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The Melbourne Grammar School Community Magazine
Romeo and Juliet – 2003 Quad Play
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Juliet (Carmen Dafner) & Romeo (Patrick DoubĂŠ) in the famous balcony scene
Friar Laurence (Malcolm Crang) secretly marries Romeo & Juliet
Benvolio (James Newton) & Tybalt (Jeremy Leung) display the mounting tensions between the Capulets & Montagues
Lady Capulet (Paris Paphitis) & Juliet (Carmen Dafner) discuss her intended betrothal
Tybalt (Jeremy Leung) & Mercutio (Nick Jacobs) fight while Gregory (Richard Willder) & Samson (Sam Browne) look on
In this issue From the School Council 4 From the Headmaster 5 2002 VCE Results 6 Out & About 8 Community Noticeboard 11 Boarding 12 Wadhurst 13 Grimwade House 14 Curriculum Initiatives 15 Writers Festival 16 Tomorrow’s Leaders Today 18 The Grammar Foundation 20 The Old Melburnians Council 21 Branches & Reunions 22 Community News 24 Archives 26 The Old Melburnians 28 Friends of Grammar 29
2003 Leaders
5 Writers Festival
is published three times a year for the Melbourne Grammar School Community
Published by
Our front cover:
Year 10 student Ken Velos participates in some of the street theatre provided as part of the Writers Festival activities (see pages 16 & 17 for details).
From the Editor The educational offerings for students at Melbourne Grammar School are second to none. Our teaching staff are always keen to find interesting, creative and challenging ways for our students to engage in their various subject areas. Some of the latest initiatives are listed in the Curriculum Initiatives section of this edition (see page 15). The results of the 2002 VCE students are further testimony to the quality of an MGS education (see pages 6 & 7) and we congratulate the boys on their achievements along with the parents and staff for their support and guidance during this busy time. One of the highlights of Term I 2003 has been the MGGS/MGS Writers Festival, a collaborative event for students in Years 7 to 12, involving over fifty writers, performers and journalists each providing students with a taste of their chosen craft (see pages 16 & 17). This event was a great success and we look forward to continuing this collaboration with MGGS.
Jennifer Baldwin
Fostering Learning and Leadership Melbourne Grammar School fosters the pursuit of excellence by offering an educational experience ranging across intellectual, social, cultural, spiritual and physical pursuits.
Grammar Newsletter
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Development Office Melbourne Grammar School 355 St Kilda Road Melbourne 3004 Telephone: 9868 7100 Facsimile: 9868 7177 email: newsletter@mgs.vic.edu.au
Editor Jennifer Baldwin
The Grammar Foundation
Editorial Board Ann Badger Stewart Brook Jane Lee Rhonda Phillips-Gall Gordon Sargood (Chairman) Gavan Woinarski
Layout Drew Gamble, MGS
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Printer GT Graphics
Mailing & Distribution
Friends of Grammar
Data Connection
Photographs
29 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 9868 7100.
Andrew Ashton Ann Badger Kimbal Baker Jennifer Baldwin Stewart Brook James Grant Sarah Jessup Patricia Langton John Plowright Gavan Woinarski MGS Archives and others
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From the School Council Welcome
John Hasker
School Council President The Most Reverend Peter Watson Archbishop of Melbourne
Chairman John Hasker
Deputy Chairman
I would like to welcome all parents, particularly those who are new to MGS in 2003. Grimwade House now has one extra class at Prep which has enlarged the School marginally from the 2002 level. Whilst on the subject of Grimwade House, renovations to the central classroom block are now complete and complemented by some additional landscaping. Land is in short supply at Grimwade but I am pleased to Students enjoy recess in the redeveloped & landscaped Year 3 area report that all these structural changes have enhanced the This is a lengthy project, full of complexity and pleasant village atmosphere so special to our will not be finished until the end of 2004. co–educational primary school. Architectural drawings are proceeding for the new hall at Grimwade House now that the Building Update other projects on the site are complete. The The Council is in the midst of a busy building initial planting at the sporting venue at Todd program, at South Yarra, Caulfield and the rapidly Road, Port Melbourne has survived Melbourne’s developing sporting venue at Port Melbourne. extreme drought over summer and construction The major refurbishment of the Memorial Hall, is proceeding on the pavilion, timed for football, originally built in 1928, is under way. cricket, rugby, soccer and hockey in early 2004.
Graeme Blackman
Farewell
Peter Danne Vince Fitzgerald Stuart Gooley Sandy Massina Bruce Parncutt Ian Vaughan Catherine Walter
Headmaster Paul Sheahan
Secretary to the Council David Temple (Bursar)
One of the six renovated classrooms in the central classroom block
Vale
Philip Rhoden OBE, ED (OM 1933) The Melbourne Grammar School Community was saddened to learn of the death of Philip Rhoden, School Captain (1933), Past President of The Old Melburnians Council, Chairman of the Executive and Finance Committee and long serving member of School Council (1960-84). A leader and great supporter of MGS, a tribute to Phil will appear in the August edition of Grammar Newsletter. 4
Regrettably I must inform the community of the resignation from Council of Barbara Inglis and Andrew Michelmore. Barbara has been a tireless worker during her seven years as a member of School Council. She has been a member of the Admissions Committee and, in 1999, played a key role in establishing and chairing the Marketing Committee. Andrew (Ag) Michelmore (1970) has served on Council since 1997 as a member of the Nomination Committee and as Chair of the Buildings and Grounds Committee. Ag remains a strong supporter of the School. Our Headmaster Paul Sheahan is full of energy following his overseas trip last year. The Council is looking forward to working with him on further articulating the vision for the School for the next five to ten years. John Hasker
From the Headmaster The MGS Vision The arrival of the Third Millennium has given us an opportunity to crystallise the vision for Melbourne Grammar for the immediate future. In essence our roles in schools is to unlock the potential of all students, giving them a glimpse of a future that they might create rather than being rendered victim to the one that someone creates for them. Classroom activity, guided by curriculum and syllabus, is important because of the building blocks it provides for further learning but if students leave Melbourne Grammar without an understanding that they can shape and influence the direction of their lives then we will not have given them what education can deliver. The results of this process will not always be revealed at school; indeed, as has been remarked by a former President of Corpus Christi College at Oxford University, Sir Richard Livingstone: “There is, in education, a law of delayed reaction, by which seeds sown and long forgotten only grow in later years … the most precious fruits of a good teacher’s work are those that he (she) is never likely to see.” Having said all of that, every purposeful organisation will have developed a plan of action to guide what it does. Whilst education is essentially about the exploration of the mind and the best thinking that has been brought to bear down the centuries, it needs to have ‘direction’, and that is where the Vision Statement plays its part. The profession of teaching has changed dramatically over the past 20 years (and much for the better, in terms of catering for individual difference). It is our goal to “create a multi-faceted and dynamic learning environment that offers every student a range of opportunities for selfdiscovery and leadership.” Within this stated goal, we have a series of ‘visions’ that range across creating the best possible teaching and learning environment, gathering the best possible teachers, encouraging creative thinking in a technology-rich world, developing leaders for the next generation, being an influential and responsive member of the wider community, and exploring the spiritual dimension of our lives … doing all this within a context that promotes a strong belief in ethical behaviour. This is not an easy task and it will not be achieved with unwilling ‘subjects’. If we are to explore new
horizons for each and every student, we need to be assured of having their commitment to the process. Education is, indeed, about broadening the mind, expanding the thinking, creating new ‘solutions’ to new and old problems; it is not a means of serving the needs of the nation, though that might well be a by-product.
The Headmaster & 2003 school leaders at Wadhurst. Grimwade House: Co Captains Luci Ross & Nicholas de Steiger Wadhurst: Captain Tim McLardy & Vice Captain Rohan Barraclough Senior School: Captain Nick Russell & Vice Captain Eric Fransella
Annual Performance Review and targeted Professional Development form an integral part of this desire to offer the best possible teaching and learning environment but it should never be forgotten that there are many intangibles in education and, often, the fruits of the labours of teachers will not be realised until much later in life. In consultation with staff we will continue to develop and expand the Vision Statement for MGS. It will, naturally, be underpinned by the School’s byline – Fostering Learning and Leadership – and will be communicated further in future editions of Grammar Newsletter. Paul Sheahan
Fostering Learning and Leadership 5
2002 Victorian Certificate of Education Congratulations Class of 2002
Three of our 2002 VCE top scorers, from left: Nicholas Luo, Neil Luo & Brian Leung
John Leung who celebrated his top scoring achievement while on the MGS Orchestral Tour of Italy
Charles Crang, Untitled, silkscreen on ceramic tiles. (50 out of 50 in Studio Arts)
The VCE results listed below rate among the best that the School has enjoyed. In a community which places a high emphasis on tertiary selection, the 2002 results have provided the vast majority of our students with a significant advantage. The median ENTER of 92 is, perhaps, the most impressive benchmark for judging the academic success of this year group. As always, these extraordinary results were achieved in parallel with the rich variety of activities that the School offers to all students. Some of our topscoring students continued to participate actively in House activities, sporting teams, debating, mentoring programs, overseas tours and musical events of the highest standard. It is hoped that those who have left the School with outstanding academic results will have enhanced their life opportunities through their overall Melbourne Grammar experience. In 2002, the press, in response to ministerial directives, abandoned the controversial ‘achievement index’ in favour of publishing a range of statistics aimed at providing more comprehensive data for school comparisons (see extract below). This initiative was, overall, a welcome one, as the previous ‘index’ was believed by many to be tenuous and misleading. The data published in 2002 allow for a more balanced school comparison although a reference to comparative scaled study scores is a glaring omission if readers are to make judgements as to the effectiveness of schools.
Performance Tables Number of VCE level 3/4 studies offered Number of VCE VET certificates with 2002 enrolments Number enrolled in at least one VCE level 3/4 unit in 2002 Number enrolled in VCE VET Percentage applying for tertiary places
Brent Greene, Untitled, etchings (50 out of 50 in Art)
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40 2 371 3 99
Having said that, those who have studied the published data would be pleased to note that our results are outstanding by any measure.
