Vol 21. 2017
THE
GRAMMARIAN HAPPY 20TH BIRTHDAY ANNANDALE!
THE OPENING OF THE NEW NORTH SHORE CAMPUS
‘BEACH’ SCHOOL PRODUCTION
A DENTIST DYNASTY OVER 3 GENERATIONS
CONGRATULATIONS TO ANNANDALE FOUNDATION STAFF WHO ARE STILL PART OF TGS TODAY - 20 YEARS LATER!
From The Principal This year marks the 20th anniversary of the opening of the Annandale Campus in 1997 and I have been fortunate to oversee most of its development since that time. A chronological narrative of the ‘bricks and mortar’ development at Annandale provides a fascinating insight into the growth and history of the Campus over the last 20 years. At Founders Day in 2000, the newly completed Junior School Resource Building (S.C. Paul Building) was named after former Principal, Steven Paul OAM (1993-1997). Mr Paul had been instrumental in establishing the second campus at Annandale. The Preschool Building (W.R. Marsh Building) was named after long serving Trustee (1981-2006) and Deputy Chairman of the Board, Mr Ross Marsh and the first of the GLA buildings (N.P. Kerley Building) was named after the inaugural Head of the Annandale Campus, Mr Norm Kerley (1997-2006). A second GLA building (A.F. Bloxham Building) was named after long serving Trustee (1981-1996) and former chair of the Building Committee, Mr Arthur Bloxham. The most recently completed GLA building at that time (E.F.Upward Building) was named after the first Headmaster of the School, Acting Headmaster Edward Upward (1888-1889). A number of major building projects were progressively rolled out at Annandale over the next 15 years, including the Junior School Resource Building in 1999, a third classroom block in 2001, quickly followed by a multi - purpose building that allowed for 2 classrooms, a Performing Arts (PA) space, Outside School Hours Care (OSHC) and music rehearsal areas. In 2003, the last unnamed Annandale classroom building at that time (E.A.N. Wenck Building) was named in honor of former Chairman of the Board, Mr Errol Wenck. Mr Wenck was Chairman at the time the momentous decision was made to establish a second campus at Annandale. It was also in 2003, that the Junior School Oval (Greg Norman Oval) was named after Past Grammarian and world golfing icon, Greg Norman AO (1967-1969). In 2007, the School strategically built a stand-alone Pre-Prep Centre with one room. Demand was such that the following year, we needed to duplicate this building with an additional room extension. In July 2008, the Pre-Prep Centre (Robyn Murray Building) was named in honor of Mrs Robyn Murray (nee MacGregor), a former School Captain (1967) and Past Grammarian (1964-67) and long serving Trustee of the School (1990-2004). In 2008, the Junior School undercover area was added to the Campus and in 2009 an Upper Primary Building (T.P. Willmett Building) was built. In April, 2010 the building was named after Mr Thankful Percy Willmett. Mr Willmett was the foundation Chairman of the Board from 1884-1892 and we were honored to host sixteen Willmett family members, at the opening ceremony. In 2009, the Arts Cottage was also put in place and has become the hub for classroom music lessons and ensemble rehearsals, ever since. In 2010, as a result of some Rudd Government Building the Educational Revolution (BER) funding, the School took the opportunity to build a new Classroom and Library Building (Alan Tait Building). In April, 2011, this new building was named after former Chairman of the Board, Mr Alan Houston Tait. Mr Tait had been Chairman of the Board (1941-1945) during the darkest years of WWII, when the School had to temporarily relocate to Rosslea. At the official opening ceremony, the School was honored by the presence of Mr Tait’s son, Mr Ian Tait, daughter Mrs Elaine Jobbins and their spouses and granddaughter, Caroline Jobbins. Ms Alison Dean, Mr Tait’s niece, also witnessed the event. In 2013, two additional Prep rooms were added to the existing Prep Centre (W.R. Marsh Building), completing a 4 stream capacity campus and signalling the end of major project development at Annandale, for some time.
