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Hello Alumni,
This is my first report for the Alumni newsletter, so I thought I’d take the opportunity to introduce myself.
I operate a family farm near Cressy in northern Tasmania. I have a beautiful family with four children, the eldest of which started in Grade 7 this year. I am the Class of ’96, the year that coincided with Launceston Grammar’s 150 year anniversary. It’s very exciting that through the Old Launcestonians’ Association (OLA) we could be involved in the School’s 175-year celebrations.
Shortly after graduating, I spent four years as a coach with Launceston Grammar’s Rowing programme. I loved my involvement with the sport and am excited to be back again. It’s also fantastic to have a full OLA committee who are passionate and hardworking members of the Launceston Grammar community. We were happy to assist with the 175 Gala Day activities and look forward to supporting other School events such as the Fun Food Fest.
The OLA also welcomed this year’s School leavers into the Association. We hope to continue to build relationships with our alumni through this unique association.
It’s a great opportunity to give back to the School that we hold close to our hearts.
Will Green
President
The Celebration of 175 years draws to a close we have a lot to remember about this great school, the traditions, culture and knowledge passed on by former Alumni from Grammar and Broadland students. Many students have gone on to achieve great things and we hope this will continue with the latest year 12 students, as their school year comes to a close. We wish them well and hope their passion and dreams come true.
The main heritage Building on the Broadland Campus historically unique to Tasmania is a pisé style pressed earth rendered building, and once again in need of repair. Water ingress into the rammed earth wall has caused cracking. Temporary propping has been installed to stabilise the wall, and the main office is now situated in the Resource Centre.
The Old Girls once again held the Garage sale at 149 High Street. All donations were greatly received and the Old Girls were thrilled to raise $1629.65 and to have kept out of the rain. The funds will go towards a Scholarship at the Grammar School.
Our 92nd Communion Service is being held on Thursday December 2 at 11 am at the Grammar Chapel. Once again the students from the Senior and Junior Campus will be involved and we welcome any parents from the school to celebrate the Service with the Old Girls.
The Old Launcestonians’ Association (OLA) is seeking interested candidates to apply for a position on the Launceston Church Grammar School Board. The successful candidate will assist the Board in guiding Launceston Grammar through its next stage of growth and development.
This position will suit candidates who align with Launceston Grammar’s core values and who aspire to play an active and integral role in the long-term development of the school throughout their 5 year tenure.
Candidates from a broad range of backgrounds and skill sets are encouraged to apply. Candidates should be willing to serve on the Board in a voluntary capacity and be committed to assisting the School and wider Launceston Grammar community
For a confidential discussion or to request a copy of the Position Description, please contact Will Green, President OLA on 0427 050 347.
To submit an application please request a Board Nomination Form from Fleur Castle, Secretary of OLA: ola@lcgs.tas.edu.au
For more information please refer to the OLA page of the School website.
Expressions of interest
175th Anniversary Celebrations – Alumni Cricket Match Hutchins vs Launceston Grammar
Old Boys Cricket Match will be played this Friday 19 November at 2 pm at Hutchins War Memorial Oval in Sandy Bay, to celebrate Launceston Grammar and Hutchins 175th-anniversary milestone.
As Australia’s oldest continually operating independent schools, cricket has played a vital role in the rich history of both schools.
Several Australian and Tasmanian cricketers will join both alumni teams, including Launceston Grammar’s George Bailey (C), Nick Courtney, Alex Pyecroft, Gabe Bell, Ryan Lees, and Chris Bassano. Cricketers Sean Willis, Richard Allanby and Tim Scott (C) will play for the Hutchins team.
All the best to both teams, we hope our community can come and support them.
Friday 26 November
Watch the 17th annual Old Boys v First XI Cricket Match as they vie for the John Bailey Trophy on the Launceston Church Grammar School main oval.
The match commences at 10.00am
Afternoon tea will be served at 1.30pm.
Please RSVP here to Kelsey Turner by Monday 22 November.
Old Boys Team:
Here are some of the highlights from the 2020 match courtesy of Dom Rawlings (class of 2017):
Unfortunately, we have made the difficult decision to postpone the Melbourne Reunion until Autumn 2022.
