The Terracian December 2019

St Joseph’s College, Gregory Terrace

December 2019

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Series VII, Volume 30, No.3, December 2019

St Joseph’s College, Gregory Terrace acknowledges the Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples of this nation. We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the lands on which our campuses are located. We pay our respects to ancestors and Elders, past, present and future. St Joseph’s College is committed to honouring Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ unique cultural and spiritual relationships to the land, waters and seas and their rich contribution to the College and society.

Graphic Design by: Roche Creative

Contributors:

Ms Doreen Awabdy, Dr Michael Carroll, Mr Des Cosgrove, Mr Luke Gribble, Mr Mason Hellyer, Mr Scott Moran, Mrs Liz Oley, Mr Terry Thompson, Mr David Toohey, Mrs Bianca Wagner, Mr Damian Wright,

Published by: St Joseph’s College, Gregory Terrace, Brisbane QLD 4000

Edited by: Mrs Bianca Wagner

P 3214 5259

E biancawagner@terrace.qld.edu.au

From the Principal

Dear Members of the Terrace Family,

Welcome to the final edition of The Terracian for 2019. Yet again, this edition has a kaleidoscope of stories that feature the diversity and richness of the Terrace Family.

This year Terrace students have again shone in and out of the classroom. The recent Celebration of Excellence was a showcase of the talent and recognition of the success and achievements of the students. The talent in music, academics, sport, culture and spirituality was very much evident for all to see. This is highlighted with the students engaging in activities such as the European Music tour, the trip to NASA and local activities such as Winterfest, Jazz Night and Year 10 Immersions. The Terrace journey is certainly a rich and diverse experience.

The important work of the Terrace Foundation continued in 2019. I thank and acknowledge the generous support of the many donors who enabled the College to continue to provide state of the art facilities and a Terrace education for our bursary students. This year we farewelled Mrs Lea Walker-Franks and welcomed Ms Doreen Awabdy to the Foundation in the role of Director

of Development and Foundation Executive Officer.

This year we also say thank you and farewell to Mrs Marie Allen, who has been the Personal Assistant to the last three Terrace Principals – Dr Brendan McManus, Mr Peter Chapman and myself. I thank Marie for her dedicated service to Terrace and wish her the very best in her future journey.

As another group of young men leave the College and become Terrace Old Boys, I wish to acknowledge and congratulate the 2019 Year 12 cohort. They have been fine Terrace Gentlemen, and I know that they will be noteworthy Old Boys also. They will continue the tradition of Old Boys such as Mr Dick McGruther, Mr Tristan Hurree, Mr John Tenison-Woods and the Cosgrove brothers, who feature in this edition.

The Gregory Terrace Old Boys’ Association (GTOBA) continue to

actively support the College with their reunions, the Vintage Terracians’ Morning Tea and the Br Barry Buckley Breakfast. This year the GTOBA has financially supported three students through the Edmund Rice Bursary program and contributed to the refurbishment of College Hall. As a College community, we also farewelled a number of Old Boys including our oldest Old Boy Mr Paul Tunn GT - 1939, Mr Damien GriffinGT 1988, Brigadier Jim Townley - GT 1956 and Mr Michael Oley - GT 1962.

As the Christmas season approaches, I take this opportunity to thank all the Terrace Family, past, present and future for their support throughout 2019, and I look forward to celebrating our 145th year in 2020.

God Bless.

Dr Michael Carroll College Principal

Celebration of Excellence

The Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre was once again transformed into a celebration of all things Terrace on Monday 4 November. The Terrace Family acknowledged those students who achieved both academic and co-curricular excellence during 2019. Terrace Culture was also able to showcase its fantastic Music students and all they are capable of. Congratulations to Dux of the College, Vice Captain James Hurst and all the students who received an award on the night. It was a spectacular night and was a reflection of the diverse talents and expertise that exist within the Terrace Family.

Acknowledging the past and exploring the future

Written by Mr Terry Thompson

In 2019, Treacy House students renewed their House vision; a process which has been in the works for the past two years. The leaders of the House wanted to ensure this vision guided and inspired students of Treacy House on their Terrace journey. In consultation with Br Regis Hickey, the Christian Brother who wrote the biography of Br Patrick Ambrose Treacy, the 2019 Treacy House Captains created the vision of ‘The Treacy Man’. This vision, an integral part of the development and formation of Treacy House students, encapsulates the key characteristics and values of who Br Treacy was.

The Treacy Man is:

A man of care

A man of dedication

A man of hope

A man of purpose

An annual key formation experience available to Treacy House students is the Brisbane Treacy Trail. This trail aims to acknowledge the past and explore how the students of Treacy House can enact and model the wisdom and legacy of Br Patrick Ambrose Treacy. We had the privilege of sharing this year’s Treacy Trail with Br Regis Hickey, who guided the group through the context, scope and significance of Br Treacy’s extraordinary work.

Along with students from other EREA schools, five members of the Year 9 Treacy House cohort, Joel Snell, Nicolas Astori, Eddie Heffernan, Ryan Larsen and Hudson Asnicar, were fortunate enough to participate in this exciting experience. Each student has written his own reflection into this unique learning opportunity:

JOEL: As a group, we explored Br Treacy’s time in Queensland, where his mission was to establish communities and schools by providing young men with an education. During the Treacy Trail, we travelled to schools following Br Treacy’s traditions, where we listened to stories from Br Regis Hickey about Br Treacy’s journey to develop a quality education for all of his students. We learnt about Br Treacy’s dedication and hard work for his schools, perseverance through difficult times and trust in his faith. As members of Treacy House, we strive to follow in the footsteps of Br Treacy. When Treacy men are purposeful, they bring about action and change. Treacy men can be caring by showing compassion to others around them and building meaningful relationships. The Treacy man can be hopeful about the future and be both confident and optimistic. Treacy House students can show dedication through commitment to a task with both enthusiasm and application. The Treacy Trail and learning about Br Treacy gave a meaningful insight into being a Treacy Man

NICOLAS: Br Patrick Ambrose

Treacy’s legacy lives on because of his dedication to his work and his beliefs. Dedication correlates with the attributes of commitment and purpose which are present in The Treacy Man. Br Treacy showed dedication to the schools he founded and his belief in God. For example, in his last days, Br Treacy was very sick and was told to stay in his room and rest. Despite this, every day he left his room and went outside and raked the Jacaranda leaves outside the school. He was extremely dedicated to the schools that he created, so much so he risked his wellbeing to make sure the school was perfect for his students. All Terracians can learn from this as they can be dedicated in whatever they choose just as Br Treacy was in his life’s work.

EDDIE: Br Patrick Ambrose Treacy was a hardworking man. He always worked to the best of his abilities and tried to make things better for others. A key example of this was his constant work to improve St Joseph’s College, Gregory Terrace and St Joseph’s College, Nudgee. One of the ways we can still see the legacy of his hard work is the Treacy Building at St Joseph’s College at Nudgee, which he built alone from the ground up. This shows his commitment and dedication to helping the community. Even when he was ill, Br Treacy was still very committed to working hard for his schools. To be hard working at Terrace does not just involve studies, but it also involves helping the community just like Br Treacy did. There are various ways we can do this at Terrace, including activities such as our Big Brekky program and House Friendship initiatives. There are many things a Terrace student can learn from the Br Treacy story. However, the key message is to work hard to support others around you.

