ISSUE NO. 58 MAY 2015

ISSUE NO. 58 MAY 2015

Ringwood, Victoria

A CO-EDUCATIONAL SCHOOL IN THE ANGLICAN TRADITION – EARLY LEARNING TO YEAR 12

www.yvg.vic.edu.au | ISSUE NO. 58 MAY 2015 | 1

Contents From the Principal

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Grand opening of the Science and Mathematics Building

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Student Leaders 2015

04

Dux Assembly 2014

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Foundation news

06

Reconnect – Yarra Old Grammarians

09

Food Wine and Music Extravaganza

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Celebrating over 20 years of excellence in Art and Design

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USA Information Technology and Multimedia Tour

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Yarra Tennis

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Yarra Old Grammarians – Football

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Yarra Old Grammarians – Cricket

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Yarra Old Grammarians – Golf Day

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Past student profiles

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Past students adventure stories

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Reunions

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Introducing Rosie Brown, Director of Development

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Baby Celebration

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News of the Clarke Family

39

Vale

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Calendar of Events

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50th Anniversary Celebrations

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ISSUE NO. 58 MAY 2015

Board Members Mrs Sarah Tipping

Chairman

FRONT COVER

Mr Richard Nicholas

Vice Chairman

Photography by Paul Shire

Mr Nicholas Brooke

EDITOR

Mrs Charmaine Dunstan

Margaret Kimber +61 03 9262 7700 Margaret.kimber@yvg.vic.edu.au

Mr Michael Fung

DESIGN

Reverend Denise Nicholls

Tandem Design +61 03 9576 0896 www.tandemdesign.com.au

Ms Laurice Temple

Mr Andrew Hirst Mr Hamish King

Mr Craig Watts Dr Mark Merry

CEO/Principal

Ms Jane Macneil

Company Secretary

From the Principal On February 18 the Science and Mathematics Building opened to students and staff for the first time. This new facility is truly world class.

Our new learning spaces are amazingly flexible with multiple flat screen web access throughout, open plan designs which allow classes to spill out into tutorial spaces and Soundfield systems which enhance the teacher’s voice throughout the classroom. This benefits all students but is particularly helpful for students in the School’s Hearing Unit.

The building incorporates small tutorial study areas throughout with their own individual web access and a 130 seat lecture theatre fitted with web cameras so that lectures may be held with classes from around the world particularly with Yarra’s partner schools in France, Japan and China. Close to each classroom; the breakout spaces reflect modern teaching practice where there is some teacher instruction followed by collaborative group work and individual study. The open plan of the building allows for line of sight supervision of breakout areas giving students and staff considerable flexibility in the way they learn and teach.

The clever engineering is evident in the design and visitors and students alike are fascinated with the high vaulted rooflines and the angles throughout. It is fitting that a building which houses the study of mathematics and science should be so interesting in terms of its engineering. The clever use of glass, colour and building materials gives a sense of openness about the building with any potential drawbacks regarding noise transfer in such a space controlled by the clever

use of acoustic surfaces. The bold design is impressive both externally and internally and has excited considerable interest from other schools and educational institutions that have approached us to inspect the building.

Our students love the new building. It is home for over three hundred students so the open social spaces both inside and in the environs is particularly popular. Importantly, the building has also impacted in a positive way on student behaviour. Small tutorial spaces are occupied throughout the day during private study and recreation times. The philosophical underpinnings of the building have come to fruition with the design

encouraging positive, independent study habits amongst the students. In addition, rather than prove distracting, we have noticed that the open plan has moderated student behaviour as there is a sense that classes are open to observation and global supervision. Student behaviours are very much influenced by their environment. This facility makes a clear statement to the students that education is important.

The building has become somewhat of a landmark in the area. Its bold street presence on Kalinda Road has excited considerable interest in the community to such a degree that we are opening the building to the public as a showpiece for

the School. It is generally considered more widely in educational circles that the Yarra Valley Grammar Science and Mathematics facility is the best of its kind and interest by other educational institutions is consequently very high. It has excited interest in the architecture but also the teaching methodologies which the design has encouraged.

The building was officially opened by their Excellencies the Governor-General Sir Peter Cosgrove and Lady Cosgrove and dedicated by the Archbishop, the Most Reverend Dr Philip Freier; Primate of the Anglican Church in Australia.

This was the first visit by Australia’s Head of State to Yarra Valley Grammar. Special thanks must go to Old Grammarian, Paul Singer (Class of 1995) who, in his capacity as Director of Operations to the Office of the Governor-General, was of great assistance in arranging the event.

The Opening Ceremony can be viewed in full on YouTube: Yarra Valley Grammar Science and Mathematics Building.

Dr Mark Merry Principal

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Grand Opening of the Science and Mathematics Building His Excellency General the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove AK MC, the Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia and Her Excellency Lady Cosgrove visited Yarra Valley Grammar on Wednesday 18 February for the official opening of our new Science and Mathematics Building. The Most Reverend Dr Philip Freier, Primate of the Anglican Church of Australia and Archbishop of Melbourne was also in attendance to Dedicate and Bless the new facility.

The ceremony commenced in the George Wood Performing Arts Centre which was at capacity as the Secondary School and guests filled all available seating. Our Junior School watched the ceremony live on the big screen in Foundation Hall. Both the Governor-General and the Archbishop addressed the School and it was very clear the importance they placed on education and the great regard they both have for young people.

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Following the first part of the service in the Performing Arts Centre the guests joined students representing the Junior School at the building for the unveiling of the plaques.

Our Year 12 Legal Studies Class by coincidence is currently studying the role of the Head of State in the law making and political process. By another great coincidence the class was being conducted in the new building during the Vice Regal tour. The Governor-

General stopped by and answered a number of questions regarding his role.

This was a significant day in the life of our School and students and staff enjoyed the occasion.

Our visitors enjoyed their time with the students immensely.

We received the following email: “What a tremendous day! The Governor-General and Lady Cosgrove have been singing your praises this afternoon and have almost instantaneously become the greatest advocates for the school. You have so much to be proud of, so much to look forward to, and so much to celebrate as a school community.�

Paul Singer Director Operations Office of the Official Secretary to the Governor-General

Key Features of the new building • Accommodates 300 Senior School students • Six science laboratories • Outdoor environmental studies lab • Nine open-plan mathematics learning spaces • Soundfield technology in classrooms • 130 seat lecture theatre • Web cameras for lecture streaming school-wide.

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Student Leaders 2015 The first of three major assemblies for 2015 began with the Commencement and Commissioning of Student Leaders on Monday 2 February.

Students, staff, parents and friends were there to witness the formal investiture of the student leadership body. Our student leaders are an outstanding group of young people who will lead the School with energy and commitment in 2015. Congratulations to the following students on their appointment:

SCHOOL CAPTAINS Nicola Anastasiou Lachlan McRae

MIDDLE SCHOOL CAPTAINS Xavier Fry Ishra Ranatunge

JUNIOR SCHOOL CAPTAINS Seth Cameron Sarah Lewis Congratulations also to our 2015 prefects, office bearers and House captains who will all contribute invaluably to the School community to build the Yarra Spirit.

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Dux Assembly 2014 Members of the Class of 2014 returned to the School on Tuesday 10 February for the annual Dux Assembly, held in the George Wood Performing Arts Centre. This assembly recognises academic excellence and service to the School by our previous year’s VCE Year 12 class.

We were joined by Mrs Sarah Tipping, Chairman of the Yarra Valley Grammar Board, parents and friends of the School to celebrate the outstanding academic results the Class of 2014 achieved. A third of the students in the class received an ATAR of 90 and above and was awarded certificates by the School. Other special awards and prizes went to the following students: Congratulations to 2014 Dux recipient, Nitaya Nicholson who achieved an outstanding ATAR score of 99.90. Congratulations also to Kim Alford and Liam Safe who both achieved results in the top one percent of the state with ATARs over 99. Some 31% of students in the class of

Certificates of Exceptional Performance – Study Score of 50 Nitaya Nicholson

Further Mathematics

Liam Safe

Indonesian

2014 achieved ATAR scores in the top 10% of the state and over 20% of students achieved results in the top 20% of the state.

Lachlan McRae

Physical Education (Year 11)

We are very proud of these results that are borne from years of dedication and perseverance in their studies; the leadership, guidance and commitment of their teachers; and the support of their parents and families. It is a powerful combination which contributes to these consistently excellent results. Congratulations to the Class of 2014 for their completion of their studies and for many contributions to the life of our School.

