the ivy the tower - The Hamilton and Alexandra College

& the tower
the ivy
A PUBLICATION OF THE HAMILTON AND ALEXANDRA COLLEGE NO 65 DECEMBER 2015
04
we farewell
principal
bruce simons
week
14 wellness
a winner
welcome
…to the second edition of The Ivy and the Tower for 2015.
We pay tribute to The Simons Era as we farewell Principal Bruce
Simons who has led the school with distinction since June 1999.
These 16 years have seen the College experience unprecedented
growth in enrolments, in teaching and learning practices and in
our facilities across both campuses.
This edition also features the highlights of the past six months
including a very successful Senior School Production and two
exciting new initiatives, VIBE Festival and Wellness Week.
Remember, we love to hear from our alumni, past
teachers and parents – please email me with your news at
[email protected] so we can share it with
the College community
Jen Hutton, Director of Community Relations and Development
kantor mpac
A stunning facility… a memorable experience
This stunning facility is now available for
community use and has its very own website…
go to www.hamiltoncollege.vic.edu.au and click
on the logo at the bottom of our homepage.
find us on facebook
We now have over 700 followers. ‘Like’ us and follow the fun
of daily life at the College as well as stories about Collegians
past and present.
Cover photo: Lily Bradbeer, Year 4
Photography: The Spectator (Hamilton), Jen Hutton, Rob Drummond,
Ieva Hampson and Liz Crothers
02
also in this issue
Meet our new Principal, Andrew Hirst… see page 8
Middle Years students enjoy the inaugural VIBE festival…
see page 9
ELC students explore nature… see page 13
We take a step back in time with a look through the
College Archives… see page 14
A tribute to Mark Brian OAM… see page 15
Our most popular pages, read all the latest
Community News… see page 16
Editor’s Note - Correction
We apologise for our error in the last edition of The Ivy and the
Tower – the Dux of the College in 1994 was Verity Shepherdson,
not Andrea Robertson as the article suggested. Verity achieved
the maximum Study Score of 50 in English, Accounting and Legal
Studies and an ENTER score of 99.70.
03
“
04
ENROLMENTS INCREASED FROM 306 TO 500.
BOARDING ENROLMENTS INCREASED FROM 38 TO 100.
$25 MILLION SPENT ON CAPITAL WORKS INCLUDING
MORE THAN $11 MILLION IN FUNDS RAISED.
”
S
Simons era 1999-2015
the
2000
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Conducted the Realise the Vision capital campaign
Renovation of the Tower Building, and the Myrniong Homestead
Redevelopment of the Information Centres at the Junior and Senior Campuses
Construction of the Handbury Information Centre at Myrniong and new covered stables at the Equestrian Centre
Installation of air conditioning in all classrooms
Reconstruction of the Myrniong Oval with drainage and a watering system,
Planting of a hedge around the Senior Campus
2002
- Establishment of a relationship with Gaoyou Middle School (China) as a Twin Campus
- Commencement of the Year 9 Experience
- Purchase and relocation of Sydney 2000 Olympic Village athletes’ units to expand boarding capacity
2004
- Opening of the Early Learning Centre
- Implementation of Interactive White Board technology across the College
2005
- Construction and opening of the Helen Handbury Science Centre
- Construction of Multi-Purpose Courts at the Junior Campus
2006
- Refurbishment of the Science Centre to create an interim Middle Years Centre
2007-08
- Construction and opening of the Geoff Handbury Sports Centre
- Opening of the Uniform Shop
2009
- Construction of the Junior Campus Visual Arts Centre
- Resurfacing of the Myrniong driveway and pathways
- Lighting of the All-Weather Ménage at the Equestrian Centre
2010-12
the
- Construction and opening of the Kantor Family Music and Performing Arts Centre
2013
- Relocation and refurbishment of the Senior Campus Visual Arts Centre
- Construction of the Middle Years Positive Education Centre
- Implementation of the Positive Education Program
Simons era
2014
- Opening of the Middle Years Positive Education Centre
2015
- Securing of funding for the construction of an All Weather Synthetic Multi-Purpose Sports field at the Senior Campus
- Implementation of the Middle Years iPad Pilot Program (ready for full implementation in 2016)
05
to principal
farewellbruce
simons
1.
FROM THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD
John Diprose
The Simons Era will always be remembered as a period of
extraordinary growth and development across both campuses
at the College. When Bruce arrived in 1999, harsh economic times
had resulted in dangerously low enrolments and much work was
required to improve the physical landscape of the College. Bruce’s
drive, energy and determination to make an impact were evident
from the outset and he has worked tirelessly to ensure that the
College is at the forefront of education as a regional school.
2.
3.
4.
Bruce’s focus has been to embrace the College’s traditional
strengths of academic excellence and abundant opportunity for
every student and to forge new horizons in leading educational
thought and practice. The unique China and Year 9 Experiences,
the growing international student program, Positive Education and
innovative and dynamic advances in teaching and learning practice
have made a significant impact on both the student body the
reputation of the College under Bruce’s leadership.