Update your contact details by visiting our Alumni page.
Launceston Grammar is celebrating this year with a Combined Milestone Reunion – Class of 2016, 2015, 2011, 2010, 2001, 2000, 1991 and 1990.
Event details are:
DATE: Saturday 18 December
TIME: 1.00pm – 3.00pm
VENUE: Café 1846 at the Senior Campus, Mowbray
Tickets are available for purchase here.
Update your contact details by visiting our Alumni page.
Christmas Carols this year will be held at St John’s Anglican Church in Launceston.
Where:157 St John’s Street
When: 3 December 2021
Time: 6.45pm for 7.00pm start
RSVP: Book Here
We take the safety and wellness of our attendees very seriously. We have ensured that Christmas Carols at St John’s is a COVID-19 safe event. We need your cooperation and ask that you adhere to all COVID-19 guidelines while at this event and if you have cold or flu-like symptoms that you refrain from attending the Carols Service.
Grade 12 students and their families celebrated Valedictory Day before they went off to study for exams. They took part in a tree-planting ceremony with Reverend Paul Grayson and a cocktail party in the quadrant.
The school captains, Richard Ford, Board Chair Nigel Bailey and a parent with their last child finishing Grade 12 all spoke on the evening before enjoying refreshments together.
The School also held a service in the Chapel, which was attended by alumni from the community. Performances from current pupils include Grade 8 students Olivia Goodacre on piano with Edie Burns singing their own setting and rewording of “Flanders Field”, Meg Chapman Grade 10 singing her own composition. The Fellas with “Flanders Field”.
An instrumental composition by Grade 8’s Josie Kile and Lucy Wood played the congregation out.
Saturday 16 October welcomed a special 175th Anniversary Gala Day for all of the school community to enjoy. Across the Senior Campus, a variety of activities, demonstrations and displays that showcased what life is like at Launceston Grammar – both now and in the past.
The day included the official opening of the Cricket Pavilion, drama performances, a small market and live music. Thank you to all of our staff, students, parents, and alumni for their involvement across the day.
The evening events took place at the Albert Hall in Launceston, please enjoy these pictures from across the whole day.
A Private Education by Paul A.C. Richards, Rafe Champion and Peter Mercer, is a reflection of the school through its many contributors who attended in the years 1940-1965.
A copy was forwarded to DV Gunn Archives volunteer member, John Brett who has converted it to a searchable PDF document for distribution to any Old Boy or enquirer who seeks a copy.
Download A Private Education: A Private Education – November 2021
Old Lads Lunch was held 17 September 2021.
Mos Patrious Et Disciplina
Front row: Roy Frith, Jack Bain, Graeme Williams, Michael Nolan
Back row: John Stevenson,John Brett, John Symons Paul Richards, Geoffrey Pask and Charles Jones and Katrina Myburgh
A great turnout of OLD LADS for lunch at Dynasty Chinese Restaurant which has now become the venue of choice. On this occasion we met on a Friday which saw a few familiar faces including several apologies. Our guest Mrs Katrina Myburgh spoke about the 175th Celebrations planned for mid October of this year in celebration of the Schools 175th anniversary 1846-2021.
Today we had 11 in attendance with 8 apologies. It was pleasing to see the camaraderie which exists between the group. Stories flowed as customary at these lunches and I am hopeful that some of them will reach the 175 stories being assembled for the 175th anniversary of the School this year.
Paul Richards paid tribute to John Theodore Scott 1934-2021
It was with some sadness that we paid tribute to John Scott who died on 2 September this year. Head Boy in 1951, Captain of Hawkes House and all round sportsman. Paul Richards AM had these words to say about John:
It is with sadness that we recognise John Theodore Scott who died earlier this month in Launceston. John was well known to all of us.
He was a boarder and head boy in 1951, a Law graduate of Law, a partner in the law firm Douglas and Collins, Master of Old Grammarians Lodge 51TC, former Chair of the School Board, and a major supporter of the School.
Our thoughts are with his family at this time.