Academic Prizes Erin Wilson

Art & Design

James Reid

Business Studies

Nitaya Nicholson

English

Alex Sendikas

Health & Physical Education

Bethany Peter-Budge

Humanities

Liam Safe Ossy Greulich Memorial Award for Language Other Than English Nitaya Nicholson

Mathematics

Kim Alford

Science

Lachlan Stuchbery

Technology

Margaret Denniston Clarke Aware Kim Alford

Dux of School for 2014 Nitaya Nicholson

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Foundation news

President’s report As the School begins its 49th year, it is important to remember that every family starting at Yarra Valley Grammar inherits all the good work of past generations. For this reason, 2015 is panning out to be an exciting year for the Yarra Valley Grammar Foundation.

Some of our recent achievements and plans for this year include: • The release of Foundations of a Great School. This free booklet is a great read and explains some of the history and development of the School in a clear and pictorial manner. Get a copy from the School Development office or any of Junior, Middle or Senior School Offices.

How to become a Foundation member The aim of membership is to give everyone the opportunity to support The Foundation Building Fund at a level they are comfortable with and fully tax deductable donations at all levels are most welcome.

Associate membership begins at $100 and can easily be made each term with your school fees.

Already more than 50% of current families have joined!

Full Foundation membership begins at Bronze level, commencing at $1,000.

Please contact the Development Office 03 9262 7717 or email development@yvg.vic.edu.au if you wish to know how you can become involved.

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• We now have 410 Associate Members and 216 Full Members – including several new Bronze members as we start the year. Congratulations to these members, and thank you for your ongoing support and commitment to the future here at Yarra Valley Grammar.

Many of these full members have achieved their new

status and position on the honour boards in Foundation Hall via the easy Voluntary Fee-Giving program. All donations are cumulative towards the various levels of membership and fully tax deductible.

• We now have two new members on our Management Committee; Neil Bidgood and Bobby Thai.

Both have children at the School and we welcome their input to the Foundation.

• In the second half of the year we will be launching our new Bequest Program, The Baldwin Circle, named after John and Meredith Baldwin; both very active members of the School community over the years. Members of the Baldwin Circle will be

published each year in the Link publication.

• The Foundation Dinner is on 3 September so put it in your diary now, make up a Year level table, invite past parents – it is always a fantastic night.

Having recently attended the opening of the new Science and Mathematics building, it drove home the importance of the Foundation’s work in supporting projects like this. This building will be enjoyed by many students now and generations of students into the future. It will be part of the legacy left by the current generation.

Many thanks, Gary Pratt President, Yarra Valley Grammar Foundation

The Baldwin Circle Every family starting at Yarra Valley Grammar inherits all the good work from the generosity and support of the School’s founders, past parents and supporters.

Yarra would not be what it is today without the involvement of these passionate and committed supporters who have donated either in their lifetime or through a bequest.

The Yarra Foundation will be launching the Baldwin Circle later this year. The Baldwin Circle will provide an opportunity for those who wish to make a gift to Yarra in their Will to be acknowledged and honoured in their lifetime. If you are

interested in finding out more about the Baldwin Circle, please contact the Development Office via email development@ yvg.vic.edu.au

Foundation member profiles

Neil Bidgood

can. I really believe in doing what you can for whatever you are involved in.

What future projects would you like to see the Foundation pursue?

Neil is a Chartered Accountant and holds a degree in Economics, Grad Dip Management and MBA. He is currently Director, Assurance and Conformance for the Private Groups and High Wealth Individuals Business Line for the Australian Taxation Office.

His wife Adrienne is a high school teacher at Fairhills Secondary School and they have three children Elia 19, Grace 16 and David 15. Their daughter Grace attends Canterbury Girls High School and David is currently in Year 9 at Yarra whilst Elia is in first year at Monash University doing a double degree (Arts/Science).

Neil has always been active in the community with various volunteer roles including Treasurer and President of the School Council (Parents and Friends) for Ringwood Heights Primary School whilst the children attended school there,

30 years recording statistics for the Melbourne Football Club and work with major events such as the World Cup Cricket and the 2006 Commonwealth Games.

You recently joined the Yarra Foundation committee, why did you join?

Volunteering is something that is important to me. I have always been involved with my community on various levels.

I like to feel as though I contribute something positive and add value to organisations that I believe in and build their heritage.

How did you find out about the Foundation?

A long term family friend, Rosy Evett whose son went to Yarra has been involved with the Yarra Foundation for some time and she encouraged me to get involved now that my son David attends Yarra.

Why should other School community members consider joining the Foundation?

Joining the Foundation means that you can do something now for the future. I don’t believe in the WITFM (What’s In It For Me) Principle, I believe we should all try to give something back if we

There are many projects that the Foundation could look at, it’s just a matter of investigating all aspects of the School and working out not just what to do but prioritise those needs and pursuing those things where we can add real value to the whole community and to our heritage.

What do you think makes Yarra Valley Grammar special?

It is the social fabric of the Yarra Valley Grammar community that resonates most with me. It genuinely does have a culture of welcome, friendship and support. It is definitely worth the sacrifices families make not just because of the great education offered but all the other social values it instils in its students.

Yarra is just a great place to be.

Andre Obradovic Andre and Susan Obradovic are active members of the Yarra Valley Grammar community. Andre has been on the Yarra Foundation committee and is involved in many School activities and Susan is the Treasurer of the Yarra Parents and Friends Association. They have two children, Alexander who graduated from Yarra last year and is currently studying a Bachelor of Science at RMIT and Elise who is currently undertaking Year 12.

You are currently a Silver member of the Yarra Foundation, why do you believe donating to the Foundation is important?

We believe in giving back and saying thank you for the wonderful opportunities the School provides our children.

We also acknowledge the

amazing top class facilities our School offers to all the young people who are fortunate to be a part of this community. We want to ensure that by offering our donations we can continue to see the next development happen so that the School continues to offer even better opportunities.

How long have you been involved with the Foundation?

We first became involved with the Yarra Foundation in 2010.

Why should other School community members consider joining the Foundation?

Friendship and connection to the School community is a great aspect of joining the Foundation but we also feel that by being active and contributing and donating also shows our kids that giving back is important and that everyone can make a difference. We will continue to contribute after our kids leave the School. We are grateful that we could have Alexander and Elise be a part of the School

and we wanted to do more than just pay the school fees.

What future projects would you like to see the Foundation pursue?

An aquatic or athletics centre.

What do you think makes Yarra Valley Grammar special?

The grounds, the caring nature of the staff and the families make it special. Yarra is definitely not the typical Private School.

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Foundation news

Foundations of a great School The Foundation has just released a new publication called Foundations of a Great School, a short historical overview of how Yarra Valley Grammar was established.

As it says in the booklet – it all started over a cup of tea back in 1963, with the opening of the new School and its 135 foundation students becoming a reality just a few years later in 1966.

This great little booklet features plenty of pictures and is an easy read on how the School came to be and highlights the important role each generation of parents has played in the creation of the wonderful School and facilities we share and enjoy today. The School has grown considerably over almost 50 years to become one of the great schools in Melbourne. Today’s generation of students and families are blessed with the inheritance of the work done in the past. What

FOUNDATIONS OF A GREAT SCHOOL

we leave as our legacy to future generations is yet to evolve.

Annells, Harper, Clarke, Hughes, Plummer are just a few of the names we know so well around the School today. But who were they? Discover the others that played their part in founding and developing this great School.

This year’s Year 7 students have been given the booklet as part of their school orientation. Next time you are at Saturday Sport just ask yourself – who was Patterson whose name honours the senior oval…?

To know more and to get a free copy of Foundations of a Great School call into any of the Junior, Middle and Senior School reception areas or contact the Development Office on 9262 7700 or email development@yvg.vic.edu.au

An invitation to the 2015 Foundation Dinner The annual Yarra Foundation Dinner will be held on 3 September in Foundation Hall.

This must-do annual event on the Foundation calendar is fast approaching!

Come as a couple or put together a table of friends and prepare for a great night. The evening promises fabulous food, great Yarra Valley wines, sensational entertainment by Yarra student ensembles and is an ideal opportunity to catch up with old friends and meet new ones. The silent auction always has some amazing items on offer, something for everyone!

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This is what people said about last year’s dinner: • Kate Fleming: (Year 9 parent) – “what a wonderful night” • Bobby Thai: (Prep parent) –“what an unexpected welcome and surprise – such a great feeling in the place” • Rosy Evett (past parent – Martin 2009) – “We love to come along – it’s fabulous to still feel a part of the Yarra family…”

Everyone is invited not just Foundation members; past students, current and past parents and we would love to see you there.

