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The Melbourne Grammar School Community Magazine
Community Service Crop for Charity
Two recent community service activities involved students and staff losing their golden locks in aid of charity, enabling them to develop an understanding and empathy for community issues and live the school values of compassion and a sense of community. In August Senior School’s Hone House organised Shave a Day, where students sponsored teachers to shave their heads or, in one case, moustache to raise money for Ronald McDonald House. A temporary barber shop was set up in the Quad and manned by a hairdresser from Linx Hairdressing who provided the staff with their new look in aid of sick children. “Being involved in such a great activity and cause is really enjoyable and rewarding. I’ve been to Ronald McDonald House and they sure can use as much help as they can get,” said Year 11 student Tom Moir. On the last day of Term II in June Wadhurst held a Crop a Kid day with 50 students and some staff including Head of Wadhurst Paul Wilhelm, cropping their hair to raise money for the Make a Wish Foundation. Students chose between a number 1 through to a number 6 cut styled by 12 hairdressers from the Australian College of Hair Design and Beauty.
In both cases students and staff decided to hold the event to raise awareness of the charity and to do something worthwhile for others raising over $5000 in total. “By cropping my hair I get to be part of making a wish come true for someone, ” said Year 8 student John Morris. Kirrily Johns 2
Photographs by Erin Davis & Kirrily Johns
“I like my hair the way it was…long, but I don’t mind cutting it for a good cause,” said Year 8 student Jimmy Yates.
In this issue From the School Council 4 From the Headmaster 5 Out & About at Grimwade House 6 Out & About at Wadhurst 8 Out & About at Senior School 9 Professional Development 12 Curriculum Initiatives 14 Boarding 15 Outdoor Education 16 Grammar Community 18 The Grammar Foundation 19 The Old Melburnians 20 Branches & Reunions 22 Community News 24 Archives 26 The Golden Sipper 27 Friends of Grammar 28 Edwin Flack Park Opens 30
Out & About at Grimwade House
6 Out & About at Wadhurst
Development Office Melbourne Grammar School 355 St Kilda Road Melbourne 3004 Telephone: 9865 7555 Facsimile: 9865 7577 email: newsletter@mgs.vic.edu.au
Year 7 student Will Smibert stars as Aladdin in Tales of 1001 Arabian Nights, the Wadhurst play held in October 2004. More details on page 8.
Editor
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From the Editor
Kirrily Johns
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.
is published three times a year for the Melbourne Grammar School Community
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At the beginning of this year Melbourne Grammar launched its Vision. Throughout the School every day I see the MGS Vision and values in action, some highlights being shown in this magazine. One of the key values of the School is learning leading to understanding. Recognising that students learn differently, there are many creative programs which enable students to learn in a variety of innovative fun ways at Grimwade House, Wadhurst and Senior School. Read about students at Grimwade House using science skills to make billy-carts, IT insights to create animations and understanding the world through an Olympic program which combined history, geography, culture and sport. At Wadhurst a Chinese language expo enabled students to see the potential of Chinese language study and Wadhurst students will be studying a new subject on personal development next year, while Senior School students are gaining key life skills from the Learning from Leaders program. Meanwhile our teachers are keenly participating in professional development programs to improve teaching strategies and understanding of learning styles. Here at MGS there are many ways that learning leads to understanding.
Grammar Newsletter
Outdoor Education
Kirrily Johns
Editorial Board Ann Badger Stewart Brook Jane Lee Gordon Sargood (Chairman)
Desktop Publishing Drew Gamble
Printer GT Graphics
Mailing & Distribution Data Connection
Photographs
16 Edwin Flack Park Opens
30 Melbourne Grammar School respects the privacy of its community members and is bound by the National Privacy Principles under the Commonwealth Privacy Act. For a copy of the School’s Privacy Policy please visit the School’s website at www.mgs.vic.edu.au or contact the School on 61 3 9865 7555.
Ann Badger John Besley Stewart Brook Michael Chesterman David Coales Erin Davis David Dawson Steven de Visser Warwick Dreher James Grant Graeme Henshaw Sarah Jessup Kirrily Johns Patricia Langton David Learmonth Mark Leslie Amanda Louey Ann Rundell Annie Sharrock John Vincent George Walpole Brad Whittle Kylie Witt David Woods MGS Archives and others
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From the School Council Edwin Flack Park
John Hasker
School Council President The Most Reverend Peter Watson Archbishop of Melbourne
Chairman John Hasker
Deputy Chairman Graeme Blackman
Peter Beaumont Sandy Clark Peter Danne Barbara Fary Vince FitzGerald Stuart Gooley Sandy Massina Lelde McCoy Bruce Parncutt Ian Vaughan Catherine Walter
2004 has been a busy and rewarding year. The opening of the new Edwin Flack Park – the MGS Sports Complex at Port Melbourne – was an obvious highlight. It is a credit to all those involved and particularly our Headmaster Paul Sheahan who had such incredible vision well over six years ago to see how a wasteland could be turned into such an important asset for the School. If you have not already done so, please drive down Todd Road and see the complex for yourself and share this magnificent facility for students.
Incoming Chairman of Council Sandy Clark with Headmaster Paul Sheahan & outgoing Chairman John Hasker
Headmaster
I am particularly pleased to advise the School Community that the Council has extended Paul Sheahan’s appointment as Headmaster until 2008. That year will be an important one as we will celebrate 150 years of Melbourne Grammar. The Council, in conjunction with the Headmaster, has a defined Vision in place for MGS and it is essential that Paul be able to focus on delivering the Vision leading up to the sesquicentenary.
Retirement
This will be my last newsletter after six years as Chairman and almost 20 years on the School Council. I retired at the end of November. Melbourne Grammar has undoubtedly been a major part of my life; I started at Grimwade
in 1945, almost 50 years ago. I joined the Old Melburnians Athletics Club in 1954 and the OM Council in 1960. It has been a great time and I have been involved with many marvellous people who have shared my love for the School. An enormous amount has happened to the physical development of the School over my time.
New Chairman
Sandy Clark has taken over the leadership of the Council and I am certain the School will be in good hands. I am particularly grateful to the Headmaster Paul Sheahan, the Bursar David Temple, my fellow Council members, the team at The Lodge and the school staff for their incredible support and commitment to our great School. John Hasker
Headmaster Paul Sheahan
Secretary to the Council David Temple (Bursar)
Farewell and Thank you John Hasker stood down from Council at the end of November having served for over 20 years including the last six years as Chairman. In all his roles with Council and committees he has served with great dedication and great distinction. John has provided outstanding leadership to Melbourne Grammar School; he has overseen the most significant capital development program in the School’s history, he is the sole remaining Council member since Paul Sheahan’s appointment as Headmaster and he has presided over a period in which the School has continued to grow and respond to the challenges of the 21st century. John’s involvement with Grammar is in many ways unmatched having at various times been schoolboy (OM 1956), OM Society Councillor and President (1981-82), OM Athletics Club
member and Commonwealth Games aspirant in the 110m hurdles, parent and significant supporter of The Grammar Foundation. John has maintained a healthy interest in sport having won blues at the University of Melbourne in lacrosse and athletics, was a long time umpire of junior football here at Grammar and he took a special interest and delight in the development and recent opening of our wonderful new facilities at Edwin Flack Park in Port Melbourne. All of those involved with the Grammar Community owe John Hasker a debt of great magnitude for his near lifetime involvement and contribution to the affairs of the School. He takes with him our sincere thanks for all that he has done and we know that his abiding interest in all things Grammar will continue in the years ahead. David Temple
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From the Headmaster A Sense of Community Life is not meant to be lived alone. The English poet John Donne expressed that sentiment in the early part of the seventeenth century: “No man is an Island, entire of itself.” Communities and societies thrive on the collective effort of many. The twentieth century idea of ‘synergy’ – in which the whole is deemed greater than the sum of the parts – affirms it. All of these things underline the importance of young people understanding that from those to whom much is given much is expected.
Melbourne Grammar itself is a community to which we expect the various components to contribute. Throughout the year there are quite outstanding contributions from the School Council (whose devotion to the School is palpable), The Grammar Foundation (where support for our facilities program and for the wider Grammar Community is highly valued), the Friends of Grammar (what better example of tying a community together through selfless service could there have been in 2004 than the remarkable Golden Sipper?), The Old Melburnians (former students living in areas remote from the School have a second-tonone chance to remain abreast of school affairs through the tireless and thoughtful efforts of the OM Council), teaching and non-teaching staff (what greater commitment could be made to an institution than those by staff who work in and out of the classroom and staff who prepare the way for those things to happen?), and students (our day-by-day School Community is so enriched by the diversity of cultural and socioeconomic background). In thinking about how important a sense of community is to a common purpose for society, we think it is crucial for students to understand how privileged they are. Some do not recognise that immediately and focus on how miserable they themselves might be but, as my father used to tell me: “I thought I was bereft when I had no shoes until I met a man who had no feet.”
It is an integral part of the MGS experience therefore for students up to, and including, Year 10 to offer themselves for community service, which will take a number of different forms. In this way they develop an understanding of the richness of life and that what they regard as life’s essentials are no more than the trappings of a consumerist culture. Common goals, common aspirations, the “common weal”, as the Anglican Prayer Book puts it, are of consequence; they do matter; they do help to bind us together so that life is not only tolerable but enjoyable. That is why we incorporate community service – the selfless giving of time to others with the aim of making life for others more bearable – into what it means to be a student at Melbourne Grammar, and long may it remain so! Too much of modern life encourages us to focus on ourselves whereas, in fact, there is much greater joy and genuine pleasure to be had from giving than receiving.
Grimwade House 2004 Co Captains with Paul Sheahan, from left: Nick Fabbri, Laura Trumble, Emma Hoy & Giles Whittaker
Photograph by Kirrily Johns
You will have noticed, therefore, that ‘a sense of community’ has been included in the matrix of nine values that Melbourne Grammar regards as central to life at MGS. Although formal classroom education in the traditional subjects that lead to tertiary study is important, we see it as equally important that students develop a strong ethical and moral framework that imbues them with a sense of responsibility to their fellow ‘travellers’ on this earthly journey.