An early focus on fundraising and the establishment of a culture
of giving has resulted in the completion of significant capital
developments since 1999. The Realise the Vision campaign in 2000
saw the refurbishment of the Tower Building, covered stabling at
the Equestrian Centre and the development of Information Centres
at both campuses. This initial campaign was followed by numerous
other capital campaigns resulting in the construction of the Early
Learning Centre (2003), the Helen Handbury Science Centre (2005),
the Geoff Handbury Sports Centre (2008), the Visual Arts Centre at
the Junior Campus (2009), the Kantor Family Music and Performing
Arts Centre (2012), the Senior Campus Visual Arts Centre (2013) and
the Middle Years Positive Education Centre (2014). The final capital
project championed by Bruce is the all-weather synthetic sports
facility due to be completed in 2016.
5.
On behalf of the College Board and wider College community we
thank Bruce for his incredible contribution to the College over the
past 16 years. It has been an exciting and very prosperous time in
the College’s proud history.
7.
18.
06
19.
8.
6.
FROM THE DEPUTY PRINCIPAL
Neil MacLean
Things were very tough when Bruce arrived to take up the office
of Principal here in 1999. The College today is physically a very
different place to the College of 1999.
9.
You only have to look around to see the impact of Bruce Simons’
Principalship. Many pressing maintenance needs were quickly
attended to and immediately a feeling started to develop that
things were happening. The first Appeal conducted in Bruce’s time,
Realise the Vision, raised more money than the School had been
able to dream about in the previous ten years. Appeals since 2000
have raised a total of $11 million and the facilities that were created
speak for themselves.
10.
Bruce Simons realised early in his time here that we needed to offer
some programs that were unique. With a Horsemanship Program
already established, Aviation and, probably most importantly,
Internationalisation were added. The Year 9 China Experience was
established which has seen over 700 College students travel to
China since 2004, and our international student program was born.
11.
The significant developments in facilities and programs throughout
Bruce’s years as Principal reflect his vision. He saw a changing
world. This did not worry him; indeed, it energised him and it
explained his international focus. He sought to ensure there were
new developments in our curriculum, in our marketing, in our
recognition of staff and in our accountability.
12.
Bruce loved showing the slide show ‘Shift Happens’ and pointing
out that, as educators we are charged with the responsibility of
preparing students for a world where the majority of jobs they
will do currently do not even exist.
13.
In the end, however, schools are about students. Coaching rowing,
singing with the Male Voice Choir, meeting the School Captains and
Vice Captains each week, mentoring students, visiting the Boarding
Houses, walking around the grounds talking to students – these are
the things that will rate at the top of Bruce’s list of favourite
memories during his time here. He has often spoken of the ‘great
kids’ we have at the College and he has always sought the best for
each of them.
14.
15.
The Simons Era has been a great period in the College’s history.
16.
1. 2014: At the opening of the Middle Years Positive Education Centre 2&3. 2008: At
the opening of the Geoff Handbury Sports Centre 4. 2012: With the Dux and Duces
of each year level 5&6. 2005: At the opening of the Helen Handbury Science Centre
7. 2001: At the ANZAC service 8. 2001: At the opening of the Myrniong refurbishment
9. 2001: At the opening of the Alexandra Information Centre 10. 1999: At the ICCES
Athletics 11. 2012: At the opening of the Kantor Family Music and Performing Arts
Centre 12. 2002: Addressing Gaoyou Middle School (our twin campus) 13. 2014: At the
opening of the Middle Years Positive Education Centre 14. 2001: With past Principal
Tim Murray 15. 2001: At the launch of our twin campus agreement with Gaoyou
Middle School 16. 2005: At the opening of the Helen Handbury Science Centre
17. 2008: With international families in Hong Kong 18. 2007: With international
delegates 19. 2001: With School Captains
17.
07
Principal Bruce Simons (left) and Deputy Principal Neil MacLean (right)
welcome Andrew Hirst to Hamilton earlier this year.
introducing our
new principal
The Hamilton and Alexandra College Board is delighted to
announce that Dr Andrew Hirst has been appointed the next
Principal of The Hamilton and Alexandra College. He will commence
at the College in January 2016.
Dr Hirst 47, has a Doctor of Philosophy in Education and a Bachelor
of Arts (Honours) from the University of Sydney. He is presently
Deputy Headmaster of Newington College Sydney, a Uniting Church
Great Public School (GPS) day and boarding school with 1,900
students.
Dr Hirst is a passionate educator and brings a wealth of experience
to the College. At Newington College he has had a major impact on
the overall culture and tone as well as the academic reputation of
the College which has been enhanced considerably. He has also
been instrumental in increasing overall enrolments from 900 to
1,335 and boarding numbers to capacity over the past five years.