Thursday 3 September, 2015 – put it in your diary NOW!

Reconnect – Yarra Old Grammarians

Yarra is your place to call home It was a truly moving ceremony, one that I was very grateful to have been invited to recently, as the School unveiled its newest jewel in the crown, the impressive new Science and Mathematics Building. Hearty congratulations to the entire School for the faultless presentation of speeches and wonderful musical contributions; the general appearance was stunningly impressive!

As much will be written in this edition about this momentous occasion by many others, I’ll keep this editorial brief by simply thanking and congratulating Paul Singer (1995) for his efforts in bringing the Governor-General, Sir Peter Cosgrove and Lady Cosgrove to Yarra Valley Grammar. What a triumph for the School to have such dignitaries within our confines albeit for just a few very memorable hours.

Over the last few months, many discussions have taken place about the purpose of the Past Students Association (PSA) and where in fact, the Association currently stands. Years of dedication by many people has seen the PSA establish itself

within Yarra but perhaps it’s now time to build on their efforts and redefine its purpose, direction and potential benefits to the School community. With this in mind, a new name for the Association; Yarra Old Grammarians was proposed and accepted at the AGM in April.

This is an opportunity to make a significant statement for the Association and to draw a line in the sand for the future.

My vision for the Yarra Old Grammarians is to inspire Yarra’s past and present communities to connect, benefit and contribute.

Connect with your school roots; with old School friends and colleagues but also with the School and the current students.

Benefit from your involvement and Contribute through your own pride in, and appreciation for Yarra, by giving back to the students of today, inspiring and adding value to them.

It is our desire to reach out and reconnect with as many Yarra Old Grammarians (past students) as we possibly can to ensure that our database is current.

Please visit www.yvg.vic.edu.au/ community/past-students/ update-your-details update your own details and then please share this link with your Yarra networks.

We would also like to increase the Yarra Old Grammarians committee membership to ensure that we spread the work

load and capture enthusiastic, committed and proud past students who want to leave a legacy for generations to come.

We would like for you, as past students, to take advantage of opportunities to return to Yarra to keep track of the changes and improvements such as the new Science and Mathematics building. There are many functions that occur throughout the year such as the School musical, music concerts, open mornings and group tours and of course, reunions. So get involved!

There are many exciting times ahead for your Association, however we can’t do this alone and we need your help. If are interested in being involved, please email your details to Kim Treganowan at the Yarra Valley Grammar Development Office today on development@yvg.vic. edu.au or give Kim a call on 9262 7700, especially if you have an interesting story to tell!

Rod Penaluna, President (Rod commenced his education at Yarra Valley in 1977 and completed Y.12 in 1990)

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Food Wine and Music Extravaganza Saturday 21 March saw the staging of Yarra Valley Grammar’s renowned Food, Wine and Music Concert and once again it proved to be an evening to remember!

It is the one event of the year that brings virtually every musical ensemble in the School together for an evening of entertainment featuring over 250 performers, and as always it was combined with food and wine tasting from local Yarra Valley wineries, staged by Yarra Music for the 500-plus audience members before the concert in Foundation Hall.

There were many highlights in the 2015 Food Wine and Music Concert, including a memorable version of our National Anthem

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featuring the Symphony Orchestra, and massed Junior & Senior choirs (a total of 220 performers) to open the night.

The concert will be remembered for some sensational solo performances, notably from pianist Euan Burns (Year 12), singer Grace Collins (Year 12) and classical guitarist Felix Rich (Year 10).

We thank Yarra Music for their outstanding efforts in staging such a great event. The annual Food Wine and Music concert is the major fundraiser for Yarra Music, a marvellous group of supportive parents and friends who do so much to champion the Yarra Valley Grammar music department. Every year Yarra Music funds the Yarra Music Scholarship for the most promising young instrumentalist

in Year 7. In recent years their efforts have facilitated the purchase of a Grand piano for the Alison French Studio, choir risers, an orchestral gong and concert bass drum, a professional stage piano, PA system and a quartet of electric strings.

We would also like to thank our generous sponsors: Ambra Corporation Coldstream Winery DeBortoli Winery Levante Hoisery Napoleone & Company Pellegrino’s Fresh Fruits Punt Road Winery Sportsmart, Kilsyth Velissaris Photography Scott Templeton Director of Music

2015 Music Dates Term Two Tuesday June 9, 6:30pm Year 7 Music Festival, George Wood Performing Arts Centre Tuesday June 16, 6:00pm Junior School Instrumental & Ensemble Concert George Wood Performing Arts Centre

Term Three Saturday August 1, 7:30pm Jazz in the CafĂŠ, Foundation Hall Sunday August 23, 4:00pm Symphonic Showcase Concert, George Wood Performing Arts Centre Tuesday September 8, 7:30pm Choral Concert, George Wood Performing Arts Centre

Term Four Friday November 20, 7:30pm Music Awards Dinner, Foundation Hall

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Celebrating over 20 years of excellence in Art and Design Yarra Valley Grammar is the only secondary school in the State that offers its students the opportunity to complete the TAFE Certificate IV in Design and what’s more, they can do this at the same time as their VCE. In the final two years our talented C4D students work their way through over twenty modules, providing them with the in-depth training, skills and knowledge to pursue their love of Art and Design. staff involved in the course complete the Certificate IV in Workplace Training and Assessment TEA 40110 and maintain their links to industry as practicing professionals. The course participants form close ties with their peers and there have been many enduring friendships forged. The legacy of this great course and the strong bonds of its graduates ensure a steady supply of past C4D students who are successful practicing professionals, happy to share their knowledge and experiences in the Art and Design industry with our current students.

At the end of Year 12 they emerge ready for their Tertiary interviews with a folio of work that has ensured more than 95% of our graduate’s entry into their preferred course, often gaining access to the most elite courses on offer at the major Universities. Many have then gone on to pursue successful careers both here in Australia and internationally.

So where did it all start?

Since 1980, thanks to the foresight of then Head of Art, Max Lovell, Yarra Valley Grammar’s creative senior students have enjoyed the luxury of studying an elite Art and Design course, taking them through their final year. Known then as the Fine Arts course, it was delivered from 1980 to 1991 as an alternative to HSC. Around 1995, Careers teacher, David Gooden and Head of Art, David Musker’s investigated the TAFE certificate courses offered in Art and Design. Upon realising there was no clause to prohibit Year 11 and 12 students from undertaking these courses they applied for YVG to be registered as a Private Provider of the Advanced Certificate in Art – Design. This loophole was subsequently closed, leaving us as the only secondary school in Victoria to offer the course.

In 1996 concurrent with their VCE, our first group of twelve Year 11 students commenced the two year course, graduating

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in 1997. Over the 20 years of its delivery at YVG, the certificate has undergone a number of name changes including: Advanced Certificate of Art – Design, Advanced Certificate of Art and Design, Certificate IV in Art and Design and the now Certificate IV in Design. Four years ago when Steve Freestone, another past Head of Art and Design and the C4D course coordinator, negotiated with the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority that the Certificate IV in Design contributed an extra 20% to the VTAC score of students studying both certificates.

Although the majority of the classes are delivered during the day, to accommodate the many hours required, these students do one less VCE subject and attend two after school sessions each week. Should they change their focus, they have completed the required modules to leave the course at the end of Year 11 with a full Certificate III in Design Fundamentals.

All this means that students have access to a flexible course structure with top quality teaching from talented and experienced staff. The TAFE prerequisites are such that all

This year, two long serving staff members Mr Laurie Hamilton and Ms Lindy Spreadborough will retire. Collectively they have taught over 50 years at Yarra Valley Grammar and have countless fond memories of the many Art and Design students that have passed through their classrooms. To celebrate this unique course we will be hosting a special event on Friday 28 August this year.

We hope to share this occasion with as many past Art and Design teachers and students as possible and will be contacting all those who are on our database. Details of the event will appear on our website and in our regular publications, we look forward to seeing you all again this Spring!

Sue Plumb Head of Art Design and Technology

Art and Design Events Yarra Valley Grammar C4D Exhibition Birrinja Gallery Crn Glenfern Road and Matson Drive, Upwey From 17 July to 14 August Celebrating over 20 years of excellence in Art and Design Foundation Hall Friday 28 August, 7.00pm

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USA Information Technology and Multimedia Tour On 28 March, an early Saturday morning, 32 keen students along with four excited teachers embarked on the U.S ICT & Multimedia Tour, which was a two week long adventure on the west coast of California.