Paul Sheahan
Year 8 student David Cain participates in the Wadhurst Crop a Kid day to raise money for Make a Wish Foundation
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Out & About at Grimwade House School Tours 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 the educational facilities of each campus.
Semester I 2005 Grimwade House Small group tours of our co-educational junior campus are held on a regular basis. Further information and bookings can be made by contacting the Grimwade House Office on 9865 7800.
Film Makers in the Making All children in Year 5 participated in an eight week animation unit as part of the art program in Term III and IV, using a combination of technology and art skills. Students began very simply considering the successive pages of a flip book and what makes images appear to move when we flip the pages with our thumbs. Students took a basic movement like a face breaking into a big smile and drew it in stages on separate small pieces of paper. We discussed the original Disney cartoons such as Pinocchio and how they were made from hand-coloured cells which were photographed individually and then run together. The children used the computer program Microworlds to create
Wadhurst Thursday 10 February 9.30am Tuesday 5 April 2pm – 4pm – Wadhurst Discovery Day Wednesday 15 June 2.30pm
Senior School Wednesday 16 March 9.30am Thursday 12 May 2pm
Boarding Precinct Tours of the boarding precinct are organised on request. To make a booking please call the Admissions Secretary on 9865 7570.
Photograph by John Vincent
Bookings are essential and can be made with the Admissions Secretary on 9865 7570. These tours leave from The Lodge at 355 St Kilda Road Melbourne. Year 5 students take sequential photos of their models in the process of creating animations
Photograph by Amanda Louey
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The students then created simple storyboards which illustrated a planned movement, based this time on forms created from plasticine. We discussed the work of the Aardmon Animations team (Wallace and Grommit and Chicken Run) and the Oscar-winning Harvey Crumpet by Australian Adam Elliott. Students were encouraged to create sets and tiny props for their plasticine figures and used digital cameras to shoot sequential action shots, as the model’s movements were changed slightly. Each student’s series of photos was downloaded on to their individual laptops and students were encouraged to use both Microworlds and MovieMaker to turn the separate shots into a movie. Interesting comparisons were made by the students about the two kinds of software! The images were saved in class folders which will be put on the portal and a selection of work was presented in assembly. The project has been lots of fun and of enormous benefit to the students, both as an art experience and as inspiration for their story-writing back in the classroom. We’ve all learnt a lot and have been grateful to have the help of John Vincent through the technical hiccups. Jan Rizzo
Billy-carts to the Rescue Term IV is a significant term for all Year 6 students at Grimwade House. It marks the final term of their primary school life, their final term at Grimwade House, the much anticipated trip to Canberra and billy-carts!
Year 6 students Charlotte Tidd & Pippi Margetts make a billy-cart
animations based on their own drawings, but using only two of the many possible instructions: ‘set shape’ and ‘wait’. These relate most closely to what happens when we see the movement in a flip book.
Annually Year 6 students have raised money during Terms I – III in order to purchase supplies to build billy-carts. In teams of three or four students make billy-carts from scratch using saws, power drills, sand paper, paint and varnish. This project is a combined effort from the science and art departments. Students work as teams to construct the billy-carts
and personalise their creations with team names, logos and costumes. This project provides students with physical, mental and social skills. Students must develop woodworking techniques learnt prior to Year 6 in science and put their measurement and problem solving skills to action in order to complete the project. At the end of the project students partake in the annual Grimwade House Year 6 Billy-cart Derby. Students hit the school oval with their billy-carts and test their skills in events including the 100 metre dash, slalom and class marathon. Staff members have also been keen to get in on the fun by taking part in celebrity races. The Billy-cart Derby also marks the handover of the students’ creations to Anglicare. All billy-carts are donated to Anglicare as Christmas presents for families in crisis and foster care families. Amanda Louey
Olympic Fever
Classroom staff were paired with a specialist teacher, allocated a country, and then each country was filled with children from each year level – quite a task! Staff (country leaders) gathered together their team members and formed a plan for the week. Costume materials needed to be sourced, recipes, songs and dances were all researched in preparation for the forthcoming activities. The week began with an introduction to the country that they had been allocated. Older children sat beside younger ones and assisted them through each activity. This cross age learning was of significant benefit for all children as they worked through each session. As the week continued many of the teams became quite patriotic as they learned more about their country. Towards the middle of the week teams began to unleash their creative talents with costume making, cooking and even dancing! The classrooms were abuzz with sounds and smells from all around the world… the Mexicans were cooking nachos, the New Zealanders danced the Haka, the Israelis ate dips, the Japanese made kimonos and the other 22 countries were busy too!
Teams created passports, made flags, produced headbands, scarves and hats, tweaked costumes and busied themselves in readiness for the Olympic closing ceremony.
Photographs by Amanda Louey
With the Athens 2004 Olympics looming, the staff and children of Grimwade House began preparations for a week of cultural, musical and sporting events.
As the week drew to a close, the physical education staff organised some Olympic style games on the oval. Teams rotated and completed modified sports activities, with their passports on hand to be stamped at each new sport! Finally, Friday afternoon arrived and all the countries in the Grimwade House League of Nations headed into the gymnasium for the closing ceremony. Each country group looked amazing in their costumes, makeup and finery and by 2.00 pm the gym was full of children and awestruck parents as the parade of countries began. Each country entered the gym to their national anthem and the children and staff proudly waved their flags to the crowd. Smiling faces, laughter and the sight of all the Grimwade House children walking together set the scene for a memorable finale to a wonderful week!
Grimwade House students enjoyed the closing ceremony of their Olympic week dressed in national costumes
As one Year 2 child asked, “Do we have to wait four years for the next one?” Andrew Parkes
Middle Primary Open Afternoon
It was an opportunity for visitors to see specialist teachers integrating their areas of expertise within the classroom environment and to gain a glimpse of how many subject areas integrate naturally within the broader framework of our curriculum goals. Year 3 activities included Chinese dance, kaleidoscope construction, working with graphs on the computer, using logo computer programming and artist interpretations in the style of Tom Roberts.
In Year 4 the students demonstrated mathematical games and 3D constructions, made mandalas from natural materials as part of their Buddhism investigations, demonstrated chess strategies and held a National Parks expo highlighting issues concerned with the care of our environment. The afternoon also provided an ideal opportunity for the year levels to combine in order to perform as a united middle primary choir and to demonstrate our house system with physical education activities. Photograph by Kirrily Johns
The eight Year 3 and Year 4 co-educational classes that constitute the middle primary section of Grimwade House held an exciting open afternoon during Term III. Current parents and friends, future parents and students, and all Year 2 girls and boys were invited to browse through the middle primary classrooms, talk to children about their work and learn about the curriculum priorities that inspire our endeavours.
Year 3 & 4 students play at the middle primary open afternoon
Tansy Cruttenden 7
Out & About at Wadhurst Tales of 1001 Arabian Nights Tales of 1001 Arabian Nights, transcribed from the works by nineteenth century linguist and traveller Sir Richard Burton, was Wadhurst’s 2004 school play performed on the Wadhurst deck in October. The spectacular sets were the combined efforts of Ewan Morgan, Patricia and Brian Langton and Melinda Dennis who managed to create the magical doors of the cave appear automatic with the help of the flawless work of the backstage crew led by Alan Bliss and Roger Peake. Of course, many of the wrong-doers – and some too slow to exit
Blue genie John Cooper & Slave of the Ring Tom Daley from Tales of 1001 Arabian Nights
Scholarships Year 7 and Year 9 2006 Entry Scholarships are awarded on the basis of academic excellence and are also available for boys of outstanding musical ability and for students who need to board. The scholarship examination will be held on Saturday 26 February 2005. For scholarship information and to make an application including fee payments please visit our website <www.mgs.vic.edu.au> and click on Enrol with MGS then select Scholarships then select Dates & Information. The closing date for applications is Thursday 17 February 2005.
- ended up behind the invincible doors of ‘Sim Sim’. The audience enjoyed the magic when the genies appeared and the smoke machines worked overtime. The atmosphere was also enhanced by the beautiful music created by harpist Mike Johnson and his group Ambient Groove. Magnificent food was provided by the Friends of Grammar who catered for audiences of over 300 people each night; the relatives, friends and wellwishers of the 109 performers on stage and the 50 boys who worked backstage. Clearly the dancing slave girls were a crowd favourite and many thanks go to Lesley Gorrell who certainly brought her many years experience of dance to the stage. The nights were balmy, the chiffon curtains billowed and all seemed to glitter and sway under the velvet sky. Fiona Mackenzie
Art, Music & The Beatles
China Dragon Awakes
If attendance was anything to go by the Wadhurst Art and Music Show 2004 was a huge success. The Wadhurst choir, comprising over 70 students and two staff, accompanied by Julian Cairns and his band, performed The Beatles’ album Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band in its entirety to a packed Motor Works Gallery.
Recently a Chinese expo was held at Wadhurst to showcase the importance of Chinese studies for the boys’ future careers. Two speakers led the boys through a travel experience where Chinese and overseas work experience was emphasised.
The singers and musicians were surrounded by a diverse range of artwork created by Wadhurst Year 7 and 8 students. Paintings, mosaics, fused glass, digital imagery, ceramics and masks were just some of the works on display. The evening was great fun with most of the audience swinging and singing along with the music while enjoying their sons’ art work and wonderful food and drink provided by the tireless Friends of Grammar Wadhurst. It was a fantastic evening showcasing the artistic talents of many Wadhurst boys in work created over three terms. If you were lucky enough to be at this year’s show you will know how great the evening was – if you missed it then mark the event in your diary for next year, so you can be where the action is! Patricia Langton
First Jen Mundie-Nordin, Manager Corporate Affairs at Lonely Planet Publishers, presented her experience of learning a language overseas and the importance of this life-changing experience. She quizzed the boys on their Chinese knowledge and gave free travel guides to the successful students. Secondly Steve Read (OM 1991) spoke of his experience of learning Chinese at MGS and how he uses this in his consultancy work in China. He gave us a slide show of his experiences in factories and cities in China and showcased for the boys the relevance of language and cultural learning. This expo was a real eye-opener for all the Chinese learners at Year 8 as they make choices for their future studies. We now know that China will play a big role in the future of all Australians. Let us hope many OMs will play a major role in this developing relationship! After both talks the FOG Chinese auxiliary provided a very tasty Chinese Yum Cha for the boys. Many thanks to them, especially Mark and Sek Ching Annabell. Greg Hughes
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Out & About at Senior School In late July every year about 10 students and two staff members from the prestigious Waseda Junior and Senior High School in Japan visit the MGS Community. The students visit us for a total of two weeks and they home-stay with families of MGS students who are studying Japanese at the School. Hosting students brings with it many benefits. For those who host, there is the excitement of learning about Japan and the chance to use their Japanese with a native speaker. More importantly, however, there is the opportunity to find out more about the culture and traditions of Japan, as well as the reciprocal challenge for the host to share and explain the Australian way of life to his Waseda student. It is amazing what strong bonds form in such a short space of time. During the school day there are also other associated benefits for the MGS boys. Having Japanese people in the classroom adds excitement to the subject because of immediate opportunities for all of the students to try out their Japanese with a native speaker. Boys engage in a range of activities to foster friendships and language exchange and there is a strong feeling of cross cultural sharing and learning. This feeling most
strongly comes together at the end of each trip when the Japanese boys put on a mini concert to show us aspects of their culture. Over the three years that the exchange program has been running we have been lucky enough to see performances of judo through to the tea ceremony.