With 13 years of close involvement with the executive leadership
team in two schools, Dr Hirst brings experience and skills in
strategic plan implementation, governance, team development,
leadership and community engagement.
08
A teacher of Modern History, Dr Hirst has a passion for lifelong
learning and believes that our educational vision should nurture
creativity and engagement. His passion for what youth can achieve
and his belief in a holistic education ultimately drives his
educational philosophy.
Dr Hirst is a strong supporter of the performing arts, sport, debating
and outdoor education, having had considerable involvement with
coaching school sporting teams and embracing a variety of school
activities and productions.
Chairman of the College Board John Diprose is delighted with the
appointment of Dr Hirst to the College. “Andrew is clearly a
charismatic, enthusiastic and energetic educator with a wealth of
experience and a passion for all aspects of education,” he said.
Together with his wife Kristina and children Jack, Jessica and
Thomas, Dr Hirst is very much looking forward to returning to a
regional area and embracing Hamilton and the College.
1.
2.
4.
3.
5.
A DAY OF INCREDIBLE EXPERIENCES FOR STUDENTS
IN YEARS 6, 7 AND 8 IN 2016
6.
Jen Hutton, Director Community Relations and Development and
Margaret Simkin, Head of Information Services
Our very first VIBE Festival was held in June. An initiative to attract enrolments
in our Middle Years program, VIBE was a whole-day event showcasing the wide
ranging program and opportunities on offer at the College.
7.
The festival also featured some of our wonderful new facilities at College
including the wonderful learning spaces in the Middle Years Positive Education
Centre, the climbing wall in the Sports Centre, the impressive Music and
Performing Arts Centre and our recently renovated Visual Arts Centre.
Outdoor Master Chef, African drumming, art activities, performance poetry,
mindfulness, public speaking and debating were just some of the great
activities on offer.
A ‘treasure hunt’ in our Information Centre involved a series of activities that
had students searching through resources to find the treasure. Our
Information Centre took the VIBE theme one step further, creating their own
buzz words: Vital, Information, Books and Equipment. Technology was
incorporated into this activity with each student using various ‘IT tools’ to
record their activities on a treasure map. In terms of advocacy for a learning
community, they really struck gold!
Overall our very first VIBE Festival was a huge success and we look forward
to many more in the years ahead.
8.
1. Art activities 2. ‘It’s a Cliff hanger’ – rock climbing and abseiling
3. Artist in Residence activity 4. ‘Be an Actor for the Day’ –
discovering drama 5. ‘Be an Actor for the Day’ – discovering
drama 6. Lunchtime entertainment 7. African drumming
8. Outdoor Master Chef – bush cooking
All photos courtesy of the Spectator
09
Annabelle Millear, Ryan Hayward, Jakob Bradbeer,
Lucy Bunge and Henry Paulet, School Captains and Vice Captains
Wow, what a great time we had during Wellness Week! Who
would have thought we could get the whole school involved in
a Conga Line?
Random Acts of Kindness, Martial Arts with Muhktar and Science
experiments were all part of thoughtful THURSDAY . Everybody
is now able to act in self-defence thanks to Muhktar!
This year we wanted to promote wellness and happiness around
the school so for one week the SRC organised activities during
lunchtime for all students.
To encourage friendship Friday’s theme was friendship FRIDAY .
We cooked a barbecue, Mrs Huf ran a Pilates activity, Year 12
students met up with their Year 7 Buddies and we ran the House
Art competition.
Monday’s theme was motivational MONDAY and along with the
Conga line we had a children’s party where there was lots of fairy
bread as well as games like Bobs and Statues and Musical Chairs. It
was great to see senior students mixing with junior students during
these activities.
therapeutic TUESDAY saw adults colouring in and buskers around
the school. This was a huge hit and many enjoyed listening to the
music being played around the campus.
wellbeing WEDNESDAY saw a Middle Years Dance Off and also
a bake sale run by three dedicated Year 10 girls.
10
To conclude the week we hosted the annual ‘College Has Got Talent’
competition. This definitely proved that College does indeed have
talent and there was a wonderful array of acts on display. We raised
$4,000 and donated half to the Leukaemia Foundation and half to
the Eat Up program– a charity that provides lunch at school for
students who would otherwise have none.
The week was a huge success and will definitely become
an annual event.
noises off
SENIOR SCHOOL PRODUCTION 2015
Edwina Smith, Director
Shakespeare hit the nail on the head when he wrote, “All the
world’s a stage/ And all the men and women merely players”.
Noises Off demonstrates this truth several times over.
Noises Off is a meta-farce; a farce about putting on a farce and
in theatre language, the term ‘noises off’ refers to commotion in
the wings.
It’s no wonder the cast of this year’s Senior School Production Play
had great fun putting this show together. Anyone who has either
performed on stage or been involved in putting on productions will
perhaps identify with some of the shenanigans that unfolded in the
hilarious performances: questioning the director, struggling to find
character motivation, dealing with personal issues, fudging lines and
forgetting cues, all accompanied by the nerves and panic of having it
all ready for opening night… just the magic of theatre really.
