John Whittington finishes after six years, having served as both Secretary and Vice President. The Council is grateful to each for their great service to, and support of, the Old Melburnians. On behalf of the OMs Council, I wish you all a happy and safe festive season and all the best for 2013. Ameet Bains President
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Melbourne Grammar School – Grammar News
The Old Melburnians To the beat of his own drum Simon Fraser (OM 1989) knew early on in his life that he was destined to play drums. In his mother’s kitchen, her pots and pans would receive a brutal workout, as the fiveyear-old would beat the bottoms of the pans with anything he could get his hands on – usually a wooden spoon. Fast forward 35 years and those days are a fond memory for one of Australia’s most prominent African Drumming identities. As the Director and Founder of ‘African Drumming’, Simon has established himself in Melbourne and the West African country of Ghana, where he regularly holds tours and drumming retreats. Despite fate, situation and circumstances playing their part, it didn’t always seem that it would end this way. Simon is a third generation OM, following in the footsteps of his father Simon (OM 1958) and grandfather, also Simon (OM 1933). Like the previous two generations, Simon was a natural at most sports, particularly football and tennis, where he represented the Firsts in both. A construction degree from RMIT followed, then 12 months studying in China. However it was a love for percussion that remained the constant throughout and his three-month trip to West Africa in 1997 set him on the path to setting up his music business. He gradually built up a small teaching business in Melbourne, which grew rapidly into classes across Victoria and nationwide. Importing drums was a natural flow-on effect as his student base started to grow. “I think it is fair to say it took me a while to find my niche in life, but then I put my energies into what I truly loved doing and I inevitably found my path, more happiness and the fruits that come with it,” he says. Growing up with music always played an important part in Simon’s life (his mother was one of the UK’s first female nightclub DJs in the 1960s) and today he is reaping the benefits and rewards. Simon travels regularly, seeking inspiration for his craft and touching base with his factories in West Africa and Indonesia, where he has a burgeoning import business. “Whilst traditional African music has been played for millennia in the motherland, it is only now really having an huge impact around the globe. It’s a great period to be sharing and spreading the power of drum circles and communal music.” Simon holds regular workshops for schools, corporate teambuilding events, children’s parties and community groups, and his offerings are not just limited to drumming. Dance classes and a studio space are also part of his Centre for West African Music, located on St Kilda Road, St Kilda.
Simon Fraser (OM 1989)
“We have set up an all-encompassing cultural centre with a retail showroom and studios for drum and dance. The idea is to replicate the way the drum and dance are intertwined into African culture. Where you have drumming, you have dance! Our programmes at the Centre are very interactive and educational.” Away from his drums, Simon still catches up regularly with many Old Melburnians. He has also played 50 games for the Old Melburnians Football Club. “We have all gone in a myriad of different directions but there is a wonderfully strong bond between a big group of school mates who still catch up on a regular basis,” he says.
Melbourne Grammar School – Grammar News
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Branches & Reunions Old Melburnians Annual General Meeting 1
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1992 Twenty Year Reunion
President of the Old Melburnians Ameet Bains (OM 1995), with Gregor Dixon (OM 1987) and newly elected member of the Old Melburnians Council Andrew Maughan (OM 1979)
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Oliver Wynhoven and Nicholas Graham
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Mark Spivakovsky and James Sutherland
Vice President Nigel Thompson (OM 1969), with 2011 School Captain Nick Langford (OM 2011) and Head of Grimwade House Andrew Boyd.
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Stuart Milne-Pott and Bryan Wee
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Nicholas Bravo, James King and Hugh Kelly
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Vice President Andrew Tulloch (OM 1986), with Deputy Headmaster and Head of Senior School Peter Tooke
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David Bird (OM 1963), Brian Davie (OM 1952) and Myles Walker (OM 1958) with Headmaster Roy Kelley
1982 Thirty Year Reunion 9
James Langdon and Simon Wertheimer
10 Drew Wood and Ian McCredie 11 Paul Glasser and Timothy Lewis 12 Simon Rowe and Matthew Hawkins
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:
25 August 2012 Richard Chan (OM 1997) & Lisa Wong
8 September 2012 Peter Kaleta (OM 1998) & Carolyn Wright
The Old Melburnians Bowls Club Invitation The Old Melburnians Bowls Club is open to all Old Melburnians, current or former staff, parents of present or past students, as well as interstate and overseas bowlers who have attended similar schools. The Club plays a fixture of 14 matches each season, either on a Wednesday or Thursday afternoon, against other public school clubs and also competes in the annual Public School’s Tournament. It has its home base at the Kew Heights Sports Club. We invite you to join our club and enjoy the good fellowship that Bowls provides Please contact Secretary Malcolm Chestney (OM 1949) on: 03 9592 6965 or email: chesco@bigpond.net.au for further information.
