ISSUE NO. 64 MAY 2018
Ringwood, Victoria
A CO-EDUCATIONAL SCHOOL IN THE ANGLICAN TRADITION – EARLY LEARNING TO YEAR 12
Contents From the Principal
1
2018 Student Leaders
2
Class of 2017 Dux Assembly
3
Food Wine and Music Concert Spectacular
4–5
Digital Technologies USA Tour
6–7
What’s happening on campus?
8
YVG Board news
9
Foundation news
10 – 11
Yarra Old Grammarian news
12 – 21
Yarra Community news
22 – 25
Yarra History
26 – 27
Yarra Old Grammarian profiles
28 – 33
Class reunions
24 – 37
Celebrations
38
Vale
39
Calendar of Events
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ISSUE NO. 64 MAY 2018
Mrs Sarah Tipping
Chairman
FRONT COVER
Mr Andrew Hirst
Vice Chairman
Photography by Paul Shire
Mr Michael Fung
EDITOR
Mr Hamish King
Margaret Kimber +61 03 9262 7700 Margaret.kimber@yvg.vic.edu.au
DESIGN Tandem Design +61 03 9571 7253 www.tandemdesign.com.au
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Board Members
Dr Larissa McLean Davies Reverend Denise Nicholls Mrs Nicole Stevens-Warton Mr Craig Watts Mr Ilan Weill Dr Mark Merry
CEO/Principal
Ms Jane Macneil
Company Secretary
From the Principal Welcome to the latest edition of the Link; the means by which we keep our broader Yarra community connected to the daily life of the School. The school year is busy as always with the added complexity of a major building site in the middle of the School.
“Education has for its object the formation of character.” Herbert Spencer English philosopher (1820–1903)
Visitors will have noticed that the new building is emerging from the ground on the site of the old library and chapel. The new Research Centre will be an exciting addition to the School, providing us with a very contemporary library and research space, large chapel, classrooms, entrance hall and reception and major public gathering spaces. The new facility is planned to be open for the beginning of the 2019 school year. This year we took a major step in introducing a whole School resilience project. The project provides age specific social, organisational and emotional skills to our students from the very youngest in our Junior School through to our Year 12 Class. The project reflects our broader view of education; that being to provide our students with a range of skills: academic, cultural, sporting and social/ emotional to help them navigate the school years and provide them with the confidence to
approach life after school. In a time when anxiety and depression are becoming a widespread issue for young people, Yarra Valley Grammar sees its opportunity to help equip our students with a positive, resilient and purposeful worldview. The purpose of all this activity of course is to educate them and educate them well so that they can go forth and contribute in a meaningful way to the society around them. Ultimately the worth of any school ought to be judged by the character,
confidence, skill and inclination of its students to be a positive force in the world. I take this opportunity to acknowledge the great contributions of our Yarra Community Groups, including the Foundation, the Yarra Old Grammarians and Yarra Parents & Friends. Each of them play an important part in supporting our School community and do much to make the Yarra experience such an inspiring one. Dr Mark Merry Principal
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2018 Student Leaders Commencement Services for the Primary and Secondary Schools were held in the first week of term in the George Wood Performing Arts Centre.
This was an opportunity to welcome our students and staff back, and commission our student leaders for 2018.
SCHOOL CAPTAINS
Dr Merry spoke to the students about the importance of finding inspiration because an inspired person achieves more, enjoys more and contributes more by seeing life as a series of possibilities and opportunities. The success of the school year is determined by the willingness of students to participate, contribute and lead by example and inspire others.
MIDDLE SCHOOL CAPTAINS
Congratulations to the following students on their appointment:
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Blake Haydon Maddy Rennie
Lauren Dickins Zac Warton
JUNIOR SCHOOL CAPTAINS Charli Adams Noah Cameron Congratulations also to our 2018 prefects, office bearers and House captains who all will contribute invaluably to the School community.
Class of 2017 Dux Assembly The annual Dux Assembly was held in February to recognise those students who had achieved ATARs over 90 in the 2017 VCE year and to award the major academic prizes for the year. Presentations were also made to students who achieved individual study scores of 40 or above and the Dux of each subject was acknowledged. Our award winners were honoured with a certificate from the School and a number of prizes were presented by the Chair of Yarra Valley Grammar, Mrs Sarah Tipping.
General Excellence Awards The General Excellence award for 2018 was presented to Piper Blake, Keeley Heymanson, Finley Griffett, Rickus Kriel and Blakely McLean Davies.
Certificates of Exceptional Performance with Study Scores of 50: Further Mathematics
Margaret Denniston Clarke Award This award is presented each year to the Year 12 student who best fulfills the conditions of the Rhodes scholarship. Scholastic achievements are judged by performance in School work as shown by grades achieved and by results on the external VCE examinations as reflected by the ATAR score. Other contributions in cultural pursuits, sport and leadership are judged after consultation with teaching staff that are well placed to make such judgments. The Margaret Denniston Clarke Award for 2017 was presented to Finley Griffett.
Presentation of Dux The term Dux refers to the most academically successful student in a School or a division of a School. The School Dux for the academic year 2017 was Lily Li with an ATAR of 99.45. Lily is our first international student to achieve Dux of the School. Unfortunately, Lily was unable to attend the assembly due to overseas commitments. We are very pleased to advise that she has been accepted into the London School of Economics.
Blakely McLean Davies
Academic Prizes 2017 Art & Design Prize
Audrey Bogemann
Business Studies Prize
Bec Mauger
English Prize
Dylan Feltham
Health & Physical Education Prize
Olivia Phillips
Humanities Prize
Piper Blake
The Ossy Greulich Memorial Award for Languages
Danielle Tait
Mathematics Prize
Benny Zhao
Performing Arts Prize
Blakely McLean Davies
Science Prize
David MacPherson
Technology Prize
Claire Schumann
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Food Wine and Music Concert Spectacular On the last Saturday evening of Term 1 the staging of Yarra Valley Grammar’s renowned Food Wine and Music Concert was held and once again it proved to be an evening to remember! It is the one event of the year that brings together all of the musical ensembles in the secondary school for an evening of entertainment. As always, it was combined with food and wine tasting, staged by Yarra Music for the 500-plus audience members before the concert in the Foundation Hall precinct. The night will be remembered for some sensational solo performances, notably from singers Gemma
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Farrar (Year 12) and Xander Reynoldson-Ross (Year 11) as well as a dose of Symphonic rock’n’roll as the Orchestra played Led Zeppelin. We thank Yarra Music for their outstanding efforts in staging such a great event. All in the YVG community are encouraged to support their efforts by ordering wine on the order form available from the Music Department on 9262 7718, where you can also order a professionally produced DVD of the event. Mr Scott Templeton Director of Music
2018 Music Calendar TERM 2 Tue 12 Jun 6.00pm
Year 7 Music Festival George Wood PAC
Tue 19 Jun 6.00pm
Junior School Concert George Wood PAC
TERM 3 Sat 28 Jul 7.30pm
Jazz in the Café Foundation Hall
Thu 2 Aug 7.00pm
Symphonic Showcase George Wood PAC
Wed 22 Aug 7.00pm
Choral Showcase George Wood PAC
TERM 4 Thu 18–20 Oct 7.00pm
Middle School Production George Wood PAC
Mon 29 Oct 6.00pm
VCE Music recitals Alison French Studio
Thu 8 Nov 7.00pm
Celebration of Music concert George Wood PAC
Thu 29 Nov 7.30pm
Music Awards dinner Foundation Hall
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Digital Technologies USA Tour
– exploring media, technology and all things West Coast Over the Easter holidays, 42 students embarked for the trip of a lifetime to the west coast of the United States of America. We had the opportunity to visit many amazing places that were not only enjoyable, but also very rewarding as we learnt many things that we could take home and apply to our work in Digital Technologies. Our first stop of the trip was San Francisco where we got to go on a tour of the city, visit the California Academy of Sciences, the Walt Disney Family Museum,
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the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz. Our second stop in California was Silicon Valley, for the technology based portion of the trip. There we got the chance to visit many tech companies like Adobe, Google and Apple, the Computer History Museum, the Intel Museum, Winchester mystery house as well as Stanford University.
