Grammarian The RGS PAST STUDENTS’ ASSOCIATION WINTER EDITION 2022
03 140504 1810
Vice President: Rob South (RGS 1998 - 2009)
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“I’m the Proprietor at ASK ME Technology Consultants and Director of Netbright. I’m also a long-time supporter of the RGS Past Students’ Association and strongly involved in the Central Queensland community through my involvement with the Rockhampton South Rotary Club, Rockhampton Basketball and the Rockhampton Fitzroy Rowing Club.”
The All Years Reunion is set for Saturday, 24 September and we look forward to seeing people from all years visit the School. There are many events and celebrations that the School has planned so please purchase your tickets soon. You can find more information on our Facebook page and the School’s website.
Tom PresidentBirkbeck(RGS 2009)
“I’m currently an advisor and office manager in the Australian Parliament who works closely with stakeholders and community groups. I started my career in marketing and advertising in Brisbane after graduating from Griffith University with a Bachelor of Marketing and Management. I worked with many brands and startups to achieve their objectives.
“I graduated from RGS in 2009 after attending from Year 1 - 12. I’m now a licensed stockbroker and financial adviser working with Morgans Financial. I believe the Past Students Association should be assisting the school in the provision of facilities, student work experience and after school pathways.”
“I’m an Accountant by profession, sharing my time between Rockhampton and Brisbane, and I’m also the developer of Riverside Waters at Parkhurst. My family has connections to the School that dates back to the 1960’s when my father, Arthur, was a long-serving Board Secretary and later Trustee. I’ve been a Board Trustee for almost 25 years, currently the Board Deputy Chairman. I’m also a Past President of the Grammarian Old Boys Rugby Club. My aim in again becoming engaged in the RGS Alumni is to foster the connection to the men and women that have been students at Grammar and strengthen the bonds between the School and our past students.”
President: Tom Birkbeck (RGS 1998 - 2009)
Elected for a second term as Association President, I wish to continue the Association’s history of facilitating meaningful connections with past students and paying tribute to the School’s rich history.”
Secretary: Annie Belonogoff (RGS 2003 - 2009)
“After graduating from RGS, I moved overseas and completed a gap year just outside of London in the Epping Forrest at an Outdoor Education Camp called Gilwell Park. I then accepted an offer to study and row for the University of Sydney where I completed my first year of Speech Pathology. After realising I was not suited to metropolitan life, I relocated and continued my studies at JCU in Townsville and then worked as a Speech Pathologist in a paediatric private practice before considering teaching. I studied a Graduate Diploma in Education (Senior Years) at QUT. I enjoy the variety of challenges. I have taught science, maths, coached rowing, water polo and netball, worked as a pastoral care Head of Year in RGS boarding and Head of Year at Our Lady of the Southern Cross College in Dalby. I’m now the RGS Careers Advisor and enjoy helping students in their career education journeys.”
“After completing a Bachelor of Business (HRM) at CQUniversity, my career has taken me to various locations in Queensland and most recently Canberra. Much of my career has been with the Australian Public Service in roles such as Graduate, HR Co-ordinator, Personal Advisor, National Program Manager (Graduates) and Executive Assistant. My family has this year relocated to Rockhampton where I work at RGS. I only recently joined the Past Students Association and am keen to contribute to the school that gave me so much during my time as a student.”
From the President
Committee Member: Mark Birkbeck (RGS 1978 - 1982)
The Association is also supporting the Red and Black Rugby Dinner on Friday, 2 September at the Rockhampton Leagues Club. It will be great night for 2022 seniors to network and meet past players. We are also making progress on investing in capital projects which will benefit the broader school community. We are pursuing the redevelopment and refresh of the memorial fountain of the 1960 Abel Tasman plane crash which tragically took the lives of nine RGS students. We are also close to finalising the rebrand of the Past Students Association to the RGS Alumni, which will eventually come with a suite of merchandise for all past students to purchase.
Teasurer: Nick Johnson (RGS 2005- 2015) “I’m an accountant with PKF on the Gold Coast having graduated from Bond University in 2018 with a Bachelor of Commerce. I later gained a Bachelor of Laws at CQUniversity. While at School I was also in the Australian Navy Cadets.”
Committee Member: Adrien Lang (RGS 1989 - 1993)
meet the team
Committee Member: Rachel Trump (nee Milnes, RGS 1991 - 1995)
In closing, I wish to thank the Past Students Association for giving me the privilege of serving as President and I’m looking forward to catching up with all at the next event soon!
It has been a busy few months for the Past Students Association as we move further through our projects to assist the School’s alumni network. I urge anyone who is a past student to please update your contact details with the School to ensure we can still stay in touch with you and let you know of the events that the Past Students Association host and the events that the Association supports through the broader School network. Please also encourage your former classmates to update their contact details as well.
Robert South (2009) and Ashleigh Harvey (nee Norford, 2005)
Rachel Trump (nee Milnes) and Kylie Linwood
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Honouring RGS alumni
1995 alumni
Shirley Watt and Ken O’Dowd (1968) Donna Grant, Phillip Moulds and Brad Beasley (1975) Errol (1961) and Berenice Payne
Sasha Belonogoff (RGS 2007) with parents Lauren and George RGS Primary staff with past Head of Primary Geoff Hadwen (from left) Lachlan Libke, Jason Milburn, Jason Rooks, Geoff Hadwen, Owen Kelland, Janet Spark, Gareth Saunders and Lee Ann Kayes
Past students, and a past staff member, were honoured for their achievements at the RGS Distinguished Past Student Awards Dinner on 23 July. Here are their stories.
Graham Clark (1956), Ray Young (1942) and Lance Currie (1959)
Brad Beasley has had a long and RockhamptonassociationsuccessfulwithTheGrammar
Sasha Belonogoff
Brad Beasley
RGS: 1993 - 1995 Outstanding Achiever Award
Geoff was supportedalwaysalong his journey by his wife Pam, also a long serving RGS staff member in the Secondary School, and his daughters Katie (RGS 2006) and Jaime (RGS 2009). Geoff retired from The endGrammarRockhamptonSchoolattheofTerm1,2021.
Sergeant Megan Magarry (nee Wilson) has served with the Queensland Police for 21 years. She currently serves at the Fortitude Valley Police Station. She is currently the only female Sergeant, Shift Supervisor. In 2016, the then Senior Constable Magarry was awarded a National Bravery Medal for service with the Queensland Police Service. On the afternoon of 25 July 2013, Senior Constable Magarry assisted a colleague to rescue a woman from the Story Bridge in Brisbane. After consideration and discussion with another police officer who arrived at the scene, Senior Constable Magarry and her colleague began to climb the bridge to assist the woman. By this stage the woman had reached the top of one of the support structures of the bridge, 75 metres above the road. The officers continued their climb and, on reaching the top, discovered that the woman had traversed to the second support structure, about 500 metres away. Despite serious safety issues, including the threat of wind shear, and without ropes or harnesses, Senior Constable Magarry and the other officer made their way to where the woman was positioned on the bridge. Once there, they began negotiations with the woman, who made several threats to jump. When she climbed over the last safety rail, Senior Constable Magarry and the other police officer lunged, managing to hold the woman’s arms. They brought the woman back to safety and escorted her to the roadway where she was treated by ambulance officers.