Throughout the trip we would visit many IT company headquarters and museums to help further our knowledge of ICT, animation and Multimedia.

We began in San Francisco where we took the ferry to reach the infamous Alcatraz Island where we all took part in a fantastic self-guided tour of the former prison. Throughout the rest of our week in San Fran we visited places such as the Walt Disney Family Museum and the Tech Museum of Innovation, which were all fantastic.

On 31 March we began our first day in Silicon Valley with a trip to the Intel museum where we learned about the history and development of computer processors and chips. We realised just how far people have developed new technology in the past 50 years and it was breathtaking. The next day involved a visit to the Computer History Museum in the morning where we learned about the overall history of computers and game systems.

University. During our visit we met up with former School Captain Noah Johnston (Class of 2011) who is currently studying at Stanford. He gave us a tour of one of the dorms and arranged for two IT students from Harvard to speak to us about their course, their work in IT and plans for the future.

A highlight of our trip came in the afternoon of the same day in which we visited Stanford

The next day was spent by getting a private tour of Apple Headquarters and all of their facilities. We even got a sneak peek at the new Apple iWatch and new Macbook and gave us an insight to the design processes at Apple from Yarra old Grammarian, Peter Russell-Clarke (Class of 1986).

Peter is a top designer for Apple so it was an amazing opportunity to meet him.

Our next stop was at Google Headquarters where we were fortunate to have a tour of their campus. We were surprised by the sheer size of the Headquarters and there were people everywhere talking and socialising. It looked like an amazing place to work.

After Silicon Valley we travelled to Anaheim. The next few days

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were ones that we all were looking forward to as they would be our three days at Disneyland. Our first day was at the Disneyland Resort. The rides, which included Space Mountain and Splash Mountain, were amazing and thrilling. That night we enjoyed dinner at the Medieval Times restaurant where we were treated to a great performance of a medieval tournament between

six knights. The next day we trekked through California Adventure Park, which was also amazing. In particular the Hollywood Hotel of Terror and the California Screamer rollercoaster were our favourite rides. Our last day of Disneyland was spent going on all of the best rides finishing the day with a spectacular fireworks show.

Our last few days in California were spent in Los Angeles.

After a tour of LA and Hollywood, we visited Universal Studios and Warner Brothers Studios. At Universal, we were treated to one of the best studio tours we had ever been on. Also the rides were great and exciting. On our last day before Warner Brothers we had to pack up in preparation for the flight home. However, we didn’t let the disappointment of having to go home stop us from enjoying

Warner Bros as much as we did.

We got to see the sets of several famous shows, such as the set from Friends.

Although we were all sad that we were leaving America, we had enjoyed our time on the West Coast so much and had gained memories that we would never forget.

Adam Braham and Riley Dunoon, Year 11.

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Yarra Tennis

Building the Yarra Tennis spirit Yarra Tennis has been very busy during the 2014/15 tennis season supporting our players at matches as well as showcasing our School’s great talent at the Year 7 Information Evening.

The extra shade at the School’s tennis courts has been welcomed and complimented on by our players as well visiting schools. During match play, the new score boards have worked excellently and have contributed to a professional look on our tennis courts.

The annual Fete in October last year was most enjoyable and the Yarra Tennis parents ran the Corn on the Cob stall with another sell out! A mini court set up on the day was a huge fundraiser and very popular.

To top off the tennis season, as a new initiative each First Tennis boy and girl player were presented a tennis cap for the boys and a visor for the girls

with their very own dedicated player number embroidered on it. A red player towel with the Yarra Valley Grammar logo was also presented to our top players.

A farewell function was hosted

by Yarra Tennis in the Brooke Nicholas Pavilion to honour the School’s tennis teams. Each player was presented with a canister of chocolate tennis balls and a team photograph was given to the Year 12 players. The attendance was 99% at the Pavilion which confirmed the Tennis spirit amongst our families.

Marie Van Ravesteyn President, Yarra Tennis

Annual tennis tournament Yarra Valley Grammar and Tennis Works are excited to announce that it will be running its Second Annual Tennis Tournament during the September Holidays in 2015. Running from Saturday September 12 – Monday September 14, it is going to be a great event for anyone and everyone involved in the Yarra Valley Grammar community.

Events range from 8/U round robins through to Open Men’s and Women’s events. There will be graded events also run so there is fun to be had by everyone, regardless of your standard.

We are encouraging past and present students and parents to come along and enjoy a fun weekend of tennis. Further details of the event will be emailed through soon, so be sure to keep a look out!

For further information, please contact YVG Tennis Director, Chris Guy on 0412 238 452 or at tennisworks@yvg.vic.edu.au.

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Yarra Old Grammarians – Football

Bushrangers to go Bang in 2015 A ground move, new under 19’s team, women’s netball in the wings, a new higher division and large player turnover, fair to say the last 12 months at the Yarra Valley Old Boys Football Club haven’t been boring!

The 2014 season seemed to provide a mixed bag of lollies for the Bushrangers, but when the dust settled it was clear the club had a strong season. A committed group of Year 12 Yarra graduates created their very own under 19’s football side, a fantastic way to continue friendships post school graduation. The senior teams were again promoted, the first time in the club’s history that elevation occurred in back to back seasons.

All teams started the season slowly and while no one likes to

make excuses, clearly the slower than anticipated move of home ground had a large impact on pre-season training, morale, sense of being and the wins column. Once re-located the club lifted, all teams notching strong wins in the middle part of the season and belief that the Bushrangers were capable of matching it at all respective levels was clear to see. The old heads had no option but to be impressed by the under 19’s embracing the club culture on and off the field, a number of U19’s earning selection in the first team; Brendan Lee, Rory Chipman, Tom Hancock and Nick Maclennan. This experience provided valuable exposure and understanding of the requirements to be a senior footballer.

As the season drew to a close all teams had chances of playing finals, some more realistic than others. The under 19’s lost some games they should have won, the seniors while mathematically possible, gave up too much ground at the

start of the season and the reserves missed out by the tightest of margins. Off the back of two very strong seasons it was pleasing that the Bushrangers consolidated in a division that has never been bettered…. For now!

Thanks must go to the outgoing committee who made tough calls throughout their tenure, none bigger than the positive move of the club to Doncaster.

Three stalwarts, a generation of Bushranger football called it a day. Since 1997, with over 700 games and six Premierships between them Sam Savage, Chris Beal and Michael Wines ran out in the Red, Yellow and Black hoops for the last time.

Rob Drew and Ian Trend delivered their last half time speeches, finishing up as one of the most successful Premiership winning coaching pair in Old Boys history.

So what’s coming up in 2015?

The football club is striving fanatically to play finals in Division 1, having only being

there once before, but with the talent on the park a Premiership isn’t off the cards. New ground lights for training and night games have been installed at Doncaster Reserve and with works beginning on large storage facility and electronic scoreboard, the new Bushranger patch is fast becoming a first class facility.

Not to be outdone, the ladies are getting involved this year and, for the first time the Thunderbolts will take to the courts around Doncaster; the Bushrangers first women’s netball team.

If you would like to get involved in Yarra Valley Grammar Past Students sport whether it be playing, supporting, socialising, sponsoring or coaching then please get in touch.

I hope to see you at a game or two, bang BANG! Michael Wines YVOBFC President email: president@yvobfc.com.au

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Yarra Old Grammarians – Cricket

Old Boys prove too strong The annual First XI fixture against the Yarra Valley Grammar Alumni team of Old Boys took place in great conditions on the Patterson Oval on 4 February, with Al Crawley once again umpiring for the match.

Batting first the students got off to a flying start with a blistering knock from Sam Harper (40 retired, including 5 sixes!). The bowling and catching from the Old Boys was very good though, and they were able to take a series of wickets and slow the scoring rate. The First XI slipped to 7/100, before Dan Duncan

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(23) and Tim Nathan (17) put together a useful late order partnership to take the score to 149 off the allotted 35 overs.

Matt Mullan and Dan Robertson (2014 graduates) took three wickets each, while Pete Hullin and Anil Gupta (graduates from the 80’s) still bowled with plenty of guile.

Seeking 150 for victory, the Old Boys started slowly, seeing off current First XI skipper Josh Hudson (who bowled 7 overs, for 4 runs). At 2/36 off 14 overs, the Old Boys had plenty of work to do but they were able to take control of the game through the middle overs with Jack Harper (40 retired) and

Dom Matarazzo (36) showing their class and capitalising on the good early work done by Jordan Goldsmith (29). Dean Letson (30 not out) finished off the chase, with the Old Boys winning in the 33rd over, five wickets down, concluding a high standard and highly entertaining match.

