Support Groups

Parents’ Association

In 2022, we have progressively shrugged off the Covid-19 years and returned to a normal year of activities at Camberwell Grammar. I know all Camberwell Grammar parents are very appreciative of this fact.

The 2022 year for the Parents’ Association commenced with our Welcome Back Drinks for the parents over three great evenings for Junior, Middle, and Senior Schools. All three evenings were very well attended and a sure sign that the parents wanted to get back together and catch up with their old friends, make new ones, and reconnect with Camberwell Grammar staff. A key objective of these drinks is this commitment by the PA to foster this ongoing and important connection between the parents and the School.

During the year, the PA held a very successful Gala at the Melbourne Museum for almost 400 parents and staff. This event was organised by Dr Kath Lok and her wonderful support team which made it an amazing night for everyone.

The Friends of Groups, throughout the year, were very active around the School as all the student activities returned to their normal operating rhythm. We are very fortunate at the School to have a fantastic level of parental support across all the student’s activities, and this support provides not only financial support but, more importantly, a great deal of moral support for the students and the creation of many friendships between the parents. As always, the Auxiliary has continued with the making of the legendary Camberwell Grammar Christmas Puddings and they will again be available this year. The PLUS shop has continued to provide a great service to the parents around the provision of Pre-loved school uniforms. The provision of this service to the parents allows for the recycling of clothing, an important part of the circular economy and sustainability.

The Year Representatives were back in full swing this year with many activities that allowed the parents to socialise with other parents in their son’s year. These were very well attended and a part of what drives our community around the School.

A most successful Open Day was held in perfect weather this year and I would like to thank all the parent support groups and Dr Hicks and his team for making it such a wonderful day.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their ongoing support and a big thank you to Mr Ryan Whitehead and Mrs Karley Knight for the large amount of support that they provide to the parents in supporting all the various activities. Also thanks to the PA Executive for all their support and hard work that they provide to the Parents’ Association.

Mr Stuart Harker

President

Camberwell Grammar School Auxiliary

Puddings have gone full swing ahead again this year, albeit with some post-Covid measures in place.

We are so happy to see parents who have missed out on our pudding-mixing days in the past few years, sign up and join us in some sorely missed community enrichment interactions. What better way to reconnect with the School and make new friends.

Open Day was also a hit with lots of baked goods and memorabilia sold. The Camberwell Grammar School spirit is truly alive with all our wonderful parent volunteers who are what makes the Auxiliary a success.

Ms Tehlin Yang and Mrs Roula Andreopoulos Co-Convenors

Cadet Auxiliary

Cadet Auxiliary enjoyed a busy year supporting our Cadet Unit. Fundraising BBQs and an Open Day stall enabled the Auxiliary to provide essential equipment to the Unit this year, including a portable generator and WiFi. Commemorative frames were again presented to Year 12 Cadets at the Annual Cadet dinner, celebrating their achievement and contribution to the Unit.

Our Auxiliary welcomes Doug Rutter as Convenor for 2023, with a dedicated team remaining on the Auxiliary for next year.

For parents who would like to contribute to their son’s cadet experience, the Auxiliary is a friendly and welcoming group supporting the Unit.

Mr Garth Campbell-Cowan

Convenor

‘A huge thank you to all the year-level representatives for their fabulous endeavours in bringing the School community together.’

Middle School and Senior School Representatives

It has been wonderful to restart year-level events in 2022. The representatives have been industriously organising functions and social activities.

There have been lots of coffee catchups and parent dinners across all year groups, while the students have enjoyed multiple movies and paintball sessions through the winter months, well attended by all.

The pleasant spring/summer weather enabled outdoor get-togethers for the first time in two years, finishing 2022 on a high note.

A huge thank you to all the year-level representatives for their fabulous endeavours in bringing the School community together.

Mr Gordon Barnes

Convener

Friends of Aquatics

To the Squad’s delight, the Camberwell Grammar Swimming Squad won the AGSV Swimming Championships for the second year in a row. This success reflects the Squad’s consistent efforts in training and teamwork, and the dedication of their coaches, captains, and parents.

It has been a joy to bring the teams together to celebrate the Swimming presentation night, a lunch to start off the Water Polo season, and an afternoon event to launch the 2022/2023 swimming season.

The Swimming and Water Polo teams are inclusive and connected, and balance perfectly the striving for strong competition and the fun of being in the pool.

