TERM 2 2022 SUPPORTING IVANHOE
STAY I N G C O N N E C T E D
TERM 2 2022
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HAVE FROM YOU THE HEARD? OIGA PRESIDENT
Competing in the VAFA C Grade, our footballers are back on the field this year under the leadership of new Club President, Chris Branigan (’97) who has taken over the reins from George Haros (’91). After playing only a few games in the past two years, the boys are starting to hit their straps and the team currently sits in the top four.
The Brown and White Acknowledgements Copy:
Brianna Ablett Geoff Brown Mirella Busso-Lee Linda Paltoglou Peter Swain Tim Swain
Photos: Josh Boland Dean Phipps Please advise us of any change in your personal contact details. Email alumni@ivanhoe.com.au or contact Linda Paltoglou at Ivanhoe Grammar School PO Box 91, Ivanhoe 3079, Australia Phone (03) 9490 3508 The Brown and White is a quarterly newsletter for alumni and supporters of Ivanhoe Grammar School. Cover photo: Opening of the Ivanhoe Grammar School Sports and Aquatic Centre, 15 June 2022
Staying connected facebook.com/ OldIvanhoeGrammarians instagram.com/old ivanhoegrammariansofficial linkedin.com/ groups/4828929 oldivanhoe.com ivanhoe.com.au
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How grateful we are that all our OIGA programs, particularly the reunions, are back and running after two years of relative inactivity. For those who unfortunately missed their anniversary get-togethers in 2020 and 2021, please put 7 October 2022 in your diary as we are planning a major event for alumni to celebrate where we are today and hopefully make up for the times we have lost. However, not everything came to a complete stop while we endured lockdowns and isolations. We took the opportunity to upgrade our website and we invite you to go to www.oldivanhoe.com to read up on the latest news, connect with our sporting bodies and see what events are planned for the year. We have also launched our Business Directory which creates another opportunity to reach, connect and support our alumni community, and to put your business on the OIGA map. In addition, the OIGA continued its association with Cambodia. We are currently supporting two students from the village of Peak Sneng in Siem Reap province to attend university, as well as contributing to Ivanhoe Grammar School activities from which funds are directed to worthy projects in Cambodia. The School is confident that students will resume travelling to Cambodia in person next year. On the sporting fields, the OIG Cricket Club has had its most successful season on record. The First XI won the premiership, the Veterans were runners up and the 2nd and 3rd elevens both played finals. Many thanks to Ryan Pearce (’01) for his leadership of the club over the past nine years which has largely underpinned the ongoing achievements of our cricket teams.
Another OIG sport to make a comeback in 2022 has been Water Polo, largely through the combined efforts of Lauren Chan (’07) and Troy Rosenlis (’04). Established in 2016, the OIG Water Polo Club is our youngest sporting club and despite its brief existence, made back-to-back finals appearances in 2016 & 2017 for both female and male teams, and won the 2017 Men’s Team Premiership. The OIGA Council welcomed Lisa Malone (’00) to its ranks in April. Lisa was one of the first International Baccalaureate girls to attend The Ridgeway Campus and was our first female prefect in 2000. Lisa’s appointment followed the decision by Councillor Elise Dunstan (’01) to step away after many years on the committee and as Vice President of the Association. Thank you Elise for your contribution. Georgia Newland (’12) has stepped into the Vice President role. Finally, an important reminder to all alumni parents who would like to see their children join the Ivanhoe Grammar School family. Despite COVID-19 affecting the return of some overseas students to Melbourne, school enrolments are as strong as ever. Our admission procedures require alumni to submit their child’s enrolment application to the School prior to the child’s 5th birthday to ensure priority status for all year levels. Wayne Vanderwert President Old Ivanhoe Grammarians’ Association
AROUND THE SCHOOL
Performing Arts
Swimming Star MONDAY 16 MAY 2022
The Friends of Ridgeway Music presented their Annual Jazz Night in May at Docasa in Ivanhoe. Featuring the sublime skills of Hey Hey It’s Saturday star and alumnus Wilbur Wilde (Nick Aitken ’72) on saxophone, renowned jazz pianist Mark Fitzgibbon and Jordan Tarento playing bass, their combined talents created a memorable evening for everyone in attendance.
During Term 2, the Year 12 Theatre Studies class presented ‘The 39 Steps’ at The Schuster Drama Studio at The Ridgeway Campus. Based on Alfred Hitchcock’s classic 1935 film, this highly entertaining spy-thrillercomedy offered a complete mix of drama, romance and amusement encapsulated in a mock 1930 vintage Hollywood film set.