John Baxter

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Yarra Old Grammarians – Golf Day

Sunshine, greens and great competition Over 100 golfers from the Yarra Valley Grammar community took part in the fifth annual Yarra Old Grammarians’ Golf Day on Monday 30 March at Huntingdale Golf Club. It was the largest Golf Day to date with 27 teams competing for the coveted winner’s trophy this year.

Melbourne put on a beautiful 24 degree day providing players with perfect conditions for an afternoon of golf and after a light lunch in Huntingdale’s beautiful new Clubhouse players hit the green.

The winners on the day were David Spaulding, Simon Farrar,

Simon Spaulding and Mark Darrer who walked away with the Perpetual PSA Golf Day trophy with a nett score of 55.13. Second Place with a nett score of 56.50 went to Yarra Valley Grammar’s staff team comprising of Bryan Harper, Jack Harper, Peter Warren and Jarrod Carlson.

Third Place with a nett score of 58.25 went to Tony Baker, Daniel Begala, Darren Wood and Michael Bossonett.

AON Risk Solutions kindly offered players the opportunity to win $10,000 if they hit a hole in one on the 5th hole but unfortunately no players were able to claim this great prize.

Other winners on the day were Grant Brooke, Olivia Lewis, Simon Spaulding and Matthew Harding for nearest the pin and Mark Davies for longest drive.

Thank you to everyone who participated for your wonderful support of the event. We hope to see you all back at Huntingdale next year.

The event will be held again next year on Monday 4 April so please mark this date in your diaries.

To view further photos taken at the event, please visit the Past Students page on the School’s website.

Ms Kim Treganowan Development officer

The 2015 Yarra Old Grammarians’ Golf Day was kindly sponsored by: AON Fuji Xerox Combined Super Higgins NAB Lime Catering Infratech Ventura Thank you to all our sponsors whose involvement and generosity made the day a great success.

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Past Students Profile

Paul Singer, Class of 1995 Director of Operations to the GovernorGeneral of Australia and General Manager of Make A Mark Australia

I often reflect on my time at Yarra with very fond memories – the people, the culture, the facilities and resources – so much to appreciate and be thankful for.

It was fantastic to return to the School in February with the Governor-General for the official opening of the new Science and Mathematics building. While some of the buildings may have changed, and there were some new faces, it was immediately obvious that the culture was still strong – the Yarra Spirit was alive and thriving; to chat with the students and listen to their aspirations and hopes for the future was uplifting.

Similarly, to see some familiar faces and reconnect with old friends was like rewinding the clock as if we had only just finished Year 12 last year.

But as a few of us reflected, it wasn’t last year – amazingly 20 years have flown by.

Since leaving Yarra Valley Grammar in 1995, I have been fortunate to have some incredibly unique and rewarding opportunities. After leaving school, I graduated from the Australian Defence Force Academy with military and academic commendations in 1999. I was commissioned as an officer in the Royal Australian Navy and as a qualified warfare officer, enjoyed postings to destroyers, auxiliary ships, submarines, patrol boats and frigates. Specific operational highlights include commanding a specialist maritime team during the Iraq War in 2003. We were responsible for enforcing United

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Nations sanctions against Iraq by boarding illegal ships resisting investigation in the North Arabian Gulf. After multiple deployments to the Middle East and exchanges with the Royal Navy, United States Navy and United States SEALS, I returned to Australia as the Executive Officer of a Darwinbased patrol boat.

In 2006, I was appointed as a military adviser to the GovernorGeneral of Australia. The Governor-General is appointed

by Her Majesty The Queen and exercises the executive power of the Commonwealth of Australia. In practical terms, the Governor-General is the effective Head of State and Commander-in-Chief of the Australian Defence Force.

In my current position as Director of Operations to the Governor-General, I engage with a broad spectrum of the Australian and international community in what is a wide-ranging and dynamic role.

I have the privilege of liaising extensively with government, corporate and community groups, as well as foreign Heads of State and international organisations to deliver a diverse domestic and international program in support of Australia’s national interests.

Professional highlights have included managing the detailed arrangements for swearing-in ceremonies of two Governors-

General and four Prime Ministers; State Visits to over 40 countries and the first visit to Antarctica by a Head of State; and, as part of a small team, coordinating visits by Her Majesty The Queen and members of the Royal family, as well as other foreign Heads of State including three visits by Presidents of the United States.

One of the great personal highlights has been to oversee all of the arrangements for each of the ceremonies to award the Victoria Cross for Australia, our nation’s highest honour, to four outstanding Australians.

In 2009, I was invited to lead a multi-agency taskforce to coordinate the most challenging and logistically complex overseas visit ever attempted by a Governor-General. During the visit, we saw first-hand some of the unimaginable challenges, but also the incredible opportunities for the children in Africa. It was a defining moment of realisation that I could, and should, do more to assist children in need. Armed with an enthusiasm and passion to empower children to achieve their full potential, I co-founded the charity Make A Mark

Australia (MAMA – www. makeamarkaustralia.org.au).

MAMA focuses on providing impoverished children in underdeveloped communities access to reliable schooling and education. In our first five years, we have raised over $400,000 and delivered several largescale projects in Zambia, Afghanistan, Timor-Leste, Papua New Guinea, Kiribati, Solomon Islands and Tonga, directly benefitting more than 8,000 children.

Earlier this year, I was selected to represent Australia at the Commonwealth Leaders

Conference (CSCLeaders). This is a global leadership program for 100 senior leaders selected from government, business and not-for-profit organisations.

Participants assemble at Oxford University to tackle current issues affecting our generation, and later meet in a developing country to apply some of the practical lessons and expand global networks.

scientists; Nobel Laureates; volunteers; community leaders; Indigenous elders; the men and women of the Australian Defence Force serving on operations in Afghanistan, Iraq and other places around the world – one thing is common to each, the willingness to stand-up and have a go. To give of themselves for the betterment of our community.

As I look back on the last 20 years, I have been incredibly honoured to witness first-hand the tremendous contribution that Australians make at home and overseas. World class

It’s a message I remember from my days at Yarra. One that was reinforced on the sporting field, in the classroom and on stage.

Regardless of a student’s own personal strengths and

interests, we were all encouraged to value others and to make our own mark. Walking through the School recently and seeing students making the most of the resources and opportunities available, it’s obvious that the current and future generations of Yarra students will have much to offer as exceptional young leaders and positive contributors in our community.

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Past Students Profile

Celenie Seidel, Class of 2007 Fashion consultant and forecaster at Yasmin Sewell Ltd (London)

Fashion is something I’ve always instinctively been drawn to.

I don’t have a personal memory of this but I’m told by my mother that at age three I became completely fixated with a pair of trousers in a store we used to visit and over the coming weeks I would single out this item each and every time we passed by the racks. Clearly I was really feeling those trousers for the season!

Thanks to school yearbooks, I know that by age 12 my sights were firmly set on some sort of future in fashion. Over the high school years this never wavered, writing this piece forces me to consider whether I ever toyed with the idea of another path.

I don’t think that doing anything else ever really occurred to me instinctively I knew fashion was my calling.

For this reason, it was an obvious choice for me to undertake the Certificate IV in Design available to Yarra students during VCE. Yes, it meant staying back late at school and dealing with an increased workload above what is standard for VCE but looking back, it was crucial preparation for the demands of the creative industries that all C4D graduates would face in years to come; both at university and in future careers.

Fresh out of school, I undertook an Associate Degree in Fashion Technology at Box Hill Institute.

To say the work requirements were extreme would be a misrepresentation. It was undeniably life-consuming and probably two of the toughest years I’ve experienced in terms of a truly relentless workload.

It’s a stereotype we all know, fashion students having to push themselves to extremes in order

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to keep up with the demands of their chosen course. I remember really noticing the contrast to the much more forgiving contact hours and assignments of some conventional academic degrees friends were undertaking but with hindsight, I now recognise that coping in the fashion industry without being conditioned by university first would be impossible… the shock would simply be too great! There is no doubt that fashion school exists for the building of backbones.

While my course at Box Hill Institute was very much design and construction based, my wish was never to be a fashion designer. Since high school I had been very keen on the idea of working in fashion publication but was determined to learn the intricacies of fashion on as many levels as I could. I was of the opinion that if I wanted to write about the subject, I needed to know exactly what I was talking about on a very technical level. Further pursuing this desire, I chose to continue my studies with Fashion Journalism through San Francisco’s Academy of Art University.

