Businessmen's Lunch
Pictured above, left to right, top to bottom: [1] Rob Crossing (1978), Andrew Roberts (1983) and Matthew McNeilly (1983); [2] Vaughan Brazier (1990), Cameron Shephard (1986), Jon Smeulders (1986) and Adam Shephard (1988); [3] Evan Ganston (1999), Charlie Watson (2000), Todd Schaffer (2000), Scott Glasson (2000) and Shaun Hardcastle (2000); [4] Stuart Owen (1993), Justin Tremain (1993), Carlo Seymour (1988) and Tom Nattrass (1993); [5] Group photo; [6] Rob Pass (1999), Michael Tucker (1999), Tom Carmody (1999) and James Baker (1999); [7] Brendan Mackay (2003), John Davidson (1995) and Kane Marshall (1995); and [8] Jamie Dodd (1985) and John Bell (1955).
More than 100 old boys gathered at the University Club at UWA on Friday 9 October for the annual Old Boys’ Businessmen’s Lunch, where alumni years ranged from John Bell (1955) to Brendan MacKay (2003). After the main course was served, OBA President Rob Crossing (1978) spoke about the School and the Association’s joint scholarship initiative called ‘the Gift of Christ Church’, which is a fundraising campaign to raise funds for scholarships through tax-deductible donations. Rob spoke of his own extraordinary background and the generosity of others that allowed him to board at Christ Church. You could hear a pin drop through the presentation, following which three old boys offered Rob assistance in this magnificent project.
Guest speaker Andrew Roberts (1983) was then introduced by Matthew McNeilly (1983), who is to be congratulated on inviting Andrew across from Sydney to attend and speak on the occasion. Andrew spoke of his life experience – at school, learning the ropes in the family business Multiplex, his ascendancy to Director and then Managing Director, the public listing, sale of Multiplex in 2007 – and then his present and future plans to build a managed-funds business secured by property assets. Needless to say there were numerous interesting (and humorous) stories along the way involving characters from shop stewards to flamboyant entrepreneurs. Andrew shed some light on the character of his father John who had built Multiplex from nothing, highlighting the dominating impact Multiplex had on Perth’s skyline and other skylines around the world.
Haaron Bokhari (1995) was the Committeeman responsible for this event and he too is to be congratulated for an outstanding event, along with the University Club for the fine food and beverage provided.
Golf Day
The 50th PSA Old Boys' Golf Day was held at Cottesloe Golf Club on Friday 9 October. All schools were represented in the field of 72 and participants not only enjoyed playing golf at one of Perth’s finest courses, but had a great time catching up and sharing some memories with friends and “foe” alike.
Although the Christ Church old boys were unable to repeat their winning performance from last year’s event, they finished in second place behind Scotch College. The final results were determined from the best four stableford scores from each school: Scotch 160, CCGS 143, Aquinas College 133, Wesley College 130, Guildford Grammar School 124, Hale School 117 and Trinity College 27.
Christ Church had the second largest contingent on the day, with notable performances coming from staff member Robin Dunn with a score of 37, and old boys Peter Harley (1967) and David Price (1963) both with 36, Don Annear (1962) scoring 34, John Zar (1973) and Roger Harris (1970) both with 33.
Photo left: Murray Peter, Peter Stransky and John Zar (sitting), all from the 1973 cohort.
Photo right: (L to R): Robert Fyfe (1979), Neil Porter (1975), Roger Harris (1970) and Howard Cearns (1977).
Cadet Parade
Old boy Major General Craig Williams AM (1974) was the special guest at the Headmaster’s annual Cadet Parade held at the School on Friday 16 October. He assisted the Headmaster in presenting prize winners with their awards and then addressed the Cadet Unit. Major General Williams was also the official guest at the Headmaster’s Dinner held in Sandover that evening. He addressed the senior cadets, cadet staff, Senior School staff and invited senior military guests. He spoke about his experiences as a student and Senior Cadet at Christ Church Grammar School in his graduating year, 1974. Major General Williams also gave a detailed account of the history, organisation and general tasking of his command, the Second Division and the Year 12 students were presented with Second Division medallions.
Major General Williams [pictured left with Headmaster Garth Wynne] graduated from the Royal Military College, Duntroon in 1978 and was allocated to the Royal Australian Engineers. He has held a range of appointments in both the Regular Army and Active Reserve, including postings to various Construction Squadrons and 19th Chief Engineer Works. Recent postings have included Assistant Commander of the 2nd Division, Commander of the 5th Brigade and Assistant Chief of Staff at Land Headquarters. At the start of this year, Major General Williams assumed Command of the Second Division.