After our time in Silicon Valley, we hopped on a plane and headed to the Los Angeles for the media based part of our tour. While in LA, we visited Universal Studios, did a tour of Hollywood and Beverly Hills, see Santa Monica Pier and the Endeavour space shuttle at the California Science Centre. To finish off our trip, we got to spend two days at the happiest place on earth, Disneyland. This
was definitely a highlight for everyone. Before heading home we visited the Warner Bros. Studios and spent some time at Venice Beach. Overall, the tour was an amazing opportunity that I’m sure we will remember for the rest of our lives. I would like to thank all of the incredible staff who made the trip possible. Ashleigh Tait Year 10
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What’s happening on campus? Late last year we opened our new indoor pool, built in partnership with Paul Sadler Swim Centre. The new pool is located near the John King sports complex and will offer year-round swimming opportunities for our students as part of their sports curriculum and our Junior School will hold their swimming carnivals there. The pool is also a commercial operation so families in the community also use the facility during the week and over the weekend for lessons. And the old outdoor pool has been decommissioned and turned into a green space for our students to enjoy. This year we have a major building project underway creating a multi-level, multipurpose facility with state-of-
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the-art learning spaces. The project comprises a new reception area, contemporary learning spaces including a media green room, a Resource Centre/Library, a 180 seat chapel and rooftop terrace for collaborative learning and a reading garden. The adjoining Administration building and staff facilities for our Middle School are also undergoing refurbishment. The secondary school reception, administration, accounts and Principal’s offices have all been relocated to other parts of the school in preparation for the renovation of the First Floor of the Administration Building. This project is expected to be completed in time for the start of the 2019 school year.
YVG Board news 2018 Board The Yarra Valley Grammar Board has undergone significant change this year with the retirement of long-time members; Richard Nicholas (Vice Chairman), Nicholas Brooke, Ms Laurice Temple and Ms Charmaine Dunstan. We acknowledge and thank them for their contribution to the School and wish them well in their future endeavours. Mr Andrew Hirst has been appointed Vice Chairman to work alongside Chairman, Mrs Sarah Tipping and three new members have been appointed to the Board. All three are current parents; Mr Ilan Weill, General Manager for the Grand Hyatt Hotel,
Mrs Nicole Stevens-Warton, Legal Counsel for Asia Pacific, Fraedon and Dr Larissa McLean Davies, Senior Lecturer at The
University of Melbourne. We look forward to their positive contribution to the future direction of the School.
Past Board member news Dr Ken Ogden (Board member 1996–2012) has been named as Distinguished Alumnus of the Year by Federation University, joining other alumni recognised by the University including such well-known names as Steve Bracks, Steve Moneghetti and Hollywood director Roger Donaldson. An alumnus is a former graduate or student, and Ken was a student in civil engineering at the School of Mines Ballarat (SMB – an antecedent of Federation University) from 1963 to 1965. He was also (1989–1995) a member of the Council of Ballarat University College, another antecedent. The Award was presented at a ceremony in Ballarat in August. The citation for the Award says that it “recognises the recipient’s exceptional
contribution to a chosen field of endeavour, and their pursuit of excellence in everything they do”. Ken’s award referred to his career at Monash University (1969–1996) where he was a professor in civil engineering and Head of the Institute of Transport Studies and at the RACV (1996–2007) where he was responsible for the RACV’s member representation and advocacy role as General Manager Public Policy. In 1965, Ken received the Richards Medal, SMB’s top award for academic achievement. The medal was named for the late Dick Richards (Antarctic explorer and one-time head of SMB), and coincidentally Richards was recognised with a Distinguished Alumnus (posthumous) Award at the same August award ceremony.
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Foundation news
President’s Report The Yarra Foundation is an integral part of the culture of the School. As the philanthropic arm, it is our intention to ensure that the financial future of the School is protected. This will assist Yarra in becoming one of the top schools in Victoria. That status is something that not only benefits the current generation but also all Yarra Old Grammarians who can now say they attended one of the best schools in the state. As a parent of three children who have been through Yarra,
I have attended many Saturday morning sports at other schools and I can confidently say that Yarra is truly unique. The teachers, the programs, the grounds, the buildings, the outlook are all things that stand out to me when compared to the others. This is what the Yarra Foundation intends on protecting. The Yarra Foundation has started on a journey to become bigger and bolder. This will see many changes over the next few years for the Foundation.
Together with the School we will embark on a mission to truly make Yarra even greater than it is now. For this we will need your support. Our new tagline is Generosity for Yarra’s future. Our Mid-Year Appeal is coming up soon so please watch out for the brochure. We would very much appreciate your support in helping make Yarra greater for past, current and future generations of students. Mr Gary Pratt President, Yarra Foundation
Why be a Yarra Foundation Member? Recently we were approached by a current parent who asked why she didn’t receive an invitation to the Yarra Foundation wine experience last year. We explained to her that the Yarra Foundation experiences such as the Italian cooking class and the behind-the-scenes visit to Coldstream Hills Winery were only for members of the Yarra Foundation. We also explained that it was easy to become a member, you simply contribute via the voluntary term giving program, the Mid-Year Appeal or by pledging future support. If you are interested in joining the Yarra Foundation and receiving invitations to exclusive Foundation events, please contact the Development Office on email: development@yvg.vic.edu.au.
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Baldwin Circle We are occasionally approached by parents who say they would love to support the School/ Foundation but who find it difficult with multiple children attending the School. If you are in this situation, we ask that you consider joining the Baldwin Circle, the Foundation’s bequest program. A bequest to the School is a way of showing your support for Yarra’s future without affecting your financial position now.