Photograph by Kirrily Johns
Japan in Oz
There is also the chance for MGS host students to visit and stay with the students that they hosted from Waseda in the following January. On this trip not only do we home-stay with Waseda School for two weeks, but we also travel as a group to the ancient capital of Kyoto, Hiroshima and the beautiful Japan Alps. This exchange greatly enhances the teaching and learning of Japanese at MGS and hopefully will remain healthy and vibrant for many years to come. Ben Hanisch
Safe Partying Forum
Germany Bound
Over 100 parents from Senior School gathered in the Wadhurst Hall on the evening of 7 September to hear a panel of speakers address the complex issues of giving and attending parties, safely.
What do teacher Tim Morris and students David Stuchlik (Year 12) and Andrew Mackay (Year 11) have in common? They are all past or present recipients of the prestigious Society of AustralianGerman Exchange Scholarship, through which an Australianbased German company pays for an outstanding student to travel to Germany for 10 weeks. Andrew will spend this Christmas break as the guest of Daimler Chrysler and a generous German host family in Lübeck. During his stay he will enjoy an all-expenses-paid week in Berlin, a fun weekend with past and present winners at the German end and will indulge in a week of free travel with some of his new-found friends.
The speakers’ panel was constructed to give a broad view of issues including the dangers of after parties. Senior Sergeant Paul Campbell from Sandringham Police dealt with risk taking behaviour, Cullen Hamilton from the Ambulance in Schools Program spoke about the use of party drugs together with David Murray from Youth Substance Abuse Service. Finally, the President of the Children’s Court of Victoria Judge Jennifer Coate and Dr John Court from the Albert Road Clinic talked about the response of the Court and the School when things go wrong for young people. The evening was not a judgement of the behaviour of young people but rather was intended to address the very vexed issue of dealing with parties and unsafe behaviour. Students in attendance reported that the evening was educative and did raise awareness about the dangers of the party scene, as it was for parents in attendance. My sincere thanks go to the speakers on the panel who gave so generously of their time and expertise.
Japanese exchange student Yuki Osa & Year 9 student Paul Zotov communicate in Japanese during the Waseda home-stay
Society of Australian-German Exchange Scholarship winner Andrew Mackay with German teacher Kylie Witt & last year’s winner David Stuchlik
Kylie Witt
Elaine Hosie 9
Out & About at Senior School Blondel
Photograph by Steven de Visser
Originally planned as a small musical to prepare the way for a major show in the newly refurbished Memorial Hall in 2005, the enterprise quickly grew! A cast of 35 would eventually fill the small but attractive stage of St Martin’s Theatre, singing and dancing their way through the challenge of a show with almost no spoken dialogue, just a series of musical numbers.
Year 12 student Nick Masters stars in Blondel
Blondel was the first MGS musical since The Boy Friend in 2001 and brought together the same team of Director Tim Scott, Musical Director Philip Carmody and Choreographer Jenny Vincent-Green. The show is loosely based on the story of Blondel, minstrel to Richard I, who is supposed to have followed his crusading monarch to Europe and saved him from imprisonment there. The Blondel of the show, however, is a more recognisably 20th century figure: more 1980s would-be popstar than 1180s court singer, and this partly explains the show’s appeal to schools.
Sergeant Dax Riley presents Year 12 student George Minns with an Australian Defence Force Academy Scholarship
This was a real ensemble achievement, but some individual performances deserve mention. Nick Masters’ Blondel, complete with blond mullet, was a striking success, as were the performances of Tom Pearce and Jarryd Martin as opposed Plantagenet brothers, Richard and John; Jono Timms’ ‘soft-shoeing’, lurking Assassin; Lizzie Calder’s Fiona (Blondel’s frustrated girl-friend) and Nick Bird’s cameo as Duke Leopold were equally impressive. The close-harmony singing and comic antics of the four Monks Max Riebl, Josh McLeod, Henry Hooper and Mark Chu, and the fine singing and dancing of backing group the Blondettes (Catherine Taylor, Alex York and Anna O’Brien), were popular hits with the audiences who packed in to the three performances. The excitement and challenges of preparing and performing a large-scale musical were appreciated by all involved and the enthusiastic response of the audiences was fitting reward for those on and off-stage whose energies contributed to the success that was the 2004 musical, Blondel. Tim Scott
Defence Force Scholarship
Photograph by Kirrily Johns
At the Senior School assembly on 9 August Year 12 student George Minns was presented with a notebook computer and certificate to mark the award of the Australian Defence Force Academy Scholarship. The presentation was the culmination of a long and extremely competitive selection process. George first submitted a written application in Year 11 and then underwent a series of aptitude, medical and psychological tests prior to an interview. From this initial process approximately one in eight was chosen to progress to the Officer
Selection Board in Canberra early in 2004. Following further interviews with senior Defence Force officers George was notified of the success of his application. George, who has been a member of the Melbourne Grammar School Cadet Unit since entering Senior School from Wadhurst in 2001, progressed through a number of leadership courses to achieve the rank of Senior Cadet Under Officer (Head of Unit) in 2004. In 2005 George will begin his studies towards a Bachelor of Arts at ADFA. At the end of four years George will graduate as an officer of the Australian Army with a degree awarded by the University of New South Wales. We congratulate George on his achievement and wish him well in his future career. Frank Thompson
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Sixth Form Evening
The week of work experience I spent with Julian Burnside QC was very rewarding. I had been warned that work experience in a lawyer’s office might mean a lot of photocopying but in fact the opposite was the case. Mr Burnside set up a system that allowed me to get a lot out of the week.
This year’s Sixth Form Evening was held in the Melbourne Town Hall with prizes and awards presented by guest speaker General Peter Cosgrove AC MC, Chief of the Defence Force. In his address General Cosgrove encouraged the students to seize opportunities that occur in life citing his own experiences. He emphasised that whilst some will go on to become significant leaders, all students have the potential to be great men in their various communities by virtue of being decent, moral and respected citizens.
He included me as an observer at all of his meetings and he introduced me to all of his colleagues. I was able to observe the planning and tactics that take place in mounting a case. Mr Burnside also took me to a civil case he was fighting in the Supreme Court. When he was busy with work where I couldn’t be included he arranged for me to visit various courts and follow cases of particular interest. Then, at lunch or after the day’s proceedings, he would discuss the cases with me. It was a fantastic week and the experience really assisted me in deciding upon my course of action for the future – it has taken away the fog that surrounds the choice of a career whilst at school.
Photograph by Kirrily Johns
Work Experience
2004 Vice Captain Malcolm Crang, School Captain James Newton & Chaplain Brian Porter dressed up for the cowboys & Indians theme of their final assembly the morning prior to the Sixth Form Evening
Barry Barton
Julian Francis Year 11
Learning from Leaders As part of our Vision implementation and in keeping with the School’s focus on learning and leadership, we have developed and expanded our visiting speaker seminar series for senior students. This program, which builds on past activities such as the Headmaster’s Seminars and the Sixth Form Society, focuses on providing a challenging and contemporary array of speakers exploring aspects of leadership. Leadership takes many forms, styles and personalities and this series seeks to present a spectrum of skills and experiences for students to relate to, learn from and debate. Speakers to date have included: • Julian Burnside QC who stimulated debate on refugees • Young Australian of the Year Hugh Evans who talked about starting up a youth operated aid organisation and demonstrated the impact of youth leadership in action • Dato Paduka Awang Haji Suyoi bin Haji Osman, Brunei’s Deputy Minister of Education • Barry Dickens, playwright and author The Chief of the Defence Force, General Peter Cosgrove AC MC, spoke eloquently at the Sixth Form Valedictory Evening about his personal growth as a leader.
As part of our 2004 leadership program adventurer and explorer Peter Bland (OM 1986) joined Senior School in Term IV for an eight week period as ‘Leader in Residence’. This multi-faceted program explored the nature of leadership (values and characteristics) within both the curriculum and co-curriculum of the School.
Adventurer & explorer Peter Bland Leader in Residence with 2005 School Captain Kenneth Velos & Vice Captain Christopher Venus
The pilot program focussed on valuesbased leadership and sought to promote the development of self leadership with students and build their capacity to undertake leadership roles today and into the future. This program was a precursor to the appointment of a Director of Leadership which will be made in December. The Leader in Residence was made possible by the foresight and philanthropy of current parents Andrew (OM 1974) and Clare Cannon. Following feedback from students and staff the program will be evaluated for its impact and findings. This material will provide the incoming Director with valuable insights into the potential for leadership development within the School. Ann Badger
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Professional Development Learning to Think across schools, teachers will not only deepen their own understanding of teaching and learning but also contribute to discussion in the broader educational community. Led by Dr Julie Landvogt, teams of teachers explore aspects of thinking and learning in the context of their regular classrooms and curriculum using action research methodology. To assist in exploring what happens in classrooms and the effectiveness of particular strategies for different students teachers critically observe lessons, make notes and share samples of work with other teachers.
