Connections 2014 - First Edition

2014 ISSUE 1

CONNECTIONS An ELTHAM College Publication

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CONTENTS

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Celebrating 40 Years

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Reflections on building a school

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A New Perspective

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History & Belonging

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Creative Responsibility

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ExECS - Remember the time

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Past Staff Reunion

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Class of ‘83 - 30 Year Reunion Class of ‘93 - 20 Year Reunion

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Class of ‘98 - 15 Year Reunion Our ExECS Sporting Clubs

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Swipers Gully Feature Recipe ELTHAM College Foundation

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ECCA - supporting ELTHAM Checking in with friends

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From the Archives

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CALENDAR

JUL 26

Class of 1994 - 20 Year Reunion Swipers Gully Restaurant, 7pm

AUG 5

Networking Skills Workshop

AUG 23

Ruby Gala Dinner - Celebrating 40 Years

AUG 29

Music & Performance Centre

OCT 15

Senior School Celebration Night

OCT 17

Masterworks 2014 Opening

OCT 20

Year 12 Valedictory Dinner

OCT 25

Class of 1984 - 30 Year Reunion

NOV 21

Class of 2013 - 1st Year Reunion

Moores Stephens Offices, Melbourne, 7.30am

The Centre Ivanhoe, 7pm

Official Opening, 5pm

The Centre Ivanhoe, 7pm

Swipers Gully Restaurant, 7pm

The Centre Ivanhoe, 7pm

Swipers Gully Restaurant, 7pm

Swipers Gully Restaurant, 7pm

Connections Magazine supporters Cover image: Datum Point Sculpture by Matcham Skipper commissioned for the College circa 1974.

This sculpture can still be seen in the Junior Years playground.

CONNECTIONS

Editorial

CELEBRATING 40 YEARS “There is a deep sense of adventure and creativity that permeates the culture of ELTHAM College.”

Jacob Bronowski, one of the great thinkers of the 20th century, observed that “[we] are all afraid

for our confidence, for the future, for the world.

That is the nature of the human imagination. Yet every man, every civilization, has gone forward because of its engagement with what it has set itself to do”. This is the true reflection of the visionaries who, in 1973, set forth to build a school. Clearly the passion of Les Clarke, still heavily involved in the College, and the support of Bert Stevens, Neville Emerson, Cordell Short and Ben Taylor created a great dream.

The excitement that met them in 1973 gave the founding team the confidence to employ the visionary Des Davey, who along with the astute support of Beryl Nichols, guided ELTHAM College in those early, heady days. In the pages of this College Connections you will find honest and reflective interviews with Mr Les Clarke and Mrs Beryl Nicholls – pieces that provide a wonderful flavour of the early years of the College.

There is a deep sense of adventure and creativity that permeates the culture of ELTHAM College.

A sense that is as alive today as it must have been in its earliest days.

That sense of real life has been maintained by the subsequent creative and energised Principals Dr Brian Webber, Mr John Brenan and Dr David Warner, together with caring and thoughtful Board Members, enthusiastic staff and, of course, a very interesting and passionate student body. The depth of any organisation is, of course its foundation. The creation of ELTHAM College as the school we know, grew out of its community, your community, the community who join us each day to share the learning journey. It made that adventure worthwhile and long may it continue.

May I return to Jacob Bronowski who reflected on the value of education and once said: [it]

is important that students bring a certain ragamuffin, barefoot irreverence to their studies; they are not here to worship what is known, but to question it”.

This is the ELTHAM College I have begun to know.

Mr Simon Le Plastrier Principal ELTHAM College

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CONNECTIONS

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Feature

Beryl Nichols and Les Clarke

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REFLECTIONS ON BUILDING A SCHOOL Les Clarke took up the challenge of starting a school from scratch, becoming the founding Chairman of Council and designing the award winning complex of buildings. Beryl Nichols was the first paid employee of ELTHAM College and fondly recalls her time at ELTHAM as the most exciting and demanding 15 years of her life. In this article we catch up with these two influential people from our past.