Ken O’Dowd retired from Federal politics at the 2022 Federal Election, after serving four terms as the Liberal National Party Member for Flynn, in the Central Queensland region. Ken was first elected to Federal Parliament in 2010 before gaining re-election in 2013, 2016 and 2019. Born in Gladstone in 1950, Ken grew up on his parents’ farm at Bracewell, near Mount Larcom, and was educated at Bracewell State School and Mount Larcom High School before completing his Senior years at RGS. While at RGS, Ken was a School Prefect in 1967 and Head Senior Prefect 1968. Ken was Wheatcroft captain and represented the School in Cricket, Football, Cadets. He was also a Lions Youth of the Year finalist in Rockhampton. Ken fondly remembers his boarding days and the strict routine and principles the School upheld - “The Grammar experience assisted students to gain confidence as they stepped away from a protected family-school environment into a new world of challenges, self-preservation and survival skills including working on Bougainville Island and Canberra for extended periods.” After School, Ken worked at workingand(QAL)AluminiumQueenslandLimitedinGladstonefrom1970–1978,onconstruction of the Bougainville Copper Mine in Papua New Guinea. Following this, Ken returned to Central Queensland where he was involved in many local businesses including owning a fuel distributorship in Emerald, renovating O’Dowd’s Irish Pub in Rockhampton and then operating a building supplies company.
Geoff Hadwen served The distinctionGrammarRockhamptonSchoolwithfrom2003, particularly involved in developing a Primary School built on innovative and evidence-based educational practices and in enhancing the School’s culture. As Head of Primary, Geoff was highly respected by students, parents and colleagues. The School benefitted from Geoff’s educational and School community leadership, and passion for students, learning and the themuchopportunityalwaysprogramme.co-curricularGeoffwelcomedthetoenjoyastimeaspossibleinclassroom,ratherthan behind an office desk. He was also renowned for remembering all the students’ names. Dedicating his career to Primary education after first being posted to Miles State School, Geoff was promoted to Principal of Eulo State School, in western Queensland, at the age of 22. Throughout his time as a leader in schools, he in particular, valued the variety of staff he worked with over the years, always emphasising the importance of acknowledging that all staff are not the same and all bring different strengths to a school.
RGS: 1970 - 1975 CQ ContributionCommunityAward
Ken RGS:O’Dowd1967-1968 Outstanding Achiever Award
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Megan Magarry
School, having first started as a student in 1970 and now as the current Chairman of the Board of Trustees, a position he was appointed to in 2010, having served as a Board member since 2001. Brad has always given his time generously to many organisations in Central Queensland. Leadership aspirations started at a young age. Brad was a School Prefect in 1974 and was elected School Vice-Captain in 1975. At School, Brad was also a member of the First XI cricket team, Cadets and the School’s Toastmaster Club. After graduating from RGS, Brad studied a Bachelor of Law at the Queensland Institute of Technology (now QUT) before commencing at South Geldard Lawyers in 1978 where he completed his Articles of Clerkship with RGS past student, and then Board member, Mr Robert South, while continuing his university studies. After graduating from Law in 1984, Brad was admitted as a Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Queensland and the following year became a partner in South Geldard Lawyers. Brad was also The Rock Building Society non-executive Director and Chairman of its Credit Committee and was President of the RGS Past Students’ Association from 1994 – 2001. Brad served also as President of the Central Queensland Law Association in 1998.
Geoff Hadwen RGS: 2003 - 2021 Honorary MembershipLife
RGS: 2003 - 2007 Distinguished Past Student Born in Moura in 1990 to parents George and Lauren Belonogoff, Sasha was the second of five children in the Belonogoff family to attend RGS. Starting at RGS in Year 8 (2003), Sasha was a talented sportsman during his school years, excelling in swimming and rowing. At School, Sasha won four national rowing titles at School –the U17 Coxed Quad Scull (2005), the U17 Single Scull and Schoolboy Coxed Quad Scull (2006), and the Schoolboy Coxed Quad Scull (2007).
Sasha continued with rowing after School, while also pursuing exercise science and medical studies. Sasha made his Australian Rowing team debut in 2008 at the Junior World Rowing Championships in Austria, winning bronze in the double scull. He then raced three U23 Rowing World Championships (2009, 2010 and 2012) collecting a further two bronze medals in the quad sculls. His Senior Australian Rowing team was in 2013 when he gained selection to race the double scull at the World Championships. In 2014, won bronze in the double scull at the World Championships in Amsterdam. He was then selected in 2015 to race the Olympic Qualification Regatta in France, placing 5th and securing Australia a berth in the double scull at the 2016 Olympics. In 2016, Sasha was selected to race the Men’s Quad Scull for the World Rowing Cup Circuit where his crew won two gold medals, winning the World Cup Leader Trophy and confirming their selection for the 2016 Rio Olympic Games. At the Olympics, Sasha and his crew won the silver medal in the quad scull. Sasha has now retired from elite rowing and has continued pursuing his medical career.
FO: “The collaborative nature of people that the industry attracts. There’s a great John Steinbeck quote where he says “The theatre is the only institution in the world which has been dying for four thousand years and has never succumbed. It requires tough and devoted people to keep it alive.” And it’s true, never more so than right now.”
FO: “Perhaps an early found love of the arts, in all its forms, but a particular interest in theatre and musical theatre. What sparked that? Probably the Rogers & Hammerstein and MGM movie musicals, but once I did the RGS production of Singin’ in the Rain in 2003, that was it. I was sold. Beyond those formative experiences, an understanding of professional productions to be commercial enterprises was perhaps the final piece to that puzzle.”
CQ: How did you enter the Arts industry?
FO: “After school I moved to Brisbane to undertake a Bachelor Degree in town planning at UQ, before heading to Sydney to study at NIDA – No I Don’t Act. My studies were in the area of production with hopes of moving into management and producing.”
CQ: What do you enjoy most about working in this industry?
CQ: What are some of the biggest challenges that the industry is now facing?
CQ: What initially sparked your interest in moving into this career?
FO: “I’ve been fortunate to work on a number of large-scale events and productions. Career highlights include the International Tour of Disney’s The Lion King as well as my current role on An American in Paris. We rehearsed and opened Disney’s The Lion King in the Philippines before taking the show throughout South East Asia to Singapore and South Korea. With An American in Paris we are lucky enough to be joined by principal dancers of The Australian Ballet. It’s more special as it’s one of the first commercial productions to go into rehearsal and open as the live performance sector awoke after the pandemic.“
FO: “The entertainment industry is dealing with the fallout of the hiatus caused by the pandemic. Namely, the huge gap left in the skilled workforce by those who sought other work and career-changes as they weren’t supported during the pandemic. Our industry is one of the biggest contributors to the gig-economy which unfortunately went largely unsupported and unfortunately our industry is now paying the price. Prior to the pandemic the arts and entertainment sector employed 193,600 and contributed $14.7 billion per year to the national economy.”