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Richard Fairley School Principal 1998-2017
To The Principal
When a regular, lifelong teacher retires there is a normal amount of celebration and fanfare. Millions of lessons taught, thousands of assemblies , count less spor ts carnivals, camps and various school engagements to look back and reflect upon. However, when an educational leader retires then a special celebration is called upon. As the youngest of three Warnock sons to attend Townsville Grammar School, my memories and recollections of Mr. Richard Fairley are cer tainly positive. Such memories include his daily presence at the Paxton Street gate greeting parents, farewelling students and engaging with the School community. During our respective times as School Captains (2003, 2004 & 2007) our interactions with Mr. Fairley evolved and he cer tainly acted as a mentor for me, as I navigated my time leading the cohor t, studying for my OP, juggling extracurricular involvments and preparing for life after Townsville Grammar. Now, as a teacher myself, I can clearly recognise the significant mark that Mr. Fairley has left on the educational landscape in Nor th Queensland. His pioneering ideas to introduce the Middle School, expand the Junior campus, revitalise learning spaces steeped in School history and heritage, design and build innovative learning spaces and overhaul the School’s uniform are but a few of his career highlights as Principal of Townsville Grammar School. Whether it is standing at the Paxton St gate reminding students to put on their hats or returning School House to its original beauty, Mr. Fairley demonstrates his unquestionable passion for educational leadership and his unwavering desire to put the learning needs of his students first. I am thankful, as are my brothers and parents, for the oppor tunity to be Townsville Grammar students under the leadership of Mr. Fairley. Personally, I am par ticularly thankful for the oppor tunity to remain professionally connected with Mr. Fairley in the years since graduation. I wish Richard a safe and happy retirement and hope that he and Nina, Lisa and Luke enjoy this new chapter in their lives. School Captains 2007
Scott Warnock School Captain 2007
TGS Captains 2017 Back: Lauren Jones 2013-2017 (Senior Captain), Emily Price 2008 (Middle School Captain), Luke Moran 2010-2017 (Senior Captain), Lachlan Carey 2008 (Middle School Captain) Front: Freya Boggild 2012 and Brian Hayes 2010 (Junior School Captains)
Boarder Captains 2017 Kelsey Hesp 2013 - 2017 (Clare) and Lexie Pattel 2013-2017 (Hughenden)
Reflections 28th January, 1997
Norm Kerley
While students commencing school for the first time are undoubtedly anxious for the first day to arrive, there were also a number of countdowns as we approached an historic moment. The commencement of the Junior School, or more formally, Townsville Grammar School – Annandale Campus, was the culmination of much planning and preparatory work from a number of people. We were firstly counting down the enrolments to a ‘full house’, 100 new students on day one. Since the roll opened in June of 1996, the target was gradually realised as we made the four classes available to students from Preschool to Year 6. The numbers soon swelled as interest grew and by mid-1997, a second Preschool class was created. Given that many of the first enrolments were actually moving schools, some from within the Townsville district, the countdown for them was also about a new chapter in their schooling life. It involved making new friends, meeting new teachers, wearing a new uniform and learning new procedures. I am delighted to say that all students, both ‘first timers’ and newcomers entered the School and quickly made it their own. The teaching staff too were counting down the days to meet their classes, open up their classrooms, unpack the new resources and welcome the newest Grammar families on January 28th, 1997.
Our bus from North Ward Campus even ran on the first day, carrying just two students, Bronte Lyne and Remy Hii, who had the honour of ringing the school bell for the first time. The bell resides as a reminder of the first years, and will have engraved on it the names of Heads of Junior School.
(Foundation Head of Junior School) 1997-2006
A short assembly to welcome the classes was held under the intersection of the veranda’s of the two buildings, and a whole of school photo taken at the gate. With a backdrop of Mt Stuart, we felt the link with our North Ward campus, located at the foot of Castle Hill. For the first week, staff were encouraged to join the students at lunchtime to assist in starting games and conversations to assist in breaking the ice and promoting friendly interactions. Little did we know that many of these earliest connections would result in long term friendships. Each child received a commemorative medallion to recognise the significance of the day, and each teacher planned activities to have students reflect on their experience. What had been proposed years before had come to fruition, and we could not have been prouder as we flew the Grammar flag at Annandale for the first time.