To find out more please contact the Development Office on email: development@yvg.vic.edu.au.
A chat with Vicki and John Adams.... Please tell us a little about yourselves, your occupations, any particular hobbies/ passions? We both grew up in the Yarra Valley and have raised our family here too. We live fairly busy lives, made even busier by having four active sons. Vicki works full-time as an accountant at Saward Dawson in Blackburn helping people plan for their retirement. John spent 38 years as an engineering officer in the Royal Australian Air Force at various locations around Australia but these days, works as a Reservist with a large Army project in Melbourne while also running the family farm with his brother. At weekends we enjoy catching up with our sons and wider families who all live locally. There is still often some sport to spectate for one or more of the boys; be it basketball, swimming, cycling or football, and we both enjoy getting to the gym ourselves to help us keep up. Weekend family breakfasts at various local venues are also popular events, and a great way for us all to catch up. Vicki’s favourite past-time these days is to baby-sit our granddaughter whenever she can, while John seems to enjoy driving tractors and being with our herd of Angus cattle. You have been part of the Yarra Community for quite a while now with three of your four sons graduating: Mark (2005), Stephen (2006), David (2015) and Ben nearly there (2018). What have Mark, Stephen and David done since leaving Yarra? Mark finished in 2005 along with his girlfriend Tamie Graczyk, also from Yarra.
Mark went on to RMIT and completed a double degree in Civil Engineering and Business Management and worked for a few years at VicRoads. Mark and Tamie married in 2014 and now have a beautiful daughter and another baby on the way. Mark now applies his Business Management skills in the Graczyk family business. Like all the boys, Mark remains very fit and active and undertakes competitive bike racing and the occasional triathlon. He and Tamie both recently completed the Portsea Swim Classic together. Stephen finished the year after Mark in 2006 and also went on to RMIT where he successfully completed a year of Civil Engineering. He then decided he’d rather be a bit more hands on and undertook a carpentry apprentice. Shortly after completing his apprenticeship he began work with Lend Lease at Docklands. He has been with them ever since and is now a senior foreman. He has worked at various sites, including a major redevelopment of the Bendigo hospital, and has just relocated to Shepparton for another hospital redevelopment. Swimming and gym are particular passions of Steve along with catching up with his Yarra school mates. David finished in 2015 and is now an Army Officer Cadet in his third year at the Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA) in Canberra. He’s doing a Bachelor of Science and keeps very fit with basketball, gym and of course going bush with his Army mates (which he loves). David comes home when he can, and he and his Yarra girlfriend Georgia West (YOG
2015) are maintaining a long-distance relationship. Ben finishes Year 12 this year at Yarra. It’s a wait and see what next year will bring for him. At this stage, Biomedical Science is a likely option. How did you learn about Yarra Foundation? I don’t actually recall but it was most likely through the Yarra newsletter. All contributions made to the Foundation are greatly appreciated. What inspired you to choose to contribute back to Yarra via the Foundation? Since Mark, our first son, started at Yarra in 2000, we have had nothing but respect and admiration for the School, its teachers and students. Over that time, we have seen the School grow with new building projects that have only enhanced the great experiences our sons have all enjoyed at Yarra. We decided fairly early on that that we would like to help ensure, in even just a small way that the School and its facilities would continue to grow and develop, not only for our sons but for all their friends and fellow students. We enjoyed your company at the Winery Experience last year. What other experiences would you be interested in us making available to Foundation members?
We enjoyed the company of everyone at the Winery experience too. We’re so fortunate to live in the beautiful Yarra Valley and we would be more than happy to take further opportunities to visit and enjoy what it has to offer with other school families. Any words of wisdom for families beginning their time at Yarra? Well, apart from boys are easier (we admit to being biased), we can say with great confidence that you will enjoy your association with the School. Try and make the most of the extra opportunities available, be they: sport, music or tours, both local and overseas. As parents, take the time to attend the extra curricular events and productions and especially the Yarra sport and music evenings. Don’t hesitate to attend activities like new parent’s evenings and Foundation experiences even if you don’t think you’ll know anyone. Everyone is in the same boat, and Yarra is a great community of teachers, students and parents.
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Yarra Old Grammarians news
President’s Message The Yarra Old Grammarians have already kicked off with a busy start to the year as we continue some of our regular popular events. We have again launched the YOG footy tipping this year in partnership with Brad Harris (YOG 2002) and his team at The Sporting Globe. It’s never too late to join in the fun so contact the Development Office if you would like more details on how to jump in. We held our annual YOG v First XI cricket match in February which was a warm but as always, enjoyable day to watch the old boys’ battle against the current students. Over Easter we had almost 30 YOGs return to Yarra to help raise funds for the Royal Children’s Hospital Good Friday Appeal. It was great to see, in particular, some of our newest YOGs stay connected with the School while utilising their time for a worthwhile cause. On the day, Yarra raised an amazing $46,409.50 which was the largest amount raised by a school in the campaign. The always popular annual YOG golf day saw almost 100 Yarra community members return to the Commonwealth Golf Course for a sunny day on the greens. As we continue this event it is great to see the camaraderie amongst YOGs that often builds just from attending these past student events. After an incredibly successful inaugural event in 2017, we have expanded the YOG Speed Careering morning to include both Year 10 and 12 students for 2018. We are very excited to be able to share our knowledge with current students and look
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forward to updating you on how the day ran in the next edition of the Link. A new initiative that we introduced this year was inviting David Stevenson (YOG 1994) to share his journey as a YOG with our Year 7 students on the
first day of Term 1. David spoke to the students about what being a YOG meant to him and was able to offer some inspiration of what life after Yarra could look like for them. We also had YOGs hosting Year 9 students as part of their
city experience to explore the CBD and find out what it’s like to work in the city. Thanks to Gavin Macrae (YOG 1996) and Michael Fung (YOG 1991) for taking time out of their busy schedules. I’m sure it was a valuable experience for our future YOGs.
Don’t forget, YOG now has a group on LinkedIn to facilitate connections between YOGs. Members can connect and reconnect with other YOGs, share career experiences, seek career advice and post or review job vacancies. Search for our YOG Connect group on LinkedIn and join up! Our final YOG event for this year will be a Day at the Races at the Yarra Glen Racecourse on Saturday 27 October. This will be a multi-year YOG-hosted gathering which will involve catching up with old friends, a chance to dress up and some
fabulous country race day fun. Arrive with your friends and bring along your family – there will be plenty of entertainment and activities for everyone. If you have any queries regarding YOG opportunities please contact us on yog@yvg.vic.edu.au. I look forward to seeing you at a YOG event soon. Mr Rod Penaluna YOG President
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Yarra Old Grammarians news
A day at the races A great day out was had at Yarra Glen Racecourse on 28 October last year. Over 200 YOGs, Yarra families and friends attended the inaugural YOG Day at the Races. The event was open to the whole of the Yarra community and with beautiful sunny weather, some stunning entries in our own Yarra Fashions on the Field competition and a fabulously relaxed atmosphere, the family fun day was deemed a tremendous success!