CQ: When you’re not backstage you also enjoy public speaking? FO: “As a child I was sent to speech and drama classes pretty early to help combat my rhotacism – a challenge for anyone with a couple of r’s in their own name! Oratory and debating became staples in my high school experience and I’ve never met a microphone I didn’t like. It’s been my work curating and coaching TED Talks that has been a true synthesis of these skills and passions. The key is knowing and understanding your audience, and remembering to breathe.”
Q&A
CQ: What are some of the most exciting productions you have been involved with?
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FRASER ORFORD (RGS 2007) Fraser Orford has a passion for the arts, and is energetic personality continues to tap into new opportunities. The stage has provided many platforms for Fraser to shine, from being a company manager to being a curator with TEDxSydney. A new chapter now awaits Fraser with a move to London.
Liam Richardson (RGS 2020) needed a car when he was still at School and his Maths teacher Mr Glisson was looking at selling his car. Needless to say, Mr Glisson’s car has never been the same since that sale!
“I had my learner’s and was looking for a car. I don’t even know how I started talking to him about it. Everyone knew me for cars back at school. I was the car bloke,’’ Liam said. “Mr Glisson’s car is completely different now. The engine and interior are all stripped out. Now it has a turbo and super charger sticking out the bonnet that Mr Glisson definitely didn’t have when it was his car. It now also has a really loud exhaust and it’s built for drifting, burnouts and drag racing. All the things Mr Glisson wouldn’t have done when he was driving this car.”
Liam also loves the adrenalin of the sport. “I’m a nervous wreck when I’m competing. The heartbeat is through the roof and I’m so excited to just get out there and rip it up. As soon as the helmet’s on and the car is idling it’s game time. Your heart races the whole time,’’ Liam said.
Liam Richardson (RGS 2020) loves nothing more than jumping in his 2001 AU Ford Falcon and finding the nearest burnout, drifting or drag racing event.
Liam one day hopes to make an appearance at the Summernats in Canberra, but in the meantime will stick to the Central Queensland circuit. And his support crew (his family) are always nearby at each event.
Burning rubber
“Cars are just fun and I love working on them,’’ Liam said.
“It’s a great family outing,’’ Liam said. And despite having bigger aspirations to compete further afield, Liam is more than happy to stick with the 2001 AU Ford Falcon.
Liam Richardson puts his teacher’s car to the test!
“It keeps me busy and keeps me broke.”
Now in the third year of his four year Aircraft Engineering Apprenticeship in Rockhampton, Liam switched from aircraft to car mechanical duties when the Rockynats hit Central Queensland in April.
Brother - Matthew (RGS 2017) – “Matt’s the parts getter when it breaks.”
Liam’s also kept a connection to the School with his car.
“The AU is the pinnacle. I’m pretty happy with it - it’s cheap!”
Dad - Neil – “Dad helps me fix the car when it breaks and helps with the parts, money-wise. I’m pretty broke sometimes.”
The Falcon was once owned by RGS Mathematics teacher Gary Glisson who was Liam’s teacher from Year 10 to Year 12.
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Mum - Toni – “Mum is in charge of food and drinks, and keeping everyone safe and in order.”
Liam started re-building in 2019.
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After getting a taste of the political life, Ken has a fair idea about what it takes to become a politician, and survive in the game.
“Spending so much time away from family and friends is perhaps the biggest challenge faced by all politicians.”
“I still think it is in my DNA to keep going, although I am now in my 70’s, there is still a bit more to do in life. But then again, one must also consider taking time out to smell the roses,’’ Ken said.
LNP Member for Flynn Ken O’Dowd (RGS 1967 - 1968) clocked up 10 years of parliamentary service in 2020, retiring from politics before the 2022 Federal Election.
“Playing sport and working my own businesses was enough to keep myself oc cupied and it was not until I sold the pub that I joined the National Party in about 2006 and the rest is history,’’ Ken said.
One of Ken’s main tasks at hand after entering politics was to “to improve the lives of all constituents”.
During Ken’s 12 years in Canberra he worked under five different Prime Ministers.
Ken O’Dowd:
After entering Federal politics, Ken also fast discovered the challenges of being a regional politician versus a “big city” member as the position demands a lot of travel.
During Ken O’Dowd’s school days and early working life he never paid much attention to politics.
“The devastating floods that hit the electorate in 2010/11 meant that I had to hit the ground running. Homes, businesses, farms, roads, and bridges were severely impacted and then again in 2013 we witnessed the same destruction with another one in 100 year flood. “Mental trauma still remains with some of the victims today but I admired the true resilience of most people to put it all behind them and get on with job.”
“I repeatedly chalked up 70,000 km each year in the car, plus a lot of flying time and time in airports.
“This was by sourcing funding to build better roads, build water Infrastructure, improve telecommunications (mobile phone towers and install NBN), improve aged care facilities and provide training programmes to better skill our work force,’’ Ken said. “I also supported our Sea and Land Ranger program which I found very reward ing and satisfying.”
The Member for Flynn calls time on a long political career.
Ken O’Dowd (RGS 1968) was the elected LNP candidate to the Federal seat of Flynn in 2010. Flynn covers 133,000 km2, or approximately twice the size of Tasmania, from just north of Bundaberg in the south, west to the Gemfields and just south of “IRockhampton.hadtoquickly come to terms with the vast varieties of industries, its people, their occupations and their interests that pertained to each group,’’ Ken said.
“However, I believe some criteria is essential and that is, being open minded, a self-starter and prepared to work long hours away from family and friends for long durations. Having a good grounding in economics is yet another trait that can assist in doing a good job for your country.”
Ken has now been retired from politics for a few months, which has given him time to stop and reflect.
“The great thing about our Federal Constitution is that any Australian citizen over the age of 18 is illegible to stand for election,’’ Ken said.
“Canberra work and committee work take up almost half the year and the balance is spent getting around the electorate,’’ Ken said.
“Tony Abbott and Scott Morrison were the ‘standouts” to me as they would both give me a good hearing even if they did not always agree. Barnaby Joyce and John Cobb (the former Member for Calare) remain good friends and confidants,’’ Ken said.
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RGS past students
Anita and Danielle are leading a new career trend
Career Value!
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ANITA HUIE, NEE RIORDAN (RGS 1995)
(Pictured above: Anita valuing Carnarvon George National Park)
I would like to encourage any school leaver interested in a career in property to visit SVS or to find out more about further university studies to visit the Australian Property Industry API.”