Results • 53.4 % of our students are in the top 10% in the state/nation with an ENTER* of 90 or above • 42 % of students attained an ENTER of 95 or above. This means that 81 of our students are in the top 5 % in the state/nation • 27 students attained an ENTER of 99 or above. Therefore 14 % of our students are in the top 1% of the state/nation • The Melbourne Grammar School median ENTER for 2002 is 92 • 4 students achieved the maximum possible ENTER of 99.95. Special congratulations to Brian Leung, John Leung, Neil Luo and Nicholas Luo. This score places them in the top 20 in the state • 17 students achieved 19 Study Scores of 50 out of 50 in 6 individual studies. Congratulations go to the following students: Andrew Abraham – Mathematical Methods, Andrew Burton – English, Lawrence Collins – English, Charles Crang – Studio Arts, Harry Doan (Year 11) – Mathematical Methods, Brent Greene – Art, Michael Gomm – Biology, Andrew Hadj – English, Huw Lacey – English, Alexander Lazarus – Mathematical Methods, Brian Leung – Chemistry and English, Neil Luo – Chemistry and English, George Nedovic – English, Costa Rolfe – English, Adam Rothfield – German, Douglas Rutherford – English, Nicholas Walter – English Congratulations also to Philip Chan (Year 11) who, based on his Music Performance Units 3/4 solo performance examination, has been selected to perform in Top Class – Music. The School has also recently been informed that ten of our VCE 2002 students are to be awarded Premier’s VCE Awards in recognition of their achievements. Further information on these awards will be provided in the August Grammar Newsletter.
Percentage of satisfactory VCE completions
100
All the 193 Year 12 students who presented for the VCE along with those who supported their efforts during the year are to be congratulated.
Percentage of satisfactory VCE VET completions
100
Chris Bradtke
Median study score
35
Percentage of 40+ study scores
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MGS data from The Age supplement ‘Your School’s VCE Performance’, 19 December 2002
∗
The Equivalent National Tertiary Entrance Rank (ENTER) indicates an individual ranking against all others in Australia who finished or would have finished their secondary education in 2001.
Beyond the Gates Student Destinations In moving beyond the bluestone walls the members of the Melbourne Grammar School Class of 2002 have demonstrated the diversity of interest and commitment to personal goals which characterised their time at school. Those who finished school last year have taken up further education opportunities across a wide range of disciplines and institutions. Tertiary offers were accepted from 17 campuses of nine local universities, six TAFE institutes and three private tertiary institutions. The University of Melbourne continues to be the most popular destination with almost half of our students commencing (or, in some cases, deferring) an offer there. Wherever they are studying all of our school leavers will have the opportunity to acquire new knowledge and skills as well as benefit from the diverse social and cultural environment of further education. New friendships will be forged while the important relationships formed at school will continue to be part of their lives. Dual awards (double degrees or degree/diploma combinations) continue to grow in popularity as students take the opportunity to study a diversity of areas and gain a breadth of qualifications in preparation for the employment market. Business based and Arts/Humanities courses – often in combination with other disciplines such as Law, Engineering, Science and Information Technology – continue to attract the greatest numbers of our school leavers. The number of fee based offers to our students rose significantly this year, 67 offers were made, of which 28 were accepted. This compares with 45 offers in 2001 with 14 accepted. Whilst the 2002 figures include the offers made by private institutions and some scholarships, it is clear that increasing numbers of students and parents are looking seriously at the option of paying fees for courses in our public universities. Not all students who have been awarded places will take them up in 2003. This year 21 of our students chose to defer their studies until 2004 in order to work or travel. Whatever the nature of the ‘year off ’, deferment is a viable option for those students who carefully consider their future education and plan their deferred year well in advance. The offers made to our students of 2002 are summarised in the table opposite. Where more than one offer was made, I have included only the offer which (I believe) was accepted. For the purposes of this report, deferred offers are treated the same as accepted offers as they reflect the likely eventual destination of the students concerned. In compiling the figures I have relied
Tertiary offers by Institution 10
Deakin University
8
Private Colleges
9
Institutes of TAFE
9 5 17 31 10 91
Other Destinations Swinburne
RMIT
Monash University
LaTrobe University
The University of Melbourne
on information provided by the Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre (VTAC) and personal contact with students. 2002 brought outstanding results for our Year 12 students and they are to be congratulated on their endeavour and achievement. I am confident that this commitment and love of learning will continue to bring them success. Frank Thompson
Offers by Type of Course Agriculture/Horticulture Architecture Building/Planning Arts/Humanities Business/Admin/Commerce Aviation Computing/Information Engineering Health Sciences Law Medicine Physiotherapy Physical/Outdoor Education Science Social Welfare Psychology Visual & Performing Arts Design
4 9 44 69 1 16 27 1 28 3 1 2 25 3 15
Note: Many students are commencing courses that span more than one academic discipline. In the published figures, both areas of a double degree/dual award are included. Consequently, there may appear to be a discrepancy between the total numbers of offers by institution and the total numbers under areas of study.
Awards & Scholarships At the time of publication the School had not been advised of students who had received scholarships or awards due to their excellent results. We will endeavour to publish a comprehensive list in the August edition of Grammar Newsletter and would appreciate if anyone with information regarding scholarships or awards could contact the Careers Department, email: <careers@mgs.vic.edu.au>, or telephone: 9868 7146 or 9868 7147.
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Out & About The Summer of Cricket
Students & staff from Melbourne, Sydney & Brisbane Grammar Schools during the Tri–Grammar Festival
The MGS Summer of Cricket, incorporating the Tri-Grammar Festival, was an outstanding success. The Melbourne Grammar School Cricket Club hosted Lancing College and Eton College, both from the United Kingdom, before Christmas and played the MGS XI on December 12 and 22 respectively. Both matches were close contests with the hosts being perhaps a little too generous in allowing the guests to win two from two. The Tri-Grammar Festival, played in late January, has been an annual festival for six years now and is played between Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane Grammar Schools. As warm-up fixtures MGS played Auckland Grammar School from
New Zealand and an MGS ‘A’ team played Scots College from NSW. This year Brisbane won the coveted Shield beating both Sydney and MGS. The Melbourne versus Sydney match, now part of the Festival, has been played annually since 1876. The trophy, ‘The Bat’, was struck in 1976 to mark the centenary of the fixture and has been keenly contested since that time. This year the first day of the match saw the temperature reach an amazing 44º C, most probably the highest ever in the 127 year history of the match! Fortunately it was a comprehensive victory for MGS with ‘The Bat’ residing in Melbourne for another year. Thanks to the ground staff for preparing quality cricket wickets and the catering staff for their wonderful food for the ten days of competition. A vote of thanks to the parents who hosted boys from Brisbane GS and Sydney GS in their homes and continue to be tremendously supportive of their cricketing sons. My thanks to Marcus Richards and Michael Ford who did a great deal of work behind the scenes preparing for and running the matches. Michael Chesterman
Psychological Services at Senior School
Director of Counselling Elaine Hosie with a Senior School student
Due to the substantial social change in the community over recent decades, psychological and counselling services for students is now commonplace in schools. The change to employment prospects for young people is one of the many societal changes which necessitate young people to complete a full six years of secondary education. In previous generations young people who disliked school for any number of reasons were able to leave, join the workforce and fulfil a meaningful career by advancing through the ‘company’. That option rarely exists today. These students need educational and pastoral support. Furthermore research indicates that objective intervention and support at critical times is important to healthy development in adolescence. Early intervention is a preventative for more serious conditions in adulthood. At Senior School pastoral care includes the system of people involved with the student. This includes family and school, the School Psychologists being just one link in that system. Other key people in the school system include the Director of Students, Heads of House, the Head of Senior School and teaching staff, when appropriate. Students are referred for psychological counselling when educational, social, emotional and/or developmental problems impact on their education.
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Counselling interventions fall largely into the following categories: • educational assessment to determine aptitude and ability, which can be measured against academic results • educational counselling to assist with organisation, study habits, motivation, classroom behaviour and concentration • social emotional issues such as friendship, bullying and conflict problems • developmental difficulties, which address confidence and esteem issues of adolescence and are largely about the development of independent identity • family difficulties, which cover a wide range of emotional and developmental issues In the event of a condition requiring longterm therapy, referrals are made to external professionals who work in consultation with the School Psychologists. The conditions listed above are not mutually exclusive groups and any work with a particular student is likely to address a number of domains. Adolescence is that passage of development between childhood and adulthood which necessitates the development of independent thought and action, at the same time maintaining an allegiance to the family. Some adolescents do it with ease whilst others have a difficult time and require help. The sooner assistance is given the better the outcome. Elaine Hosie
Quad Play – Romeo and Juliet go ‘Back to the Future’ Set in the future, this new and exciting adaptation of Shakespeare’s most loved play was the most ambitious ever undertaken by the Melbourne Grammar Quad Shakespeare Company. Set in a harsh greedy world where money – not God – is worshipped, where cities and corporations have grown large and cold, two young lovers try make sense of their families’ conflict and unwillingness to accept their love for each other. This year, for the first time, we used a projection screen replacing backdrops to add more realism and allow many more scene changes. We also had the assistance of two directors from the Bell Shakespeare Company, Australia’s foremost and most successful Shakespearian Company, provided to us by the generous support of The Grammar Foundation. The directors, Des James and Loucharno Martuchi, have been working as artists in residence with Director Matthew O’Meara and the students from Melbourne Grammar and Melbourne Girls Grammar, to increase our professionalism and polish our performances. All in the Company have been delighted by the new skills we have learned from these two professionals.
the talents of Rowan Holms-Smith and Charles Kimpton. This year the addition of ‘moving lights’ have added a new dimension to their craft. Well done to all 86 students and staff involved. Matthew O’Meara
Supporting Football at MGS
Romeo, played by Patrick Doube and Juliet, played by Carmen Dafner, gave performances worthy of actors with many years experience. The audience was exposed to their lives with stark reality, remembering the joy of first love and feeling their pain when all goes tragically wrong. Romeo’s friends Benvolio (James Newton), and Balthazar (Will Cooper) and the mysterious Mercutio (Nick Jacobs) all brought to life the innocence of young boys’ banter that soon turns sour.
The Marn Grook Club, a parents football support group named after the Aboriginal term for ‘Game Ball’, held its inaugural meeting of members on 13 June 2002.
Juliet has been cared for by the Nurse (Syrie Payne), a thirty something au pair who had hoped for a life in high fashion by the pool when employed by the Capulets. Her mother (Paris Paphitis), the brains of the family, has little time for things other than the stock market and keeping up the reputation of the family. Her father (Stuart Richards) is in a hurry to marry her off successfully and is driven to violence when things do not go according to plan. Her cousin Tybalt (Jeremy Leung) is a nasty character who loves a fight and believes that revenge is best served cold. Things go tragically wrong when love tries to break through generations of hate.