RYAN: Br Patrick Ambrose Treacy was a man of faith. During the Treacy Trail, Br Regis Hickey emphasised how the providence of faith was the key driving force in the mission of Br Treacy. He had faith that the Lord would provide. Arriving in Melbourne by boat with literally a pocketful of coins and a small suitcase, Br Treacy visited every major port and city in colonial Australia, raised millions of dollars (in today’s terms) and built and opened 27 schools, the first being Parade College, Melbourne. This faith continued when he was at Nudgee - “I commence the building of Nudgee without either the money for the building or even a promise from you of staff of Brothers to work. I have confidence however, that God will provide the means as heretofore and that God will come to our assistance in a more than ordinary way.” (Brother Ambrose Treacy, 28 June 1889). This shows how much faith and belief he had to make an idea into a living reality.

HUDSON: One key point that stuck with me from my learnings on the Treacy Trail is perseverance. Perseverance is persistence in doing something despite difficulty or delay in achieving success. Br Treacy fits the theme of perseverance perfectly. Through readings from other EREA schools across Brisbane and firsthand stories from Br Regis Hickey, I have a great understanding of the major setbacks and difficulties in Br Treacy’s life. Despite these many setbacks, Br Treacy became one of the most successful people in his mission. The story of perseverance in his life is incredible, starting from nothing to building many successful Catholic schools across Australia. He showed qualities such as resilience, hard work and professionalism and he made sure all his work was of a high standard. Throughout the day Br Regis reminded us how dedicated Br Treacy was. He stated, every morning Br Treacy would wake up early to clean classrooms, dorms and school entrances. Learning about Br Treacy was a fantastic experience, these key messages and stories will stay with all of the participants on this day forever. I learnt that with hard work and perseverance you can work towards any goal you set.

The 2019 Treacy Trail proved to be a dynamic and valuable learning experience for these Treacy House students and allowed for an understanding of how care, dedication, hope and purpose are driving forces in achieving one’s goals. Br Treacy accepted the challenge to follow in the footsteps of Edmund Rice and answer the call of Jesus by building a better world for all. For over 40 years, Br Treacy placed his trust in God to bring about liberating education for young men. He is remembered and followed for his tenacity, his vision, and for his abiding faith in God’s providence. The hope is that the annual Treacy Trail will continue to provide an opportunity for Treacy House students to acknowledge the legacy of Br Treacy and explore the future of the Treacy Man for years to come.

Young Writers Award

Congratulations Terrace Old Boy Tristan Hurree - GT 2016, who won the State Library Young Writers Award for 2019 with his short story ‘Paper lands’. The Young Writers Award is an annual short story competition for Queensland residents aged 18-25. The competition has been going for 20 years and showcases emerging Queensland voices, many of whom go on to publish books and achieve national and international literary success.

Tristan graduated from Terrace in 2016 with an OP1 and was acknowledged by the Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority (QCAA) as one of the state’s Highest Achievers. Tristan is studying genetics at the University of Queensland and has a small collection of stories currently in print.

Tristan’s winning short story can be found online on the Griffith Review website: www.griffithreview.com/ articles/young-writers-award-slqhurree/

Below are judges’ comments taken from the State Library of Queensland webpage: www.slq.qld.gov.au/ get-involved/fellowships-awardsresidencies/young-writers-award

The winning stories stood out for their sense of authenticity. The voices were engaging and thoughtfully crafted, yet it was the vividly drawn characters that rendered each piece successful. The character-based stories all interrogated the internal and emotional lives of their protagonists in unique and interesting ways, and each writer narrowed the scope of their fictional narrative with confidence, which allowed each piece to feel fully realised. Though the stories – like many in the shortlist – tackled familiar themes and ideas, they all carried an emotional weight which was expressed in subtle, restrained, and surprising ways. These accomplished stories all reveal young and talented writers of great potential.

Terrace Music European tour

Written by Mr Scott Moran (Year 12 2019)

During the September holidays, as a member of the Terrace Choir and Waterford Strings, I was privileged to participate in the 2019 Europe tour. The highlights of the tour included visiting the United Nations and the Christian Brothers in Geneva, travelling through France and down to Italy, performing Masses in locations steeped in Catholic history. From St Mark’s Basilica in Venice to Santa Monica Basilica, Assisi where a fifteenth century church sits within a grand Basilica. The Mass we performed was sung in Latin, a learning experience for us all. Our performances concluded in a Mass sung at the St Joseph’s Altar of the St Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City. It was an experience that meant a great deal to all who toured. Not only were we privileged to perform in such amazing locations, but we also grew as musicians and people by doing so.

The tour marked the culmination of my eight years in the Terrace Music program. During those eight years, I was given every opportunity to learn and improve. I am immensely thankful to the Music staff who have made that journey not just possible but richly rewarding. In no smaller part, I am also grateful to those who support Terrace Music, including Mr Norman Clarke. When I first started

the Norman Clarke Music program playing the viola, I was not aware of what lay ahead. I was fortunate enough to be offered opportunities which now make up part of who I am.

During my eight years, I have been on a journey of experience and discovery. The journey included singing on the shores of Gallipoli Cove at the Dawn Service, Rotorua in New Zealand, a Fourth of July celebration performance, singing the American National Anthem at the start of a National Basketball League game at Sparkes Stadium in Los Angeles and performing at the Sydney Opera House. This journey culminated in the meeting of the Christian Brothers who form the Catholic leadership team behind our great school in Geneva followed by an unforgettable liturgical experience at St Peter’s Basilica. The generosity behind the program has made my time at Terrace, as I am sure it has for many others. For those new to the program, take advantage of the eight years of amazing opportunities which will shape your life as it has mine.

Terrace tour to NASA

Written by Mr Mason Hellyer

This year, Terrace teamed with Actura and the CASE Space School to take part in two tours to the United States. In the June/July Holidays a group of nine students from Years 7-9 visited Huntsville, Alabama and Houston, Texas. In the December holidays a group of Years 10-11 students will work at NASA in Houston.

The CASE Space School International Study Program provides students with the opportunity to get ahead, to learn and apply transferable skills in one of the world’s most profound and inspiring Science (S) Technology (T) Engineering (E) Arts (A) and Mathematics (M) environments, NASA. The CASE Space School expedition is a life changing experience that inspires a new generation of STEAM-skilled leaders. The international study program is recommended to all students pursuing any career path.

The Junior expedition flew to Huntsville, Alabama and was based at the US Space and Rocket Centre. Here the group took part in engaging hands-on adventures, learning about the development of space-related technology and were led through several simulated missions where they worked together to overcome challenges and adversities. The activities included immersive and exciting astronaut training and the 5DF (5 Degrees of Freedom Chair) used by the Gemini and Apollo programs, MMU (Manned Manoeuvring Unit) used by astronauts when performing un-tethered spacewalks, the 1/6th Gravity Chair to simulate walking on the lunar surface, and the Multi-Axis Trainer to simulate disorientation experienced in re-entry to Earth’s atmosphere.