Comedy, in particular timing of gags, reactions and delivery, is
challenging for the young actor and the whole cast magnificently
conveyed the quirks and foibles of a group of amateur actors
which became magnified to horrific proportions as the chaos of
their production swirled out of control.
Jacob Bradbeer was impressive as Lloyd the Director, who
sarcastically wheedled and bullied his actors until he finally
conceded that he had absolutely no control over them. As Dotty,
Sarah Hayes was delightfully comical as she coped with seemingly
endless plates of sardines. Ruby Austin, Georgia McClure, Toby
Bromley and Harry Musson were all engaging as the hopeless
and helpless troupe of actors who were airheaded, insecure, over
exaggerated and ultimately hysterical as they scrambled to cover
misplaced props, dropped lines and wardrobe malfunctions. All
were confidently supported by Fred Williams as the doddering and
aged Selsdon Mowbray, Ryan Hayward as the Stage Manager and
Chloe Byrd as Poppy, the harried Assistant Stage Manager who
both tried to hold it all together!
Nick Dopheide, Craig Kennedy and Shane Bonnet designed a clever
set that was front of stage in Act One and behind stage in Act Two
to show what really goes on in the wings when a show is in progress.
With Amy Andrews as Stage Manager, Helen Reiher as Costume and
Wardrobe Manager and a very experienced Front-of-House team, the
overall production experience was very well polished.
Editor’s Note
The quality of the production this year and its overall success are
due to the incredible direction and talent of Edwina Smith. She
has a magical ability to cast students perfectly and bring out the
very best in every performer and every performance, ensuring that
the audience is transfixed and totally entertained.
11
student
activities
3.
2.
1.
4.
MAKING A POSITIVE DIFFERENCE
IN OUR COMMUNITY
A MEMORABLE DINING EXPERIENCE
Members of the College Board and Executive Team were treated
to a superb three-course meal prepared by our Year 10 Hospitality
students. The dinner was held in the Shilliday Room (Kantor Family
MPAC) in July. Two teams of students designed their own menus,
decorated the room and planned the table décor. They also
meticulously prepared each course. The presentation and quality
of the food and the attention to detail of the waiting staff resulted
in a memorable dining experience for all who attended.
12
As part of our Community Service program, each week a group of
our students visit clients at the Mulleraterong Centre, a local service
offering programs for people with a disability. Our students have
learned a great deal from the experience and have built
relationships with some of the clients. The clients look forward to
their visit each week and our students particularly enjoy the
opportunity to make a positive difference in our local community.
1. Year 10 Hospitality students wait for guests to arrive 2. Guests enjoy the main course
3. Lana McMahon chatting with a client 4. Lana McMahon, Claire Paulet and Gloria Gu
chatting with clients at Mulleraterong
1.
‘Walking the plank’ is always a fun way of
crossing the large muddy puddle – the children
often ‘fall’ into the mud and laugh with such joy
and excitement.
WHAT DO THE CHILDREN SAY?
They love feeling the sensation of wet and muddy feet
as they enthusiastically jump and play in the wonderful
muddy puddles.
muddy puddles.
elc students
explore nature at
the block
Frances O’Brien, Director Early Learning Centre
Our exciting new Nature Exploration and Inquiry Program aims to
create opportunities for our ELC children to engage with nature
and wonder about the natural world by taking them out into the
natural environment for a series of unhurried and unstructured
exploration sessions.
This program has been a stimulating addition to our Reggio
Emilia inspired curriculum. Sessions take place at a small parcel
of wetlands within the Equestrian Facility at the Junior Campus
that we call ‘The Block’.
According to Frances Ming Kuo, a researcher currently
documenting the positive link between our natural surroundings
and human health along with social and psychological
functioning, green environments are an essential component of
a healthy human development. Kuo summarises various studies
that show humans benefit from engagement with parks, forests
and gardens and, conversely, people with less access to green
places report more medical symptoms and poorer health overall.
Kuo talks about ‘Vitamin G’ (G for ‘green’) to capture nature’s role
as a necessary ingredient for a healthy life.
The children do not take any toys, games or other resources along
to these sessions. They are encouraged to spend their time using
all of their senses to explore the natural environment, looking for
small sticks, leaves and bugs and listening to the sound of frogs
croaking then following this sound to discover the frog in its
natural habitat.
At the ELC we aim to provide regular doses of ‘Vitamin G’, rain,
hail or shine (maybe not hail!). Our nature sessions are good not
only for the children’s learning and development, but for their
overall sense of wellbeing. We look forward to building on the
program next year.
“I liked jumping in the puddles because the water splashed
and it was fun. It was exciting jumping in the puddles
because the mud splashed on everybody.” Abigail (5 years)
Sometimes they
are busy exploring
and working together
to uncover new and
amazing treasures.