Teacher Darren Tortorella with Year 7 student Will Smibert
Teacher Rob Maclaren with Year 8 students Jamie Chartres & Nick Pearce
How do teachers continue to learn about teaching? How do students become aware of how they learn and think – and more importantly, how and when to apply appropriate kinds of thinking? This year a number of teachers from Grimwade, Wadhurst and Senior School have chosen to become part of the Ithaka Project, a pilot venture in professional development, curriculum review and action research involving teachers from Melbourne Grammar School, Wesley College and MLC, and overseen by a panel including representatives from Melbourne and Monash Universities. Through the sharing of experiences
Discussion of this kind is of course part of regular planning and review for all teachers – but the Ithaka Project provides a structured opportunity for teachers to study aspects of teaching and learning in close detail at different year levels and in different parts of the school. These inquiries are linked to one another and to investigations in other schools by a common theoretical framework which places emphasis not only on ability but on the need to know which abilities or behaviours are appropriate in different situations and on the importance of students making the choice to use their abilities. One example of this work was the introduction of the theory to students in Year 2, Year 6 and Year 8 – in age appropriate ways of course. Students have begun to use the framework to articulate the kinds of thinking demanded by different kinds of settings in the classroom and beyond. For students in Year 8 some of this discussion centred on the commonalities and differences in thinking like an historian and thinking like a scientist. For teachers these discussions open ways to make links between disciplines while respecting their differences. Teaching the skills of complex thinking is essential but these will only be valuable if students know how to, and make the choice to, employ these skills in the real world of messy problems. This is not something that can be taught in a lesson or a series of lessons. The Ithaka Project is one of the ways in which we are working to make awareness of appropriate thinking part of our school culture – through discussion, through a common language, and through modelling of the pleasures and challenges of dealing with complex problems. Alan Bliss & Julie Landvogt
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Supporting Staff The Grammar Community recognises that the outstanding quality of our staff is one of Melbourne Grammar’s strengths. The FOG/OM Bursary Program aims to support staff through funding their professional growth in a particular area.
As a result of this support there has been significant curriculum development, new pastoral care programs and facilities (eg. boarding houses) informed by international experience and best practice.
Photograph by Kirrily Johns
Over the past 13 years staff from all three campuses have undertaken study tours, attended conferences and researched specific learning areas including activities such as investigating boarding houses around Australia, looking into technology trends and facilities in the USA, supporting staff to put business studies material on line and research into learning strategies development and counselling services.
Recently Friends of Grammar and The Old Melburnians approved the following 2005 recipients from a strong field of applications:
develop curriculum which facilitates independent life-long learning.
• Study tour to Italy by the Head of Art Paul Baxter for Year 9 Art History curriculum development
For 2005 the Foundation has selected two projects that are of tangible benefit to staff and students and enhance the teaching and learning that takes place at Melbourne Grammar:
• Study tour of UK schools by Head of Religious Education Ron Noone to review best practice in the Vardy Religious and Values Education (RAVE) program and school chaplaincy The third arm of the Grammar Community – The Grammar Foundation – supports staff professional development in a different complementary manner. Over the last few years the Foundation has provided seeding capital for new and innovative initiatives which foster learning and leadership for students and staff. These initiatives have included writing, producing and staging an opera at Grimwade House; a Mentor Program to extend the academic experience of highly able students in Years 9 and 10; the engagement of Bell Shakespeare Company to assist in the production of the 2003 Quad Play Romeo and Juliet; and engaging Kath Murdoch to review middle primary curriculum with Grimwade House staff. This year The Grammar Foundation supported two initiatives. The first centred on developing an induction program in Information Computer Technologies for all Year 7 students. The program aimed at providing students entering Wadhurst with the skills to enable them to use their notebook computers as a highly effective learning tool. In the second project Kath Murdoch, an educational leader from The University of Melbourne, worked with Grimwade House staff at Years Prep, 2, 3 & 5 to learn more about the inquiry approach and implement these findings to
Year 2 students participate in inquiry based learning techniques
• A project which brings together Year 5 teachers to focus on student learning and teaching practice for the middle years of primary schooling. This project, which focuses on student directed learning, will involve the use of Dr Sue Wilks and other consultants to work with the Year 5 staff to develop and implement an action learning model. • Funding staff from the three campuses to spend an intense period of time in conference on the Ithaka Project to consolidate what has been learnt in 2004 and undertake planning for on going development and implementation in 2005. The Ithaka Project explores recent theoretical thinking at Project Zero at Harvard around the idea of intellectual character and effective intelligence. Melbourne Grammar School is committed to the ongoing professional growth of its academic staff members within the context of the School’s Vision and its stated priorities. All staff members have a professional development plan which addresses their ongoing learning and is reviewed as part of their performance review. These initiatives from Friends of Grammar, The Old Melburnians and The Grammar Foundation all contribute significantly to a culture where growth and development are encouraged and strongly supported by all arms of our Community. Ann Badger 13
Curriculum Initiatives Positive Sense of Self In 2005 Wadhurst will introduce personal development as a discrete subject for the first time. This Year 8 subject will be taught to half size classes over a double period for one semester.
Year 8 students will participate in a new personal development subject in 2005
The aim of the personal development program is to help students attain the knowledge and skills required to make informed decisions regarding their physical, social and emotional well-being. It attempts to help each boy develop a positive selfconcept and to form values and attitudes which will enable him to confidently take responsibility for his actions and behaviour. The course will help boys consolidate their place at Wadhurst and foster a sense of belonging to a wider society. Under the topic of health, subjects covered will include hygeine, nutrition, fitness, drugs and mental health. The topic of self will encompass meditation, creativity, conflict resolution, self esteem, sexual identity, conception and birth. A topic on community service will also be covered. Staff have been preparing for the new subject all year. Teachers have attended many professional development seminars and guest presenters have come to MGS to bring us the latest in the contemporary teaching of sex education. We look forward to bringing this new subject to the lives of the Year 8 boys in the continuing endeavour to bring more of the School’s core values into the classroom.
With the current exponential growth in sales and use of digital video cameras in our community there has been a concordant boost in multimedia throughout the curriculum at MGS. The latest notebook computers with their fast fire-wire connections now endow staff and students with the capacity to explore the rich domain of digital video (DV) production and editing. Within MGS there has been some initial exploration of DV in computing, art and media and the houses. The problem for staff and indeed students is how to plan an effective video. It is a relatively simple matter to turn on the camera and film an event but quite another to plan your shots and edit the footage. A poorly planned, unedited and disjointed video often does little to entertain, which may defeat the purpose of using the equipment. To assist in the professional development of staff investigating this new digital phenomenon MGS recently engaged a professional film producer James Oastler of Canoast Productions to deliver a video production course to ten staff members. It is hoped that this course stimulates a professional approach to digital film-making with this imparted to students throughout the curriculum. Staff worked in teams, writing, producing and editing several short documentary-style videos. DV can facilitate the exploration of opinions and philosophies, document events, sports, camps and tours, encourage scripting and acting opportunities and expand the landscape for new creative endeavours in languages and the arts. This medium affords rich possibilities in adding instructional flexibility and provides a new educational conduit for our ever-changing classrooms. David Dawson
Matthew Houniet
Year 2 students learn to cook with passion
Video for Learning
Exploring Passions As part of the Year 2 studies of society and personal development students have been involved in a passions program. All students were given a choice of activities and asked to choose which activity they would love to do every Thursday morning over a four week period. Choices included Lego technic, cooking, drawing, cricket, computers and craft.
Photograph by Brad Whittle
With some additional specialist staff joining in it meant that groups were small and students could have engaging and motivating experiences pursuing their passions. Comments such as “awesome”, “fantastic” and “so much fun” have been heard from children whilst one parent reported that her son could not wait to get to school because it was passions day. Students in Year 2 participate in the activities but also explore the big ideas related to why it is good to have a passion and the benefits associated with pursuing something that is personally interesting. It is hoped that students recognise that hobbies are worthwhile and give students something rewarding to do in their spare time, whilst being able to share their interests with others. Glyn Howitt 14
Farewell Ann Badger Ann first came to Melbourne Grammar in 1991, first as Director of Public Relations, then Director of Development and, finally, Director of Community Relations. In some senses the progressive changes of title reflected the increasingly important role she played in school affairs and the presentation of the School to both the internal and external communities.
breaking them into manageable and sequential packages that others could comprehend and undertake. It must be said that former President of the Grammar Foundation, Geoff Hone (OM 1962), was instrumental to BTT’s success, too.
She oversaw a move from Melrose House, which was eventually absorbed into the boarding Houses precinct, to The Lodge, which had been expanded and refurbished as the gateway to the School.
Much of the style and consistency of MGS and its publications bears Ann’s eye for detail and quality, as well.
Previously, the ‘development’ roles of the School had been scattered around the South Yarra campus but the new building gave us the opportunity to gather them under the one banner in the one location. Ann achieved that complex task with an aplomb that was most impressive. All who have entered the portals of 355 St Kilda Road will attest that it functions with an ease and a warmth that escapes some schools.
She will, indeed, be hard to replace. So what qualities will she take with her to the role as Director of College Advancement at Ormond College? I’d say without doubt ‘loyalty’, ‘a sense of the bigger picture’, ‘style’, ‘commitment above and beyond the call of duty’, ‘integrity’ and ‘a remarkable capacity to communicate and embrace the public’.
One of the formidable tasks she faced was to co-ordinate Building Tomorrow’s Tradition, the fundraising campaign that helped to finance achievement of what was called ‘The South Yarra Plan’ That we met, and modestly exceeded, our target was due in large measure to Ann’s capacity to deal with large and sophisticated tasks by
I cannot thank Ann enough; despite our having to cope with the loss of her, we wish her every success as she establishes the College Advancement Office at Ormond from scratch. Paul Sheahan
Gordon Sargood It is with considerable sadness that I record the retirement of a Melbourne Grammar ‘institution’ – Gordon Sargood, the School Archivist – after an association that began 70 years ago. Gordon came first to MGS in 1935 as a fiveyear-old to Grimwade House and, apart from brief sojourns at The University of Melbourne and Oxford University (from both of which he graduated with honours), has had an almost unbroken period of attachment, first as a student then as a member of staff. He was a consummate student of history with an eye for detail and chronology that demanded he eventually teach, which of course he did. Having won numerous prizes at School and at the University, including an Exhibition in British History, he returned to MGS as a member of staff in 1955 at the bidding of then Headmaster, Brian Hone. Following a stint as Housemaster of Rusden, School House became his domain for the next 19 years.