In Houston, the group visited the Johnson Space Centre, Rice University and other educational institutions where they took part in hands on science such as the cell biology lab and a shark dissection! The boys also took in a Houston Astro’s Major League Baseball game and visited some local shopping malls.

The expedition was a wonderful experience and was thoroughly enjoyed by all the participants. The Senior group are looking forward to their experience at Space School in December.

Winterfest

Winterfest is an opportunity for the students of the Arts to showcase their talents to the Terrace Family.

On Friday 9 August, College Hall lit up to display the artworks of various mediums and music and drama performances, followed by the Year 12 Drama production of Fragments of Medea – a Greek tragedy. Winterfest was extended this year to include Years 9 and 10 Drama performances. This inclusion resulted in larger attendance numbers than ever before to the event.

Richard McGruther AM OBE

In the August edition of the Terracian, the magazine honoured four of our distinguished Old Boys as recipients of the Queen’s Birthday Honours. Since going to print, the Terracian was made aware of another Old Boy to add to the list. The Terrace Family would like to congratulate Mr Richard (Dick) McGruther on his AM.

Mr Dick McGruther - GT 1963, was awarded his AM for Service to Rugby and the community. He has had a long and distinguished association with Australian and Queensland Rugby Union and has dedicated a large part of his life to rugby. This involvement has had a significant impact on the game. According to Rugby website rugby.com.au, Dick is one of Australian Rugby’s most revered administrators, serving two stints on the ARU Board including as Chairman from 1996-98 when he also served as Australia’s delegate to the IRB (now World Rugby). Dick was a foundation SANZAR Director (now SANZAAR) from 1996-2000 overseeing the formation of Super Rugby and the Tri-Nations (now the Ruby Championship) and served as Queensland Rugby Union Chairman from 1992-94.

Dick’s involvement as Director and Chair does not stop with rugby. He has also been involved with the Holy Spirit hospital, Holy Spirit Care Services and

Apology

St Vincent’s Care Services to name only a few. The Order of Australia membership follows the Joe French Award for Outstanding Service to Rugby Union, Australian Rugby Union in 2012. He was also appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 1983.

The Terracian wishes to apologise to Mr Tony Shaw for publishing the incorrect photograph in the August edition of the Terracian. The correct image has been printed in this edition for clarification. Once again, the College congratulates Tony on his Member of the Order of Australia award.

Dick, seated in the front row first on the right, was a member of the 2nd XV in his Senior year in 1963

Vintage honouredTerracians

The Vintage Terracians’ Morning Tea held in November this year held special significance for two of our Old Boys and their families. Earlier in the year, we were informed that Mr John Tenison-Woods is not only one of our oldest Old Boys but is a World War II veteran. His name, along with his brother in law Mr Richard O’Brien, had not been acknowledged on the World War II Honour Board located in College Hall. Their names were unveiled at the morning tea.

John attended the event with his daughter and Richard O’Brien’s son to see his name added to the board. It was an honour to have John attend and to recognise two great Terracians and their sacrifice to their country.

The war years not only affected Brisbane as a city but also the College and its day to day life. The imminent threat of Japanese invasion in 1942 saw many schools in Brisbane close for two months. Some schools were taken over by the military, both Australian and American. When Terrace was reopened, student numbers were down as students had either been evacuated by their

parents or had found schools in the country still open. It took a few years for Terrace to regain its pre-war numbers.

The landscape of the College also changed. Slit trenches were dug in the school grounds by students and the Brothers. Students practiced hiding in the trenches in case of enemy attack while Br Campbell kept a close eye on their safety. After the attack on Pearl Harbour, Victoria

Park was turned into a military base camp for American soldiers, changing the view over the park to one of a sea of huts and canvas tents. Victoria Park Camp remained until 1946.

It was during the early war years that John was a student at Terrace. He attended in his Sub-Junior year in 1940 and his Junior year in 1941. Like so many other boys of his generation, he only attended school until his Junior year. This happened more frequently during the war years with boys leaving school to work to help support their families.

Victoria Park during the Second World War

John in his Junior year in 1941 sitting in the third row, first on the right

In the 1941 Yearbook the College Principal Br Bourke stated:

The boys today are kindred spirits with those who, in 1914, answered the call of the Empire, and possess the intrepidity akin to that of heroes to whom our honour board bears poignant witness.

John enlisted in the Royal Australian Navy on 6 May 1943. He was based briefly at the naval base HMAS Moreton located on Alice Street in the city. The base was responsible for administering operations, intelligence and communications staff. John was deployed to Naval Control Service in Gladstone before being drafted to HMAS Basilisk in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea - the first Royal Australian Navy base located in PNG. John was discharged from the RAN on 11 July 1946.

John’s brother in law Richard Kneale O’Brien was a student at Terrace in 1931. He enlisted in the Army in 1941 and joined the 7th Field Ambulance. Richard travelled to North Africa, Syria and Egypt before returning to Australia and was discharged on 22 May 1946. Richard passed away in 2009.

John standing by his name on the World War II Honour Board in College Hall

The Cosgrove family at war

Written by Mr Des Cosgrove

After reading the August Terracian and the article on Old Boy Brian Bourke - GT 1939, Des Cosgrove - GT 1945, wrote to the Terracian to tell the story of his family and their involvement in the Second World War.

Three of my brothers, who went to St Joseph’s College, Gregory Terrace, went on from school to fight in the Second World War - joining the Army, Navy and Airforce.

I was fifteen when the war ended, being trained in Army Cadets at Terrace. My mother, Nora Cosgrove was a returned World War I Army nurse, having served in hospitals from Cairo to El Arish. She married Justin Cosgrove who worked at the Queensland National Bank, to raise five boys who all attended Terrace. They attended at a time when Br Burke and Br Reidy were Principals and Gunner Lewis taught tenth grade – a notable teacher.

Frank, Justin and Jim all did their Junior Certificate which took them on to Brisbane jobs and war service.

Jim Cosgrove - GT 1941, joined the Royal Australian Navy. It was no pleasure cruise when Jim took on gunnery when he joined the destroyer HMAS Nepal serving in Burma, the Pacific and to Japan in 1945. Jim served directly under Brian Bourke during his time on the HMAS Nepal. After the war, Jim became a Vet, dying in Melbourne at the age of 68, still a member of the HMAS Nepal reunion group.

Justin Cosgrove - GT 1941, began shovelling snow at Wagga Wagga on joining the Army. His training took

him to Cowra, Bathurst, Canungra and Sellheim before travelling in an American Barge “Sea Ray” to Moratan and Balik Papaan in Borneo as a Private in the 28 Australian Works Company. He was discharged on 5 December 1945 to be rehabilitated as a carpenter/joiner. He never spoke about the war nor marched on ANZAC Day.

Frank (Francis) Cosgrove GT - 1939, joined the RAAF, training at Evans Head, Narromine and Deniliquin in 1943, mainly on Ryan and Anson aircraft. He was, at one point, courtmarshalled for flying under 500ft. I heard the words “clipping hedges”.

He embarked to England on 1 March 1944. A course of his training was at Odiham, Hampshire at an advanced flying unit at Windrush. Many of his friends, who were air gunners, never returned. Frank was discharged on 6 February 1946 to commence employment at the Commonwealth Bank, Brisbane. He often took part in the ANZAC Day parades.