Beryl Nichols association with the College began on October 5, 1973 when she was appointed as “Registrar”. From that point she quickly got to know the band of stalwarts who had been working hard to get the College off the ground, prime mover amongst them was Mr Les Clarke.

Les recalls that “When I took on the challenge to start a school ... it was actually to do something for Eltham. I was a councillor and had been involved in a number of community activities and saw it as a community need. Then it sort of developed.”

Meanwhile Beryl started work in one room, loaned by an agent in Eltham. She worked there, with voluntary mothers, setting up uniforms and enrolling people. The school was built around her.

Beryl remembers the pioneering days when, to cope with the somewhat muddy conditions of the site, gumboots were the recommended footwear for all. Parent involvement was key with the building of the original section of the Arts Centre (which currently houses the uniform shop and temporary music office) mostly done by parents.

The mud bricks were made on the premises and, under the supervision of Mr John Burnell, the building went up.

The school opened in February 1974 with 130 students and rapidly grew in numbers while developing a healthy academic reputation.

Les believes that the school was fundamentally shaped by responding to a fresh approach in school development within Australia.

“Things were done with great success in response to needs. In many cases, the facilities were one of the first of their type in this country.”

Les is described as a visionary who, having decided to undertake the difficult challenge, accepted advice from people who knew their way around “the system”, an architect who could design a practical, modern school on the slimmest budget, a man who could gather around him a group of people with many talents and encourage them to be as enthusiastic as he was about a project.

Beryl feels enormous pride having been a part of the growth of the College and recognises the many people that helped make it a success.

[Beryl] was the first face of Eltham College and the perfect “mainstay” of the school during her time.

Les Clarke retired from the Council this year, after serving the College for over 40 years. His contribution, states Beryl, is immeasurable and his legacy remains the existence of this fine school.

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We resoundingly agree.

CONNECTIONS

News

A NEW PERSPECTIVE

Miles & Rachael

While transitioning to a new school environment can be quite daunting, it can also be very exciting and rewarding.

Miles Nelson from Year 8 recently took on the role of investigative journalist and chatted with Rachael Edgren who started Year 7 at the College this year. For Miles it was interesting to see the College through anothers eyes.

Recus re quam qui utfrom min ped Whataudanducium has it been like moving quae provitatem aut fugia esequae ne nus primary school to ELTHAM College?

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made some friends and felt more comfortable

Ilignis et ab imusda volupta tisitatquis dit at school. Not long after school had begun, I was lacearcia qui te voloris nemporporiam as aut really enjoying all the new experiences. It was is voluptae estio. Et mi, oditiam fugia sum eri easy to fit in and the teachers and students were anda as aliqui optas voluptas nisciis nis ipienieni all really kind and helpful. ul pelLuptaspi endaerum ipsamendit estincit re simus es vollitem hit ipicte estiore velia iunt What made you choose this school above laborro ea si tem velicatem rero oditat qui other schools? optaturHarum, consed quistotas eaquasIquatat.

Lenditati sam qui dolum One of thearumquae many reasons I chose thiseatis school was voluptam fugiatemquae excea prepratia sum for the fantastic music program. Because I play erspid quatio evero consequi blabori beatem

the violin this school has given me so many opportunities. I have been a part of the String Ensemble and the choir, and House Music was awesome! I was also excited about all the different subjects offered and the four different camps that we could choose from.

What do you think makes this school unique from others?

I love the location of this school. It is a beautiful place, set in a peaceful, natural environment.

At this school people show a lot of respect for each other. Teachers treat us like friends, and it is really easy to talk to them.

Miles and Rachael have discovered that our Middle Years program fosters an environment where they can explore their passions, celebrate their successes and build positive relationships with their peers and teachers.

Both Miles and Rachael travel a fair distance to get to the College each day but feel it is well worth the effort, with Rachel summing it all up by saying that “the school has something for everyone with a wonderful and caring atmosphere at the core.”