“My favourite part was
finding some bird bones.
The bones looked like a bird and the beak was still there too,
so we knew it was a bird. It might have died when it crashed
into a tree.” Eddie (5 years)
On many occasions they need to problem solve in order to
use nature to play their created games.
muddy puddles.
“I showed Abigail how to rub a stick between her hands on
some leaves. That is how you make fire.” Harley (5 years)
At other times they are simply content to just ‘be’.
muddy puddles.
Zanda, Georgie, Hamish and Cora find a lovely spot under the
large pine tree to simply ‘be’.
13
from the
archives
1975
1985
40 years ago
30 years ago
“Rooms 5 and 6 were moved in April to make way for the building
of new classrooms next to the Science block. The old rooms were
shifted to the area near the Berry Hall making a quadrangle
effect. The Art and Craft areas are both situated on this
quadrangle. The Parents and Friends hosted their first Gala Fair
with a fashion parade, pony rides, crank in the tank, a fortune
teller, tours of the tower, a barbeque lunch and many stalls.”
“Open Day in 1985 provided a suitable occasion for the official
opening and dedication of the Murray Hall. Work commenced in
February 1985 and has a seating capacity of 300 in the main
auditorium and provision for a further 80 people to be seated in
the entrance foyer. The naming of the hall was a fitting tribute to
Mr Tim Murray’s contribution to the welfare and development of
Hamilton College during his eight years as Principal. The Old
Collegians Committee raised significant funds towards the School
directing money to a computer and the Rowing and Cricket Clubs.”
Rooms 5 and 6 on the move to be relocated
to make way for the new Waters Wing
1995
2005
20 years ago
10 years ago
In 1995 the College Council undertook a significant strategic
planning process, seeking to achieve further development of
the curriculum policy, improvement of the physical amenities,
improvement in our marketing methods and improved
collaboration with the College Foundation.
In pouring rain, the Hon Dr Brendan Nelson opened the Helen
Handbury Science Centre on 25 July. Kamahl, a close friend of
the Handbury family, gave a stirring rendition of the National
Anthem and Dr Nelson spoke of the wonderful legacy left to
the school by Helen Handbury. He also spoke of the need to
develop ‘imaginative capacity’ in our students to see the world
through the eyes of others and to engender ‘scientific literacy’.
The strategic planning process involved staff, parents, Old
Collegians and members of the College Council and Foundation
14
Kamahl sings the
national anthem at the
opening of the Helen
Handbury Science Centre
1.
a tribute
mark brian oam
Neil MacLean, Deputy Principal
2.
A young Mark Brian commenced at Hamilton and Western District
(Boys’) College as a student in February 1955. He was a boarder and,
in 1956 when he was Head Boy, he lived in the Tower room.
Opportunities at the Boys’ College were limited in those days and so
Mark completed his secondary education in Geelong.
Following the completion of his Law studies, Mark returned to
Hamilton and joined the Hamilton College Council in December
1970. In February 1977, he was elected Deputy Chairman, becoming
Chairman four months later when Rev Bill Speirs resigned.
The appointment of Tim Murray as Principal was one of the first
responsibilities of the new Chairman. The creation of the Uniting
Church (and the effects of this on former schools of the Presbyterian
Church), government funding of independent schools and plans to
move the Junior School to Myrniong were also important matters
for the Council to consider in the late 1970s. Mark Brian’s effective
and committed leadership ensured all of these were negotiated
successfully and the College began to prosper again, so much so
that the Chairman could report in early 1979, “We believe that we
are on the move and we promise hard work and a commitment to
Hamilton College”.
This commitment to the College saw Tim Murray and his Chairman
establish a very strong working relationship and so numbers grew
and new building projects were undertaken. The physical fabric of
the original Boys’ College building was restored and Mark Brian’s
role in ensuring that the whole school community was united in
seeking to develop the College was vital.
When Tim Murray resigned as Principal after eight years, Mark Brian
oversaw the process of selecting the new Principal. The
appointment of Stephen Newton to the position was far-sighted
and ensured the College continued to thrive and develop.
Mark saw Stephen settled as Principal before deciding to stand
down from the position of Chairman and as a member of the School
Council at the end of 1987. His contributions included a three-year
term on the committee of the Association of Independent Schools
of Victoria necessitating frequent trips to meetings to Melbourne,
guiding and counselling successive Principals, ensuring the Council
was united and forward-thinking so that the College could prosper,
and involvement in a range of activities related to the School. Mark
nearly steered the College Cricket Club D Grade team to a
Premiership with a late order partnership in 1986!
In 1991, it was announced that the Council had determined to
establish the Hamilton College Foundation, to be officially launched
the following year. Who better to head the Planning Committee and
then to Chair the Foundation than Mark Brian? Mark remained
Chairman of the Foundation for over ten years and remained on the
Board of the Foundation until this year. His leadership and forward
thinking were instrumental in setting the directions of the
Foundation which has been closely involved in every subsequent
building appeal and so has played an important part in the
developments at the College, particularly over the past 15 or so years.