Norm Kerley Foundation Head of Junior School
Current Head of Junior School, Mr Noel Nethery with students at the front of the Annandale Campus
TGS Annandale Campus
From little things...
Celebrating 20 Years
Big things grow
23rd January, 2017 at North Shore
This year marks the beginning of Primary education at the North Shore campus, with our foundation students commencing classes this year under the guidance of the Head of Campus, Mr Giles Derrett.
Sport @ Grammar Swimming Junior School 1st Hodges 2nd Miller 3rd Rowland 4th Whight Middle School 1st Miller 2nd Whight 3rd Hodges 4th Rowland Senior School 1st Hodges 2nd Rowland 3rd Miller 4th Whight
Cross Country Carnival Junior School 1st Rowland 2nd Whight 3rd Hodges 4th Miller Middle & Senior School 1st Miller 2nd Whight 3rd Hodges 4th Rowland
20 Years of Service Congratulations Jenny Svane, Kristell Scott, Cheryl Kybus and Karin Poole on 20 years of service!
Beach A Theatrical Fantasia by Timothy Daly
Directed by Fiona Perry
Production 2017
h In late May, Townsville Grammar School students performed Tim’s Daly Theatrical Fantasia of Beach at the Civic Theatre for this year’s School Production. Australians have a special affinity with the ocean. Our major cities hug the coastline and our beaches are the site of the most engrossing natural views, some of our best childhood memories, and also our greatest fears. Beach by Timothy Daly is a theatrical love letter to the coastline of Australia - a poetic celebration of our deep connection to the sea as documented over the past 200 years. The Poet, the play’s narrator, acted by Finn Newsway, weaves together his observations of a single day at the beach as he struggles to produce a poem that is an ode to the beach, a lyrical and contemplative interpretation of Australia’s coastal history. During the play, the poet engages with a cross section of people from surf lifesavers on Bondi Beach
to fishermen, refugees from Germany, Vietnam, Afghanistan and Iraq, ANZAC soldiers, lovers, families, a business man, an old world beach inspector, a council worker, grieving parents, a film crew, a drama excursion re-enacting the disappearance of Harold Holt, a resuscitation class, a deep sea diver, an indigenous pearl diver and his boss in Broome, a race walker, a long distance swimmer, a surfer, a doctor, all the lonely people, a parson, tourists, a Victorian couple from the 1890’s and ghosts of the drowned. The Production would not have been such a huge success if it wasn’t for the dedicated parents who not only drove to and from rehearsals, but also supported the production through sewing, painting, and sponsoring, (among other jobs), the hard working staff, and last but by no means the least, the students involved.
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News of Past Grammarians Share Your News
The 1939 Girls School Captain and second daughter of T B Whight, Berenice (‘call me Berry’) Sybil Vanda WORMALD (1939) was recently featured in the Sydney Morning Herald as part of the ANZAC Tribute feature. Now 94 and living on Sydney’s North Shore, Berry says not many people realise Townsville was bombed during World War II. Every few months, the informal ‘Grammar Fifties’ group meet in Townsville for lunch. Their ‘patrons’ are Dr Ernest HOOLIHAN OAM (1952), and Glennys (Brown) PERRY (1954) who taught English and Drama at Grammar for over 31 years (to 2010). Dr Gwen MORRIS (1954) was a missionary Doctor in Africa. Judith (Brackstone) KERR (1951) has lived in Fiji and Carol (Greske) GILLETT (1953) has lived in PNG. Ed SPRIGGINS (1957) and Diana (Bell) MACGREGOR (1957) met up again and married 50 years after they did Senior together – Bill MULLER had ‘played cupid!’ If any Past Students from the 50s are in town, phone Di 4771 6685 for an impromptu get-together.
