Welcome

Welcome to the first edition of The Grammarian, your Rockhampton Grammar School Past Students’ Association newsletter.The Rockhampton Grammar School has a long and proud history since it was first established in 1881.This newsletter will acknowlege the achievements, celebrations and news of the School’s past students and also keep you posted on the achievements of today’s dynamic cohort of RGS students. If you have any contributions for the newsletter please contact editor Rachael McDonald on 4936 0776 or email rmcdonald@rgs.qld.edu.auLooking forward to hearing from you. (Photograph courtesy of John Casey, circa 2012)

RegardsMeleisha Tennent (RGS PSA President 2013)

RGS PSA: Working for Yesterday, Today and TomorrowThe Rockhampton Grammar School Past Students’ Association has elected its committee for 2013-2014.Congratulations to the following office bearers:

President - Meleisha Tennent (1999-2003); (pictured right)Vice President - Michael South (1971-1975);

Secretary - Scott Wilson (1983-1987);Treasurer - Steven Deaves (1985-1987).A special thank you to outgoingPresident Diana McLellan (1977-1978) for her efforts and commitment to the Association.Diana was also previously Treasurer before becoming the Association’s first female President last year.

The Grammarian RGS Past Students’ Association SEPTEMBER 2013

Meleisha Tennent

Duntroon honours In BriefPolitics - Congratulations to Ken O’Dowd (Class of 1968) and Stuart Robert (Class of 1987) on successfully retaining their respective LNP seats of Flynn and Fadden in the last Federal Election.

Netball Success - Brisbane-based Claudia Jones (Class of 2011) joined the Queensland 19 years and under netball team which finished runners-up to South Australia at the national titles in Darwin during April.

ANZAC Day - The School’s ANZAC Day Service was joined by former School Marshall Mr Jim Geedrick (pictured below) and guest speaker Major Edward Mosby (Class of 1994).

Australian Rowing duties -Sasha Belonogoff (Class of 2007) represented Australia at the World Rowing Championships in South Korea in September. Sasha placed second in the Men’s Double Scull B Final. Cameron Allen (Class of 2002) was manager of the Australian under-21 team which won the Trans Tasman Regatta in September.

The Grammarian The Grammarian

Maggie’s still earning accoladesMaggie Shelton (Class of 2012) has been awarded a scholarship to The University of Queensland (UQ) Emmanuel College on the strength of her outstand-ing academic achievements.Offered both a Merit scholarship from UQ, and a scholarship from the Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Maggie has chosen to study law at QUT.Emmanuel awarded over $200,000 worth of scholarships this year.Emmanuel Principal Stewart Gill said the college recognises academic worth and is keen to welcome students of Maggie’s

calibre to its community. “These scholarships are offered to academically high-achieving students who can also demonstrate outstanding extra-curricular, leadership or significant community service achievements,’’ Mr Gill said.“Apart from being gifted academically Maggie shows strong leadership qualities and is a keen community service volunteer.’’Maggie is studying a Bachelor of Law and wants to become a solicitor and work in rural areas.

Jon marches home

It has taken Jon Shannon 32 years to get there, but he was a familiar face in this year’s Ilfra-combe ANZAC Day Service.Jon (1975 – 1979, Prefect) is now a Lieutenant Com-mander in the Royal Austral-ian Navy, currently based in Sydney helping look after minehunters and a brigantine (the Young Endeavour). He also served in the Indian Ocean in 1985, he was aboard the HMAS Tobruk in 1990 at the 75th Anniversary of the Gallipoli landing and was involved in Persian Gulf Deployments in 2002-2003.It’s a long way from RGS, a school that still carries some good memories, including the unsupervised trip home

on the Midlander train.“I remember rowing upriver in the early morning training, having girls around the school after two years of boys only, watching the chemistry teacher set fire to the bench with white phosphorus, Tuesday and Thursday nights at dinner – we got ice cream, and watching Jim Geedrick rip it into the cadets after they muffed the drill,’’ Jon said.