Here then are three Terrace boys contributing to the war effort and serving their country well.

Both Jim and Justin were members of the Cadet Corps, they are both seated in the Middle Row, first and fifth from the right.

Sport Update

Congratulations to our current students and Old Boys for their dedication to their sport and for representing their country, state, Terrace and themselves so commendably.

Baseball

Jock Miller (Year 10) - Queensland Under 16 Baseball team (club pathway) and Under 14 Queensland School Sport Baseball team.

Basketball

The following students competed in the National Titles held in the June/ July holidays in the Queensland Under 18 team. David Eltima (Year 11), Mitchell Wright (Year 12) and Ose Motuga (Year 11). Geordan Papacostas (Year 10) played in the Under 16 team.

Cricket

Tobias Snell (Year 11), Aubrey Stockdale (Year 11) and Dylan Kritzinger (Year 11) were named in the Australian Under 17 Cricket team. The boys received their first ‘baggy green’ and will go on to play a tournament in Perth in December.

Cycling

Finlay Walsh (Year 11) - Queensland Under 17 Road Cycling team and Jarlath Whittaker (Year 8)Queensland Under 15 Road Cycling team.

Swimming

Thomas Neill (Year 12) performed exceptionally well at the World Junior Swimming Championships, held in Budapest in August. Below is a brief summary of his results.

• Second - Men’s 1500m Freestyle (14.59.19)

• Second - Men’s 400m Freestyle (3.46.27)

• Third - Men’s 4x200m Freestyle Relay (1.47.58)

• Third - Men’s 800m Freestyle (7.48.65)

• Fifth - Men’s 4x100m Medley Relay (49.14)

• Sixth - Men’s 200m Freestyle (1.47.66)

• Seventh - Men’s 4x100m Freestyle Relay (49.47)

• New College Record 400m – 3.46.27

• New College Record 200m – 1.47.58

National Age Swimming Championships

Congratulations to Terrence Suttie (Year 10), George Williamson (Year 10), Terence Siao (Year 11), Matthew Lillicrap (Year 12), William Voltz (Year 9), Sam Voltz (Year 11) and Nicholas Morris (Year 9) who all swam at the championships.

Rugby Union

Glen Vaihu (Year 12) has been named in the Under 18 Australian Schoolboys team and Australian Youth 7s team that played in New Zealand for the 2019 Australian Schools competition.

The Australian Under 20 Junior Wallabies chose Terrace Old Boys

Isaac Lucas – GT 2016, Harry Wilson - GT 2017 and Josh Nasser – GT 2016 in the team.

Rugby League

Will Hancock (Year 10)- Queensland Under 15 Rugby League.

Volleyball

During the final week of the September holidays, two Terrace boys and an Old Boy represented Queensland and competed in Canberra at the Australian Junior Volleyball Championships, Australia’s premier tournament for junior athletes. The AJVC is a statebased competition and Volleyball Queensland has defended the title since 2015.

Zachary Hyams (Year 12) and Angus Burton - GT 2018 won gold medals in the Under 19 division (repeating their wins from last year).

In his first national competition, Joa McMahon (Year 10) won a silver medal in the Under 17 division.

Water Polo

William Fairley (Year 8), Noah Clifford (Year 8) and Jack French (Year 8) all played for the Under 14 Queensland Water Polo team.

Thomas Neill

L-R: Toby Snell, Aubrey Stockdale and Dylan Kritzinger

L-R: Zachary Hyams, Angus Burton, Joa McMahon.

The Year 10 Immersion experience

Written by Mr Luke Gribble

The willingness to journey with others is central to any service-learning and Immersion opportunity. For our Year 10 cohort at Waterford Place, there is an intentional focus to create opportunities for the boys to open their eyes to the world around them.

The Waterford boys were able to engage, grow and learn in some remarkable environments in this year’s Immersion and Service programs. We were able to share experiences and time with people through Eddie’s Van, Edmund Rice Camps, St Marys of the Cross

Homework Club, Milperra SHS, Western Suburbs Special School and communities in Timor-Leste, India, Murgon, Cherbourg, Central Australia, Arnhem Land and Cape York. These are just some of the special people and places that have enriched our students’ perspectives throughout the year, and we thank them for that wonderful opportunity.

These opportunities only exist because the staff at Waterford are extremely generous with their time and expertise. I sincerely thank the staff for their continued commitment.

A Starry Night at Terrace

The newly opened Duhig Place was lit with a thousand stars to celebrate Terrace Music at its annual Jazz Night. Held on 6 September, the event featured the five Terrace jazz ensembles and special guest jazz vocalist Dr Kristina Kelman, who was backed by the Terrace All Stars. The All Stars are a band made up of staff and elite Year 12 musicians.

Thank you to Terrace Performing Arts for the support and help they provided on the night and thank you to all members of the Terrace Family who came to support the event.

Rugby coaching

The Terrace Rugby program is committed to offering a safe and well-structured environment with the focus on participation, enjoyment and the opportunity to learn. In doing so, the program provides boys, coaches and referees with a strong framework for improvement and abundant opportunities to develop the key elements of Rugby.

In 2020, Terrace Rugby is looking for the best coaches to enable our boys to compete across the grades and parents and Old Boys are encouraged to apply.

The season is only 11 weeks long and consists of two trial games and nine rounds of GPS games. Typically, teams train twice a week with a game on Saturday. If work is unpredictable why not team up with another parent or friend so you coach as a team?

That way at least one of you is able to get to each training session or game.

If you would like to coach please email: tyronmandrusiak@terrace.qld. edu.au with the following details:

• Name, address, age, year/team you would like to coach.

• Connection (son, nephew, etc.) to that team or year group.

• Coaching experience or qualifications.

Farewell

After a collective 49 years of experience at Terrace, we say a sad but fond farewell to two of our longest serving staff members at the end of this year. The College thanks and acknowledges the dedicated service that both Mrs Jan Cameron Mrs Marie Allen have brought to the College over the years.

Mrs Jan Cameron

Mrs Jan Cameron has been a member of the teaching staff since 1992. She has taught in the primary school, held the position of House Dean of Barrett House, a position her son, Mr Glenn Cameron now holds, and more recently in the role of Academic Administrator.

Mrs Marie Allen

Mrs Marie Allen has been the Personal Assistant to three College Principals over her 22 years at Terrace. First with Dr Brendan McManus, then Mr Peter Chapman and now Dr Michael Carroll. Marie will be long remembered for her commitment to the College and the care and kindness she has shown to the Terrace Family.

Mrs Jan Cameron

Dr Michael Carroll, Mrs Marie Allen, Dr Brendan McManus and Mr Peter Chapman

Dr Carroll and Marie at her farewell morning tea

Jan and Maire in their first years at Terrace

Donations to the Terrace Museum

September was the month of donations with several visits and deliveries from Old Boys who donated their much-loved Terrace memories to the College Museum and Archives.

Mr Casey Stringfellow – GT 1995 donated his Rowing memorabilia, including his zoot suit and the oar which helped the 1st VIII to Head of the River victory.