Dr Roy MURRAY-PRIOR (1969) is also interested in catching up with others from his year. He and Robyn (St Annes 1968) live on the Tablelands. Roy says age is catching up with his brain and body as he will miss the opportunity to open the batting for Lakeside upcoming cricket test after he injured his knee running after a bus which he left his laptop on. Luckily he caught it – so there are still signs of life in both body and brain. Samantha SMITH (nee COOPER, 2006) is now living in Adelaide with her husband Jesse. Samantha relocated as part of her new role as Operations Manager of Gym Food Australia, overseeing the manufacturing and logistics of their SA, NSW, Darwin, Victoria, ACT and WA distribution. Mignonne SPRUCE (1974) has worked in a medical reception in Brisbane for the last 10 years but is now changing her line of work to become a Professional Care Giver through a private company called HomeInstead. Mignonne gives care, companionship etc to the elderly in
Our online Community has had an upgrade! Potentiality is a great place to keep in touch with Past Grammarians. If you haven’t already created an account, you can do so by visiting our website - About - Community - Past Grammarians. For any questions about the Past Grammarians Association, please don’t hesitate to contact: rebecca.paterson@tgs.qld.edu.au or call 4722 4980 their own home. We wish Mignonne the best of luck in her new venture. Photo: Mignonne on Mothers Day 2017 with her daughters Claire and Catherine. Isabella CAMERON (2010) has tapped into the burgeoning domestic plants market and set up a concept store with her partner Keylan, ‘Botanicals By Bella’. They sell plants online, pop up and host regular events and workshops in the local community, Carindale, Brisbane. Damon BINDER (2013) has recently been announced as a Sir John Monash Scholarship winner. Damon graduated with a perfect score of 45 from the International Baccalaureate Programme and has since studied at ANU (The Australian National University). As a Monash Scholarship holder Damon is now studying at University of Cambridge with his goal and will start his honours at Princeton in September to do his PhD. Henry ORTON, (2012) recently graduated from The Australian National University with a Bachelor of Philosophy in Science with First Class Honours and the University Medal! This year he is pursuing a PhD with a focus on nuclear magnetic resonance technology as applied to protein biochemical analysis. To facilitate his PhD studies, Henry has been awarded the prestigious Westpac Future Leaders PhD Scholarship.
William (Bill) TWEDDELL (1967) retired from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in February 2016 after a 40year career in the Australian diplomatic service. His career found him residing in many countries including Bangladesh, Greece, India, Sri Lanka, Hong Kong, the UK, Vietnam and the Philippines. In February 2016, Bill and his wife Chris returned to take up residence in Townsville. Only one month later, Bill took up duty as Chancellor of James Cook University, a role akin to that of a Board Chairman in the private sector. Bill is the first JCU alumnus to be elected Chancellor and his wife Chris is also a graduate of JCU. Bill lived and grew up in North Ward. He and Chris now have a home nearby on Melton Hill. They have two sons, Andrew (38) and Paul (35), and two grandchildren, Eva (7) and Isaac (4). Andrew is Head Brewer at Four Pines Brewery in Sydney and Paul a businessman in the Philippines.”
local level and also as an assistant at the ACT Brumbies. Dan will now be the coach in 2018. The Brumbies are one of Australia’s leading Super 18 teams. Congratulations to Ian FAIRBAIRN (1989) who is now the General Manager of Ridley Agri Products. It is great to see that Natalie WEIR (1983) has been nominated for the Helpmann Awards for her ballet ‘Those who are left behind’. Natalie won the Award a few years ago for the best director of a ballet in Australia.” Hoping that she can win the Award for a second time.
Do you Remember the 1960’s? Dr Virginia THORLEY OAM (1960) has been in contact to say how much she appreciated the lunchtime activities Mr BLANK introduced during her time at the School. Students were offered such options as chess, chemistry gardens, music appreciation and typing. She also remembers Mr Arthur ROBERTS whose Logic classes gave her a lifetime benefit in the grounding of Scientific Method.
