Alumni Profile Ben Jones, a graduate from the Class of 2015

Ben Jones, a graduate from the Class of 2015 was announced as the NSW Rhodes Scholar Elect for 2021. Studying at Oxford will help him realise his vision to work with children, youth and families in Australia who face health inequities. Director of Alumni and Community Relations, Mandy Loomes, recently caught up with Ben.

Did you always want to study Medicine when you finished school? I have always wanted to work in health. I believe that good health is one of many important factors that enable people to live the lives they wish to. Having the opportunity to contribute to this I think is an incredible privilege. What will you be studying at Oxford, and what do you hope to gain from these programs? I am hoping to study a DPhil at Oxford. I am most interested in tangible, translational research that explores programs and initiatives that are being implemented to improve child health across the world. I would like my research to be across areas such as public health, health services and system research, and health policy. When do you leave Australia for England? I leave October 2021 just after I finish up my final medical school exams. Where have you spent your time whilst at uni? I was fortunate enough to live on campus at UNSW for a number of years which really gave me the opportunity to immerse myself in a variety of activities outside of my studies. I was a staff member at the residential colleges for a number of years and really enjoyed contributing to what I saw to be a really welcoming, fun environment. I was involved in the student services organisation on campus Arc@UNSW, which was responsible for all the clubs and societies, social sport, the events and parties, student advocacy branches, and a number of other great programs. I was also involved with the Indigenous programs unit where I made many friends and mentors, and played football with the UNSW Football Club. On less of a fun note, I had a number of experiences within the governance structures of the Uni, where I developed an appreciation of how big institutions work. Outside of Uni, I love spending time with my family, friends and community, travelling in the holidays, reading, and visiting Brewarrina in north western NSW where I am learning lots.

What did you learn at Barker that has helped you on your journey? One thing I learnt throughout my time at Barker that has really stuck with me is the importance of making the most of opportunities. When I arrived at Barker in Year 9, moving from a local high school I was blown away with the range of opportunities available. I think a really important part of being a Barker student and indeed a Barker family, is being aware of the opportunities available and importantly, recognising there are many other students across Australia who are not afforded the same opportunities. Barker is a wonderful, wonderful platform in life to make a positive impact in whatever your area of passion. Do you have a favourite memory of your time at Barker? One of the aspects of Barker I reflect upon most fondly is the opportunity to support classmates do what they love doing. Whether it was watching talented performers in the musicals and plays, musicians in the bands, sportspeople across the fields, or just watching classmates love what they were learning in class. They are awesome memories. Secondly, the relationships built with your teachers, particularly in Senior School, was incredible. I had some really fantastic teachers throughout my time at Barker who I learnt not only content from, but also, perhaps more importantly, some wonderful values. Oh and of course, Mr Heath’s birthday Freddo Frogs. Has there been anyone who has inspired you to follow this path and your dream? Other than my incredible support network of family, friends and community, one of my inspirations is Fred Hollows. Fred had a relentless drive, a clear vision, was an unapologetic advocate, and had a passion for new experiences. His work providing eye care to thousands around the world who would not have otherwise had access to eye care, and particularly his work within Indigenous Australian health, act as big inspirations for me. What is your vision for the future? Tudor Hart’s Inverse Care Law states that the availability of good healthcare varies inversely with the need of the population served. My vision is a world in which this law is reversed, especially for young people. I hope to one day live in a world in which those who most need healthcare, receive it. Do you have any advice for today's Barker students? I have a lot to learn and expect to continue learning throughout my entire life. Some advice I can offer from the position of a recent graduate is to really value your time at Barker. Do what you love doing and spend time with the people you love spending time with.