Friends of Baseball

Play Ball! We got on the diamond after the Covid-19 break with the help of our wonderful CGS/NBBC Baseball community coaching, scoring, and umpiring. MWBL season started in April with four, full Camberwell Grammar teams (U13, 2xU15, U17) having great matches pitching, batting, and catching throughout the rounds to the end of August. Families enjoyed pizza and coffee carts, chatting, learning, and debating the rules. Our U13 and U15 Blue had a great run into Finals and U17 Firsts backed up their 2021 top-of-ladder Covid-19 win by playing the whole Finals series, winning U17 Premiers 2022! Our Open Day stall proudly displayed the Winners Shield and lots of budding baseballers had a go at the Tee-ball activity whilst enjoying large pretzels and American sodas. See you at the Ballpark! Mrs Juliette Mills and Mr Tim Rigby Co-Convenors

Friends of Basketball

2021/22 was a busy basketball season with 34 teams and 300 students enjoying their Basketball. Everyone was thrilled to have a full season played with Covid-19 restrictions behind us, which meant that spectators were able to attend and support our players. The Firsts once again made it to the grand final with an exciting game against Marcellin. The atmosphere was amazing with chanting and singing by the spectators from both schools. At the completion of the season, we had a great presentation evening hearing from our Captains about the very successful season, MVPs and Coaches’ Awards were presented, families enjoyed pizza, and the students were inspired by NBL basketballer Tristan Forsyth. We’re all looking forward to another hugely exciting season of Basketball!

Mrs Kylie Bishop

Vice President/Secretary

Friends of Cricket

We approach the 2022-23 season with great anticipation after the disrupted two years preceding. Last season’s close was attended by over 160 students, parents, teachers, and coaches. Sam Powell (CGS First XI 2010-13) addressed the audience and presented the awards.

This year, our opening event was highlighted by the insightful and inspiring guest Joel Hamilton. The First XI was announced and students in all other teams were acknowledged.

In addition to complimenting home games on the KAO with BBQs, Friends of Cricket have also purchased distinctly Camberwell Grammar ‘wrapped stumps’, for these games.

With eight teams playing across all year levels, we look forward to an engaging, enjoyable, and successful season at Camberwell Grammar in this most extraordinary game.

Mr Frank Chen

Convenor

Friends of Cycling

The 2022 Cycling season took off as scheduled. It was very exciting to see the students training again, including Friday morning on-campus training, Wednesday nights’ training rides at the Kew Teardrop, and the Victorian Inter-School Cycling Series 2022 events. The competition days were attended by enthusiastic parents who help to set up for the day and provide support to the students while they race.

The older students shared their experiences with the younger ones. There were plenty of opportunities to talk about tactics in the Camberwell Grammar marquee, as students prepared for their own races. After years of dedication to riding and many successes on the track, we have another cohort of experienced riders who are leaving the School this year. We thank them for their dedication, wish them well for the future, and hope that they will keep in touch. Some of them may return to coach their former teammates. As always, we look forward to welcoming new members who share a passion for our beautiful sport.

Early this year, we received a very generous donation of a road bike which will be available for a loan to students who are interested in taking up Cycling.

Mr Paul Klebanowski

Convenor

Friends of Football

We had a very successful season launch in April at the Gordon Barnard Reserve function room. There were 160 people in attendance with Nathan Buckley as the guest speaker. We introduced all of the coaching staff for the year and the First XVIII were presented with their jumpers. Presentation night was a big event with over 270 students and their families attending the night. Friends of Football worked very closely with the Head of Football, Neill Connell, and we are very excited to support Neil with the Football program at the School. Friends of Football organised catering on a fortnightly basis for the First XVIII after training to review footage from the game. This helps the coaches teach by using the footage, which was very successful. It is also pleasing we have added new members to the committee, and we have a good representation amongst all year levels. Friends of Football looks forward to supporting the School’s 2023 Football season.

Mr Robert Grlj

President

Friends of Hockey

Friends of Hockey aims to support Camberwell Grammar’s Hockey program and the engagement and development of the players throughout their Hockey journey and across all year levels. This year saw the return of most activities, including a well-attended season launch with round-robin games; the provision of subsidised new player starter kits; the continuation of the well-received twiceyearly masterclass clinics; the First XI team dinner; an all-year presentation night; and our famed Open Day souvlaki stall. Despite falling just short of the AGSV premiership, the broader Hockey program had an extraordinarily successful year – congratulations!

Mr Greg Bosmans

President

Friends of Kayaking

Friends of Kayaking supports the Kayaking program, helping with events, BBQ welcomes, fundraising, and the hard task of socialising on the side of various rivers. The students have been able to resume Kayaking for the 2021/22 season and have attended a number of events.

We ran a Kayaking ergo competition at Open Day using the ergos purchased by Friends of Kayaking last year. There was a lot of participation, enthusiasm, and fun.

We are all looking forward to our biggest event of the year, the Ben Ward on the Murray River in December.

Mr Tim Scotter

President

Friends of Library

Despite all the issues with Covid-19 lockdowns, Friends of Library were able to hold our second-hand textbook collection days in early December and work with I Love Books. While the dropoffs were not as busy as in the previous year, a large number of books were still collected, and we were able to satisfy all of the textbook needs for the Indigenous scholarship students.