In his civilian career, Major General Williams has led a wide variety of major infrastructure projects across Australia, including key roles in developing and operating 13 venues for the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games. He is a Principal of the international engineering management consultancy, Evans & Peck Pty Limited.
Major General Williams holds a Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, a Graduate Diploma in Engineering Science, as well as other academic qualifications. He was appointed Member of the Order of Australia in the 2008 Queen's Birthday honours list. For his work on the 2000 Olympics, he was awarded a Certificate of Olympic Merit by the International Olympic Committee.
Access to Swimming Pool and Gymnasium
Due to the increasing demand from current students, opening hours for the School Swimming Pool and Gymnasium have changed. The Gymnasium is open on Tuesday and Friday mornings from 6.00am to 6.45am and Monday to Thursday evenings from 5.15pm to 8.00pm. Two lanes are available at the Swimming Pool from 5.15pm daily, and on weekends. These hours are subject to change in the future, depending on the needs of the School sport teams. Current hours are available to be checked on the School website HERE.
Esperance Agricultural Show
Christ Church was represented at the Esperance Agricultural Show on Friday 16 October and Saturday 17 October. A number of old boys, current parents and future parents dropped in and said hello to Shane McGurk, Director of the Walters Residential Community [pictured right, with Frank D'Emden (1993)] and Jo Mulligan, Director of Community Relations.
Archives
The daughter of former School Prefect and Dux of School Geoffrey Edward Horne (1932) enjoyed a visit to the School recently and was moved to see her father remembered as Dux of School and on the Roll of Honour WWII in the Sandover Dining Hall. Geoffrey attended Christ Church from 1928 until 1932, during which time he won multiple academic awards and played in the Football 1st XVIII, Cricket 1st XI and was School Swimming Champion. On leaving school he went to UWA to study mathematics. At the start of WWII, Geoffrey joined the RAAF as a pilot and went to England where he received his RAF commission from King Edward VIII. Upon retiring from the RAF he taught mathematics at the Royal Naval College. He remained in England until he died in 2005.
In 2006, Geoffrey’s daughter Rosemary Price, who lives in England, donated her father’s collection of School memorabilia to CCGS Archives. The collection consisted of bound Mitre magazines with school reports in a cover pocket, 11 prize books with the School crest embossed on the cover, a blazer pocket with Honours, text books and exercise books. On her recent visit to Perth and the School, Rosemary said her father had always wanted to return to Perth but never did. Rosemary was comforted to see her father’s memorabilia returned to the School.
Centenary Dinner
Next year’s Centenary Dinner is set to be a landmark event with a record number of old boys expected to attend. So lock in the date, call your old pals and start getting some tables of 10 together for a once-in-100 years celebration. More details will be available soon.
Saturday 8 May 2010, 7.00pm
Challenge Stadium, Mount Claremont
Coming Events
Thursday 22 October, 6.00pm
Annual General Meeting
Claremont Yacht Club
Thursday 12 November, 6.30pm – 8.30pm
Life Members' Sundowner
Claremont Yacht Club
Contact: Dianne Bain (9442 1529)
Monday 7 December, 12.30pm
Former Staff Luncheon
Sandover Dining Room, CCGS
Friday 11 December, 12 noon
Unforgettables/Unflappables Combined Christmas Lunch
Sandover Dining Room, CCGS
Saturday 19 December, 7.00pm
Class of 1999 10 Year Reunion
Claremont Yacht Club
Merchandise
The following items are now on sale:
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| "School Chapel" (left) and "Footy at Christ Church" (right) Murray Gill prints (framed, 80cm high x 100cm wide) for $130 |
Crystal Glassware with School crest for $20 pair, life members / $25 pair, non life members |
Claremont Yacht Club
Are you an OBA Life Member?
If so, thanks to a partnership between CCGS and Claremont Yacht Club, OBA life members are automatically social members of the CYC allowing access to the bar and restaurant facilities (but not the jetties or boat ramp). You are entitled to bring up to five guests with you when visiting the Club. Wednesday night's $20 buffet menu changes weekly and Friday night offers a la carte dining with delicious dishes such as fresh seafood platter and surf and turf scotch fillet. There are very few places in Perth where you can sit and dine with such an amazing view at such a reasonable price. Saturday lunch burgers are gaining a great reputation and all family members are more than welcome.
