Grammar News no 92 Dec 2006

Page 1

grammar news Print Post PP344276/00024

Number 92 – December 2006


Seventeen Grimwade House Year 2 students participated as extras in the filming of the new Tourism Victoria advertisement filmed at Federation Square earlier this year and launched in September 2006.

Grammar News is published three times a year for the Melbourne Grammar School community. Published by Development Office, Melbourne Grammar School 355 St Kilda Road, Melbourne Victoria 3004 Telephone: (03) 9865 7555  Facsimile: (03) 9865 7577  Email: newsletter@mgs.vic.edu.au Editor: Kirrily Johns Desktop Publishing: Drew Gamble Printer: GT Graphics Mailing & Distribution: Data Connection Photographs: Yuko Aoki, James Ball, Martin Bell, Stewart Brook, George Brougham, Rob Derham, Warwick Dreher, Daniel Fisher Drew Gamble, James Grant, Trish Langton, Amanda Louey, Jack Morphet, Roger Peake, George Walpole, David Woods Front Cover: Year 12 students Mike Weston and Sam Clark turn the sod at the Centre for Learning and Leadership groundbreaking ceremony

2

Melbourne Grammar School – Grammar News


In This Issue 4 News 6 In Focus 8 Out & About 12 Grimwade House 13 Wadhurst 14 Senior School 15 Innovation 16 Co-Curricular 18 From The School Council 19 From The Headmaster 20 The Old Melburnians 22 Branches & Reunions 24 Community News 26 The Old Melburnians Dinner 27 Tomorrow’s Leaders Today 28 Friends Of Grammar 30 Community Diary Dates 31 Yirrkala Trip

From The Editor 2006 has been another vibrant year at Melbourne Grammar School. With reconciliation programs, spectacular drama productions, overseas and interstate tours, exchange student visits and sporting activities, students have plenty of opportunities to get involved at Melbourne Grammar. Members of the Grammar community are also able to actively participate in School life through The Old Melburnians, Friends of Grammar and the Grammar Foundation. The whole Grammar community will be thrilled to see that the Centre for Learning and Leadership is already beginning to take shape and saddened to farewell Paul Wilhelm who retires after 17 years of outstanding service to the School as Head of Wadhurst. Find out more in the pages of this edition of Grammar News.

Kirrily Johns

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.

Melbourne Grammar School – Grammar News

3


News Turning the First Sod Gleaming shovels and builders’ hardhats displaying the School crest dominated the scene at the recent groundbreaking ceremony to commemorate the start of building work for the new Centre for Learning and Leadership. Donors to the Campaign for the Centre for Learning and Leadership were invited to a breakfast in the School’s Luxton Dining Hall on 21 August 2006. An inspection of the building site and a groundbreaking ceremony followed the breakfast. “This is a tremendously exciting day in both the history and the future of Melbourne Grammar School,” announced Melbourne Grammar Headmaster Paul Sheahan at the breakfast. “It is exciting to see the many people who have contributed to getting us to this point.”

Donors have given over $10.5 million towards the building of the $22 million centre. Mr Sheahan particularly paid tribute to two significant donors, Old Melburnian Nigel Peck, and past parent John Higgins, and “all the community who played a part in making this campaign a success”. A key driver in the success of the campaign was Campaign Chairman, Bruce Parncutt, who Mr Sheahan credited “for the phenomenal job of energising the community in the Campaign”. “The Centre for Learning and Leadership will play an immense role in pedagogy, contributing to the process of teaching and learning in the 21st century as we move away from didactic teaching. It will change the face of teaching and learning,” said Mr Sheahan. Speaking at the breakfast, Property Manager James Burton explained that the demolition of Old School House and the Headmaster’s House in July meant that excavation of the site commenced in August with the building scheduled for completion by the beginning of the School’s sesquicentenary year in 2008. James Burton also spoke of the inception of the project in the School’s 1998 Master Plan, through to design by John Wardle Architects and building construction with Probuild. Mr Burton explained that the 4,300 square metre site is bigger than Wadhurst and will be “an iconic, prominent place and a new landmark for the School”. “The Centre for Learning and Leadership will contain a centralised library and resource centre for Wadhurst and Senior School, centre for leadership, lecture theatre and seminar rooms, information technology hub, multimedia centre, gallery and exhibition space,” said Mr Burton. Following breakfast, guests entered the building site where Council Chairman Sandy Clark spoke and dignitaries were invited to turn the sod, including donors John Higgins and Nigel Peck, Former Council Chairman John Hasker, Deputy Chairman Ian Vaughan, School Captain Michael O’Brien and School Prefects.

Former Council Chairman John Hasker, Headmaster Paul Sheahan, Council Chairman Sandy Clark, donors John Higgins and Nigel Peck, School Captain Michael O’Brien and Deputy Chairman Ian Vaughan after turning the sod at the Centre for Learning and Leadership’s groundbreaking ceremony

Sandy Clark explained that “the Council is striving for dynamic teaching across the whole curriculum” and that Melbourne Grammar is undertaking an “important shift in the way students learn, and this marvellous building will provide a catalyst for that to happen”. The building will be a “focus for lecture, debate and expression and inspire and instil confidence in students to learn and lead”. Kirrily Johns Communications Manager

4

Melbourne Grammar School – Grammar News


Solving Community Problems Year 5 students at Grimwade House challenged shop retailers along Balaclava Road Caulfield to introduce a weekend free of plastic bags in October.

problems at home – having too many commitments and not having the time to talk with our parents,” said Year 5 student Claire Trumble.

The students worked directly with local businesses to run the event on the weekend of 28 and 29 October 2006. “This project was important to us because plastic bags are a major cause of pollution and they can also kill marine life,” said Year 5 student Sarah Udovenya.

Andrew Boyd said, “The Community Problem Solving Program provides our students with an insight into community issues while encouraging citizenship through real-life community experiences. The Program is beneficial for all involved – the students and the broader community.”

“Grimwade House girls and boys undertook this project and others as part of the Community Problem Solving Program, an international program designed to teach students about the various steps and stages involved in solving environmental and community issues,” said Grimwade House Head Andrew Boyd. “The program specifically encourages students to ‘learn by doing’ in their chosen environment,” he said.

Students work in teams as part of the Community Problem Solving Program and follow a problem solving model which breaks the activity into five main stages: • observation and awareness – identifying community problems/issues • selection and investigation into a specific area of concern • research/brainstorming for ideas for possible solutions • development of a plan of action, keeping in mind possible challenges • implementation of the plan of action

“The students tackle real life community problems – environmental, disadvantaged youth and social isolation – and organise and implement projects to address an issue. In small groups the students choose a community issue and then independently look at ways of solving the issue by working with community organisations,” said Mr Boyd. Another group of Grimwade House students worked with migrant children from Noble Park English Language School to help minimise language and cultural barriers in their new life in Australia. This group took 12 children from countries such as Sudan, Afghanistan and Congo on a Melbourne experience. They visited the Rialto Observation Deck and Melbourne Aquarium and furthered the cultural exchange by welcoming students to Grimwade House for a day as well as visiting their school.

Recognising the world as an interdependent global community the project offers over 250,000 students from USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and other countries the opportunity to participate. Adrienne English Talent Development Coordinator and Kirrily Johns Communications Manager

Charlotte Hoy, Kahlia Davis and Lachlan Strover held a breakfast drive for Ardoch Youth Foundation as part of the Community Problem Solving Program at Grimwade House

“We wanted to help the students with their English and to help them to settle in to their new life. We wanted them to have a unique Australian experience. The children might have felt really lonely and we want them to be able to socialise and make new friends,” said Year 5 student Will Sitch. Four teams at the School worked on various community issues. A different project involved students holding a breakfast drive in support of Ardoch Youth Foundation to create breakfast packs for disadvantaged children. “We did this for kids and families that can’t afford to buy food for themselves and their children. We wanted to help people who are struggling to buy breakfast for their children to give them a good start to their day,” said Year 5 student Charlotte Hoy. The final group looked at the universal problem of communication between parents and children and developed a handbook with ideas for both parents and children about ways to communicate more effectively. “The project was important to our team because we also have communication Melbourne Grammar School – Grammar News

5


In Focus Farewell Paul Wilhelm

Paul Wilhelm retires after 17 years as Head of Wadhurst

“Approachable, welcoming and ready to talk to you,” is how Year 8 students describe Head of Wadhurst Paul Wilhelm who is retiring at the end of 2006, after 17 years of outstanding service. Paul’s exceptional ability to welcome students, parents and staff into the Wadhurst community is continually and gratefully recollected, with a past parent remembering “He knew all the boys’ names and all the parents’ names and he would stop you at a footy match and make a comment about how your child was doing. He always had the personal touch, which was terrific as brand new parents”. This is a trait admired by parents, colleagues and students alike. Year 8 student Scott McKerrow recalls, “In Year 7 at the chapel service he remembered my dad’s name and my name, even though we had only been at Melbourne Grammar for a couple of weeks. He takes the time to learn things and get to know new students”. Students also appreciate Paul’s active participation in and support of their endeavours. He joined the students by shaving his head for Crop a Kid day and he cheered them on every Saturday in sport: “He comes to watch, whatever team you are in, not just the A’s, but he goes to B’s and C’s,” enthused Year 8 student Samuel Wong. His hard working nature is respected by students who see him as an approachable and supportive person who is interested in their lives and always willing to take the time to help them. Wadhurst School Captain Nick Fabbri

6

Melbourne Grammar School – Grammar News

acknowledges, “He is a great person because he always strives for the best and the greater good and it reflects on the School”. Commenting on Paul Wilhelm’s leadership of Wadhurst, Headmaster Paul Sheahan says “Paul Wilhelm has created a structure that superbly manages the transition from primary to secondary schooling. It is superb because it is sensitive to the needs of students, at the same time as challenging them to be as good as they can. If he leaves no other legacy it is that students, staff and parents all say how happy the vast majority of students are”. Joining Melbourne Grammar as Head of Wadhurst in 1990, Paul oversaw the final stages of a Council initiative to transition Wadhurst from a Prep to Year 8 primary school (coexisting with Grimwade House) to a vibrant junior secondary school for 340 boys aged 11 to 14. Paul enthusiastically led Wadhurst through the rebuilding of its facilities into a self-contained learning community for Year 7 and 8 boys. The wonderful new facilities opened in 2000 and Paul can be credited with maintaining the high morale and standards of staff and students throughout the building works. During his time at Wadhurst Paul has introduced more hands-on and experience-based programs, increased interactions between boys and the community, developed the co-curricular program, enhanced leadership opportunities and most importantly, created a happy school environment.