It was also very pleasing to see the number of books that parents were happy to donate to the Les Twentyman Foundation.

Open Day was a lovely celebration of the School, with Friends of Library selling second-hand fiction and picture story books, as well as books from Scholastics. The monies from this will help support the Junior and Senior School libraries with new resources.

Ms Narelle Kossatz and Mrs Vivienne Katsoulotos Co-Covenors

Friends of Norge

The Friends of Norge is made up of Junior School parents that help organise year-level social functions and Junior School major events.

In 2022, we had splendid success with a great turnout at our events, namely the Mother’s Day and Father’s Day Breakfasts, Footy Day, and Open Day. Friends of Norge also co-sponsored a new mural around the lower quad of the Junior School that added colour and vibrancy to the space.

After three years in office, Viviana Yong, Lydia Dwijayanti, and myself will be stepping down from our roles at the end of the year. We are very grateful to all class representatives, parent volunteers, and staff for the support they’ve given us in making this experience a fun and enjoyable one.

Ms Debbie Cheong

Convenor

Friends of Performing Arts

2022 has been hugely successful. With many performances able to proceed this year, Friends of Performing Arts (FOPA) added to the vibe by providing refreshments at all on-site performances, including the Chamber Concert, Jazz Night, the Three Penny Opera, and The Time Machine.

The year was rounded off at Open Day with the hugely popular paella and sangrias on offer. Thank you to our wonderful FOPA community. Your fun, energy, and volunteering efforts are to be treasured. Without you, we would not be where we are today as a group.

If you would like to be part of the FOPA action next year, please join us. We welcome all parents.

Friends of Snowsports

The snow season was one to remember with excellent conditions, incredible participation in Family Week, and two gold medal performances in the Victorian Inter-School Competition. The Snowsports community has never been stronger with a great representation of families across primary and secondary levels, growing participation in the Snowsports program at the School, and great comradery. In the second week of the July school holidays, nearly 130 people participated in Falls Family Week. This is a wonderful tradition that allows the students to train ahead of formal competition and for families to gather socially. The conditions were superb. In August, Camberwell Grammar had one of its strongest representations of students competing. Our team spirit was matched with a strong visual team presence with our official Camberwell Grammar ski jackets unifying the team. Our motto has always been to come and do your best, and it was great to see first-time competitors, as well as more experienced skiers, participating. And do your best we did with plenty of personal bests and achievements, and two incredible gold medal moments – Arvin Aminazad in Division 6 and his older brother Arya Aminazad in the top division. New friendships have been made on and off the slopes, a great many hands have contributed to bringing this community together, and we look forward to continuing the Snowsports tradition in the years to come.

Mrs Rebecca Parker

Convenor

Friends of Soccer

Soccer remains one of the most popular sports at Camberwell Grammar, and in 2022 over 300 students participated. Friends of Soccer was privileged to continue supporting the Soccer program, and the season kicked off with a fabulous sausage sizzle on the KAO where the Firsts were presented with their training jerseys.

The end-of-season presentation evening was another highlight, with over 160 people attending. Our guest speaker for the evening was Anthony Frost, our First XI Coach. Our emcee, Dr Moses Khor, kept the evening lively, and Jensen Ma conducted a thrilling auction.

Open Day provided us with a new opportunity to connect with our community, running a coffee cart service, and many new parents took the opportunity to enjoy a cappuccino while speaking with us about Soccer at the School.

Mrs Julie Cooke

President

Friends of Tennis

The School Tennis courts at Leason Street were a hit with the students and allowed for a successful and enjoyable season of Tennis across all year levels. The season concluded with a hugely popular, and well attended, Presentation Night where the students were able to test their serving speed using a speed gun before getting some helpful tips from Ash Barty’s former coach, Craig Tyzzer. More recently, we were able to get a team from Grill’d to cook burgers for us on Open Day.

Mrs Karen Treagus and Mr Richard Nash Co-Convenors

PLUS

PLUS continues to be an important Camberwell Grammar community hub, reflecting the School’s values around sustainability and principles of reduce, reuse, and recycle. Volunteer roster numbers are booming, stock is turning over, with regular distribution of items to charity. Strong demand for PLUS continued in 2022, with an increase in sales on the previous year of over 12%, a staggering $50,000 worth of second-hand uniforms. Over 1000 individual items were sold in Terms 1 and 2 alone. New families find at PLUS a welcoming smile, a bargain, and an instant connection to the School. Come and visit soon!

Ms Tracey Guorgi

Convenor

‘PLUS continues to be an important Camberwell Grammar community hub, reflecting the School’s values around sustainability and principles of reduce, reuse, and recycle’