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From the Old Trinity Grammarians’ Association
Term 3 of 2021 will be remembered as one of the most challenging in the school’s history where our resilience was severely tested but the leadership and the Trinity spirit shone through with the community working together with remarkable care for one another and great generosity. Our thoughts are with our whole community, young and old, whose health, lives and livelihoods continue to be significantly impacted by COVID-19 with daily tests to our patience, mental health and physical wellbeing.
The term started very positively with the successful Old Trinity Grammarians’ Amateur Football Club annual business lunch held on 9 July with over 200 people in attendance (please see the images). Congratulations to the OTGAFC for all their efforts to host a very entertaining event and it was great to see so many of the OTG community coming together. A real highlight of the day was the presentation of the Stuart Stockdale (OTG 1968) Award for outstanding and selfless contribution to the OTGAFC. This was presented to Linda Weatherson by her son Edward (OTG 2010). There was not a dry eye in the house as Edward shared his very engaging recollections of his mum’s influence on his life and the man he has become. Their family connection to Trinity spans over 70 years and Linda is part of Trinity’s Stakeholder Member Group.
Unfortunately, a number of other events on the OTG calendar were casualties of lockdowns including the Kew Business Breakfast series and a number of the school reunions scheduled for 2021. The response to the Kew Business Breakfast series was fantastic and we look forward to rescheduling this event in 2022, along with the reunions that have been cancelled in 2020 and 2021. Hopefully life can return to a more normal setting in 2022 and we look forward to an action-packed year in terms of events.
Aside from the event cancellations, the OTG Club winter seasons were curtailed due to lockdowns and an early end to competitions. The hard work and commitment required to field teams within these competitions and the dedication of the players to train and prepare is impressive and our commiserations go out to all involved with best wishes for a strong return in 2022. Similarly, we were disappointed that one of the annual highlights on the Harambee calendar, Run for the Kids, was also cancelled. The OTGA looks forward to supporting future Harambee events and hopefully we will be out running in this event next year.
Throughout the Olympic Games held in Tokyo, we paid tribute to the Olympians of Trinity Grammar on the OTGA Facebook page. Our thanks to all those who contribute towards the Trinity archives that enable us to remember our heritage and achievements of OTGs. The Olympians include some famous Trinity names across a range of events and eras beginning with Sir Wilfrid Kent Hughes (OTG 1908; 1920 Antwerp Olympics – 110m and 400m hurdles), Ray Weinberg AM (OTG 1944; 1948 London and 1952 Helsinki Olympics – 110m hurdles, 4x100m and 4x400m relays); Gordon Cowey (OTG 1947; 1956 Melbourne Olympics – rowing), Michael Craig (OTG 1948; 1960 Rome Olympics – hockey), Gary Eddy (OTG 1963; 1964 Tokyo Olympics – 400m and 4x400m relay), Ray Watson (OTG 1963; 1968 Mexico Olympics – basketball), Robert McIntyre (OTG 1974; 1976
Emerson Satur and Andrew Ramsden with Principal Adrian Farrer Guest speaker Billy Brownless and Will Oldfield
Stuart Stockdale with Linda Weatherson and her son Edward Will Cooper and Stephen Cooper wth guest speaker Caroline Wilson
Innsbruck and 1980 Lake Placid Winter Olympics – downhill, giant slalom and slalom), Peter Eckhardt (OTG 1978; 1992 Barcelona Olympics – canoe slalom), Scott Ferrier (OTG 1992; 1996 Atlanta and 2000 Sydney Olympics – decathlon) and Andrew Smith (OTG 1996; 2008 Beijing Olympics – hockey). Reaching the pinnacle of one’s chosen endeavour is an amazing achievement and our community is very proud of the determination, perseverance and self-discipline displayed by these OTGs. Scott Ferrier features in this edition’s Back Page Interview on page 35.
Continuing the sporting theme, we congratulate David McKay (OTG 2006) following his retirement from the Adelaide Crows after a stellar career of 248 games in 15 seasons.
Thankfully, Trinity’s annual Careers Expo for Year 10, 11 and 12 was able to proceed despite the challenges posed by social distancing restrictions. Sixteen OTGs attended virtually to share their knowledge, background and insights across a number of industry sectors including medicine (Andy Kim OTG 2019 and Rolf Tsui OTG 1993), science research (Fred Hiskens OTG 2013 and Trent Perry OTG 1995), engineering (Stephen Yoannidis OTG 2013 and Daniel LansellKenny OTG 2010), architecture (Alex Paterson OTG 2005 and Adrian Amiconi OTG 1999), economics (Arthur Nitsopoulos OTG 2010 and Matthew Keys OTG 2013), management (Stephen Dewaele OTG 1992 and Fergus Koochew OTG 1994), marketing and advertising (Matt Bell OTG 2009 and Matt Corney OTG 2014) and law (Piers Mitchem OTG 2002 and Max Curtis OTG 2016). The engagement and enthusiasm of the students was excellent and the feedback on the speakers was fantastic.
Supporting our Old Boys’ career aspirations in what will be a challenging employment market continues to be a core focus of the OTGA. It is fantastic to see so many OTGs who have established successful careers giving their time and knowledge back to the school. In addition to the Careers Expo, we were pleased to see Dr Ivan McBean (OTG 1992), who is an R&D engineer at General Electric, participate in Trinity’s Science Week. We also heard from Chris Potts (OTG 2003) who has recently released his podcast, Careers Night, with a fascinating interview with David Turner (OTG 2003) about his journey into medicine – definitely worth a listen.
Please take a moment to follow us on our social media platforms and we welcome members of the community who may be able to assist in practical ways getting in touch with us.
otg@trinity.vic.edu.au
James Brown (OTG 1992)
President
Old Trinity Grammarians’ Association Notice of Annual General Meeting
Tuesday 9 November 2021, 7.00pm – Online, via Microsoft Teams. All welcome.
Agenda
• President’s Report
• Treasurer’s Report
• Election of Office Bearers
• Other Business
Due to COVID, the AGM will be held on Microsoft Teams. To ensure you receive the Teams meeting link to the AGM, please RSVP (by 3 November 2021) to Sharon Kendall on 9854 3668 or by email