Always humble, Paul sees his key achievement to be “gathering together a group of staff who can provide the teaching, learning and co-curricular programs that make Wadhurst a first class junior secondary school”. This is something which Year 8 student Scott McKerrow has observed, “Mr Wilhelm has done well to attract such good teachers to Wadhurst, which serves us well”. Teachers reflect that the wellbeing of the child is always Paul’s main priority: Gerald Moylan describes him as a “very human principal” and Patricia Langton says “he has great compassion for every student that passes through Wadhurst and always wants to help and nurture them on their way”. In fact Paul’s philosophy of education has been to: “Challenge them, enjoy them, support them, never underestimate them and be there for them”.

Greg Caldwell

Mr Caldwell has a particular interest in the transition of students from primary to secondary education and his Master of Education degree focused on the experience of students moving from primary to secondary schooling, an issue integral to Wadhurst, Melbourne Grammar School’s purpose-built learning community for 340 day and boarding students in Years 7 and 8.

Paul has “enjoyed the sheer variety of the role where you never really know what a day is going to bring”. Highlights of his 17 years have been “the academic achievement of the boys, the energy and talent that is continually on display, the quality of teachers who continue to want to learn and explore new opportunities for students and the wonderfully supportive nature of the School community, Council, Headmaster and Bursar”.

“We are delighted that an educator with Greg’s experience and expertise has accepted our invitation to continue the tradition of the finest Middle School in the country, fostered so ably by his predecessor, Paul Wilhelm,” said Melbourne Grammar Headmaster, Paul Sheahan. Mr Sheahan went on to say, “Wadhurst is a personal, self-contained environment with broad educational and co-curricular programs designed to assist our young people through what can be a complex physical, social, emotional and intellectual development stage.”

Wadhurst teacher and longstanding colleague Nick Dawe says that Paul has never asked staff to do what he hasn’t been prepared to do himself and has always been the ultimate role-model. He describes Paul as kind, considerate, generous and trusting. “That Wadhurst is generally regarded as being such a positive and happy environment is a direct reflection of Paul’s leadership. It is staggering the number of parents who comment on how happy a place is Wadhurst.”

Mr Caldwell is the convenor for the Leaders of Middle School Network through the Centre for Strategic Education and a member of the Middle Years of Schooling Association. “I like to encourage students to grab hold of all opportunities that are presented to them and to try everything. I tell them to give their best in everything and they will be amazed by what they learn about life and learn about themselves,” said Mr Caldwell.

Simply put in the words of Year 8 student Scott McKerrow, “It will be hard to replace him”.

“I will be working with skilled professionals and will encourage teachers to continue offering their best and thereby encourage boys to follow their passions.”

Kirrily Johns Communications Manager

New Head of Wadhurst Melbourne Grammar has appointed leading educator Mr Greg Caldwell as Head of Wadhurst, the campus for Year 7 and 8 students. Currently Head of Brighton Grammar’s middle school, Rosstrevor, and previously Head of Sandringham House, Firbank Grammar School’s junior school, Greg Caldwell will assume his position at Melbourne Grammar at the start of 2007.

“I have a sound understanding of the development of adolescent boys and of the appropriate pastoral care support with which they need to be provided. The provision of an effective transition program that helps boys as they move from primary to the secondary level has long been a specific personal interest,” said Mr Caldwell. Mr Caldwell holds the following qualifications: Bachelor of Arts, Diploma of Education, Graduate Diploma of Education Administration, Graduate Diploma of Curriculum and Master of Education. This appointment follows the retirement of current Head of Wadhurst Paul Wilhelm at the end of 2006 after 17 years of outstanding service. Kirrily Johns Communications Manager

Melbourne Grammar School – Grammar News

7


Out & About Cordner Eggleston Cup

Melbourne Grammar and Scotch fight it out in the Cordner Eggleston Cup

The game between Melbourne Grammar and Worawa Aboriginal College ended in a draw

Following almost 150 years of tradition, the annual football match between Melbourne Grammar and Scotch College was held at Edwin Flack Park on 11 August 2006 for the first time.

Dr Donald Cordner was an outstanding school boy footballer and all-round sportsman at Melbourne Grammar School who went on to play 166 games with Melbourne Football Club between 1942 and 1950, won a Brownlow Medal in 1946, captained a premiership side in 1948 and was a member of the Melbourne Cricket Club Committee and a member of Melbourne Grammar School’s Council.

“To be able to play in such a traditional match in front of two passionate schools is amazing and to captain a side in such a match is a great honour,” said Melbourne Grammar CoCaptain Tom Hawkins. Xavier Ellis was the other Co-Captain in 2006. Originally held in August 1858 in the parklands beside the Melbourne Cricket Ground, the match between Melbourne Grammar and Scotch was the first ever recorded game of Australian Rules Football and the sporting rivalry between the two schools has continued.

The late Michael Eggleston was an outstanding cricketer and footballer at Scotch, The University of Melbourne, Old Scotch Football Club and a longstanding staff member at Scotch College, coaching the 1st XVIII team. For the 2006 match the rival cheer squads were out in vocal force as always, seeing Scotch win convincingly with a final score of Scotch 125 to Melbourne Grammar 42.

In the first match, teams of forty players were fielded from each school (including some Masters). The game began on 7 August 1858 and after three playing days the game ended in a draw with each team kicking one goal. Melbourne Grammar’s first Headmaster Dr John Bromby wrote in his diary: “It is a feather in our cap that so young a school can maintain its ground against the oldest and most numerous in the colony.”

“For the boys the opportunity to play in the Cordner Eggleston Cup each year is very highly valued. It has an atmosphere that on the one hand is like a Grand Final and full of the excitement and nerves that occur when leading into a ‘big’ game. However, the history and the tradition that surround the game give it an aura that causes the boys who play in it to also feel a deep sense of respect and privilege for being given such an opportunity,” said Melbourne Grammar Coach Ben Hanisch.

Matches against Scotch have continued most years since and the match was renamed the Cordner Eggleston Cup in 1989 to honour two outstanding sportsmen who gave great service to football, their respective schools and to the many thousands of young men who have taken part in exciting football matches between the two schools since the first game in August 1858.

This year, prior to the Cordner Eggleston clash, a match was played between Melbourne Grammar’s Year 10A side and Healesville’s Worawa Aboriginal College. In its seventh year, the scheduling of this game provided a large audience and carnival atmosphere for the match, as well as promoting reconciliation to a wider audience. This match ended in a draw. Kirrily Johns Communications Manager

8

Melbourne Grammar School – Grammar News


Japanese Exchange Program Twelve students from Year 10 at Waseda School in Tokyo joined classes at Melbourne Grammar and experienced an Australian lifestyle with generous host families from the Melbourne Grammar community. The two week cultural and language experience for boys from both countries took place in July. Studying aspects of another country’s culture is an important part of any language learning experience and to enhance cross-cultural understanding at Melbourne Grammar the Japanese department has strong links with Tokyo’s Waseda School. Hosting a student benefits language skills and cultural understanding and, most importantly, extremely strong bonds are forged between the host family and exchange student in a short period of time. “It was a really good experience. I learnt a lot about Japanese culture and my host brother was a really nice guy,” said Year 9 student Andrew Blannin.

Waseda School exchange students with their Melbourne Grammar host brothers

Not only do exchanges help with language acquisition and cultural knowledge, Year 9 student Declan Tidd believes “I learned a lot about myself”.

ancient capital of Kyoto and Hiroshima, followed by an eight day homestay with the students at Waseda School in Tokyo.

Japanese students were equally engaged, with one student commenting: “I have experienced the Australian way of life and improved my English speaking ability through the homestay. I think it is impossible to get this kind of experience just through travel”. “Of course students learn about the differences between cultures, however, overwhelmingly the experience leads to a discovery that the similarities between the people of different countries easily outnumber the differences. As well as this, a whole new realm of possibilities for the future is opened up for the host as they become aware of a new country, culture and people,” said Head of Japanese Ben Hanisch.

In Tokyo the boys will be given Japanese language instruction for two hours every day in classes taught by Waseda University students undertaking degrees in teaching Japanese as a foreign language. These lessons are based on the textbooks used at MGS. In the afternoons students attend cultural classes, go to normal classes with their host brothers or go to various attractions around the city of Tokyo. In addition to the pure language component, on a trip to Japan students become much more conversant with the culture of the country. This knowledge allows them to put their language into a cultural context and is extremely valuable to the students’ ability to use language appropriately.