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Many thanks to Carrie EdwardsBritt (YOG 1999) and Donna Askew for their fabulous organisational skills and for sponsoring the Fashions on the Field prizes. We are already looking forward to next year – Saturday 27 October 2018 – mark it in your diary now, as we would love to see this event grow in the Yarra Calendar. Mr Rod Penaluna YOG President
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Yarra Old Grammarians news
YOG vs First XI cricket match In February the annual Yarra Old Grammarians vs current First XI cricket match took place. The weather was turned on for us and the scene was set for a great afternoon of cricket.
YOGs batted first and thanks to strong batting performances from Scott Maizels (YOG 2013) Stanley Cui (YOG 2017) and Shehan Kudage-Don (YOG 2014) they posted a competitive score of 108 from their 30 overs. Michael
Papadakis and Josh Teale were the highlights for the First XI with the ball. In the second innings Peter Bennett-Hullin (YOG 1983), Dylan Olley (YOG 2017) and Paul Murray (YOG 1987) were the standouts however some big blows from Joel Nathan and Simon Reynolds meant that the Yarra First XI were able to chase down the YOG’s score in a tight finish. The current First XI really enjoyed the afternoon and utilised this game as a great opportunity to socialise with old friends and peers that had played and created the history before them. The YOG vs current First XI annual cricket match is a terrific tradition that the School has and we await it with anticipation each summer.
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A big thank you to all of the YOGs who played, including Peter Bennett-Hullin (YOG 1983), Scott Maizels (YOG 2013), Dylan Olley (YOG 2017), Jordan Goldsmith (YOG 2013), Randal McDonnell (YOG 1979), Stanley Cui (YOG 2017), Paul Murray (YOG 1987), Shehan Kudage-Don (YOG 2014) and Adam Reynolds (YOG 2017) who all made the afternoon possible. Thank you to all who were involved throughout the afternoon and thank you for your support in keeping the tradition alive and strong. Special thank you to Mr Jason Wylie and Umpire, Colin Coutts for all their assistance on the day. We look forward to next year’s contest! Daniel Scholz Year 12
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Yarra Old Grammarians news
Annual Golf Day To top off the Masters Tournament, approximately 100 golfers from the Yarra Valley Grammar community took part in the eighth Yarra Old Grammarians’ Annual Golf Day on Monday 9 April for their own attempts at a championship cup. We returned to the Commonwealth Golf Course in Oakleigh South for another brilliant day with the YOGs. As usual, Melbourne put on fabulous weather for the golfers for a full day on the green. We began with light lunch in the stunning Commonwealth clubhouse before heading out to begin some fierce competition. The winners on the day were Mark Davies (YOG 1990), Damien Ross (YOG 1991), Graham Nicks and Gary Stafford who walked away with the Perpetual YOG Annual Golf Day trophy with a nett score of 54.875, and also took home brand new golf lasers donated by MGI Golf. Second place with a nett score of 55.125 went to Adrian Wingate (YOG 1999), Stewart Simpson (YOG 1999), Ben Otter (YOG 1999) and Dave Smith (YOG 1999) who will pay a visit to The House of Golf, Ringwood with their prizes. Third place with a nett score of 55.375 went to Luke Barker (YOG 2004) Blake Broadhurst, Jeff Gobbels and Richard Wilson who now have some more golf balls and new golf
umbrellas thanks to MGI Golf. We congratulate all teams who played and put in such a stand out effort! Craig Keighery took out the prize for nearest the pin on the 9th and Brett Withers for the 15th and each also received a new golf watch thanks to MGI Golf. James Keem (YOG 1998) put in a fantastic effort to take out the longest drive on the 18th hole and took home a new pack of golf balls. While all had an attempt, with results both very near and very far from the hole, unfortunately no one took home the $10,000 offered by AON for a hole-inone on the 7th. Combined Super kindly donated a portable speaker for a door prize which went home with James McConkey (YOG 1986). Andrew Tibb (YOG 1986), Tim Pottage (YOG 2004), Daniel Ireland (YOG 1989) and Alistair Beaton (YOG 1987) also took home door prizes to top off the evening.
Thank you to everyone who participated for your wonderful support of the event. We hope to see you all back for the YOG Annual Golf Day on Monday 25 March 2019!
The Yarra Old Grammarians would like to thank the below Premium Sponsors for the day:
To view all photos taken at the event, please visit the YOG page on the School’s website. Thanks to Paul Shire for his efforts in capturing some of the many emotions on the day.
Higgins Coatings Lime Catering Interleave Australia Combined Super
The event was also proudly supported by The House of Golf, Ringwood.
Jellis Craig, Blackburn Lilydale Safety Wear MGI AON AMC Commercial Cleaning Ventura Infratech Electrical Services NAB
The involvement and generosity by all our amazing sponsors help to make the day a great success. Mrs Kimberley Radovanovich Development Officer
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Sponsors
And thank you to our Event Sponsors:
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YOG Football Club news
Returning to the Bushrangers – Kelvin Moore (YOG 2002) When you have fond memories of Yarra as I do, it was just a matter of time before I returned to the School/Club, which has played a huge part in my life. When I received a call from Rob Drew (YOG 2000) suggesting there was position available to be a part of the Coaching group as a Development Coach, I didn’t have to give it much thought at all. After recruiting strongly over the summer, it is going to be an exciting season ahead. One thing that has impressed me so far is the willingness of the players to listen and the drive for them to improve. Not only as
a team but also their individual performance. Not to mention the camaraderie of the Club as a whole. Can’t wait for the season to start and who knows, I might have to pull on the Yarra jumper for one last season. (Kelvin is an ex AFL player, playing 87 games for Richmond. He is now co-owner of the Sporting Globe Hotel in Richmond.)
Yarra Bushrangers and The Resilience Project Early in March the Yarra Old Grammarians sponsored an evening with The Resilience Project, an organisation that works with schools, businesses and sporting clubs to teach positive mental health strategies. The School is implementing their wellbeing practices throughout the year levels, incorporating it into the curriculum this year. Presenter, Marty Heppell spoke to an attentive and highly entertained audience, largely
made up of the Bushrangers playing group and coaching staff. It was great to see other YOG and members of the School community also attend. With mental health statistically affecting 1 in 4 adolescents and 1 in 5 adults and these numbers increasing, education is of great importance. The aim of the night was to provide practical mental health strategies to promote wellbeing in everyday life. Basic but powerful strategies such as gratitude, empathy and mindfulness were explored. Marty is a brilliant storyteller and many hearty laughs were shared as well as some tender moments. Feedback from the audience was that the evening was well worthwhile and the Bushrangers in particular extend their appreciation to YOG for making it possible.
