April –
May 2012
Christ Church still Head of the River
Christ Church secured its seventh Head of the River crown in 11 years at Champion Lakes on Saturday 31 March. The First VIII took the lead early to finish a boat length ahead of Scotch in a time of 5 minutes 53.8 seconds, followed by Trinity in third, Guildford, Aquinas, Wesley and Hale.
The crew, including Captain of Boats Sam Morgan (stroke), Harrison Tyler, Will Halliday, Max Welborn, Jordan Charsley, Sam Marsh, Julian Bell, Brody Rezos (bow) and Edward Kermode (cox), rowed a fantastic race in perfect conditions. The boys showed their class earlier in the month by winning a bronze medal in schoolboys’ race at the National Rowing Championships held in Perth.
Congratulations to First VIII coach Simon Cox (1981) and Director of Rowing Steve Saunders on the success of the School’s rowing programme.
Swim Team makes it five in a row
The 2012 Christ Church Swim Team set a new school record in March when it won the PSA Inter School Swimming Carnival for the fifth consecutive year in a row – the first time in the School’s PSA history.
Christ Church won with 1080 points ahead of Hale (991.5), Wesley (897.5), Scotch (724), Aquinas, Trinity and Guildford. Teacher in Charge of Aquatics Luke Farmer said the team’s depth was again the catalyst for victory – placing first or second in nine out of 12 Division 2 relays and first or second in seven Division 1 relays.
Congratulations to these boys.
Water Polo – Brothers in Arms
Sunday afternoon 25 March was a rare water polo event attended by many old boys in the school pool in preparation for the First VII water polo final on Saturday 31 March vs Scotch. Janet Brogan, mother of First VII Captain Will (Year 12) and Alex Brogan (Year 10) [also First VII player] along with Manager of the First VII Andrew Jefferies organised the scratch match and sausage sizzle. The event was full of more family connections:
Players on the afternoon included - Coach of the First VII Scott Crystal (2006) and brother Aden (2004); James Moorman (2010) brother of Charles (Year 10); Daniel Cullingford (2010) and uncle Rob (1981) and cousin David (2008); Nick O’Halloran (2004) and Richard (2009) [Richard is coach of the Second VII]; George Ford (2010) brother of Andrew (Year 12); Chris Reynolds (2010) brother of Andrew (Year 11).
BREAKING NEWS
The team won the PSA competition with a decisive win over Scotch on Saturday 31 March.
Forthcoming Events
All old boys are invited to attend the annual Beverley & Districts PSA Dinner on Friday 27 April, at the Beverley Golf Club, from 7.00pm. If you are interested in attending, please download and complete this booking form. Join old boys from other PSA schools for a day of match racing on the Swan River. Old boys interested in participating in the College Cup, held at Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club (Sunday 6 May at 9.00am), should download and complete this booking form. Spectators are most welcome. To view the flyer, click here. Golfers, young and old, are invited to play in the annual OBA Golf Day, held at Mosman Park Golf Club, on Friday 11 May at 11.30am. Official handicap not necessary. To register for this annual event, please download and complete this booking form. To view the flyer, click here. Class of 2011 - Get Together Lock it in! The third annual Battle of the Bands will be held on Thursday 14 June at Claremont Yacht Club. It is not too early to register your band’s interest for the popular event. Contact Alumni Officer Andrew Baird at abaird@ccgs.wa.edu.au or on 9442 1528.
2012 Beverley & Districts PSA Dinner – Friday 27 April
College Cup Sailing – Sunday 6 May
OBA Golf Day – Friday 11 May
Old boys from the Class of 2011 will be invited back to school to collect their 2011 Mitre and their OBA membership badge. A personal invitation will be sent when the date and time are finalised.
Battle of the Bands – Thursday 14 June
2012 Interstate Reunions
Dates for interstate reunions in 2012 are now confirmed. If you will be in one of these cities at the time of the reunion, but your address is recorded elsewhere, please contact the Alumni Office so we can send you an invitation.
| Brisbane | Friday 18 May |
| Melbourne | Saturday 14 July |
| Sydney | Friday 26 October |
| Canberra | Saturday 27 October |
2012 Kettle Cup - Sunday 12 February
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The 17th Annual Kettle Cup, a Christ Church versus Scotch cricket match played by 1986 leavers, was held on Sunday 12 February at Mt Claremont playing fields. With scores at eight-all, it was a big match for all involved. To find out who received the traditional ox tongue slapping for the losing side, click here.