Congratulations to our Captain of Boys Swimming and Year 12 Prefect Anthony Boussounis on his recent success at the 2022 Australian Age Swimming Championships held in April in Adelaide. He received a gold medal in the 17-yearold 50-metre backstroke and silver in the 100-metre backstroke. These results resulted in Anthony’s selection for Swimming Australia Junior Dolphins Team. Anthony will compete at the 2022 Junior Pan Pacs in August.
PLENTY CAMPUS
5–7 may 2022
‘Return to the Forbidden Planet’, the musical inspired by Shakespeare’s ‘The Tempest’, was presented by Plenty Campus at the Plenty Ranges Arts and Convention Centre in May. Often billed as ‘Shakespeare’s forgotten rock and roll masterpiece’, this fabulous jukebox musical tells the story of Captain Tempest’s valiant crew who became stranded on the Forbidden Planet.
AGSV Volleyball Champions The Ensembles & Soloists Concert was held in Buckley Hall in June to a packed house. There were 22 acts providing terrific performances and great variety including string solos, jazz groups, various quartets, a Celtic band and an oboe ensemble. Music is very much alive and well at the School!
For the first time in the School’s history, both our Girls and Boys Volleyball teams won their premiership in the same year! This is the Girls third premiership in five years (previously won in 2018 and 2019) while the Boys won their second premiership in a row.
State Selections Current Year 12 student and Prefect Tom Mileto (left) and alumnus Ikroop Dhanoa (’21) (right) were selected in the Victorian U19 Metro Squad team to play in the Australian U19 Championships in Mackay in April. Tom is a talented top order batter who plays for Carlton in the Victorian Premier Cricket competition and also captain of the School 1st XI. Ikroop, a gifted leg-spin bowler, has been playing for Fitzroy-Doncaster 1st XI, and with Tom was part of last season’s AGSV Cricket Premiership Team.
In the Hot Seat! On 27 April, Chris Branigan (’97), Director of Co-Curricular Learning, appeared on Millionaire Hot Seat. Chris won a prize of $10,000 and announced that he will donate some of his winnings to the First Nations Scholarship fund. Congratulations Chris and thank you for your generous support of this project. TERM 2 2022
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SPORTS & AQUATIC CENTRE OPENING
Gerard Foley, Daniel Proietto and Sam Bramham unveiling the Foundation Plaque at the SAAC Opening Ceremony
Sports and Aquatic Centre Opens! On the morning of Wednesday 15 June, Principal Gerard Foley, Chairman of the Board Daniel Proietto (‘96) and Sam Bramham OAM (‘07) proudly unveiled the Foundation Plaque for the Ivanhoe Grammar School Sports and Aquatic Centre (SAAC). Following a Welcome to Country ceremony by Aunty Zeta Thomson, a Woi-Wurrung Wurundjeri Elder, Prefects Rebekah Konstantopoulos and Luke Malara shared the hosting duties. Spanning a decade since the plans for the project were initially assembled and four years since the first sod was turned, this spectacular sporting centre is the largest capital works project the School has ever undertaken. The honour of opening the Centre was given to Sam Bramham OAM. Sam, who represented Australia at the 2004 (Athens) and 2008 (Beijing) Olympics, is currently Ivanhoe Grammar School’s most successful Olympian. He was still at school when he represented Australia at the 2004 Paralympics. In Sam’s address, he acknowledged his Year 5 teacher Russell O’Toole in forging his swimming career, and the School for its ongoing support. He also
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commented that these new facilities exceeded anything he has experienced at the Australian Institute of Sport. Attendees comprised those from the extended School family including the Board of Governors and Life Governors, and members of the Ivanhoe Grammar School Sporting Hall of Fame. In addition, Principal Gerard Foley acknowledged benefactors who had contributed to named spaces including the John Knorr Pool, Bill Lyon Gallery, the John Benson Gym and the Friends of The Ridgeway Campus Show Court. The features of this truly remarkable sporting complex have been well documented in previous editions of the Brown and White. It is suffice to say here that this multi-level, multipurpose, world class facility caters for the needs of all Ivanhoe Grammar School students, in a co-educational setting, and across a vast range of sporting disciplines. The construction company and architects for the SAAC, Building Engineering and McIldowie Partners, have combined to ensure that the centre’s footprint fits appropriately onto the property, maximising space and creating a visually impressive,
eco-friendly, practical building that complements its surrounds. In addition, enormous focus was placed on sustainability in its development. Solar panels on the roof add 95kw to the 800kw which is already generated by the School. This makes Ivanhoe Grammar School one of the leading schools in Australia for use of solar power. At the conclusion of the event, Principal Gerard Foley informed the guests that Nigel Kendall, a former Deputy Principal, would, in recognition of his long and dedicated service to the School, have Show Court Number 1 named in his honour. There will be opportunities for alumni to visit this state-of-the-art development during non-school times. To schedule a tour of the Sports and Aquatic Centre, please contact the Development Office via email to alumni@ivanhoe.com.au.