On the second Tuesday in June each year, the winter graduates of the Royal Military College – Duntroon are com-missioned as lieutenants in the Australian Army. As officers, they have the legal authority to command, lead and manage Australia’s soldiers and are part of a long, proud history of duty, loyalty and service to the nation.This year, the Corps of Staff Cadets was commanded on parade by Senior Under Officer Darryl Clark (Class of 2010). Darryl held the appointment of Battalion Sergeant Major—the most senior cadet position—and was awarded the Sword of Honour for exemplary conduct and performance of duty. He has now taken command of his first platoon as a Lieutenant in the Royal Australian Infantry Corps.Also on parade was Staff Cadet Joel Bray (Class of 2009). Joel joined the

(From left) Joel Bray (2009), Darryl Clark (2010), Cameron Porter (2001)Army and Duntroon at the start of 2013, having previously worked in the building industry. Joel has completed his first six months of training with the most demanding 12 months still to come. He aspires to graduate as a member of the Class of June, 2014.The parade was watched proudly by a

thousand-strong crowd which included Captain Cameron Porter (Class of 2001) who attended the Australian Defence Force Academy from 2002 to 2004, graduating from Duntroon in June 2006. He has since held various command and staff appointments in the Royal Australian Corps of Signals.

Hayley James (Kenna, Class of 1993) spent her school years at-tending 12 different schools across three Australian states – The Rockhampton Grammar School days of Year 9 and 10 hold a special place in her hard and mind.Now a Founder and Managing Director of the blue chip executive search and advisory firm Ampersand, Melbourne-based Hayley “absolutely loved” her time at RGS.“The School was a very progressive environment with fantastic facilities and great people – Mr Vincent (Anthony Vincent, Deputy Headmaster) was a phenomenal leader and an inspiring person. “They (RGS) were the best years of my school life – especially boarding. It was a beautiful school with a good balance between the structure, responsibility, empowerment and discipline. It also instilled strong family values.’’Hayley arrived at RGS following in the footsteps of her brother Cameron (Class of 1990). Hayley later boarded at Geelong Grammar School for a short time before finishing at

Hayley recruits success recently, Singapore. Ampersand is now an Asia Pacific firm poised for continued growth. “The measure will now be the next five years of continued growth.’’ Twenty years ago Hayley was no different to today’s Year 12 cohort anxiously thinking of their futures.Hayley, a mother of two (Harper, 6) and Mimi (3) now has her own personal and career experiences – has some advice to others about to start their own journeys.“Think laterally and challenge what you like doing. Be open to possibilities. Work out what you are passionate about and try to apply that to your career of choice. There are no right or wrongs when choosing a career path and nothing is final. Your career should evolve over the course of its journey.’’You need to be really focused on your goals and ambitions. You don’t have to have all the answers when you leave school, or university (or ever).’’The continuous learning journey and search for a strong mentor also reso-nates strongly with Hayley. “You need a learning attitude. Life is about continual learning at every point of your life. Also having a good mentor at every stage of life is important. Learn from the best – for both their skills and them as a person.” http://www.ampersand.com.au/

Melbourne’s Carey Grammar School. At school Hayley had a passion for running – sports psychology was the career goal until stress fractures and a minor break in her leg in Year 12 turned her attention to business.For Hayley, school was a daunting time having to perform at exams and sport.“I don’t think you can ever get enough coaching and support to help prepare students for post-school careers. In Year 12 you’re expected to make the ultimate career decision – do you travel for 12 months, go to university or start work.’’Hayley completed a Bachelor of Arts (marketing major), specialising in marketing and communications field for five years before entering the executive recruitment space, specialis-ing in marketing and communications. Ampersand was born in August 2008 at the peak of the GFC (Global Financial Crisis). Small recruitment agencies were closing and the big companies were restructuring. “We took a few deep breaths but we were determined, uncompromising and focused. It’s been a wonderful journey since with plenty of challenges and learnings, but also incredibly reward-ing and stimulating.’’The company has offices in Melbourne, Sydney, launched three years ago by her brother Cameron, and most

The Grammarian

Trackside for 10 year celebration - The Class of 2003 joined over 300 people at the annual Rockhampton Grammar School Race Day on 18 May. The old school days were also remembered with a BBQ dinner at the RGS Rowing Club, a school tour and a visit to Ritamada. Thank you to Meleisha Tennent and Brittany Lauga (nee McKee) for helping organise the event.