Any CCGS old boys interested in using the Club for functions should contact Functions Manager Hugh Cameron on 9384 8226, email him at fm@claremontyachtclub.org.au or just introduce yourself when next down at the Club.
If you would like to receive the Club’s weekly email advising of the Wednesday night buffet menu and other happenings, please email Hugh as above or visit www.claremontyachtclub.org.au where you can see our bar opening hours and menus.
Member updates
Jim Allenby (1999) has just finished his 10th cricket season in the United Kingdom and his fifth as a first-class cricketer, and has qualified to play for England. After playing for Leicestershire County Cricket Club for five seasons, Jim moved to Glamorgan County Cricket Club halfway through this last season, during which he hit 20 sixes (the most in England) in the county 20/20 competition. Jim holds the record for the only double hat-trick in world first-class 20/20 cricket, which he recorded in the Leicestershire v Lancashire match at Old Trafford during the 2008 season. Soon to return to Perth for summer, Jim will play his 16th season for Claremont-Nedlands Cricket Club, where he will also be coaching. Jim is pictured here hitting the ball out of the Trent Bridge ground against Nottinghamshire in the grand final of the English 20/20 cup in 2007.
In the coming local government elections, land developer Tom Carmody (1999) (far left) is running for a council place on Cottesloe’s Central ward, while Alex Hemsley (2002) (left) is running for a council place in the City of Nedlands’ Hollywood ward. Tom said he wanted to rejuvenate Cottesloe’s village by addressing the laneways and additional parking. He said he supported a properly-scaled height limit on the waterfront. Alex, who has studied town planning, believes foresight and co-operation are needed to guide upcoming redevelopments in the City of Nedlands in a manner that will protect the city’s lifestyle and heritage aspects.
One of the world’s greatest hockey players and coaches Ric Charlesworth (1969) is now set to coach his son Jonathon, who was recently added to the Kookaburras Squad for a five test series in Malaysia from 16 to 26 October. It is the first time in Australian hockey history that a father is the coach of a national team in which his son has been selected. Ric’s playing career spanned 16 years with 227 tests and selection for five Olympics. As a coach, he led the women’s national team the Hockeyroos during their eight-year domination which included two Olympic and two World Cup gold medals. After an eight-year break from coaching, Ric was appointed national men’s coach for the 2012 London Olympics. Ric said he was very proud of Jonathon, but pointed out that he would be treated no differently from any other player in the squad.
Frank D’Emden (1993) and his wife Harriot are enjoying the early months of parenthood following the birth of their first son George in July. Since finishing a Master of Science (agriculture) at UWA, Frank has worked in a research and development role with the Department of Agriculture and Food WA, based in Esperance, and recently ventured into the private sector having been appointed as Technology Development Manager for up-and-coming agriculture business Precision Agronomics Australia, also based in Esperance.
Former Real Estate Institute of WA councillor and vice-president Bill Goddard (1955) was awarded the highest REIWA accolade, the Kevin Sullivan Memorial Award, at the recent REIWA Awards of Excellence for 2009. The award recognises a particularly outstanding contribution to the real estate profession over an extended period. Kevin was renowned for his commitment to ethical business practices, customer relations, community support, mentoring and training newcomers to the profession and his support and advocacy for REIWA and its goals. REIWA President Rob Driutt said Bill had an unapologetic commitment to ethical practice and to enhancing the reputation and professional status of real estate practitioners. “These are goals which align exactly with those of REIWA, making him a very worthy winner of this most prestigious award,” Mr Druitt said. Bill was also awarded with honorary REIWA Life Membership for his many years of service to the institute.
Tim Maguire (2008) and fellow old boy Tim Lloyd (2008) are on GAP years in the United Kingdom, working at local schools. Tim Maguire (right) is at Sunningdale School, just west of London, with Tim Lloyd (left) further west at Bradfield College. Both Tims are working in the classroom and on the sports fields and have enjoyed many great experiences such as Harrow Football, an English cricket season and “enduring the torment of losing the Ashes”. They have enjoyed touring the UK and Europe, visiting cities such as Paris, Barcelona, Rome, Florence, Prague, Amsterdam and Berlin. The Tims are now in their final terms at their respective schools.