YOBs Sundowner
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| To view the full gallery of photos, click here. |
On Thursday 23 February 2012 a small but convivial sundowner was held at Claremont Yacht Club for young old boys up to five years out of school. The Old Boys’ Association provided drinks and sandwiches to get the function underway and keen as mustard were the first arrivals from 2007 Blake Stransky and Alex Rankine-Wilson. Special thanks go to the two year group reps who made an effort to organise groups from their year to attend Kav Caldera (2006) and Tim Maguire (2008). For some it was their first official old boys event!
Wagin Woolorama - 9 and 10 March 2012
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Marie-Eve McNicoll with son Henri. To view the full gallery of photos, click here. |
Garth Wynne, Headmaster, Geoff Guggenheimer, Director of the Residential Community, Jenny Watts, Boarding Housemother and Andrew Baird, Alumni Officer all represented Christ Church at the annual Wagin Woolorama last month. The Christ Church booth was visited by old boys, past parents and a number of prospective new parents with young boys. Even a current family, William and Ros Bell and son William (Year 8) of East Fremantle and a former staff member, Wally Cameron, dropped in to say hello.
One of the youngsters to have his name entered in the visitors’ book was 18 month old Henri Pickford, son of Andrew Pickford (1996) and wife Marie-Eve McNicoll.
Unforgettables Autumn Lunch
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Max Doust (1952), Michael Hobbs (1948) and Jack Grylls (1950). To view the full gallery of photos, click here. |
Twenty five Unforgettables attended their quarterly bar-be-cue at the Mt Claremont Pavilion on Wednesday 14 March 2012. Attending for the first time was Michael Hobbs (1948) and Max Doust (1952) who were photographed with one unforgettable who we don’t see very often, Jack Grylls (1950) of Trayning. After lunch was finished the group listened to the recording made at their Christmas Lunch of the Unforgettable Choir ‘Six of the Best’ singing an old school song from 1937. This was met with much mirth and hilarity and calls for ‘Six of the Best’ to resume rehearsals!
1992 First VIII 20 Year Reunion – Friday 16 March
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| To view the full gallery of photos, click here. |
Two decade milestones don’t come around that often so with that in mind the victorious 1992 First VIII decided it was a good excuse to get together and celebrate the milestone and reflect on their 1992 season 20 years later. We might have been 20 years older but we were still game enough to see if we could sit in a rowing shell and pump out a few strokes. Whilst the weather gods didn’t help our cause, there was enough indication that we hadn’t lost any of the magic! (or at least that was the consensus a few pints later).
Planning for the reunion began six months prior, with crew members coming from as far as Zambia (Tristan Pascall), Tasmania (Anthony Ingram) and Sydney (Duncan Mitchell) to make the day. They joined the remainder of the crew (Frank D’Emden, Tim Stevenson, Stewart Blair, Tim Day, Tim Bird and super sub Anthony Turton) who all trekked in from various parts of WA to celebrate. A highlight was the presence of coach, Mr Robert Bell, who retained his immense skill to inspire his eager group of now not-so-young men who remained committed to his every word.
A special thanks to the Steve Saunders for showing us around the school rowing shed and outlining the advancements in rowing since our days, suffice to say our 1992 crew would have been nowhere near the pace nowadays! Also thanks to Andrew Baird for helping to locate the far spread crew.
Tim Bird (1992)
Class of 1961 – Annual Lunch
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On Friday 16 March 2012 a casual lunch was held at the Albion Hotel for the Class of 1961. Mark Allison unfortunately didn’t make it and Peter Kerr was a late apology along with John Quirk. Bob Meagher arrived late to join the others in attendance. There were many yarns and much talk of trips and travel and retirement. Also memories of Akos and swimming in the river! An extended telephone call was received from Peter Edwards in Melbourne. There was a suggestion that next year might be a fishing weekend with Murray Criddle at Horrocks Beach!! Watch this space…
CCGS Community Cocktail Party
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| To view the full gallery of photos, click here. |
A mixture of parents, old boys, staff and members of the Queenslea Club came dressed in green for the annual Christ Church Community Cocktail Party – this year held on St Patrick’s Day.