Connecting with London - Catching up with current RGS Headmaster Dr Phillip Moulds in London during May were (from left) Sandy Forster (2001), Andrew Doak (2006), Mikaela Hawkins (2004), Bri Lester (2004), Jono Bradbury (2001), Bec Hewitt (2004) and Lauren Shackleton (2012).

The “All Years” catch-up in Brisbane in April: (top left, clockwise) past teacher Jack Lanham (1957-75), Ian Geddes (1955-56), John Tadman (1955-58); Graham Clark (1955-56), Lex Ross (1960-63), David Ross (1957-58), Cam Minto (1955); Lance Currie (1955-59), Ray Barraclough (1955-58), Ron Robertson (1962-63). Pictures, supplied by Lance Currie.

The Grammarian

Treasured memories from the 1940s - Lawrie Waller

As Lawrie Waller (Class of 1946) draws closer to his 83rd year he hits the email to share some memories of his time at The Rockhampton Gram-mar School.Having last visited the school about 40 years ago, one of his memories was at that time the School had recently returned to becoming a co-educational school again.“Headmaster Jardine, Maths lecturer KC Gillham, Prefect Pat Seeney come vividly to mind as I type this,’’ Lawrie writes.“I also note with pleasure that the School logo and motto remain un-changed and I wonder if “Brats” still have to learn the School “war song”. All I seem to recognise of the buildings is the bell tower above the main entrance and wonder if the bell still signals assembly, etc.”Lawrie recalls the Saturday morning “release” to the city for a few hours shopping.“For this outing we were allowed to have 2 shillings maximum – doled out to us by Headmaster in the main assembly room.“Sixpence of this amount was required for the return bus fare. While we were required to take the bus to the city many would choose to walk back to save the money. This would also allow some of us to escort the young lady we had met at the post office corner, back to the Girls’ Grammar School.’’It was a lifetime ago for the young man from Cracow, whose working life

would later take him all around the world - thanks to a chance encoun-ter with Headmaster Jardine, a man greatly respected during his years at the SchoolAt the age of 7 Lawrie fell hopelessly in love with radio - a passion he still holds true to his heart today.“Only today we call it technology.’’“The RGS Assembly Room consisted of a cloister along one wall which had

the staff room at one end and“Scaffold Alley” at the other end.Scaffold Alley was the waiting area leading to the Headmaster’s office. Miscreants were sent to this area to await justice and for the guilty to receive the usual sentence of two cuts to each hand and two across the buttocks before being sent post-haste back to the lecture room.Students were in this area to attend a lecture, or be in Scaffold Alley or quietly reading the notice board.“One day toward the end of my junior year I was chasing a friend who had a letter of mine and who had run through the Assembly Hall, when I saw the Headmaster emerge from his office. I was beside the notice board so I stopped abruptly and assumed the air of being intensely interested in the information displayed on the notice board.“I immediately noticed a brochure headed “A CAREER IN RADIO” when I heard Headmaster say in his unmistakable voice - ‘Waller are you interested in a career in the PMG’s (Postmaster-General’s) Department?’.The ensuing conversation left me in no doubt that Headmaster Jardine thought I would be well advised to apply for one of the Technician-in-Training positions.I did apply and due in no small measure to my RGS education, was

Ready for town: Lawrie Waller (Picture supplied)