SNIPPETS
SAAC Opening Images
Daniel Proietto, Nigel Kendall, Gerard Foley, Amanda Caples
Ross Corstorphin (’01), Brenda Lyon, Janet Corstorphin
Knorr family with Daniel Proietto and Gerard Foley
Sam Bramham OAM, Richard Merjan (’07), Stuart Wenn (’86)
Congratulations to Liz McGrath (’15) following her selection by Port Adelaide Football Club for the 2023 AFLW season. Currently playing in the ruck for North Melbourne in the VFL where she has enjoyed an outstanding year, Liz will bring some important height to the team in its inaugural season. A very much deserved selection and well done Liz! Continuing the strong link of Ivanhoe Grammar School students arriving at Essendon Football Club including Kyle Langford (’14) and Nik Cox (’19), Fede (Frederica) Frew (’17) has been selected to play for Essendon’s inaugural AFLW team next season. She made it onto Essendon’s VFLW list in early 2019 and was the VFLW Leading Goalkicker in 2022. We wish Fede good luck with the next stage of her football career. Not content with being a full-time student at Monash University doing a double degree in Commerce and Media Communications, Khushi Jadhav (’20) has taken to the airwaves! She recently joined 3CR Community Radio and the Diaspora Blues team on Mondays from 2.30pm – 3.00pm. Congratulations to Lana Murphy (’10) for her success at the 2021 Quill Awards in March which recognise excellence in Victorian journalism. Her story ‘Southbank Survivor’ was the winner in the Road Safety Reporting category. This award is sponsored by the TAC with entries judged according to their potential impact on road safety. Lana was also a finalist
in the TV/Video News category after being nominated for her ‘Contact Tracer Predator’ story. ANZAC Day 2022 took on additional meaning this year as we welcomed the return of our official Anzac Commemoration services after the restrictions of the last two years. Our cadet unit joined with the School and the wider community across Melbourne in commemorating the sacrifices of past generations of Australians. We also remembered and honoured the 72 old boys who died while on active service since 1939. This year saw the return of the Heidelberg March for The Ridgeway Campus Senior Cadets and the Laurimar Dawn Service for their counterparts at Plenty Campus. Ceremonial Parade The Ivanhoe Grammar School Cadet Unit held its 61st Ceremonial Parade on Tuesday 24 May at The Ridgeway Campus in glorious weather. The parade was reviewed by Lieutenant Colonel Claire Baker, Commanding Officer Melbourne University Regiment, in front of 200 guests. The Cadet Unit remains one of the largest school cadet corps with over 600 cadets. Mother’s Day Giveaway Thank you to all who entered our Mother’s Day Giveaway Competition in collaboration with alumni business Floral Impressions owned by Jeremy Ilton (’88). Congratulations to our winners Tristan Bell (see above), Talissa Stojanoski, Emily Coen, Suzanne Shadbolt and Lauren Jeffery. Keep a look out for further giveaways on our social networks.
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ALUMNI NEWS - HAVE YOU HEARD?
Aerobic Gymnastics Director Alice Linossier (nee Stooke ’08) pictured above with President of the International Olympic Committee, Thomas Bach, is currently managing the Oceania Gymnastics Union and attended the Oceania National Olympic Committees General Assembly in Fiji in May. Alice has been involved in Aerobic Gymnastics for almost 20 years, as an athlete, coach, judge and club owner. She is the Aerobic Gymnastics Technical Director of the Gymnastics Australia Aerobic Gymnastics National Commission and holds the Gymnastics Australia qualifications of Intermediate Coach and Advanced Judge. Her passion for Aerobic Gymnastics was fostered at Ivanhoe Grammar School and that foundation has paved the way for her to achieve her goals in gymnastics – both as an athlete and now a leader. Alice was also the founder of Bespoke Learning Australia (2020) which provides premium online tutoring services for primary and secondary students.
one city as has been the custom, the next Commonwealth Games will be a largely regional event based out of four hubs in Geelong, Bendigo, Ballarat and Gippsland. Melbourne had already been considering bidding for the 2030 event, but Adem supported the move to bring that forward to 2026 and spreading events across Victoria to make it a state-wide event. Previously, Adem was a highly successful executive across a range of sectors and industries, having spent the last seven years establishing Swisse as the leading global health and wellness brand before its sale to Biostime International for nearly $1.8b. While at Swisse, Adem held the senior positions of Chief Financial Officer, Chief Operating Officer and finally the Managing Director. Adem spent his entire school life (13 years) at Ivanhoe Grammar School, was a member of the First XV111 and named Ian Le Page, who taught politics, as his favourite teacher.