Cricket

Late last year, Barker entered a Middle School XI into the Northern Districts Cup, a T20 competition for students 15 years and under. On 30 November, Barker played Knox Grammar in the tournament semi-final at Gillespie Field. Bowling first, Barker had an incredible start, with Year 7 student, Campbell taking two wickets in the first over. Knox continued to struggle under the impressive bowling pressure from the Reds, and the slow outfield. In reply, Barker batted with a patient confidence beyond their years, and managed to win in dominant fashion. The Kings School were victorious in the other side of the draw, which resulted in a Barker v Kings grand final played on Mark Taylor Oval on Wednesday 17 February where Barker were named as the 45th Northern Districts Schools Cup Champions. In the Opens, our 1st XI competed in the CAS T20 competition on 30 January at Curagal Field. The round robin, North/South Harbour format meant the Reds would play Knox Grammar and St Aloysius in the preliminary matches. With the rain spoiling parts of the day in the North and the South, run rate calculations were implemented and a tight, tense competition was played out. Despite losing to St Aloysius, Barker were victorious against Knox, and with a superior run rate, won through to the final against Cranbrook. The final was played at Dangar on Wednesday 3 February, with Cranbrook scoring the winning runs on the second last ball of the match. Congratulations team on a great effort! In representative news, we congratulate Archie Gowthorp (Year 10) on his selection to the CAS U16 team, and Luke Giacometti (Year 12), Harrison Davis (Year 12) and Harrison Lucas (Year 12) in gaining selection to the Opens CAS XI. Year 10 Girls & Year 7 Sports Trials

This term we were delighted to welcome our new Year 10 Girls to Barker Sport. During the course of their orientation to the School, they spent time in the Fedeles Gym where they were introduced to their Co-curricular Coordinators (CCCs) and some of their coaches, before moving to various facilities within the campus to participate in their Summer Sport trials. Directors of Sport, coaches and staff were very impressed with the girls’ enthusiasm, engagement and skill level that was displayed across a variety of sport offerings, including Water Polo, Softball, Basketball, Touch Football, Rugby 7s and Strength and Conditioning. Various other sports joined the S&C team in the Rosewood Centre Gym for an introductory session with the team. Our new Year 7s also had the opportunity for their first taste of sport at Barker. Summer trials started with a warm-up session for the students on the Rosewood Centre courts with Director of Basketball, Steve Carfino. Outside at the Rosewood Cricket nets, our students braved the morning drizzle and got stuck into the trial net session. Girls Touch Football and Rugby 7s were in full swing of things on Rosewood Field as the Water Polo boys had an intense session with Len Nixon in the Aquatic Centre. Anne Horne was her passionate self on Bowman Field, taking the Softballers through their paces and introducing new parents to the program. We thank all involved in our first Saturday of 2021 and wish our new students much enjoyment as they begin their sporting journey at Barker.

Adam Watson Director of Sport - Operations

As part of the School’s overall strategic plan and its whole school approach to sport, two new Sports Co-ordinators have joined the Sports Department in 2021.

Rachel Potter and Kylie Mildren each have responsibility for a portfolio of sports and will be working towards the vision of offering every Barker sport at a five star level. What has surprised both colleagues in the short time they have been at the School, is the number of programs that Barker offers and the number of students who are involved and active in so many activities. “From the time you walk into the School at 6.30am it is a hive of activity,” Kylie has noted. With the oversight of Touch Football, Netball, Track and Field and supporting Softball, Kylie brings a wealth of experience from previous similar roles. “I’m looking forward to building on the School’s Track & Field program and encouraging students to get involved and to benefit from working with coaches that can help them fulfil their potential,” Kylie said. Rachel is looking forward to supporting the students in their choice of sport and encouraging them to excel through the broad range of programs offered at Barker. She will have oversight of Boys Rugby, Girls Rugby 7s, supporting Equestrian, as well as Head Coach of Girls Waterpolo. “We have had a big intake in Year 7 for Waterpolo and I’d love to see the sport continue to grow,” Rachel said. On the day this interview was conducted, the Sports Department were enjoying honey from Rachel’s beehives. An avid beekeeper, Rachel is also the Education Officer for the North Shore Beekeepers’ Association. Kylie’s day starts before the sun is even up – as a marathon runner, Kylie trains every day, recording her fastest marathon time of 3 hours 14 minutes in the Sydney Marathon in 2015.

Julie McAllister Editor

Throughout Barker’s long sporting history the continued growth and varied interests of the student population has diversified the range of interschool sports on offer.