• raise funds for the provision of equipment and provide awards of encouragement and excellence
Costumes this year were prepared by Sally Scott and Kylie Witt, who again amazed us with their talent and attention to detail. They created a dark world where only the crafty survive and street wear is fashion. Lighting and sound have been one of the highlights of the last four years due largely to
From left, Benvolio (James Newton), Gregory (Richard Willder), Samson (Sam Browne), Chief Watch (Hannah Tooke), Lady Capulet (Paris Paphitis), Capulet (Stewart Richards), Nurse (Syrie Payne), Prince Esczlus (Tom Pearce), Abraham (Chris White), all gaze upon Tybalt’s body (Jeremy Leung)
The main objects of the Club are to: • support and promote the development of Australian Rules football at Melbourne Grammar School and within the broader School Community
• foster links with Worawa College and to assist the development of its football program The Committee includes parent representatives from Years 7 – 12 and this year we hope to raise enough funds to purchase a video camera as a training tool to show the players how they can improve their skills. This will be the first of what we hope will be significant contributions to assist the School’s football program. For further information regarding the Marn Grook club contact Paul Carolan on 9868 7158.
The Marn Grook Club logo, designed by Year 10 (2002)
Peter Beaumont
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Out & About Viva Italia! On Thursday 5 December 2002 the Melbourne Grammar School Symphony Orchestra embarked on a two week concert tour to Italy which was the longest in duration, the furthest in distance travelled, and the largest in numbers involved in its 22 year history of touring. The 121 strong party consisted of students, staff, parents and friends, and the orchestra itself which, including students and a few members of staff, comprised 85 players.
Top: Martin Rutherford in front of the poster advertising the final concert, held in the Teatro Tasso Middle: Tour members in Florence outside the Ducal Palace, from left: Jonathan Ryan, Nathan Papson, Cory Wagstaff & Edwin Tan
The orchestra spent three nights in each of the cities of Venice, Florence, Rome and Naples and, apart from giving six public concerts, it visited many well-known tourist sights en route. The first concert was performed on Sunday 8 December in Venice at the Il Teatro Stabile del Veneto Carlo Goldoni. The audience was impressed with the performance and was particularly receptive to the Italian National Anthem and the Venetian melody La Biondina. After arriving in Florence on 9 December the orchestra played in Il Palazzo Vaj at the Monash University Campus in nearby Prato, Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto No 4 receiving
a memorable performance. The main concert in Florence was held in the Basilica di San Lorenzo where a stirring rendition of Tchaikovsky’s Capriccio Italien concluded the programme. After a late arrival in Rome our next public concert in the historic Basilica di San Nicola in Carcere was performed with the briefest of rehearsals. The audience was very generous to the orchestra in its appreciation of the difficult circumstances in which the concert was held. The second of the Rome concerts was performed at the Basilica di Nostra Signora di Guadalupe on Saturday 14 December. Many in the orchestra considered this to be the finest performance and, as a result of a standing ovation from an enthusiastic audience after an exciting rendition of the final movement from Respighi’s Pines of Rome, a number of encores were played. Our final concert was in the lovely coastal town of Sorrento, outside the city of Naples where the orchestra was staying. This was a rather special occasion for everyone as it was the final concert of the Sir William Walton Centenary celebrations, made even more special with Lady Susana Walton (the composer’s widow) present in the audience. It concluded the most fulfilling two weeks of music making and sightseeing – the latter including such magnificent places as Pompeii, the Vatican, the Doges Palace in Venice and the Ducal Palace in Florence. The tour was impeccably organised by Mr Martin Rutherford whose expertise, professionalism and experience ensured that the tour went smoothly and happily. Jonathan Ryan – 2003 Music Captain
Photographs by David Woods
Above: At the Colosseum were, from left: Tony Smith, Sern-Wei Yeoh, Corey Wagstaff, Jonathan Ryan, Alexander Phillips, Patrick Doubé & Nathan Rooke
Mary Rutherford holding Lady Walton’s new book, Lady Susana Walton & Martin Rutherford before the final concert of the Sir William Walton Centenary Celebrations The touring group visits the Pompeii ruins
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Community Noticeboard Motor Works Gallery
E
xhibition Program 2003
9 ~ 13 May Friends of Grammar Art Exhibition and Sale 12 ~ 26 May Prep to Year 10 Exhibition
26 May ~ 6 June Aboriginal Catholic Mission Art Exhibition and Sale 7 ~ 21 November VCE Art, Studio Arts and Visual Communication & Design Exhibition
Past Parents Paintings, Paté & Pinot All Past Parents are warmly invited to the Ar t Exhibition at the Motorworks on Saturday 10 May 7.00pm – 9.00pm, to view the paintings and enjoy catching up with old friends. Light refreshments included, $25 per person. For bookings or fur ther information about the Past Parents Group contact the Grammar Community Secretary Jane Lee 9868 7288.
The Reverend Adrienne Simondson Memorial Fun Walk/Run – Sunday 18 May 2003 Staff, students (current and past), parents and friends are invited to gather in memory of Adie and to take a jog or walk around the tan. A barbecue lunch will be held afterwards in the boarding quad (byo drinks) and we welcome all Fun Run participants and their families. Entrance donation: Adults $12.00 Students $6.00 Cheques payable to Melbourne Grammar School. Registration at the Boarding House Complex, 140 Domain St South Yarra Proceeds from the day will go to the Adie Simondson Memorial Fund. This fund maintains the student scholarship with the Diocesan School for Girls, Grahamstown, South Africa, and has contributed to the annual Ethics Prize in Adie’s memory.
10.00am – Chapel service in the Chapel of St Peter 11.00am – Run/walk Registration 11.30am – Run commences
For further information contact: Michael Shaw telephone: 98687199 or email: mshaw@mgs.vic.edu.au
Salvete
During 2002 or at the start of 2003 we welcomed the following staff: Back row, from left: Headmaster Paul Sheahan, Sarah Davis, Julian Mytton, Toby Maxwell-Wright, Alison Milne, Nigel Adkin, Anthony Freeman, Jeremy Fletcher, Grantley McDonald, David Coates, Tony Hennessy, Tim Fox, Carolyn Ware, Elaine Ingham, Kath Ozog & Claudia Cicuttini Front row, from left: Deidre Drew, Brooke Wilson, Suzann Heinze, Adrienne English, Amanda Carlson, Sarah Wrexler, Kate Heinze, Barbara Blandy, Cathy Robbins, Kylie Pollard, Sheena Cuthbert, Sally Longworth, Briany Gelatly & Oliver Fernie
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Boarding Communication – the Key to Happy Boarders and Parents! The success of boarding at Melbourne Grammar relies on a special relationship between the boarding staff, students and parents. This year we welcomed 30 new boarders to School and Perry House, most of whom are enrolled in Year 9. Introducing our boarding students to their House is probably one of the most important tasks for the year. Staff members carefully communicate the rules and the House routines and what the boys can expect from their boarding experience. They stress the importance of teamwork and service to others and the House. In the end, however, it all comes down to establishing trust between all the stakeholders in the House. It is amazing to think that the successful working of a House could rely on such a delicate thread.
Top, from left: Boarders Network Secretary Deb Hardy, President Noel Graham & FOG boarding representative Shirlee Burge Middle: Enjoying the boarders family day were the MacDonald family, from left: Alanna & Ian (OM 1971), Katrina & Hamish (Year 11 Perry) Above: Perry House Tutor George Ritchie, Hugh Allen (Year 11 School), Angus Hansen (Year 11 School) & Lachie Read (Year 11 Perry)
To get to know each other all new boarders take part in a two day team building course with senior students of the House. Together they work through a series of team building activities, learn to set and achieve goals and to develop trust in each other. This year the course was held at the Kinglake West Adventure Camp. We were very pleased with the efforts of all the boarders and it was certainly a very positive start to the year. With all the attention focused on the students it might be easy to forget the needs and concerns of their parents. Experience tells us that behind those brave smiles and positive words of encouragement lies great apprehension about whether they have done the right thing. To alleviate some of this stress we tried something a little different this year. We took the parents aside and introduced
them to the people who would be playing such an important part in their sons’ lives over the next few years – the Tutors, the House Mothers and the catering staff. Elaine Hosie, our Director of Counselling, then addressed the parents about their feelings and concerns and offered some strategies for coping without their ‘favourite son(s)’ at home. The final stage in the orientation process was the Family Day and Chapel Service. This was held on Sunday 23 February. Families came from near and far to enjoy a picnic in the House Quad. Market umbrellas, white table cloths and plenty of good cheer made for a most enjoyable day.
Parents Network In reality, however, the orientation process had begun weeks earlier. Members of the Boarders Parents Network were busy making contact with new families to offer any support and advice required. The Boarders Parents Network provides a support role for all boarding families. In addition it forms the entity under which the parent body meets with the Headmaster, or his deputy, and Heads of House each term. At this meeting Heads report on the progress and activities of each House. It also provides an opportunity for parents to provide feedback as to what is working well and offer suggestions for improvement in areas that are known to be concerning the boarding students. This year the Chairman of the Parents Network is Noel Graham and the Secretary is Deb Hardy. The Boarding Community is also represented on Friends of Grammar by Shirlee Burge. According to Noel Graham the Boarders Network provides vital support particularly for those parents new to boarding, “This year parents new to MGS boarding were contacted by members of the network by the middle of January. This provides these parents with an opportunity to clarify any areas of concern before the boys arrive at School. The Network continually strives to ensure that parents of boarders, although often remote, feel part of the active school community.” We are fortunate to rely on the co-operation and efforts of staff, students and parents to ensure every boarder enjoys an excellent start to the year. PS. Be warned we plan to wreak havoc amongst the day houses at every inter-house competition. Nick Bates
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Wadhurst Experiencing LOTE at Wadhurst Melbourne Grammar School believes in the importance of students being able to learn a language other than English (LOTE) within the School’s core curriculum. The subject aims to raise the awareness of both students and the broader school community of the intellectual, economic and social benefits to be gained from language learning. In the LOTE classroom students are encouraged to develop an inquisitive and positive mind towards cultures and languages other than their own and to accept the notion of inter-cultural differences. In the process students are led to analyse their own language and to improve their cognitive, communication and literacy skills. We believe the LOTE classroom prepares students to take their place in the outside world whether through travelling, working with people from different ethnic background or simply appreciating the food, architecture, literature and way of life of people from non-English background. We in the LOTE Department are passionate about the language we teach and aim at sharing our enthusiasm with our students. The following article outlines some of the many and varied LOTE activities in which Wadhurst students are involved.
French The 285 boys learning French at Wadhurst have been using the Portal in French classes, with notes and homework available as well as links to reference materials and Internet sites. The French Department’s own Intranet site has links to the recordings of text dialogues for Year 8, while the new edition of the text used in Year 7 has its own CD so that boys can practise their pronunciation at home. This year we are planning a French cultural day to take place in Term II, including a puppet show in French for the year 7s based on the ‘Aladdin’ story and a crêperie demonstration with tasting for the Year 8s! This day will link in with the poetry competition run by the Alliance Française. Last year one Year 7 boy made the final and this year we hope to increase that number. All boys learning French will take part. We also hope to offer a trip to New Caledonia at the end of the school year for a small number of Year 8 boys.
