Lighting the way

Stuart Galbraith

Head of Advancement

A pioneer heart surgeon, a legendary and humanitarian Carey teacher and a multi-generational Carey family with a love of music all have something special in common: they are all Torchbearers.

William and Doris Doig (feature image)

Just as Neville and Jeanne York and John Sykes marked the way with their generosity, we were privileged to receive our latest bequest this year from former Carey parents Dr William and Mrs Doris Doig. William was a highly regarded surgeon and Doris served on Carey’s Junior School Parents Association.

Like many families, it was their love for music which bound their experiences to their sons’ throughout their time at Carey. In recognition of their generous bequest, a music studio in the new Middle School building that opened this year, the Centre for Creativity and Innovation, will be named in their honour. ‘Our love for music started at Carey. We all learned piano and our late mother had a keen interest. This gift acknowledges the excellence of education provided by Carey and will hopefully assist the ongoing musical education of future students.’ – William and Doris’s sons, Stephen (1972), David (1974) and Rowan (1977).

Like many families, it was their love for music which bound their experiences to their sons’ throughout their time at Carey.

Neville and Jeanne York

In 1938, Neville York was awarded the first scholarship from the OCGA. He later became a World War II pilot and resident medical officer at the Royal Melbourne Hospital. In 1955, Neville married Jeanne and together they forged a life of exemplary service to Australian medicine.

Jeanne was a pioneer of heart bypass anaesthesia, developing the first Australian heart-lung machine. At only 27, she led a team of seven male doctors through the first successful open-heart surgery in the southern hemisphere. Post-surgery, in the days before intensive care units in hospitals, Jeanne sat with her patients for up to 36 hours to make sure they were on the way to recovery.

On Neville’s passing in 2007, former Principal Phil de Young commented that ‘we have lost one of Carey’s very “true heirs”; a wonderful man who certainly “played the game” to the fullest.’ Neville and Jean left a bequest to Carey to pay it forward for the next generation of Carey students. In recognition of this generosity and the life achievements of both, the School had pride in instituting the Neville and Jeanne York scholarship, which continues to be awarded today.

John Sykes

John Sykes was a longstanding and much-loved teacher at Carey. He joined the staff at Carey in 1952, assuming responsibility for senior history and English classes. He was also coach of the First XI Football Team. Between 1966 and 1971 he was Headmaster of Scotch College in Tasmania, but returned to Carey as Head of Newnham House in 1972. John Sykes retired in 1983, and the

John Sykes Memorial Prize for English was named in his honour. This prize was first awarded in 1991.

John’s passion for education and Carey extended beyond his teaching and mentoring. He regularly and quietly donated to help students in need of additional assistance and, on his passing, left a bequest to Carey to support our students for many years to come.

John Sykes, former Carey teacher and namesake of the John Sykes Memorial Prize for English.

If you are interested in learning more about the Carey Torchbearers, or leaving a gift in your will for future generations of Carey students, please contact Stuart Galbraith, Head of Advancement at advancement@carey.com.au or call 9816 1522.