Introduced at the end of 2020 for students currently in Years 8 and 11, Rowing has witnessed strong interest from the students who were keen to take on this new challenge. Head of Sport, Cam Anderson, said the School’s decision to introduce Rowing as a sport recognises the many positive outcomes available to students. “Some call Rowing the ultimate team sport and as such, students have the opportunity to develop skills, values and character that this physically and mentally demanding sport can deliver,” he said. Head Coach for Barker Rowing, Andrew Ashby, is fulfilling his passion for the sport which began when he was a student. “I discovered Rowing when I was at school and have subsequently gained qualifications and experience in Rowing coaching in Australia and overseas. The ultimate experience was entering a crew in the Henley Royal Regatta in which they did very well,” Andrew said. Rowing requires discipline, focus, drive, leadership, sportsmanship, perseverance, competitiveness and compassion. It is an extremely challenging sport, and Barker’s first Rowing recruits have been preparing both physically and mentally over the summer sports season with the aim of entering limited regattas next year. The School has purchased four singles and one quad boat and have been combining two Strength and Conditioning sessions with a Saturday session on the water at Narrabeen Lake. There have also been several session in the pool to allow students to familiarise themselves with a rowing shell. Presently the sport is open to students in Year 8 and 11, but will be offered as a sport choice from Years 7 – 11 from Term 4.

Julie McAllister Editor

Barker College Parents’ Association

President: Warren Davis BCPA_President@barker. nsw.edu.au Warren Davis joined the Barker College Parents' Association in 2020 as the BCPA President. Warren is married to Michelle and they have three children, Madison who graduated from Barker in 2019, Sydney who is Year 8 at Barker and Carter who is a Year 10 student at Arden. Warren is the Chief Operating Officer at JPMorgan where he has worked for the last 25 years in roles across Europe, Asia plus Australia and New Zealand. Warren also plays a role in girls rugby through his role at Gordon Rugby Girls Lead.

Vice-President: Michele Biet BCPA_Vicepresident@ barker.nsw.edu.au Michele joined the BCPA committee in 2020 as the Vice President. Michele is married to Rob (Old Boy, Class of 1991), She has two current students at Barker, Jakob is in Year 11 and Isabella is in Year 7. Her oldest son, Hayden, finished in 2019. Michele works part time as an Early Childhood Educator at her local Preschool, whilst also working alongside her husband in their family business. Michele is also heavily involved with Rugby on the North Shore, having held the position of VicePresident at Wahroonga Rugby Club for the last five years and also sitting on the Sydney Junior Rugby Union Board holding the Northern Zone Director portfolio. Michele has previously been a member of the Barker Rugby Club.

Secretary: Karen Gilbert BCPA_Secretary@barker.nsw. edu.au Karen Gilbert joined the Barker College Parents' Association in 2020 as the BCPA Secretary. She has one son, Jayden who is in Year 9. Her younger son, Fraser, will start at Barker in Year 7 in 2022. During the week, Karen spends her day as the Head of Risk Management for State Street Services Australia Pty Ltd responsible for the oversight and management of the risk management programs of State Street’s business units within State Street Bank and Trust Sydney Branch and State Street Australia Limited. She has been at State Street for the past 16 years. Earlier in her career she held roles with the Commonwealth Bank of Australia and also worked in London where she met her husband David, before returning to Australia in 2000. Karen also plays an active role at the Wahroonga Tigers Rugby Club in the capacity of Gear Steward and Committee member.

Treasurer: Kris White BCPA_Treasurer@barker. nsw.edu.au Kris White joined the Barker College Parents' Association in 2019 as a committee member and became part of the Executive team following the AGM in October 2020 as the BCPA Treasurer. Kris is a Barker Old Girl from the Class of 1987 and has two children attending Barker, a son Tom in Year 10 (who has been at Barker since Year 3) and a daughter Ash in Year 12. During the week, Kris works full time for the Commonwealth Bank as a General Manager running large scale remediation and transformation projects. She has held a number of senior executive positions across private and public companies covering finance, operation and information technology domains and has been a director and chairperson of industry bodies. Kris had previously been treasurer of another school parent association and is a CPA.