David Veal – VAFA Award Congratulations to David Veal (’82) who was recognised at the VAFA season launch with a 2022 Certificate of Merit! David played 106 games for the Old Ivanhoe Grammarians Football Club, umpired over 200 games for the VAFA, was a committee member of the OIGFC between 1990-2021 and was coach for the inaugural OIGFC Women’s team from 2018 to 2020.
Tessa’s entrepreneurial skills are striving!
Adem brings the Games to Victoria Adem Karafili (’95) was front and centre of the media pack in April when it was announced that Victoria’s bid to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games had succeeded. Adem is the Chair of the Commonwealth Games Working Group which worked tirelessly for months on the bid for a regional games. Instead of going to 6
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sold via a website and her social media channels. The business expanded and she later leased a shop but it has since returned to a purely online business. Tessa and her Strive partner James presented their Financial Literacy program to Plenty Campus Year 12 students last month, and the feedback from students and teachers alike was that it was ‘an engaging, informative session’. We wish Tessa all the best in her final six months of study and continued success with The White Wardrobe and Strive Teaching.
While still studying Business and Design at Monash University, Tessa Osborne (’18) found time to commence ‘Strive Teaching’ in November last year. Through a network of teachers, psychologists, entrepreneurs and high-performance athletes, Strive offers a platform for secondary students to develop their personal, social and financial skills as they navigate their way towards independence. Tessa has always had an interest in business and design. This developed after her Year 11 Debutante Ball when she started ‘The White Wardrobe’ which rented, sold and designed Deb dresses. With her parents’ encouragement, she balanced her Year 11 and 12 commitments to manage the business. Working with a seamstress for design and a Chinese manufacturer, the dresses were initially
David led the push for the introduction of the OIGFC Women’s team in 2018 and when unable to find a coach, decided to stand at the helm until a suitable alternative presented itself. As well as coach, David became the team manager, administrator, player counsel, uniform organiser, equipment manager and match day volunteer coordinator! Although he has since stepped down as the team’s head coach, his involvement and passion for the team has not changed. He continues to work tirelessly to provide a positive and fun environment and although the team has had moderate on-field success (finishing third and fifth in their first two seasons), David believes that the upcoming season could be the best one yet. David is now working with La Trobe Financial as a Commercial Credit Analyst.
ALUMNI NEWS - HAVE YOU HEARD?
SAVE THE DATE
Andreas Orth (’75) Past OIGA President Peter Swain (‘75) recently caught up with Professor Andreas Orth (’75) in Frankfurt, Germany. It was their first meeting in over 46 years, but as can be seen from the smiles above, it was a most enjoyable occasion. The Orth family moved to Australia in 1969 when Andreas’ father, Dr A F Orth, was transferred to Hoechst Australia from Head Office in Germany. Andreas and his brother Ulrich (’77) commenced at the Memorial Junior School (now Buckley House) in Term 3 that year. Andreas quickly established himself as an elite athlete, representing the School in basketball and athletics, and holding School and AGSV shot-put records at numerous age levels for many years. Andreas was selected as Captain of Athletics in 1975, which was further evidence of both his sporting and leadership capabilities.
University in 1985. Like his father, Andreas worked for Hoechst before being appointed as a Professor at the Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences some thirty years ago. Recently retired from full-time work at the University, Andreas is consulting through his own company, Umesoft, an information technology company specialising in software development and web hosting services for the biotech sector and other industries. Andreas is married to Marie who is French, and they have four adult children. With the family all keen snow-skiers, Marie and Andreas have in recent years purchased a property near Grenoble in France, as a place for the whole family to get together. Andreas considers himself very fortunate having had the opportunity to experience Australian, French and German cultures.
In Year 12, Andreas was appointed a School Prefect and completed eight Higher School Certificate subjects, achieving six ‘A’ results and a Special Distinction for Academic Excellence.
Over the years, the Orth family has also been in touch with the Maurers; Heiko (‘72), Jurgen (‘73) and Till Maurer (‘76) were another German family who lived in Australia through Hoechst executive re-location.
Returning to Germany in December 1975, Andreas studied Mathematics at the Goethe University in Frankfurt and in New York at the Courant Institute, ultimately achieving his PhD from Goethe
Ivanhoe Grammar School holds a special place in Andreas’ heart, and we look forward to seeing him and Marie when they visit Australia to attend the 50 Year Reunion in 2025.