Edward Banks (OM 1986) & Catherine Osborn
17 November 2012 Kevin Hong (OM 2001) & Christine Tran James McCormack & Sally Bromby (FOTS)
1 December 2012 Ashley Wolkow & Kimberley Lean (OM 2003)
6 December 2012 David Varley (OM 1996) & Lisel Pais
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Edgar Corless (OM 1952) writes that he and his wife Win were married in 1959 and are proud parents to three daughters and one son and have 12 grandchildren. Edgar worked for the National Bank from 1953 to 1965 before resigning to go into business whilst living in Tasmania. He worked for three years in a mixed business before returning to work in Victoria with AGC Finance. Edgar was from 1971 self-employed in a variety of business ventures including hardware and timber, plant nursery, deer and wildlife park operator including deer farming, health food store, cake and sandwich bar, two liquor stores and share farming of crops. Edgar is now manages a land development company Shell Road Developments a rural store and a real estate company Wallington Real Estate Pty Ltd which employs 35-40 permanent and casual staff. While
Melbourne Grammar School – Grammar News
working exceptionally hard with his business endeavours Edgar has also found time to make enormous contribution to the community through membership of various community organisations. Edgar has been a member of Apex for over 15 years, a member of Lions International for over 35 years, and a member of the Masonic lodge for over 50 years. His outstanding 50 year plus service to the community has seen Edgar become the recipient of a number of awards including the Centenary Medal, Melvin Jones Award, Life membership of Lions International, 50 Year Jewel from Freemasons Victoria and numerous community awards. Jamie Callister (OM 1977) is the grandson of Cyril Callister, who invented Vegemite. We probably all had some this morning at breakfast, but many of you would have been unaware that Melbourne Grammar School has a link to one
of the nation’s most iconic products. Some 23 million jars roll off the production line at the Kraft plant in Port Melbourne each year. However, for the first 15 years of its life, the mucky brown breakfast food, so loved by Australians, was shunned. Cyril Callister alone kept it from oblivion. Jamie Callister has written a book about his grandfather, titled The Man who Invented Vegemite. It is a fascinating tale of just how close we came to not having Vegemite grace our breakfast tables. The reason behind its invention was
that due to the First World War, the imports of Marmite were significantly disrupted, such that Melbourne food entrepreneur Fred Walker decided to try and find a home grown alternative. Walker set up Cyril Callister in a laboratory with the brief to create a product that would meet the needs of a discerning public. The name Vegemite was selected by Fred Walker’s daughter Sheila, who drew the name out of a hat. Three years after its release the public was rejecting it, and Walker tried to change the name to Parwill. The name was a sly dig at Marmite, using the slogan ‘Marmite but Parwill’ (as in Ma might but Pa will). The name vegemite won out, though the spread remained unpopular. Then a stroke of luck. Vegemite was added to the Second World War soldier’s ration packs and it became a quirky patriotic symbol. Vegemite’s rich B1 vitamin content had come in 1938 and prompted aggressive health-related advertising. One early advertisement claimed that Vegemite could cure everything from constipation to jumpy nerves. Jamie Callister wrote the story to honour the life of his grandfather (who he never met) and tell the story of an item that we have all grown up with. Jamie now lives in Queensland and travelled and worked after he completed university. He has worked in television and media as well as building construction. A keen surfer, Jamie lives on the Sunshine Coast with his wife and three children. This is Jamie’s first book.
previous gathering of the Class of 1982. The reunion provided an opportunity to reflect on days of yore in the quad and among those who gave personal reflections were Andrew Fish, Andrew Mitchell and Chris de Campo.
Great to see celebrity chef Tobie Puttock (OM 1992) (above centre) at his Twenty Year Reunion which was held at the Royce Hotel on Friday 19 October 2012. Tobie was joined by a number of friends and former class mates who had travelled significant distances to attend the event. George Patterson travelled all the way from London to join in the celebration.
The Turnbull brothers Phil (OM 1985), Chris (1992) and Alex (1995) wrote to advise that their fifth-generation fruit growing business, which was established in 1892, has entered the online forum. The family made the decision to offer giftpacked cherries as an online business and to branch out into the corporate gift world. The company has sought the support of employees from the Wesley Mission for some of their packing.
The School has learnt of the following deaths in our community. Our sympathy and understanding is extended to their family and friends.