“Initially, I had no idea what path to take! I studied subjects I enjoyed the most at school being humanities, languages, and creative arts. My interest in Valuations was sparked when I undertook my RGS week-long work experience placement in Year 11 with Herron Todd White Valuers in IRockhampton.wasgiventhe opportunity to accompany the Valuers on a mix of commercial, industrial, rural, and residential field inspections, and from there I instantly knew I wanted to pursue a property-based career. I studied a three-year Bachelor of Business (Property Studies) at the University of Queensland, Gatton campus. A further two-year industry experience is required to become a Certified Practising Valuer with the Valuers Registration Board of Queensland. Continual Professional Development (CPD) is obligatory each year to meet registration requirements and keep my professional knowledge and skills current. I love my job! I’m currently a Senior Valuer in the Client and Asset Valuations team in the State Valuation Service (SVS), Department of Resources, Toowoomba. Prior to this I worked in the Private sector for 15 years in various valuation firms and diverse property markets both urban and semi-rural. Currently working in the SVS, I enjoy the opportunity to travel and be in the outdoors, meet new people and the variety and diversity of work. My work includes valuing State Primary and Secondary school land and buildings, national parks land along with buildings, hospitals and TAFE’s and city council reserves, to name a few projects. When I was studying, approximately 15% of students were female. In the last 20 years, female representation has come a long way with 41% of property students in Australia now female, 59% male. I remember, when I first started, I would sometimes be asked on inspection, “So when you’re finished here, do you go back to the office and give all the info to the Valuer to calculate?” I’d have to kindly reply “No, I am the Valuer!”.
Anita Huie (nee Riordon, RGS 1995) and Danielle Vallis (RGS 2001) are joining a growing number of women joining the valuations industry.
A career as a Valuer is multi-faceted! In private industry, Valuers are considered independent third parties who determine the market value of a property asset, plant and/or machinery. Valuations are required and relied upon for a wide variety of applications within the banking, finance, government, insurance, and legal Privateindustries.clientsmay also request a valuation for buying or selling, to aid in making an informed decision. As Valuers, we follow a specific methodology depending on what type of property we are valuing (commercial, industrial, rural, residential) and analysing sales evidence and assessing the level of risk on market value and marketability forms a critical component of the reporting Beingprocess.aValuer in both the private and public sector is a rewarding career. From my experience, the private sector is a dynamic, fast paced environment equipped with the latest field technology with daily KPI targets and sometimes requires long hours. The Public sector offers a wide variety and diversity of work, work-life balance, highly team orientated and offers excellent training and professional development opportunities. Both environments offer flexible working conditions.
“At school I really wasn’t sure what I wanted to do for a career, only that I didn’t want to be a teacher as my family is full of them. I’d thought about being a Lawyer or a Police Officer. I studied Drama, Legal Studies, Hospitality and Chemistry in Year 11 and Year 12. I didn’t want to start a degree and drop out because I didn’t like it so I was going to take a year to think about what I wanted to do. My Mum actually suggested I look for a Government traineeship which is what I did after finishing Year 12. I did have a part time job in retail but I wasn’t enjoying it. Anyway six months after leaving Year 12 I did get a Traineeship in Business Administration with the State Valuation Service (SVS) and I haven’t looked back! What I first noticed was the Valuers weren’t stuck in the office all day every day. They travelled around so that’s what first sparked my interest, and that’s what I love about my job now. I stayed on after finishing my traineeship and after about two years we had a property boom and two of our staff left for the private sector. Management were talking about putting on cadets to help fill this void and that’s when I really started to get interested. Some of our Senior Valuers and management met with CQUniversity and they started a Bachelor of Property course which I applied for and did part time in the first year while still working in admin in SVS. They advertised for two Cadetships (basically the same thing as an apprenticeship) and I applied and was successful in getting a position in Townsville with the Statutory Valuation team. I worked up there and studied part time finishing my degree and gaining registration in 2010. I was able to get registered straight away as I’d been working in the industry for four years which satisfied the Valuation Registration Board’s requirements. In 2012 I transferred into the Client and Asset Valuation team in Brisbane, and became a Senior Valuer in 2018. In 2020 I decided I wanted to move back home and closer to friends so I asked for a transfer to the Rockhampton office. As my team does work all over the state, it was approved and I moved back. I love the variety of my work. I’ve travelled all over the State valuing schools, National Parks, Police and Fire Stations, hospitals, marinas and islands! Its very rewarding.
DANIELLE VALLIS (RGS 2001)
(Pictured below: Danielle at the Mt Isa Lookout)
I’ve travelled with work to provide valuations as far north as Horn Island, as far west as Birdsville and as far south as Hebel on the NSW / Queensland boarder and everywhere in between!”
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Now we are much closer to a 50/50 split of males and females but when I first joined us ladies were few and far between. In SVS we do Valuations for Rating and Land Tax purposes, as well as Financial reporting Valuations and Valuations for Acquisitions. We also do valuations for State Land Asset Management which includes conversions to freehold, road closures and openings, Permits. There is more variety of work in the Government when comparing to the valuation work in the private Isector.haveonly worked in the public sector but I have friends in private who I studied with. Some of them only undertake Residential Mortgage Security Valuations. I hear it can get quite competitive and when the property market’s on a down turn it can be hard to find work. If anyone’s interested in a career in Property I encourage you to get in touch with the State Valuation Service and arrange for some work experience. It is a really rewarding career and the work is diverse and very interesting.
Ian Pedersen (RGS 1962) and Ian Geddes (RGS 1961) Mike Evans (RGS 1958)
Peter Ford (RGS 1974), Paul Bickford (RGS 1975), Carl Scott (RGS 1976)
Page 10 The Grammarian BRISBANE ALL YEARS REUNION 11 JUNE 2022:
Lance Currie (RGS 1959) and Ray Barraclough (RGS 1958) Merv Tarlington (RGS 1962) and Graham Titmarsh (RGS 1962)
Neil Russel (RGS 1965) and Bob Johnson (RGS 1959) Russel Wilson (RGS 1979), Glen Woods (RGS 1979), Seth Dickinson (RGS 1979), Andrew Thomson (RGS 1979), Ben O’Regan (RGS 2006)
MELBOURNE PAST STUDENT 16BREAKFASTMAY2022:
RGS Headmaster Dr Phillip Moulds caught up with RGS past students Catherine Mitchell (RGS 1991), Kirrilly Wilson (RGS 1993), Fraser Orford (RGS 2007), John Price (RGS 1985) and Jodie Katada (nee Arrowsmith, RGS 1991) at a past student breakfast in Melbourne.
Thanks to Lance Currie (RGS 1959) and Steve Brown (RGS 1979) for coordinating the event at Brisbane’s Transcontinental Hotel.
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Stewart Norford farewells RGS Boarding after 25 Years. Pictured above: Stewart’s son Scott Norford (RGS 2002), wife Tania Norford, Stewart Norford and daughter Ashleigh Harvey (nee Norford, RGS 2005).
Meredith Ross (RGS 2019), Claire Delroy (RGS 2019) and Jocelyn Ross (RGS parent) Cooper Carr (RGS, Year 11 2021) and Stewart Norford Toni Lamb (RGS 2019) and Jaiden HIll (RGS 2019) (Far left) Megan Kent (RGS 2017), Anita Davison (RGS parent), Daniel New (RGS 2017) and Scott Davison (RGS 1991 and current RGS parent); (Left) Layne Ivey (RGS 2019) and Stewart Norford.