Find out more about our Middle Years Program on our website elthamcollege.vic.edu.au

HISTORY & BELONGING Having a sense of history and belonging has many important benefits, not least of which is providing a context from which to understand ourselves and others. Consciously combining this with the development of a strong understanding and empathy towards others is a truly rewarding experience.

Jasper Griffin and Piper McPherson share with us a little bit about what makes their experiences at the College special.

In early 2014 the Year 3/4 community began exploring the concept of “random acts of kindness”.

After watching videos of “Kid President” (clips created to raise awareness that children have voices worth listening to) Piper, Jasper and all their classmates connected with Kid President’s message that we should “choose the path that leads to awesome” and “give the world a reason to dance”.

”Every day we have been keeping a sharp eye out for our friends and fellow school community members to make sure that their day is happy no matter what happens.”

Inspired, the class decided to use this as a base to guide their actions and relationships within the community and have cleverly integrated this with the use of some new technology.

Piper & Jasper

Japer and Piper explain how they “have used the iPad app Tellagami to make and record animated

videos describing how we are going to give our school community a reason to dance.”

Piper and Jasper believe this is a wonderful way to learn about having empathy for others and to value each and every human being. They state that it “also helps us believe in ourselves and follow our dreams.”

The ability to see yourself as an individual, who also happens to be an integral part of a particular group, is an important aspect of what it is to be human. This complex notion is further explored in the locally and internationally acclaimed Junior Years HiSTORY Centre program, where students and teachers work in a collaborative environment to re-enact historical stories.

The holistic nature of the HiSTORY Centre curriculum allows students to better understand themselves. In role, students learn through first hand experiences how to empathise in social and cross cultural settings, enhancing their own selfawareness.

“ELTHAM College is a unique and special community full of kind and courageous people. Not a day goes past without us taking a moment to appreciate what we have.”

History helps us understand the events and people that shape who we are. The special connections we have with our past helps us learn and appreciate those that came before us. This in turn can encourage us to move forward, with a sense of confidence and belonging, into our own future.

Find out more about the Junior Years Program on our website 6 elthamcollege.vic.edu.au

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CONNECTIONS

News

SENIOR YEARS CREATIVE RESPONSIBILTY To take ownership and assume responsibility for the essential elements of any process shows a real depth of maturity while also providing a wealth of opportunities to develop insights. In the following story we explore some integral aspects of responsibility that Senior students encountered during their production of the Sophocles tragedy “Antigone”.

The 2014 Theatre Studies production of “Antigone” was a profound learning experience for all of the talented individuals involved.

Eighteen students were each given two specific areas of stage craft to take responsibility for. So while Sarah Culy played the lead role of Antigone, she also worked on the publicity for the show.

Brendan Duncan played Creon and also worked with others to design the lighting for the show.

Other stage crafts managed by the students included; costume design, make up, set design, sound design, properties and directing.

“The students demonstrated steadfast commitment and teamwork skills throughout the process without which the production would not have been the success that it was.”

Amanda Sykes, Theatre Studies Teacher Playing the lead character of Antigone gave Sarah Culy the opportunity to push herself to the absolute limit, learning a lot about responsibility and teamwork through the intense experience of working with a small group to tight deadlines.

Sarah approached her role by researching the intricacies of her character very early on, giving herself time to become comfortable with the character she was studying to portray.

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“I thought about things the audience don’t ever learn, subtle things like what her favourite colour would be or what her relationship with her parents is like.”

Sarah Culy, Unit 3 Theatre Studies Student A greater understanding of responsibility is gained by watching and experiencing both the positive and negative outcomes that occur as a result of our actions. These experiences become strong motivators that dramatically influence future behaviour and provide valuable insights to further develop life skills.

Brendan Duncan discovered the level of work involved was both intense in nature (learning pages and pages of lines) but also emotionally complex when it came to bringing the character to life. The responsibility Brendan felt to accurately and authentically portray his character was significant.

“[my role] required empathising with such a deep character. It becomes something of an exercise in humility to entirely understand such a fundamental part of another person’s world view.”