Chinese
Suzanne Nicolle & Roger Peake
This year Greg Hughes and Tong Zhou welcomed 80 new students to Chinese at Wadhurst while continuing to enliven the course for our Year 8 students.
Latin
The MGS Chinese section of the Portal is online with a separate Chinese web page for each year level. These pages contain character recognition games, exercises, tests and puzzles, as well as useful links to China related sites around the world. It is well worth a look! Our text book NI HAO includes a new CD Rom which allows all students to practise their spoken Chinese and reading of characters by following the text. It also allows them to record their own voice and the boys can use this tool at home. New software enables students to type in Chinese, an activity in which they thrive, believe it or not! All boys will be entering the Victorian Chinese reading and speaking awards held each year.
In recent years Latin has increasingly gained in popularity at Wadhurst and numbers are now higher than at any stage in the last twenty years. With a total of some 220 boys studying this challenging discipline there appears to be a growing awareness of the immense value and rewards to be gained in the study of Latin. Long may it continue! Frank Vergona
China tour group in front in Tiananmen Square
In September we again hope to take a group of up to 20 boys to China. In addition we take the Year 7s to Chinatown for a cultural language tour and a meal while the Year 8s will travel to Ballarat in Term II to tour the Chinese goldfields. Greg Hughes Photograph by Patricia Langton
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Grimwade House School Tours
Nurturing a Love of Physical Education & Sport
Why not join one of our regular tours to see what Melbourne Grammar School has to offer? Tours are held during the school day and are particularly designed for families to view educational facilities of each campus.
In its broadest terms, the Physical Education and Sport programs at Grimwade House aims to instil in the girls and boys a lifelong interest and commitment to physical activity and health.
Semester 2 2003
The Physical Education Program aims to teach fundamental motor skills that can be utilised by all children as they progress through the School. From Prep to Year 3 children are provided with classes that focus upon three major skill areas; ball skills, physical learning strategies and aquatics. In these classes children develop the confidence to negotiate these skills. They are also encouraged to work with each other and deal with the inevitable interpersonal hurdles that occur during competitive and co-operative activities. These formative years provide the platform for later development and often help to shape positive attitudes to sport and physical activity in adolescence and adulthood.
Wadhurst Discover… Wadhurst
Tuesday 8 April 2.00pm-4.00pm Wednesday 12 June 2.00pm
Senior School Sunday 3 May 9.00am Thursday 7 August 9.30am Bookings are essential and may be made with the Admissions Secretary Kate Heinze on 9868 7170. These tours leave from The Lodge 355 St Kilda Road Melbourne.
Boarding Precinct Tours of the boarding precinct are organised on request. To make a booking please call the Admissions Secretary on 9868 7170. The Boarding Information Day will be held on Saturday 3 May.
Grimwade House Small group tours of our coeducational junior campus are held on a regular basis. Further information and bookings can be made by contacting the Grimwade House Office on 9525 9051.
Above: PE teacher Sally Longworth assists Year 4 student Mea Cordner with her bowling technique Right: Conrad Lucas enjoying a hit of tennis during a PE lesson on one of the school tennis courts
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While the Physical Education and Sport programs are closely linked they are categorically different components of the curriculum.
The children in Years 4 to 6 participate in ‘unit based’ Physical Education. Units are based on a
particular sport and run for three weeks. During these units children learn and rehearse the skills required to play each sport and the rules of each sport are also covered. These units are wide ranging and gender inclusive; girls are encouraged to learn the skills of the stereotypical ‘boy’ sports and vice versa. The Sport Program at Grimwade has two main components. House sport involves Year 3 to 6 children competing amongst each other to gain points for their House. Events are devised to allow all children to participate and compete with others of equal ability. House sport contributes much to the culture of Grimwade House and the children are very keen participants. Interschool sport begins at Year 5 level and is compulsory for each child. Children are provided with a wide range of sports from which to choose, allowing coaches to cater for the individual talents of our Years 5 and 6 players. Staff provide the girls and boys with many opportunities to develop leadership skills and the responsibilities of sporting leadership are well defined. Playing against other schools in the Association of Public Schools allows children to broaden their social world and the values of sportsmanship and fair play are emphasised by their coaches. Grimwade House students are well served by the outstanding facilities of the Cordner Physical Education Centre. This facility is a fundamental component of the Physical Education and Sport program and comprises a fully equipped gymnasium, 25 metre indoor pool and four tennis courts. The children also make use of a large oval and various playground areas. Four physical education staff teach at all levels within Grimwade House. Andrew Parkes, Russell Greene, Sally Longworth and Linda Marshall present the Physical Education curriculum and also lead the Sport program. These four staff members provide an excellent variety of strengths in various areas of the curriculum. The Physical Education staff also rely upon two GAP students to assist teachers and coaches. It is worth noting the importance that Grimwade House places upon the development of these young people as they spend a year away from their families in the United Kingdom and South Africa. It is hoped our children can leave Year 6 armed with a wide range of positive experiences in physical activity, leadership and a broad base of motor skills, so that they may move into adolescence better prepared for the physical, emotional and social challenges ahead. Andrew Parkes
Curriculum Initiatives Creating a Story in Pictures Getting to Know IT Representatives of the Student Aboriginal Reconciliation Committee (SARC) are designing, producing, publishing and marketing into Victorian schools a picture storybook focusing on the development at the ongoing friendship shared between Worawa Aboriginal College and Melbourne Grammar School. This project, one of several funded by a fellowship awarded by The Grammar Foundation, provides participating students with the opportunity to research appropriate picture storybook content, produce the words and illustrations and experience elements of desktop publishing and editing. It also allows them the opportunity to market the completed product. Grimwade House, Wadhurst, Senior School students and staff together with the Worawa College community will contribute to the development of the picture storybook by creating illustrations and providing written copy.
With the introduction of the Melbourne Grammar School Portal computers have become an even more integral part of life at Wadhurst. To cater for this, and in an attempt to have all Year 7 boys at a reasonable standard in IT early in the year, students have received an intensive three week computer course with MGS ICLT consultant John Vincent. During these sessions students learned more about computer management and desktop organisation including creating folders for each subject.
During the first stage the production team will advertise and tender for submissions of suitable material from both the MGS and Worawa College communities. All applicants will complete a Picture Storybook Tender Application. The project will include meeting with applicants and discussing theme and style. During the year MGS and Worawa College students will meet to discuss, present and review all applications. Terms III and IV will focus on finalising the visuals, collating content and the final steps of publication and marketing.
Most boys also learned something new in MS Word. Templates were set up, with named footers for all completed work and pages for scientific experiment reports and letters. Students were also shown how to create e-books – an exciting way to collect work on one topic under various headings.
We are all looking forward to seeing the finished product which will be presented as an A5, landscape, digitally produced picture storybook.
Finally the boys explored the MGS network, learned how to electronically store their work, access the Portal, use email and the Internet. Most Year 7 boys have found this course to be of enormous benefit and as such we hope to develop this further for students entering in 2004.
Vicky Jones
Photographs by Jennifer Baldwin
The finer points of Excel and PowerPoint were also demonstrated, so graphing and presentations should now be a breeze!
Top: A Year 7 class finalise their computer familiarisation course Above from left: Marco Mitchell, Nick Jones & Tim Webster submit their computer course assignments via the school network
Sally Wallis
Specialist Subjects ‘Expo’ Grimwade House hosted a very successful Specialist Information Evening in the hall on Tuesday 25 February. All parents, but in particular those who were new to the School, were invited to attend this session to learn more about the School’s learning community. Friends of Grammar Grimwade hosted drinks and nibbles and the Heads of specialist areas gave short and informative overviews of their key learning area or support service. These included: Learning Strategies, Talent Development, Counselling,
RAVE, Chinese, Library, Science, Music, PE and Sport, Health and Visual Arts. Later parents were free to wander around the ‘Expo’ and speak to all members of the specialist teams, view materials and ask questions about the programs being offered. Feedback from parents was astounding, with many comments positive regarding the staff and extensive programs on offer. Glyn Howitt 15
Writers Festival
The MGGS/MGS Writers Festival ‘Giving Us the Words’ A
fter a year of planning and preparation the Melbourne Girls Grammar / Melbourne Grammar School Writers Festival unfolded its magic from 3 to 7 March. Nearly 1700 students participated in workshops and watched performances involving over 60 presenters. An engaging five days for our respective campuses, it was a rare opportunity for boys and girls in the same classes to interact with writers passionate about their craft. For each day of the Festival, half the students from a combined year level were designated a specific campus (either MGGS or MGS). They attended, en masse, a compulsory morning performance (Armold Zable, John Marsden and Complete Works Theatre Company were among the ten presenters in the marquee at MGS or Ross Hall at MGGS) before venturing off to two smaller sessions of 20–25 boys and girls. Lunchtime was given over to roving musicians, circus performers and oral readers. Melbourne Grammar’s own Music Group Performance Class added their special touch with a jazz concert at Wednesday lunchtime in the Quad. Each day concluded with another large performance. On Friday afternoon, Tripod, a trio of musical comedians, Year 11 & 12 students enjoying the Festival finale, a performance by Tripod
Right: Caroline Wilson, sports writer for The Age, explains the craft of sport journalism Far right: Author Archie Fusillo tells the students of how he was inspired to write his books
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performed in front of nearly 500 Year 11 and 12 students, a fitting finale in grand style on the Headmaster’s lawn. Sponsored by Maddocks, our Festival writing competition offered prizes in two divisions – short stories and poetry. The entries were grouped via year levels 7/8,9/10 and 11/12. Winners in each division received a cash prize of $100 and were asked to read their prize winning submission at school assembly. Two evening events were planned for parents and staff of both campuses. The first, a ‘Book Tasting’ held in the marquee on the Headmaster’s lawn was sponsored by Friends of Grammar and Domain Books and included a book signing with fifteen writers and two publishers. The night also included the launch of Scot Gardner’s latest novel Burning Eddy by Pan McMillan. Campbell McComas’ address entitled ‘In Other Words, Good Evening’ included verbal prestidigitation and a playful satire on Melbourne Grammar from the perspective of a former Scotch College student. Friday evening’s dinner at MGGS concluded the Festival with an incisive talk by speaker John Jost entitled ‘A Night of Words.’ The Festival was made possible by the financial assistance provided by both MGGS and MGS. We would like to acknowledge the guidance and encouragement of both Heads – Christine Briggs and Paul Sheahan. In addition we would like to acknowledge
Neighbours Producer Peter Dodds provides some acting tips
Listed below are some of the many writers, authors and performers involved in the MGGS/MGS Writers Festival.