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White Owl Event in memory of Patrick Shing (YOG 1991) Patrick Shing was a former student of Yarra having attended from Prep to Year 12 and finishing in 1991. During his time at Yarra, Patrick was best known for his long distance running ability, winning the School cross country run in both 1990 and 1991. He went on to a successful career in law, and continued his running by competing in several marathons running sub 2 hour 30 minute times. In 2015, Patrick died from prostate cancer, having contracted the disease in his
mid-30s. Contracting prostate cancer at this age is relatively uncommon, and Patrick was extremely unlucky in this regard. He battled his illness with stoicism and continued to enjoy his passions. He was fortunate to get the opportunity to travel extensively in 2014. A number of Patrick’s friends have set up a charitable organisation, White Owl, in memory of Patrick and to raise
funds to support prostate cancer research and Black Dog Institute. White Owl’s principal event is a fundraiser at Etihad Stadium on 23 June for North Melbourne v Western Bulldogs AFL match. The event includes canapés and drinks, MC Tiffany Cherry and guest speakers, Wayne Schwass (CEO of Puka Up and 282 game AFL superstar), and Mark Harrison (APC CEO).
could make towards this event.. You can help through a number of ways:
White Owl would appreciate any contributions that members of the Yarra Valley community
For bookings please see the White Owl website: http://www.whiteowl.org.au/
• Attendance at the event • Donation of prizes for raffle, or • Personal or corporate sponsorship. This is a charity organised and run by YOGs. Please help us remember Patrick and raise funds for this important cause.
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Yarra Community news
RCH Good Friday Appeal This year a total of 478 current student and Yarra Old Grammarian collectors, plus in excess of 150 parents, carers and teachers all volunteered together to doorknock and collect donations for the Royal Children’s Hospital Good Friday Appeal. With over 600 Yarra community members working together we were able to reach a new record of $46,409.50 and once again obtained the Pied Pipers Perpetual Trophy for the most money raised by a school. After a great response in 2017, we had 29 YOGS return to Yarra again to either go
doorknocking or assist with driving current students. Our biggest turnout was from the newest YOGs, the Class of 2017 who put together five teams for this day. It was also fabulous to see a full team of 2015 YOGs return after assisting in 2017 as well. A very big thank you to all who came on the day to help raise money for this wonderful cause, and reach our highest amount to date! We look forward to partnering with the Pied Pipers again next year to continue supporting the Royal Children’s Hospital.
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New Parent’s welcome evening Late last year on 14 November, the Yarra Community groups held a welcome night for all new and Year 7 parents of Yarra for 2018. This provided a peer group welcome to set the scene for their forthcoming journey with Yarra. This event coincided with the Year 7, 2018 Orientation Day and the room was a-buzz with stories of what the eager new students had experienced earlier that day. The Yarra Spirit is an often spoken about phenomenon. It is what makes Yarra so special. It is the camaraderie of community enjoyed here at Yarra Valley Grammar, and it was certainly on show to the 200+ guests who attended. Over thirty volunteers, representing our Yarra Community groups welcomed the new parents whilst listening to a fabulous Year 7 student string quartet, Emanon
(No name backwards!). Mr Gary Pratt, the Yarra Foundation President formally welcomed everyone on behalf of the Yarra Community groups and encouraged everyone to get involved in Yarra life. With his experience over the last twenty years as a parent of Yarra, he was proud to say how enjoyable he had found volunteering with the School. It had provided him with a real sense of fulfilment being a part of the Yarra Spirit and through the other families he had met, he and his family had made lifelong friends. We hope that our new parents take up Gary’s challenge to get involved!
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Yarra Community news
Yarra Parents & Friends Yarra Parents & Friends kicked off this year with our first Welcome Back to Yarra 2018 Family Picnic. All current families were invited to join us for a picnic out the front of Brooke Nicholas Pavilion with BBQ sausages, an ice cream van, jumping castles and games. With almost 400 people in attendance this event proved to be very popular and we look forward to hosting everyone again to kick off 2019! We welcomed both new and returning Year Level Class Representatives for 2018 with a morning tea and information session. This year, we have mixed up the representative roles to eliminate the pressure of arranging year level functions. Instead reps are now encouraged to focus on being a welcoming and friendly face to the School. Yarra P&F runs certain events throughout the year that reps can now assist and encourage attendance of their fellow parents instead. Over Easter we have again run our delicious Easter egg raffle right across the School, which assists in raising funds towards the Good Friday Appeal for the Royal Children’s Hospital. This year we will also be formally taking over running the Mother’s Day Breakfast. Previously this has been limited to Years 7-12 families so we are currently looking at options to expand this out to include Junior School as well. All funds raised at this event will be going towards Eastern Health Foundation, which go towards assisting young people with mental illness and their entire families. On Friday 25 May we will also be hosting our annual Biggest Morning Tea. This is always a fabulous morning filled with delicious food and coffee from our dedicated volunteers, and just a small fee is charged for entry. We also run a silent
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auction and raffle and all funds from the day go directly towards the Cancer Council. Since our renovations, the Second-Hand Uniform Shop has also continued to run regularly and successfully. The SHUS provides an incredibly valuable service to families and is also a consistent income for our group which allows us to guarantee further services to students throughout the School year, such as the Grade 6 plaques, Year 7 and 10 badges and lolly bouquets to sick children. The SHUS is run
entirely by our volunteers and we are always looking for more help to ensure we can open the shop up regularly to everyone. We are very appreciative in particular of our regular volunteers that have allowed the SHUS to grow as capably as it has. The Pavilion Café is another of our regular services which runs across the Winter Sports season. We are currently busy arranging stock and preparing the coffee machine for the upcoming season. We enjoy the opportunity to meet new parents
as they volunteer in the cafĂŠ, while providing both Yarra families and visiting families with barista beverages and delicious food on the cold Saturday mornings. Last year we held our first ever Comedy Night, which proved a lot of fun for our parents. This year the event shall be held on Friday 22 June in the George Wood Performing Arts Centre and early bird tickets are now available. Josh Earle, award winning comedian and previously host of Spicks and Specks will be hosting the
evening and we hope to release the lineup shortly. If you are interested in attending this event you can find the details on the School’s Facebook page. Each year we offer the Entertainment Books to our Yarra families and last year we sent them home with one child in each family. This had a great response with approximately triple the purchases compared to the year before and so we shall be doing the same again in Term 2. The books not only assist with fundraising but also allow our families to save costs
on travelling, dining and entertainment for the kids. All profit from fundraising ventures are funnelled directly back into the School to benefit all. Its goes without saying that the successes we celebrate would not be possible without the tireless involvement of a handful of parent volunteers and the incredible support of the School and its staff.