Class Parent Coordinator: Deanne Uy BCPA_Classparent@barker. nsw.edu.au Deanne Uy has enjoyed joining the BCPA Committee, and filling the role of Parent Coordinator alongside Suzanne Gibson in 2021. She has two boys at Barker, Oliver in Year 10 and Harry in Year 7. Over the past ten years at Barker she has been very fortunate to have made some wonderful friendships in both of her boys’ year groups, as well across the School. This has come about through getting involved in Class Parent roles and events, volunteering in Tuckshop, as well as being actively involved in the Spring Fair and other BCPA events. With the hope that 2021 will allow us to gather again, Suzanne and Deanne aim to build a wonderful group of Class Parent volunteers from Pre-K to Year 12 who will think creatively, so that we can connect again as a community and develop long lasting friendships.

Class Parent Coordinator: Suzanne Gibson BCPA_Classparent@barker.nsw. edu.au Suzanne Gibson’s sons have been at Barker for four years after they emigrated from Cornwall in the UK. She is English and has an Australian husband whom she met at work in London. He was an Aussie backpacker who left 19 years later! They have two boys who are currently in Year 5 and Year 7. She really likes the people she has met at Barker, and has found herself organically getting more and more involved with volunteering roles. Firstly, as a Class Parent, then as the Junior School Tuckshop Coordinator, and now as Class Parent Coordinator with Deanne Uy. It has been a great way to meet other parents and to be a part of her children’s world. The staff have been very welcoming and appreciate the time that we can give. It has been something that she and others have missed during COVID and hopes that in 2021 that we can come together as a community again.

Barker’s current vision statement “to be a leader in Christian education that is characterised by a global vision that inspires hope” might seem like a modern aspiration, however this is not a new concept at Barker College, in fact this vision has been lived out and tested many times throughout Barker’s 131-year history.

During the First World War, global vision and hope for a better world shone through in the Barker alumni, where of the then 550 old boys, over 230 volunteered to serve in the Great War. During the Roll of Honour unveiling ceremony in June 1916 it was said that “Even in this topsy-turvy world it is sometimes hard to realise that the happy, light-hearted, irresponsible schoolboys of not so long ago are now safeguarding our liberties; that those who then seemed to us just ordinary schoolboys, are now playing the part of heroes, and winning fame, not only for themselves and for the land from which they have gone, but are also causing the name of their old School to shine with a brighter lustre, because of each and every one of her old scholars, who, putting on oneside all personal considerations and ambitions have heeded the greatest of all cries, 'For God! For King! For Fatherland!” At the onset of the Great Depression in 1929 the School once again began to ponder a global vision that inspires hope when it published “We are trying, not to teach boys something that will be useful to them; we are trying to teach them to be useful to somebody: not to help them to get on in the world so much as to help the world get on” in The College Barker. As the School endures its second global health pandemic it once again perseveres with this vision, strengthening it further as the School aims to “look up, look ahead, and look beyond” in 2021.

Rachel Byrne Barker College Archivist

As Barker is working to establish an Endowed Scholarship program to support future students we spoke with Old Boys John Donovan (1957/58) and Peter Donovan (1960) to discover what motivated them to endow their Donovan STEAM Scholarship Fund. This was established by Drs John and Peter Donovan in appreciation of their teachers, especially Gordon Miller.

This joint project came to be because both John and Peter were Dux, won the school prize for Mathematics, and won the NSW Leaving Certificate prizes for Mathematics. While John and Peter are very happy to see the Scholarship initially applied more broadly and hope that it inspires others to make similar endowments, their wish is that one day it will revert to being a Scholarship for Mathematics alone. The Scholarship is awarded to the Year 11 student who studies Extension Mathematics and four units taken from Sciences and/or Design and Technology. The scholarship is awarded to the student who scores the highest scaled combined mark. Through their generosity this scholarship was awarded for the first time at the end of 2020 and there was a tie. Two Year 11 students going into Year 12 in 2021 received scholarships. John was particularly pleased to note that one recipient was the grandson of one of his fellow students, the late David Breden (1958). So what inspired their philanthropic journey? John said that he remembers his father commenting in the 1950s that Barker was much less well endowed than similar private boys’ schools, and many years later knowing this was still the case, decided to do something about it. Peter reflects that to some extent his contribution was made in appreciation of the implementation of full coeducation at Barker. As his wife Margaret is partly Aboriginal, the Barker venture on the Central Coast was also a factor for their decision to provide an endowment for the School. Peter recalls that in 1946 Barker received a minor gift of some laboratory equipment formerly owned by the Imperial Japanese Navy, which was an initiative of their father Jack Donovan. Their philanthropic wish for Barker is that ideally it should have ten to thirty scholarships awarded at the end of Year 9 to run from Years 10 to 12. If you would like more information on the Barker Foundation please contact foundation@barker.nsw. edu.au or 02 8438 7229