Brendan Duncan, Unit 3 Theatre Studies Student

Ga si officiis es qui tem qui ute aspidigniet que The cast from Antigone

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EXECS

Biographies

REMEMBER THE TIME

As the College reflects on the past 40 years we look to those who have been long time passionate supporters. These long time contributers were awarded Life Membership by the ExECS Association in March this year.

Damain Bishop Class of 1981

Damain began his ELTHAM life in 1976 following his sister Fiona who began in 1974.

Damain was a founding committee member of the first incarnation of ExECS, which was formed in mid-1983 and served until 1987. During this time he was the ExECs treasurer from 1984 - 1985, and was the editor of the newsletter from 1983 - 1985 With a core group of likeminded past students keen on footy, he was involved in the inception of (and the founding President of) the Turtles, the Eltham Collegians Amateur Football Club. His reign lasting 5 years from 1985 - 1989, playing from 1985 - 1990 . Damain was also a member of the Club’s first premiership team in 1987.

Damain is now married and lives in the Dandenong Ranges with 2 teenage boys.

He has worked in various management positions in Airline and Media and Logistics industries over the last 30 years. He is currently in an Executive Director role with Toll Holdings.

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Keith McKechnie Past Staff

Keith taught in the Middle School at the College from 1976 through to 1995.

The ExECS group had been pretty much dormant since 1994/95, and keen to stay involved in the College, Keith discussed with then Principal, John Brenan, his willingness to re-activate the ExECS organisation. This included bringing together groups from each peer group to organise 10 year reunions.

In 1999 he worked with Geoff Ritter to get a grasp of the ExECS Database Geoff had been working on and endeavoured to keep it up-todate, a process that continues to this day. His ‘mental’ database has proved invaluable over the years, piecing together relationships and the whereabouts of many a lost soul!

The latest incarnation of the ExECS Committee was brought together by Keith in May of 2000.

Many receiving a phone call “out of the blue”, but nevertheless a call that was difficult to refuse! From 2000 to 2006 he fulfilled a role as the “Executive Officer” of ExECS; organising meetings; organising reunion committees; assisting the Committee in its work until Ann Plush took over this role in 2006.

He continued on the Committee providing the quiet voice of reason until retiring in October 2013. His smile, red pen, tartan scarf and shortbreads will be missed.

Geoff & Vivienne Ritter Past Parents

After a bushfire devastated much of Kangaroo Ground in 1969 the rural scene of the area changed and the seed for Eltham College was sown with a number of volunteers laying the first classroom bricks.

Geoff and Viv enrolled their three children,David, Cameron and Katherine at Eltham College and later Geoff became a Director of the newly formed Eltham College Foundation.

It was through the Foundation that the need for an alumni, or ex-Students Association, was discussed. Geoff and Viv had by now moved into the computer era and the creation of a database of graduated students became a challenging project for Geoff, with his new little 50kb Mac. After purchasing Filemaker Pro Geoff and Viv set to work building the original database.

Many hours were spent paging through handwritten, duplicated, crossed out and amended records from ledger books, cards, school magazines and sporting teams. Viv’s varied experience as a P.A. and her professional typing skills came to the fore. The project at last started to show some success, but there were many gaps. It was then that it was suggested Geoff talk to Keith as his long involvement with many students, coupled with his keen memory, was invaluable in closing many of these gaps.

Early lists were presented to the Foundation Board and overwhelming support for the project was received. Around this time the name ‘ExECS’ was born and the rest, as they say, is history!

2013 PAST STAFF REUNION A small but enthusiastic group of former staff members gathered at Swipers Gully in November 2013. There were staff members from the 1970s right through to the 2000s.

We were especially pleased to have two former Principals; Brian Webber with his wife Beverley, and John Brenan with his wife Sarah, who joined us for the evening. The highlight of the evening was undoubtedly the oration by our turbaned friend, Beryl Nichols (there’s a tale in itself) as she regaled us with her recollections of the very beginnings of Eltham College. Quite appropriate as we approached our 40th year. There was a long list of apologies, which encourages us to continue to hold these get togethers of ex-staff.

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Make sure you and your colleagues have up to date email addresses registered with the ExECS Association.

