Obituaries

It is with great sadness that we record those members of our community who have passed since the last edition of the Grammarian.

PETER THODEY

1921 – 22 March 2022

Peter was a past member of staff between 1951-54, when he left for Wesley, and Macneil Housemaster from 1953-54. He was also a valued member of the Theatre Guild (Drama club) during his time at Camberwell Grammar.

RONALD JOHN PARKER, OAM (1939)

24 May 1923 – 19 December 2021

The Camberwell Grammar community was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Gallery of Achievement member, Ron Parker OAM (1939). Ron was also a member of the School Council and the School’s first bursar from 1959 – 1973. After his time at Camberwell Grammar, Ron studied Production Engineering, Accountancy and Business Management at RMIT. Ron was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia in 2012 for Services to the country through a range of volunteer roles.

His voluntary work spanned over 47 years within a wide range of organisations. He served as a volunteer counsellor and support worker in the Emergency Department of the Austin Hospital for 12 years, was a Guide and Education Officer at the Victorian Supreme Court for 10 years, had been a Leader for Neighbourhood Watch for 25 years, and had guided tours at the MCG for 10 years.

His other roles have included Committee memberships, and Executive roles in Lord Somers Camp, Royal Flying Doctor Service, Collingwood Cricket Club, World Ship Society, and the Maritime Heritage Association.

Ron was awarded the Australian Sports Medal in 2000 and Inducted into the Camberwell Grammarian Gallery of Achievement in 2012.

Ron was married to Barbara (dec.) and had three children, Judy, David (1976), and Susie, and six grandchildren.

JOHN HAMILTON SHILLIDAY

2 March 1933 – 22 June 2022

At the end of 1964 Headmaster the Reverend T. H. Timpson announced that Mr John Shilliday (B.A., B.Ed.), the present Senior Housemaster of Toowoomba Grammar – a large boarding school – would be joining the staff of Camberwell Grammar as ‘Senior Master’. The holder of this position in this period was effectively the de facto Deputy Headmaster. Timpson hoped that the appointment of a man with John Shilliday’s qualifications and experience would ensure service with distinction. In this case, the Headmaster’s hopes were realised, as John would serve the School with merit from 1965-71, first under the Reverend Tom Timpson and then his successor, David Dyer.

John immediately made his mark in school life in his first year, coaching the 1st Hockey team, reorganising the Student Representative Council as the ‘Adviser’, founding a Public Speaking Club, and undertaking much of the careers and guidance counselling. He soon expanded his interest in staff football and in the Bushwalking Club, also becoming a committee member of the OCGA. A valued member of what Headmaster Dyer called his ‘capable cabinet of senior masters’, John became additionally noted as an athletics and cross country coach. In 1968 he organized a Camberwell team to participate in the Network Ten TV quiz program ‘It’s Academic’, the team making it through to the semi-final. He was also Head of English, following Max Howell’s departure, holding this position until handing the role on to Tony Brown in 1967.

John was elevated to ‘Head of the Senior School’ in 1970, a recognition of the integral part he was playing in the life of the School. Early in that year, he suggested that golf be introduced as a School sport and, accordingly, Grammarians were able to participate on the links of the Kew Golf Club on Friday afternoons from July. Many participants have gained an affection for this sport that has endured for the rest of their lives.

John’s involvement in the life of the School included his role as the parent of Ian (1979) and as an active member of the Common Room Association, which particularly lamented his departure at the end of 1971 as he had been an active advocate for improving and maintaining staff amenities. John subsequently held two headmasterships; the first at Hamilton College, the second at Ivanhoe Girls’ Grammar School, his time at Camberwell Grammar having given him a strong foundation for his outstanding career in education.

Dr David Bird

School Historian and Archivist

PHILIP HUTTON

26 November 1946 – 14 November 2022

For nearly 40 years, Phil made the long journey from his beloved Upwey to the school he loved and taught thousands of students at. He had previously worked at Fawkner High School but had been headhunted by David Dyer to come and work at Camberwell Grammar. While here, Phil taught Mathematics, Economics, Physical Education, Consumer Studies, Accounting, and Legal Studies. He was a House Tutor, Head of House, Head of Commerce, VCE Coordinator, and a valued member of the Staff Executive. When he joined the Executive as Senior Master – VCE Coordination, his outstanding qualities quickly burgeoned. Phil proved himself wonderfully adaptable. He maintained a commitment to the School’s concern for every student and that each one should be facilitated to perform at the highest level of which he was capable. That the VCE results during his time were as impressive as they were, was due in no small measure to his meticulous stewardship of the students in his care.

He was a legend among Accounting teachers. He was on the review committees for numerous Accounting Study Designs, was a VCE Accounting Assessor, and an active member of the Victorian Commercial Teachers Association. He also taught first-year University Accounting. He worked with the VCAA for 10 years preparing the Study Designs for Accounting in Years 11 and 12 and wrote Accounting textbooks for 30 years. He was made a Life Member of the VCTA in 2009 for services to Commerce teaching in Victoria. In the classroom, he set high standards and encouraged his students to work hard so that they would do better than they thought they could.

As in everything, in spite of his status in the profession, he maintained his humility. Every year he would ask Matthew Christopher which Accounting textbook he wanted to put on the booklist for the subsequent year and would always look relieved when Matt would reply, ‘Yours, of course, Phil.’ He participated in every aspect of life at the School that he could, especially in Athletics, Orienteering, and Cross Country – he was Master in Charge of Cross Country for 21 years. He loved that it didn’t matter how fast a student ran or how talented he was – every student had the capacity to run a personal best at each event. He would often run alongside the slower students in the training group, giving them encouragement and tips.

He often quoted his school football coach who encouraged his students with the mantra ‘If it is to be, it is up to me’. Phil adopted that attitude in all he did – if he wanted something done, he wouldn’t wait for someone else, he just got on and got it done. And so much at our school now is, because of him.

Phil would later reflect that teaching was his marathon. He spent 26 years preparing for it and took 42 years to complete it. In all of that time, his desire was to be of service, and to do what he could for his students and his colleagues: Phil was the consummate schoolmaster.

In Phil’s balance sheet of life, he represents an excellent return on investment. He was kind and loving, he loved his family and they him, he was an enthusiast and optimist with great belief and faith in people and, especially, in the students he taught. He invested fully in living, and I believe that the return on that investment was substantial, and in business terms that it met all ‘the comparable measures of success’. To Phil, success meant achieving what he set out to achieve. He didn’t just want to finish, he wanted to finish to the best of his ability.

Phil believed in and acted out the commitment to excellence and liberal education that characterises great schools such as Camberwell Grammar. He lives on in the memories of his students, his colleagues, and all who loved him.

Dr Paul Hicks Colin F Black OAM

Headmaster Headmaster, 1987-2004