Norfords boarding farewell 24 June, 2022
AgGrow Field Days in Emerald (from left) Ella James (RGS 2021), Miranda Luck (RGS 2021), Morghan Wight (RGS 2018), and Jorja Luck (RGS 2019); RGS past parent Scott Black (father of Angus, RGS 2002, Jamie, RGS 2005, Dylan, RGS 2010, and Anna, RGS 2013); Harry Phillis (RGS 2018) and father Scott Phillis from “Carlo Creek Station”, Dingo.
2020 graduates Patrick Chay and Georgiana Russell.
Sophie Griffin (RGS 2016) and Hugh Griffin (RGS 2017) with RGS Head of HPE, and past student, Jason Wells (RGS 1999)
The Marks sisters from Clermont - Amelia (Year 12), Natalie (RGS 2020) and Olivia (RGS 2017 2019 alumni Lauren Neilson and Grace Weston. Year 12’s Gabie Rolls with sister Jasmine Rolls (RGS 2016) Tess Napper (RGS 2018), Max Napper (RGS 2016) and Meg Napper (RGS 2014). Bill Smith and son Matthew Smith (RGS 2017)
Supporting their youngest sibling Faith Maynard at the Year 12 Formal were Olivia (RGS 2019), Guthrie (RGS 2015), Sabrina (RGS 2013) and Bonnie (RGS 2017).
Class of 2019 past students Olivia Maynard and Emily Horsley. 2021 graduates Sophie Keune and Shobi Salam.
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Friends collaborate
Kate Quinn, Hayley Bracewell and Claire Mactaggart are still a great team! They were best friends in boarding school and feel fortunate that their friendship has continued over the years as their lives have taken different paths since finishing school. Today, their bond remains strong. Rockhampton, earlier this year provided the perfect platform for three former school friends (RGS 1992 alumni) to pool their talents and enjoy an afternoon of artistic creativity.
Bloom at Liberty, in
Claire also works as Queensland contributing editor for Country Style magazine.
“I have known Claire and Hayley for over 30 years, and to run an event like this with two of my dearest friends, back in Rockhampton, was special beyond words”
“Since high school, I have always had some sort of creative project on the go - from silversmithing, to sewing, to watercolour painting. I was inspired by renowned artist Laura Jones to try painting in oils, and have never looked Kateback!”painted in her spare time for several years, building up her skills, but in the last three years, has transitioned from a part time hobby artist, to a full time professional painter and oil paint teacher. Bloom Art Experiences was born during a conversation with Claire, when Claire suggested Kate bring her art teaching skills to her new airbnb accommodation in Rockhampton, Liberty Cottage. Kate brought Brisbane artist Emily Day on board as a co-teacher, and Hayley as photographer, and the Bloom inaugural event at Liberty Cottage was a huge success.
“Working with my dear high school friends on creative projects, such as Bloom with Kate and Claire, is as good as it gets! Who would have thought all those years ago sitting under the Space Frame, that one day we would be joining forces on projects like this? There is a complete trust in our friendships that have endured since we were 12 years old. I will always do whatever I can to support them.”
“I am forever grateful for the life-long friendships and community at RGS,” she says.
In April, Kate and Emily offered three fun and informative days of Bloom Art Experience workshops at Liberty, along with delicious food by local caterers. This was all captured skilfully by Hayley Bracewell.
She launched Liberty, AirBnB accommodation in Caroline Street, Rockhampton in 2021.
Kate and Emily are now running Bloom as a business, in addition to their own art practices, and have Bloom Art Experiences planned all over Australia in the next 12 months.
HayleyKateClaire
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“I’ve always been drawn to the challenge of using a frame to create my own unique point of view, and to catch a moment in between the moments. I still get nervous and excited downloading a card full of photos from a shoot - nervous to find out if I nailed the brief, and excited to see what comes to life in the editing process! Technicality is not my strong suit - I would rather have an over-exposed, blurry image full of feeling, than a technically perfect shot. I usually let the shoot take on a life of its own.”
The Grammarian
However, Kate didn’t pursue art as a career, instead, completed a social work degree and worked as a social worker overseas and in Brisbane for many years.
“Every participant went home with a beautiful piece of art and had a great day out. It was so much fun to work with Kate and Hayley on this creative project. As always, those two super talented and funny school friends show me anything is possible,” Claire adds.
Kate Quinn was a boarder at RGS from 1988-92, where she met her lifelong friends Claire and Hayley. Kate loved art at school, under the tutelage of long term RGS art teacher Mrs Teresa Johnson, and won the art prize in year 12.
Hayley attended RGS as a day student from 1988 to 1992. She attended QUT and majored in photography whilst studying a Bachelor of Education in Secondary Art. Even as a little girl, the camera was a major source of interest, and being behind the camera a preferred position.
About ten years ago, in the midst of raising three children, and working in social work part time, Kate decided to give painting a go. She enrolled in some short courses to learn how to use the medium of oil paints.
Claire Mactaggart (nee Wyland) enjoyed her time as a boarder at RGS from 1989-1992.
“Pursuing art as a career wasn’t presented as an option to me back in CQ in the 90’s... but these days I think young people graduating high school are encouraged much more to follow their passions”, says Kate.
Life after school included working briefly as a teacher and then a photographer for an online magazine in Brisbane, before leaving to live in London for 3 years. She now lives with her husband in beach-side Tannum Sands, and works full time in photography, operates a clothing label (Bracewell) and ferries her three children around the state to their various sporting commitments.
She studied a Bachelor of Business, Agribusiness then a diploma of business management. Early work in regional development and Landcare followed and Claire has been a freelance writer for the past 16-years. Along with her husband Andrew, she lives at Duaringa with their four daughters, where they operate a beef business.
“I love celebrating and exploring regional Australia through my work with Country Style. Over that time I’ve learnt so much, working with artists, producers, makers and creatives, including tips to make a home shine. Sharing this house with guests and showcasing our beautiful central Qld region feels like a natural progression.”