The Parents’ Association and Old Boys’ Association were joint hosts of the party, which was held on the Chapel Forecourt. Guests enjoyed delicious canapés, including freshly shucked oysters, served by boys from the Midnite Youth Theatre Company who were suitably dressed as Leprechauns.
The Christ Church Jazz Combo, led by Paul Millard, along with the laidback acoustic sounds of Hiatus, featuring old boy Jake Minear (1986), provided the music for the night.
Half a Million Acres - The Wooleen Station Story
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| Frances Jones and David Pollock (1997). |
The battle to save Wooleen Station, a historic grazing property in one of the oldest landscapes on the planet, was recently featured on Australian Story (ABC1). The couple behind the plight is old boy David Pollock (1997) and his partner Frances Jones, who were happy to share their story when contacted by the Alumni Office.
After graduating from Christ Church, David went on to travel and study environmental management at Edith Cowan University. David then came home to Wooleen Station to help his parents get through the drought. Here, he developed a passion for the future sustainability of the region after meeting rangeland ecologist Dr Hugh Pringle.
After a series of family events, David came to take over the near half a million acre station in 2007. He completely destocked the property in an attempt to regenerate it after over 100 years of archaic management techniques. Dave and I met in 2008 and together we run the Wooleen Station ‘station stay’ where we work towards developing a sustainable grazing model for WA pastoralists.
Financially, the decision to destock is a difficult one as removal of stock also means the removal of income. Unfortunately, there is a lack of government support for this part of Western Australia with the problems currently facing pastoralists largely ignored even though these problems were identified in a Royal Commission in the late 1930s. If nothing else, David hopes to create awareness of the issues.
The southern rangelands have become degraded and could be described as being on the brink of collapse. This has led to an industry that is unsustainable economically, environmentally and socially. As each ‘drought’ comes the problems worsen, and carrying capacities get lower and lower. Despite numerous commissions into the ‘future’ of the southern rangelands, no action has been taken to stop the predicted irreversible damage to the environment.
It is a problem that no individual can afford to tackle on their own, remembering that these are pastoral leases, which at the end of the day are owned by the government and the Australian people as a whole. David believes the only solution is funding from the government in the form of stewardship payments.
David’s massive financial decision and love for the land took the interest of Australian Story producer Wendy Page, after hearing about the project from the principal of St Hilda’s Anglican School for Girls. So on the 5 March 2012, the first part of the Wooleen story went air with the second instalment later in April.
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| To view the photo in full, click here. |
David is still in contact with a lot of the boys from school and visits them on trips to Perth and some of them come to visit at Wooleen. In fact some even get involved! This photograph shows Richard Howard (1997) and kids from Northam Senior High School building an enviroroll across the Roderick River on Wooleen Station. This is a wire structure placed into a river system to artificially reinstate the natural functions of the river, spreading the water out over the landscape and slowing it to reduce erosion. In time, it is hoped that debris, leaves and seeds will catch and a natural filter will be born.
Wooleen Station can be contacted by email wooleen@bigpond.com or on Facebook www.facebook.com/WooleenStation
Many thanks to Frances Jones for this article.
Thank You to Old Boy Coaches
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The OBA and the School would like to thank and recognise the number of old boys who coached and assisted with summer sport.
Basketball: Tim Connell (2011), Ben Davis (2009), Jon Dimovitis (2011), Michael Eng (2011), Ryan Fitzpatrick (2009), Joseph Hanna (2011), Andrew MacDonald (2009), Sam McGurk (2011), Ben Purser (2007), Nick Rawlinson (2010), Tim Rose (2011), Sam Wallace (2005) and Jeremy Wilson (2007).
Cricket: Jack Campion (2009), Mark Crawford (2011), Stevie Eskinazi (2011), Ashton Turner (2010) and Lachie Wynne (2008).
Rowing: Peter Adam (2007), Peyton Caffey (2010), Simon Cox (1981), Nick Eyres (2010), Michael France (2010), George Haggett (2011), Albie Hunter (2010), Callum O’Brien (2010), Michael O’Shea (2004), Ben Power (2010), Andrew Summerlin (2008) and Nick Wakeman (2011).