The Japanese students enjoyed their time in Australia with Waseda teacher Masahiko Tanaka reflecting, “I didn’t get any emergency calls during our stay in Melbourne which was because all the host families, MGS teachers, students and staff took care of us kindly and warmly”.

There is a longer term exchange for Year 10 students to spend six weeks at Waseda School during Term IV of the School’s academic year. The boys join the normal academic program at Waseda School and also receive some language instruction from the English teachers.

Melbourne Grammar students have the chance to visit Japan and their new friends from Waseda School in a trip run every two years. Early next year Melbourne Grammar Japanese students will travel to Japan for 16 days, with eight days of travel to various cultural and historical sites, including the

Japanese has been taught at Melbourne Grammar since 1993 and there are currently 42 students from Years 9 to 12 studying the language. Ben Hanisch Head of Japanese and Kirrily Johns Communications Manager

Melbourne Grammar School – Grammar News

9


Out & About Studio Honours Ross T Shelmerdine CMG OBE A brilliant recital by some of Melbourne Grammar’s top music students heralded the naming of the new music studio, the Ross T Shelmerdine Studio, in a ceremony with special guest Marigold Southey on 18 August 2006. Ross Shelmerdine was a student at Melbourne Grammar during 1936-37. In 1958 he was Vice Chairman of MGS’s Centenary Building Campaign and in 1970-71 President of The Old Melburnians. Professionally he is well known as the founder of Mitchelton Wines and he held many other board and executive positions. Sadly he died in 1979, aged 58. In her speech Lady Southey said the family was “very touched and honoured that the studio is to be named the Ross T Shelmerdine Studio,” after her late husband, and described the studio as representing “the rebirth of music at the School”. In his position as Campaign Vice Chairman for the 1950s building campaign, Ross Shelmerdine was instrumental in encouraging the Myer family to contribute funds to establish the Myer Music School in Domain Street. Now, after half a century of outstanding music and performance, it is fitting that the School has recognised his outstanding contribution with the naming of the studio. Three of Melbourne Grammar’s top music scholars Rowan Chen (Year 12) on clarinet, Richard Lipohar (Year 10) on violin and Reuben Lipohar (Music Captain, Year 12) on piano performed at the naming ceremony. They played Mozart’s Kegelstatt Trio, Milhaud’s Clarinet Trio (second movement), Khachaturian’s Clarinet Trio (first movement) and an excerpt from Stravinsky’s The Soldier’s Tale. Melbourne Grammar’s state-of-the-art studio, accommodating up to 100 musicians and built during renovations to The Old Melburnians War Memorial Hall, has been in constant use since its opening in 2005. The facility is used for regular rehearsals of the symphony orchestra, string orchestra, concert band and chapel choir, for weekly instrumental lessons, VCE music performance classes and a weekly Friday lunchtime recital performed by students and attended by students, staff and parents. Melbourne Grammar’s Director of Music, Martin Rutherford, said the new Ross T Shelmerdine Studio has provided the various Senior School ensembles with a simply outstanding rehearsal space. “These groups have been rehearsing for many years in makeshift areas all over the South Yarra campus and it is a joy and a relief to have a home of our own at last,” said Mr Rutherford.

Three of Melbourne Grammar’s top music scholars Richard Lipohar, Reuben Lipohar and Rowan Chen perform at the naming of the Ross T Shelmerdine Studio

“The size is ideal for our purposes, the acoustic properties are almost perfect, the lighting, a mixture of artificial and natural light, is excellent and the sound-proofing exactly what we wanted,” he said. Peter Elliott Pty Ltd Architecture + Urban Design won a 2006 Victorian Architecture Award for its renovations to the Memorial Hall and the addition of the new music studio. The award focused particularly on their design for overcoming aesthetic and engineering difficulties to build the underground studio below the historic hall. The jury report for the awards stated: “The project at its heart provides an excellent new room for the recital of music and this meets and exceeds required acoustic performance and makes the underground nature of the space into a quality environment, through the feeling of submergement and the control of light and views back to the ground above.” The project also recently won the Royal Australian Institute of Architects’ Lachlan Macquarie Award for Heritage as part of their 2006 National Architecture Awards. Kirrily Johns Communications Manager

10

Melbourne Grammar School – Grammar News


Transition to Prep At Grimwade House the transition program from kindergarten to school is a vital part of preparation for a student’s first year of school. Transition helps students and families feel welcome in a new community and opportunities are created for both parents and students to visit the School in the months preceding the official start date. Early in third term, parents were invited to an information session which outlined some of the key learning areas in Prep. The Prep staff presented an overview of the English, Mathematics and Humanities curricula, as well as the specialist programs. This overview was followed by a morning tea where parents had the opportunity to meet with staff, current Prep parents and other families joining the School the following year. This year, kindergarten teachers from those centres which students currently attend were invited to visit Grimwade House to see the School first hand. After an informal afternoon tea with the staff, a tour was conducted enabling the visitors to view the facilities and become familiar with Prep at Grimwade. In addition, the girls attended a special afternoon where they met other Grimwade House girls and those who would be their older ‘buddies’ the following year.

Clementine Froomes-Houseman who starts Prep in 2007 makes friends with Year 5 student Annabel Dick

Year 5 student Annabelle Turner is a buddy to Milly Jasper who starts Prep in 2007

Individual interviews were held in third and fourth term. Students, accompanied by their parents, were invited to visit the School in small groups. During these visits families had the opportunity to meet one another in a relaxed informal way. Students met with the Prep Coordinator or the Head of Junior Primary where simple assessment tasks were completed. At this time parents are able to share information about their child and any concerns they may have about their child commencing school. Early in Term IV the Grimwade House staff visited the students in their kindergarten settings. This allowed staff to see children at work and play and gain further insight from the kindergarten teachers. This information is vital and helps when class groupings are being established. At the end of Term IV the students were invited to an orientation session to discover where their classroom is and to meet their classroom teacher and the other children who will be in their class the following year. Finally, the day before school commences in the new year, the students visit Grimwade House in small groups to reacquaint themselves with the surroundings and ensure all is in place for the first day of school. These carefully scheduled and organised visits give the students an opportunity to get to know their new environment and feel positive about all that awaits them at school, and, for the staff to provide the best possible beginning to a rich and rewarding educational journey at Melbourne Grammar School. Leonie Tamblyn Head of Junior Primary

Melbourne Grammar School – Grammar News

11


Grimwade House A Cake for the Queen Earlier this year the Preps were investigating the idea of celebrations and we talked about birthdays. The children in each of the four Prep classes were intrigued by the idea of the official birthday of Queen Elizabeth II being the reason for a holiday for them. We talked about how we might thank someone for giving us a birthday holiday, perhaps by designing a spectacular cake for them, decorated with all of their favourite things. What eventuated were the most wonderful, extravagant designs, drawn in bright oil pastels and coloured with a further layer of rainbow inks. Included were generous layer cakes, sometimes in the shapes of castles, but always covered with items such as corgis, horses, hats, hearts, flowers or flags, as well as smiling faces wearing seriously jewelled crowns! They made such a happy and whimsical collection, that I decided the Queen needed to see what our Preps had painted for her. We carefully wrote a letter and enclosed photos of the cakes and their smiling creators. The Preps were all delighted to receive a letter back within two weeks. On behalf of the Queen, her lady-in-waiting thanked them warmly for their happy birthday wishes and their designs for such special cakes. The letter will stay at Grimwade House as a keepsake of a project that was lots of fun and had a very happy ending. Jan Rizzo Art Teacher

Prep students Carlo Caiani, Paige Athanasopoulos and Tim Brown create paintings for the Queen

Literacy and Numeracy Week Literacy and numeracy are an integral part of any school’s curriculum and are essential skills for life. Each year the Education Department of Victoria encourages schools to celebrate these two areas of the curriculum by allowing students to demonstrate their creativity and ability by participating in an activity dedicated to literacy and numeracy, uniquely designed by individual schools. This year, as part of Literacy and Numeracy Week, Grimwade House students from Prep to Year 6 were invited to make board games that involved both aspects of literacy and numeracy. The response to this competition was amazing. The Alfred Felton Hall was inundated with creative and challenging board games from across the School. Some of the inventive games ranged from footy quiz games, maths tables games, shopping games, Wheel of Fortune games (which were made using real wheels), Around the World Trivia, time games and even a game specifically based on Grimwade House. One of the most pleasing aspects of this activity was the planning and effort gone to by every student. The board games were all very imaginative and beautifully presented. It was evident from the competition that literacy and numeracy are strong areas of interest at Grimwade and that the students were motivated to learn and express their understanding through a fun and innovative challenge, such as making board games. It was also extremely satisfying to observe students playing the various games with their friends in each classroom. Well done to everyone who participated in the 2006 Literacy and Numeracy Week activity, it was a huge success. With organising this activity came the arduous task of selecting winners from different year levels. It was a difficult decision as all participants had produced excellent board games; however the winners are listed below: Junior Primary Tayla Desmet, Timothy Brend, James Choi Middle Primary Isobelle McGrath, Julia Velakoulis, Thomas Perry Upper Primary Imogen Cowan, Charlotte Hoy, James Spielvogel Nathan Jones Year 5 Teacher

12

Melbourne Grammar School – Grammar News


Wadhurst From trips to France and China to complement language studies to tours closer to home in New Zealand and Tasmania, there are a number of options for students to undertake school tours during the holidays at Wadhurst.