Our 2022 reunion and events programs have returned with gusto! We have a full calendar of social occasions scheduled for the rest of the year; however, dates are subject to change so please follow us on the OIGA website, Facebook and Instagram to keep updated on all OIGA activities. Friday 22 July TRC 30 Year Reunion Friday 26 August ACT Afternoon Tea Friday 26 August ACT Reunion Friday 2 September TRC 10 Year Reunion Friday 9 September TRC 5 Year Reunion Friday 30 September Perth Reunion Friday 21 October TRC 20 Year Reunion Friday 28 October Sydney Drinks Friday 29 October Sydney Luncheon Friday 11 November PC 5 Year Reunion Wednesday 30 November Buckley/Brown Lunch
TERM 2 2022
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FROM THE ARCHIVES
The Army Occupation and AWAS It is entirely appropriate in this Brown and White that we remember the momentous upheaval that greatly impacted Ivanhoe Grammar School some 80 years ago. The Onset of WW2 World War Two created unprecedented challenges for Ivanhoe Grammar School. After war was declared in 1939, there was little immediate impact on students’ lives. But matters were to change dramatically in the following two years. By the end of 1941, the same year that Japan entered the war with its devastating attack on Pearl Harbour and Germany declared war on the USA, there were more than 250 Ivanhoe Grammar School boys on active service. By late 1941, several schools had already been taken over by military authorities including Melbourne Grammar, Wesley College, Melbourne Girls Grammar School, Melbourne Boys High School, MacRobertson Girls School and the Deaf and Dumb Institute, primarily because of their proximity to Victoria Barracks and the city. Ivanhoe Grammar School was not forced to move in order to accommodate the Army, but Reverend Buckley decided to do so before any crisis eventuated in Melbourne. He also wished to move the School during the summer holidays to minimise any disruption and in time for the new school year. In 1942, the School moved to Yea after the grounds at The Ridgeway Campus were transferred to the Army. Firstly, for use as the site of the Australian Army Home Forces and from June that year, as a training facility for the AWAS (Australian Women’s Army Service).
Home Forces at The Ridgeway Campus In January 1942, the Home Forces headquarters opened at the School from where the ‘Brisbane Line’ strategy
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was supposedly prepared. That was, to defend everything from Brisbane south but no further north. The Home Office headquarters were subsequently transferred to Victoria Barracks later that year. As the crisis in the Pacific deepened in 1942, women began to replace male military personnel in Australia. In June 1942, the headquarters of the 2nd Australian Signal Training Battalion was opened at Ivanhoe Grammar School. The unit comprised 19 Officers and 128 other ranks and over the next 18 months, hundreds of women commenced three-month courses and were trained in the procedures of the Signal Corps. The AWAS Signal Corp transformed the School into an army camp. In order to train 500 women at once, 24 sleeping huts, showers, latrines, cook houses and mess huts were required. The Commanding Officers oversaw three companies at the Signal Training School; Sounder Wireless and Line Telegraphy Officers; Cypher, Keyboard and Signals Clerks, and Switchboard Operators. General army training including saluting and drill was included in the course.
Sherwood House became the centre of many of the Army’s activities. The top floor was used as a hospital, and the bottom floor contained the Orderly Room, Adjutant’s office and Sergeant’s Mess. The AWAS officers also slept in this building. Barrack huts were built on the North Ground to accommodate the women, vigorous training programs were conducted in Locksley House and the South Ground was in constant use for training.
No 2 Company, Australian Women’s Army Service (AWAS), marching to the parade grounds at Ivanhoe Grammar School.
The Yea Move The original plan, in evacuating to Yea, was to keep the School together. A lease was taken on Beaufort House, and construction of a dormitory and dining hall commenced. Around 140 boys – primarily boarders - went to Yea and some 100 boys living locally around Ivanhoe remained to continue their education at the St James Parish Hall.
Members of the Australian Women’s Army Service (AWAS) who, during the Army’s occupation of the School in 1942, were some of the first women trained for service.
Lengthy route marches between Ivanhoe and Heidelberg increased their stamina and squad drill competitions were held on Saturday afternoons. After the completion of their training, many AWAS signallers were posted to the signal station at 33 AWAS Barracks, Faulkner Park.
Beaufort House
For the next two years, the entire school operated as two separate entities. For some, the Yea years hampered academic success but for others, it was
FROM THE ARCHIVES
an idyllic adventure in the country with school mates before the reality of work, war service or schooling back in the city. They were city kids in a country town enjoying the freedom of wide-open spaces. Ferreting and bike riding mixed in with some schoolwork. The Science Lab was in the bar at the Yea Showgrounds! Moving from the city to the country resulted in very different learning experiences for the 140 students and many horizons were broadened in this unique setting.