Adams, C R (OM 1951) Begg, D G OM (1948) Cabbabe, R (OM 1998) Cuming S A (OM 1956) Drought, T G (OM 1943) Eagle, R (OM 1951) Epstein, P J (OM 1933) Guthrie, M G K (OM 1963) Hamer, A W (OM 1934) Hope-Campbell, A J P (OM 1970) Lister, L (OM 1950) May, R S (OM 1933)
Chris Bisogni (OM 1989) Melbourne Grammar School’s Communications Manager and editor of Grammar News, is moving to San Francisco in the United States at the end of the year. Chris has done an outstanding job as Communications Manager and will be sorely missed. Marcus Fox (OM 1982) who was Melbourne Grammar School Vice -Captain in 1982, gave the Toast to the School at the recent 1982 Thirty Year Reunion which was held at the Royce Hotel on Friday 16 November 2012. Marcus joined the Military after leaving School where he learnt to fly which he continues to do so flying helicopters to the off-shore oil rigs in Bass Strait. Due to overseas postings, Marcus was unable to attend
Obituaries
Mills, M L (OM 1937) Montgomery, A Y (OM 1955) Orchard, V (Past Parent) Osment DFC, R (OM 1938) Peck, G D (OM 1944) Port, R F (OM 1934) Prince, H I (OM 1947) Anton Grimus (OM 2008), (above) started his 201213 season perfectly by defending the national ski cross title recently. The event was part of the Suzuki National Snowsport Championships at Mt Hotham. The 21 year old Australian Institute of Sport/ NSW Institute of Sport athlete won his second Australian title by finishing ahead of number one ski cross male athlete, Scott Kneller.
Rosenhain, A O (OM 1936) Shattock, J W (OM 1953) Shaw, A G L (OM 1938) Swinnerton, W J (OM 1933) Thompson, G L (Current Parent) Topp, J D (OM 1943) Warne-Smith, A D (OM 1947) Webb, W C (OM 1936) Williams, L B (OM 1944)
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Friends of Grammar Grimwade House What an end to a wonderful year for FOG Grimwade House! Traditionally a busy time of year as the weather warms up, we spoiled MGS fathers rotten on Father’s Day through our Stall. Plenty of gifts were on sale and watching the Grimwade House boys and girls pick and choose was a true highlight for us all. The Junior Primary Athletics morning was a colourful event and we enjoyed being able to provide refreshments and cakes for the hungry supporters and even hungrier athletes. Since then we have held functions to thank teaching staff and support staff and of course, as the year drew to a close we bid farewell to the Year 6 graduates with an end of year dinner and breakfast.
Providing refreshments at the Juior Primary Athletics morning
FOG Presidents & Heads of Campus
I would like to acknowledge the hard work of our 66 Class Representatives. It has been a pleasure to be involved with such a great group of women and men; they have been instrumental in our common goal of community building; they have organised over 150 social functions and activities and they have shown such care and have been particularly attentive to new families, and those families who have experienced upheaval or sadness. It was great to work alongside them at various school events during the year.
It has been such a pleasure to be part of FOG Grimwade 2012. I know that 2013 will be a fantastic year with Maureen O’Keefe-Anders as President. Best wishes for a restful, safe holiday and for a great year in 2013.
Thanks also to the staff at Grimwade House and The Lodge for all their support, and to the parent community and children at Grimwade House. I would like to thank the wonderful, hard-working FOG Grimwade House committee, their humour, wisdom, hard work and support have made this a very memorable year. Thank you too to the FOG committees at Wadhurst and Senior School and best of luck to Maureen O’Keefe-Anders who takes over as FOG Grimwade President in 2013.