E Past Staff Reunion A. Ian Whitford, Johnathan Rogers, Marg McCormack B. John Brenan & Brian Webber C. Kim Watkins, Alicienne Stevens & Michelle Humphreys D. Peter Molloy, Jan Lockwood, Chris Livingstone, Vallerie Lloyd Smith & Brian McLean E. Beryl Nichols & Keith McKechnie F. Athalie Haydon & Rob Wagner

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John CitizenFiculiis ocusquod sus ggh fomnequam ocaetrae ocrivvdssoludam FFF fbetilibut arid Catique in popotiu quit; 10

EXECS

Reunions

CLASS OF ‘83 30 YEAR REUNION “The night was filled with stories of travels, family, employment and children...”

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Saturday 26 October 2013 With a degree of nervousness for some, excitement for others, we met again at Swipers... some 30 years after we had said farewell to ELTHAM. The College was celebrating its 10th year when we left. The D. D. Davey Library had just been completed, and it was a very different place to the one we toured around before the reunion. The night was filled with stories of travels, family, employment, and children, which morphed by the end of the evening to memories of our years at the College and how young we all were!! Some having changed a little (and some a lot), the raucous conversations continued as if we had all been together just yesterday. The evening continued on to the Eltham Hotel, after which the stayers ended up at Jon Wilton’s house partying in his garage to about 4am! Oh what a night!

30 Year Reunion A. Campbell Sallabank, Joanna Stuart, Ann Plush (Caldwell) B. Jonathan Wilton, Lynne Thorsen, Cameron Groppi C. Keith McKechnie, Jenny Erlanger (Allen), Glenis Gumley (Rotheram) D. Leanne Thomas (Coe), Rupert Gardner, Darren Ewert, Lisa Derndorfer (Parsons) E. Robyn Miles (Bayly), Marianne Bulmer, Eugenie Austin, Jenny Koch (Christian), Sue Sagar (Doerfler) F. Simone Marschner (Becker), Emlyn Garvey, Vija Cah, Anna Phillips

CLASS OF ‘93 20 YEAR REUNION “It was great to get together with old friends and I soon discovered that I wasn’t the only one who had somehow misplaced two decades!”

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Saturday 3 August 2013 Wow...20 years, how did that sneak up on me! In a very spontaneous moment I boarded a plane and headed down to Melbourne for the 20 year reunion and am so glad I did. I couldn’t believe how quickly familiar faces and names came flooding back to me. It was great to get together with old friends and I soon discovered that I wasn’t the only one who had somehow misplaced two decades!

I had a great night and hope to make more of an effort to stay in touch with those lifelong friends I met at ELTHAM College.

Natasha Smith (Nee Venn)

20 Year Reunion A. Aurora Frattali, Ryan Connolly, Amanda Donaldson, Kathie van Vugt (Ritter) & Fiona Baker B. Daniel Minihan, Shannon Whelan (Stokes) & Carrie Davies (Riddle) C. Jaki Cornell (Reid), Rohan White & Megan McLean (Englefield) D. Jill Blunsom, Sherryn Hogan (Rouse) & Wendy Miller (Howman) E. Natasha Smith (Venn), Lucas van Raalte, Olivia Wenholz (Harkin) & Wendy Miller (Howman) F. Paul Reid, Amber Clarey, Rupert Pelling & Lauren Irvine

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EXECS

Reunions

CLASS OF ‘98 15 YEAR REUNION “Gazing over the old school photos, it was easy to conjure up all the old memories and antics of the past.“

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Saturday 7 September 2013 Although it didn’t seem that long since we’d caught up at the 10 year reunion, it was clear another 5 years had passed since we were all at school together. A small group from the Class of ‘98 met up at ELTHAM’s City Campus….. a new revelation to us, and once again it was like we’d never parted. Gazing over the old school photos, it was easy to conjure up all the old memories and antics of the past. The central location of the City Campus made the move to later venues seamless, just a trot across the road.

Thanks to the ExECS Association for putting on the event, we look forward to catching up with everyone again at the 20 Year Reunion!