News from the 1980’s Group
Dan MCKELLAR, (1993) a boarder from the Burdekin was captain of rugby in 1993. On leaving school he played for the Burdekin Club for a few years before going to play overseas. Played in Scotland and Ireland. Returned to Austrlia and played for and coached Souths in Brisbane and also represented Queensland. Dan moved to Canberra where he has been coaching at the
Andy REED (1986) is working as a Curatorial Assistant at the Marks Hirschfeld Museum of Medical History. Prior to this he has worked at the Queensland Archives and the Queensland Museum. Scott MOLES (1987) now lives at Sanctuary Cove and is hoping to make it to the Annual Reunion. Derek DOBSON (1981) has already apologised for his non-attendance at the upcoming Reunion as he will be serving on HMAS Newcastle in the Middle East at that time. Roger MUSTARD (1983) lives in Townsville but spends his time working on mines between the semi-deserts of Western Australia and the tropical rainforest of Papua New Guinea.
2017 REUNION
We have extended the invite to ALL past students during Richard Fairley’s tenure.
12th August 2017
Saturday 12/08/17 10am Rugby + Breakky Rolls followed by School Tour 6pm 3 course Dinner at The Brewery Banquet Centre
Contact: rebecca.paterson@tgs.qld.edu.au Rebecca Paterson 4722 4980
Dentist Dynasty Dr Jimmy LAZAREDES (1957) is long serving and respected dentist in Townsville Jimmy, who retired from practice, is now passing on his expertise, in a supervisory position, to dental students at the James Cook University Dental School. Another long serving dentist dynasty is that of three generations in the Blomberg family. Pictured left - right, Dr Sidney ROVEDA (1948 Boys Captain and Rugby Prize Winner) Dr Anders BLOMBERG (1973), and Dr Ingrid BLOMBERG (2005). Ingrid’s brother Kristofer BLOMBERG (2003) is now an Army Major and just returned from his second tour of Afghanistan.
Emily Harvey back in School
Students at our North Shore Campus were treated to a trip back in time with the help of a special visitor to their classroom, Past Grammarian and dinosaur expert – Emily HARVEY (2009). Emily had her audience of Year 1 and Year 2 students “totally captivated”, taking them back 66 to 100million years ago, to discover the spectacular world of dinosaurs. Some dinosaur bones (one of which was 98million years old) were viewed with keen interest, including some interesting items in her tool bag! Emily spent the past year working as a tour guide and lab technician at the Australian Age of Dinosaurs in Winton, and is now back in Townsville to finish her Geology degree.
Vale We record with sadness the passing of the following members of the Grammar community and extend our sympathy to family and friends. David WHEBELL (1954), well-known Townsville Pharmacist, passed away in April. David was a prefect at the School in 1953-54 and a talented sportsman. He attained colours in cricket, football and athletics and in 1952 broke the School record for the 100 yards. He was also the inaugural winner of the Frank Sides Cricket Bat. David was also the grandson of Thankful Willmett, the first chairman of the Board of Trustees at the School. Sholto DOUGLAS (1979) attended the School between 1974 and 1979 and recently passed away. James (Jamie) BARRETT (1984) was recently killed in a tragic accident on his property at Alligator Creek. He was aged fifty at the time and leaves behind a wife and two daughters aged twelve and nine. James excelled at middle-distance running and in the crosscountry. He was also a member of the Student Council and won an award for drama in 1984.
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Births & Marriages Kim STEELE (nee Lambert 1998) and her husband David on the birth of their second daughter, Matilda Violet, sister to Isabelle. (#1)
is currently living in Canada and recently got married there. Sandy was at Glen’s wedding when her fiancé, Aron, proposed. (#5)
Cassandra CHIESA (nee MARRINON 1997) and her husband Wayde have just celebrated the birth of their second child, Thomas James Chiesa on 27th April. Lucia is enjoying her new responsibilities as a big sister. (Photograph #2 by Ferry Photography) Jacqueline FERRY (1993) is also a Past Grammarian.