France Tour A group of Year 7 and 8 boys toured France during the September break on a fabulous holiday and an invigorating learning experience that will no doubt stay with us all for years to come. We arrived in Paris at 7am, and with eyes barely open, threw ourselves into our first day of sightseeing with enthusiasm and euros. Before we knew it, we were facing La Tour Eiffel at the Trocadéro and having our first taste of authentic French crêpes. This was the first in a list of many highlights to come, including travelling to the top of the Sacré Coeur, L’Arc de Triomphe (oh, the stairs!), La Tour Eiffel by night and Disneyland. The Louvre allowed for the compulsory Mona Lisa visit, Les Invalides brought Napoleon’s persona into perspective, and the Champs Elysées…well, just a world in itself. The boys were there to laugh, to learn, to appreciate the French culture, and to use their French as much as possible. Which they did. Particularly at meal times, which were full of atmosphere, as the boys had to speak French and try new foods. Escargots were consumed, as opposed to loved! Our ‘château-ing’ began with Versailles. History brought to life, where the inevitability of the French Revolution in a period of sheer opulence was apparent to the boys in a very real form. We also visited Chenonceau, Chambord and Amboise in the Loire Valley, and spent time at Da Vinci’s Clos Lucé, where 40 of his machines were displayed. While based in Amiens, we visited the Somme battlefields, a moving experience for all. Playing soccer with the local boys from Villers-Bretonneux School, where signs of “N’Oublions Jamais l’Australie” adorned the playground, was a highlight for us. On our last night, we took a trip down the Seine River, a chance to see for one last time many of the sights we had visited on our short but eventful trip. Adrienne Beer Wadhurst English and French Teacher

China Trip Since the early 1990s Wadhurst, as part of its Chinese language program, has offered a two week trip to China during the September holidays. The trip to Shanghai, Xian and Beijing is designed to compliment the School’s program by exposing Year 8 students to the cultural and historical highlights available on such a great journey.

Wadhurst students on the China tour at the Forest of Steles in Xian

Added to these aspects is the even more practical skill of communicating in Chinese in China! Such a trip exposes each student to the challenge of using their learnt skills in the classroom in a real setting. This is not only great fun for students but can also prove to be a real motivation to continue Chinese language and cultural study in future years. In 2006, 19 students and three teachers took on the China challenge. From acrobats in Shanghai, the Terracotta Army in Xian, shopping in the middle of the old Xian city wall and scaling the Great Wall, students had little ‘down time’ on their 14 day odyssey. Trish Langton, Suzann Heinze and Greg Hughes led the group and were impressed by the boys willingness to learn about China’s rich cultural heritage. In addition, the boys were exposed to a country of 1.4 billion people in the midst of modernisation and rapid change. It is hoped, that as a result of this experience, many Melbourne Grammar students will eventually take leading roles in business, educational and cultural exchanges with China. Greg Hughes Wadhurst Chinese Coordinator

Melbourne Grammar School – Grammar News

13


Senior School Reconciliation Initiatives Football matches with indigenous teams, scholarships and a student-organised Reconciliation Week are just some of the School activities specifically organised to gain greater understanding and awareness of indigenous issues. Since 1998, the School’s Aboriginal Reconciliation Committee has established meaningful relationships with indigenous communities, institutions and individuals to assist students in exploring indigenous culture as a means to understanding their own history and identity. In tandem, a student driven Student Aboriginal Reconciliation Committee is a powerful voice for student leadership which works to make reconciliation a real and profound feature of life at Melbourne Grammar. In June, Melbourne Grammar students together with students from Worawa Aboriginal College, Healesville, celebrated the tenth anniversary of National Reconciliation Week with a program organised by the student committee. Worawa Aboriginal College students visited Melbourne Grammar to undertake art, music and sport activities and there were performances by singer Kutcha Edwards and band The Darlow Show. The week culminated in an overnight camp-out on the banks of the Yarra River at Worawa in Healesville where the boys had the opportunity to participate in men’s business and share experiences around a camp fire. A casual clothes day back at Grammar was used as a fundraiser for Worawa, the proceeds of which will be directed towards something easily identifiable as a student project since this was a direct contribution from students to students. Melbourne Grammar’s ongoing relationship with Worawa Aboriginal College aims to deliver quality cross cultural educational experiences for students of both schools. Students from Worawa were recently invited to exhibit their work alongside the Grammar boys in the annual Middle School Art Exhibition at the Motorworks Gallery and for the past seven years there has been an annual football match between Worawa and Melbourne Grammar. This year it was held at Edwin Flack Park for the first time as the curtain raiser to the Cordner Eggleston Cup on 11 August. Uncle Max, a Wurundjeri elder, performed a smoking ceremony to welcome us all to country and in the spirit of the game four Melbourne Grammar students played on the Worawa side. The match ended in a draw! In June, 23 students from MGS’s 10A and 10B football teams went to Alice Springs and stayed at Yirara College, an Aboriginal boarding school. The students played football with three indigenous teams and in the process made friendships and enhanced their cultural understanding. A highlight of the trip was a visit to the Ltyentye Apurte community, an Aboriginal community of 600 people 90 kilometres south east of Alice Springs, where Melbourne Grammar played a

14

Melbourne Grammar School – Grammar News

Students from the Midwest Football Academy in Geraldton Western Australia with a Year 10 Melbourne Grammar team following a game at Edwin Flack Park

match against their home team on a red dirt field. A small group of students also visited the Yirrkala Homelands School in Northern Territory for two weeks in September, venturing further north than ever before. Students from the Midwest Football Academy in Geraldton Western Australia visited Melbourne Grammar on 21 August 2006 to play Melbourne Grammar in a football match. Part of the Clontarf Foundation founded by former Fremantle Football Club coach Gerard Neesham, the Academy aims to keep indigenous students in education through football. It is our intention to nurture this relationship and support their program where possible. Recently the MGS football supporters club Marn Grook gave the School a painting of former AFL footballer and indigenous activist Michael Long which was painted by the famous Australian artist Martin Tighe in recognition of the School’s work towards reconciliation. The painting is located in the School’s Barak Gallery which is named after Wurundjeri elder and artist William Barak and contains works that further enhance our students’ understanding of indigenous culture and identity. Finally, and perhaps most importantly, Melbourne Grammar continues to offer indigenous scholarships to provide educational opportunities and develop leaders and role models within the indigenous community. Our inaugural scholarship recipient, Daniel Measures, will complete his VCE at the end of this year and our commitment to indigenous education will be strengthened through the enrolment of four young men from the Northern Territory who will commence their education at Melbourne Grammar School in 2007. There are exciting times ahead! Nat Charles Head of Deakin House and Kirrily Johns Communications Manager


Innovation Lessons in Leadership The leadership programs at Melbourne Grammar School aim to provide every student with some understanding and experience of leadership. The School believes that acquiring the skills of leadership will help to prepare our students for the rapidly changing and unpredictable world they will inherit as adults. This year has been the first year that students have undertaken formal leadership lessons. Every student in Year 9 and 10 has had leadership lessons as part of their Personal Development program. Leadership begins with the self and then moves to others. Leadership lessons are interactive with plenty of time devoted to discussion. Students are given an opportunity to think about their preferred behavioural styles and multiple intelligences. They are introduced to the concept of emotional intelligence and consider the skills necessary for the appropriate resolution of conflict. Several lessons deal with thinking and in particular, how to become a better thinker. At the conclusion of the leadership lessons, Year 10 students were asked to evaluate the program. Students were given an opportunity to reflect on what they had learned about leadership and, in particular, what they had learnt about themselves and others. Many students commented that leadership is about a variety of skills, qualities and attributes. Several students highlighted the importance of communication skills and the ability to build quality relationships as being central to leadership. The following student responses provide a snapshot: “I learnt that leaders need to understand other people.” “I have learnt how important intrapersonal skills are in the development of leadership ability.” “It’s all about trust.” “Leadership is about understanding and encouragement.” “Good leaders need to be role models in almost every aspect of what they do and really know the people they are leading.” “I basically learnt that it all depends on you and not someone else. You make your future and you can change it.” “I learnt that leadership is something that doesn’t need to come naturally. You can work on it and still manage to be a good leader.” Several students commented that they would like to find out more about themselves. This aspect of the program was

Year 10 students Nick Yencken (right) and George Brougham play a conflict resolution game in a leadership class

very popular and contributed to a greater self-awareness and an increased understanding of others. Melbourne Grammar School will continue to develop leadership programs to be delivered at all three campuses and we will continue to seek student feedback to ensure that our programs are relevant and enrich the learning experiences of our students. Polly Flanagan Director of Leadership

Melbourne Grammar School – Grammar News

15


Co-Curricular

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat

The World is a Stage From Peter Pan to award-winning Australian author Tim Winton’s Cloudstreet and the Biblical tale of Joseph, the major drama productions at each campus in the second half of 2006 have been varied and provided vivid journeys for cast members and audiences alike.

