↓ SECTION 02 — SCHOOL
OGG PRESIDENT Nine GGS staff members were appointed Honorary Life Members of the OGG Association in recognition of their many years of service and loyalty to the School at the OGG AGM on April 26. We were pleased to welcome Carmen Cairns (Year 5 Teacher, Toorak Campus), Michael Hutley (Head of Allen House), Kay Long (Head of Professional Learning & Planning), Sue Ryan (Assistant to the Principal) and Bill Van Veldhoven (Chef), who were present to receive their awards, as well as Jenny Carlton (former Campus Sports Manager), Christine Howes (Head of Elisabeth Murdoch House), Margaret Howe (Food and Beverage) and Amanda Poore (Cleaning Staff). The OGG Association welcomed three new committee members who were elected at the AGM: Annabel Southey (Cl’02), Bill Ferguson (P’72) and Sandy Mackenzie (FB’59). Each brings a range of interests, skills and ideas to the committee, and we look forward to their continuing involvement in OGG activities. Andrew Swan (Fr’07) stepped down from the committee to manage increased responsibility in his role at Monash University. Andrew's contribution to careers mentoring in the OGG community has been much appreciated. The OGG ACT Branch reunion dinner was held in Canberra on Saturday 30 April. It was a successful event attended by 42 OGGs, past and current parents and friends. Branch president Lucinda Bordignon (Cl’03), daughter of Jane Bordignon (Douglas, Cl’75), was MC for the evening, and the dinner was organised by Chris Gatenby (M'02). The OGG NSW Branch cocktail party was kindly hosted by Kate and Bill Anderson (M'59) on Wednesday 4 May. It was attended by 90 people from the OGG and GGS community, who enjoyed a lovely evening at Kate and Bill’s home. The OGG UK Branch London dinner was held on Thursday 23 June at the historic Travellers’ Club. The guest speaker was distinguished UK broadcaster and writer Rob Cowan. We thank the retiring OGG UK Branch president Tim Tyler OBE (P’54) and secretary David Hudson (Ge’68) for their many years of service. Not only have they maintained a proud tradition of
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London dinners, with an excellent choice of speakers and grand historic venues, but have also assisted many OGGs in the UK with employment opportunities and advice. While London dinners have featured on the OGG calendar since the 1920s, it is 60 years since the OGG UK Branch was officially formed in 1956. Its first official branch dinner was held on 24 June 1957 (coinciding with the GGS Centenary Dinner) at the Public Schools’ Club in Piccadilly. The dinner was attended by 54 Old Boys and hosted by inaugural UK branch president Ken Mackinnon (M’24), with former GGS staff member Gerry Dicker of Winchester as a “witty and amusing” speaker. Several members of the GGS community received awards in the 2016 Queen’s Birthday honours list, including Dr Edwin Sydney Crawcour AO (FB'42), Sue Henry OAM (Vedmore, He’61), Janice McGowan OAM (Evans, He’56), Graham Morphett OAM (FB’69) and Captain Justin Jones (M'87), who was awarded the Conspicuous Service Cross (CSC) for outstanding devotion to duty as Commanding Officer of HMAS Success. I was fortunate to be invited aboard HMAS Success for lunch with Captain Jones while it was docked at Port Melbourne on Friday 6 May. Among the guests were former GGS Foundation chairman and School Councillor Patrick Moore (M'62), who is currently president of the Australian Institute of International Affairs. The conversation about international politics and security reflected the involvement of many OGGs in diplomacy and international affairs. As another financial year closes, I would like to thank the School for the assistance it provides to the OGG Association. GGS provides a staffed OGG office where we benefit from the excellent capabilities of the Manager of Alumni Relations, Katie Rafferty (Spry, Ga’84), our highly valued honorary OGG secretary. Katie coordinates the OGG calendar, committee meetings, website and social media facilities, and liaises with Data Analyst, Dougal Morrison, new Archivist, Geoffrey Laurenson, and with the Community Relations Office. Katie works alongside Support Group and Event Co-ordinator, Iga Bajer. Their valuable work assists the OGG committee in connecting with GGS, its alumni and the wider GGS community. Margie Gillett (Cordner, Cl’71) OGG President LIGHT BLUE - GEELONG GRAMMAR SCHOOL