John Slack-Smith Foundation Chair

John Donovan

Peter Donovan

Inside this 45 OBA President 46 Life Beyond Barker 48 OBA Groups issue 46 53 OBA Feature: Three Generations at Barker 56 Personal Notes 59 Community Chaplain 60 Obituaries

Old Barker Association Contacts email: oba@barker.nsw.edu.au (Please note that the number in brackets after a name is the graduating year) President Angus Abadee (07) 0433 108 525

Honorary Vice-President Emily Tutt (09) 0433 711 664

Honorary Treasurer Andrew Hassall (86) 0412 610 434

Honorary Secretary Andrew Davis (78) General Committee Martin Donaldson (2000) Declan Flaherty (2016) Anthony Hearne (1990) Benjamin Ho (2009) Pip Hurley (1985) Jenny Kalaf (1978) Anna Sutton (2005) Nominees to School Council Michael Brodie (79) Tony Gamson (78) David Trayner (84) OBA Annual Patron Sandy Hollway (64) OBA Seniors Contact Ian Pont (63) oba@barker.nsw.edu.au

OBA Support for Life Julie Davis 0434 385 442 obasupportforlife@barker.nsw.edu.au School Contacts Director of Alumni and Community Relations Mandy Loomes (02) 8438 7229 mloomes@barker.nsw.edu.au Alumni Reunion Coordinator Karina Drummond (02) 8438 7283 kdrummond@barker.nsw.edu.au Archives Rachel Byrne (02) 8438 7290 rbyrne@barker.nsw.edu.au

Interstate and International Barker Contacts Adelaide Lane Hinchcliffe (00) 0412 130 935 (m) lane@lkggroup.com.au Brisbane Andrew Wilkie (01) 0412 779 383 (m) andrew.wilkie@morgans.com.au Canberra Andrew McColl (74) 0422 985 281(m) as.mccoll@icloud.com Melbourne Murray Anderson (65) 0457 000 407 (m) murray@capricorngroup.net.au Newcastle Nicholas Bedggood (88) 0410 565 101 (m) nickbedggood@yahoo.com.au Northern Rivers Jim Poulos (61) 0413 087 412 pamio@bigpond.net.au Perth Ian Christian (69) 0417 980 968 (m) ian.christian@thepark.com.au

Contributions Welcome Please send contributions to Mandy Loomes, Director of Alumni and Community Relations, 91 Pacific Highway, Hornsby NSW 2077 or mloomes@barker.nsw.edu.au

For further information please contact Mandy Loomes on 8438 7229. Personal notes are published in good faith, as a service to the Barker Community.

Sunshine Coast Phil Benjamin (61) pandj.benjamin@bigpond.com Upper Hunter Charles Cooke (65) (02) 6545 8141 (w) charles_cooke@esat.net.au Canada, Ontario George Darling (70) gdarling@sandstormgold.com Hong Kong Vacant

Japan Carl Bastian (93) carl@rwo.okinawa Middle East David Baker (85) +965 9950 1657 drwbaker2002@yahoo.co.uk New Zealand Michelle McLachlan (Dooley 96) +64 27 838 7838 mmclachlan@trustwave.com Oceania (Fiji) Neil Underhill (75) (679) 336 3968 (w) neilunderhill@connect.com.fj Papua New Guinea Johnson Kalo (83) (675) 305 6703 (w) jhnsnka03@gmail.com Philippines Steven Robinson (77) steve.robinson@dfat.gov.au Singapore Carly Switzer (94) carlyswitzer@yahoo.com.au UK, London Annette French (Slattery 88) (44) 1732 382 281 (h) annette.e.french@sky.com USA, East Coast New York Alex Skellet (94) (917) 251 3361 (h) alexandraskellet@gmail.com USA, West Coast Phoenix, Arizona Digby Cook (56) (623) 523 4321 (h) digbyhcook@gmail.com