Mrs Mari Downes donated her brother Neville Downes’ trophies. Neville was a star sportsman during his years at Terrace from 1937- 41. Neville died during the Second World War flying for Bomber Command.

Father and son Mr Jim Russell – GT 1956 and Mr Tim Russell – GT 1986 made a special trip to the College to donate their College blazers. It is wonderful to receive generational donations and what a difference between 1956 and 1986, including the move away from the red and black blazers to the plain black for all students.

Mr Terry Dinneen – GT 1957 donated a collection of his Vietnam War belongings. Terry worked closely with the College Archivist to research the Old Boy Vietnam Veterans. This research and collaboration resulted in the unveiling of the Vietnam Honour Board in College Hall in 2018. It is hoped that Terry’s collection will help future generations of Terracians study and understand the Vietnam War through the eyes of our 60 Vietnam Veterans.

Mr Casey Stringfellow

Casey’s rowing memorabilia

Mr Neville Downes

Mr Jim and Mr Tim Russell Donations from Mr Terry Dinneen

Terrace Long Lunch

After the success of last year’s Long Lunch, the event was repeated on 7 September at Tennyson. Despite the wind, it was a fantastic day out and was well attended by more than 1275 members of the Terrace Family and their friends.

The Long Lunch raised $196 873 for Eddie’s Van, UQ’s ParaSTART Program and Terrace Support Groups. Special guest Mr Bill McDonald was the MC for the day and kept the crowd going with great auctions and raffles. The day concluded with live music performed by Roger the Cabin Boy and the Planktons who entertained guests well into the night.

Terrace Flashback

This edition we flashback to some of the most popular photos we posted on Facebook in the past six months. It is wonderful to see the response and positive reaction by the Terrace Family to the photos. We look forward to 2020 and finding new photos to post every week.

1951

Heading to the Gold Coast. The days before sunscreen was necessary and there was always a tussle to not be the person stuck in the middle!

1979

The whole school poses for a photo in front of the Campbell Centre before Mt Sion was built. The area is now where Duhig Place is located underneath the new Mt Sion. It might be a little difficult to fit the entire school in the same area today.

1967

It might not have been the production that the Celebration of Excellence is today, but Speech Night (as it was called then) was still very well attended by the Terrace Family in 1967.

1983

During the June holidays, 14 Senior Cross Country team members participated in relay marathon from Sydney to Brisbane. The boys set an Australian Schoolboys’ Endurance record of 1080km.

1979

Even in 1979 the boys excelled at cheering on their fellow Terracians at the College Athletics carnival.

1983

A snapshot of happy days at Terrace. The boys pose for the camera in the Campbell Centre.

Don’t forget to have a look in those long-lost photo albums you might have at home and share your photos with the Terrace Archives. Please send high res images to biancawagner@terrace.qld.edu.au

From the Foundation

With the season of thanksgiving upon us, it is only fitting for me to thank you for your support this year - another successful year for the Gregory Terrace Foundation as the Terrace Family’s culture of philanthropy has continued to go from strength to strength.

As a result of your generosity, the Foundation has made grants to the College during the course of 2019 totalling $1 520 000. Of this amount, $1 200 000 was granted to the development of the new Mt Sion building, incorporating the Student Wellbeing Centre. The remaining $320 000 was granted to the Bursary Fund which fully funds the College Bursary program, allowing 23 boys the life-changing opportunity to receive a Terrace education.

As our program continues to grow, our team has also evolved. We have welcomed Ms Doreen Awabdy to the role of Director of Development and Foundation Executive Officer. Doreen comes to the College with an extensive career leading fundraising and engagement across the medical research, community service and tertiary education sectors including an instrumental role building The University of Queensland’s Not If, When campaign. We are looking forward to the next phase in the

growth and expansion of the Gregory Terrace Foundation as Doreen brings a new perspective for development at the College. Our Development Administration Officer, Mrs Carol Stephens, will be leaving the College after nine years. She has made an invaluable contribution for which we are so grateful. We wish Carol every success in her future endeavours. Doreen will be supported by Mrs Beth Muller and Ms Despina Gomez Castro into 2020.

Our Foundation Board of Directors continue to give their time and talent, and I would like to thank them for their contribution during 2019. With Mr Justin Byrne - GT 1988 resigning from the Board after five years, we welcomed Dr George Hopkins - GT 1984 and Mr Michael Maranta - GT 1978 to the ensemble. Most notably, our long standing and committed Christian Brother, Br Ted Walker, has tendered his resignation. Br Ted has served the Gregory Terrace Foundation in various capacities, most recently as

company secretary. On behalf of the entire Terrace Family, I wish to honour Br Ted for his dedication, passion and loyalty. Without this, our College would not be what it is today.

Finally to my own farewell. After two years as Chair and a further six years of service, I am also stepping down from the Gregory Terrace Foundation Board. I am very proud of our achievements: a new campus purchased, a new hub built on our central campus and a bursary program that goes from strength to strength. In 2020, Mr John Clifford will step into the leadership of the Board. Having worked with John in a careful succession plan over the year, I am very excited at the prospects awaiting the Foundation under his leadership. John will be supported by Mr Anthony Joseph as Deputy Chairman.

We are very fortunate to have such a strong and supportive community here at Terrace. It has been a great privilege to serve as Chairman of the Gregory Terrace Foundation.

I wish you and your family all the blessings of Christmas and a prosperous year ahead.

Mr Damian Wright - GT 1983 Chair Gregory Terrace Foundation

Foundation Board

L-R: Mr Anthony Joseph, Ms Christine Maher, Br Tony White, Dr Michael Carroll, Mr Damian Wright, Mr David Stirling, Mr John Clifford, Ms Doreen Awabdy

Introducing Ms Doreen Awabdy - Director of Development and Foundation Executive Officer

My induction into the Terrace Family has been a humbling experience.

Before joining Terrace, I had heard countless reports of the community that is fostered in the Terrace Family; the promise of a work environment that empowers their team to succeed and in turn, to enhance the education of young Terrace men. I wanted this too. Now I know, first hand, just what this means and how privileged I am to be a part of this journey.

Nelson Mandela once said, Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.

There is little doubt that education is the key to eliminating inequality, reducing poverty, to creating a sustainable planet and fostering peace. And in a knowledge economy, education is the new currency by which nations maintain economic competitiveness and prosperity. I believe education is an investment in the future, and one of the most critical gifts we can give to our children. I have invested my career into making this possible for everyone regardless of their circumstances – just as my family made it possible for me.

A Brisbane native, I began my journey in philanthropy in what some would call a ‘non-traditional’ path. I trained at the University of Queensland in Biomedical Science and practiced as a Neuroscientist before finding my calling in development. I am currently completing the final epitaph in my academic training with a PhD in Developmental Neuroscience at the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital. Through this journey, I observed research funding and STEM enrolments on a continuous decline. I became passionate about finding alternative sources of funding to help halt this trend – to give future students the enabling experience that I had as a biomedical scientist. My career has spanned roles at various organisations including the University of Queensland, Queensland University of Technology and the Queensland Institute of Medical Research. I have been fortunate to work with philanthropic greats including Atlantic Philanthropies, notable alumni such as Professor Ian Frazer and everyday heroes who were willing to give their time, talent and treasure to achieve this vision.