welcome to attend our meetings each term. The dates are advertised on the Yarra Parents & Friends page of the Valley Voice newsletter and it’s another way to be involved in the School community. Mrs Robyn McKinnell President, Yarra Parents & Friends
Please remember that every parent is automatically a member of Yarra Parents & Friends and everyone is
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Yarra History
Drama – the first ten years Student clubs played a significant part in the early life of Yarra Valley Church of England School. In our first year some eleven of these clubs gave boys an opportunity to expand their interest in matters ranging from gardening to adventure to chess. The Drama Club was one of these and it was quite an active entity. In Term 2 of 1966, three one-act plays were performed; The Pie and the Tart, Ted Goes Fishing and Blue Murder. In the following year a House Drama and Choral competition was organised with Kalinda’s, The Trial of Toad triumphing against Plymouth’s, The Captain of the Gate. This was an evening event held in Ringwood High School’s Hall. House competitions continued and then in 1971, Yarra Valley combined for the first time with Tintern to produce a play, The Lady’s Not For Burning under the direction of Pamela Warner. The two schools combined again in 1973 to produce The Crucible and an even bigger step was taken when the Yarra Valley boys combined with girls from Maroondah High School to present a musical, The Pirates of Penzance, in Monash University’s Alexander Theatre with an orchestra supplied by the Gilbert and Sullivan Society of Victoria. Direction was by Yarra Valley Maths teachers, Vic. Ryall and Ken Clements and also by Neil Bechervaise. Musical direction was by Ian Lee assisted by Science teachers, Bruce Brown and Peter Carr, both of whom continued to contribute to musical productions for many years to come. Bruce remembers driving across to
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Maroondah High at lunchtimes to instruct the girls in their choruses and then racing back to Yarra Valley in time to take his afternoon classes in Physics. He remembers too that because of a strike and a severe power shortage, theatre lighting suddenly became banned just before the big opening night in the Alexander Theatre. Fortunately, the father of one of our students, Guy Hancock (YOG 1975) was able to find a power generating truck from Channel O (now Channel 10) which was then hooked into the theatre’s power system and the show was saved, dramatically. By now there was considerable interest in drama at the School and it was taking a growing role in the formal curriculum with the energetic Head of Drama, Neil Bechervaise, pressing for it to expand even further. Neil was to
provide dynamic leadership in both classroom drama and major productions for the next 15 years – this led to the introduction of drama and theatre-craft classes for Years 8–11. Although they must have been extremely demanding of time and energy, enthusiasm for musicals abounded. Two were produced in 1974. We combined with both Maroondah and Ringwood High Schools to produce Iolanthe at the then State College of Victoria, Burwood, with Vic Ryall as Director and Ian Lee as Musical Director, and Orpheus in the Underworld, a co-production with Tintern was performed with Neil Bechervaise as Director. This collaboration led to Tintern staff, Shelagh Alvarez, Gwen Hocking and Wendy Richards commencing what was to be a
long and fruitful association with their Yarra Valley counterparts. Each of these productions involved close to 100 students as cast or stage crew, audiences topped 1,200 a year and the performances drew considerable critical praise. Not to be left behind, Year 8 students were engaged in staging The Red Sea Jazz at their Presentation Night under the direction of Ian Lee. 1975 was an incredibly busy year. Drama found a new home, Room H12, which was opposite the entrance to our Resource Centre and later still became our Chapel. Developed into a workable theatrette, H12 hosted Ringwood’s Clocktower Theatre group production of Noel Coward’s, Blythe Spirit and Neil Bechervaise staged a workshop version of Death of a Salesman. He also directed our
major production of the year, Kismet and we supplied a set design and stage crew for Tintern’s dance production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. At the same time, our Gymnasium (now Foundation Hall) was the venue for Years 8 and 9 to combine with Tintern in a musical entitled Superman. This was written and produced by staff members Peter Haines and Ian Lee and co-directed by the then Head of English, Brian Keyte. Certainly by 1975 drama had established a confident and enthusiastic role in the life of the school. With a further fifteen productions in the next ten years, the pace never slackened and the educational intention was always clear. As Neil Bechervaise said in 1978, “The musicals were always intended to encourage large-scale
involvement in a learning experience outside the normal educational sphere. We expected them to lead to an increased critical appreciation of how stage productions work at the same time as building confidence and giving personal pleasure.” Drama at Yarra began as an interest club and developed as a curriculum initiative to become a significant educational experience. The opening of the George Wood Hall in 1991 was later to signal the beginning of another new era. Mr John Close Archivist
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Yarra Old Grammarian profile
Leanne Williams (YOG 1986) You finished at Yarra as part of the Class of ‘86, what are some of your favourite memories of your time there? My final year at Yarra was part of the Fine Arts group. It was a wonderful year with some amazing times, the smaller group at that age in your life for me was perfect. Any favourite Teachers? All the Fine Arts teachers at the time were great to work with, they did what they could to help us have a successful outcome. Anything you’d rather forget? Nah… I had a great time with wonderful memories. Making friends that have been with me a lifetime. No regrets there. In hindsight what is the best thing that came out of Yarra for you? I didn’t know it at the time, but my choice would never have been to stay at school, it would have been to ride horses! Completing the Fine Art year gave me a portfolio to get into college with. This knowledge enabled me to design all our business signage, advertising and four websites over the years. What did you go on to do immediately after school? In 1987 I commenced my Diploma in Visual Merchandising, completing this in 1988. For the next few years I worked for some sign companies, generally working in the graphics department. What initially inspired you to work with horses? I can’t remember where the passion for horses came from, all I can remember is it was all I wanted to do. So after I completed my Diploma, I started
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the education process of becoming a coach within Equestrian Australia. In 1993 I achieved my Level 1 and our business has developed from there. What are some of your career highlights? It’s been an amazing journey, with so many highlights but I should start at the beginning. It was with the purchasing of what I thought at the time was the most beautiful, perfect horse I had ever seen. He was black with four white socks and a star. Once he arrived at our place, he was to be named Ziggy. Purchased out of the Weekly Times for a minimal amount of money, he was a 5yo Clydesdale Thoroughbred cross and not really bred to be a performance horse. Not having been able to have my own horse until I was 18, at 22 when I purchased him I had to also buy a float and a car suitable to tow with. I had a desperation for knowledge and spent every cent on riding lessons. We initially show jumped but that was not to be Zig’s forte and I then spent some years eventing. This also was not where we ended up. Dressage was the discipline that got me, we trained hard and picked coaches to work with that still now, I can call my friends.