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Melbourne Grammar School – Grammar News
Lynne Rees President
Wadhurst The Wadhurst community has been full of enthusiasm in 2012! Our Father and Son Trivia night in September was a sell out yet again. 200 Dads and boys crowded onto the Wadhurst deck for wood fired pizzas and then proceeded upstairs to the Wadhurst Hall to fight it out in the Trivia Competition hosted by Greg Caldwell. A great evening enjoyed by all. The first Saturday of Term IV and we were off and running with the Wadhurst Athletics day on the Main Oval at Senior School. We were blessed with a stunning day. We had a tremendous turn out of parents and family members more than ready to cheer for the boys. The delicious
FOG Wadhurst sausage sizzle, coffee cart and cake stall complemented the festive atmosphere. The Annual Music Concert in The Old Melburnians War Memorial Hall is another opportunity to be able to witness the diverse talents of our boys. This is a very special evening on the School calendar each year. FOG Wadhurst was pleased to supply interval drinks and the supper platters, donated by all the families attending, went down very well. We thank everyone for their generosity on this night. The Annual Art Show at Motor Works Gallery in October was another wonderful evening. It is a credit to the Art and Music Department that they continue to inspire the boys to achieve so much creatively. Parents and boys enjoyed drinks and supper, supplied by FOG Wadhurst, while they viewed the art and listened to some wonderful performances. The final event on the Wadhurst calendar was the Wadhurst play. This year it was A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. A huge success both on and off the stage and a lovely way for the boys to finish off a fabulous year at Wadhurst. So many have supported me this year. The dedicated FOGW 2012 Committee, the Class Representatives, The Lodge and Wadhurst staff and lastly Lynda Bray and Greg Caldwell. It has been a privilege to be FOG Wadhurst President this year and I wish you all a relaxing, safe holiday period. Kim Monk President
Senior School
Springtime Lunch in the Myer Mural Hall
To the staff of the Property, Finance and Catering Departments, many thanks for all of your support. To the staff of the Lodge, we are truly grateful for your assistance in making our committee shine. Thank you to the Class Reps for making the social calendar run so smoothly, and to my amazing FOG committee, I will miss the mirth and merriment of our meetings which made the hard work just so easy. It has been an absolute pleasure to get to know so many MGS families and I wish incoming President Claudia Holt and her team, all the very best for 2013. My wishes to you all for a safe and happy holiday ready for a new year in 2013. Sam Douros President, Senior School & Executive
What a lovely, happy 2012 our community has had with so many events and activities, some evergreen and some new, all adding to the colour and vibrancy of Melbourne Grammar School. Terms III and IV were busy (what terms aren’t!) with House athletics, the Boys Big Breakfast and the aroma of coffee and egg and bacon rolls out at Flack Park during the APS winter season. On Tuesday 30 October it was the Annual Springtime Lunch in the Myer Mural Hall with special guest, Stephanie Alexander speaking about her life growing up in an Australia in the 1950s. Headmaster Roy Kelley spoke warmly on our theme of food, family and tradition which was so well received. The day was lovely, the food beautiful and the company even better. Thursday 1 November saw the Year 12 boys sit their first exam and FOG treated the parents to a Thank You Morning Tea to mark the moment. It was also a chance for the parents to finally exhale.
Stephanie Alexander speaks of her life & Foundation
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Retired Staff Association Cultural & horticultural pleasures
WALK THIS WAY: Members of the RSA enjoy a stroll through the Singing Gardens of CJ Dennis
Heritage, art, family history and gardens were some of the themes for excursions held this year by the Retired Staff Association, touchingly known as the ‘Dinosaurs’. Trips to interesting venues or talks on unusual subjects are not only interesting in themselves, but provide welcome opportunities for many to catch up with former colleagues.
way of getting together, and V/Line concessions make such excursions very economical for pensioners! All the venues visited were excellent places for communal lunch, sometimes grandly – as at Craig’s Hotel in Ballarat – or cosily – as at the Singing Gardens – all equally conducive to further collegiality.
There are always new things to be learned at the betterknown venues like Ripponlea and Ballarat Art Gallery, and lesser known places like the Singing Gardens of CJ Dennis, provide fascinating insights into eras far removed from our own. Journeys by train are a particularly satisfactory
Simon McKeon (OM 1973), Australian of the Year for 2011, was understandably celebrated by many MGS groups and we were honoured and delighted that he attended our AGM and lunch this year and made (approximately), his 251st speech. He stressed that he kept a low profile when at MGS, but had gained much from his experience. He told us how his career had unfolded and why he had embraced numerous philanthropic causes. Many of those present remembered him with affection from his school days, including his Headmaster, Nigel Creese. It was also a pleasure to be serenaded superbly by a Year 11 string quartet. An excellent lunch was very much enjoyed by the 70 members able to attend. The Association provides a welcome meeting ground for its 180 members, who are retired staff from all campuses and all roles. We are especially grateful to our secretary, Kathleen Comery, whose faultless planning and organisation ensures that all our activities run with apparently effortless ease. We are greatly indebted to the Headmaster, Roy Kelley, and Melbourne Grammar for their generous practical support and encouragement, which make our continued existence both possible and successful.
DINOSAURS: Former members of staff Rick Rosenhain (OM 1963) & Ian Rutheford (OM 1950)
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Melbourne Grammar School – Grammar News
Kathy Howell President
134th Old Melburnians Dinner More than 150 Old Melburnians and guests attended The 134th Annual Old Melburnians Dinner at the RACV Club on 24 August. For more pictures please visit: www.mgs.vic.edu.au
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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