25 Year Reunion A. Carolyn Bam, Katrina Williamson, Michelle Peters, Emma Alchin, Andrew Crook, Nina Kelabora & Sarah Jordan (Rouse) B. Daniel McKie, Jacqueline Lewis (Partner), Ben Lewis & Raynor Kempa C. Katrina Williamson, Haley Sageman,Elizabeth Beattie , Phillip Grant & Michelle Peters D. Marcus Johnson, Andrew Hewitt & Daniel McKie E. Nicole Pegler (Partner), Travis Pegler & Travis Cutt F. Sarah Jordan (Rouse), Marika O’Leary, Elissa Walker & Andrew Crook

EXECS

Sport

OUR EXECS SPORTING CLUBS A

GET IN CONTACT Eltham Collegians Football Club Contact Ron Chapman - Club President on 0410 446 614, or visit elthamcollegiansfc.com Research Eltham Collegians Cricket Club (RECCC) Contact Sebastian Fitzpatrick on 0497 839 609 or visit researchelthamcollegians.vic.cricket.com.au

TURTLES IN STRONG POSITION FOR 2014 SEASON As we head into the second half of season 2014 the Turtles are in a stronger position than they were in 2013. Our reserves are on top of the Division 2 ladder undefeated and two games clear, while our seniors are in third spot, only one game away from second.

Of great significance is that we entered the second half with a full list of 68 active players, plus our 10 new recruits are all having a big impact. To achieve ultimate success not only requires a lot of talent, excellent coaching staff, committee and facilities, but also a bit of luck.

Usually the team with the healthiest list come September has the advantage, so getting through winter unscathed is our next challenge. This is our fourth year into the rebuilding process and we are confident that the remaining games will set the scene for an exciting finish.

A. Turtles Reserves Team B. RECCC Under 16 Premiers

All new members welcome.

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CRICKET NEWS Research Eltham Collegians finished the 2013 / 2014 season with 2 Senior and 6 Junior teams making finals.

This year also saw the introduction of our first all girls team, the Rubies, competing in the U12s against the boys. This team surprised many, possibly even themselves, and made it through to the finals in their first year.

All of our juniors have benefitted significantly from the hard working coaches and club management, providing them all with an environment to learn, develop and improve.

At the Diamond Valley Cricket Association Presentation Night, RECC walked away with an armfull of awards, 4 senior and 3 junior association awards, 2 members of the DVCA Team of the Year along with the 2 runners up in the Ray Christensen Medal, for the Best Player in the Association.

We look forward with great anticipation to the 2014/2015 season with a focus on building the culture of success and camaraderie that has been the strength of the club this last season.

If you are interested in playing cricket we welcome players of all ages and abilities.

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SWIPERS GULLY

Recipe

BRAISED BEEF CHEEK WITH WHITE BEAN PUREE Ask your local butcher for beef cheeks as you won’t find them in the supermarkets.

This recipe featured in the Term 2 menu at Swipers Gully Restaurant and is a perfect meal to warm you up this Winter.

Braised Beef Cheeks • 4 tblsp olive oil

• 600ml red wine

• 4 x 250g (9oz) pieces beef cheek (trimmed)

• 1.20 litres beef stock

• 2 carrots (cut into chunks)

• 2 fresh rosemary sprigs

• 1 onion (roughly chopped) • 2 garlic cloves (crushed)

• 2 fresh thyme sprigs

• 150g piece smoked bacon (rind removed and diced) • 150g baby button mushrooms (wiped)

Ensure the beef cheeks are trimed (top flap of meat as well as the silverskin from the bottom removed).

Preheat oven to 160°C (325°F/Gas 3). Heat one tablespoon of the oil in a large casserole dish.

Add the pieces of beef cheek and brown all over for 4-5 minutes, turning regularly with tongs.

Transfer to a plate.

Add another tablespoon of oil to the casserole, reduce the heat a little and add the carrots, onion and garlic. Cook for a further 5 minutes until golden brown, stirring.