Coming into Gregory Terrace with this foundation from the outside has its advantages. With a fresh set of eyes, a different lens, I hope to ask new questions and look at funding challenges in a different way. The Development team and the committed, volunteer Foundation Board of Directors, are focused on making a Terrace education more possible for everyone. They have achieved some outstanding results, and the College is acknowledged as a pioneer amongst Queensland schools in this space. I am very proud to join your team to help propel our fundraising efforts further – to meet the challenges our College will face through reduced government funding, increasing economic pressures and a changing education landscape.

It is an honour for me to serve Terrace, the Foundation and to lead the Development team. I am thoroughly looking forward to executing the plans we develop together.

From the GTOBA

I am always so surprised at how fast we find ourselves at the end of the school year - 2019 has been yet another very successful year for Terrace and the Gregory Terrace Old Boys’ Association.

On behalf of the GTOBA, I had the privilege of delivering the vote of thanks to the College at the Celebration of Excellence evening. In my address I urged the class of 2019 to stay in touch with Terrace (and classmates) and specifically to become involved with the many activities on offer. It is now very easy to keep in touch through our website, organised reunions and social media.

Over the past few months I have had the pleasure of visiting The Outdoor Education Centre at Lake Maroon and viewing the progress on the construction of the new pontoon. This pontoon will enable the boys to access the water and launch boats without trudging through mud, rocks and sticks. The funds to construct this were provided by the GTOBA to get it operating as soon as possible.

I am sure parents will appreciate the lack of mud and cut feet on boys returning from camp.

Since August, there have been several events for the GTOBA including the official opening of Mt Sion, the christening of two new boats at the Terrace Rowing Shed and the Vintage Terracians Morning Tea. The Vintage Terracians’ Morning Tea is growing into a major event, especially when combined with a 60-year reunion. All the Old Boys who attended were given a gift of a GTOBA  120 Year celebration bumper sticker and keyring.

On a sad note, we thank and say farewell to Mrs Carol Stephens, who has been Acting Old Boys and Development Officer. Carol has held the fort and has been of great assistance in getting through the year. On a happier note, we welcome Ms Doreen Awabdy as Director of Development and Foundation Officer. Doreen has hit the

ground running, and from working with her over the past few months, I am sure she will be a major asset to the GTOBA moving forward.

This GTOBA report is the last time I write an article in the Terracian as President of the GTOBA. I fondly remember the very first edition in May 1994. It was known as the ‘Old Terracian’ back then and I was lucky enough to design the logo header. Much has changed for The Terracian since then, and much has changed in the GTOBA. Our ability to stay in contact, and keep members informed is now exceptional.

One of the most important developments in future years will be the collaboration with other GPS Old Boy Committees. We are planning joint action on a number of issues, especially those concerning mental health. Former GTOBA President, Mr Joe Tooma has kindly consented to be a representative on this initiative.

Please visit the GTOBA website to view the many events and activities planned for next year.

I hope to see as many Old Boys as possible attending events, getting involved and assisting the College however they can.

Mr David Toohey - GT 1978 GTOBA President

GTOBA News

GTOBA gifts Life Memberships with Bursary contribution

As part of its donation to the 2019 Bursary, the GTOBA has concurrently gifted Life Membership to all Terrace Old Boys who graduated before 2012. (All Terracians post 2012, have automatically graduated as Life Members).

The Life Membership recognises the substantial contributions and generosity of Old Boys (especially the Bursary campaigns of the last two years), some of whom are

not officially registered as GTOBA Members. The Life Membership has also been introduced to streamline the administration of GTOBA Membership, which has seen Ordinary (year to year) Membership become redundant.

All Old Boys are invited to attend the excellent functions and events run by the GTOBA and to contribute to the activities of the association.

Submit a story for the GTOBA website

The GTOBA wants your stories and memories of Terrace for publication on its website www.gtoba.com.au . We welcome all members of the Terrace Family to make submissions, including photos and video content. A platform now exists online to submit your piece at: www.gtoba.com.au/submit-a-story

All topics, themes and styles are welcome: be it a historical piece, current Old Boy news, humorous anecdotes, memories of events or personalities, or a biographical piece or interview of a past Terracian or teacher (see our “Roll-Call” webpage). We would love to receive your content.

Contact the GTOBA for further information: gtoba@terrace.qld.edu.au

Terrace Yearbooks now online

The College Museum and Archives have completed work on digitally scanning every Terrace Yearbook (Annual) published from 1901 to the present day. They are now all accessible via the online Museum on the GTOBA website: www.gtoba.com.au

This extraordinary library provides a vivid view back in time and a marvellous chronology and documentation of the fascinating growth of Terrace. Explore your years at Terrace and those of your forebears and peruse the great history and memories.

The College Museum has a page on the official College website and a Photo Gallery of a selection of items held in the College Museum and Archives. Here you can explore the history of Terrace, or if you would prefer to visit the museum in person, please contact the College Archives Manager Mrs Bianca Wagner.

Sponsorship Packages

The GTOBA is offering a limited number of sponsorship packages for the T-Bone Lunch. Your sponsorship will help make this event more affordable for all Old Boys while opening opportunities to network and extend your reach amongst the Terrace Old Boy Community. Sponsorship includes:

• Your company logo and your name on a rotating AV display throughout the event.

• Six complimentary tickets to the event.

• Social media acknowledgment of sponsors’ support.

• Website recognition.

• Acknowledgment in all promotional materials and correspondence.

Please contact the GTOBA for all sponsorship enquiries: gtoba@terrace.qld.edu.au

Terrace T-bone Lunch

The GTOBA are very excited to announce the Inaugural Terrace T-Bone Lunch, our flagship Old Boys event for 2020. Block out this day in your calendar because it is sure to be the start of something great.

Set on the banks of the beautiful Brisbane River, the ‘Rivershed’ at Howard Smith Wharves will play host to 350 Terracians. No raffles, auctions or fundraising, just an opportunity to settle in for a sensational afternoon catching up with old mates.

Kicking off at 12.30pm, guests will enjoy a three-course lunch, including a tender T-Bone cooked to perfection. Accompanied by a four-hour premium

drinks package, magic memories of the old schoolyard are guaranteed to flow. Tickets are only $120 per person or $95 for junior and senior Old Boys and are exceptional value.

For those wanting to keep the good times rolling after sundown, the Howard Smith Wharves precinct offers several other excellent venues to continue the reverie.

There has been a strong response, and guest numbers are strictly limited, so we encourage all interested Old Boys to rally a table together and purchase your tickets.

Vintage Terracians

The annual Vintage Terracians’ Morning Tea was held in College Hall on Friday 1 November. This popular event on the Old Boy’s calendar is held to gather those who attended Terrace 50 plus years ago to meet old friends, catch up on news and celebrate all that it means to be a Gentleman of Terrace. Current students and the grandsons of the Vintage Terracians helped sing the school song, clearly never forgotten no matter how long it has been since they left the College.

