The Ego Yah Podcast
The Ego Yah, continues to progress strongly, with a growing catalogue of engaging episodes connecting alumni across our community. Recent episodes included a feature on the Old Ivanhoe Grammarians Football Club, with U19 Coach Brad Shadbolt (‘93) joined by premiership captain Marcus Walling (‘24) and vice-captain James Shadbolt (‘24), reflecting on the club’s culture and 2025 premiership success.
Another recent episode features James Hogan AO (‘75), Chairman of Knighthood Global, who shares insights from his distinguished career and reflections on his time at Ivanhoe. Episodes are available to listen to on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
Master of Magic
While the School’s Gallery of Achievement highlights former students who have made a significant mark on the world, very few know that Tim Ellis (’80) is known as the ‘Master of Magic’ and regarded as one of Australia’s most awarded and internationally respected magicians and illusionists. Tim attended Ridgeway Campus from 1975-1980 and began performing magic at the age of nine after his grandfather gave him a magic set.
He immersed himself completely in the art of magic, and at the age of 14, he was the youngest magician ever admitted to The Magic Circle of Victoria. In 1980, he won the title ‘Best Under 18 Magician of Australia’. Following school, Tim studied Film and Television at Swinburne University and then commenced his career through tours, performances and started his own magic show.
For over 40 years, Tim has been featured in hundreds of Australian and international magazines, press articles, and television shows. He has headlined six times at Hollywood’s famous Magic Castle, and even has his own top secret magic venue, The Laneway Theatre in Melbourne, where he performs weekly when not touring.
Tim is also the artistic director and founder of the Melbourne Magic Festival. Now in its 18th year, it is officially recognised as the largest festival of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere, attracting magicians and magic fans from all over the country and beyond.
Old Ivanhoe Grammarians Football Club (OIGFC)
The 2026 season got off to a slow start for the Old Ivanhoe Grammarians Football Club, but recent wins show the team can compete at this level. Under new senior coach Xavier Naish (’19) the playing group remains committed and passionate to succeed, and hopefully promotion to Section A next year will follow.
For Brad Shadbolt (‘93), Coach of the Under 19s, the social connection sets the club apart. For many boys, pulling on the OIGFC jumper alongside the same mates they grew up with at the School is a natural extension. As both a coach and parent to premiership player James Shadbolt (‘24), Brad reflects on why there’s no better environment to transition from school into community football.
The club is also taking positive steps towards developing a girl’s football team, reflecting a clear commitment to growth, inclusion and opportunity. Further news on this exciting development is expected in coming months. Scan the QR code on the left to download the latest OIGFC Ego Yah Podcast.
Class of 2006 – Plenty Campus 20 Year Reunion – Friday 20 March; Welcome to Brunswick Class of 1996 – Plenty Campus 30 Year Reunion – Friday 29 May; Hotel Collingwood
Class of 2021 – Plenty Campus 5 Year Reunion – Friday 22 May; Welcome to Brunswick
ANZAC DAY 2026
Every year on a school day as close as possible to ANZAC day, we gather to pause, reflect, and give thanks, and commemorate the sacrifices of Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) soldiers who fought and died in wars, conflicts and peacekeeping missions. On Friday 24 April, services were held at each campus where staff and students remember and honour the 72 alumni who have died while on active service since 1939. The School’s cadet unit plays a meaningful and valued role in these ceremonies, honouring the spirit of service and remembrance through their involvement.
The Fidelis Society
Members of the Fidelis Society gathered in the Boardroom on Tuesday 19 May for their Annual Luncheon, hosted by Principal Gerard Foley, to honour those who have included Ivanhoe Grammar School in their Will. This year’s gathering was made particularly meaningful hearing from Year 11 students Alex Redlich and Ruby Longmuir, who were the inaugural recipients of Peter Rule Sports Scholarships.
Established last year with a bequest from the estate of Peter Rule (’65), the scholarships support high achieving athletes to reach their full potential. Alex and Ruby expressed their appreciation and the life-changing opportunities that scholarships such as these can provide, thanks to the generosity of others.
Gunnie Waddell (’37) who is featured on the front cover, is the School’s eldest living alumnus and the last surviving Returned Serviceman from our School community; one of 902 past students who served during World War II.
Recently, Gunnie was presented with a handmade quilt from Quilts of Valour Australia surrounded by family members. His remarkable story was also featured in The Daily Telegraph, on 25 April 2026, ensuring his service and legacy were shared with a wider audience.