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat “It’s amazing what you can imagine when you let your mind go into freefall!” A Grimwade House parent spoke these words to me earlier this year and, as a result, I dared to dream of what we might achieve with the musical Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat. We had close to 90 enthusiastic Year 6 actors and their supportive classroom teachers, a brilliant directing team including Musical Director Margot Wall and Choreographer Christine Barratt and a Visual Arts department busting to get their hands dirty. Our aim was maximum participation for students and an opportunity for all actors to shine in different ways in a show full of precise movement, vibrant colour, infectious music and the WOW factor! The dream came true for all of us with over 1,000 Grimwade House friends and family members sharing the experience over three nights of performances. Their genuine admiration for the performers was obvious through their applause and acknowledgment that our children had achieved something special. Whilst there are no doubts that our students were

16

Melbourne Grammar School – Grammar News

Peter Pan

the stars of this wonderful show, it would be remiss of me not to mention the incredible support crew which operates to ensure that this yearly event is so successful. Grimwade House is a unique place to work and learn and the collegiality of staff is a highlight. The Year 6 Musical is one of the events in the school calendar where every staff member participates in one or more ways to ensure that our Year 6 students really do experience something extraordinary. You needed to have been an audience member in September in our wonderful Alfred Felton Hall, to know exactly what was meant by the WOW factor. It cannot be described, but it will be felt for many years to come by those who were part of it. Glyn Howitt Producer

Peter Pan “Second to the right and then straight on ‘til morning...” is not Peter Pan’s address! In the play, he shrugs when he answers Wendy’s question, as he doesn’t know where he really lives, for he does not remember. Whilst this seems sad, it also means he forgets painful memories. He simply wants to live as a little boy and never grow up. Change happens, but not to Peter Pan. James Barrie wrote the play and due to its popularity, a request for the story was made. Two years ago, at the time of the centenary of the story, a sequel was commissioned and at that stage, I believed it was important for the boys to know the original story – not just the Disneyland version. According to Old Melburnians who were friends of Douglas Salek, a QC and benefactor of the arts at Melbourne Grammar, students had wanted to produce Peter Pan many


Cloudstreet

years ago but were reluctant to do so because of the issue of safety associated with high flying aerial work. However, we now have the technology (and the company Showtech, established by an OM) which was successfully used in the production – much to the amazement of the crowd and relief of the parents and the School!

the action to move quickly between the play’s 102 scenes. The revolve carried the house front and a variety of inside rooms from both Pickles and Lamb sides. Other locations were created on the forestage, with the boat that features in several scenes travelling across the front.

Seventy-nine Wadhurst boys involved themselves in the production and we hope that it will be a long-lasting memory for Paul Wilhelm – especially given that the Darling House overlooked the background scene of Melbourne Grammar School, the scene which has greeted Paul from his balcony each day.

This was an ambitious undertaking which the cast of 19 (11 boys and eight girls from MGGS) tackled with energy, total commitment and consummate skill. It was an ensemble performance: aside from the main characters in each family, other actors filled three or four different roles in the course of the play. The final product was thus one of which all could feel justifiably proud.

The Wadhurst Hall was transformed into Neverland and this could not have been done without the artistic talent of Patricia Langton and her husband Brian, who constructed the set. I shall always be in awe of this original play which is magical because it asks us to never stop imagining.

Leading roles were taken by Will Vann and Lindsay Parkhowell, as the two fathers, James Kiel and Jack Hywood, as the two older Lamb brothers, Bill Stephenson, as the Black Man, Marion Slatter and Jessie Yates, as the mothers, and Hannah Tooke, as Rose Pickles.

Fiona Mackenzie Director and Producer

The set, designed by John Shelbourn, was the product of many weeks’ work by a team of students led by former staff member, Ewan Morgan, and current Year 12 student, Simon Kennedy; the costumes, coordinated by Sally Scott, perfectly captured the period, while the lighting was capably executed by a team of students led by Peter Dick, Dave Jenkins (OM 1977) and student Scott Tappenden. The enthusiastic reception given by the audiences over the three nights paid tribute to efforts of all involved.

Cloudstreet Mid-twentieth-century, working-class Perth was recreated on the stage of the Memorial Hall in this year’s Senior School August Production, Cloudstreet. The play, adapted by Nick Enright and Justin Monjo from Tim Winton’s award-winning novel, tells the story of two families, the Lambs and the Pickles, who share an old house, Cloudstreet. Construction of a stage revolve enabled

Tim Scott Director

Melbourne Grammar School – Grammar News

17


From The School Council Council Retreat

Sandy Clark

Groundbreaking The groundbreaking ceremony, on a blustery morning in late winter, symbolised the start of construction of the new Centre for Learning and Leadership (CLL). The CLL is the most ambitious building project the School has undertaken for many years. At the breakfast, prior to the ceremony, the Headmaster, the Property Manager James Burton and the Architect John Wardle, talked to over 150 supporters about the School’s commitment to deliver excellence in education, and the initiative, through the CLL to alter the face of teaching and learning. Among the groundbreakers were two major donors, John Higgins and Nigel Peck, after whom the auditorium and the library will be named. The Tomorrow’s Leaders Today Campaign, supported so generously by the Grammar community, will finish at the end of the year, having raised well in excess of $10 million. Our sincere thanks go to Bruce Parncutt, Chairman of the Campaign Committee, his Committee, and all those who have worked so hard to ensure the Campaign’s success.

The Council Retreat team visit the LG Robertson Camp

This year the Council and the School’s Senior Executive went on Retreat to Bairnsdale for two days, our principal theme for discussion being “MGS in 2015 – a snapshot”. Assisted by papers presented by Executive, and also by Dr Ken Rowe, Research Director, ACER, we attempted to picture the possible needs of students in 2015, after an assumed ongoing period of rapid technological advance, the importance and relevance of the VCE as the final measure of academic achievement, and the future teaching environment required both to ensure excellence, and also maximum opportunity for involvement by each and every student. Given the theme, our discussion inevitably raised more questions than answers, and a number of topics will be debated further at Council meetings. We also took the opportunity to visit Camp Dowd on the Gippsland Lakes and the LG Robertson Camp, near Licola. Here the Director of Outdoor Education, George Walpole extolled, very enthusiastically, the merits of the exciting outdoor program. Inspired, we were also led by George on a (very) short walk along Breakfast Creek, where certain members of Council told tales of their exploits “up on the range” many years ago.

Athletics We have been greatly heartened by the courageous effort of our Athletics team at the APS Sports. Supported by excellent coaching, the team finished second to St Kevin’s College who is congratulated on winning its first Athletics title. The exceptional performance of our younger athletes augurs well for the next few years.

Valedictory Day As I write, Year 11 and 12 are about to begin their VCE exams. The Valedictory Day was deemed a great success, ending with a dinner in the Members’ Dining Room at the MCG, where Li Cunxin, a current parent, and author of Mao’s Last Dancer, gave a memorable, inspiring, address. On behalf of the Council, I wish all those leaving Melbourne Grammar, including our Grimwade girls, good fortune and the courage to take life’s chances. We hope you carry with you fond memories of your time at School, and have made some enduring friendships. We look forward to welcoming you back as Old Melburnians. Sandy Clark Chairman

18

Melbourne Grammar School – Grammar News


From The Headmaster recently wrote a compelling book that was generated from his experiences of dealing with global problems. The book’s title is High Noon: 20 Global Problems, 20 Years In Which To Solve Them. The problems include world poverty, water resources, climate control and pollution. And his solution uses the premise that national governments will not, and cannot by their very nature, solve the problems that confront them. The alternative, in Rischard’s view is the creation of Global Issues Networks that are loosely connected and can form and re-form as necessary; as a consequence they do not develop the inertia that hinders so many other decisionmaking bodies.

Paul Sheahan

Learning Leading to Understanding Learning, in and of itself, is important but it is much more important when it transcends ordinary knowledge and leads to true, deep and enduring understanding. One of the values on which Melbourne Grammar’s Vision is founded is “Learning Leading to Understanding”. When we were young, I am sure we used to drive our parents mad by continually asking “Why?”. Some times there were no answers to that question; things were as they were and there was no explanation. However, in childhood (and one hopes it continues into adulthood), there is an insatiable desire to work out the reason that things are as they are. There is a need to go beyond simply knowing to reach a satisfactory understanding, not only knowing ‘what’ but also knowing ‘why’. So much of pedagogy has evolved from a belief that knowing facts and being able to regurgitate them faithfully was sufficient for a successful transition into adulthood. Indeed assessment reflected the ability to remember and recall and not much else.

The rote learning process, with which I was familiar at school, is useless in dealing with issues as massive and as potentially life-threatening as Rischard proposes. A capacity to think beyond what is known and to synthesise disparate elements into a new ‘whole’ is crucial to our future. I am not sure how you can be definitive about this sort of statistic but someone has mused that pure knowledge of the medical and scientific doubles every two-and-a-half years. This means that, in five years’ time, if we knew all there was to know now (and learned nothing in the ensuing halfdecade) we would know only 25 per cent of what there was to be known! So, teaching for knowledge, and knowledge only, is self-defeating. Knowledge, in and of itself, is insufficient. Understanding the meaning behind that knowledge and being able to transfer the lessons it conveys to a new and previously unknown context are what really matter in life. Education at Melbourne Grammar therefore dictates that we base all that we do in our teaching and learning on ‘learning leading to understanding’. Paul Sheahan Headmaster

Grimwade House Captains for 2006 with Headmaster Paul Sheahan from left: Sibella Breidahl, Hugo Berry, Mary Grimwade and Bob Forrest

The more we know about the way the world operates and the more we know about the problems that need resolution, the more we realise that rote learning might be handy for regurgitating solutions to problems that have already been solved but it goes only part way towards finding solutions to problems that are confronting us now and to which there is no current solution. The World Bank’s Vice-President for Europe (who also leads its Investment Department that trades the Bank Group’s $25 billion portfolio of liquid assets), Jean-François Rischard, Melbourne Grammar School – Grammar News