Many students described it as the best experience of their school lives and the School became an integral part of the Yea community with the townsfolk invited to school concerts and other events. However, the costs to the School in operating two separate entities were substantial. Not only was the direct war threat to Australia diminishing, by 1943, the novelty of two Ivanhoe Grammar Schools was taking its toll. With reduced facilities resulting from the split, parents were moving their sons to other private schools in Melbourne. To stem the losses and return students to one site in 1944, the School Council and the Army came to a mutually acceptable decision to move on from The Ridgeway Campus at the end of 1943.
The Aftermath While the Army and AWAS left The Ridgeway Campus at the end of 1943, rumours have endured that a tunnel was built under the South Ground, to join Sherwood House to Locksley House. There were air raid shelters dug at the southern end of the South Ground, as well as the site of the current Chapel. A search of Army records has shown that a narrow tunnel was built in 1942 to install a secret and secure telephone line from Sherwood House to Victoria Barracks. Despite there being no physical evidence yet uncovered of a tunnel, some young and old still romantically cling to the hope that one day it will be uncovered!
Swimming at Yea
School Roll Call – Yea
TERM 2 2022
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RAY PARKIN AM (’27)
A time for reflection With ANZAC Day at the start of Term 2 and the Cadet Ceremonial Parade towards the end, this is a special time for reflection. The stories of Ivanhoe Grammar School alumni who have served their country and community are many and varied but we particularly remember our 72 past students who made the ultimate sacrifice. One story of courage, mateship, understanding and ’never say die attitude’ that is worth re-telling, is that of Ray Parkin (’27). Ray, pictured above with his parents, attended Ivanhoe Grammar School for two years before joining the Merchant Navy at the end of 1925. He then joined the Royal Australian Navy in 1928, rising through the ranks to become a Chief Petty Officer and at the onset of World War II, was posted to the newly commissioned light cruiser HMAS Perth. Ray was a voracious reader and a talented, largely self-taught artist. From the commencement of hostilities, he had been working on his first novel, but the manuscript was unfortunately lost when HMAS Perth was struck by
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torpedoes and sank in the Battle of Sunda Strait in the early hours of 1 March 1942. Ray, who was at the helm of HMAS Perth during the battle, was ‘lucky’ in being one of only 229 out of 682 men on board that night who survived the sinking, and then spent three years as a prisoner of war (POW). The story of survival that followed the Battle of Sunda Strait is told in Ray’s acclaimed Wartime Trilogy. These books, ‘Out of the Smoke’, ‘Into the Smother’ and ‘The Sword and the Blossom’ are based on his scribbled notes and sketches that he managed to keep safe, from both the elements and his captors, for more than three years until his repatriation to Australia in late 1945. No extract of Ray’s work could possibly do it justice. However, alumni and supporters of Ivanhoe Grammar School may, through understanding a little of Ray’s wartime experiences, reflect on how fortunate we are to live in Australia in the twenty-first century.
‘Out of the Smoke’ is the first book in the Trilogy, relating what happened at the Battle of Sunda Strait and the aftermath of the sinking of HMAS Perth. After 11 hours in the water, Ray and nine other survivors washed up on a small island between Java and Sumatra. The survivors attempted to sail to Australia in a recovered lifeboat with a makeshift sail, in order to rejoin Australian troops and resume their fighting efforts. Covering 800 km in 16 days, enduring countless adventures (any of which would cause a reasonable person to falter), the survivors arrived in the Javanese port of Tjilatjap, only to be captured by Japanese troops.
RAY PARKIN AM (’27) After several months in a POW camp, Ray was one of over 1,000 Australian troops despatched to work on the infamous Burma-Thailand Railway under the authority of Australian army surgeon Lieutenant Colonel ‘Weary’ Dunlop. The ‘Weary 1000’ were part of a total workforce of over 200,000 labourers, which included some 13,000 Australian POWs. In his second book of the Trilogy, ‘Into the Smother’, Ray describes working on the ‘Death Railway’ over a period of nearly two years. Disease, malnutrition and devastating workplace incidents resulted in the death of approximately 25% of the Australian POWs working on the Burma-Thailand Railway. Despite the hardships, Ray’s sense of humanity is obvious. The book is illustrated with Ray’s own exquisite drawings of plants, butterflies and other wonders of nature, and he looked past the horrors and hardships to see beauty in his surroundings:
Railway were selected for this back-breaking work. If the working conditions and treatment of POWs were marginally better in the coal mine than on the Death Railway, this was somewhat counteracted by the increased likelihood of ‘friendly fire’ from allied air attacks over Japan, which increased in intensity and frequency from mid-1944. For some, loved ones at home were a distant memory after three years as a POW, with many of Ray’s fellow POWs assumed dead by their families. Despite the despair of forced
Melbourne waterfront until his retirement in 1975. By then, his Wartime Trilogy had been published to great critical acclaim. He went on to research and write another award-winning book, H.M. Bark Endeavour, which was published in 1997. He was made a member of the Order of Australia in 2000 and in 2001, The University of Melbourne conferred on him an Honorary Doctorate of Letters. Notwithstanding the undoubted toll on his health and well-being wrought by wartime service, Ray lived for a further sixty years after the end of the war. His life, particularly his outstanding contribution to literature and the visual arts, is a wonderful tale of triumph over adversity and should inspire all members of the Ivanhoe family. Ray Parkin died on 19 June 2005. FIDELIS USQUE AD MORTEM
separation, there is still evidence of hope, optimism and love with Ray looking for beauty in the environment and in the kindness of Japanese civilians. Ray’s eternal love for his wife is expressed in this poem: ‘Gracious Lady, I to thee, In this mood of reverie, Could only faithful ever be – Always, deeply, I to thee.