This year, 150 Old Boys attended the event, including past Principals Br Barry Buckley and Dr Brendan McManus. College Principal Dr Michael Carroll addressed the Vintage Terracians and paid tribute to one of our oldest Old Boys and World War II veteran Mr John Tenison-Woods.

Old Boys of 1954: Mr Brian King, Mr John Campbell, Mr Bill Conry

Dr Brendan McManus – GT 1964, Mr Gerry Murphy – GT 1954, Dr Michael Carroll (Principal)

Mr Greg Petrie - GT 1957, Mr Brien Doyle – GT 1967

Mr Jack Cochrane - GT 1945, Mr John Gooch – GT 1950

Ed Horsburgh (Year 12) with grandfather Mr Brian Dwyer – GT 1946

Mr David Toohey – GT 1977, Mr Paul Tully – GT 1968, Mr Tony Norman – GT 1968

Mr Wayne Carter – GT 1966, William Devine (Year 6), Mr John McCoy – GT 1966, Mr Gary Lillicrap – GT 1953

Samuel Maguire (Year 10), Mr Patrick Maguire – GT 1951, Ms Doreen Awabdy (Director of Development)

Harry Fludder (Year 10), Mr John Rayfield – GT 1961, Mr Noel Fludder – GT 1961, Samuel Fludder (Year 8)

Old Boys of 1964: Mr Paul Sayer, Mr Barry Clarke, Mr Damian Gafney and Mr John Ryan

Old Boys of 1956: Mr John Sully, Mr Thomas Aspinall, Mr Tony Wadeson, Mr Leo Carroll, Mr John Creedon

Old Boys of 1959: Mr Errol Hansen, Mr Wal Placek, Mr John Quinlan, Mr Maurice Costello, Mr Don Muir

James Devine (Year 12), Mr Noel Sparksman – GT 1947, College Captain Oliver Seawright

Reunions

Class

Class of 1999

Class of 1989

Class of 1979

Vale Vale

Vale

Mr Vincent Paul Tunn

Vincent Paul Tunn - GT 1939, passed away on 4 November at Blue Care’s Bli Bli aged care facility. He is survived by his wife Jan, five children, seven grandchildren and five great grandchildren. Paul was 97 years old and was our oldest Terracian.

Paul was always very proud of his old school and, while freely admitting he wasn’t the best student at the time, St Joseph’s College did instill in him the very fine qualities of a Terrace Gentleman which he displayed throughout his 97 years. While he claims to have not been a great student, he did, however, win the 1939 pillow fight championship!

Paul joined the RAAF in 1942 and although he initially wanted to be a pilot, he flew 36 operations as a wireless operator in Halifax bombers over Europe in the Second World War. In 2015 Paul was awarded the Chevalier dans l’Ordre National de la Legion d’Honneur, or the Legion of Honour medal for his war service over the skies of France. Paul was very modest about his action during the war even though he was in danger every time he took to the sky.

When Paul returned to Australia after the war, he resumed the teaching career he had started after he had left school and before the outbreak of war. He met his wife Jan in Dalby where she was also a teacher. The couple were posted to small schools, finally settling in Scarborough where they lived for 43 years and raised their family. The couple moved to Yarraman in their later years.

ValeMr Damian Griffin

Damian Griffin – GT 1988, passed away peacefully on 24 September, aged 48 years. He is survived by his loving wife Lou and children Phoebe and Finn, a current student at Terrace.

Damian was first diagnosed with brain cancer in 2000. Since then, his life was one of many ups and downs, but he always maintained the mantra of ‘Stay Invincible’. From his first diagnosis in 2000 and through the challenges the cancer presented, Damian remained positive and willing to fight. Supported by his wife and children and excellent

friendships, Damian was able to fight the cancer and defy the odds of his diagnosis. Griffo’s Challenge was started as an awareness and fundraising exercise and raised in excess of $600 000 going towards Cure Brain Cancer Foundation and the ICON Cancer Foundation.

Vale Vale

Brigadier James (Jim) Townley AM

Jim Townley - GT 1956, passed away at Southport Private Hospital on 22 October 2019. Jim’s family were by his side when he passed peacefully at 6pm. Jim is survived by his wife Wendy and three children, Peter, Sally and Penny.

Jim completed his schooling at Terrace in 1956 and in 1957 he began his training at Duntroon Military College in Canberra, he graduated in 1960 as a Lieutenant. He spent 37 years in the Australian Army and retired at the age of 55 as a Brigadier.

Last year, Jim was one of the 60 Old Boy Vietnam Veterans honoured on newly created Vietnam Honour Board located in College Hall. Jim was deployed to Vietnam in 1966 and wrote and structured the battery fire plan for the Battle of Long Tan. Jim also served in Malaya, Singapore, Germany, the United Kingdom, United States and Australia.

Jim was well known in military circles and well respected by those who served under his command. He was a comrade to be totally relied upon and always demonstrated both humour and quick wit when needed most.

The following poem was written by George Mansford for Jim.

Homeward Bound

I saw the shooting star burning so bright Falling, falling, fading and soon from sight

So distant and yet so near

In its wake, a soldier’s journey so very clear Duty, sharing, caring, courage and sometimes fear

No longer a mortal in life’s short race

A contented spirit bound for home somewhere in distant space

This fiery trail I saw tonight marks a warrior’s farewell

Leaving behind another legacy of proud deeds to tell

Vale Apology

The Terracian would like to apologise to the Hargraves family for not mentioning the family members of Old Boy Cecil Hargraves in his vale in the April 2019 edition of the Terracian.

Cecil Hargraves – GT 1947 was father to: James – GT 1978, Daniel – GT 1979, Paul – GT1981, Mark – GT 1984, Gerard – GT 1985 and grandfather to Declan and Conor Murphy – GT 2015 and Tom (Year 9) and Dom (Year 5) Murphy.

Vale Vale

Mr Michael William Oley 1944-2019

Written by Mrs Liz Oley

Michael Oley - GT 1962, died unexpectedly in his sleep on 16 February aged 74. He was a pupil of St Joseph’s College whose honour blazer, prize books, swimming trophies and the McDonnell medal are now housed in the Terrace Archives.

In 1951 Michael’s father brought his wife and two children from Lancashire in England to Brisbane, to work at the Southern Electricity Board of Queensland. Michael had very fond memories of his youth in Australia often reminiscing about the pleasures of catching yabbies. Michael and his younger sister Christine attended the local convent school at Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Coorparoo until the nuns there caught him giving conversation lollies and confectionery rings to the girls in his class! The nuns suggested that the Christian Brothers would suit him better. He attended Terrace from 1954 until 1962.

At Terrace Michael shone academically consistently being dux of his class. In 1962 he was Dux of the College as well as School Captain. He was also an officer in cadets in the Air Training Corps. He swam in the GPS competition winning many trophies and played for the 2nd XV Rugby team. He enjoyed debating and as a member of the A team was described in the school magazine of 1962 as an excellent No. 2 speaker on whom fell the brunt of argument: his clearheadedness in repartee and laying a case was first-class. Michael won the McDonnell medal for the highest pass in the state-wide Scholarship examination (now Year 8). Unusually for the time, when six subjects were the norm for Senior (now Year 12) Michael took eight including German which was not offered by the school.

He gained eight As in Senior winning an Open Scholarship and placing third in the state.