The masters I remember were Boss Jardine the Headmaster, K. C. Gillam, Mr Griffiths, Mr Bundy, and a Mr Crawford. It was difficult to obtain teachers of course, as a large number had joined up. I think K. C. Gillam joined the RAAF and Mr Griffiths joined the Army after my time at the school. We had plenty of sport. I played rugby league with the under 7.7 stone team and also played quite a bit of tennis. Once a year we had a cross-country run which was handicapped. Later I played in the Junior league team There was a Junior and Senior Rugby League team. The latter also played in a junior competition with the Rockhampton Rugby Competition. The former played on Friday afternoons and the latter on Saturday. We were taught the Grammar School War Cry and used it when we were watching some competition against another school. I can’t remember the words now except I think some of them were “Karmedy Karmedy Kara Kara”. At the end we shouted “Grammar Boys Grammar Boys YES we are”. The boarders used to be given “Bread and Scrape” which I think was a slice of bread with treacle on it for morning tea. One of the things which really stuck in my mind was the landing at Rockhampton Airport of dozens of American aircraft at various times. Apparently, they came by boat to Brisbane and were then flown North to New Guinea with various stops along the way. There were AiraCobras, Lockheed Lightnings, Liberators and Flying Fortresses. We were fascinated by them all and would cycle down to the southern end of the strip to get a good look at them. One day, there were about a dozen of us standing by the southern fence when one of the fighters skidded on the burnt grass as it tried to turn round and ran into fence post very close to where we were standing. It gave us a big fright. There were thousands of American troops stationed on the Yeppoon Road, The Caves and a few other places. There was one section camped at the Rockhampton Botanic Gardens and a few of us would go up to the camp at night and look at films which were sent out from the US. We often went out by bike to the Yeppoon Road to visit the camps. I enjoyed my time at the school and also joined the Old Boys Association which used to be a rowing shed beside the Fitzroy River. I served on the committee there for some years until it was moved to the grounds of the School as a recreation room below the old swimming pool. ”
Starting School at the Rockhampton Boys Grammar School in 1941 was a different experience for Ted Baker, who now lives in Canberra. He was one of the “new” kids and Rockhampton was in the midst of preparing for war. Here are some of Ted’s memories from that time. Ted attended RGS in 1941 and 1942.
“ My memory is not as good as it was but here are a few items from my memory bank. My first day at Rockhampton Grammar was a bit of a surprise. 95% of boys had bicycles and we used to park them in the morning in the old gymnasium where we could hang them up on hooks. The surprise came in the afternoon when the school closed. All first-year boys were forced to pump up the tyres of the more senior boys. We were referred to as “brats”. There were a few confrontations but nothing too drastic. The majority of the new ones joined the Cadet Corps and the family had to buy the khaki uniform with a slouch hat. We did roughly two hours of training twice a week and sometimes on the weekends. Very occasionally we also went to the Army Drill Hall in Archer Street and fired guns, I think 303s. War with Japan had started in late 1941 and a number of boys were asked to come to the school and dig trenches around the edge of the playing field. We only had one football/cricket field at this time and under the goal posts at the school end the ground was all rough rock and razor-sharp stones. When tackled in that area severe gravel rash was caused. During 1942 we had a weekly session of first aid presided over by the head of the local Ambulance Brigade (QATB). We were also examined on our progress after a while. In the Master’s room there was a sort of klaxon horn which was blown at various times to train the boys in air raid precautions. When we were in the classroom close to the Master’s room we could see K. C. Gillam go into the room at odd hours and we knew he was going to blow the horn. We used to jump out very quickly and run down to the trenches at the edge of the oval. The oval was always known as the “Debby” in my time. It was always a race to see who could get to the trenches first. Most boys who had graduated from primary schools Leichhardt Ward and Allenstown, and these were the majority of pupils, tended to keep old friendships and stick together. I suppose the exception to that was my great friendship with Frank Luck and Rol Oxenham which lasted right up to the last two or three years. As the Japanese invasion was forecast in early 1942, most Queensland schools were closed. We were required to visit the school every Monday morning and receive a week’s work to study. A number of the boys managed to finish the work in 2 or 3 days and then had the rest of the week to play. This lasted for several months.
Page 16 The Grammarian
RGS in the 1940s
Edmund (Ted) Baker reflects on his school days at RGS
CLASS OF 1992 The Class of 1992 caught up at the Rockhampton Pop Up Polo event in June.
TAHLIA FENLON (RGS 2020)
DEAN NETHERWOOD, ALEX RUSSELL, ROB MCKENZIE (RGS 2004) & MRS KENNEDY
The Grammarian Page 17
Brother and sister Jamie and Emily Keehn dropped into RGS for a visit. Jamie is living in the USA working for a medical device company, specialising in orthopedics. After spending four years in Melbourne for athletics, Jamie then found himself at Louisiana State University where he played American football for four years and then had try outs with NFL teams. Jamie now just sticks to recreational golf. Emily is based in Brisbane working in accounts for electrical contractors while also studying a Masters of Accounting. On the sporting field, Emily is playing in the QAFLW with Wilston Grange. Playing in the ruck, Emily only started playing AFL last year. On the athletics scene, Emily has retired from heptathlons and is now instead having fun with discus training. (and they were both super star athletes for Wheatley during their schooldays at RGS!)
RGS staff member Mrs Jan Kennedy had a great catch up with RGS Class of 2004 graduates Dean Netherwood, Alex Russell and Rob McKenzie in Rockhampton.
TOM CARROLL (RGS 1993) & ROBERT McFARLANE (RGS 1991)
Tom Carroll and Robert McFarlane visited RGS while watching their sons play in a schoolboys rugby union carnival at Rugby Park.
JAMIE KEEHN (RGS 2006) & sister EMILY KEEHN (RGS 2009)
GRACE & LAURA SYPHER Grace (RGS 2019), representing Australia, placed sixth in the women’s lightweight single sculls A Final at the Under-23 World Rowing Championships in Italy. Laura (RGS 2021), rowing for the Sydney Rowing Club, won her double scull event at the Henley women’s Regatta in the UK.
Tahlia won the Racing Queensland Country Apprentice Premier ship 2021/2022 honour. The Rockhampton-based 19-year-old apprentice jockey had 23 wins in her inaugural year.
The Grammarian George Clayton’s daughter Jennifer Harte visited the School in July with RGS staff member, and past student, Bruce Saxby (RGS 1973) on hand for an informative school tour.
George Edward Burdekin Clayton, known as “Ted”, was born in 1902 at Charters Towers to Mary Charlotte Phelan and George Clayton who was originally from Rutherglen in Victoria. His parents drew a block of land at Meteor Park, Springsure where they were living when Ted was awarded a state scholarship to The Rockhampton Grammar School in 1916. He was a keen sportsman as well as a student winning the Archer Cup in 1919 and was presented with a gold medal by Mrs Kellow, the Headmaster’s wife that same year. After completing his schooling he entered Sydney University as a medical student and graduated in 1925 along with another contemporary from RGS, Mort Hishon, later to become his brother in law. At that time there was no medical school in Queensland so anyone wanting to do Medicine was obliged to go interstate. He started his own practice about 1931 in Pomona, a dairying and timber district which at the time was the centre of the Noosa Shire Council. As he was in solo practice he worked in with his colleagues in nearby Cooroy when he needed someone to give him anaesthetic and vice versa. In those days the roads were unsealed, people relied on tanks for their water and there was no refrigeration or sewerage system. Timber was hauled to the local sawmill by bullock team supervised by the bullock team driver cracking a large whip. The local butter factory, now a museum processed the milk sent in by the local farmers. During this time my Father noticed some of his rural patients were presenting with an unusual seven day fever, so he sent blood samples to the State Health Laboratory for analysis. Tests were conducted by Dr Derrick and the fever was discovered to be a new strain of Leptospirosis, less virulent than a form endemic in north Queensland but closer to strains common in Asia. It was named Pomona Leptospirosis. There was lot of interest at the time in Queensland coastal fevers of unknown origin. My Father and Dr Derrick submitted a joint paper outlining their findings to the Australian Medical Journal in 1936. In 1936 Ted married Marcia O’Sullivan from Toowoomba and they had four children. His practice was very busy particularly during the war years when many Doctors were away at the war. House calls at all hours of the day and night and extra clinics in nearby areas added to his workload. Unfortunately this took a toll on his health and in 1946 he had a heart attack while playing tennis and died aged 43 leaving his wife to bring up their young family alone. Two of his grandsons have done medicine, one of whom has also graduated from Sydney University.
