Professor Matthew Ricketson (M’75), who was appointed Professor of Journalism at the University of Canberra in 2009, has edited Australian Journalism Today. For some months from September 2011 he assisted the former Federal Court judge Ray Finkelstein QC in an independent inquiry into the media in Australia. He ran the journalism programme at RMIT from 1995 to 2006 before a period as Media and Communications editor for The Age. In 2010 he was awarded the degree of PhD by Monash University for a thesis entitled “Ethical Issues in the Practice of Book-length Journalism”. Michael Winchester (P’78) is the writer and, with Owen Elliott, co-producer of the film Bathing Franky, in which he plays the part of Raven. He trained at the Victorian College of the Arts and has appeared on stage for the Sydney Theatre Company, the Griffin Theatre Company, and The Q Theatre, and on television in A Country Practice, Sons and Daughters, GP, the longrunning Prisoner, and several miniseries. He is the father of Isabella (HeYr11) and Georgina (HeYr10), who represent the third generation of Winchesters at GGS. Andrew Dodd (T’80), who has contributed a chapter, “The hidden underbelly of the journalism-public relations nexus”, to the book edited by Matthew Ricketson (M’75) that is noted above, has himself written (and kindly given to the School a copy of) J. J. Clark: Architect of the Australian Renaissance (New South Publishing, Sydney, 2012), a thorough (and beautifully illustrated and presented) book about the man who at the beginning of a 63-year career was (at 14) the youngest practising architect in Australia and towards its end the oldest. In 1857, at 19, he designed his masterpiece, the Melbourne Treasury in Spring Street, which Andrew calls “the finest example of the Renaissance Revival style in Australia”. Neville Clark MC (Staff 1973-78) is a greatgreat-nephew. Bill Perry (A’80; Timbertop Assistant 1981), who died in July 2011 at Christchurch in New Zealand from a meningococcal infection, was the eldest son of Pam née O’Donnell (He’55) and Barry Perry, and brother of Robert
(A’83) and John (A’87). The three brothers are all fondly remembered by GGS contemporaries and staff, not least for their impeccable manners. For three years Bill had been the CEO of Fulton Hogan, a civil engineering firm with a staff of 5,500. He played a crucial role in the forming of an alliance between government, council, and contractors charged with the rebuilding of Christchurch in the wake of its devastating earthquake in February 2011. Bill’s first thought had always been for others, and he is appropriately commemorated in the quarterly Bill Perry Safety Award competed for by these contractors. At GGS, of which he was a member for 14 years (winning colours for rugby, the William Elliott Murray Prize for Military Efficiency, an RSL prize for Personal Achievement, a Yellow Belt in jiu-jitsu, and the ranks of House Prefect and Cadet Under Officer), his special love of Timbertop was reflected not only in his return there as an Assistant but also in the joy that he later took in the outdoor wonders of New Zealand’s South Island. Graeme Joy (Staff 1980-85) and David Maggs (T’77; Timbertop Assistant 1981), who became Bill’s very close friend, remember his combination of compassion and strength, his ability to lead by example, his warmth of heart and friendliness, his great sense of fun combined with responsibility to and for others. “He had,” writes David, “that uncanny ability …. to lead in a way that made it inevitable others would want to follow.” His wife, Nicole, and children, Sam, Eliza, and Angus, survive him. Elisabeth Murdoch (Bl’81), who recently gave the annual James McTaggart Memorial Lecture at the Edinburgh International Television Festival, is chairman of the television production company Shine Group, which she founded in 2001. Tom Gubbins (M/L’86) was named Australia’s Livestock Producer for 2011, the Year of the Farmer, in a competition run by the Kondinin Group and ABC Rural. The Te Mania Angus stud has been a family concern through three generations. Founded by Tom’s maternal grandfather, Edwin Wilding, in the South Island of New Zealand, it had its beginning in Australia in 1971 when his father, Andrew Gubbins (M’52), imported two young sires and 58 ewes from Te Mania. Data-collection has distinguished it throughout. Long based at Pardoo, near Colac, it is now near Mortlake. An article about Tom by Katrina Weatherly née Kelly (Cl’71) in Western District Farmer for May 2012 tells how his use of computers and other modern technology has enabled him, in a team effort with his wife, Lucy, to overcome problems caused by dyslexia. Using computers to record the cattle’s performance and to assess their quantitative
genetics has been Tom’s passion. Te Mania Angus is one of 12 enterprises (and the sole Victorian one) featured in the 2012 “Australian Pastoral Properties” issue of the R. M. Williams Outback magazine, which illustrates the family involvement of Tom with his parents, Andrew and Mary, his sister, Amanda McFarlane (Cl’79; Council 2011-), and her husband, Hamish (M’78). A four-generation family association with GGS remains strong through both Gubbins and McFarlane grandchildren of Andrew and Mary: the Gubbins connection began in 1914, the School’s first year at Corio, and includes Tom’s grandfather, the late Norman Gubbins (M’25), and his brother, Charles (M’81), as well as many cousins; the McFarlane connection, which also involves a wide cousinage, stems in this line from Hamish’s maternal grandfather, the late Hubert Black (M’24; Council 1949-63), and includes his uncle William Black (M’57) – brother of his mother, Juliet McFarlane – and his own brothers, David (M/L’76) and Andrew (M/L’82).
FROM THE CURATOR
New Zealand, and visits with her to that country led to many further friendships. Theirs was a close and loving union, and he adored their daughter, Teagan Genevieve, whose 21st birthday and engagement he was able to enjoy before he died.
Edwina Barber (Ga’88) has followed her first children’s book, It’s about time! (Oryx, Melbourne, 2008) by writing and illustrating 20 more, printed in China as a result of her visit there with her children, Valentina and Maximillian. Tales with morals, several have Magnus Monkey as their hero (see her website: edwinabarberbooks.com). Laura Smith (He’93) and Simon Berger (Fr’93), though friends at school, were brought together permanently as a result of their ten-year reunion. In September 2006 their daughter, Matilda, was born – a beautiful child who began, when 3, to suffer seizures, eventually hundreds a day, changing her from a running, smiling child into one unable either to walk or to talk. In June 2011 she was diagnosed with the rare genetic condition (borne by only 30 children in Australia) known as Batten Disease, at present incurable and always fatal. Matilda is not expected to live past 10. Simon and Laura are running an appeal to raise money for buying a wheelchair-accessible van so that they can take Tilda out to things she loves such as swimming. Information about it can be found on either of two websites (www.teamtilda.wordpress.com and www. facebook.com/teamtilda). James Parkinson (Fr’95) has a senior position with Professional Diving Services managing some of their contracts including one with the Royal Australian Navy for the underwater inspection and maintenance of the Fleet. Recently he managed a dive in Port Phillip on a 19th-century wreck together with Heritage Victoria and the Western Australian Maritime Museum. Craig Mottram (A’98), representing Australia in the 5,000-metres event, ran in London in August 2012 in his fourth Olympic Games.
41