Return the beef cheeks and any juices to the casserole and pour over the red wine and beef stock. Add the herbs and season to taste, then bring to the boil. Cover tightly with foil and a lid. Bake for 3 hours until the beef cheeks are meltingly tender.

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Carefully remove the beef cheeks from the braising juices and leave to rest on a warmed plate. Strain the cooking juices into a pan and reduce down on a rapid simmer for 40-45 minutes until reduced by a quarter.

Reserve the vegetables with the beef cheeks, covered in foil to keep warm.

White Bean Puree • 450g White beans (cannellini, butterbeans) • 1 onion • 1 bay leaf

• 60ml white wine • 150ml chicken stock • 100ml cream • 4 fresh rosemary sprigs

• salt to taste Drain tinned white beans and rinse with cold water. Dice onion and crush garlic. Pick rosemary and set aside Heat pan, Add oil and sweat onion and garlic. Add white beans and sweat without colour for 3-4 minutes. Add bay leaf and rosemary. Add white wine and reduce by ½. Add stock and bring to boil and reduce by ½ again.

Add cream, bring back to boil and season. Puree with hand blender and adjust consistency and seasoning.

To Finish Reheat the large non-stick frying pan. Add the remaining oil and sauté the bacon and mushrooms for 4-5 minutes until golden brown.

Drain off the oil and stir into the reduction of braising juices. Season to taste.

Place a couple of spoonful’s of the white bean puree into each wide-rimmed bowl and carefully arrange the cooked beef cheeks on top.

Ladle over the braising juice with smoked bacon and mushrooms. Garnish with rosemary sprig to serve. Serves 4.

BUILDING BLOCKS FOR THE FUTURE The Eltham College Foundation has many similar characteristics to those required for the foundations of any building; strength, depth and a sturdy resolve to support the structure above.

Formed in 1982 the Eltham College Foundation’s sole objective is to provide financial support to the College. To this end the Foundation operates four Child Care Centres and was able to gift $425,000 to the College in 2013. The Foundation is targeting a comparable donation in 2014.

To better serve the College, Foundation is striving to expand both its market share in the child care industry and the support network it draws from. A core goal for 2014 is to further research opportunities to acquire a number of suburban child care centres in the vicinity of the College, or the CBD. In addition to the acquisition of business real estate the Foundation would like to add to the already vast breadth of knowledge and experience amongst its members; and are therefore currently seeking business minded people to join the organisation. Filled with energy and enthusiasm, these new Directors would help guide the Foundation in an ever changing market.

If you are interested in becoming a Member or a Director, or have knowledge of child care businesses or sites for sale, please contact the Foundations Chief Executive Officer, Mr Iain Cowan via email. icowan@elthamfoundation.com.au

John CitizenFiculiis ocusquod sus ggh fomnequam ocaetrae ocrivvdssoludam fbetilibut arid Catique in popotiu quit; 16

ECCA

News

ECCA PARENTS SUPPORTING ELTHAM Highlights of events organised by the ELTHAM College Community Association (ECCA)

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ECCA ROUND UP The year got off to a big start, with a variety of events to welcome students and parents to the ELTHAM community.

ECCA’s traditional series of events to bring the College community together at the start of the new school year commenced with the Early & Junior Years Welcome Picnic at the Eltham Lower

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Rounding out the welcome events, guests at our Parent Welcome Evening enjoyed the wonderful food and service provided by Swipers Gully Hospitality staff and students, and relaxed to the wonderful musical talents of ELTHAM graduates Jordyn Latta and Lara McQuillan (Class of 2010).

A. Early & Junior Years Welcome Picnic B. Middle Years BBQ lunch C. Parent Welcome Evening

VALE SABINE KOUTS The ELTHAM College community was deeply saddened by the loss of a dear friend with the passing of Sabine Kouts in April.

John CitizenFiculiis ocusquod sus ggh fomnequam ocaetrae ocrivvdssoludam fbetilibut arid Catique in popotiu quit;

Sabine worked tirelessly for ELTHAM and its parent body, serving as President of both the Early Learning Centre Auxiliary and ECCA and as a College Board Director. She was a significant member of the ELTHAM community

and her commitment and support of the College were an inspiration.