20 years later - Class of 1993

(Clockwise, top) Class of 1993 at the RGS Rowing Club; Jennifer Wainwright, Chantelle Ludke (Fairweather), Cassandra Cowie (Fielding) and Eliza McGhee (Davison) on the top level of the Islay Lee Centre; Claude Sylvester and Matthew Edwards; Kerry Meaden-Kendrick made the trip from Thailand; reunion organiser Adrien Lang; Sandii Leitch (Adams) checks out her old bed in girls boarding.

duly appointed and started my career. Lawrie’s time with the PMG had him based in Brisbane, Rockhampton (in the old Post Office building in East Street), Melbourne and Adelaide.Lawrie later arrived in Sydney with his wife Nita and children Robyn, Cameron, Scott and Heather where he held an engineering position with the now defunct Overseas Telecommunication Corporation.

“sincere hope that the School will impact as profoundly and posi-tively on the lives of its students as it did on mine.’’

Until he retired in 1992, as a Director Corporate of OTC, Lawrie travelled extensively to most of the world’scapitals pursuing Australia’s commercial and technical interests in International Telecommunications.Lawrie still lives in Sydney today and writes:“My professional career can best be characterised as a journey that took a barefoot kid from a two-room State School in Cracow to being the Australian representative on the INTELSAT* board in Washington DC.“It has been a long, satisfying and exciting journey that commenced in earnest on the day I avoided a visit to Scaffold Alley at RGS. “My very best wishes for the continued growth of the RGS with the sincere hope that the school will impact as profoundly and positively on the lives of its students as it did on mine.’’ – Lawrie Waller.

*INTELSAT- International Telecommunications SatelliteOrganisation, from 1964 to 2001 was an intergovernmental consortium.

RGS Reunions The Rockhampton Grammar School welcomed home the Class of 1993 on 24-25 August. Earlier in the year students from the Classes of 1988, 2003 and 2008 also caught up in May while an “All Years” catch-up was also held in Brisbane in April.If you need help arranging school functions for your school reunion please get in contact with the RGS Communications and Development Officer Rachael McDonald at rmcdonald@rgs.qld.edu.au or phone 4936 0776.Reunion Calendar:4-6 Oct, 2013 - Class of 1973 at RGSSaturday, 2 Nov, 2013 - RGS Brisbane Function, Irish Club, 175 Elizabeth St (12pm-2pm). Contact Rachael McDonald at rmcdonald@rgs.qld.edu.auSaturday, 5 April, 2014 - All Years Catch-up, Irish Club. Contact: Lance Currie (Class of 1959) at lfcurrie@yahoo.com or phone 0402 094 912.Class of 1994 (August 2014)Class of 1984 (date TBA)Class of 1960s (date TBA)Could past students please contact Rachael McDonald for further information and to update your contact details.

RGS “Scaffold Alley” momentleads to life-long career

“RGS....made a very valuable contribution to my journey through life.’’

The RGS Past Students’ Association would like to keep you updated on upcoming events at the School,

including School Reunions. Please contact Rachael McDonald at

rmcdonald@rgs.qld.edu.au to update your contact details so we

can keep in touch with you.

The Grammarian

Brooke Graff (Bryant, Class of 2003) and husband Dale welcomed their first child Amelia Suzanne on 17 April.

Steven Deaves (Class of 1987) married Meghan Anne Rothery, a law-yer with national firm Maurice Black-burn, on 8 June 2013 at Ritamada, Emu Park. A number of past students attended the wedding.

Send your RGS Past Students news to Rachael McDonald at rmcdonald@rgs.qld.edu.au

Births and MarriagesBIRTHS

RGS Memories - Mark Coombe (Class of 1980) has a scratchy memory when it comes to recalling contributing to a school time capsule, which was buried in February 1981.The discovery of a letter written by the former School Captain provides the evidence.“Here’s a thing (written article) from me that I wrote back in 1980 – that’s proof I knew about the time capsule,’’ Mark said.Items from the School’s past, now living in an old picnic basket in a School office, include a red rugby tie and rugby under-19 premiership pennant, an old school uniform, an honours tie, old photographs, letters, a leave slip and a yearbook.