19


The Old Melburnians Council

Simon Wilson

From the President In August I was delighted to represent The Old Melburnians at the annual Cordner Eggleston Cup between Melbourne Grammar and Scotch. The match was preceded by an excellent luncheon in the Luxton Dining Hall where the afterlunch speech was delivered by Andrew Thompson (OM 1990), the St. Kilda footballer, who enlightened his audience as to the benefits that hard work and perseverance can achieve and did achieve for him in pursuing his AFL career. We shall not dwell on the result of the match that followed at Edwin Flack Park. In September the Old Melburnian community received the sad news of the passing of one of our favourite sons, Russell Weir (OM 1966). Russell was much loved by his contemporaries, both at school and at The Old Melburnian Football Club. We also remember with great affection, Tom Yuncken (OM 1965), a doyen of the legal fraternity, who tragically died after sustaining injuries in an accident in October during the Around the Bay in a Day cycling event. September finished on a happier note with The Old Melburnians Dinner on the 29th. The Dinner was held at Albert by the Lake and the guest speaker was former test cricketer Kerry O’Keeffe. There can be no doubt that he was one of the most popular speakers that the Dinner has had for some years, with the audience in hysterics, responding to his witty and ribald material. One of the great pleasures as President of The Old Melburnians is attending the various reunions that are

arranged through the Development Office by Stewart Brook and the team at the Lodge. Within the space of three days in early October, I attended the 1939-49 reunion, an informal 1961 reunion dinner and a 1986 reunion dinner. There has also been a 1996 reunion and a Year 12 sporting club barbecue where OM Council member Nigel Thompson (OM 1969) did the honours. I have been informed that our London branch dinner, held at the RAC in Pall Mall was well attended. For the first time, the School organised a Valedictory Dinner for the Year 12 leavers, which took place at the Melbourne Cricket Club. In the past, parents have organised private dinners, to which not all boys were invited or able to attend, and in my view, the Headmaster and the School are to be commended for instituting what transpired to be a fabulous evening. The guest speaker was parent Li Cunxin, the author of Mao’s Last Dancer, who for 25 minutes captivated the audience with his inspiring story of a young peasant boy, who was able, through luck and extraordinary determination, to achieve, not only international accolades for his chosen art form, ballet, but also, and more importantly, his freedom. To conclude the year our December Business Lunch will be held at Morgan’s at 401 Collins Street on 12 December where our guest speaker will be James Sutherland, the CEO of Cricket Australia. This luncheon is scheduled to take place between the first and second Ashes Tests, and promises to be a topical event. None our ranks shall sunder. Simon Wilson QC President

20

Melbourne Grammar School – Grammar News


The Old Melburnians Hockey Club

Golf Day

The OMs Hockey State League 5 team

OMs Golf Club Chairman Harvey Tartakover presents the Weigall Cup to John Righetti and George Stooke following the Golf Day

With three of our four teams making the finals this season, The Old Melburnians Hockey Club has had another very successful season. Two of our teams finished the regular season on top of the ladder, gaining minor premierships for the Club and will now look forward to the challenge of competing in a higher grade next year.

Once again we were blessed with a brilliant day for The Old Melburnians Golf Day in July at the beautiful Royal Melbourne Golf Club.

Our top side, competing in State League 5, made their third successive finals campaign, overcoming a disappointing start to finish strongly in third place. With a solid list, and increased familiarity, the team has their sights firmly locked on the premiership for 2007. The Metro 2 team narrowly missed out on a finals birth, resurrecting their season with an impressive five straight wins mid-season. Metro 3 cruised to their minor premiership with only one loss, and can lay claim to the most prolific goal scorer in Hockey Victoria’s competition – Tim Mustow with 37 goals. Finally Metro 4 held off stiff competition to take out the title, dropping only four games in their 18 match season. Based at Edwin Flack Park, in Port Melbourne, the Club continues to maintain its strong links and identity with MGS and The Old Melburnians and is looking forward to adding new recruits from the Year 12 school leaver ranks. In 2007, the Club will again field four sides; State League 5, two teams in Metro 2, and one in Metro 3. The Club is committed to playing entertaining and enjoyable hockey and always welcomes new members. The membership is ever increasing and varied – from the skilful and competitive to the social and exuberant, currently ranging from 18 to 56 years old. For further information, please contact the OMs Hockey Club secretary Nick Hinneberg on 0401 847 781.

Peter Barraclough successfully defended the Reid Cup – he teamed up with Marc Carney who won the Tartakover Cup for the longest drive. The players were impressed by Nick Uren who brought his caddy Bruce Phillips down from Milawa. His canny advice helped secure the money with his partner Ian Cuming from Robert Derham and Harvey Tartakover. It was good to see newcomer Bruce Sutherland playing with his brother Tony, who drove from Ballarat for the day. The main event was won by old timers, George Stooke and John Righetti. We thank Royal Melbourne for assisting in a very well organised and enjoyable day on one of Australia’s best golf courses. All Old Melburnians are reminded that should they wish to play in The Old Melburnians Golf Day and/or the Public Schools Golf Day, they should contact Harvey Tartakover on (03) 9690 8100 or harvey@tartakover.com.au. Harvey Tartakover Chairman OMs Golf Club

Nick Hinneberg Secretary OMs Hockey Club Melbourne Grammar School – Grammar News

21


Branches & Reunions Sydney Community Function 1

The President of The Old Melburnians Simon Wilson (OM 1968) with James Lemaire (OM 1936) and Graham Thompson (OM 1937)

2

Peter Knight (OM 1966) enjoys meeting Bill de Steiger (OM 1964) at the Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron

3

John Cordner (OM 1946) with the Headmaster Paul Sheahan in Sydney

4

Peter Murphy (OM 1962) and John Loughnan (OM 1959) at the Sydney function

Business Community Lunch 5

Gary Morgan (OM 1959) with Charles Baillieu at the Community Business Lunch held at Morgan’s at 401 Collins Street

6

Guest speaker at the Community Business Lunch Paul Little with The President of the Old Melburnians Simon Wilson (OM 1968)

7

Peter McIntosh and Malcolm Kennedy (OM 1969) catch up at the Community Business Lunch

1986 Twenty Year Reunion 8

Committee members Andrew Tulloch and Philip Solomon at the Royce Hotel venue for the 1986 reunion

9

Jamie Wodetzki, Tim Maddock, Nicholas Bacon and Richard King reflect on their days in the Quad

10 Andrew Mattiske, Jeremy Davis and Matthew Bryant enjoy the opportunity to catch up

1996 Ten Year Reunion 11 Kyla Lonsdale, Carlo Pizzini and Matthew Bennett recall their days at School 12 Tim Wilson and David Atkins reflect on the last ten years

1 2

3 4

22

Melbourne Grammar School – Grammar News


5 6

7 8

9 10

11 12

Melbourne Grammar School – Grammar News

23


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

1 September 2006 Matthew Houniet (Staff) & Zoe Wiesner

10 September 2006 Anthony Lee (OM 1991) & Maryanne Cleary

7 October 2006 Stuart Alfredson (OM 1995) & Alexandra Williams

7 October 2006 Stewart Bolton (OM 1984) & Josephine Sayer

21 October 2006 Dean Wallace & Ainslie Rosenhain (OM 1998)

28 October 2006 Dougal Herd & Susanne Williams

28 October 2006 Robin Forster (OM 1995) & Amanda Lucas

Roy Prentice (OM 1923) recently celebrated his 100th birthday in Kew, Victoria. He was the oldest of four brothers who all went to Melbourne Grammar (Sydney OM 1926, Kenneth OM 1930 and Eric OM 1931). Roy’s career was in architecture and he was Chief Architect of the Housing Commission of Victoria from 1958 to 1971. His four years of service with the RAAF in World War II involved the design and placement of early warning radar stations along the Australian coastline. Although Roy is now blind, he remains mentally active and is looking forward to the arrival of his first greatgrandchild early next year. His wife of 66 years Nance (nee Ashworth) sadly died last year. Roy’s son Andrew Prentice (OM 1961) is a lecturer in maths at Monash University. Andrew was the guest scientist at NASA’s Voyager Spacecraft Radio Science Team in 1986 and 1989 and has been a council member of the Astronomical Society of Australia. John Bayly (OM 1945) writes that he is busy grandfathering and doing some writing of poetry and long-in-gestation works on public speaking and regional planning. His website voysbox.net should be up by December. Thirty-five years is a long time between visits but Allan Taylor (OM 1971) has a reasonable excuse. It has been that long since Allan left Melbourne Grammar School and Australia to return to his native South Africa. On his recent visit

24

Melbourne Grammar School – Grammar News

he enjoyed the opportunity to view the changes at both Senior School and Grimwade House and found time to catch up with a few friends from his school days. Warwick Wright (OM 1972) runs a private practice in upper limb orthopaedic surgery. Warwick is on the staff at Monash Medical Centre Clayton and also runs a fellowship program for upper limb surgery. Warwick is married to Anne and they have one daughter called Alicia. Bruce Gill (OM 1980) and Andrew Linton (OM 1980) have caught up with each other after a break of 27 years. Bruce, his wife Susanne and children Peter (13) and Miranda (11) spent two months holidaying in America and Canada recently, and visited Andrew Linton and his family in Texas. Andrew is a dentist and runs a practice with his wife Karen in Austin, Texas and they have three children; Gillian (11), Vaughan (9) and Lewis (7). Simon Bell (OM 1990) has been living in New York since 1999 after completing a Bachelor of Engineering/ Bachelor of Commerce degree at Melbourne Uni and then an exchange at the University of California, Berkeley. Simon has worked in investment banking (JPMorgan), venture capital (small firm) and currently at MTV Networks in business development in the Big Apple. He completed an MBA at Columbia Business School in 2005 and secured a green card many years ago. Simon started a company with a friend to promote Aussie bands in

the United States, www. vandiemensland.com. Chris Zichy-Woinarski (OM 1991) is currently completing his Master of Business Administration while working for Coles Myer in Western Australia with responsibilities for areas in South Australia as well. Jonathan Charlton (OM 1994) has been working at Channel 9 in media sales for seven years and has now made the move to Potentiality (the company that designs OMs Online) as the Sales Manager. Jonathan is still very active in the OMs Cricket and Football. Tim Freeman (OM 1995) is currently a third year solicitor with a city-based law firm, Tony Hargreaves and Partners, specialising in criminal law. Andrew Gray (OM 1995) writes “I’m working as a pharmacist in Melbourne suburbia and have thankfully come to the end of my PhD studies. I’m hoping to do some travel to the US and Europe soon. I’ve done some stand-up comedy and I hope to pursue that further”. Peter Kaleta (OM 1998) is working for a financial advisory firm dealing with life insurances, financial plans, mortgage brokering, wills and estate planning. Ashley Loh-Smith (OM 1998) was living in Japan from January 2005 until July 2006. Currently he is working for a media monitoring company, and considering international studies for 2007.