Our deepest sympathies are with the Kouts family; husband Jim, who is Chair of the ELTHAM College Foundation Board, and her two daughters Jessica (Class of 2009) and Natalie (Class of 2011).

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Friends of Groups

CHECKING IN WITH FRIENDS Find out more about the great activities our Friends of Groups have been involved in recently.

HOCKEY

EQUESTRIAN

SWIMMING

A group of thirteen senior students and three staff travelled to New Zealand in December 2013 to play in ELTHAM’s first international hockey tour. Five games were played over one week in both Christchurch and Dunedin. The drive from Christchurch to Dunedin was beautiful with lots of stunning New Zealand scenery.

Congratulations and thanks go to all the players for their enthusiasm and passion for the game, and to Sherryn Bevilacqua, Victor Romagosa and Jacquie Lendon for making it possible.

Each year the ELTHAM College Equine group meet in March for a clinic at the Yarrambat Pony Club grounds. This enables all ELTHAM students with their own horse or pony to get together to have a couple of lessons - everyone from new beginners through to experienced riders are catered for in a fun environment.

EC Waves had two representatives at Nationals this year, ELTHAM College student Bradley Paterson, who competed in 100m and 200m breaststroke at the Australian Age Championships in Sydney and Club Coach, Katie Grounds who competed in 50m Backstroke at the Australian Open Championships in Brisbane.

Both swimmers are an inspiration to all our members for their dedication and persistence.

If you are interested in more information about Hockey @ ELTHAM contact Sherryn Bevilacqua friendsofhockey@elthamcollege.vic.edu.au

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ELTHAM also has a small team of students who compete at the Victorian Equestrian lnterschool Series (VElS). Kimberly Apted (Year 12) and Brittany Apted (Year 9) represented ELTHAM at the Ivanhoe Grammar Interschool Dressage and Show Jumping Day and the Braemar Interschool Dressage event, achieving outstanding results.

As a result, a lot our members are now aspiring to bigger and better short term and long term goals in their swimming.

Friends of Equestrian can help you with useful information about how you can get involved.

With over 70 competitive members, of which 30 are State Representatives, our swimmers are well on their way to achieving their aspirations through their personal achievements.

Contact Sue Laurie for more information friendsofequestrian@elthamcollege.vic.edu.au

Find out more about EC Waves by contacting Kris Paterson at ckpaterson@iprimus.com.au

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CELEBRATING 40 YEARS FROM THE ARCHIVES

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GET CONNECTED ELTHAM COLLEGE Enrolments and Tours: 03 9437 1421 registrar@elthamcollege.vic.edu.au Swipers Gully Restaurant : 03 9437 2222 elthamcollege.vic.edu.au

ExECS Enquiries 03 9433 9959 execs@elthamcollege.vic.edu.au execs.org.au ECCA Enquiries 03 9433 9920 ecca@elthamcollege.vic.edu.au ELTHAM COLLEGE FOUNDATION Enquiries 03 9437 1421 icowan@elthamcollege.vic.edu.au ELTHAM COLLEGE KIDS Eltham North 03 9431 4947 Laurimar 03 9717 3741 Melbourne City 03 9614 3011 Kids On Collins 03 9629 4099 elthamcollegekids.com.au FRIENDS OF: EC Waves Swimming ckpaterson@iprimus.com.au Equestrian friendsofequestrian@elthamcollege.vic.edu.au Football friendsoffootball@elthamcollege.vic.edu.au Great Victorian Bike Ride r.smedley@optusnet.com.au Hockey friendsofhockey@elthamcollege.vic.edu.au Kayaking friendsofkayaking@elthamcollege.vic.edu.au Music friendsofmusic@elthamcollege.vic.edu.au Snowsports friendsofsnowsports@elthamcollege.vic.edu.au Tennis friendsoftennis@elthamcollege.vic.edu.au Aerobics friendsofaerobics@elthamcollege.vic.edu.au 1