The MGGS/MGS Writers Festival Committee, back, from left: Head of English (MGS) Stephen Dessants, Jonathon Ryan, Will Gillespie, Rowan Minson, Alana Anderson, Christine Darby, Alex Phillips, Head of English (MGGS) Faye Crossman, front, from left: Richard Matthews, Jeremy Leung, Nick Masters, Robert Gomm, Nicola Trethowan, Juliana Qian, Claire Miller, Sern-Wei Yeoh
the countless hours of work offered by the English faculties and the student committee from both schools. Finally we would like to thank Friends of Grammar (especially President Margaret McAuley) for their unwavering support. Jonathan Ryan
Bringing together our communities in a word-filled week of presentations, performances, word tastings & writing competitions.
Triptych 1~an apology burdening, your warm white caress gilds my charmed lips nevertheless I make my pain So shall I not digress But hold your love, your radiance bless
Writers, Authors and Performers
3~to a dying man in summer she regarded his face, looking down at its gasping brevity ashen evening sunlight grass beneath his bones and she spoke, saying… your nose is too gentle, smooth, aquiline to sink and crumble into the level, unyielding ground words, words, words
2~forging a soft spoken young American flicks his red lighter on and attracts the gaze of the dark-skinned girl near him who didn’t notice his figure before, sitting on the same chair for so long she could now call it her own – in the semi-darkness in this anonymous hazy club, where there’s no such thing The winning entry in the Year 11/12 as memory; where laughter rings sapped of joy, friends are poetry section of the Festival writing countless and faceless, seems like he’s competition, Triptych, written by Year a quiet beacon, with medium-length brown hair 12 MGS student Sern-Wei Yeoh and a flame spiralling his steady fingers
Goldie Alexander Raymond J Bartholomeuz Carmel Bird Ian Britain Prof Kate Burridge Simon Castles Anna Ciddor Paul Collins Cristof Li Cunxin Kim Dale Terry Denton Jacinta Di Mase Barry Dickins Garry Disher Peter Dodds Amanda Dunn Dr Elizabeth Finkel Archie Fusillo Scot Gardner Joe Geia Jutta Goetze Alison Goodman Philippa Hawker Simon Higgins Leigh Hobbs Elizabeth Honey Simon Hughes George Ivanoff Dr Gael Jennings John Kilner Myron Lysenko John Marsden David Metzenthen Kate Mitchell Roland Perry Hoa Pham Dorothy Porter Rosalind Price Deborah Ratliff Sally Rippin Peter Rose Julia Sant-Mire John Schwartz Assoc Prof Seeman Luke Sinclair Tripod Steve Vizard Lauren Williams Caroline Wilson Arnold Zable Markus Zusak
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Tomorrow’s Tomorrow’sLeaders LeadersToday Today Chairman Bruce Parncutt
Headmaster Paul Sheahan
Patrons Ross Adler Peter Clemenger Bruce Dyson (dec) Matt Handbury Ian McFarlane Clive Smith
Securing our Future through Giving Back In the final part of our series on our ‘Tomorrow’s Leaders Today’ Patrons we focus on two prominent members of the Melbourne Grammar community who are demonstrating their ongoing commitment and support to the School through leadership gifts to this campaign. As advocates of the campaign they are leading by example and encouraging other members of the
community to invest in facilities and programs that will continue to provide an environment of educational excellence for our students and staff. Clive Smith and Matt Handbury both have a long history of philanthropy in association with MGS and the wider community. Their contribution and service to the School and the business world makes them invaluable ambassadors to this campaign.
Patron: Clive Smith
TL T
Clive Smith OM 1953 was educated at Melbourne Grammar and The University of Melbourne. Former Patron and President of The Grammar Foundation, Clive played a major part in establishing the Foundation and has had a long association with the School as an OM, donor and past parent. Clive supports a number of disadvantaged youth programs including 18 basketball teams in the western suburbs. He is currently Chairman of Deutsche Bank (Aust & NZ) and former Chief Executive and Chairman of E L & C Baillieu.
The campaign title “Tomorrow’s Leaders Today” means fostering our future community leaders in the here and now – how important is Melbourne Grammar’s role in fostering leadership and responsibility?
Clive, you have been a long time supporter of MGS both as a donor and founding member of The Grammar Foundation. Can you tell us what motivated you to support TLT and become a Patron?
I think those that can identify some benefit from their past or educational experience have a responsibility to give back to the community that has supported them. I enjoy being part of the School Community – even though I have sometimes been critical – I do believe fundamentally in what the School offers. Working with disadvantaged kids and seeing them make something of their lives – finishing school and university degrees when once they would have been on the street – is rewarding in itself and hopefully will continue the cycle of ‘giving back’.
I have a particular interest in working with disadvantaged young people and, as you know, my main interest has been in relation to the scholarship program at MGS. Schools such as MGS can offer young people an amazing range of opportunities in a climate of excellence. I feel strongly that places like MGS be inclusive not only for the benefit of those less advantaged but to enhance the cultural and social diversity of the School. I am happy to lend my name to this campaign and try to encourage others to follow suit. You support a number of worthy causes, particularly in relation to disadvantaged young people – why have you chosen to support MGS?
Melbourne Grammar provides a platform for young people to excel. Students today have so many opportunities to develop and express their strengths and skills. I am a great believer in providing young people with opportunity in the right environment – I think schools like MGS provide such support.
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It is critical to provide an environment where leadership is developed and encouraged from an early age. Students today have so many choices and opportunities to be leaders – not only academically or in sport – there are so many areas they can pursue. Art and music at MGS in particular are first rate and we need to keep supporting such programs to give students a variety of experiences. Is philanthropy something that has always been part of your life – what has led you to give back to the community?
No doubt you find supporting young people rewarding in a number of ways – what would you say to others considering financially supporting MGS and this campaign?
There are so many demands on today’s ‘charitable’ dollar and there are many worthy causes. People want to give in a variety of ways − not always financial − and we need that too. However, I would say to potential donors that if you believe you or your family have benefited in some way from the MGS experience then please consider giving to this campaign. People do have the right to choose how they support us and there has to be a balance – we just hope that investing in this campaign will figure somewhere in that balance.
Patron: Matt Handbury Matthew Handbury OM 1968 was educated at Melbourne Grammar and Monash University. Today Matt is Executive Chairman and owner of Murdoch Magazines and Murdoch Books and Chairman of Magazine Publishers of Australia. He previously held journalistic positions and management roles with News Ltd around Australia and overseas. Matt has a keen interest in music and the outdoors and continues to be actively involved in ‘giving back’ to the community through projects that make a difference.
Despite my family’s relatively high profile I had lived a reasonably modest existence to that point. With money comes a responsibility to deliver on the sentiments expressed above. Clearly my grandmother, Dame Elisabeth Murdoch, has led a life of conscientious attention to what she can do to make the world a better place for those beyond her immediate circle. My parents have also had a lifelong sense of social responsibility – from Mum’s early days doing so much around the School to Dad’s work with Legacy and other substantial and involving projects.
Matt, you and your family continue to have a very strong relationship with MGS – what influenced you to become a Patron of TLT?
My first great exposure to leadership was that of former MGS Headmaster Brian Hone. The success of any school is dependent on its leaders – as is that of our country and any organisation. Thus we need decisive, gracious leaders who take their authority to act on their considered opinion as a responsibility.
I believe we all have an obligation in society to support, according to our ability, those things we believe in and which need our support. It shouldn’t be seen as generosity or being a ‘good person’. Rather, each of us should feel obliged to contribute in proportion to our financial position. I was a great beneficiary of a Melbourne Grammar education and believe it incumbent on me to do my bit in making this available to others. Bruce Parncutt’s Chairmanship of the Tomorrow’s Leaders Today campaign also caught my eye. The commitment of individuals such as Bruce must be matched by more than a response to their message and argument. It calls for deep consideration of one’s responsibility to provide support. How did philanthropy become part of your life and who were your role models?
When things started to go well for me financially in the early nineties and my personal and material life changed, I felt a sense of balance was required.
“… those that can identify some benefit … have some responsibility to give back …”
One of the goals of the campaign is to provide an environment where leadership can be fostered. How important is leadership to Australia’s future and what sort of leaders do we want?
What would you say to encourage potential supporters to give to the campaign?
If you are a supporter of MGS you need no further persuasion other than to put your contribution in the context of your financial and other responsibilities and to assist it to prosper and flourish. If you and others don’t make such a contribution something we value will fade away. If you are taking advantage of the existence of the School and are not contributing according to your ability you should reconsider the right to do the former. This is the spirit of stakeholder funding which Australia must embrace!
TL T
Rhonda Phillips-Gall
“It calls for deep consideration of one’s responsibility to provide support.”
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The Grammar Foundation Introducing Ross Adler It is with great pleasure that we welcome Ross Adler AO as the new President of The Grammar Foundation following Geoff Hone’s relocation to London. Ross has had an outstanding career in business notably as the long serving Chief Executive Officer of Santos Limited, Director of the Commonwealth Bank of Australia and more recently has held roles as Chairman of Amtrade International and the Australian Trade Commission. Ross has been a strong supporter of education through his children’s association with the Wilderness School, St Peter’s College and Trinity College, Melbourne. He has also contributed as a member of the Council of The University of Adelaide and as Chairman of the Art Gallery of South Australia. A committed Old Melburnian and regular supporter of The Grammar Foundation, particularly as a long serving and enthusiastic signatory for his 1962 Year Group, Ross has also been recently appointed as a patron of the Tomorrow’s Leaders Today campaign. We are delighted to have someone of Ross’s acumen and ability leading the Foundation. John Hasker Chairman of Council John Hasker welcomes incoming Grammar Foundation President Ross Adler to his new position
The Year Ahead In my first communication as President it is pleasing to report on the many and varied programs already in place for 2003. These programs embrace both the raising of funds and the use of these funds to further develop the educational environment and experiences for students at MGS.
The Grammar Foundation AGM Please join us for The Grammar Foundation’s AGM on Wednesday 21 May at 6pm at The Lodge. For more information telephone Judith Mein on 03 9868 7282. Details will be mailed in early May.
Building on the substantial achievements under Geoff Hone’s leadership, the Board is planning a review of programs, priorities and issues to develop our strategy for this next vital period. I would particularly like to acknowledge the work of Geoff Hone as President, Bruce Parncutt as Chairman of Tomorrow’s Leaders Today, David Field as Chairman of the Annual Giving Working Party and Nigel Peck as Chairman of the Witherby Tower Society/Bequest Working Party.