In 1999 when the Council was seeking a new Principal, Mark was
asked to join the working group which managed the process of
finding the right person to lead the College into the new
millennium. Once again the experience and wise counsel that he
provided ensured that the new appointment, Bruce Simons, was a
man with energy and vision, hallmarks of all of the Principals in
whose appointment Mark Brian has been involved.
Mark’s contributions to the College have been immense and we are
indebted to him for his service. Of course, it bears noting that Mark’s
three children, Jane, Nicholas and Kate, started at the College in Prep
and completed Year 12 here. It is also important to note, as then
Council Chairman Richard Walter did in 1987, that “in all these
activities he has been superbly assisted by his wife Helen who has
not only supported the endeavours of the Council and the Staff, but
has also made a major contribution through her work with the
Uniform Shop”.
Most deservedly, Mark was awarded the Medal of the Order of
Australia in 2011 in recognition of his service to the Hamilton
Community, mainly in the Arts (Hamilton Art Gallery Trust from 1979)
and Education (Hamilton College Board and Foundation from 1970).
Mark Brian’s resignation this year from the Board of the Foundation
marked over 60 years since he first set foot on College grounds. For the
majority of those years Mark has been strongly involved in the College
with close to 45 years’ involvement at Council (or Board) and
Foundation level since 1970 – an amazing commitment to the school.
Thank you Mark Brian.
1. Mark Brian with Principal Tim Murray at the swimming sports 2. Mark Brian, Hugh Bromell, Bill Sharp and Principal Tim Murray at
the ‘Project 79’ launch dinner in April 1979 3. Chairman of Council Mark Brian, the State Minister for Education Ian Cathie and
Principal Stephen Newton at the opening of the refurbished Chemistry and Middle School laboratories on 5 June 1987
15
community
news
1.
2.
3.
BIRTHS
STEVENS (1993) (MCDONALD 1993) to CRAIG and FIONA, a
daughter Ailish Catriona on 1 August 2015 – a sister to Ruaridh
PICKEN (2003) to BRIANA and Rhys Waldron, a daughter Minnie
Grace on 11 June 2015
DAVIS (1995) to ANDREW and Amy, a son Jacob Andrew on 29
July 2015 – a brother to Asha and Torah
DOWNS (2004) to PETER and Megan O’Dowd, a daughter Lila
Margaret on 20 June 2015
NEWNS (1996) to MORGAN and Angela, a daughter Emma
Christine on 9 October 2015
MAGGS (2004) (BOURNE 2007) to BEN and ALICE, twin daughters
Claudia Daisy and Posie Harriet on 27 September 2015
BAILEY (1997) to HAMISH and Kate, a son Oscar George on 30
October 2015 – a brother to Archer
BROWN (1998) to ANGUS and Alison, a son Benjamin Edward
Oman on 6 May 2015 – a brother to Hamish and Georgia
GILES (STEWART 1998) to Adam and PHOEBE, a son Robert James
Stewart on 24 September 2015
BLACKFORD (LYONS 1999) to Tom and ANTHEA, a daughter
Georgina Caroline on 24 October 2015 – a sister to Annabelle
BURROWES (1999) to TIM and Shelley, a daughter Kaelyn Rose
on 14 October 2015
ENGAGEMENTS
FIONA THOMSON (1990) and Sebastian Crowther
HAMISH ROBERTSON (2004) and DIANA SUTHERLAND (2001)
HANNAH COULTER (2005) and John Clark
AMBER MCDONALD (2006) and Hamish Thomas
DYER (1999) to JOHN and Alyson, a son Charlie on 7 September 2015
MARRIAGES
VICKERY (2001) to JOSH and Asta, a son Toby Joshua on 20
October 2015 – a brother to Archie and Harriet
ANDREW HYSLOP (1998) and Eliane Lucassen
on 16 May 2015
TREGEAGLE (LUHRS 2003) to Daniel and REGAN, a son Joey
Hendrix on 5 August 2015 – a brother to Ollie
LYDIA PLOWRIGHT (2001) and Cesar Giraldo
on 13 November 2015
16
deaths
JAMES GASH (1950) on 10 September 2015
CHRISTINA HINDAUGH (BEGGS 1954) in August 2015
FRANCES BLOCK (KELSALL 1960) on 3 July 2015
THE REV HERBERT STEVENS AM (FINAL HEADMASTER OF HAMILTON
AND WESTERN DISTRICT (BOYS’) COLLEGE 1960 AND 1961) on 16 July 2015
BOB HENDERSON OAM (FRIEND OF THE COLLEGE) on 7 July 2015
K A ATKIN (PAST STAFF 1955-1959) on 11 January 2015
WINIFRED (BONNIE) TAIT (PAST STAFF) on 25 May 2015
JAN WELLING (PAST STAFF) on 13 July 2015
OBITUARIES
4A.