Swimming: Bill Kirby (1992)
Volleyball: Stuart Carr (2008)
To see the feature article on Stuart and UWA Volleyball Club coaching at CCGS, click here.
Water Polo: Scott Chrystal (2006), David Cullingford (2008), Richard O’Halloran (2009) and Chris Reynolds (2010)
Sports Results
The results of the previous week’s PSA games are posted on the School website each week. If you would like to view these results at any time, click here.
Centenary History - A School with a View
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The school history, A School with a View, is available to purchase. The history tells the story of how a visionary clergyman’s foundation of a small school in Claremont grew to become one of the country’s leading independent schools. The book also features a comprehensive register of all the boys and staff of the School’s first 100 years. The book can be ordered online at http://shop.ccgs.wa.edu.au, by phoning the School on 9442 1555 or by visiting the School Main Reception during office hours (8.00am to 5.00pm).
The cost of the book is $100 plus $15 postage (within Australia).
Since the publication of the school history over a year ago, a number of corrections have been considered by the authors of A School with a View, Wendy Hillman and Peter Edwards. To see the full list of corrections, click here.
An insert with an adhesive backing can be placed inside your copy of the book. If you would like to obtain one of these, they are available from Christ Church Main Reception.
Archives
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Thank you to all the old boys who contributed to naming the boys featured in this photograph of Year 8 art students taken in 1989. The old boys were:
Back: Jeff Churchill, Ben Breheny, Paul Fuller, Todd Pittman
Front: Thomas Brownrigg, Tom Nattrass, Justine Tremain, Alec Craig
This photograph appeared in the Post newspaper. If anyone has kept it, could a copy be made available for the Archives? To view the photo in full, click here.
Lost Boys
Does anyone recognise this photograph taken at the back of Craigie House, most likely in the 1960s? If you do, please contact School Archivist Freida French on (08) 9442 1532 or at ffrench@ccgs.wa.edu.au. To view the photo in full, click here.
Boarding Houses - 1966
Many thanks to old boy Howe Synnot (1967) for emailing the following photographs, taken on a Box Brownie, to the Alumni Office.
(1966) View across the front of Queenslea, past the 'Sick Bay' and towards Romsey House.
(1966) View from the front of Queenslea and looking towards the edge of the property towards Claremont and glimpses of the Swan River.
(1966) Queenslea Boarding House.
(1966) Queenslea Boarding House.
(1966) Queenslea Boarding House.
(1966) View to the top oval from the tennis courts just below Queenslea House, with the 'old school' in the distance.
Donations
Thank you to the following people for these recent donations to Archives:
John Hassell – five books, embossed with the school crest, awarded to Vern Eagleton (1930)
Julie Mouan – photograph of Albert Mouan (1922), while at Christ Church.
If you have any items related to your time at Christ Church that you would like to donate, please contact School Archivist Freida French on ffrench@ccgs.wa.edu.au or on (08) 9442 1532.
Do You Remember?
Do you remember French teacher Courtney Stoate, who taught at Christ Church in the 1950s and ‘60s? Mr Stoate, who later immigrated to Canada, is the father of Christopher Stoate (1969) and Timothy Stoate (1971) who attended the Prep School, and the uncle of Ian Hodge (1962). Ian writes that Mr Stoate, whose health has declined in recent years, would love to reconnect with any current or former staff, or former students. “You will recall him as a diminutive Englishman, who taught French and coached the Alliance Francaise, cricket and introduced rugby to the School,” Ian said. Courtney has very fond memories of his years teaching at Christ Church and remembers many of his students. If you would like to make contact with Mr Stoate you can email him at camcourt@sympatico.ca.
1st XV – Courtney is pictured front row, fourth from left. To view the photo in full, click here.
Claremont Yacht Club
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| President Hamish Jolly (1983) enjoying a twilight sail at Claremont Yacht Club on Wednesday 28 March with skipper ‘Maurie’. |
It is good to hear from the Commodore that members of the OBA are to be seen enjoying the facilities of the Yacht Club, including the full size billiards table, most evenings of the week. Members of the OBA are welcome to join a crew for twilight sailing any Wednesday until end April – just turn up at the bar at 5.30pm.
OBA Life Members are automatically social members of Claremont Yacht Club (bar and restaurant facilities not jetties and boat ramp). To view events, bar opening hours and menus, visit www.claremontyachtclub.org.au.