2003 Foundation Fellowship During 2003 the Foundation will continue to allocate funds to support innovative curriculum initiatives for students and staff. This year the
Foundation is supporting five initiatives which include: • the integration of Global Positioning Systems into Earth Studies • the engagement of post graduate History students to work with MGS History staff and students • the production of a picture storybook outlining the developing and ongoing relationship shared between MGS and Worowa Aboriginal College (see page 15) • the engagement of the Bell Shakespeare Company to assist in the production of the 2003 Quad Play (see page 9) • the engagement of a mathematician to work with talented and interested mathematicians from Years 7 and 8 We look forward to reporting more about these initiatives as they develop during the year.
Witherby Tower Society The Witherby Tower Society is the School’s bequest society that strives to encourage members of the wider Grammar Community to consider leaving a bequest to the School in their will and acknowledges and thanks those who do so. The Society now has 169 members under the leadership of patrons Donald Cordner, Nigel Peck and Free Strickland.
Annual Giving The Annual Giving Program plays a vital role in supporting the School. It provides every member of the School Community an opportunity to take part in giving to Grammar. We urge Old Melburnians and current parents alike to become involved and lend their support to the 2003 Annual Giving Program.
Tomorrow’s Leaders Today
The Grammar Foundation’s prime focus is on securing support for the Tomorrow’s Leaders Today campaign. The series of interviews with campaign patrons, which commenced in the April 2002 Grammar Newsletter, continues in this edition. Long-standing supporters of the School and campaign Patrons Clive Smith and Matt Handbury outline their reasons for supporting the School philanthropically (see pages 18 and 19). Working closely with the Board, I am looking forward to a successful year for the Foundation and assisting in some way towards securing the School’s financial future and providing our students with a first rate learning environment. Ross Adler
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The Old Melburnians Council From the President The school year has begun with a flurry of activity. We welcome Simon Derham (1973) who is rejoining Council, last serving from 1989-1992. During his time away from the OMs Council he has been involved with the Old Melburnians Lodge and as a delegate to the VAFA. His genuine passion for the School will be a great asset. Additionally, David Hallamore (2002 School Captain) joins Council in an ex-officio role. His input and representation of our newest Old Melburnians will be valued. To date we have had two extremely successful Branch functions during February. The East Gippsland Branch Function was held at Camp Dowd on the Banksia Peninsula convened by Timothy Weight (1976). This was well attended considering the duress that this region was suffering with the bushfires. A magnificent barbecue lunch was enjoyed by about 50 people at this beautiful site on the Gippsland Lakes. Our thanks to the Deputy Headmaster Peter Tooke and his wife Alma for representing the School on this occasion. The Bellarine Branch Function was most generously hosted by Val and David Lawrence (1953) at their beautiful home in Queenscliff overlooking Port Phillip Heads. Peter Ansell (1976) convened this Branch. As ever the Bellarine Branch is enthusiastic and are great supporters of the School. In between these two Branch Functions, the 1953 year group celebrated graduating to ‘Old Boy’ status, that is 50 years since leaving school. These remarkably fit and enthusiastic men had a wonderful night which included a tour of the School followed by a dinner in the Luxton Dining Room. Guests travelled from all parts of the globe to be there including Alan Davies from Texas, USA, John Halliday from the UK and many from interstate and country areas. Our thanks to Marshall White for gathering so many of this year group together. Both the Branch and Year Group Reunions are such an important ingredient to the health of The Old Melburnians Society whose primary objectives as stated back in 1895 are to:
We welcome and congratulate those boys who completed their VCE and graduated as Old Melburnians at the end of 2002 and look forward to their involvement in the many sporting clubs and activities over the years. Also we wish this year’s School Captain Nick Russell and his Vice Captain Eric Fransella every success in their roles and look forward to their involvement this year with the Old Melburnians. They form a most essential conduit between ourselves and the School as does the strong support that we continue to receive from the Headmaster in all our activities. It is greatly appreciated. The Old Melburnians in conjunction with Friends of Grammar awarded at the end of last year two staff bursaries to Greg Hughes Chinese Studies (Wadhurst) and Matthew O’Meara Business Studies (Senior School). Congratulations to them both and I am sure that this will be of great benefit to both recipients and in turn the School. Three Old Melburnians received awards in the recent Australia Day Honours: Mr Charles Francis AM (1940) Dr John Upjohn OAM (1947) Dr Tony Cree OAM (1964) Our sincerest congratulations to them for this recognition of their services to their fields and communities. The East Gippsland Branch gathering at Camp Dowd ( a recent gift to the School from the Dowd Family) is a reminder of the incredible generosity of our community. The current huge building program at Senior School and the Sporting Complex at Todd Road (due for completion in 2004) is also testimony to this. We look forward to your involvement in this year’s Annual Giving program in support of these exciting developments. Jonathan Roberts
OM 2003 Events ANZAC Day Wednesday 30 April Guest Speaker Raphael Epstein ABC Journalist
Careers Evening Wednesday 4 June Annual Dinner Thursday 28 August Guest speaker Tim Lane ABC & Channel 10 Sports Commentator The Long Room, MCC
Community Business Breakfast Wednesday 10 September The Windsor Hotel Guest speaker Andrew Mohl (1972) – AMP CEO
The 2003 Old Melburnians Council, back row, from left: Andrew Watson, David Blackburn, John Batistich, David Guthrie, Nigel Thompson & Simon Derham Front row, from left: David Hallamore, David Field, Simon Wilson, Jonathan Roberts (President), Paul Sheahan (Headmaster), Sandy Massina & Nick Batrouney Absent – Ann Badger, Stephen Gibbons & Malcolm Kennedy
“promote good fellowship and a good feeling among old boys, to sustain interest in our old school and to keep alive that esprit de corp.” By the time this publication reaches you many more Branch Functions will have been held. These include Ballarat, Western District and Central Victoria – whilst the 1963 year group will have held their 40 Year Leavers Reunion. We look forward to seeing as many of you as possible at future Branch and Reunion functions to ensure their continued success. 21
Branches & Reunions 1
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Bruce House 50 Year Celebrations 1 Enjoying the Bruce House 50 Year Celebrations were from left, The Hon Mr Justice John Batt (1953), The Hon Justice Bill Gillard (1957), The Hon Justice David Harper (1961), The Hon Mr Justice Bill Ormiston (1953), The Hon Mr Justice Frank Callaway (1964) with Headmaster Paul Sheahan. 2 2003 Head of Bruce House Rob Knott with Co-Captain of Bruce House & Captain of School, The Hon Justice David Harper (1961) with Rob’s father David Knott (1966). 3 Celebrating 50 Years of Bruce House are Tony Graham (1954), former staff member & Head of House Alby Twigg & Tim Knott (1963).
Gippsland Community Function 4 Scott Evans (1938) with Keith Chinn (1960) at the Gippsland Community luncheon at Camp Dowd. 5 Enjoying the facilities at Camp Dowd are from left, John Lawrence (1950), Colin Murray (1949), Beth & Bill Orgill (1960) & Tony Murray (1975). 6 Host & convenor of the East Gippsland Branch of the Old Melburnians Tim Weight with President Jonathan Roberts.
Bellarine Community Function 7 Host David Lawrence (1953) with Andrew Watson (1981) his wife Camilla & Val Lawrence at the Bellarine community function held at the Lawrence’s home at Queenscliff. 8 Daryl Jones (1954) & his wife Liz with Jim Kent Hughes at the Bellarine Community Function
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9 President of the Old Melburnians Jonathan Roberts with Patricia & Doug Hocking (1937) at the Lawrence’s home at Queenscliff. 10 Peter & Anne Rumpf enjoying themselves at the Bellarine Community Function.
1953 Reunion 11 George Limb, Roger Frankenberg & Tim Austin catch up at the 1953 Fifty Year Reunion. 12 1953 Reunion Committee member Marshall White with Bob Boag at the reunion. 13 Having travelled all the way from Russia for the 1953 Reunion, Allan Davies enjoys chatting with fellow classmates Ian Jowett & Bob Aston. 14 Barry Johns with 1953 School Vice Captain John Hayes and Marshall White at the 1953 Reunion.
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Photographs by Stewart Brook
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Community News
Obituaries The School has learnt of the following deaths in our community. Our sympathy and understanding is extended to their family and friends. Ashton, J W (1949)
Pictured above is Captain Allan Hamley (1994) who was deployed on peacekeeping operations with the United Nations as part of the Mission in Support of East Timor (UNMISET). He commanded 18 Armoured Personnel Carriers and 41 soldiers responsible for providing firepower, mobility and communications across the area of operations.
Birrell, J H, ISO (1941) Bromby, W N (1922) Cunningham, V (WTS member) Dahan, M (1985) Erickson, R J (Eric) (past staff) Gray, P R (1957) Hoffert, R A (1940) Kiddle, G L (1946) Lacey, P (current parent) Mollison, J (past staff) Rhoden, P E, OBE ED (1933) Turner, A R (1931) Ward, G R (1975)
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Pictured above is Allan Davies (1953) amongst a group of students in a government school, Leblodouchka in Zelenograd a northern outer suburb of Moscow. This is part of the 35 strong choir group that Allan tries to visit each month. Allan is based in Russia while he manages the building of a large gas pipeline that is designed to bring LNG from the frozen interior to a frost free port on Russia’s western coast. Andrew Burge (1972), Jack Hawkins (1972) and James Massina (1998) packed their swags, loaded their motorbikes into the back of their utes and left home to help an old school friend. They travelled from their properties in the Riverina district of southern NSW to the Armit family property at Swifts Creek in north-eastern Victoria to help fight the raging bushfires. Bill and his family were thrilled to receive help, especially from OMs. Bill Newton (dec) (1937) and his daring feats that won him a VC were honoured again recently at a special dinner named in his honour and memory at RAAF Richmond. Guest of Honour at this dinner was NSW Governor Dr Marie Bashir who addressed the inaugural dinner and mentioned the legacy and inspiration Australian war heroes had left to the nation.