Perhaps rowing was his greatest passion, however: he was Master-in-Charge from 1958 to 1988 and coached the First VIII for a lengthy period! It is no secret that Gordon turned 75 this year and, though he is still as energetic and as mentally acute as ever, he felt that it was time to retire to spend more time pursuing his other interests, which include the tantalising sport of fly-fishing. We shall miss his presence, his encyclopaedic memory, his attention to detail and his devotion to the School enormously, and, though it has become a cliché, I can say without fear or favour that his shoes will, indeed, be hard to fill. Though you must forgive the metaphor (and a rower might find this hard to forgive!), the deep gratitude of the Grammar Community goes to Gordon for an innings superbly played. Paul Sheahan
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Outdoor Education
From Mountain to sea From mountain to sea the world is the classroom at Melbourne Grammar School. White water rafting, surfing and hiking are all part of school life at Melbourne Grammar. An outdoor education program enables students to combine the best of city and country life with a large choice of camps including fishing, scuba diving, rock climbing and skiing. With school owned campsites at Breakfast Creek (LG Robertson Camp), Woodend (Sir Robert Knox Camp) and Banksia Peninsula (Camp Dowd) and a host of camp options at other locations students can experience the great outdoors and stimulate their sense of adventure. The aims of the outdoor education program are varied, with a major focus on personal development, resilience and developing a positive sense of self. Students learn that with preparation, positive attitude, perseverance and cooperation they can rise to any challenges. They also have a diverse range of opportunities to develop skills in an outdoors adventure of their capabilities and interests.
Wadhurst students partake in camps in class groupings at the Schoolâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Woodend campsite in both Year 7 and 8 undertaking activities such as ropes courses, initiative exercises, navigation, camp craft and sleeping in tents in the bush without direct adult supervision overnight. Year 7 students also go on a Great Ocean Road camp and Year 8 students have a Marine Biology camp at Queenscliff and Ocean Grove. Each year Grimwade House conducts a range of camps which aim to give young girls and boys experiences of living away from home, develop their skills in inter-personal relationships, build self-confidence and esteem and foster the discipline required to work co-operatively in groups. Year 4 students attend a camp at Warburton and Year 5 and 6 students are introduced to outdoor education at the Woodend campsite. Other camps have a curriculum focus with Year 5 students attending a camp in Beechworth to learn about the discovery of gold and a Year 6 trip to Canberra to learn about law and government. Out of the classroom students can also participate in a diverse range of sporting, cultural and artistic experiences with sporting, music and play camps and an extensive overseas tour program. Kirrily Johns
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Photographs by Michael Chesterman, David Coales, Patricia Langton, David Learmonth, Mark Leslie, Amanda Louey, George Walpole & Kylie Witt
Outdoor education is regarded as an integral part of the Senior School curriculum. Senior School students participate in two camps in Year 9 and two camps in Year 10 with a choice of over 30 camp options from fishing to digging for dinosaurs. A number of Year 11 boys assist as leaders on the camps.
~Camps available~ Senior School Advanced Cross Country Skiing Falls Creek Advanced Rock Climbing Basic Surf Skills Pre Bronze Training Boats & Beachcombing on the Gippsland Lakes Bronze Medallion Surf Camp Cadet Annual Camp Cross Country Skiing for Beginners Digging for Dinosaurs on Phillip Island Explore the Gippsland Lakes by Boat Falls Creek Bike Ride Fishing for Fanatics Fly Fishing for Beginners Fraser Island Expedition From Buller to Boat Shed Introduction to Backpacking the Desert Introduction to Backpacking Tropical Islands LGR Bushwalking Marine Biology on the Barrier Reef Miller House Camp â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Meet the Mountains at Woolangarra Morris House Camp in the Tasmanian Wilderness Mountain Survival Camp Rock Climbing for Beginners Scuba Camp Sea Kayak Expedition on Moreton Bay Sea Kayaking for Beginners on Port Phillip Bay Sea Kayaking Journey in the Waterways & Mountains of Wilsons Prom South West Walk Sun, Surf & Fitness The Great Alpine Bike Ride The Howqua Valley Bike Ride The Tasmania Experience White Water Raft Expedition through the Snowy River Gorge Wilderness Survival & Leadership Skills Windsurfing the Winter Westerlies at Camp Dowd
Wadhurst Year 7 Great Ocean Road Camp Year 7 Robert Knox Camp Woodend Year 8 Marine Biology Camp Year 8 Robert Knox Camp Woodend
Grimwade House Year 4 Warburton Camp Year 5 Robert Knox Camp Woodend Year 5 Beechworth Camp Year 6 Robert Knox Camp Woodend Year 6 Canberra Camp
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Grammar Community Grimwade House Community Survey
Students at Grimwade House will benefit from the results of feedback gained from the recent Grimwade Community Survey
In consultation with the Marketing Committee, the School recently undertook some research to seek input from current and future parents of Grimwade House on a wide range of issues including factors influencing the choice of primary school, Grimwade’s strengths and weaknesses, its reputation and profile, the importance of co-education, possible additional services and the demographics of our junior school parents.
Pleasingly over 60% of current parents and 22% of future parents responded to the mailed questionnaires which were preceded by focus groups conducted by Open Mind Research. This level of response from current and future parents provides the School with a wealth of information to assist our planning. In terms of overall satisfaction with Grimwade as the co-educational junior school, 89% of parents were satisfied or very satisfied. Positives included Grimwade’s academic strength, broad and excellent curriculum, quality of staff, nurturing
caring atmosphere and facilities. Through the survey parents told us that they would like the School to address class sizes, have a drop off and pick up point and further improve the gender balance. Both current and future parents indicated that the key factors in selecting a primary school were: academic reputation, co-education, the learning environment, breadth of curriculum, nurturing atmosphere and values education. There was strong support for co-education at the primary level. The task is now to analyse the detail and consider the range of information and views. Formal results are being presented to the School Council and recommendations and priorities will be determined at Council’s final 2004 meeting. A summary of results will be mailed to all current Grimwade parents and the 300 or so future parents who were mailed the questionnaire. We are very grateful to the many current and future parents who took the time to participate in the focus groups and complete the survey. Insights and views expressed in both the focus groups and the survey will be of great assistance to School Council, School Executive and the Council Marketing Committee in planning for Grimwade’s future development. Ann Badger
Photograph by John Besley
Retired Staff Association
2003/04 Retired Staff Association Committee from left: Diana Williams (Treasurer), Ian Rutherford, Michael Wilkins (President), Kathleen Comery (Secretary) & Vic Ryall (Vice President)
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The Retired Staff Association is now six years old and well established with 124 members. Although we have plenty to do with our lives most of us welcome the opportunities to attend the society’s functions, not so much to reminisce, but rather to discuss life after MGS – recent pursuits and future plans.
In the autumn Jim Lawry (MGS staff 1956-73) and Tony Morton (1969-97) entertained us at the farm of Michael Wilkins (1972-97) with a two hour song recital. The brilliant accompanist was
none other than the evergreen Donald Britton (Director of Music 1954-74). The concert was both memorable and moving. In June, at our annual luncheon, the Headmaster explained the Council’s newly developed vision for the School and briefed us on current progress with building developments. The Association has been pleased to make donations to the School for the past three years and this year we have contributed to the cost of two seats for the refurbished Memorial Hall. Our special thanks to Michael Wilkins, a caring and thoughtful President for the past two years, who has handed over to the youthful Vic Ryall (1990-2001). Diana Williams (1974-95), a founding Committee member and treasured Treasurer, also has retired from the Committee. She has once again offered her beautiful home on the Mornington Peninsula for our spring picnic. Ian Rutherford
Our SE Asia Community
The South East Asia region is an important part of the MGS Community with links going back through Datuk Dr Hussein Awang to the 1950s. Over the past decade there have been three visits by the Headmaster and senior staff to this region to develop a better understanding of and enhanced links with members of our community living in SE Asia. The most recent visit built on the sound foundation laid by previous visits. In September the Headmaster Paul Sheahan, Director of Fundraising Michael Joyce and the Director of Community Relations Ann Badger visited Hong Kong. School Council member and former President of The Grammar Foundation Bruce Parncutt joined the staff in Kuala Lumpur. In Hong Kong Peter Cheng (OM 1992) organised a wonderful reception at the Aberdeen Marina
Club. Datuk Dr Hussein Awang once again hosted a splendid dinner at the Legend Hotel in Kuala Lumpur with the generous support of past parent Dick Chan. In addition to these two official functions we met with current and future parents and their families, Old Melburnians and local educational experts to foster stronger ties and better understand the local educational setting. At both functions there was a lively mix of parents and past students and partners keen to meet each other and hear and see what was happening at the School. There was particular interest in the MGS Vision, new programs and recent and planned facilities to enhance the educational environment.
From left: Hong Kong host Peter Cheng (OM1992) & his wife Geraldine with current parents Prue & David Hayes
Photographs by Ann Badger
One of the hallmarks of Melbourne Grammar is its diverse international community made up of current students, Old Melburnians and past, current and future parents. Links are maintained throughout the world with local community branches, regular functions, Grammar Newsletter, the MGS website and, for OMs, through their OMs website.
Ann Badger
From left: Old Melburnians at the Kuala Lumpur Dinner - Clarence Lim (OM 1996), Adam Hussein (OM 1996), Datuk Dr Hussein Awang (OM 1958), School Council member Bruce Parncutt (OM 1968) & Wye Keat Lim (OM 1984)
The Grammar Foundation Annual Giving 2004 Thank you
The 2004 Annual Giving Program has presently raised $291,000 through the direct support of 766 current parents and 465 Old Melburnians. This is a tremendous outcome which will serve to enrich and advance our teaching and learning programs and directly benefit current and future students of Melbourne Grammar School. Thank you again for supporting our Vision for Melbourne Grammar School.
Tomorrowâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Leaders Today
The Tomorrowâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Leaders Today campaign continues to go from strength to strength. At the centre of the campaign is the development of a Centre for Learning and Leadership which represents the single largest capital development ever undertaken by the School in its 147 year history. This facility will be an inspirational environment which will harness the synergies between traditional sources of information as well as new and emerging sources mediated by technology.
For the School to open this facility in 2008, its sesquicentenary year, we must secure commitments of $10 million from within the Grammar Community by October 2005. This will enable construction to begin in 2006 and be completed by early 2008. To date the campaign has been well supported by leading members within our community and has achieved $3.5 million in donations and pledges. It is anticipated that a further $1.5 million of support will be pledged in the coming months which leaves a further $3 million to be raised by the end of 2005. The success of the campaign to date has been in many ways a reflection of the willingness of key members within our community to make lead gifts and pledges that will serve to encourage and inspire others. In the next phase we will be seeking the interest and support of the entire Melbourne Grammar Community. A campaign launch will be held in early 2005 to celebrate our success thus far and raise our sights to the target of $10 million. This will be a landmark event for Melbourne Grammar School which will involve many members of our community. Michael Joyce 19
The Old Melburnians Council From the President
Terry McCrann (OM 1965), OM President David Field (OM 1965) & guest speaker Graeme Samuel Chairman ACCC at the OM Community Business Lunch
Some recent functions for Old Melburnians, current parents and other friends of the School in Hong Kong and Kuala Lumpur have again highlighted the global reach of our Grammar Community. As technology makes it ever simpler to communicate around the world the Old Melburnians are striving to build stronger links with members beyond Australia. With the transition to electronic communications taking place rapidly all OMs, wherever they reside, are encouraged to ensure that the School has a current
guest speaker. Stephen has had much experience in recent years in many of the world’s trouble spots. This was a very successful evening and a more intimate gathering than some of our past dinners, with a most thought provoking address and a new and very colourful venue. As flagged in the previous Newsletter, The Old Melburnians have revived the holding of CBD based business lunches for OMs and their guests. Following a most successful function in July with Graeme Samuel (Chairman ACCC) as guest speaker, another lunch was held on 3 December and this series will continue in 2005. Publicity regarding these events will be disseminated via email and will also be available via OMs Online. Our branch and year group convenors have again been working hard on behalf of the OM community. Very successful reunions have been held in recent months for the 1994, 1984, 1974 and 2003 year groups, and functions have been held in October and November for the Sydney, Brisbane and Mornington Peninsula Branches. The recent Olympic Games again attracted worldwide attention and I would like to acknowledge our three Old Melburnian Olympians in Athens – Lachie Milne (Canoeing), Olivia Bunn (Equestrian) and David Crawshay (Rowing) and to congratulate them on their achievements. They are fine role models for the young men and women who are following them through the School.
Photographs by Stewart Brook
As reported elsewhere the School’s current and future development plans, aimed at ensuring that Melbourne Grammar remains at the forefront of schools in Australia, are both exciting and challenging. I am pleased to report that OMs have responded very generously to this challenge in their response to the School’s 2004 Annual Giving program, with the purchase of naming rights for seats in the Memorial Hall proving very popular.
Donald Cordner (OM 1939), OM President David Field & guest speaker Dr Stephen Cordner (OM 1970) at the Annual Dinner
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email address for them and to keep in touch with OM news and events via OMs Online. Closer to home, this year’s Annual Dinner was held at the Melbourne Museum in late August with Dr Stephen Cordner (OM 1970), Professor of Forensic Medicine at Monash University, as
In addition, coinciding with the opening of the School’s outstanding new sports facilities at Edwin Flack Park in Port Melbourne, The Old Melburnians has become a Life Governor of the Marn Grook Club to provide tangible support for the School’s football program. With the year’s end nearly upon us I extend a warm welcome to all Year 12 leavers and to their peer-year Grimwade Old Girls as Old Melburnians. I also thank the members of The Old Melburnians Council for their contributions and support throughout the past year and wish all OMs and their families a safe and relaxing holiday period ahead and a fulfilling and successful 2005. David Field
The Old Melburnians Hockey Club
2005 Reunions Reunions are coming up in 2005 for school leavers in 1955, 1965, 1975, 1985, 1995 & 2004. See reverse of mail sheet or go to <www.mgs.vic.edu.au> for latest dates.
Photograph by Warwick Dreher
The OMs Hockey Club enjoyed another successful year both on and off the field. There were several highlights for the club, especially the club’s relocation to the new Edwin Flack Park in Port Melbourne. The OMs Hockey Club played all home matches at Port Melbourne this season and members have been most impressed with the new ground and the excellent facilities. This has also translated to success on the field. All three OMs OM Hockey Club Metro 4 West team winners of the Winter 2004 Pennant Flag Hockey Club teams in the on all the club’s archives and memorabilia dating winter competition progressed to the semi-finals back to 1930 when the club was formed to the in their respective divisions and the Metro 4 West MGS Archives for safekeeping and display. team went all the way and won the Winter 2004 Pennant flag. The OMs Hockey Club celebrates its 75 year anniversary in 2005 and the Club continues The OMs Club Committee, with the help of to grow with over 50 members and three Geoff Tickner and Jerry Graham, organised a social event at Edwin Flack Park inviting the older competition teams. The Club maintains its strong links with MGS and always welcomes new Old Melburnians to a pre-match barbecue. OMs members. If you would like to play hockey at any players from the 40s to the 80s joined current standard in a friendly club environment contact players to celebrate the opening of the new Nick Hinneberg on 0401 847 781 or email facilities and to renew past friendships. It was an <nhinneberg@hotmail.com>. occasion to compare the style of hockey played on natural grass with the game now played on Nick Hinneberg synthetic surfaces. The event was also used to pass
Golf Day A large contingent of Old Melburnians of all ages enjoyed another great day at this year’s annual golf day held on 19 July 2004 at Royal Melbourne. Players came from far and wide including Andrew Irvine, Andrew Cook, James Connelly and Frank
Grigg who flew themselves down from Wagga Wagga to make up a four. The highlight of the golf was Tim Heard’s win in the Reid Cup Scratch with a magnificent round of -1.
Photograph by Graeme Henshaw
Peter Barraclough and Andrew Howard won the Weigall Cup Four Ball with a score of +9. Phil Slocum won The Jack Campbell Handicap and Ben Hasker, who is the current Public Schools Long Drive and Scratch Champion, won the Tartakover Longest Drive.
Winner of the Jack Campbell Cup Phil Slocum with OM Golf Club President Harvey Tartakover
The Murray Peden-Nearest the Pin was won by former champion OM goal sneak Peter Roberson and not for the first time. He has not lost any of the accuracy he showed in front of goal when he won the Grade competition in 1976. Anyone interested in participating in future Old Melburnians and Public Schools golf days should contact Harvey Tartakover via email <harvey@tartakover.com.au>. Harvey Tartakover
OMs Online Catch up with friends and former classmates at OMs Online
www.mgs.vic.edu.au Over 1,200 OMs now online – it must be time to visit! For further information contact Stewart Brook in the Development Office on 03 9865 7681.
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Branches & Reunions 1
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Annual Dinner Melbourne Museum 1 Ken Rollason (OM 1945) and Donald Cordner (OM 1939) with Bruce Church (OM 1949) at the OMs Annual Dinner 2 OMs Senior Vice President Simon Wilson (OM 1968) with Alistair Armstrong (OM 1968) and Head of Grimwade House Andrew Boyd 3 OMs President David Field (OM 1965) with John Royle (OM 1951) and John Capp (OM 1947) at the OMs Dinner 4 David Smart (OM 1957), Trevor Downs (OM 1949) and Head of Wadhurst Paul Wilhelm with Chairman of Council John Hasker (OM 1956)
Community Business Luncheon 5 Guest speaker Chairman of ACCC Graeme Samuel with OMs Councillor Malcolm Kennedy (OM 1969) 6 Director of Fundraising Michael Joyce, John Capp (OM 1947), School Council member Ian Vaughan (OM 1959), OMs Vice President Simon Derham (OM 1973) and OMs Treasurer Nick Batrouney (OM 1989) at the Community Business Luncheon
1994 Ten Year Reunion 7 Rodney Dalziel, David Holme and Allan Hamley enjoy catching up at the 1994 reunion 8 Jeremy Russell and Tim Adams remember days past at the 1994 reunion 9 Nic Howell and Angus Forbes enjoy the opportunity to catch up at the 1994 reunion
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1984 Twenty Year Reunion 10 Master of Ceremonies David James with Reunion Committee members School Captain Marcus Elsum, John Morris and Rob Grant 11 School House was well represented at the 1984 reunion 12 Not to be outdone the Perry House boys gather at the 1984 reunion
Asian Functions 13 School Council member Bruce Parncutt (OM 1968) with Convenor Datuk Hussein Awang at the function held in Kuala Lumpur 14 Future parents Thomas and Rita Law with Headmaster Paul Sheahan at the function held at the Aberdeen Marina Club in Hong Kong
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Photographs by Stewart Brook & Ann Badger
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Obituaries The School has learnt of the following deaths in our community. Our sympathy and understanding is extended to their family and friends. A’ Beckett A R W (1933) Ackland T H (1926) Allard W K (1948) Arnold T A (1934) Breedon D H (1950) Cusack P A (1943) Duncan H W (1949) Gilbert AM E B (1935) Goetz A W (1951) Hearman G R V (1945) Heckrath T P (1974) Hipgrave W B (1942) Jukes J E (past staff) Kanter H (1951) Kingston W R (1939) Lappin A A M (1937) Maloney M (current parent) Martin R M (1939) Masel G R (1945) Meredith W J (1938) Minson J H (1967) Minson W G a’B (1959) Mitchell A G (1951) Morgan B A (1948) Nicolades A A (1996) Nolan T B (1944) Prentice S A (1926) Sargood B H (1942) Sewell R C (1948) Short J D (1959) Sluice H V (1931) Smith N D (1947) Stansfield-Smith J (1929) Topp A D (1937) Watson W P (1936) White P J (1937)
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Peter Andry (OM 1942) had much pleasure in advising the School that in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list in June he was awarded an OBE and thus shares both Australian and British honours. Peter has led a busy life in music since Albert Greed instilled the gentle art of music at Melbourne Grammar School many years ago! Peter completed a BMus at the University of Melbourne, he attended the Royal College of Music and has honorary doctorates from the Royal College of Music as well as from City University London. Peter was Vice President of the Music Therapy Charity and 30 years running the Australian Music Foundation in London. He was President of EMI Classics and President of Warner Classics. Peter is now retired and still working with charitable organisations. Well-known pollster Gary Morgan (OM 1959) has recently announced his candidacy for Lord Mayor of Melbourne. It will be interesting to see if the Roy Morgan polls predict his election! Gary is pictured above with his son Blayney (OM 1997) and Lauchie Wright (OM 1945) at the Community Business Lunch held at Morgans at 401 Collins Street. David Williams (OM 1971) completed a PhD at Sydney University in the ecology of coral reef fishes in 1979. David has been employed by the Australian Institute of Marine Science in Townsville as a Research Scientist since 1980 and was Associate Director (Research) 1996-1999. Since 1999 David has been Deputy CEO (Research) of the Cooperative Research Centre for the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area. Additionally since 2003 David has been CEO (Research Director) of the Cooperative Research Centre for Torres Strait.
