In Memoriam

Chapel of the Holy Trinity

We were saddened to learn of the passing of the following members of the Trinity community. On behalf of the school and the Old Trinity Grammarians’ Association, we offer our condolences to their families and friends. Our thanks go to those who have submitted articles and images for publication.

Desmond Bright (OTG 1931-

42) was the son of Alfred Bright (Headmaster 1943-59). Des was Captain of Arnold House and Dux of Mathematics and Science in 1941 and 1942. He was also involved in athletics, cricket, cadets, scouts and the Mitre Committee. After leaving Trinity, Des served in World War Two and attended the University of Melbourne. Until recent years, he visited Trinity whenever he came to Melbourne from Sydney where he lived. Des is survived by his wife, Ruth, and two children.

Geoffrey Burridge (OTG 1933-

38) passed away in 2021. Geoff cherished his connection with Trinity and spoke regularly about his time at the school.

Julian Coker (OTG 1943-54) was a member of Arnold House (Captain in the Junior School and Vice-Captain in the Senior School) and enjoyed football, swimming, music and cricket. William Cumming (OTG 1950-51) was a member of Merritt House. Bill resided in Glenmaggie, Victoria, and we were notified by his wife that he passed away in 2021.

John Davies (OTG 1943-46) died peacefully in September 2021. John and his wife Ruth sent their sons, Robert (OTG 1978-84 dec) and Martin (OTG 1980-85), to Trinity. Grandson Max (OTG 2011-16) also attended the school.

Alan Griffiths (OTG 1943-53) was a member of Henty House. Alan’s father, Harold (OTG 1913-22), and uncle, Geoffrey (OTG 1912-14), also attended Trinity in the early days of our school. Alan had a career as a mechanical engineer and is survived by his wife, Lynda, and their three sons and grandchildren.

Leslie Hooper (OTG 1951-57) was a member of Henty House, First Football and the swimming team. His sons David (OTG 1979-84) and Peter (OTG 1980-85) also attended Trinity.

Donald Maxwell Kemp (OTG 1940-

48), known as ‘Max’, was a member of the St Paul’s Cathedral Choir, cadets, Merritt House and the Mitre Committee. Max’s brother Graham (OTG 1939-43) also attended Trinity. In recent years, Max was not able to attend all our Trinity events but he kept in touch and we remember him speaking fondly of his family and grandchildren.

Bruce Larkin (OTG 1940-46)

passed away just before his 94th birthday. His service was held at the Chapel of the Holy Trinity. The Larkin family connection continued through sons Tim (OTG 1968-73) and Andrew (OTG 1975-80) and grandsons, including Sean (OTG 2014-19).

Alex McLeod (OTG 2001-04)

passed away in 2021, far too young. His family was comforted to see many of Alex’s old Trinity friends at his funeral.

Scot Palmer (OTG 1951-53)

passed away at 84 after a long and distinguished career as a journalist. At Trinity, Scot was a member of Henty House. Post-school, he was well known in sport, particularly AFL. His newspaper columns carried the catch cry ‘Keep Punching’ and kept generations of sports fans entertained and informed. After 50 years in the media, Scot retired in 2008. He is survived by his wife and children.

Lewis Plumridge (OTG 1962-63)

passed away in September 2021. After attending Trinity, Lewis studied at the University of Melbourne Conservatorium of Music. While undertaking National Service, he became a clarinettist in the Royal Military College Band, Duntroon and assistant organist in the chapel there. In 1972, he returned to Trinity as Director of Music. Many OTGs will remember Lewis for his music classes and also for the many performance opportunities he organised, including choirs, orchestra, instrumental ensembles, many musicals and concerts, events at St Paul’s Cathedral and Carol Services at Holy Trinity, Kew.

Following five years in London as an organist, teacher and performer (with his wife, soprano Carole McKenzie), Lewis returned to Melbourne as Director of Music at Mentone Grammar School, a role he held for 27 years. Lewis is survived by Carole and sons, Christopher and Richard.

John A Rogers (OTG 1962-64)

died in September 2021 after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease. After school, he travelled extensively and was a devoted father to his three daughters and grandfather to his seven grandchildren. John was proud of his Trinity education and of being an Old Trinity Grammarian.

Arnold Ryder (OTG 1946-51)

passed away just before his 88th birthday. After a successful career at APM as a senior electrical engineer, Arnold had retired to Coolum where he enjoyed playing bowls.

Peter Williams (OTG 1976-82) was a paramedic and an extraordinarily skilled outdoorsman who died far too early in September 2021. The recording of Peter’s service can be viewed here: bethel.etributes.com. au/etributes/peter-williams/ Our condolences go to Peter’s family, especially his sons, Laurence (OTG 2009-16) and Timothy (OTG 2016-21).

Lewis Plumridge (OTG 1962-1963)

Peter and James Birrell

We were saddened to hear that brothers Peter and James Birrell had passed away within days of each other. The Birrell family has a long association with Trinity. Peter and Jim’s father, Bill, was a member of School Council from 1945 to 1974. The Birrell Oval was named as a tribute to the family to acknowledge their contribution to the school. We offer our condolences to all the Birrell family.

Peter Birrell (OTG 1936-47)

Peter was involved in all things Trinity and will be greatly missed.

In this image of the 1949 Old Trinity Grammarians’ Amateur Athletic Club E Grade Premiers, Peter Birrell and Desmond Bright are seated second and third from the left in the front row. He was a regular attendee at Trinity events, including the annual Gold Mitre Lunch and Founders’ Day events. Peter’s sons Andrew (OTG 1969-75) and David (OTG 1971-76), and grandsons Peter (OTG 1999-04), Michael (OTG 1998-05) and Nick (OTG 2003-08), all attended Trinity.

At school, Peter excelled at football and athletics and epitomised the Trinity motto ‘Act Manfully’ by striving for excellence with humility, good humour and kindness. Over many years, Peter also made an extraordinary contribution to the Old Trinity Grammarians’ Amateur Football Club where he played, captained and was an active member on the Committee.

Between 1974 and 1997, Peter served on our School Council, including as President from 1986 to 1989. During this time, decisions and acquisitions were made which greatly benefit our students today. These include the purchase in 1979 of the school’s outstanding playing fields at Bulleen, and, in 1996, the former Kew Council Municipal Offices (now the Peter Crawley Centre for the Arts). Also during Peter’s time on School Council, the Lake Eppalock Outdoor Education Centre was developed, and the swimming pool (in 1980) and Chapel of the Holy Trinity (in 1992) were constructed.

James Birrell (OTG 1937-44)

passed away aged 94, within days of his brother, Peter. Like Peter, Jim was also very involved in the school and attended many events, including the Gold Mitre Lunches. Jim’s sons, Rodney (OTG 1958-71) and Mark (OTG 1963-73), also attended Trinity. After school, Jim worked as a specialist anaesthetist.

James Birrell and Alan Fookes at the 2013 Gold Mitre Lunch