Pictured above, near the main oval is Peter Rotumah (1969). Peter had the surname Kanoa during his schooldays but changed his name to that of his tribal father after leaving school. He was renowned as being a great footballer and accomplished sprinter during his schooldays in Perry House and around the Quad. Peter is now working for the advancement of the Koori people and is at the moment based in Gippsland. Emily Woods (2001) has just returned home from a year working in the UK and travelling with other OMs Phoebe Farquharson (2001) and Chloe Armstrong (2001). All three will begin their university studies this year at Melbourne and Monash Universities. John Dethridge (1996) was named the World’s Best Computer Programmer after a win in the annual TopCoder Invitational in the United States recently. John competed against 15 of the world’s best programmers and was very pleased to have won and proud to have represented Australia. Angus Trumble (1981) was, until recently, Curator of European Art at the Art Gallery of South Australia in Adelaide. Angus has been appointed Curator of Paintings and Sculpture at the Yale Centre for British Art, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut. The Age newspaper recently reported that Dr Amanda Hyams (1994) is one of 32 female interns who have recently begun another phase of their medical training at the Austin and Repatriation Medical Centre. In the article Amanda said that she was excited and a little nervous about starting on the wards, having spent the last six years studying but was looking forward to this moment. Amanda can look forward to working on average 55 hours a week for the coming year.
Nicholas Platts (1988) is still in the RAAF having joined up in 1994. He flew Maritime Patrol aircraft and assisted in rescuing wayward French yachties, among others, and has just finished flying the HS748 Navigation Training Aircraft. He has recently been posted back to Melbourne for the first time since he joined up and will be working at Victoria Barracks. Nicholas is looking forward to running ‘The Tan’ again and getting back in to the Melbourne way of life.
The Hancock Society, run by the History Staff of Melbourne Grammar School, promotes the discussion of historical issues and provides a forum for the exchange of ideas on a wide range of historical topics and on the place of History in education. A number of current and past students were invited to a Society dinner to mark their exceptional achievements in their studies of History at school or university. From left: Professor Peter McPhee Professor of History at The University of Melbourne and the Patron of the Hancock Society; Stuart Minson (1999) Menzies Foundation Scholarship for History to King’s College University of London 2002; Rowan Minson (Year 12) National and Victorian Winner of the National History Challenge (Parliament) 2001, Adrian Minson (2001) Premier’s Award for Top all Round Achievement 2001; James Newton (Year 11) second in Victoria in the National History Challenge 2001(Curtin); Peter Newbury Head of History MGS. News of the McKerracher brothers who both reside in the UK. Philip McKerracher (1973) is an electrical engineer living in Carshalton Beeches, South London with his wife Amanda who is a history teacher. Ian McKerracher (1975) recently moved to Somerset after having stepped down as chief executive of the Restaurant Association of Great Britain. He intends to spend more time with his young family, make goats cheese and grow vegetables but will still be involved in key industry projects. Ian is currently organising Great Britain’s National Restaurant Week 2003.
James Tucker (1998) is now in his fifth year at Monash University and is two years away from completing a Law/Science Degree. He has been converted back to Australian Rules and is now playing with the OMFC. This fits in well with his other recreational activity which involves some of Melbourne’s local landmarks such as the Arcadia and the Village Bell. David Jukes (1957) was recently featured in the local press for his devoted service to the Prahran Cricket Club. For 50 years David has served the club in various capacities and he boasts that he has only ever missed one match in all those years. Michael Birch (1998) is starting a mechanical Engineering Degree after finishing his Science Degree. Michael spends the remainder of his time training for State League One hockey. Michael Sankey (1977) is teaching Instructional Design and Web Publishing at the University of Southern Queensland in Toowoomba. He is currently undertaking doctoral studies through QUT in Brisbane and hopes to be finished his doctorate in the next couple of years.
James Mitchell (1987) pictured above, who recently visited the bluestone is living in San Francisco and working at the University of California, San Francisco as a Visiting Assistant Professor in the Department of Anaesthesia. James is teaching clinical anaesthesia and doing research on morphine tolerance and mechanisms of peripheral inflammation. Geoffrey Durham-Smith (1968) has been in private practice in Plastic Surgery in Louisville, Kentucky, USA since 1991. He and his wife moved to the USA where they have three adopted children. Geoffrey lives on a 31 acre estate just out of Louisville where he breeds Llamas.
Stuart Crouch (1968) has recently moved to his long-term dream property near Noosa in Queensland and is considering possible employment in local radio and computer database design and development. Hayato Urabe (1999) is currently studying at Brown University, Rhode Island, USA where his major is in Biochemistry with a focus in Biomedical Engineering. Adrian Chan (2000) undertook an internship program in Hong Kong during his summer holiday. He is now working at one of the investment banking units (Fixed Income Division - Part of the Global Corporate & Investment Banking group) at the Bank of America. Adrian says that it has been a very exciting experience so far, hearing about deals worth billions of dollars across the globe and trading strategies with other bankers from New York, London and more. Adrian has also worked on a few presentations to clients such as Bank of China and Bank of Tokyo Mitsubishi.
Compiled by Stewart Brook & Gavan Woinarski
Weddings Congratulations The Grammar Community is pleased to congratulate the following couples who recently celebrated their marriage in the Chapel of St Peter:
4 January Jeremy Hamilton (staff) & Melissa Gilvarry
31 January Martin Bishop (staff) & Lynda Hancock
1 February Thomas Hall (1994) & Jane Shanley
Australia Day 2003
7 February
On behalf of the Grammar Community we extend our congratulations to the following people who were awarded an honour in the Australia Day Honours list. Charles Francis (1942) AM QC RFD – for service to the law, particularly as a contributor to the process of legal and administrative reform and to the community by facilitating public access to the legal system. John Upjohn (1947) OAM for service as the brigade medical officer for the Metropolitan Fire and Emergency Services Board. David Mandie AM OBE (current grandparent and past parent) for service to the community of Melbourne, particularly as a benefactor to a broad range of medical, arts and sporting organisations and as an executive member of several committees and associations promoting tourism and international trade.
Catherine Walter AM (current parent & member of Council) for services to business, particularly as a director of a range of public companies, to the arts, to the law and to the community through the Melbourne City Council. Tony Cree (1964) OAM for services to the community particularly through the Victoria Day Council and the Federation of Australian State and Territory Day Associations. Allan Patterson (past staff ) OAM (posthumously) for service to education, particularly in the areas of student support and curriculum development and to the community of Melton. Information as listed in The Age 2 January 2003
Stuart Kelso (1983) & Paula Lane
15 March Kevin Ong (1991) & Linda Lancrana
22 March Robert Officer (1993) & Georgina Farquharson
29 March Mark Kellock (1987) & Suzie Rush
Congratulations Australia Day 2003 was particularly memorable for Melbourne Grammar student Douglas Russell who was selected to perform the National Anthem during the official celebrations. Douglas entered the competition held by The Australia Day Committee to become the National Anthem Singer at the suggestion of Grimwade House Head of Music Margot Wall. “If it weren’t for me being in Mrs Wall’s choir and the Chapel Choir I probably wouldn’t have applied for this” said eleven year old Douglas. “The other thing that made the competition a little easier was that we always sang both verses of the National Anthem at Grimwade House every Monday morning at assembly.” Douglas sang at three events during the celebrations, we congratulate him on his achievement.
mynews@mgs Anyone wishing to forward information for Community News can do so by Email: <mynews@mgs.vic.edu.au> Facsimile: 03 9868 7177 Telephone: 03 9868 7283
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Archives
Age shall not weary them … W hereas losing crews in the Head of the River are inclined to put the boat away after the final and look around for their footy boots winning crews are prone to reunions.
Sunday 1 April – Easter Day The Americans launched their ferocious, costly but decisive invasion of Okinawa, a battle that was to rage until the end of June
Such a crew is the MGS 1st VIII of 1945 who have reassembled on significant anniversaries over the decades – once even to embark upon an intrepid re-enactment on the Yarra during which Seven snapped his oar at the Judge’s Box (paddling upstream) and contented himself thereafter with offering advice as to length, rating and rhythm. Their motivation stems partly from the continuing afterglow of shared achievement and their joint membership of The Grammar Foundation but also from the realisation that their Boat Race was rowed against the apocalyptic backdrop of the closing stages of the Second World War in Europe. Training and racing culminated in those six tumultuous weeks from late March to early May 1945
On the same day, on the other side of the world, the Allied armies began their final offensive in Italy
Thursday 29 March Training during the School’s Easter break began on the Yarra OM Servicemen celebrate the win
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Wednesday 4 April School resumed with ten days to go to the Boat Race
Thursday 12 April US President Franklin Roosevelt died at Warm Springs, Georgia
Tuesday 8 May Victory in Europe (VE) Day was celebrated at the School
Friday 13 April Vienna fell to the westward advance of the Russians after massive land and air bombardment
Thursday 10 May First term holidays began
Saturday 14 April As stringent petrol rationing made the transport of boats a major problem the heats were rowed on the Barwon between the Geelong schools and on the Yarra for the others, with a four day break to the finals
While each Boat Race is unique to its participants that of 1945 was, at least, a touch unusual. While the crew were understandably focused on their immediate goal they could not help but be aware that there were a few other things going on in the world at the same time. There surely has never been a greater stimulus to keeping the Head of the River in perspective.
Monday 16 April The Russians massed 500,000 men, 12,500 heavy guns, 9,000,000 shells and 1,500 tanks with appropriate air support to launch their assault on Berlin
Archival Gallery Regular displays are held at the School’s Archives Gallery situated at the rear of The Lodge 355 St Kilda Road. The Gallery is open each day during term time and visitors are most welcome:
Term II Ball Games
Term III Chapel of St Peter
Gordon Sargood
Wednesday 18 April The finals (for 1st and 2nd VIIIs only) were rowed in blustery conditions on the Barwon, the crew supported by former MGS oarsmen on leave in uniform Wednesday 25 April – ANZAC Day American and Russian forces joined on the River Elbe in Germany Saturday 28 April Mussolini executed by Italian partisans in Milan Sunday 29 April Hitler married Eva Braun in his Berlin bunker Monday 30 April Hitler committed suicide Tuesday 1 May Berlin surrendered
Forty Years On – 1985 Reunion on the Yarra & at the Barwon
Finish – the School home from Geelong College & Wesley College
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The Old Melburnians Lodge
OM Sporting Clubs
Warwick Phillip Dreher (1983) is nearing the end of his year as Master. It has been a busy year and he has been an enthusiastic ambassador for the Lodge.
Interested in joining an Old Melburnian Sporting Club? Visit the Grammar Community section of the School’s website: <www.mgs.vic.edu.au> to make contact the various clubs.