It wasn’t that either of us was particularly talented, I was just a bit driven and a little bloody minded! We worked our way through the grades until we reached FEI (Federation Equestrian International) it wasn’t until this stage that we really started to develop some consistency. In 1999 Ziggy and I were picked for the Australian team in a competition called the World Dressage Challenge at Prix St George. Where instead of moving the horses around the world, they moved the same
five judges to each invited country, where we had to compete, as much as possible in the same environment with the same weather conditions. This was a highlight in our careers. After this we moved onto Grand Prix, the highest level of competition possible and at the time I was the youngest Grand Prix rider in the country. We spent the next three years competing at this level with Zig finally retiring in 2004. We have trained many more horses since then, and everyone
purchased the property next door and our 12 aces turned into 30 acres. During 2000 our home was finished which we had ever so slowly been building, we had also built a bunkhouse which holds 10 guests. This development allowed us then to run clinics and camps. In 2002 the indoor arena, adjoining viewing area, kitchen, small classroom, more accommodation and offices were built. We were then able to host International instructors and their students.
of them special but I think none as special as the first one. Ziggy is still alive now, on his next birthday he will be turning 33. He has been with me for nearly 28 years. During this time, I completed my Equestrian Australia Level 2 Dressage specialist, then the highest qualification Level 3 in 2014. In 2009 I came across the writings of the French dressage master, Philippe Karl and the School of Légèreté. Philippe’s philosophies
interested me immensely and I went on to become part of the first group of riders in Australia accepted into the school as a trainee teacher. After three years of working with Philippe and some of his other licenced teachers, I sat my Level 1 exam and became Australia’s first licensed Légèreté teacher. Tell us more about Avoca Park? In 1991 my husband John and purchased 12 acres of tee-tree in Macclesfield, a place no-one had heard of but is what we feel the most wonderful place on
earth. We are situated between the Yarra Valley and the Dandenong Ranges and just an hour from Melbourne. The initial plan was for us to be able to live with our horses, which, at the time was just a leisure activity but as the years progressed so did the business and its developments. Initially it was through horse riding lessons, then in 1994 our first stallion, Avoca Cardinal was born. Our breeding program developed and so did the amount of horses we had. We
The final stage of the development of our facility was the building of the large classroom, and second outdoor arena, this enables us to host any International or National presenter within the horse industry. Our large classroom contains everything any presenter would need to run a conference for between 20 – 50 students, including a full equine skeleton. Over the last 12 months another idea has been sneaking its way into my thoughts, the development of an educational website. Those thoughts have now developed into the real thing, Dressage in Lightness Online was launched on 1 March 2018. The BIG thing I have learnt over the years is to follow your dreams!
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Yarra Old Grammarian profile
Rohan Lawton (YOG 1993) I attended Yarra from 1988 to 1993 and enjoyed many aspects of the School in particular on the sports fields. As an early developer I was quite tall and fast for my age which gave me a great advantage. I loved playing footy on the Harker and Patterson, and taking on the likes of Dustin Fletcher and Shane Crawford in my senior years, the latter of whom kicked 4 goals on me in ten minutes in Year 11! My highlight without doubt however was my involvement in First XI cricket. I recall playing on the surrounding YV grounds in Year 7 and gazing up to the old Patterson Oval scoreboard and wanting to get my name on that board as soon as possible (player names on the old scoreboard were painted on each week using white shoe polish by the late Ian Banks). I was lucky enough to play many years of First XI cricket, captaining the School in Year 12 and making many friendships along the way. People used to say I had a permanent grin when I played cricket and one day my good mate, Ross Coleman (YOG 1993), nicknamed me Freddo. To say the name stuck was an understatement. I still get called by that name when I run into YOGs over 25 years later! Since school days I’ve managed to keep a close involvement with sport via my careers both from a sports administration (Tennis Australia and Cricket Australia) and commercial technology perspective. I’m not sure how I ended up involved in tennis but the sport has had a significant impact on my life, meeting my American wife at a WTA event in Hobart back in 2000. We now have an 11 year old son and 7 year old daughter and have been fortunate to travel back and forth to the US on many occasions to visit family and friends.
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After seven years at Tennis Australia I was keen for a career change and the next decade saw me working in the technology business development sector, first for an American Sas company, Active Network followed by IMG. Both roles were rewarding in that I was able to evolve them to my liking and build a team around me, whilst at the same time staying closely involved in sport. I’ve certainly had some challenges along the way with company restructures and sell offs creating uncertainty at times but, looking back, this uncertainty has been a blessing as it has forced me to be more resilient and adaptable. Currently I’m working at Cricket Australia running their Premier Cricket program and really enjoying being involved with the sport I’ve always loved. It is quite ironic that its taken me almost
20 years to work in cricket but they do say life is a journey. Even more ironic (and topical) is the fact that one of my colleagues is now Bryan Harper, a teacher of mine and close mentor for many years at Yarra almost 30 years ago. Bryan and I often enjoy reminiscing about the YV days during breaks in our day-to-day roles.
good friends which set off a chain of events that as molded my life today. If I could provide some advice for others it would be to take calculated risks, without being reckless, and to listen and learn from others, whilst at the same time recognising that your life and circumstances are unique and nobody has the magic formula for you. We all need to keep working life out for ourselves‌
From a career perspective to date I have built up a broad base of experience across multiple industries but still have much to achieve. I certainly aspire to remain involved in sports administration in positions of leadership that will allow me to impact sport in a positive way. Looking back, I was glad I took the option of a gap year following Year 12 in
1993 as the six months I spent playing cricket in London was a tremendous learning curve and I’d highly recommend this option to other people moving forward. After completing my undergrad in 1997 I also took a chance relocating to Tasmania for my first job even though it was only part time and paying a very low wage. This decision resulted in me meeting my wife and many
I also like to remind myself that whilst we all find change difficult at times, it sure beats standing still and that progress is a good thing. After all, we’ll always have our memories. Next time I stand on the balcony of the new Patterson Oval Pavilion and look out at the electronic scoreboard it will be nice to remember the old names that Banksy used to paint on the board with his little tub of white shoe polish.
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Yarra Old Grammarian profile
Chris Chun (YOG 1988) When I came to speak to the Year 11/12 art students at Yarra earlier this year, I realised it was 30 years ago, that I graduated from VCE Fine Arts! Wow! Where did the time go? I can still remember doing my first printmaking upstairs in the mezzanine from the classroom where I gave my talks. As I looked around me, I realised that it was here that my wanderlust first started to blossom… a variety of media and studio disciplines to explore and experiment (it is very rare to get that these days) and I was hooked. This sense of discovery has been a major theme in not only my work but also my life, in general. I have always wanted to work overseas. I think it is part of our Aussie DNA to travel and explore the world. Australia seemed so isolated from the rest of the world back then. Working in the fashion/ textile industry, we copied trends religiously so I wanted to be part of it and see if I could make it over there. After YV, I studied Textile Design at RMIT and graduated in 1991 during the recession. I think I had nine jobs in 14 months trying to get experience working in the industry before I landed my dream job at Sheridan Bed Linen and Furnishings in Sydney in 1993. I was their first Australian design graduate they hired as the rest of the studio were designers recruited from overseas. I worked here for four years and it was a fantastic foundation for me to learn not only how the industry worked but also where Australia fitted in the global market. I was exposed to all the latest trends not only in colour and pattern but also lifestyle and how the rest of the world lived. For example, each country has their unique colours and styles they prefer. I remember colouring designs for a US
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customer which included earthy colours like olive greens, ochres and browns. Under our Australian light, the colours seemed dirty but when you look at it over there it looks completely different. The same year that I decided to leave Sheridan and go to Europe, I won the Country Road Design Awards for Textiles. I was very fortunate that the prize included a return trip to Europe and $4,000 spending money. I spent almost three years away; backpacking in Africa for five months then working for two of the best textile studios in Europe – Diane Harrison Designs in Manchester and Faro Disegi in Rome. My time in both studios were amazing; each offering their own unique speciality. I especially loved living la dolce vita in Rome. One week, I would be painting tropical wallpaper designs onto silk, the next day I would be hand embroidering beads onto velvet. Our clients included brands such as Dolce Gabbana, Laura Ashley and Ralph Lauren. I would work in the studio in the morning, then go to language school then go back to the studio afterwards to work. There was no set wage – you only made money if your design sold so I made sure that I worked as much as I could. It wasn’t easy but incredibly challenging and satisfying.