Principal Bruce Simons
welcomes Rev Stevens to the
College in March 2012 to the
opening of the Kantor Family
Music and Performing Arts
Centre
THE REV HERBERT (BERT) RHEAD STEVENS AM,
final Headmaster of Hamilton and Western District
(Boys’) College in 1960 and 1961.
Mr Stevens served in the RAAF during the Second
World War and taught at Brisbane Boys’ College and
Albury Grammar School after the cessation of hostilities. He completed an honours
degree in History at The University of Melbourne, graduating in the early 1950s, before
completing a first-class honours course in Theology. He spent the first two years of his
Ministry at Morwell East and returned to teaching in 1957 at Ballarat College.
4B.
CATHERINE HUTTON (2004) and Alexander Carah
on 21 November 2015
CATHERINE AGAR (2006) and Dale Bruns
on 28 November 2015
JENNA BAULCH (2008) and Mathew Flynn
on 7 November 2015
In 1960, an urgent need to find a replacement Head at Hamilton saw
Mr Stevens appointed during the first half of the year. Confidence had been falling in
the school and Mr Stevens worked hard to restore that confidence with considerable
success. In addition, he worked within the Presbyterian Church to secure the school’s
future and oversaw many of the steps which led to the amalgamation with Alexandra
College at the start of 1962.
With the creation of the new, combined school certain, Mr Stevens left to become Vice
Principal of Ivanhoe Grammar School and, shortly afterwards, Headmaster of Essendon
Grammar School. In 1977 he was instrumental in overseeing the merger with Penleigh
which created the modern-day Penleigh and Essendon Grammar school, or PEGS. PEGS is
today a far cry from the small school of 213 students which Mr Stevens took over in late 1962.
The Rev Bert Stevens leaves his mark on several strong modern schools. His Order of
Australia honour reflected his lifetime of service, largely spent in schools. We were
delighted when he was able to attend the opening of the Kantor Family Music and
Performing Arts Centre in March 2012.
VICTORIA BURLEIGH (2009) and Luke Davison
on 6 February 2016
GEORGINA WEARNE (2006) and Gary Singh
on 30 August 2015
1. ARBELLA AND CHARLIE MCKINNON (notice published in
previous issue): Standing: Angus Hart, Hamish Mackinnon
(2007), Robert Mackinnon (2009), James Hart, Arbella Mackinnon
(Diprose 2003), Charlie Mackinnon, William Mackinnon, Timothy
Dalton, Gerard Diprose (1991) and Chris Macdonald. Seated:
Chloe Brinkmann, Alex Laffin, Lucille Brinkmann, Pru Cook
(2003), Fleur Brinkmann (Diprose 1989) and Cathy Jamshidi
2. ANDREW AND ELIANE HYSLOP: Katie Benstead (Hyslop 2001),
Anne Hyslop, Andrew and Eliane Hyslop, Peter Hyslop (1962) and
Rohan Benstead 3. BEC AND JOSH AGIUS (notice published in
previous issue) 4. GEORGINA AND GARY SINGH: A. Gary and
Georgina Singh and Georgia Keyes-Tilley B. Georgina Singh and
Lorraine Wearne (Hobbs 1960)
WINIFRED (BONNIE) TAIT
Bonnie Tait will be well remembered for being a wonderful cook in the boarding house
for over 30 years. She commenced at the College in 1957. Past staff member Liz Cummins
recalls, “One memorable thing about Bonnie was that she used to produce big trays of
warm rock cakes sprinkled with sugar for staff in the Senior School on Friday recesses.
One was usually enough as they were substantial!!” Liz even found the recipe!
17
reunions
10 YEAR GROUP CLASS OF 2005
20 YEAR GROUP CLASS OF 1995
1.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
1. The Class of 1995 2. Jayne Howley, Deputy Principal Neil MacLean and Celia King 3. Sam Hooper and Mark Templeton
4. Melanie Pollock, Kate Powne (Siebert) and Sara Baulch (Powling) 5. Paul Brook, Grant Yates and Sam Hooper
2.
I suppose reunions sort of necessarily invoke reflection. Along the lines of ‘when we
organised the reunion last time there was no Facebook’ or ‘last time when I was getting
ready for the reunion I didn’t have to remember to pack my laptop charger or remove
face whiskers’. It turns out ageing has as little respect for your dignity as puberty but at
least it gives you more time to get used to the changes.
3.
I feel more connected to school folk this time round. We catch little echoes of each
other’s lives on Facebook. Careers, children, pictures of food, puppies. To balance that,
there were more people we couldn’t get in touch with this time; they’ve moved too far
from school mates and the original contact details we had for them. There is the full
range of good news and bad news. Two of our classmates have died since the last
reunion. Divorce, marriage, kids born, kids lost. People have gone back to study and
shifted careers to dramatically new fields. We live all over Australia and the world.