Warwick’s last night as Worshipful Master will be on 1 April. He has a big night planned including a demonstration titled ‘The Unknown Soldier 1920’ to recognise Armistice Day, and official visits from the Public Schools Mark Lodge and HRA Chapter. In addition he has arranged to have the Lodge open to partners and nonFreemasons. Several of our members passed to the Grand Lodge above, these include: George Nasr, Dr Roderick Frank Arthur Strang (1933) and Philip Martin Hudson (1929). George was not an Old Melburnian but a much loved member of our
Lodge and the members were instrumental in raising nearly $1000 to pay family debts and our petition to the Board of Benevolence of Freemasonry Victoria was successful in obtaining a grant sufficient to pay George’s funeral expenses. Our members were again pleased to be involved with the school community in manning the treasury for the ‘Sunny Sunday Market’. One of the highlights of Warwick’s year was a weekend away to Korumburra on 26 and 27 October. On the Saturday night our members made an official visit to the Coal Creek Lodge which meets in an historic weatherboard Lodge room within the Coal Creek Historic Village. The trip concluded with a delightful Sunday luncheon at John (1950) and Lynne Damman’s recently acquired retreat at Moyarra. The Annual Combined Schools Lodge Meeting is to be hosted by Caulfield Grammarians on Monday 5 May 2003 at the Moorabbin Masonic Centre. We send a cordial invitation to all OM Freemasons to attend a special reunion meeting on Tuesday 3 June at the Prahran Masonic Centre. We promise an enjoyable evening and special entertainment in the South.
Photograph by John Plowright
If anyone from the School Community is interested in knowing more about the Lodge or Freemasonry please do not hesitate to contact John Plowright on 9866 4059 and information on the Lodge can be found on the MGS Website. From left: Michael Loader, John Baldwin & Warwick Dreher (1983)
John Plowright
Cricket Club – Season 2002/2003
OMs Online Catch up with friends and former classmates at OMs Online
www.mgs.vic.edu.au Over 600 OMs now online – it must be time to visit! For further information contact Stewart Brook in the Development Office on 03 9868 7281.
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The Old Melburnians Cricket Team has had a most enjoyable season which unfortunately did not equate to a premiership, or even a finals birth, but we have received the same comment from most opposition teams – “You guys are easily the funniest team to play against!” Thanks to Adam Gilchrist, the Old Melburnians donation of a new kit and some new faces the Cricket team has been helped to one of its most successful seasons in the past few years. Early in the season we lost to last year’s premiers by four runs and narrowly went down to two other finalist teams. The highlight of the year would have to be our match against Old Collegians. We bowled first on a batsman pitch with a lighting fast outfield and managed to have
425 hit off 72 overs. I would like to mention here that Stuart Kennedy (our wicket keeper) had 30 runs hit off one over. We returned a week later and after being in trouble at 3/68 early on, the talents of Hugh Whitehead (151n/o), Will Middleton (108) and Nicky Barrett (57) saw the Old Melburnians chase the massive total and win with 6/428 off 68 overs. I would like to thank everyone who played this year and helped to make this another enjoyable and successful season. For all those in Year 12 this year and anyone else wanting to continue playing cricket at a high (and social) standard, please feel free to call Jonathan Charlton 0412 541 179 or John Batistich 0418 554 497. Jonathan Charlton
Friends of Grammar Senior School The Friends of Grammar Senior School Committee welcome you all to the 2003 School year.
of concerts to be held at a number of venues. Details of these events will be provided as soon as they are confirmed.
The planning for this year’s activities and fundraising is well advanced with the functions held to date being well supported, giving those in attendance an opportunity to catch up with ‘old friends’ and meet new parents, while having some fun. The year kicked off with the New Parents’ Cocktail Party and soon after the Year Level Cocktail Parties began with Year 9 being the first for the year. As usual these have been very popular events.
With warm wishes for 2003 and a special thanks to the Senior School FOG Committee for their enormous help and efforts to ensure that all the events have been successful for all of us to enjoy. Margaret McAuley
The ‘Writers Festival’ was an extremely successful week with the boys enjoying the company of the girls from Melbourne Girls Grammar along with the broad range of presentations given by the authors, writers and performers as part of the festival. ‘The Writers Festival … Giving Us The Words’ cocktail party for parents, with Campbell McComas as guest speaker, was well received. Campbell’s oration was awe inspiring and covered so many diverse characters, comedians and authors that one wondered if it was Campbell McComas who had come to undertake the presentation. Campbell tackled the assignment with the energy, enthusiasm and professionalism for which he is renowned. Thanks go to the Prefects who, under the leadership of Nick Russell, assisted in serving the food and from all accounts enjoyed being part of the evening. Nick also very competently assisted Campbell in one of the extracts from radio. The Drama Auxiliary, organised by Amanda Russell, have assisted the English Department with the catering for Romeo and Juliet. Once again the girls from MGGS are participating in the Quad Play, relieving the boys from having to find a Juliet from within their midst. The finale to first term’s activities is ‘Woodstock at Wadhurst’. We are fortunate that an extremely talented team from last year continue to organise this function which has taken approximately 12 months to come to fruition from its inception at the beginning of 2002. This will be a night of nostalgia and entertainment from the talents from within and outside the School. Our thanks go to Jane Collinson and her enthusiastic team in organising this extravaganza. The Annual Art Show opens at the Motorworks on Friday 9 May with the Art Auxiliary currently organising the final touches to what will be a brilliant exhibition. The FOG auxiliaries of are busily planning many functions. The Music Auxiliary has a full program
Wadhurst
2003 Friends of Grammar Presidents, from left: Margaret McAuley, Bianca Korn & Fiona May
Friends of Grammar, Wadhurst is looking forward to an exciting and fun-filled 2003. The Committee and Class Representatives have been appointed and have already been working hard with plans for the year well under way. The assistance from the Committee members, Class Representatives, Staff and parents has been superb and I sincerely thank everyone. The Year 7 boys enjoyed their first day at Wadhurst devouring sausages, drinks and icy poles at lunchtime. This is a wonderful way to welcome the boys to Wadhurst. Thank you to staff, parents and committee members who helped make the day such a success. The New Parents Welcome and the Year 7 and 8 Information Nights were all opportunities to meet new parents and a chance to encourage involvement in FOG. The Year 7 Coffee Morning set the scene for a friendly and relaxed start to the year. I would like to encourage you all to become involved with Friends of Grammar and to attend and support as many functions as possible. All of these functions are organised to meet new friends or catch up with old ones, while helping to develop a sense of belonging and community at Melbourne Grammar School. At the time of writing this report everyone is looking forward to ‘Woodstock at Wadhurst’ on Friday 21 March. This should prove to be a
Diary Dates 9-13 May Annual Art Exhibition & Sale
11 June Wadhurst Breakfast
27 & 28 August Jazz in the Coleman Room
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Friends of Grammar Grimwade House
2003 Committees Senior School President Margaret McAuley
Vice President Edward Lipohar Shirlee Burge Richard Crosby Christine Fransella Lyndell Georgiou Sharon Hill Miles Lackmann Kerry Lawson Robert Lang Judy Lowthian Jackie Mackinnon Stephen Minns Amanda Russell Terry Timms Denise Williams
Wadhurst President Fiona May
Vice President
Cathie Vickers-Willis Milly Cameron Ann Gillespie Camille Gilmour Mandy Hatfield Susie Healey Lucy Jago Gail Journeaux Robyn Lennie Jane Payne Tina Siebert Ann Wilhelm
Grimwade House President Bianca Korn
Vice President Rosalba Renzella Lynn Boyd Robina Brookes Franca Hardaker Jane Hiscock Sarah Jessup AnneMaree Jones Carolyn Kirby Alison Monotti Glenda Ralph Lucinda Udovenya Rita Varma
Top: Members of the Grammar Community enjoy lunch at the Annual Tennis Day Middle: FOG Grimwade House Committee & helpers at the Annual Tennis Day, this year with an Italian theme Bottom: Students & staff in the new Prep Garden developed courtesy of FOG Grimwade House
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terrific night with delicious food and wonderful entertainment for the whole family. The famous Wadhurst Breakfast will be held in the last week of Term II on Wednesday 11 June 2003, so please make a note in your diaries. I would like to thank Frankie Fisher and all the retiring members of the Committee for their hard work, organisation and commitment throughout 2002. Your Wadhurst School Committee for 2003 is Ann Gillespie, Camille Gilmour, Lucy Jago, Robyn Lennie, Sue Healey, Gail Journeaux, Jenny Hilditch, Milly Cameron, Mandy Hatfield, Tina Siebert, Jane Payne and Cathie Vickers-Willis. We are very fortunate to have such a wonderful group of people offering their services to the School. On behalf of the Committee we look forward to meeting you all over the coming weeks and wish staff, parents and the boys a very enjoyable and successful year at Wadhurst in 2003. It is indeed a very special place.
Fiona May
After the very long holidays Friends of Grammar Grimwade House seems to be making up for all those long, lazy, glorious days of sun and relaxation. Before the children had even started the new term FOG Grimwade House began the year by spending $65,000 on remodelling the Prep garden and upgrading part of the Harleston playground. This work was carried out over the summer holidays and greeted everyone on their first day back. The Prep children now have their own special area in addition to the Harleston playground. Each Prep class also has its own special garden bed in which they will plant herbs and vegetables. After settling their children into their classrooms on the first day, the new Harleston parents were welcomed to Grimwade House with coffee and tissues. The Year 3 to 6 parents, not needing as much life-support, were welcomed on the second day! These mornings were followed by Information Evenings and coffee mornings for each year level. The Cocktail Parties have also begun – we try to start with those classes having the most new parents, namely Prep and Year 3, then we space out the other year level parties over Terms I and II. This year we have over 60 Class Representatives, wonderful women who volunteer their time to help other parents and families to feel included in the vital and friendly community that is Grimwade House. They have endless enthusiasm and I thank them in advance for all the hours of dedication they will give over 2003. This year Friends of Grammar Grimwade is also sponsoring The Grimwade Tapestry. Under the guidance of two visiting weavers all children from Prep to Year 6 will have the chance to submit a design, based on the theme ‘Weaving the Threads Together’ – an intermeshing of the past three years’ school themes; namely, ‘Making a Difference’ (MAD), ‘Respect’ and ‘Together Everyone Achieves More’ (TEAM). One design will be chosen from each class and the older children will then become our weavers. The finished work will be displayed either in the Grimwade Office or in the new hall. It is anticipated that the tapestry will be ready for unveiling in early December. Hopefully both new and ‘old’ parents will enjoy the functions we have planned for 2003. Please involve yourself in as many activities as possible; I can assure you they really are a wonderful way to make new friends or at least find out who your children are talking about! Bianca Korn
Welcoming New Parents The New Parents Welcome was held on the Wadhurst deck on a warm February evening. This event provides parents new to the Grammar Community with an informal opportunity to
meet with the Headmaster, Heads of Campus, staff and fellow parents including Friends of Grammar representatives.
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