From 2008 until 2011 I was actively involved in Melbourne’s biannual fashion festivals, first volunteering as a dresser of models backstage at shows and working my way up to become stylist’s assistant to Ryan Lobo (now one half of NY-based label TOME). On reflection, if I were to map out my (short) career history up until today, I can quite literally trace where I am now back to making the decision to volunteer at Melbourne’s fashion festivals. If you give your all to everything you do and

always go the extra mile, it won’t go unnoticed by the right people. The connections I made during this time were invaluable to help form a series of stepping stones and chain reactions (internationally) that have assisted along the way in positioning me where I am now.

After finishing university and waiting out the UK visa application process, I packed up my life and moved out of home for the first time to London... a city I’d never set foot in, but was only too ready to call my new home. I really had no connections in London, aside from my best friend since age three, Amy Womersley (a fellow YVG alumna), who’d moved over six months earlier on her own adventure. I was put in touch with Geoffrey Finch, then Creative Director of Antipodium and within a week of landing in London, my intern experience began. Thank goodness for those years of arduous work during university because interning in the London fashion industry is not for the precious or faint-hearted! Gruelling hours and lack of sleep aside, I still count the experience as invaluable. By the end of my second month in London, I found myself backstage at London Fashion Week, knowing without doubt I’d made the right choice in moving halfway around the world.

Following six months of learning the ins and outs of a global fashion label, I found a job on the Catwalks team of worldrenowned trend forecasting agency WGSN. I was incredibly lucky to work under Sue Evans, a true industry stalwart who has been reporting on trends to the wider industry for multiple

decades. My time there was an amazing contrast to my time at Antipodium: going from a tiny fashion studio in East London, to a corporate giant with offices around the world. It was here that I discovered a real love for trend reportage – something that is actually now a big part of my role in my current position – and I see my time at WGSN as one of those invaluable periods in your career that takes place even if only to prepare you perfectly for your next step.

It was mid-2013, with only a few months left on my UK visa, that I had a meeting with Yasmin Sewell, a fellow Australian who has become a true icon in British fashion icon over her 18 years in London.

Generously, despite my impending departure from London, Yasmin was willing to give me experience in her consultancy during my

remaining time in the city.

Having had to make peace with the fact that I would be returning back home to Australia it was a complete shock when, after six weeks, she offered to sponsor me (which would grant a new visa) so that I could stay on as a permanent member of her staff.

Naturally, with sights set on my career, I could only say Yes. Following a long period of application and processing, I’ve now been back in London for just over a year, working fulltime for Yasmin Sewell Ltd. We’re a tiny consultancy size-wise (I’m the only permanent member of staff under Yasmin!) which means I get to be involved with everything we do: and the opportunities I get through my job are incredible. With clients from Australia, Hong Kong, Saudi Arabia, Italy and France (including some of the biggest

names in luxury fashion) I am able to work in the industry on a truly international level. My job is ever-changing; each client or project is entirely different to the next, for which I am deeply grateful.

My chosen career is still a labour of love – at many times during the year the hours are long and hard (particularly during global fashion weeks) and unrelenting dedication is critical and non-negotiable but I know that where I am is so right for me right now.

Undeniably, fashion is far from an easy option, but I know with complete certainty that I have pursued the career that excites and satisfies me in a way that no other industry could.

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Past student profile

James Simpson, Class of 2005 Assistant Musical Director of Disney’s The Lion King

I graduated from Yarra in 2005, having been actively involved in the music and drama departments throughout my 7.5 years at the School (I think I may have been the only student so far to hold the Captain of Music position in Junior School, Middle School and Senior College).

Straight away, I was into rehearsals for my first show, making my professional debut as the Assistant Musical Director and Arranger for the world premiere season of Virgins – A Musical Threesome

by Australian writers Mathew Frank and Dean Bryant, which was performed at the Malthouse Theatre in January 2006 (for those who don’t know, the arranger takes the piano-vocal score the composer writes and arranges it for the band musicians). Later that year, I toured with the show to the New York Musical Theatre Festival, and in 2007 I conducted the show on a Regional Arts Victoria tour around the state.

Also in 2007, I made my first appearance at the iconic Melbourne Cabaret venue, the Butterfly Club. Whilst completing my Bachelor of Performing Arts at Monash University majoring in Drama/ Theatre Studies and minoring in Music, I was a regular performer at the Butterfly Club and also as the Musical Director and accompanist for numerous cabaret shows featuring both established and up-and-coming artists. In recognition of my contribution to so many shows, in 2008 the Butterfly Club awarded me the Under Our Wing award for Best New Talent, an award previously won

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by performers such as Tim Minchin and Sammy J. This was the first and only time that this award was given to a Musical Director.

In 2010, having completed my degree I made my debut at the Adelaide Cabaret Festival, the largest festival of its kind in the world, as the Musical Director and Arranger for a show called Experiment, a cabaret of the songs of Cole Porter, and I was the Musical Director for one of the headline shows at the inaugural Melbourne Cabaret Festival. I also worked as a Musical Director at the University of Ballarat’s Academy.

Mid-2010, I was offered and accepted a place in the B.A(Hons) Musical Theatre course at LASALLE College of the Arts, Singapore, entering directly into second year. I was developing a niche as a Musical Director who also performed (in the shows I did at the Butterfly Club, often the performer would ask me to play a secondary character, delivering dialogue or singing solo/backup vocals), and so I felt that getting formal training as a musical theatre performer would be of benefit.

As the LASALLE academic year went from August-May, I had a three-month break during the Australian winter, so the following year when I returned home in May 2011 I was able to again work at the Arts Academy

in Ballarat and I was the Musical Director and arranger for another new cabaret show at the Adelaide Cabaret Festival. I was also the Musical Director for Twisted Broadway, a theatre industry fundraising concert based on New York’s Broadway Backwards, which featured some of Australia’s top musical theatre performers singing musical theatre songs originally intended for the opposite gender, with all proceeds going to Oz Showbiz Cares/Equity Fights Aids. Later that year, Give

My Regards to Broady, a musical I had co-written was selected by TheatreWorks Melbourne to be one of two shows presented as part of their inaugural MusicalWorks season of new musical theatre writing, and fortunately the LASALLE semester ended just in time for me to get home in time to act as Musical Director for the run.

In 2012, I completed my studies at LASALLE, graduating with first-class honours, I returned home to Melbourne. For a third and final time, I again worked at

which played to critical acclaim firstly at the multi-award winning Finborough Theatre before transferring to the Park Theatre. I also performed once again with Trevor Ashley, this time as the Musical Director for Star*Struck at the Stadtsaal in Vienna, as part of the 2014 Festwochen schamloser Kultur.

In September/October that year I toured China as Musical Director of Four Seasons in One Night, performing in over 25 cities over seven weeks.

the Arts Academy in Ballarat, was the Musical Director for a show at the Adelaide Cabaret Fringe Festival and returned to Twisted Broadway as Musical Director for the 2012 concert.

In September I moved to Glasgow, Scotland, where I took up a scholarship place on the MA Musical Theatre (Musical Directing) course at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. I completed my Masters in September 2013 (graduating with Distinction), and in October I was the Musical Director for the UK tour and West End

performance of Australian entertainer Trevor Ashley’s Liza on an E. After a few months back in Melbourne, during which I was Musical Director for a production of the Australian musical Summer Rain at the Victorian College of the Arts, directed by Australian theatre legend Nancye Hayes, in February 2014 I headed back to the UK, this time to London. I was Musical Director for two seasons of Thérèse Raquin, a musical based on the novel of the same name by Émile Zola,

Whilst visiting Melbourne for what was only meant to be a short Christmas break, I received a phone call that quite literally changed my life – it was from the Musical Director of the current Australian tour of Disney’s The Lion King, asking me if I would be interested in taking over the position of Assistant Musical Director. After being flown to Brisbane for what was essentially a week long audition, I was told I had been given the job and was absolutely over the moon. The role of Assistant Musical Director is quite a busy one – during the performances I normally play one of the keyboard parts in the orchestra (the big boom at the end of

Circle of Life is me!) but I am also in the theatre an hour before every show to take vocal warm-up with the cast, check the keyboards are working (they are all connected to computers running very hi-tech sound software) or to be available for anything else that may require music (spacing calls, short rehearsals). I also go in during some weekdays for longer rehearsals and only two weeks before writing this article I stepped onto the podium to conduct my first show.