4.
5.
6.
We started with lunch at Darriwill Farm Café who made us feel so welcome. At 4pm the
boarders headed to the boarding house where the (current) weekend boarders were
kind enough to let us rampage through to the tune of ‘Do you remember when we put
Anna in the dryer?’, ‘Do you remember lying on the floor in here working out the words
to Loser?’, ‘Didn’t this use to be Mrs Reid’s office?’, ‘What happened to the bunk beds?’.
Principal Bruce Simons gave us an extensive tour of the College. It was incredible. There were
little nooks that were familiar but there have been massive building changes over the past ten
years. With so much that was different it was a delight to see the familiar faces of Neil MacLean
and Jen Hutton again. Thoughtfully provided snacks and beverages revived us and there was
further opportunity for nostalgia with the display of photos from the archives.
1. Will Crawford, Rex Martinich, Damien McArthur and
Deputy Principal Neil MacLean 2. The Class of 2005
3. Anna King (Richards) and Charlotte Campbell
4. Ali Smith and Doug Williams 5. Kate Hindson,
Principal Bruce Simons, Emma Johnstone and Sally Ann
Harris 6. Craig Rich, Principal Bruce Simons and Tara Rich
(Hamilton)
We went on for dinner at the Cally who were also welcoming and looked after us and we
continued the weird process of catching up with people who are quite familiar. Then on Sunday
morning we met again for more at the delicious Tosca Browns (try the hot cakes, no really).
Reflecting on the weekend as a whole, the thing that really stood out for me is how
involved people are with their communities. We seem to be a bunch of activists and
volunteers, with several people involved with the CFA or SES. Whatever we are doing
with our lives, we are doing it with passion and energy. It was weirdly lovely to see
everyone again and Jayne and I look forward to organising the next reunion.
Celia Colqouon- King (1995)
18
reunions
30 YEAR GROUP CLASS OF 1985
1.
make a date with your classmates
2.
3.
2016
4.
10 YEAR REUNION CLASS OF 2006
Saturday 22 October 2016
20 YEAR REUNION CLASS OF 1996
Saturday 20 August 2016
Contact Catherine Agar on
[email protected]
or 0401 192 950,
or Amber McDonald on
[email protected]
or 0400 164 539
Contact Zoe Christie on
[email protected]
30 YEAR REUNION CLASS OF 1986
Saturday 8 October 2016
Contact Lyn Crow (Satchell)
on 0447 724 766
5.
1. The Class of 1985: Back: Andrew White and Andrew Forster Second Row:
Darren Schultz, John Powell and Suzie Brook Third Row: Wendy O’Sullivan (Muir),
Lucinda Brown, Georgina Block (Boyd) and Faye Spurr Fourth Row: Julia Mevissen
(Thompson), Tania Jacobs, Emma Youngman and Sally Pace (Jacobs) Front:
Tony Allen, Mark Bunge, David Wiltshire and Jane Ballantyne 2. Tony Allen,
David Wiltshire and Knox Paton 3. Jane Ballantyne, Faye Spurr and Tania Jacobs
4. Sally Jacobs, Andrew White, David Wiltshire and Julia Mevissen (Thompson)
5. John Powell and Andrew Forster
‘Like’ our Old Collegians Facebook page
facebook.com/groups/193629254094154/
40+ YEAR GROUP - PRE 1975
TURN BACK TIME LUNCHEON
WE’RE TURNING 150… IN 2021
1.
2.
4.
3.
5.
6.
7.
1. The musicians reunite - Back: David Rhodes (1974) and William Lovell (1975)
Front: Michael Woodward (1972) and Alex Burger (1972) 2. Sallie Gardner
(1966 Learmonth), Sue Baulch (1969 Bade), Anne Lewis (1969 Ellis), Denise
Le Messurier (1970 Phillips) and Cheryl Gurney (1969 Bickley) 3. Sue Smith
(1972 Fitzpatrick), Michael Woodward (1972) and Peter Sobey (1972) 4. Cicily
Fenton (1956 Gaussen), Ruth McInness (Waugh) and Helen Clarke (1958
Robertson) 5. Sandy Johnson (1955) and Helen Brian 6. Denise Le Messurier
(1970 Phillips), Jane Heazlewood (1966 Cordner) and Margot McKellar (1968)
150
Planning for our Sesquicentenary in 2021 has already started.
How exciting! We are working hard to build our archival collection
leading up to the celebrations.
Do you have any photos or memorabilia to donate?
If so we’d love to hear from you. Please contact Jen Hutton on
[email protected] or 03 5551 4407
19
The Hamilton and Alexandra College
Chaucer Street Hamilton Vic 3300
PO Box 286 Hamilton Vic 3300
T +61 3 5572 1355 F +61 3 5572 4998
E [email protected]
www.hamiltoncollege.vic.edu.au