At the University of Queensland Michael studied Chemical Engineering. In his first year the engineers were given classes in Philosophy and English to round out their education. The Philosophy Professor won him over by saying that Wittgenstein was an engineer. Michael then embarked on a lifetime of reading Philosophy. At university Michael was involved in student politics each year, being engineering representative on Union Council, was involved in producing the student newspaper Semper Floreat and was Vice President in his final year. He was also President of the Newman Society with a broad platform to include others from different faiths.

After graduating he joined the CRA (Conzinc Riotinto of Australia now Rio Tinto) Group at its operations in Broken Hill, NSW. While based in Broken Hill, Michael spent extended periods working in Weipa, North Queensland and Palabora, South Africa. In 1974 Michael married Liz Bryant whom he had met at university. After eight years working in Broken Hill, he and Liz moved to Zambia. In May 1975, Michael joined the corporate consulting group of Roan Consolidated Mining (RCM) at their head office in the capital Lusaka. Liz and Michael enjoyed life there with its emphasis on home

entertainment and made many lifelong friends.

In May 1978, at the completion of their three-year contract, Liz and Michael trekked in Nepal on their way back to Australia, crossing 22 countries in 72 days. They had exciting adventures including being in Thessaloniki in Greece just after an earthquake, in Teheran when the Shah was in his final months in power and attending an Afghani wedding in Kandahar during a curfew.

On return to Australia, in early 1979 Michael rejoined the Rio Tinto Group at its Australian corporate headquarters in Melbourne where he spent the next ten years working on corporate strategy, particularly in the area of technology. He was involved in estimating the future demand for various metals. This work involved extensive travels to Europe, the USA and Japan. During this time he also completed postgraduate studies in mineral economics.

In late 1988 he became a member of a small team within Rio Tinto which was examining the feasibility of developing a large open pit gold deposit at a remote location in East Kalimantan, Indonesia on the island of Borneo. For the next three years, although based in Melbourne, he spent over half his time outside Australia. The feasibility study was positive. After working on the environmental aspects of the mine,

in early 1992 Michael moved to East Kalimantan as Director of Operations of the new gold mine, Kelian Equatorial Mining (KEM). Michael wrote in The KEM Experience edited by Terry Holland published after the closure of the mine in 2004:

My life with KEM lasted over eight years from late September 1988 until a few days before Christmas 1996. In this time I held the appointments of General Manager Technical, General Manager Operations and finally General Manager External Relations and Services. My career in the mining industry spanned more than 30 years over three continents but, without a doubt, my time at KEM was the most challenging, the most frustrating and the most exasperating and also the most satisfying and rewarding experience in my professional life. For a mining industry expatriate, the high levels of challenge and satisfaction come from working in a different culture. Technical issues and challenges tend to be universal, similar problems come up over and over again. People issues, challenges, rewards and pleasures, however while fundamental in nature, may have important, strongly defined cultural differences which must be understood and dealt with empathetically.

As a work colleague of Michael’s pointed out KEM is one of the few projects in the world planned under

the World Bank developed Equator Principles, i.e.. to return the land to what it was beforehand. The mine was planned, implemented and closed under those principles. One aspect was the planting of a million trees to cover what was cleared for the mine site.

At the end of 1996 Michael moved to the newly established country office of Rio Tinto in Jakarta as General Manager Technical responsible for environmental issues including those at the world’s largest copper project at Grasberg Mine, Irian Jaya (now West Papua) a joint venture between Rio Tinto and Freeport McMoran USA, Kelian Gold Mine and Kaltim Prima Coal Mine.

Liz and Michael enjoyed three years in Jakarta which saw Suharto step down after 32 years in power and witnessed the first free elections since the mid 1950s. It was a time of great upheaval which led to change. In his speech at the Rio Tinto farewell Michael said “My involvement with Kelian will remain one of the highlights of my working life. Despite what some of the more radical members of the green community might have us think, major mines are not developed that often and to take part in the final exploration stages through feasibility studies, final design, construction, commissioning and operations is an experience that doesn’t come very

often. I was lucky enough to have that experience at Kelian.”

Michael retired in mid-2000 and chose to formalise his extensive interests by returning to study at the University of Melbourne. He completed a post-graduate course in Fine Arts and enrolled in Philosophy. Michael also embarked on the study of ancient Greek language and literature. After completing a fourth year in Philosophy and gaining first class honours, he embarked on a PhD focused on the aesthetic theories of the 18th century German poet, dramatist and philosopher Frederick Schiller. He had written several chapters when the University of Melbourne introduced the Melbourne model and his supervisor took another job. At this stage Liz spent over eight months in India, based in Hyderabad, doing fieldwork for her doctoral studies in anthropology. Michael also studied the Italian language. Following a visit to India for a wedding in 2010, Liz and Michael completed a short intensive course in Hindi given by La Trobe University which they found both fascinating and frustrating!

Michael and Liz were ideally located for their interests in the heart of Melbourne, a short walk from the Victoria Market where he shopped five times a week. For several years when working in Melbourne, Michael would take annual leave to attend the Melbourne Film Festival. In recent years he booked up to 80 films for the 17 day festival. He was a member of Cinematheque which screens two significant films weekly. He was a long-term member of the Wagner Society of Melbourne and especially enjoyed operas by Wagner and Strauss. He relished doing cryptic crosswords daily.

With an English reserve Michael was self-effacing and would downplay his own accomplishments. His interests were intellectual, a pursuit of knowledge and ideas, a love of music and film. Michael was thoughtful, generous and supportive and a wonderful person with whom to have shared many interests and nearly 45 years of married life.

Michael sits in the centre of the front row as College Captain in 1962

Save the date

GTOBA Mass, AGM and Morning Tea

Sunday 16 February 2020

Gregory Terrace Foundation AGM

Tuesday 31 March 2020

GTOBA Annual T-Bone Lunch (replacing the Annual Dinner)

Friday 27 March 2020

Old Boys’ Annual Giving Day

Wednesday 20 May 2020

Dear members of the Terrace Family,

The Terracian is a small publication which relies heavily on the Terrace Family and wider community to inform the editor of the achievements of Old Boys. The Terracian also relies on members of the Terrace Family to inform of the passing of a loved family member and their connection to Terrace. The magazine endeavours to include all members of the Terrace Family but can only do so with your help.

If you would like to share your, or a family member’s achievements please contact the editor of the Terracian magazine. biancawagner@terrace.qld.edu.au

The Terrace Gentleman is one who acts with kindness and humility.

Rest In Peace

We pray for the families of the following members of the Terrace Family who have gone to their eternal rest.

Mr Brian COOK

GT 1939-41

Mr Desmond Frederick DANN

GT 1951-57

Mr Damian GRIFFIN

GT 1985-88. Father of Finn Griffin (Year 9).

Mr Ross GURG

GT 1983-87

Mr John KNEESHAW

GT 1941-45

Mr Peter MAIDENS

GT 1957-66

Mr Michael Joseph SLATER

GT1966

Mr James (Jim) TOWNLEY AM

GT 1947-56

Mr Vincent Paul TUNN

GT 1934-39

May they be consoled by their many memories of those they have loved and lost.