Remember, the Club will be closed on Good Friday.
If you are interested in the Club as venue for your next function, contact Bar and Functions Manager Tara Richardson on 9384 8226, 0408 662 112 or tarar@claremontyachtclub.org.au.
Job Search
Are you a younger old boy looking for work? If so, send your request for part time, casual work or work experience of any kind to oldboys@ccgs.wa.edu.au for inclusion in the next e-Newsletter.
Calendar of Events
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Class of 1991 Rooftop Catch Up Beverley and Districts PSA Dinner Class of 1982 - 30 Year Reunion College Cup OBA Golf Day Brisbane Reunion Class of 1962 - 50 Year Reunion Weekend Class of 2011 - Get Together Unforgettables BBQ Battle of the Bands Class of 1977 - 35 Year Reunion Businessmen's Luncheon Melbourne Reunion Class of 1972 - 40 Year Reunion Class of 1967 - 45 Year Reunion Class of 1997 – 15 Year Reunion Class of 2002 – 10 Year Reunion |
Obituary – Blake Senior (1944)
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Blake Senior (1944), a member of the Association’s 'Unforgettables', passed away in late 2011, aged 85. Blake, who was featured in The West Australian in February, was credited with driving “the agricultural revolution led by the Esperance Land and Development (ELD) company which saw 436 new farms spring up in the region.”
Blake grew up on Lake Mason Station at Sandstone. Later he lived in South Perth and attended Nedlands Primary School and Christ Church as well as Guildford and Hale. He began his working life on stations before joining Goldsbrough Mort stock firm where his work took him to Bruce Rock, Williams, Kojonup and Port Hedland.
In 1963, following the merger of Goldsbrough Mort and Elder Smith, he was drawn to a land sales manager role with the fledgling ELD company. After impressing the then general manager, Karl Berg, he was sent to a business administration course attached to Harvard University, and not long after filled Mr Berg’s shoes.
According to The West Australian: “his sales pitch, as the company’s general manager, saw him hobnob with potential investors from the world of Hollywood and high finance”, as well as a meeting with musician George Harrison. “Between 1965 and 1991, he attracted the rich and famous to the potential of thousands of hectares of dirt to the east, west and north of Esperance.”
Blake relished the Esperance lifestyle where he owned a small farm near Munglinup and travelled extensively with his wife Dorothy over the years. He leaves Dorothy, his two children and two granddaughters.
Member Updates
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| To view more photos of Grant, click here. |
Not long after catching up with fellow Unflappables in Perth during January, Grant Fergusson-Stewart (1956) found himself in the midst of several earthquakes while on a surgical mission in Samar, Philippines. The epicenter of a 5.9 shock was in Borongan, where Grant was operating. “Floor shakes, lights go out. Nine after shocks. Then two new quakes a few days later. Scary? Yes, but no deaths or major damage near us.” Grant said Borongan was among the poorest areas in the world. He sees a large number of neglected cases including huge cancers and some horrible congenital problems and deformities. “The operating rooms and wards are very old with no maintenance. No windowpanes just bits of plastic to keep the rain out. It is overcrowded and seething with people for our mission with two or more patients to a bed… despite this there were no outbreaks of infection post-op.” Grant said with the power always going out, he used a battery headlight to help see when operating. “Lots of fun but very tiring for this old CCGS Unflappable!”
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Asparagus farmer turned fine-jewellery designer Marcus Synnot (1958) is a finalist in the enamel section of the Saul Bell Design Award. It is not the first time Marcus has been a finalist in the US jewellery competition or recognised internationally. Last September, he was invited to speak and present workshops at the International Enamellers’ Society Conference, held in Tennessee, where he is credited with introducing torch-fired plique-a-jour. His striking nature-inspired necklaces, brooches and rings, made using an ancient enameling procedure often feature top-quality pearls. “In farming you have to be innovative so I’m really a jack of all trades,” he said. In October, Marcus will exhibit his work alongside artist Anita McKenzie at the Reed Grey Gallery on Collins Street in Melbourne.