Conducting such a massive show as The Lion King was nerve-wracking but also one of the most incredible experiences of my life. Working on the show is intense – you’re in the theatre for eight performances a week plus rehearsals, and it’s a lot of late nights and long days if two performances are scheduled, but it is one of the most exciting things I have ever done.

In future, I hope to be able to continue to work on both big commercial shows and smaller, newer work so I can continue to find creative fulfilment in my work. It’s a long way from playing piano for Sweet Charity in the PAC, but it’s been a pretty amazing journey so far.

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Past student profile

Tracey Steinrucken (nee Nel), Class of 2004 Plant Ecologist, CSIRO Brisbane

What I loved about Yarra was all the amazing opportunities students are given, and the ongoing support provided by the teaching staff. Yarra taught me that education is not just about going to class and writing essays. I was involved in almost everything possible – sports, theatre, debating, outdoor education, art, language, leadership – and that kind of lifestyle is something I have maintained ever since high school.

I grew up in South Africa before my family migrated to Australia.

After leaving Yarra I undertook a double degree Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Science at Deakin University.

I then attained a Master’s Degree in Science from Lund University in Sweden then did my Honours in Applied Science at RMIT University with a scholarship from the Victoria Department of Environment and Primary Industries.

I am a plant ecologist with a particular interest in invasive plant pathology and molecular biology. Invasive plants have profound economic, environmental and social impacts around the world and my research focuses on a particular invasive thorny tree, Parkinsonia aculeate, that was originally introduced from South America as a garden tree or hedge. It now covers over one million hectares of northern Australia and impacts the beef and pastoral industries as well as the native biodiversity. Over the past decade, farmers and scientists have noticed dieback in some populations of this plant which has reduced the size of the populations, sometimes achieving levels of control that would be impossible or very expensive to achieve manually.

The cause of dieback has been unknown and this is what I have been researching.

I am currently undertaking a PhD at the Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment at the University of Western Sydney to investigate the cause(s) of the dieback in Parkinsonia aculeate but I am based in Brisbane with the CSIRO Biosecurity facility.

I have been lucky enough to

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be offered the 2015 Fulbright Queensland Postgraduate Scholarship which allows me to study with the Forest pathology and Mycology Lab at the University of California, Berkeley. So I will be heading for San Francisco in August for nine months where I will be investigating dieback in other invasive plants in the US and comparing them to my findings here in Australia. I also hope to get involved in the Women in Science program at UC Berkeley, play soccer for a local team, attend and present seminars to help my

communication skills and explore the spectacular National Parks in California.

I’ve learnt that if you put yourself in the way of any opportunity and grab hold when it presents itself, life can be unbelievably exciting and fulfilling.

Past student adventure story

A cheeky jaunt from Canada to Mexico

By Tom Goldstraw (Class of 2001)

From July to October last year my partner, Bonnie Abbotsmith Youl and I rode our mountain bikes from Banff, Canada to Puerto Palamas, Mexico. Together we rode nearly 5,000km and raised $5,000 for Cystic Fibrosis Victoria.

The route is called The Great Divide Mountain Bike Route and is the longest mountain bike route in the world. It is also the steepest with the equivalent elevation gain of summiting Mt Everest seven times from sea level. This off-road bush trail runs along the continental divide through Alberta and British Columbia, Canada and Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, Colorado, New Mexico and into Texas. We averaged 71.2km per day with an average ride time of just over five hours per day.

Our main concern riding and camping in Canada and North America was of course the bears, especially leaving Banff and heading into Montana. We were very careful and made every effort to be noisy, store or food safely and always carry our

bear spray and bangers. We didn’t see one through the whole journey but did get chased by dogs on four occasions. Luckily we were unnerved but didn’t receive any bites or injuries from the encounters. We bought our mountain bikes in Canada rather than take our own, they were fairly basic models with front suspension only, stock tyres and shocks with no other mods.

Apart from a small hitch with the pannier rack, a snapped pedal, changing the rear cassette and disc pads once and changing the chains twice, it was clear sailing with just a little regular maintenance with a denture brush and oil.

We met some amazing people on our trail, many were really interested in our trip and what

we were trying to achieve and were very helpful, supportive and generous. The biggest obstacle was our accent and language; our Aussie slang caused us many dramas and many laughs.

Overall, the trip was a ripper without being ridiculous. The countryside, the challenge and the people made it an amazing tour and one that is not for the under 40’s only! We met at least 15 riders over the trip with ages from 20 to 70 and all were having a cracking time and all were in good form. Our timing was excellent in terms of the weather with a mid to late July departure from the north.

Cycling touring is simply a sensational way to travel; cheap or luxurious, depending on where you go and your budget. You see everything and smell everything. It’s a real experience and I can’t speak highly enough of it.

Following this amazing tour we then spent the winter back-packing through Central America and we are now back in Canada where we will work a fire season on a Helitac crew in Alberta.

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Past student adventure story

Frozen on the Chadar

By Mark Lamb (Class of 1988)

Exploring Asia in my spare time to stave off corporate fatigue has become a norm since graduating. I admit it’s by default and pure good luck that Asia became my playground. I’ve lived and worked in the region ever since completing university and pretty much blindly accepting a post abroad. During a recent get together, my long-time Yarra soul mate, Beth encouraged me to share one of the many experiences encountered in Asia. As a national ice-skater, she inspired this cold climate tale.

The North Face (YouTube on the edge – TNF Chadar expedition) describes it as the wildest trek in the world. I didn’t know that before undertaking the winter walk down a frozen river in the north Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir. A mate and I were bored and in desperate need of an adventure so we packed warm clothes, gathered sufficient outdoor equipment, did enough research and preparation (or so we thought), booked flights, arranged a local guide and set off to tackle the frozen Zanskar River on foot.

In summer it’s a raging mass of Himalayan ice-melt forming a confluence with the mighty Indus. In winter, when temperatures drop to between -10 and -35C, a mantle of ice forms over the still viciouslyflowing Zanskar. This icecovered river is known as The

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Chadar – the blanket in Zanskari. Its wintery state resembles a lunar moonscape.

For centuries it has been a trading route, running alongside the Silk Road between small villages of Ladahk and into China. Locals, instead of traipsing over high mountain passes that reach 5,000m-plus favour sledging their loads up and down the frozen river.

Our journey was to follow this trading river route between the appropriately named Chiling to Lingshed and back; a gruelling 100km. We had two weeks. The 4x4 ride to the start was along hair-raising cliffs etched high above converging rivers and around heart-stopping hairpin bends. Our rucksacks bulged like puffed pillows filled with goose down – probably because that’s practically what they were! Our guide arranged for porters to re-stock supplies

at various stages.

Communication in English with our local guide, Kashar, was limited and there would be no contact with the outside world until our return.

The departure point down-river arrived without fanfare. We happily set off on a sunny afternoon. The sun’s rays would rapidly recede each day behind the river’s steep-sided ravines so the temperature never rose above zero! The cold was a bigger hurdle than anticipated; down jackets kept us snug. We were well layered. Well prepared. Just keep moving.

Constantly monitoring each other’s hands, face and making sure we could feel our toes. I learned to walk wiggling my toes! Eventually a rest break and opportunity to deliver nourishment to our altitudeaffected, tired bodies. A whole new realisation of cold sank

deep into the bones. We adjusted to the cold but it remained a danger that we could not afford to ignore.

Whenever we stopped, a pot of water got boiled and we soaked up warmth from the small, blackened kerosene stove. We each took turns to prepare a fire using driftwood picked up along the way as it provided a more honest heat source.

Camaraderie was strong amongst the trekkers. Chores were shared equally and we always watched out for one another. Along the route strangers became friends – porters, a few like-minded, insane adventurers and even another Australian from the tropics of Far North Queensland.

Means of progress along the Chadar was by shuffling one’s feet rather than lifting each foot one at a time like you would

usually. We had a light sleigh attached to our waist that easily glided over the ice. Crampons slowed progress. Imagine walking on an ice-rink, though the surface wasn’t always smooth and yes, we often slipped over. Hitting the ground from a frictionless fall sometimes hurt. A more serious and ever-present danger was weak ice, in parts you can actually see the fast-flowing water below the clear ice and hear the Chadar creak and groan under nature’s force. Fall through and you’d be engulfed by freezing cold water, weighted down by a backpack, boots and bulky clothes. Worse still was

the possibility of being dragged under an ice sheet to a miserable death. No laughing matter. So we stayed clear of the weakest parts, the river’s middle course. Sometimes we portaged over rocks in steep, narrow sections and often there was no choice but to test the ice, knowing it was fragile. I imagine it to be like walking through a minefield. Yes, we broke through on several occasions. The party would freeze. Then the trapped team member gingerly worked their way to (hopefully) more stable ice. It was akin to lifting one’s weight off a landmine; would the ice around you collapse?