George Clayton was a boarder from “Meteor Park”, Springsure, when he attended RGS from 1916 to 1920. George entered the School as a State Scholar and started his Senior Matriculation before leaving in the Easter of 1920. A fine athlete during his RGS school days, George won the Archer Cup in 1919. Pictured below is a medal George received for the Athletics Senior Championship in 1919, presented by Mrs Kellow. Jennifer Harte, from Brisbane, contacted the School to find out more information about her father’s School days at RGS. Thank you to Jennifer for sharing the below words on her father and for reconnecting with RGS.
GeorgeRemembering:Clayton
from the Archives
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Relay for Life
Qld team Year 11 student Taryn Roberts was named in the year.ChampionshipsOpencompeteswimmingQueenslandteamtoattheUSSwimmingthis Aust team Year 12 student Jett Grundy 4400mwinningFieldOceaniaAustraliarepresentedattheTrackandChampionshipsgoldinhiseventandthex400mrelay.
RGS Year 11 boarders continued their ongoing support at Rockhampton’s Relay for Life!
RGS Director of Co-Curriculum, and RGS past student, Todd Wells (RGS 1995) received a 15 years service award at QISSN (Queensland Independent Secondary Schools Netball) in Mackay during June.
The Grammarian Page 19
RGS Today
“It’s a humbling experience. The award really is a reflection of the work I’ve been able to do with a lot of wonderful people over a long period of time. I see it as recognition of the school communities I’ve been a part of the organisations I’ve been able to serve. I thank all the people who have supported me along the way. Without everyone working together you can’t achieve things for the students in your care.”
RGS Headmaster Dr Phillip Moulds OAM was recognised on the Queen’s Birthday 2022 Honours List.
Dr Moulds explained why he decided to pursue a career in education: “You get to make a difference in students lives and contribute not only to that student but to the broader community. I’d like to think that I’ve spent my time in education using my talents and capabilities to serve others and achieve really good outcomes. As a father, you really care about your kids and how they grow up, and you worry about their future. To be entrusted with that with thousands of students over the many years is one of the most important jobs you could ever do.”
Staff recognition
Todd has long been a strong advocate for RGS participating in both QISSN and QISSRL (Queensland Independent Schools Rugby League).
Dr Moulds was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for service to secondary education.
Madeleine Hoch and Cameron Burstall
Tahlee Bridges (nee Hind, RGS 2004) and Grant Bridges welcomed their third daughter Torvi on 28 March, 2022. Torvi is a sister for Sloane (RGS, Year 3) and Briar (RGS, Kindy).
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WE CELEBRATE
Madeleine Hoch (RGS 2011) and Cameron Burstall were married at the RGS Rowing Club on 6 May.
“We’re both currently living and working in Emerald. Myself at the local hospital as a Registered Nurse and Cam as a Geologist at a local mine. Our future plans will likely involve continuing living and working rurally in the CQ area. We love its sense of community and the close relationships we have formed here. There is certainly not a lack of social engagements and things to do, and we regularly catch up with many of my boarder friends who are from the area and are still great friends from 2011 at RGS.”
Fraser Orford and Luke Taylor
Fraser Orford (RGS 2007) and Luke Taylor were married in Sydney on 24 April Joining the wedding guests were RGS past students Jaime Hadwen (RGS 2009), Emma Brodel (RGS 2007) and Alyssa Beasley (RGS 2007). Fraser and Luke are preparing to work in London.
Rockhampton’s Ashleigh (RGS 2005) and Tyron Harvey welcomed Andie Paige Harvey on 11 April 2022 weighing 3.3kg. Andie is a baby sister for Gus. Ashleigh Harvey (nee Norford)Rockhampton’s
Angie Holmes (nee Balderston, RGS 2010) and Izak Holmes welcomed their first child Archie William Holmes on 26 July 2022, weighing 3.7kg. Angie Holmes (nee Balderston)
Kimberley Adams (RGS 2012) and Cody Jones (RGS 2011) welcomed Rylee Jade Jones on 13 April. Kimberley Adams and Cody Jones
The Grammarian Tahlee Bridges (nee Hind)
Robert was a State-standard swimmer and excelled in breaststroke. To supplement his pool training, he regularly swam across the Fitzroy River and against the tide in Ross Creek in Yeppoon. Luckily, estuarine crocodile population numbers were low at that time. Mathematics and logic were Robert’s strong points at school, and he considered completing matriculation to Senior (grade 12) and attending University to study engineering in Brisbane. His father encouraged him to study as an articled clerk and he thus commenced employment at the age of 15 at a legal firm in Rockhampton. During that time he was selected for compulsory National Service training and stated that four-month period as being formative in his life. During that time away from his caring and protective family environment, resilience and the ability to lead a group of disparate characters from widely varying backgrounds were learnt. His ability to ghost write love-letters for his less-literate fellow soldiers was helpful. His marksmanship earnt his section special leave and led on to military shooting competitions and the continuation of competitive shooting in civilian life. He married Maureen Sands in 1956 and they had their first child Michael in 1958. They moved to Innisfail where Robert joined a legal firm. The death of their second child Gregory on his day of birth lead the family back to Rockhampton where Robert established the respected legal practice which continues to this day as South Geldard Lawyers. Robert and Maureen’s daughter Leigh was born in 1964. Michael and Leigh attended Allenstown State Primary School. Robert and his father Maurie had also attended Allies. Maurie had helped dig slit trenches in the school grounds in anticipation of Japanese bombing in World War II. Michael attended RGS from 1971 to 1975 for his secondary schooling. He became school captain and Dux in 1975. He was one of the founding group that re-established the RGS Past Students Association.
Leigh attended Rockhampton Girls Grammar School from 1978 to 1982 and went on to study medicine at Queensland University. She specialised in Family Medicine and she and her husband Mark Johnson made their home in Rockhampton. Their children Bridget and Elizabeth attended RGS from grade 1 to grade 12. Both studied medicine in Brisbane where Bridget underwent further studies to become a Psychiatrist and Libby to become a Family Practitioner. Leigh continues to practice at City Heart Medical in Rockhampton. Robert’s daughter-in-law Jill became an RGS board member in 1997 and continues to the current time - some 25 years. Robert was very proud to note there had only been one 4-year Board term in the last 51 years when there was not a South serving on the board.