Ron Coleman

Stewart Rogers (OM 2001) has recently returned from Europe after finishing his degree with Vilnius University, Lithuania. Emily Toner (OM 2002) completed her science degree earlier this year and hopes to travel before completing an honours year in 2007. Eric Fransella (OM 2003), Captain of Rugby in 2003 has been appointed Senior Student for 2007 at St Paul’s College at Sydney University. Josh Moore (OM 2005), Captain of Rugby at MGS in 2005 is enjoying a GAP year in the UK. He has also found time to play some rugby, including a starring role in the Harlequin team at the Middlesex 7’s at Twickenham. Playing at the spiritual home of rugby in front of 65,000 spectators, he was the most successful goal kicker on the day. Not surprisingly, he made his debut for the NEC Harlequins 1st XV against London Welsh on 26 August. Richard Evetts, greatgrandson of the fourth Headmaster Ambrose Wilson (MGS 1885 -1893) visited Melbourne Grammar School for the first time recently and very much enjoyed the opportunity to acquaint himself with the School. An etching of his great-grandfather is on display in The Old Melburnians War Memorial Hall. Compiled by Stewart Brook Alumni and Archives Manager

In February this year, Ron Coleman, former Bursar and Secretary to the School Council, died aged 89. Ron Coleman devoted a large part of his working life to Melbourne Grammar having served as Bursar from 1957 to his retirement in 1980. He brought to the position of Bursar a keen business brain, a capacity for hard work and an amazing attention to detail across the financial, property, catering and company secretary aspects of the job. He had the fundamental objective of economic and budgetary control and the elimination of waste and he perceptively saw the need to strike an acceptable balance between three factors – the product the School was offering in the form of facilities and expertise; the fees it was charging for its product; and the overall remuneration arrangements for staff. During Ron Coleman’s time there was substantial capital development with the floor space at the Senior School virtually doubled, five new buildings were constructed at the then two junior schools, two camp sites were developed and a number of strategic residential purchases were made in the South Yarra area. In addition to major building developments there were innumerable projects of alterations, additions and refurbishments and in all these ventures Ron Coleman had the task of minute scrutiny of plans and tight supervision of work programs. On his retirement from the School he was duly recognised with the old dining hall being named in his honour and the Coleman Room is also home to his handsome portrait by Charles Bush as a permanent reminder of his great contribution to Melbourne Grammar.

Obituaries The School has learnt of the following deaths in our community. Our sympathy and understanding is extended to their family and friends. Allen, F A (OM 1936) Baldwin, R R (OM 1928) Chapman, H P T (OM 1939) Course, L J (Past Staff) Gandevia, B H (OM 1942) Gorman, P P (OM 1942) Gray, A (Friend of the School) Howells, L G W (OM 1940) Humphris, J W (OM 1947) Joske, W D (OM 1945) Lansdell-Clarke, A F (OM 1943) Manning, P D (OM 1945) McLaren, C S (OM 1940) Meinhardt, W L (Past Parent) Mitchell, G F (OM 1933) Moroney, H S (OM 1935)

Ron Coleman’s influence extended well beyond Melbourne Grammar School and he was a prime mover in the establishment of State and national Bursars’ Associations and he also served on the St Michael’s Grammar School Council for a period well in excess of 20 years. Following his retirement he continued to exert influence in education and held a number of executive positions and roles at the Association of Independent Schools of Victoria.

Pannifex, H M (OM 1935)

Ron Coleman was an outstanding man who made a significant and valued contribution to Melbourne Grammar School and to education in general. It was most appropriate that Ron’s family and friends attended his funeral service in the Chapel of St Peter and his ashes were later scattered on the Headmaster’s Lawn in recognition of his dedicated service to MGS.

Sykes, P F T (OM 1955)

Pennington, D G (OM 1962) Rodger, G M (OM 1974) Sandow, D J (OM 1943) Stuart, F G (OM 1948)

Weir, R R (OM 1966) Woinarski J L Z (OM 1958) Yuncken, T F (OM 1965)

David Temple Bursar

Melbourne Grammar School – Grammar News

25


The Old Melburnians Dinner Over 280 Old Melburnians attended the 128th Old Melburnians Dinner on 29 September 2006 at Albert by the Lake and were entertained by guest speaker Kerry O’Keeffe, former test cricketer and media commentator, who gave an exceptionally humorous speech.

MC Nigel Thompson (OM 1969)

Guest speaker Kerry O’Keeffe

Matt Shelmerdine (OM 2000), Robert Kennedy (OM 2000) and Will McCahey (OM 2002)

Kerry O’Keeffe, James Massina (OM 1998) and Headmaster Paul Sheahan

Christopher Barrett (OM 1964), Kerry O’Keeffe and Paul Sheahan 26

Melbourne Grammar School – Grammar News

Cameron Smith (OM 1993) and James Gardiner (OM 1993)


Tomorrow’s Leaders Today Campaign Approaches $11 million In August the Campaign Chairman, Bruce Parncutt, reported that the Tomorrow’s Leaders Today Campaign had surpassed $9 million and that we may even exceed the target of $10 million by a “healthy margin”. As we approach the end of 2006 and conclude the Campaign, there are encouraging signs that the Campaign may well exceed $11 million. This is a remarkable outcome due in no small part to the leadership and commitment of the Tomorrow’s Leaders Today Campaign Committee and the direct support of more than 500 donors from across the Grammar community. Bruce Parncutt (OM 1968) deserves special recognition and thanks for his extraordinary commitment to the School in leading this Campaign over the past five years. Bruce is a longstanding and highly-valued member of the School Council and the Grammar Foundation who has created awareness of the importance of philanthropy and in doing so has raised the sights of our community. Importantly, he has been the champion for the development of a renewed culture of philanthropy and support that will ensure the future advancement of the School. No major campaign would be successful without the early support of major gift donors and the commitment of volunteers to lead the Campaign within a community. I wish to extend special thanks and appreciation to the members of the Tomorrow’s Leaders Today Campaign Committee and their families for their personal commitment and support over the past two years. We have together as a community made a positive and lasting difference that will enhance and enrich the lives of students today and generations to come. Thank you. Michael Joyce Director of Development

Campaign Patrons

Campaign Executive

Ross Adler AO Peter Clemenger AM Bruce Dyson (dec) Matt Handbury Sir Ian McFarlane Nigel Peck AM Clive Smith

Bruce Parncutt – Chair Ross Adler Sandy Clark Michael Joyce Paul Sheahan David Temple

Campaign Committee Current Parents Grimwade House Peter Leigh – Chair Michael Bartlett Andrew Boyd Fred Grimwade David Hendy Jane Little John Morrison Michael Ramsden Sally Russel

Boarders’ Parents Jack Hawkins – Chair Rob Brown Harold Clapham Richard Hurley Sandy Maconochie Ken Read

Wadhurst Stephen Gibbons – Chair Richard Crosby Sally Dane Dom Doyle Clive Fanning Penny Fowler Richard Grutzner Ian Mandie David Royle Peter Spargo David Walford Paul Wilhelm Senior School Jack Batten – Chair Charles Baillieu Sam Brougham Andrew Buxton Lisa Gorman Peter Lugg Margie McCarthy Peter McCoy Steven McIldowie Clark Morgan Dale Pearce Jenny Ridgeway Peter Scott David Simpson Peter Tooke Rob Vickers-Willis Peter Weston Michael Yates

Past Parents Lloyd Thomas – Chair Stuart Gooley Gavin Murphy Rob Wilson Old Melburnian Campaign Ambassadors Leigh Hallamore – Chair Alistair Armstrong (1968) Nick Batrouney (1989) Peter Beaumont (1965) Lloyd Bryant (1956) Bruce Cumbrae-Stewart (1972) Simon Derham (1973) Grahme Dixon (1956) David Field (1965) Stephen Gibbons (1979) Tim Gillespie (1974) David Guthrie (1985) Geoff Hardy (1947) Tony Hiscock (1954) James Jessup (1990) James Kimpton (1962) Sandy Massina (1972) Ian Nankivell (1966) Theo Nelson (1953) Andrew Ramsden (1952) Peter Reid (1957) Peter Siminton (1945) Phil Solomon (1985) Ian Vaughan (1959) Geoff Webb (1953)