David Airey (1967) has been elected president of the Real Estate Institute of WA (REIWA). David joined the REIWA council in 2003 and has served as deputy president since 2007 - last year completing a two-year term as president of the Real Estate Institute of Australia (REIA). David is a Fellow of REIA and a licensed real estate agent and auctioneer. He commenced practice in 1973 with Peet & Co (now Peet Ltd) and in 1978, together with old boy Geoff Potter, opened Airey Potter and Associates which went on to become a successful well established western suburbs agency. Today, David owns and operates Airey Real Estate in Claremont and works with son Warwick Airey (1992) and a staff of 12. David enjoys all the challenges that the property industry throws his way and as well as actively selling property, handles numerous media calls and appearances. He has a regular spot talking property on 720ABC Breakfast with Eoin Cameron and also on 6PR. David is active in his local community and lives and works in Claremont with wife Megan. Together, they enjoy the company of their large family including four grandchildren.
Robert Baker (1976) and his partner Roni recently returned from Nepal where they trekked 16 days to Everest Base Camp (5360m) and back. They also trekked to the top of Kala Patar (5545m) the following day. Robert said: “in saying that, this obviously does not compare to Matt Gabriele (1997), as noted in the recent Chronicle, but as we are 50 and 52, this was the toughest adventure we have ever completed and likely to complete!"
Howard Cearns (1977) still spends his time drifting through the world of drinks... mostly alcoholic. A founder, consultant to and director of Little Creatures Brewing, Howard adds some support to the CEO and management team based in Melbourne. The company is currently building a brewing facility in Geelong on a fabulous site called the Valley Mill, which is due for commissioning early 2013. With a couple of other Little Creatures founders, Howard has established a niche drinks company called Hippocampus Memorable Drinks, which markets wine from Stormflower Vineyard Margaret River, called Stormflower, as well as being the national representatives of a small artisan spirits producer out of London called Sipsmith, who make a sensational gin, 200 bottles at a time, in the first copper London Distillery built in 200 years! Howard is also a partner in Swings & Roundabouts wines, Chairman and partner of brainCELLS Creative Marketing, and a board member of Tourism WA.
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Mike Thomson (1978) of Ontario Canada says “perhaps I am the student furthest afield carrying the old school colours !!!! After Walters Boarding House and graduation I ended up working for The Hudson Bay Company and was trained as one of the last fur traders. I was posted on an alcohol free Indian reserve north of Yellowknife North West Territories. Believe me Yellowknife is only one of the few out there places I have lived. I was in China before Tiananmen Square, lived in Nepal and studied with the Shaman monks. Also lived in Tonga and met a turtle that Captain James Cook had given the King. The turtle and the King are both now dead. I can go on and on. I have at least lived an interesting life.”
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OBA President Hamish Jolly (1983) has been awarded a $20,000 State grant for UWA scientists to develop a wetsuit designed to reduce the risk of shark attack. Hamish, a bioenergy and commercial innovator at Dunbar Harper, said the idea originally came from a discussion over dinner with conservationist and recently named National Living Treasure Harry Butler, supported by anecdotal examples including a veteran oceanographer who painted his wetsuit and Tongan divers who painted themselves to protect against the 'shark god'. “The collaboration with UWA is about putting scientific rigour to anecdotal evidence that contrasting stripes or broken patterns have the effect of making the wearer blend in and look less like a seal or other prey.” The project, co-ordinated by UWA’s Oceans Institute and Neuroecology Unit, will look at the physiology of the eyes of great white, tiger and bull sharks to work out what they can see at different depths and different light conditions to find suitable wetsuit patterns. “The output is a prototype wetsuit supported by the science – if the science stacks up,” Hamish said. Not sporting a wetsuit, Hamish is pictured here (far right) after completing the Rottnest Swim recently.
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Film producer and director Russell Vines (1985) has been enjoying the success of his latest work – the recently aired, WA-made telemovie The Great Mint Swindle. The movie, about Australia’s most famous gold heist – the Perth Mint Swindle of 1982, was produced by Russell and written by Perth playwright Reg Cribb. Russell came to the story after interviewing Ray and Peter Mickelberg for the half-hour documentary series, Just the Two of Us on SBS TV. With hours of interview tapes and reams of research he had the groundwork to doing a much bigger story. The $3 million telemovie tells the story from the perspective of the youngest brother Peter. It was filmed in seven weeks last year at Fremantle Prison, the Perth Mint and other locations. Russell, who graduated from UWA with an economics degree, made his first film, a documentary called Fungimentary: The Magic Mushrooms of Balingup, in 1995. With this film, he was named best young filmmaker at the Western Australian Film and Television Awards. Since then, he has continued to work mostly in documentary filmmaking on subjects ranging from heart disease to asylum seekers including SAS: Search for Warriors, which won best documentary series at this year’s AACTA Awards. Russell is currently finishing a reality series called Do or Die, which will air on ABC2 later this year.