When I came back to Australia to visit my family and friends I had a return ticket booked but didn’t end up using it as I got offered a job here. (I later found out that the studio wanted me to be the studio manager but they didn’t tell me at the time). I sometimes wonder what would’ve happened if I went back to Italy but I don’t have any regrets. I met my husband Matthew a couple of years later and started my own business.
I’ve discovered that the best laid out plans can go walkabout and you just need to be flexible, open and optimistic to see where life takes you. We’ve been living in Chiang Mai, Thailand since 2010. It was supposed to be a six months sabbatical but this is our eighth year now. I really love the charm of the city and there is a vibrant community of artists and craftspeople. I have really enjoyed collaborating with local companies here and helping them with their branding/
product development and helping them tell their story. For the past few years, I was Creative Director of Elephant Parade. Elephant Parade® is a social enterprise and runs the world’s largest art exhibition of decorated elephant statues. Created by artists and celebrities, each Elephant Parade statue is a unique art piece. The life-size, baby elephant statues are exhibited in international cities and raise awareness for the need of elephant conservation.
We’ve collaborated with Katy Perry, Paul Smith, HRH Prince Charles, Sir Richard Branson and brands such as Ferrari, Disney, Sotheby’s etc. To date, Elephant Parade have hosted over 25 parades around the world and donate at least 50,000 euros per year to elephant conservation. The Asian elephants are amazing creatures and if we don’t take action now, they will become extinct within the next 30 years. There are still lots of professional goals to achieve but I still feel
incredibly blessed to be creating and designing for different clients and projects worldwide. It doesn’t really feel like work. I also license my artwork on a variety of different products like greeting cards, stationery, ceramics, tabletop, textiles and homewares. As I have gotten older, I think very much about my legacy and the footprint I will leave. There is so much crap in the world. I am lucky that I can choose whom I want to work with and which projects I want to do.
A dream of mine is still to create and design my own hotel. (Watch this space). I will always be forever grateful to Yarra. The Fine Arts Program provided me with an unbelievable foundation of exploration to grow as a creative professional. My teachers especially were very encouraging and supportive. It’s funny; I am now doing etchings again – something that I first did at YV and never had again until now.
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Class of 1977 & 1987 30 and 40 Year Out Reunion 7 October, 2017 Brooke Nicholas Pavilion, Yarra Valley Grammar
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Class of 1997 20 Year Out Reunion 18 October, 2017 The Sporting Globe, Richmond
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Celebrations Weddings Erin Barrow (YOG 2006) and Matthew Payne (YOG 2007) Childhood sweethearts, Erin and Matt met at Yarra and were married in 2017 at Zonzo Estate in the Yarra Valley surrounded by friends and family, many of whom were Yarra Old Grammarians.
Babies
Rob Drew (YOG 2000) and Carley Drew Rob and his wife, Carley welcomed their second son, Hudson Thomas on 13 March, 2018 weighing 4.32kg. Big brother Spencer is very pleased.
Jordan Canham (YOG 2004) and Catherine Moore Jordan and his partner, Catherine welcomed the beautiful Annabelle Canham on 2 November 2017.
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JOANNE AND David Nugent (YOG 2004) David and his partner, Joanne welcomed their first child, Patrick Lee Nugent on 9 November, 2017.
Vale
Patricia Maggs, OAM (1928 – 2017) Sadly, Trish Maggs passed away peacefully in the early hours of Thursday August 10. Trish was the wife of Norman Maggs an icon of the Yarra staff from 1967 until his retirement in 1987. After qualifying as a nurse here in Melbourne, Trish had sailed to England to further her knowledge and experience. She was on her way to new employment as a midwife in Devon and called in to see a lady in Bath to whom she had an introduction from a Melbourne friend. That lady was also being visited by her nephew, Norman Maggs, who chivalrously took the young colonial lass rowing on the Avon
River and then invited her to attend a ball with him at the Albert Hall in Chelsea. The rest, as they say, is history. Patricia came home to Melbourne in March 1957, Norman followed in May and they were married in October at the Independent Church in Collins Street. She was also the mother of David (YOG 1980), now Professor of Animal Opthalmology at UCLA Davis in California. Trish had been a very active participant in Yarra groups and maintained a lively interest in School affairs right up until the time of her death. Her work
among community groups, particularly those working among the elderly, had seen her awarded the Order of Australia medal (OAM). David and his wife, Lynelle had been in Australia and, fortunately, had spent more than a week of happy, quality time with her before she suddenly became very ill on the Friday before her death. A large number of past and present staff and former students attended her memorial service at St John the Divine Anglican Church, Croydon.
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Calendar of Events
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Date
Time
Event
Location
Friday 22 June
7.00pm
P&F Comedy Night
George Wood PAC
Saturday 23 June
6.00pm
White Owl Fundraiser
Etihad Stadium
Saturday 23 June
7.30pm
YOG 10 Year Out Reunion
Grace Darling Hotel
Saturday 28 July
7.30pm
Jazz in the Café
Foundation Hall
Saturday 25 August
7.30pm
YOG 1 Year Out Reunion
TBC
Friday 31 August
7.30pm
Giving Circle Masquerade Ball
Bramleigh Estate
Saturday 8 and Sunday 9 September
10.00am
Annual Yarra Tennis Championship
YVG
Thursday 27 September
12.00noon
YOGFC Grand Final Luncheon
MCG
Saturday 6 October
6.30pm
YOG 30 and 40 Year Out reunion
YVG
Saturday 13 October
3.00pm – 8.00pm
Yarra Community Festival
YVG
Saturday 27 October
12.00noon
YOG Day at the Races
Yarra Glen Racecourse
Tuesday 13 November
7.30pm
New Parents Information Evening
YVG
Saturday 17 November
6.30pm
YOG 20 Year Out Reunion
YVG
To view more photos of YOG events featured in this magazine visit www.yvg.vic.edu.au/community/photogallery Join us on Facebook by searching for Yarra Valley Grammar Follow us on Linkedin YOG Connect group Instagram@yarravalleygrammar
Twitter : http:twitter/MyYVG.com
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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
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