News of Old Boys

from The Trinity Grammarian - October 2021

OTG Clubs

Bernard Eddy (OTG 1948-61) is living with his beloved wife Dorothy Baker in Morpeth, on the banks of the Hunter River near Maitland, just a short drive to Newcastle where his children and five grandchildren live. He keeps in close contact with two very distinguished friends, Dr Andrew Campbell (OTG 1948-60), and collector and esteemed valuer, Ian Armstrong OAM (OTG 194960 – Ian is also a member of Trinity’s Gallery of Achievement). Bernard has now been acquainted with Andrew and Ian for 70 years after they struck up a friendship in their early days at Trinity. In 1961, Bernard was School Captain alongside the unique Warwick Smead (OTG 195161) as Vice-Captain; sadly, Bernard laments, Warwick left us too early.

It was great to hear from Sam Hirschfelder (OTG 1997-05) who is a composer, musical director and drummer in the US. Sam has recently launched Forager Records, a record label based in Los Angeles. Sam’s focus is to unearth and breathe new life into rare and underappreciated sounds from the past, providing older and often unfairly treated artists an opportunity to thrive in a new market. For more information visit foragerrecords.com Sam has collaborated on a number of projects, as well as doing a lot of playing and scoring. He recently scored his first American feature film, What We Found, which was released in 2020.

Todd Allison Fehres (OTG 201015) is excited to share that he has recently launched a not-for-profit foundation called the Bigger Dreams Foundation (biggerdreams.com.au). Bigger Dreams assists athletes, creatives and young entrepreneurs achieve their dreams and aims through tangible programs and workshops to lower the percentage of outstanding talent lost through financial, physical and mental hardships.

Tim Crundall (OTG 2002-10) is currently completing his PhD in Astrophysics and Astronomy at Cologne University in Germany, having already completed a Bachelor of Science (Hons) and a Master of Astrophysics and Astronomy (ANU).

Julian Alsop (OTG 1975-80) was recently in touch with the sad news of his father’s passing (Roger Alsop OTG 1944-46) – please see In Memoriam on page 34. After a long career in finance, Julian has retrained in medicine and was awarded his FRACGP in June this year.

Reuben Shaw (OTG 1987-99) invites the Trinity community to call into Port Melbourne Cycles in Bay Street if they are passing through!

In more cycling news … Congratulations to Mitchell Docker (OTG 1999-04) on his planned retirement from professional cycling at the end of 2021. Mitchell is looking forward to returning to Australia with his family after a 13-year professional cycling career. Mitchell hosts a series of podcasts Life in the Peloton on

lifeinthepeloton.com

Mitchell’s brother Kirk Docker (OTG 1994-98) is director and co-creator of the multi award-winning ABC show You Can’t Ask That.

After 248 games with the Adelaide Crows, David Mackay (OTG 200106) announced his retirement from playing AFL. In 2006, David was drafted and made 19 appearances in his debut season, winning the Mark Bickley Emerging Talent Award. David’s career has been built on resilience and in 2016, he was rewarded with Life Membership of the Adelaide Football Club. That same year, he also received the Dr Brian Sando OAM Trophy for his outstanding professionalism and attention to detail. In 2018, David became the 16th player to reach 200 games for the Adelaide Crows. Congratulations, David, on a career well played and we wish you and your family all the best for the future.

Many of our Old Trinity community will know of Dr Brad Rundle (OTG 1988-93) as a student or staff member at Trinity. Brad is now the founding director of the registered charity Therapy Animals Australia and has developed the PAWS in Schools program that improves the mental health of both students and teachers. This innovative program facilitates social and emotional learning, helping students to understand themselves better and learn strategies that assist with maintaining their mental health and overall wellbeing. When Brad and his team are not training therapy dogs for schools (like Trinity’s very own therapy dog, Harvey Peanut), they are training assistance dogs for individuals who suffer mental health illnesses. If you would like to contact Brad, please email him at info@therapyanimals.org.au or use the website therapyanimals.org.au

It was great to hear that Jason King (OTG 1985-89) is still in the UK where he and his partner are the owner/operators of The Wellington Arms in Baughurst, Hampshire, which dates back to the 1700s. It is a renovated pub in a beautiful garden setting and has won many UK hospitality awards.

Thanks to Tim Larkin (OTG 196873) for getting in touch about the kayaking picture in the last Grammarian. The photo was taken at the 1973 Victorian Championships at Lake Wendouree, Ballarat. Tim believes that in 1969, the first Trinity students participated in Victorian Amateur Canoe Association regattas and in the Australian Championships with some success (Tim was one of them!). The following year, Trinity students competed in the Murray Marathon for the very first time. Tim now lives in Western Australia and would be happy to help with answering any questions.

Nick Pearce (OTG 2006-11) and his partner Dani welcomed their first child, Jack Archer, in July. Nick is also Co-Captain of the OTGAFC Thirds. Congratulations and we look forward to seeing Jack at Trinity in a few years!

Chris Potts (OTG 1996-03) has established Dado, a support network for students as they transition from adolescents to adults. Careers Night (a series of podcasts) is the first venture by Dado and aims to demystify careers, and to showcase different jobs and pathways to success by asking the question ‘What’s your job? And how did you get there?’ In Season One, Chris talks to an infectious diseases doctor, a digital marketer, a content designer at Netflix, and an AFL footballer. Their journeys form valuable lessons about overcoming adversity, career changes, pursuing your passions and planning for the future. To listen to the podcasts, search Careers Night on your podcast provider. Hint: some of Chris’ guest speakers will be well known in the Old Trinity community and will make interesting listening!

It is always wonderful to hear from the Right Honourable David Ashton Lewis (OTG 1961-67), a member of Trinity’s Gallery of Achievement. After leaving Trinity and studying Law, David practised as a barrister and solicitor in Melbourne, Tasmania and Papua New Guinea. He sat on the High Court and Court of Appeal of Fiji and was honoured by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II for his contribution to the Law in the Pacific Islands nations. He is now a corporate governance consultant, an advisor to a Pacific Islands nation and an Adjunct Professor of Law at Southern Cross University Law School. He also has a regular slot (Thursday 10.00-10.30am) on Radio 4CRB 89.3.

David reports that he is fit and well and plans to work (God willing) until he is 80 in nine years’ time. He looks forward to travelling to Melbourne for the annual Gold Mitre Luncheon in March and reflects: ‘It is always a pleasure to reminisce over our “salad days” and remember the excellent teachers who were instrumental in encouraging and shaping our lives. As the years pass, it puts the excellence of Trinity Grammar School into perspective and what it gave me. Whatever I have become in life both personally and professionally is in large part due to the input that Trinity and the staff gave to me. It is truly rewarding to see the ongoing life of the school, its values and the contribution that it can make in the life of a student if they grab that opportunity with both hands and enjoy the ride.’

Congratulations to Freddy Stammers (OTG 2005-09) who married Joanna Chen in Melbourne in February 2021 (just hours before one of our lockdowns). Karl Haydar (OTG 2003-09) was his best man. Freddy is a chef who has worked both locally and overseas; he was recently appointed as head chef at the Grandview Hotel in Fairfield.