Melbourne Grammar School – Grammar News

27


Friends Of Grammar Grimwade House The Friends of Grammar Grimwade House Committee’s attention at the beginning of Term IV was focused initially on the Freaky Friday film night. This event was very well supported and a fun evening for both children and parents. The various year level sport days held towards the middle of Term IV were a great success with the class representatives kindly supplying refreshments for the parents and icy poles for the children. A farewell party for Mrs Margot Wall was held on 16 November. At this event the parents of the Grammar community had an opportunity to thank Mrs Wall for her 20 years of extraordinary service to Grimwade House. Finally, the Year 6 leavers’ breakfast was well attended and an appropriate farewell to the Year 6 students leaving Grimwade House in 2006. I would like to thank all the year level coordinators and class representatives for their contributions and enthusiasm throughout the year. A huge number of very well attended year level and class functions have been organised by this marvellous group of very talented and busy parents. It has been a pleasure to work alongside them. I would also like to pay tribute to the constant support of the administrative, teaching and ground staff at Grimwade House. Without all of their assistance, FOG Grimwade House would not function as seamlessly as it does. The 2006 Friends of Grammar Grimwade House Committee have been a very generous, positive and inspirational group. The Grimwade tennis day, Surviving the Tweens, Freaky Friday film night, the farewell to Mrs Wall and all the other events FOGG is involved in, have all run so smoothly thanks to the slick execution and teamwork of my extraordinary FOGG Committee. I would like to thank them, one and all, for their support. Finally, I wish Sam Douros and the Committee of 2007 every success for the year ahead. Sally Russel President FOG Grimwade House

Wadhurst Term III certainly began with a flurry of activity and excitement with the Wadhurst concert and our Wadhurst ladies lunch and fashion show occurring less than 24 hours apart. Our Committee and class representatives yet again rose to the challenge of prioritising and supporting both these important events.

28

Melbourne Grammar School – Grammar News

Our fashion show was wonderfully well attended with over 280 women from all over Melbourne filling the spectacularly colourful room at No.9 Darling Street – it was indeed an atmosphere set for celebration and fun. We enjoyed wonderful food, wine and the latest fashion information and tips with models sashaying around the tables in the latest designer clothing. It was a very successful fundraising event with over $7,500 being raised. Next was our Fathers’ Day stall – again supported by class representatives in a frenzy of wrapping paper and sticky tape. The boys happily selected gifts for Dad from battery powered salt and pepper shakers to tool kits and key rings. Term IV is a very busy time centring mostly around the provision of refreshments at a flurry of events. House athletics day was superb with fantastic support from the community providing homemade cakes with a resultant $1,400 fundraising. The Wadhurst play was a brilliant production of Peter Pan with students capably filling the roles of cast and crew (who quickly reverted to teenage boys when there were icy poles on offer at the close of each night). The Wadhurst art show and sports presentation night rounded out our busy term and left us under no misconception that we do indeed make good chicken sandwiches! As this article is prepared we are in the last stages of preparation for Mr Paul Wilhelm’s farewells. We know you will enjoy celebrating with this man who has provided so much to Wadhurst over the last 17 years. It is at times like this that one struggles for words. We can only hope as we celebrate together that he understands how heartfelt our thanks to him truly are. I’d like to acknowledge what has been a fantastic FOG team for 2006 – with every one of them participating so generously and teaching me so much. My heartfelt thanks


The Wadhurst ladies lunch and fashion show at No.9 Darling Street was attended by over 280 guests

go to Katrina Cook, Katie Dewhurst, Janie Habla, Jane Hiscock, Gabrielle Lade, Mandy Mandie, Allison Monotti, Nicole Porritt, Maria Ricardo, Phillipa Risbey, Kirsty Russell and Jill Sultan. I wish Jane Hiscock and her team a wonderful 2007. Elinor Graham President FOG Wadhurst

Organisers of the dinner dance and CD from left, back: Katie Dewhurst, Edwina Le Maistre, Joan Cumbrae-Stewart, Katrina Cooke, Jill L’Estrange, front: Wani Wall, Julian Cairns and Kerry Holdsworth.  Absent: Lucy Mora and Elinor Graham

Late in Term III we organised photos to be taken of all boys in the Senior School. Families were then given the opportunity to have sibling photos taken. Feedback from this activity has been very positive.

Senior School

Year level functions were changed to a cocktail party format this year and proved to be extremely successful. The class representatives also organised a variety of other functions and activities either through year levels or Houses.

It is hard to believe that my term as President of Friends of Grammar is drawing to a close. I have enjoyed my role, which could not have been possible without my fabulous Committee.

A couple of times during the year the Boarders’ parents, through FOG, hosted a morning tea for the day boys’ parents, which included a tour of the Boarding Houses – most interesting and enjoyable.

We started the year with our cocktail party at the opening night of the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show, which was fabulous. Special thanks again to the O’Brien family for their support.

The various auxiliaries have worked tirelessly throughout the year catering for the boys at various drama and music events and sporting days. The canteen at Edwin Flack Park has also been constant during the sporting seasons. The Swap Shop continues to be a very worthwhile service our Committee, with parent support, offers the School community.

Our major event for the year was the dinner dance, ‘For One Night Only’ with Julian Cairns and his band playing at the Malvern Town Hall on 9 September. Sensational raffle prizes and a Mirka Mora painting live on stage all contributed to a fabulous night. The highlight was undoubtedly the launch of the CD Out of the Blue. The night was a sellout and the evening will live long in the memory of those 414 people lucky enough to secure a ticket. Early in September, we were fortunate enough to have the opportunity to visit a property called Yarrowee at Flinders. With champagne in hand we toured the magnificent garden followed by lunch at a local café and then visited the Royal Botanic Gardens at Cranbourne.

As a result of all these activities we have been able to donate $36,500 worth of requested items back to the School. Throughout the year we have published a page in the Senior School News promoting our activities and events – we hope you have enjoyed reading them. Finally, thank you to Jane Lee and all the staff at the Lodge for their guidance and support. It has been an honour to be President and I would like to wish Kerry Holdsworth and her Committee every success and enjoyment in 2007. Joan Cumbrae-Stewart President FOG Senior School

Melbourne Grammar School – Grammar News

29


Community Diary Dates

School Tours

Scholarships

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.

Year 7 and 9 2008 Entry

Grimwade House Small group tours of our coeducational junior campus are held on a regular basis. Further information and bookings can be made by contacting the Grimwade House Office on 03 9865 7800. Wadhurst Tuesday 20 February 2007 9.30 am Tuesday 27 March 2007 1.45-3.30 pm – Discover Wadhurst Open Day Senior School Wednesday 7 March 2007 9.30 am Tuesday 29 May 2007 2.00 pm

Scholarships are awarded on the basis of academic excellence and are also available for boys of outstanding musical ability. The scholarship examination will be held on Saturday 24 February 2007. For scholarship information and to make an application including fee payments please visit our website www.mgs.vic.edu.au. The closing date for applications is Thursday 15 February 2007 at 5pm. If you have any inquiries please phone 03 9865 7570 or email enrol@mgs.vic.edu.au.

Bookings are essential and can be made with the Admissions Secretary on 03 9865 7570. Boarding Precinct Friday 27 April 2007 2.00 pm – Boarding Information Day Tours of the boarding precinct are organised on request. To make a booking please call the Admissions Secretary on 03 9865 7570.

Discover Wadhurst Day Discover Wadhurst, Melbourne Grammar’s learning community for boys in Years 7 and 8. Tour Wadhurst in action and experience the energy of a school purpose-built for the 21st century teenager.

Worth Leaving Home For Boarding is an outstanding formative experience and there is no better place to enjoy it than at Melbourne Grammar School. Come and visit our outstanding boarding facilities at 2pm on Friday 27 April 2007. This is a special opportunity for parents and students to tour the boarding facilities and meet staff. For bookings (by 25 April 2007) or more information about boarding please contact the Director of Admissions on 03 9865 7570 or enrol@mgs.vic.edu.au.

30

Melbourne Grammar School – Grammar News

Tuesday 27 March 2007 1.45-3.30pm • Afternoon tea from 1.45pm • Briefing at 2.00pm • Visit classrooms and view activities from 2.30pm Wadhurst, 1 Domain Road, Melbourne VIC 3004 Enquiries: 03 9865 7700 or enrol@mgs.vic.edu.au


Yirrkala Trip For the first time ever, a trip to Yirrkala in North East Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory was run during the September school holidays. The trip involved four Year 10 students and teacher Martin Bell and was centred around an exchange of learning, language and culture with the Yolgnu people. The trip was based at the Yirrkala Homelands School which is the administered base for the schools in eight separate homelands throughout the region. From there the students caught a light plane to a nearby homeland, Yilpara. Students witnessed a historic ceremony where the Laynhapuy Indigenous Protected Area was increased from 45,000 hectares to 80,000 hectares for 99 years. The celebration was very historic and important to the Yolgnu people. Students also attended an athletics carnival at Garthalala and went on an overnight tour to a homeland called Bawaka. Bawaka is the size of Melbourne – with a population of just six! Boys took part in fishing (stingray, crayfish and fish), traditional dancing and bush tucker collection. The trip was a once in a lifetime opportunity and all boys took very happy memories back home. The trip will be run again during the September Camps Week in 2007 and is open to all Year 9 and 10 boys next year and beyond. George Brougham Year 10 student

Melbourne Grammar School – Grammar News

31


Melbourne Grammar School 355 St Kilda Road Melbourne Victoria 3004 Australia T +61 3 9865 7555 F +61 3 9865 7577 mgs@mgs.vic.edu.au www.mgs.vic.edu.au ABN 61 004 453 829


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.