Alastair Boake (OM 1974) who keeps a keen interest in the School from his home in Wisconsin recently returned to the Bluestone for a visit. Alastair is a very keen football supporter and follows the local AFL side the Milwaukee Bombers. Alastair is pictured below with his wife in the Chapel of St Peter. Michael Froggatt (OM 1974) has been living in Los Angeles, California, since 1986 and works for the Fox Television Network at the 20th Century Fox Studios. He married a ‘California Girl’ and has a nine year-old daughter and a five year old son. The family try to visit Australia every couple of years so that Michael can renew his fading Aussie accent! Julian Smith (OM 1975) is currently Professor of Surgery at Monash University and Head of Cardiothoracic Surgery at Monash Medical Centre.
Christopher Molnar (OM 1980) has recently completed a Master of Business Administration at the Melbourne Business School and has been appointed a Partner of Harmers Workplace Lawyers in their Melbourne office. The firm practises in the areas of employment and industrial relations. It has offices in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane. Christopher’s son Nicholas was born in October 2002. Philip Grutzner (OM 1981) has been Headmaster of Braemar College for the past eight years and prior to that taught at Camberwell Grammar School. At the start of 2005 Philip takes up the position of Headmaster of St Peter’s College, Adelaide. Philip’s first visit to St Peter’s was in 1981 when he was the Captain of Melbourne Grammar’s Ist XVIII. Jonathan Sharrock (OM 1984) pictured right has been based in Seoul, South Korea for two years and is currently working in the water industry for Veolia Water. After a couple of years in Singapore and working around SE Asia, he moved to Korea to head up the industrial business. Having married Ann-Maree in 2002 at a country wedding in Marysville, they have since had their first son Lachlan Thomas who was born in May. Whilst enjoying the culture, the local tipple (soju) and the Korean staple (kimchi), they dearly miss a good Australian red and the home-grown beef. Scott Sunderman (OM 1984) moved to London 18 months ago to complete the Sloan Programme (MSc) at the London Business School. Scott is now working as Senior Vice President at Servista Ltd in London. Scott has previously worked for AT&T and Deloitte & Touche in Australia, the United States and Asia Pacific.
Photograph by Stewart Brook
Photograph by Stewart Brook
Community News
James Keulemans (OM 1991) recently commenced working at Edelman Public Relations Worldwide in the Sydney office as Head of the Corporate Practice. Since leaving MGS James has pursed a career in public relations and spent five years in the United Kingdom before returning to Australia two and half years ago. Oliver Wynhoven (OM 1992) recently moved to London from the United States and is working as a consultant and regularly catches up with friends and former classmates. James Soutter (OM 1993) has announced his engagement in London to Julia Horan. He was seen at the OMs London branch function at the National Liberal Club in Whitehall earlier this year. He works for J P Morgan Fleming as a Funds Manager. James and Julia will be married next July in Scotland at the church in Luss on the banks of Loch Lomond where Juliaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s parents live. He will be home for two weeks at Christmas time to catch up with his family and old school friends. Robert Feeney (OM 1994) is currently based in the United Kingdom and has been attending the London Business School from September of this year. Robert married Erin Wiggins in August. Ashley Myler (OM 1995) is currently working in Washington DC for Strategic Forecasting Inc. Stratfor, as it is known, provides strategic intelligence on global business, economic, security and geopolitical affairs.
Weddings Congratulations The Grammar Community is pleased to congratulate the following couples who recently celebrated their marriage in the Chapel of St Peter:
11 September David Charles Berman (OM 1992) & Skye Arnold-Lester
6 November Simon Anthony Martyn (OM 1983) & Penelope Jane Smith
7 November Simon Sasan Shirzad (OM 1997) & Shanshan Lu
12 November Rohan Farquhar Wilson (OM 1989) & Magdalena Krystyna Zurek
Photograph by David Woods
Photograph by Annie Sharrock
Peter Maddern-Wellington (OM 1987) is serving in the British Army and is based in Germany. However he has not been back in Germany for some time having served six months in the Falklands followed by three months in Canada and then on to Iraq for another six months. Peter was back in Australia in September before his next tour of duty in Bosnia. Pradeep Nathan (OM 1990) after doing a Bachelor of Science and PhD at the University of Melbourne is now a full time research academic and Associate Professor of Neuropharmacology at Swinburne University. Pradeep married Jacqueline McGrath in 2000 and they had a beautiful daughter Laura Erin who was born in August 2004. Rupert Jones (OM 1991) after completing a BCom degree worked at the CBA for a couple of years then swapped over to IT. He is now a Software Developer/ Technical Lead for a software company in South Melbourne. Rupert has just completed coauthoring his second technical book for the United States publisher, Wiley & Co. James McKindley (OM 1991) is living in Balmain, Sydney and working for the Sydney Futures Exchange. Aaron Leverton (OM 1991) is living in Phnom Penh, Cambodia and teaching English at Pannassastra University and Media English at Royal University as well as producing the news for CTN. Aaron was married in April.
Alastair Bradtke (OM 1996) has been appointed by the Melbourne Theatre Company as one of their two Affiliate Writers 2004/2005. The program recognises talented young writers and offers them the opportunity to produce work using the theatre companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s resources as well as providing further opportunities for them to interact with MTC directors and other production personnel. Charles Parkinson (OM 1996) who is a UK Commonwealth Scholar completing a doctorate at Oxford, has just published his first book, Sir William Stawell and the Victorian Constitution, which was launched by Sir Ninian Stephen at the Melbourne Law School. Michael Dwyer (OM 1996) completed a BCom/Sc at Melbourne in 2002 after working at Ford for 12 months in 2001. Michael then moved on to work for VicRoads for eighteen months. He is now working from home as a consultant. Paul Incani (OM 1999) has recently finished his BSc (Hons) degree at the University of Melbourne and will be heading over to the USA in September 2004 to commence his PhD in Mathematics at Stanford University.
Stuart Minson (OM 1999) pictured above has recently been awarded a Clarendon Fund Scholarship to study for the degree of Master of Philosophy at Lincoln College, Oxford University.
Compiled by Stewart Brook
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Archives Archives ‘Sic currite…’ Three of the Public Schools, Melbourne Grammar, Wesley and Scotch Colleges, came together in 1870 for the forerunner of today’s Combined Sports, their ‘First United Meeting for competition in Athletic Exercises’ at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. In the early years of these contests it was only to be expected that the schools brought to them some of the less formal ‘gymkhana’ events which had featured in their own internal sports meetings. So it was that the bicycle race, throwing the cricket ball, kicking the football and the Old Scholars Race vied with putting the stone, long leap running and high leap running. Despite some notable individual performances, including the School’s J G Ross winning the Championship Cup in 1873, the competition never really took off and it was not until 1900 that it became an established fixture on the Public Schools calendar.
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.
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From The Melburnian December 1918 ‘The Combined Sports, which were held on the MCC Ground on Friday 25th November and were attended by a record crowd of spectators, proved a memorable meeting. Advantage was taken of the visit of the French Mission to this State to secure the presence of General Pau and those who were fortunate enough to witness the ovation the distinguished soldier received as he entered the ground will never forget it. From our point of view the meeting was a particularly enjoyable one as it was our team who had the honour of receiving the cup at the hands of General Pau and of listening to – and pretending to understand – his congratulations.’
In 1912 a flag race was introduced. This was a shuttle type relay up and down the 100 yards track, the runners bearing at arm’s length the flag of their school. The race was discontinued in 1937 but two years later a similar event, the Under 16 Hurdles relay, took its place. Until 1957 the various relay races did not count in the championship competition, a change of heart perhaps prompted by the Melbourne Olympic Games of the previous year. The 1952 Combined Sports held at the St Kilda Cricket Ground resulted in an unusually narrow distribution of spoils. In the three age divisions the School won all eight Open and both Under 15 events with the five Under 16 events going to Geelong Grammar. The most unexpected triumph came in the Open High Jump. With all six jumpers still in contention the bar was raised to 5ft 8in, higher than the previous personal best of the School’s representative Peter Shelley. Jumping first he cleared it at his initial attempt and then sat watching as the other five failed three times each, leaving him with a surprise laurel. Many Grammar athletes continued their participation in the colours of the flourishing Old Melburnians Athletic Club, formed in 1926, whose members were successful at state and national levels. Eight Old Boys have gained Olympic selection in Peter Gardner Olympic Games, athletics: th London 1948 Placed 5 in 110m Hurdles
Edwin Flack 1896 Athens Corrie Gardner 1904 St Louis Wilfred Kent Hughes 1920 Antwerp Denis Duigan 1924 Paris (‘Chariots of Fire’) Charlie Lane 1924 Paris Jack Newman 1924 Paris Fred Woodhouse 1936 Berlin Peter Gardner 1948 London In the School Chapel there is a memorial window to champion athlete Roy Staughton, with its Latin inscription ‘sic currite ut comprehendaris’ – ‘So run the race as to be worthy of the prize’, a laudable motto for all our Melbourne Grammar athletes. Gordon Sargood
The Golden Sipper
Photographs by James Grant & Sarah Jessup
The Golden Sipper, a gala auction with a racing theme, organised by the Grammar Communityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Major Events Committee was held at the Brighton International on 8 October and raised over $170,000 for the School.