Sifting through the old treasurers sparks many good memories from Mark’s school days.“Here’s some old faces I remember (looking at old photographs) – that’s Adrian Woo, there’s Big Whitey – lots of memories,’’ Mark said.Looking at another photo – “The front of the school was a big driveway back then – the boarders had to sweep the driveway every morning.’’

Memories captured in time

Back in 1987 the “Diamond Dogs” were rocking the stage at RGS.These musical talents continue to hit the stage with bass player Matthew Engelbrecht (Class of 1988) returning to Rockhampton’s Pilbeam Theatre last September.Matthew is still on bass, but is now playing with former Powderfinger front man, Bernard Fanning - joining his “Departures” solo tour.Matthew is not the only “Diamond Dogs” band member whose musical talents have appealed to Fanning.Drummer Duane Billing (Class of 1988) played on Fanning’s first solo album, “Tea and Sympathy” back in 2005.The “Diamond Dogs” are still going strong.

Events Calendar2013• 21-22 September - RGS sports aerobics team at Australian Gymnastics Championships (Sleeman Sports

Complex, Chandler Theatre)• 21-23 September - Qld Schools Rowing Championships (Bucca Weir, Bundaberg)• 22 September - Grammarians Rugby Club Golf Day at the Rockhampton Golf Club. (Registrations:

11.30am. Lunch: 12pm. Tee off: 12.30pm.Contact Adeina Shackleton on 4922 1615 or 0428 319 524 for book-ings and more information)

• 30 September - RGS 1st XI Sydney Cricket Tour (Waverley College, Newington College, Scots College) • 4-6 October - 40 year reunion (1969-1973)• 9 October - RGS PSA Committee Meeting (Level 4, Islay Lee Learning Centre. 5.30pm start. Past Students

interested in attending are welcome. Please contact Rachael McDonald at rmcdonald@rgs.qld.edu.au)• 10-13 October - RGS Touch Teams at All Schools (Whites Hill, Brisbane)• 12-13 October - RGS netball team in Vicki Wilson Cup State Finals (State Netball Centre, Mt Gravatt)• 12-13 October - RGS teams at Optiminds State Final (University of Queensland, St Lucia Campus)• 19 October - RGS Music Festival at Rockhampton’s Pilbeam Theatre (6.30pm)• 19-20 October - Western 7s Rugby Union (Emerald)• 2 November - RGS Brisbane Function. Irish Club, 175 Elizabeth Street, 12pm - 2pm. RSVP to rmcdon-

ald@rgs.qld.edu.au• 24 November - Carols in the Frame (RGS music students performing, at RGS)

2014

• 5 Aprill - RGS All Years catch up, Brisbane Irish Club

Stay Connected with RGSIf you have any news or

photographs to include in

The Grammarian newsletter , or

wish to updated your contact

details with the School, please

contact Rachael McDonald (RGS

Communications and

Development Officer) at

rmcdonald@rgs.qld.edu.au

or phone 4936 0776.

The electronic newsletter will be

published three times a year.

The next newsletter will be

circulated in Feburary 2014.

Mark dives in for RGS Scuba Club support

Elliot Island and he has completed 100 dives in Indonesia.“Scuba diving is physically challenging and once you’re over 50 you have to keep yourself fit. It’s also a chance to meet new people and travel to different places.’’Mark was a 15-year-old when teacher Adrian Evans introduced the scuba diving program into the school in 1973. Trips to Keppel Island, Humpy Island and diving off Ritamada were highlights of the course. The 16-foot aluminium boat “The Ritamada” was the mode of transport.“We’d be in the School pool with three scuba tanks doing our lessons.“We were the only school in Australia at the time that did diving.’’Mark will travel with the RGS Scuba Club to Cairns in the school holidays (September - October) to join the School’s annual dive trip. They will board a Pro Dive boat for a three day, two night live-aboard trip to the outer Great Barrier Reef. Students will have