Paula DRAFFEN (2002), now lives in Toronto, Canada and is the head of finance for the North American Copper Assets for Glencore. (Glencore also owns the copper refinery in a Townsville where Paula began her career). Paula met and married a Canadian, Nathan Crichton on 21 July 2016 in Toronto to which over 30 Australian friends and family attended. (#6)
Imogen PERRY (2007), recently married Sadheesh RATHNAYAKE (2007), her co star in the School’s production of Sweeney Todd. (#3)
Janai CHANDLER (2007 Vice School Captain) welcomed her third child, Tom Patrick Chandler, born April 13. Tom is a brother to Maggie and William. (#7)
Christopher AUBREY (2002) completed medical school in Townsville in 2008. Chris is now working as an assistant surgeon in Brisbane and is married with two children, Ethan and Kayla. (#4)
Jenna FIELDER, (nee Cali 2004) who is married to Luke FIELDER (2004) has recently given birth to Alira, adding a sibling for sister Lyla. (#8)
Sandra ADAMS (2009) recently relocated to Newcastle, NSW for a teaching position at Fieldsend ELC, where she teaches Prep. Sandy’s brother, Glen ADAMS (2005),
Sam ROSSATO, (1993) and his partner Jeanne Bowser have recently welcomed their first child, Noah George Rossato tipping the scales at a healthy 3.762kg. (#9)
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Annandale Campus 1997 School Roll Preschool Sarah Anderson Lily Batterham Elizabeth Bidstrup Benjamin Caleo Dane Callaghan Hamish Cannon James Castek Anthony Cesaro Lachlan Dalby Ruby Dennert Tahni Douglas Raphael Eastment Jewel Finnigan-Moutray Dale Harris Gemma Heaft Sam Hoffman Amy Hughes Yvette Hunt Thomas Likely Kari Ludvigsen Bronte Lyne Emma Lowe Rebecca Mant Hamish MacCallum Isabelle Meulenbroeks Ashleigh Metcalfe-Smith Melissa Nagele Candice Nicholls Michael Olzen Kara Ramsay Samantha Ramsay Madeleine Rudge
NORTH WARD CAMPUS 45 PAXTON STREET NORTH WARD, QLD, 4810 4722 4900
Alison Sheaves Bradley Simmons Ashleigh Smythe Clayton Warren Zachary Woodward Bianca Wren Andoni Zorbas
Year 1 Emily Blanch Harley Clarke Guy Couchman Laura Duncan Jonathan Folwell James Gauld Lydia Goddard Christopher GordonDoyle Hugh Hamilton Jonathan McNamara Lincoln Peagham Kristen Pery Jodie Saville Savannah Sense Ashley Sorensen Demi-Lee Thomson
Year 2 Aneesh Acharya Jordan Duncan Zara Griffin Ben Henderson James Marshall Cameron O’Flynn Gregory Simmons
ANNANDALE CAMPUS 40 BRAZIER DRIVE ANNANDALE, QLD, 4814 4412 4800
Phoebe-Ann StangerVaridel Samantha Teague Matthew Warren
Year 3 Bridie Alston Benjamin Gebert Emily Goddard Zen Gray Lisa Olzen Mitchell Lagana Mitchell Kerley Sophy MacCullum Amelia Marshall Elizabeth Maxwell Leslie Morgan Anne Schollard Samantha Spoor Alexander Stein-Riel Nicholas Taylor
Year 4 Aditi Acharya Jessica Burger Danielle Heath Jenna Hughes Hamish Love Jacqueline Marcos Madison O’Flynn Jamie Regan Christopher Taylor Stephanie Teague Brieanna Watson Ashley Wilson
NORTH SHORE CAMPUS 70-90 NORTH SHORE BLVD NORTH SHORE, QLD, 4818 4412 6600
Year 5 Loughlan Alston Clinton Bailey Kelly Bedson William Chippendale Angela Clarke Joanne Coleman Keller Finnigan-Moutray Jade Heaft Abby Henderson Remy Hii Chantal Norman Talitha Spoor Letitia Ward Hayley Wright Fiona Young
Year 6 Thomas Ardley Michael Brown Alex Burger Jock Love Stuart MacArthur Amelia Maxwell Andrew Pollock Kosh Prasad Joseph Quigley John Regan Lachlan Wilson