‘Back to work today, clearing at the 153-kilometre mark. This was the first part of the railway that we worked on. Then, the leafless bush rustled with its own dryness; now it is lush and wet and dripping, pierced here and there by blinding blobs of sun. There were two lilac-coloured trees which, at first sight, could have been mauve flowering eucalyptus. They stood in rich colour against the dark olives and emeralds and the powdered depths of indigo shadows, giving them weight like cumulus clouds.’ Working the Japanese coal mine at Ohama, situated mid-way between Hiroshima and Nagasaki, is the subject of the final book in the Trilogy, ‘The Sword and the Blossom’. In March 1944, Ray and a group of Australian survivors of the Burma-Thailand
Gracious Lady, I would know If our love should ever go: Frozen grief and wretched woe Kill my heart – Ah, I should know. Gracious Lady, we will be Loving though eternity: Love through God, through thee, through me – Lovers’ perfect trinity.’ Following the Japanese surrender in August 1945, Ray endured an arduous repatriation process, eventually reuniting with his wife and children in Melbourne and resuming a civilian maritime career as a wharf tally clerk. Fortunately, Ray’s notes and sketches were saved, with no little help from Surgeon ‘Weary’ Dunlop, who secreted much of Ray’s work in a hidden compartment in his operating table. Ray continued to work on the TERM 2 2022
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REUNIONS
It has been a great thrill for alumni to be able to participate once again in our reunion program. Term 2 has seen three major events which provided an overdue opportunity for many alumni from both campuses to reconnect in person and share recollections of the School from days past. Class of 1982 – The Ridgeway Campus 40 Year Reunion - 29 April 2022 Despite a cold, wet evening, the Class of ’82 showed up in impressive numbers on 29 April, with 33 of the 76 students of that year celebrating their 40-year reunion. Special thanks to Bryan Cockerill and Stuart Waldon who travelled from Sydney to attend. For many, it was a chance to re-live many memories and stories. Thanks to Stuart Parry for sharing some wonderful school photos.
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REUNIONS
Adelaide Luncheon On Monday 30th May, a small group of Adelaide-based Old Boys gathered at Chianti Restaurant for a reunion and address from the Principal, Gerard Foley, accompanied with our Development Manager, Geoffrey Brown (‘62). Unfortunately, owing to a plane cancellation, their trip was aborted at the last moment. Fortunately Bruce Jeeves was on hand to take over the Master of Ceremonies duties for which we are very appreciative. Undaunted, the small band proceeded to have a splendid get-together highlighted by a phone link up with the Principal who gave an excellent address providing an update on the current state of School activities, the excellent Year 12 results from last year’s VCE exams, and future development plans. They were also particularly impressed with the First Nations Scholarship. The lunch and the address was greatly appreciated by the group, who reflected on the current school student numbers compared to theirs with a sense of jealousy at the facilities students now experience.
Back Row L to R: Rob Dickinson (’73), Bill Chivers (’63), Bruce Jeeves (’58), Rick Dewhirst (‘66), David Hopper (’76), Graeme Peek (’80) Front Row L to R: Diane Mather, Jan Hopper, Kay Jeeves
Class of 2002 – Plenty Campus 20 Year Reunion - 10 June 2022 The Little Mess Beer Garden in Brunswick was the setting for the 2002 Plenty Campus 20-year reunion. A wonderful evening was enjoyed by more than half the cohort from that year.
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HATCHED AND MATCHED
We are delighted to bring news of recent alumni weddings, an engagement and a baby!
Peta Ligdopoulos (’12) and Jonathan Bounas (’12) engaged!