During his final year at Launceston Grammar, John kept a meticulous diary of his day-to-day activities. John was not only head boy but head of Hawkes House, captain of the football and athletics, and was involved in many committees under the headmastership of H Vernon Jones, who he referred to as ‘Head’, and A.T. Sorell, his boarding housemaster. he admired and had great respect for them both as well as his teachers.
Diary entry Thursday 23 February 1951
“This morning I inspected Hawkes III, II and I. I went into town for my music lesson at 9am and got on better than I did last time. I wore my white cap for the first time. Coming back on the tram I talked to Mr Lloyd about Eyre Walker and Mr Moray.
At recess, there was fielding practice. Before dinner I got my uniform from Matron. She made me promise to do anything for her she wanted me to!
After dinner, Mr Sorell gave me his hat and tie. I went over to the Head’s and got a pair of gloves. Dad came out at about 1:25pm. I showed him the study, cadet uniform and gave him the great coat etc. to take home. I had a period at 2:10pm so he left then. After school, I got all dolled up in my uniform for cadets. They said I looked very smart. Podge fell the parade in. I marched 1 and 11 platoons around the lawn etc. It rained so we broke off at about 4:20pm.
I got changed and went to the tuck shop with Podge and then went and sat on the hill and watched the crew with Frith and Podge. Tried to get a game of ping pong. Dad, Mum and Mrs Budge came out at 5:20pm. Showered and then study at 5:45pm. In prep, too hot to work. Blackened boots and shoes. H.V. Jones came in with Gopher following closely. Put frog in Cole’s bed.”
John Brett spoke on the refurbishment of the cricket pavilion and use of the cricket boot spiked floor boards made into the scorers table along with a border around the outside score board.
The group is looking forward to the opening of the refurbished ‘Gordon Rolph Cricket Pavilion’ erected in 1961 in October and those in attendance were reminded of this event on Saturday 16 October 12 – 2pm.
What brings the OLD LADS of Grammar together is that they strongly believe in traditionalism supporting the values and lifelong learning skills the school provided for them and the motto Mos Patrious Et Disciplina. It was Harold Vernon Jones who reminded us of – Tradition, Tradition, Tradition boys, Basil (Jika) Travers of courage and determination and Don Selth etiquette and leadership in what were golden years at Grammar for the OLD LADS 1940-1965. They meet frequently throughout the year and enjoy visiting the school for the Elizabeth Street Chapter luncheon and Easter church service annually, Remembrance Day and those celebratory occasions from time to time by invitation.
There is an air of camaraderie every time we meet and a host of apologies expressing disappointment in not being able to attend.. This is a strong indicator that this group of past students are extremely proud of the School and the company of each other.
Popularity of our OLD LADS lunches is growing each time we meet and I am hoping that we will see an even greater roll up for the December lunch which is scheduled at the Dynasty Chinese Restaurant on Friday 10 December at 12.30pm.
Some memorabilia and celebrations in 1927 provided by Charles Jones.
Madeline (2000) and Will Gordon (1997) have had an incredibly challenging two years.
A few short months after the birth of their youngest child Margaret, their son, Alfred, was hospitalised with an asthma attack. 48 hours later, Alfred was being airlifted to Melbourne with a mass pressing into his lungs.
Alfred was diagnosed with cancer in April 2020, and the family was isolated from home for 12 months due to cancer treatment and COVID restrictions. This isolation and childhood cancer experience opened their eyes and heart to the need for kinder, more effective treatments for children battling cancer.
To celebrate Madeline’s 40th birthday on the 15th December 2021, the Gordon’s are hosting an online charity auction, so they can support childhood cancer research with the help of friends, family, and businesses across Tasmania, Australia, and beyond.
Bidding opens: 8 December @ 9:00am (AEDT)
Bidding closes: 15 December @ 8:00pm (AEDT)
This fundraising event will raise money for The Kids Cancer Project, an independent national charity supporting childhood cancer research. Our supporters can choose to bid on items once the auction goes live or donate directly to our fundraiser below.
https://community-spirit-2021.raisely.com/t/madelines-story
https://madelinesstory.com.au/