Robert attended The Rockhampton Grammar School for 2 years from 1947 to 1948. He was on the RGS Board of Trustees for 22 years from 1971 to He1993.wasimmensely proud of the school and regarded the pinnacle of his efforts on the board as the school gaining its world-class Olympic standard swimming pool. He had deep ties to the school directly and through family and friends. In the late 1960’s, values and attitudes to education changed, and smaller regional private schools experienced financial difficulties. Robert wanted his children to attend secondary school in Rockhampton and became a trustee of the school in 1971. He led negotiations to amalgamate with Rockhampton Girls Grammar School. When the RGGS board rejected the offer, he urged the transition to coeducation. In 1977, The Rockhampton Grammar School became co-educational and has continued to grow and go from strength to Robertstrength.was born to Maurice and Gladys South in 1933.
WE REMEMBER
Robert was a founder of The Rockhampton Permanent Building Society in 1967. He and a group of other local businessmen recognised the need for lending to locals that was unmet by large and impersonal southern-based Banks. He was elected as the Chairman from 1989-2007 and presided over the company’s listing on the Australian Stock Exchange in 1992 - the first building Society in Queensland to do so. The Rock owned and operated an insurance arm, employed 153 people, and created employment for a further 27 people within the agency network. In its hey-day The Rock served 40,000 people and had about $1 billion in total loans. He was immensely proud of it.
Maurice was an accountant who worked with Dalgety’s Pastoral Company from the twenties to the seventies as the manager for most of that time. He was also on the boards of local produce companies. During the Second World War, with his extensive knowledge of the resources and the people of Central Queensland, Maurice was appointed to liaise closely with the government and with the senior American Army personnel. Robert developed many friends and deep connections with the people and the land of Central Queensland through his father and through the Grammar School. He honed his shooting skills on the school’s on-site rifle range. Gladys was a piano teacher and Robert developed a love of and skill for playing the popular tunes of that time. That, and his dancing abilities, made him a favoured guest at many a party. Fortunately for party attenders, he never attempted to sing.
Robert was a significant financial donar to and Chairman of the Central Queensland University Library Appeal. He was made a Companion of the University in 2009 in recognition of his outstanding support of CQUniversity and the community. Robert was immensely proud of The Rockhampton Grammar School, Rockhampton, and Central Queensland and never failed to promote the region and its people.
Michael went on to study medicine at Queensland University and qualified as an orthopaedic surgeon in 1990. He and his wife Jill and their children Fiona and Robert returned to Rockhampton in 1992. Michael’s Mater Hospital-based orthopaedic practice, commenced 30 years ago, continues to this day.
Robert’s two stepchildren and six grandchildren from his second marriage to Joanne Conaghan further enriched his life and that of the RGS. Ben and Kate both attended the school. Ben married Catherine Cuddihy (past RGS teacher). Kate married Ben Wright – partner of South Geldard Lawyers and past-student of RGS. Ben and Kate’s children Charlotte, Sophie, Elizabeth, and Josephine currently attend the school. Their uncle Julian is also a paststudent, teacher, and staff member at the school.
(Words by Michael South, Robert’s son)
Robert South (RGS 1948)
Both Fiona and Robbie attended RGS from grade 1 to grade 12 and went on to make successful careers in marketing and financial planning respectively.
Robert was thrilled to become the great-grand-father of Fiona and Jack Farrall’s son Eddie in 2020. Michael’s life-long friend from school years, Brad Beasley, went on to study law, join South Geldard lawyers, and become a member of, and current Chairman of, the RGS Board of Trustees.
The Grammarian Richard Ross Westmoreland passed away on 17 August. Richard attended RGS from 1956 – 59. During his time at RGS, Richard represented the School in football, the Earl Roberts cadets rifle shooting team and several district oratory competitions. He was appointed Prefect for his sub-senior and senior years. On finishing Senior, Richard went to King’s College and the University of Queensland where he studied medicine. After completing his residency at Rockhampton General Hospital, he and his wife Hazel spent a year at Bien Hoa, Vietnam, as a member of a civilian medical team assisting the local population during the Vietnam War. He also later spent some time in Port Moresby, PNG. He furthered his studies in Edinburgh, Scotland, where he obtained his specialist qualifications as a paediatrician. Richard established a private practice as a paediatrician in Townsville, followed by a long period in Mt Isa, where he also worked with the Royal Flying Doctor Service. When he finally “hung up his stethoscope” Richard returned to Townsville, where he lived until his death – two weeks after his 81st birthday. He is survived by Hazel, his wife for 58 years, daughter Anna and grandson Tom.
VALE Rodney Maxwell Deeth B.Sc, B.Ed
Page 22
Henry Ernest Lawrence was born in Rockhampton on 16 June 1928 and attended RGS from 1942 - 1945. He would later pursue a career as a dentist. During his school years at RGS, Henry was a School Prefect in 1945. That same year Henry received the Fryer Memorial Prize for proficiency in English and French in the Senior Form. In 1943, Henry received the Mrs J Wheatcroft Memorial Prize for the best student in English in the Junior Form. Henry passed away in Canberra on 9 July, 2022, aged 94 years.
Richard Westmoreland (RGS 1956 - 1959)
A private family service was held for Mr Deeth on 24 March Rockhampton. Vale Mr Deeth: 19 March 2022, aged 87
WE REMEMBER
Henry Lawrence (RGS 1945)
“The recent death of Rod Deeth, ex Deputy Headmaster, saddened colleagues and friends from the 1960’s and 1970’s. After graduating from the University of Queensland with a Bachelor of Science and Diploma of Education, he spent a short teaching period with the Department of Education, and then accepted a position with RGS in 1961, teaching Maths and Science. He joined a staff of 11 at a school that had been in existence for 81 years. Rod soon showed his exceptional skills in the classroom. While his academic knowledge was high his enthusiasm for his subjects brought his students new attitudes to study. He always looked for the best in his students and highlighted their successes and encouraged their efforts. His sense of humour caught their attention and he related to their needs. Years later at class reunions he was the teacher that students queued up to talk to, thanked him for his care and wished him well as the years passed. He shared his passion and skills for tennis, cricket and later lawn bowls. Cars were a great interest for him. He serviced his own much loved VW. His wife, Shirley, and their three children still recall his holiday trips across the Nullarbor and south to Victoria. After leaving RGS in 1976, then as Deputy Headmaster, he joined later worked at Mt Morgan State High School, Rockhampton State High School and Rockhampton Girls Grammar School. Retirement encouraged him to continue doing what he loved best: family time with Shirley, and his children Scott, David and Michelle, his grandchildren and tutoring children seeking help. To me, Rod was a brilliant teacher, who put students first and a colleague who led by example.”
Rod (RGSDeethstaff: 1961 - 1975) (Words by Martin Linnane, RGS past staff member)
The Rockhampton Grammar School Archer Street, Rockhampton Qld 4700 P 07 4936 0600 | W www.rgs.qld.edu.au | E paststudents@rgs.qld.edu.au CRICOS Provider No. 00507F