Stephanie Eshak (’08) (L) and Jess Walbank
Bianca North (’12) and Ramon Bastone pictured above with father Bill (’82),mother Sarah (IGGS) and brother James (’15)
Steph Hardy (’99) and husband David welcomed daughter Evelyn Alexandra Hardy If you would like an OIGA bib for your new arrival, please contact our Alumni Coordinator via email mirella.busso-lee@ivanhoe.com.au
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THE BROWN AND WHITE
DEVELOPMENT OFFICE
Staff Supported Scholarship In 2016, Principal Gerard Foley created a unique scholarship which is funded entirely by Ivanhoe Grammar School staff members, both past and present. The Staff Supported Scholarship affords a student the opportunity for an Ivanhoe education that would not otherwise be possible. The program is currently funding its third student and it is hoped this initiative can grow in the years ahead. During Term 2, staff who have contributed to this scholarship, were welcomed to a function to celebrate what has been achieved so far.
Fidelis Luncheon 2022 The Fidelis Society was established in 1988 to acknowledge those people who have made a pledge to Ivanhoe Grammar School in their will and to encourage others to do the same. These legacies make a significant contribution to future generations of Ivanarians. Members of the Fidelis Society maintain a close connection with the School through invitations to special events and the annual Fidelis Society Lunch hosted by the Principal. The 2022 Fidelis Society Lunch was held in April at School House, and as can be seen from the photo left, was another enjoyable event.
Annual Appeal While there will be no ‘official’ Annual Appeal in 2022, those who wish to donate to invest in the future of the School’s students and its facilities can do so online via the School’s website, ivanhoe.com.au/our community/giving. Every gift, no matter the size, is valued and makes a difference. TERM 2 2022
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IN REMEMBRANCE
Nicholas Vasudeva (’86) The President and members of the OIGA were shocked by the tragic passing of Nicholas Vasudeva in March. Nicholas was one of the passengers in a helicopter crash which occurred north of Melbourne at Mt Disappointment. Following school, Nicholas completed a Law/Commerce degree at the University of Melbourne before a storied career both in Australia and the United Kingdom within the legal and financial sectors. At the time of his passing, Nicholas was the Managing Director of First AG Capital in Sydney. The OIGA extends its deepest sympathy to his wife and family, and brothers Mark (’82) and Tim (’84).
Terry Bramham (‘73) The OIGA was saddened to learn of the passing of one of its former School Captains, Terry Bramham in April following a courageous battle with Motor Neurone Disease. Following school, Terry was a lawyer for 43 years and ran his own firm specialising in local government law in Melbourne for years. He was highly respected and tenacious, working right up until the day before he passed. Terry and his wife Tracie had four children, Josh (’03), Sam (’07), Kara (who is the Principal Lawyer at Bramham Lawyers) and Eloise. A funeral service to celebrate Terry’s life was held in Buckley Hall on Friday 22 April where his son Sam Bramham, OAM, delivered an emotional and entertaining eulogy.
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THE BROWN AND WHITE
Brian Harrap (’44) After lauding the achievements of the recently retired Professor Emeritus Stephen Harrap (’72) in the Brown and White, Term 3, 2021, It is now with sorrow that we report that Stephen’s father, Brian Harrap passed away at the grand age of 96 in April. Brian was born in 1926, joined Ivanhoe Grammar School in 1937 and later went to the University of Melbourne where he completed Bachelor and Masters degrees, and later a PhD all in Chemistry. Brian worked for the CSIRO his entire working life and enjoyed a distinguished career in science where he published 65 papers in international journals and sat on various International committees. On his retirement, Brian and his wife Ruth moved to the NSW Sapphire Coast but retained strong links to the School and was a Life Member of the OIGA.
Jim Dunstan A funeral at the School Chapel in May was held to celebrate the life of Jim Dunstan. Jim was a Life Governor of the School and served on the Board for nearly 20 years. He was an outstanding director and custodian for the School. Always selfless; always interested; always with the best interests of the School at heart - for its leaders, its teachers, its other staff, its parents and its students. He will be sadly missed but his legacy and contribution to the School will endure. Our thoughts and prayers are extended to Jim’s wife Lyn and daughters Corinne (’99), Elise (’01) and Gemma (’04), son-in-law Michael, and grandchildren Eleanor and Elliott.
VALE We acknowledge the passing of the following individuals who were members of the Ivanhoe Grammar School family. Terry Bramham (’73) Brown Era Peter Duckworth (’75) Brown/Sligo Era Jim Dunstan Board Member, Life Governor Paul Fanner (’86) Sligo Era Charles Gahan (‘43) Buckley Boy Brian Harrap (’44) Buckley Boy F Robert James (’43) Buckley Boy John Mansfield (’92) Sligo Era E John H North OAM (‘44) Buckley Boy Geoff Rawson (’50) Buckley Boy/Brown Era Nicholas Vasudeva (’86) Sligo Era John Williams (’59) Buckley Boy/Brown Era
FIDELIS USQUE AD MORTEM