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In the paddock east of Carnamah on Saturday 17 March ‘Opulence in the Outback’ took place as a fund raiser for the Royal Flying Doctor Service and the North Midlands Sub Branch of the St Johns Ambulance. Local Roger Dring (1986 of Carnamah) invited boarding house mates to party the night away to Slim Jim and the Phatts. Darren Manuel (1987 of Bolgart), Ross Abbey (1986 of Badgingarra), Brendan Watson (1986 of Perth) and Mark Anderson (1986 of Henley Brook) and their partners enjoyed a night to remember. So far the fundraising tally totals $75,000 which was a huge effort from the 360 guests who donned their black ties and formal gowns. All had a wonderful time and Roger said it was great to catch up with the boys. He said there was lots of laughter as the photograph confirms.
Thomas Friberg (2007) and Richard Symons (2007) have taken over the reigns of the Giovanni Consort – a group of young Perth singers who perform a series of classical concerts throughout the year. Thomas took on the role of general manager after returning from a year-long exchange to London last July. While studying physics and mechanical engineering at UWA, Thomas is also involved with OperaBox and was subsequently cast as Marcello in La Boheme and Guglielmo in a sold out season of Mozart’s Cosi Fan Tutte. He recently sung his first opera as part of the West Australian Opera Chorus. Richard, who began his singing career at St George’s Cathedral as a boy treble and continues to sing there today, completed a Bachelor of Music at WAAPA in 2011. In October, he had the honour of singing for the Queen at the opening of CHOGM. He is also engaged as an emerging artist with the West Australian Opera Company and is undertaking Music Honours at WAAPA. The old boys returned to Christ Church for the final assembly of 2011 as a special tribute to retiring music teacher Gillian Crostin. The baritone (Thomas) and tenor (Richard) are pictured here with Ms Crostin. To view the 2012 season brochure of the Giovanni Consort, click here.
William Caddy (2009) was awarded a Premier's Australia Day Active Citizenship Award from the City of Nedlands in January. William was recognised for his work with the Nedlands Youth Advisory Council (YAC) in organising concerts and other youth activities within the City of Nedlands. Currently William is in his third year of a Biomedical Science degree at UWA. He also plays guitar in two bands which doesn't leave much spare time!
Ashton Turner (2010) has been named in an initial 30-man squad to represent Australia in the upcoming Under 19 Cricket World Cup. The young old boy, who is currently the assistant coach of the Christ Church 8As, represented WA in the recent Under 19 National Championships in Adelaide earlier this season. Ashton was selected in the Under 19 Australian Cricket Squad, which toured India in October 2011.
Jordan Berini (2011) was selected from 400 WACE music students to perform in last month’s Performing Arts Perspectives at His Majesty's Theatre. The showcase features 25 performances in dance, theatre and music, representing the best of the WACE 2011 performing arts students. Jordan, a marimba player, has begun a Bachelor of Arts (Classical Percussion) at WAAPA. He returned to Christ Church recently to perform at both the Preparatory and Senior school assemblies.
Ethan Hogan (2011) and Mathew Jepiuh (2011) currently have work on show at the Art Gallery of Western Australia as part of the annual Year 12 Perspectives exhibition. The exhibition recognises the achievements of selected Year 12 WACE Visual Arts students and is one of the gallery’s most popular exhibitions. Ethan and Mathew’s pieces were selected from more than 400 entries from around the State. The exhibition closes on Wednesday 25 April.
Memorabilia Available
The Old Boys’ Association’s merchandise order form makes it even easier for you to purchase your Christ Church OBA memorabilia. To view the latest range of memorabilia, click here.
Community Programmes
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The ongoing partnership between UWA Extension and the FutureSphere at CCGS continues to provide a variety of digital programmes to the community. There are a number of new courses on offer this winter. To view the winter brochure, click here.