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Friends of Grammar Grimwade House What an extraordinary year! It seems like only yesterday that the FOG Grimwade House Committee met for the first time. When a year passes so swiftly one needs to stop and think if one has achieved all that one set out to do. I believe that FOG Grimwade House has certainly achieved their goal! One of our objectives was to make parents and friends of Grimwade House feel welcome and part of our Grammar family. We wanted it to be fun, warm, exciting and inclusive and we wanted to offer variety. Whether we were watching our talented children entertain us at the Grammar Idol under the skies of a perfect outdoor evening; playing at the Grimwade House tennis day; bidding and purchasing at the spectacular Golden Sipper or listening to our gasps of awe at the talent of some of our community artists on our idyllic island holiday; whatever the event, the atmosphere and ambiance was that of friendship and belonging, of being there for the one purpose – our children, our school, our community.
It has been an absolute pleasure working with such a talented and enthusiastic group of parents. The FOG Grimwade House Committee, the co-ordinators and the class reps have been an inspiration. People with extraordinary lives filled with family, work, projects, study, travel, the list goes on, all have found time to volunteer for positions to help make Grimwade House what it is, a friendly, welcoming warm and happy place to be. A new parent at the school for her child’s prep interview highlighted this to me. Her words were: “I can’t believe how friendly everyone is. At first I thought people were mistaking me for someone else but they were actually smiling and saying hello because they knew I was new. That doesn’t happen everywhere”. It saddens me to think that it doesn’t happen everywhere but I am glad and proud that it happens at Grimwade House. Thank you for your support throughout the year, the Committee and reps would be bored and disheartened if not for your enthusiasm. I wish incoming President Glenda Ralph best of luck next year and the 2005 Committee much success. Rosalba Renzella
Wadhurst The wonderful Wadhurst show just keeps on rolling on. Early Term III we entertained our class reps at the new MGS Sports Complex, an excellent initiation as later in August our new FOG canteen received a workout when the Governor John Landy opened Edwin Flack Park. From left Judy Loftis, Jane de Fegely, Belinda Thompson & Jane Hanlon at the Spring Luncheon
The artistic teamed with the musical to produce the Wadhurst Art Exhibition at Motorworks Gallery on the last day in August. It was a night
of impressive artworks, the ever present FOG refreshments and the Wadhurst choir singing a whole Beatles album twice. For our annual Spring Luncheon the Wadhurst Hall was transformed into a sea of style. Our MC Kate Dunstan led us on a fashion and design journey, incorporating two of Bridge Road, Richmond’s smartest traders, Andrea Gold and Design 465. Term IV opened with a big bang – namely the Golden Sipper – our main event for 2004. Thank you to all the Wadhurst families who supported this event beforehand and on the evening.
Photograph by Ann Rundell
The athletic season culminated in the Wadhurst Athletics Day. Both boys and parents alike had a wonderful day and thank you for supporting our cake stall, coffee cart and sausage sizzle.
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Our class reps were treated to our resident sports guru Tim O’Shaugnessy’s tales of Athens. Tim was part of the support crew for a number of long distance runners at the recent Olympics. He certainly gave us an insight into the world of the elite athlete. Talking of tales, Wadhurst was full of them, 1001 to be exact. The Wadhurst play, under the direction of Fiona Mackenzie, filled the deck with
Tales of 1001 Arabian Nights. Once again FOG filled the deck with yummy refreshments. For our last hurrah, we held a parenting trivia quiz night in mid November with parent Michael Carr-Gregg. It was a most entertaining evening and hopefully we all learned something to take with us into the year ahead. All our hard work this year has enabled us to continue our support of Wadhurst in various ways, our latest of which is a new ceiling
mounted data show projector and LCD screen for the drama room. This will be accessible by all departments and after hours by various groups within the School. So as you can see, the world has been wonderful at Wadhurst this year. I am indebted to my Committee, the Executive Committee, class reps, parents, staff and students who have made this year so rewarding. Cathie Vickers-Willis
When our fledgling Committee met in Term I we were excitedly planning for the Grammar Idol Picnic. The success of that night and the support of the community provided us with the confidence to plan the many other events for the year culminating in the Golden Sipper held in early October. Term I saw a series of year level dinners commence and the assistance of Spotless Catering and of Jenny Robinson in particular has been much appreciated. The auxiliaries have worked tirelessly all year in order to support both the teaching staff and our boys in their various activities. At every musical performance, concert or production, the music auxiliary provided assistance and refreshments. Meanwhile, the art auxiliary conducted tours to a number of galleries. The opening of Edwin Flack Park provided us all with an opportunity to celebrate and to appreciate the importance of a comprehensive sporting program in the life of the School. The kitchen facility at the complex has allowed us to offer hospitality to our boys, their parents and visiting teams alike. Into this already busy calendar, the Senior School Committee inserted a number of smaller events. In Term I we learnt Ikebana from Julie Ireland, in Term II we staged our own Antique Road Show with Warren Joel and in Term III we paid careful attention as Jane Lee shared with us her secrets of Paris. Finally, we visited the garden of Beverley Sutherland Smith and enjoyed a delicious lunch. All of these events were well supported by the community, and were made possible by the hard working Committee and class reps.
Our major fundraiser, the Golden Sipper, held in October was the result of the hard work and planning of yet another sub-committee under the extraordinary leadership of Mandy Mandie and Richard Crosby. The evening was a tribute to their organisational skills and the participation of the whole community. Throughout the year we have received tremendous support from the School. James Burton and his staff have provided us with help whenever requested, while Jamie Brennan and his team has always been on call and the Finance Department has managed to keep us in the black!
Wadhurst mother Laurie Chartres models in the Spring Luncheon fashion parade
Special thanks go to Ann Badger and the staff at the Lodge. Without the guidance, patience and the organisational skills of Ann, Judith Mein, Jane Lee and co the mighty Senior School Friends of Grammar may well have floundered! It has been a tremendous privilege for me to head a committee of such hard working, dedicated and generous volunteers and I wish Karen Skillington and Committee of 2005 every success in the coming year. Pauline Musgrove
FOG Senior School Committee members from left Virginia Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Dwyer, Ellen King, Louise Crosby & Jackie Mackinnon assist at the Secrets of Paris evening
Photograph by Stewart Brook
When asked to submit an article for this Newsletter, my dilemma was trying to encapsulate in a short piece some of the fantastic memories that have made 2004 a year to remember!
Photograph by Ann Rundell
Senior School
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Edwin Flack Park Opens
Edwin Flack Edwin Harold Flack 1874 – 1935
In bequeathing the bulk of his estate to the foundation of the Marian and E H Flack Trust Edwin Flack stipulated that distributions from its income should be made annually to charitable, educational and medical research institutions. Melbourne Grammar School has been the recipient since 1939 of the Edwin Flack Scholarship, awarded to a country boy of outstanding talents and covering his boarding and tuition fees for the duration of his school career.
Flack’s fortune arose from his distinguished professional career as one of Australia’s leading accountants and company directors. As senior partner in Flack and Flack, later to merge with its long-time London associate Price Waterhouse, he still found time to establish his Friesian stud ‘Burnbank’ at Berwick. Throughout his life Edwin Flack was able to maintain a healthy balance between career and recreation. In his schooldays at Melbourne Grammar (1886-90) and in his immediate post-school years his abiding passion was middle distance and cross-country running. With a string of Victorian and intercolonial titles to his credit he transferred to London in 1895 to work with Price Waterhouse. On leave from his accounting duties Flack made the journey to Athens in 1896 to take part in the games of the first Olympiad of the modern era. As there were no pre-Federation national colours he competed in his accustomed Melbourne Grammar navy blue. Being the only Australian entrant his exploits have become legendary. Winning the 800 and 1500 metre events and contesting both the tennis and the marathon he was acclaimed ‘The Lion of Athens’, befriended by the Greek royal family and feted by the populace. Flack raced again only twice after the Olympics, 18 months later with both events on the same day. His involvement in amateur sport continued, however, notably as an Australian delegate to the Olympic Congress in Paris in 1914, as long-serving honorary treasurer of the Australian Amateur Regatta Association and devoted member of Royal Melbourne Golf Club. Melbourne Grammar has benefited greatly from Edwin Flack’s professional integrity and his philanthropy, from his innate sportsmanship and his balanced perspective on life. Edwin Flack Park will ensure that his example and his memory do not fade.
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John Landy AC MBE, Governor of Victoria opened Melbourne Grammar School’s new sports complex Edwin Flack Park on Saturday 21 August 2004. As part of the opening students from Grimwade House, Wadhurst and Senior School participated in a sports carnival and Friends of Grammar hosted a morning tea.
“To the students who will benefit from the Melbourne Grammar School Sports Complex facilities - make the most of the opportunity! You are very fortunate to have these grounds as your own and I trust that the races you run, the games you play and the activities you enjoy here will form the basis of a life enriched by sport.” John Landy AC MBE, Governor of Victoria
“At Melbourne Grammar we promote the playing of team games in the strong belief that participants learn all sorts of admirable lessons about courage, commitment, teamwork, self-esteem, leadership and responsibility, reflecting in particular one of our nine core values, building a positive sense of self,” said Headmaster Paul Sheahan. Located in Port Melbourne the complex houses a premier oval for football and cricket, a soccer field, international competition standard hockey field, nine tennis courts and a viewing pavilion. The School also has PE complexes with heated pools and gym facilities and ovals at both its South Yarra and Caulfield campuses. The complex is named after former Melbourne Grammar student Edwin Flack who was Australia’s first Olympic medallist and won the 800 and 1500 metre events at the first modern Olympics in Athens in 1896.
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W
ishing our whole school community joy & peace for Christmas & throughout the New Year!
A New Bell for the Chapel A new brass bell for the Chapel of St Peter has been made possible by a generous gift from The Vera Moore Foundation. Made by experts Bagot Bell Foundries of Adelaide in South Australia, the bell weighs over 70kg and has been embossed with the words “AMDG The Vera Moore Bell MMIV” in recognition of the gift.