London-based musician, actor, comedian and writer Tim Minchin (1992) is co-writing a stage musical version of Roald Dahl’s children’s book Matilda for the Royal Shakespeare Company. It’s an adaptation of the children’s story about the little girl with psychokinetic powers who turns the tables on her troublesome family and even more monstrous head-teacher. Tim recently told The Age that when the RSC approached him he at first thought it was a joke, explaining that a decade previously, he had failed to secure the rights for a children’s theatre production of the novel in Perth. “It’s the only time I’ve ever got off my arse and thought, that should be a musical.” Tim has been developing the production with Matthew Warchus, director of West End shows Art and The Lord of The Rings. “The whole system is brilliant,” Tim told The Age. “This is the level I want to work at – with people who go: ‘No, it’s not good enough, Tim.’ It’s so invigorating. This is the most important thing I’ve ever done.” Matilda is expected to open around Christmas 2010 in Stratford-upon-Avon. Already there is much excited talk among fans on Tim’s website, with one fan saying: “This sounds great. Roald Dahl x Tim Minchin. It’s a match made in… the darkest recesses of my mind where everything worth knowing is hidden. I’m looking forward to it already!”
Since making his WA Football League umpiring debut in round two 2003, Stuart Parry (1998) has umpired 138 league games, seven finals and recently umpired his second grand final, in which South Fremantle defeated Subiaco by 18 points. In last year’s grand final, which Stuart umpired, Subiaco won by 59 points against Swan Districts. Stuart said they were both great days to be a part of with more than 20,000 at each game and a terrific atmosphere that was well above regular season games. Stuart has umpired old boys Jaxon Crabb (1996), Andrew Browne (2001), Tom Matson (1999) and Haaron Bokhari (1995) amongst a few others. He said it was definitely a challenge controlling a game of football but one that he enjoyed. “The rapport with players, certainly from my perspective, is as good as its ever been and whilst there are, on occasion, a few frustrations that spill over during the course of a game, the relationship is pretty positive across the board.”
In what he described as a diversion from rowing, Olympic rower Todd Skipworth (2002) lined up amongst 1800 athletes recently for one of the world’s most gruelling physical endurance events, the Hawaii Ironman. Todd finished sixth fastest in his age group (18-24) and 154th overall in a time of 9 hours 41 minutes and 31 seconds, crossing the line with fellow WA Institute of Sport rower Ben Cureton. The Hawaii Ironman challenges athletes to a 3.86km swim, 180.2km bike ride and a 42.2km marathon run. If that wasn’t enough, Todd rode in the Tour de Freedom, a four-day charity ride from Esperance to Perth starting on 17 October, followed by the Tour de Perth, a four-day stage race around Perry Lakes. After this “break”, he will then get serious about training for the 2012 London Olympics. John Annear (1976) also qualified for and competed in the Hawaii Ironman event, which he described as the 'Holy Grail' of physical challenges. Qualification involved competing in another Ironman event somewhere in the world and John chose the China Ironman, which was held in May, where he came second in his division (50-55 year old) in 47 degree celsius heat. John said he had crossed paths with Todd Skipworth a number of times over the years and had developed friendship through involvement in competitions.
Ryan Smith (2002) got a shock when he went for a beer at the Claremont Hotel on a recent Sunday, leaving the pub as the owner of a painted 1981 Rolls Royce. After filling in an entry form at the hotel one night, he found himself spinning a surfboard on the roof of the Rolls as one of the 20 finalists on the Sunday afternoon. He was soon the only one left standing as all the other finalists got knocked out one by one when the surfboard came to a halt in their direction. “It felt really surreal to win, it was just a crazy day,” Ryan said. “Went along to the draw after being announced as one of the 20 finalists, but still didn’t really consider winning it was a possibility. It definitely took a few days to sink in.” Ryan said that despite enjoying the car, he was looking to sell it as it wasn’t practical and he could do with the money. Anyone interested in buying the Rolls should contact Ryan via email at smiddy2k11@hotmail.com.
Peppermint Grove and Mosman Park tennis clubs head coach Jamie Venerys (1985) has been appointed Tennis Australia Ambassador for Aviva Tennis Hot Shots, a nationally-recognised grassroots tennis participation programme endorsed by Tennis Australia, targeting children aged five to 12. Jamie will sit on a panel consisting of the top tennis educators and promoters from Australia and around the world with the aim of encouraging new players to take up tennis and grow the sport. The new weekly competition format for learning and playing tennis is being introduced to young tennis players at Peppermint Grove and Mosman Park tennis clubs this season. Using modified equipment which enables access for all children, it is a step-up programme where the court, racquet and tennis ball size reflect the physiological development and learning capability of children. Jamie said that from the first moment players participate in the programme, they would “play the game” of tennis. This means they would be able to serve, rally and score in an exciting learning and competition format. “The advantage is that kids are able to execute correct tennis technique, hit more balls and play matches much sooner.”