Mark Hawley (Class of 1975) has a passion for deep sea diving and he wants more generations of students at The Rockhampton Grammar School to also share this experience.“I wasn’t good at cricket and football, but this was something I could do – and it’s just as rewarding and challenging,’’ Mark said.Mark kindly donated to the School four complete sets of scuba diving equipment, plus cylinders and wrist diving computers.Mooloolaba-based diving company Sun-reef Scuba Diving Services, the group Mark now dives with, donated two of these cylinders. This equipment will further enhance the safety aspects of the School’s dive program.The generous donation evolved after a chance meeting between Mark and RGS teacher Barry Mullane (Head of Science) during a scuba diving trip in Bali.“Barry said he worked at the Grammar School and I asked if I could help in any way because the scuba diving during my time at the School has been really good for me,’’ Mark said.“You’ll never get something up andgoing if someone doesn’t do something about it.“I probably wouldn’t have done diving if I had not started at Grammar.’’Mark’s diving passion has taken him to beautiful and remote locations at Vanuatu, Philippines, Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Bali, Heron Island, Lady

the opportunity to complete 11 dives and while on the reef some students will complete their Advanced Open Water course and the Enriched Air Nitrox course. Head of Science, Mr Barry Mullane said the diving program can expand students’ horizons and also earns them a Queensland Certificate of Education credit.“Students are now able to dive off he school boat “Ritamada” and we were diving at every opportunity on Satur-days and Sundays to ensure that all the students going on the Cairns trip completed their Open Water certification,’’ Mr Mullane said.“I expect that the certified divers will dive at least once a month from the school boat and I would also like the students to have the opportunity to travel to local dive sites such as the ex-HMAS Brisbane, off Mooloolaba.

Teacher Adrian Evans, Peter Campbell and Mark Hawley prepare to dive.

Some of today’s RGS divingenthusiasts (from left) Charlie Lang (Year 12), Stella Lisle (Year 11) and Ashmar Barbour (Year 11).

Bell twins excel in Australiansurf lifesaving waters

Rockhampton twins Miranda and Sam Bell (Class of 2009) are still finding success in the water as they prepare to represent Australia in surf lifesaving.Competing at the Australian Life Saving National Championships in Brisbane, the duo won 14 individual medals at the pool rescue-based nationals.They also set six new individual Australian records between them.Miranda now has 54 gold medals at the national level.Miranda also recently contested the Maui Channel Crossing and won the Waikiki rough water swim in Hawaii. This was followed by the International

Surf Challenge in Japan - Miranda’s 6th open Australian team appointment since 2009.Miranda’s Australian team honours are:• (2010, 2012) World Lifesaving

Championships - Egypt, Adelaide• (2011, 2013) International Surf

Rescue Challenge - NZ, Japan• (2009, 2011, 2013) German Cup

- GermanyMiranda was the world record holder

RGS 1980s musicians going strong

The School rock band of 1987 - “Diamond Dogs”. (Pictured: Back, from left) Scott Fagg, Stuart Dodds, Steven Deaves; (Front, from left) Matthew Engelbrecht, Duane Billing, Campbell Eton.

WEDDINGS

for the 200m super lifesaver (2011-2012), surf race world champion (2012) and Australian champion in pool and open surf swim events.Sam’s Australian team honours are:• (2012) World Lifesaving

Championships - Adelaide• (2011, 2013) Commonwealth

Lifesaving Championships - South Africa, Canberra

• (2013) German Cup - GermanyIn 2012 Sam was crowned world champion (200m super lifesaver) and was the Commonwealth and Australian Champion in that event this year. He is also the Commonwealth and Australian record holder in that event.Miranda is studying physiotherapy at CQ University and Sam works forQantas in Brisbane and studies commerce and aviation.

Miranda Bell Sam Bell