Seated cross-legged on the kitchen floor with room for no more than five people, the fading light bounced in from an opening in the roof that also served as the stove flue. We were served yak butter tea and dry biscuits. I’m not sure I liked the tea, though it was priceless when stirred with warmth of our hosts’ genuine hospitality.

English was sparse. We set off down the mountain in the dark later than anticipated and we arrived at small collective where a room had been reserved. No tent that night just a dusty, dirt floor and coals not cold.

Ropes weren’t part of our baggage and I wished we had one more so than any crampon set.

Upon entering the Zanskar region proper we visited a delightful local young family housed two hours walk uphill, comfortable in the clutches of sunlight. We had arrived at Nerak Village, it was early evening when we reached their mud brick house half sunk in the ground. Engineered to remain cool in summer and retain heat in winter, the ceilings fell low inside. We were invited inside; thankfully out of the fast approaching evening’s cold.

Finally, around Day 8, we turned off the frozen river and made our way up the side valley to a village at the foot of a 500-year-old monastery, perched like a bird’s nest amidst the backdrop of snowcapped mountains. Who could believe we had arrived at Lingshed? It was worthy of celebration – we washed outside with lukewarm water in sub-zero temperatures.

The journey was half complete.

Bearings were reset. Off into the cold in reverse we shuffled.

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Class of 2013 1 Year Reunion Saturday 14 November 2014, Yarra Blue Cafe

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Class of 1974 40 Year Reunion Saturday 28 November 2014, Brooke Nicholas Pavilion Yarra Valley Grammar

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Past Staff Reunion 27 February 2015, Brooke Nicholas Pavillion, Yarra Valley Grammar

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Rosie Brown Yarra Valley Grammar Director of Development Rosie Brown is Yarra Valley Grammar’s new Director of Development. In this role she is excited to be working with all the Yarra Spirit groups; including Yarra Foundation and Yarra Old Grammarians, helping to connect our community and enhance the Yarra Spirit of giving.

She has been very impressed by the real sense of community and passion for the School that she has witnessed since she started at Yarra last November.

She joined Yarra Valley Grammar with over 20 years’

experience in fundraising and management roles in Not-ForProfit (NFP) organisations. Over the last seven years her focus has been drawn to NFPs in the education space, spending five years as the CEO of Virtual Enterprise Australia, a NFP developing enterprising students through the running of a virtual business from the classroom. In this role she was also a Board Member of the International Network of Virtual Enterprises and published a book entitled From Classroom to Boardroom. Rosie also sits on the Board of The Big Umbrella,

a NFP helping homeless people in Melbourne, Vietnam and Nepal, and enjoys swimming, travelling, seeing live bands and socialising with friends and family.

She is keen to meet all members of the Yarra Community; current and past students, parents, staff and supporters. So if you are passing the Development Office at the School, please stop in and say hello, email her on rosie.brown@yvg.vic.edu.au or telephone her on 03 9262 7815.

Baby Celebration Daniel Duke (Class of 2002) and his wife Linda welcomed a daughter, Madeline into the world on 13 January, 2015.

Daniel, Linda and Madeline currently live in Chicago, USA.

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News of the Clarke Family Sally Clarke spent the Christmas period in Melbourne visiting family members. Sally is the younger daughter of Robin Clarke whose initiative and endeavours led to the creation of our School. She brought with her several interesting photographs which are now in our School archives.

One is of Margaret Denniston Clarke after whom our major student award is named and of whom we previously had no photo at all. That photo will feature in the history of the School currently being written by former staff member Dennis Carroll. Other photos include those of Robin and his wife, Janet, and of their family home,

Jillingolo, where much of the preliminary planning for the new school was done.

2002), is a veterinarian.

Duncan’s wife, Glenene, is also a vet and they have a daughter.

Shortly after Robin Clarke’s death in 1996, his wife, Janet, moved to the Walmsley Friendship Village, Kilsyth and still happily resides there.

All three Borland sons are past students of Yarra Valley Grammar, Stuart Borland (Class of 2000) is living in Kinlochlevan, Scotland where he works as the manager of an hotel and is completing a business course. He and his partner also have a daughter.

Hugh Borland (Class of 2005) is engaged to Katie and he is a production manager in Ringwood. Kirsten, the Borland’s eldest child, is married to Neil, and has a son, Ari. She is studying pyschiatry in Perth.

Sally was educated at Tintern and now lives in Adelaide where she has been the student counsellor and now teaches Mathematics at Unley High School. Her brother, Andrew (Class of 1973) is with the Department of Primary Industry and is involved with fisheries in the Queenscliff area. The older sister, Helen Borland, now lives in the Pakenham area where her son, Duncan (Class of

John Close, Archivist

Vale Ashton Meadows (Class of 1995)

Philip Bail (Class of 1976)

Ashton Meadows was killed in a boating accident in January 2014. Fellow classmates will remember Ashton for his ability as a basketballer and for his great sense of humour. Ashton married Tammie Viney in 2002 after they had dated since his Year Nine year. They have three children; Alicia and Ethan, now nine years old and Lincoln, now four years old.

We recently learned from his friend, Rick Field that Philip passed away at the Austin Hospital September 4, 2013 after a ten year illness.

A keen fisherman, Ashton loved the time spent in his boat with Ethan who took this photo of his father just days before his death. Our sympathies go to Tammie and to the three children.

A very gentle and kind man, he was never one to complain about his illness. Very much an individual, Phil never married and never drove a car. His knowledge of music, especially of blues music, was profound.

Friends miss his quirky humour and he will be especially remembered at next year’s 40 Year Reunion.

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Calendar of Events DATE EVENT Monday 1 June Senior and Middle School Group Tours Wednesday 3 June

Junior School Group Tours

Thursday 4 June

ELC Group Tours

Saturday 20 June 7.30pm – 10.30pm

5 Year Out Reunion Brooke Nicholas Pavilion, YVG

Wednesday 29 July 7.00pm

C4D Art Exhibition – Opening Night Burrinja Galley, Upwey

Saturday 1 August 7.30pm – 10.00pm

Jazz in the Café Foundation Hall, YVG

Saturday 15 August 7.30pm – 10.30pm

20 Year Out Reunion Brooke Nicholas Pavilion, YVG

Saturday 22 August 7.30pm – 10.30pm

10 Year Out Reunion Brooke Nicholas Pavilion, YVG Open Morning School Tours

Sunday 23 August Symphonic Showcase Concert 4.00pm – 5.30pm George Wood Performing Arts Centre, YVG Friday 28 August Celebrating 20 years of Excellence in Art and Design Venue to be confirmed Thursday 3 September 6.30pm

Yarra Foundation Dinner Foundation Hall

Saturday 12 September Monday 14 September

Tennis Tournament YVG Tennis Courts

Saturday 24 October 7.30pm – 10.30pm

30 Year Out Reunion Brooke Nicholas Pavilion, YVG

Monday 16 November

Senior and Middle School Group Tours

Wednesday 18 November

Junior School Group Tours

Thursday 19 November

ELC Group Tours

Saturday 14 November 7.30pm – 10.30pm

1 Year Out Reunion Venue to be confirmed

Saturday 28 November 6.00pm – 10.30pm

40 Year Out Reunion Brooke Nicholas Pavilion, YVG

For more information about any of these events, please contact the Development Office on 03 9262 7700 or email development@yvg.vic.edu.au

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50th Anniversary Celebrations We are planning a wide range of celebrations throughout 2016 – please make a note of the following dates: Commencement Ceremony Monday 1 February, 2016 George Wood Performing Arts Centre, 10am All past School Captains are cordially invited.

Chairman’s Ball Saturday 21 May, 2016 Grand Hyatt Hotel, 7pm Cathedral Service Sunday 31 July, 2016 St Paul’s Cathedral, 3.00pm Back to Yarra Saturday 15 October, 2016 Yarra Valley Grammar More details will be available in the next edition of The Link.

Kalinda Road Ringwood Victoria 3134 Australia Telephone +61 3 9262 7700 Email development@yvg.vic.edu.au www.yvg.vic.edu.au ABN 44 004 584 552 CRICOS NO. 00356E

To view more photos of alumni events featured in this magazine visit http://internet-alumni.com/vic/yvg/ocd.aspx Join us on Facebook by searching for Yarra Valley Grammar

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