IB Language & Culture Course
In 2025, Ivanhoe Grammar School became the first school in Australia to pilot the International Baccalaureate Language and Culture course for Year 11 and 12. In April 2026, the inaugural cohort completed their final IB examinations. The course explores the relationship between language, culture, identity and power, with a four-month learning sequence culminating in a major fieldwork experience. For many students, this includes an on-Country immersion in the Dampier Peninsula, where they engage with Bardi-Jawi people and connect with language, culture and Country. The work of Ivanhoe’s Language and Culture students has received international recognition at IB Global Conferences. Nicholas Mercer, IB Co-ordinator, also presented the program at the ReimaginED Conference 2025 in Melbourne.
The Ivanhoe Grammar School Cadet Unit held its 65th Ceremonial Parade on Tuesday 5 May which was the culmination of a four-year journey for the Year 12 cadets.
Reviewed by Lieutenant Daniel Strack, Commander, Australian Army Cadets, Victoria Brigade, the parade celebrated leadership, discipline and tradition.
This event highlights the important role the Cadet program plays in developing skills in leadership, teamwork and personal responsibility.
School of Character
Ivanhoe Grammar School has been formally recognised by Character.org as a 2026 Australia School of Character. This is the highest level of national recognition within their Schools of Character framework and reflects excellence in building a school culture grounded in character, connection and care.
This achievement has been driven by the sustained leadership of Fiona Devlin, Deputy Principal and Head of Plenty Campus, and reflects the work of staff across all aspects of school life. The School is the first Australian school to meet the standard required for this national recognition, and we remain committed to continuous improvement.
University Campus Financial Education
Year 9 students at University Campus began the Financial Literacy Moneyvest Micro-credential course as part of their Humanities studies in Term 2. Moneyvest is a ‘Money Confidence’ financial wellbeing program, designed to equip students with essential financial literacy skills for their future. The School was delighted to see their engagement with the content and hopefully build their confidence in managing money.
Rare Air
Congratulations to Deputy Head of Year 9 Mat Nicholls, who reached an extraordinary career milestone when he umpired his 450th AFL game in Round 2 this year.
He became just the sixth person in VFL/AFL history to achieve this feat which occurred when Richmond played the Gold Coast Suns at the MCG. Mat commenced umpiring in 2003 and officiated at both the 2013 and 2014 Grand Final.
Despite the ‘advice’ handed out by supporters each week over 24 seasons, Mat still loves the challenge that each game presents and is delighted with the number of the School’s students who are taking up umpiring.
School Cadets Shine
During the April holiday period, Year 11 student Rhiannon Pettit from Plenty Campus, was selected to represent Victoria in the Regimental Sergeant Major of the Army’s drill competition in Canberra. She was a member of the winning team and received a gold commendation in recognition of her outstanding performance.
Year 12 student Will Doman was selected to attend the 2026 Adventure Training Award in Tasmania. Over five days, cadets endured rain, cold and snow, while conducting activities such as canoeing, abseiling, rock-climbing and hiking. Both completed the activity successfully and were awarded the prestigious Adventure Training Award Badge.
Arts & Culture Tour 2026
2026 Gala Ball
After the huge success of the 2023 Gala Ball, the School is excited to announce that the event will return in 2026, taking place on Saturday 29 August. To be held at Centrepiece, Melbourne Park, the 2026 Gala Ball will welcome more than 800 guests for a standout evening of fine dining, high quality entertainment, and celebration. Open to current and past parents, alumni and staff, tickets can be purchased via Trybooking or via https://bit.ly/4dNeS0S.
International Women’s Day
The School came together at Plenty Campus in March to celebrate International Women’s Day at a special breakfast event, featuring respected sports broadcaster and journalist Kelli Underwood OAM. Given that girls now comprise 50% of students across the School, it was a meaningful opportunity to reflect on the 2026 theme ‘Balance the Scales’ and to reaffirm the School’s commitment to creating opportunities for all students.
Amber Sowden, Deputy Principal/Head of Ridgeway Campus (pictured left) thanked Kelli for her powerful insights on leadership, courage and change, and hoped it provided a guideline for young people that talent, strength and intelligence are not defined by gender and that leadership takes many forms.
In the school holidays, a group of students participated in the Arts and Culture Tour. This offered them an extraordinary opportunity to experience the arts in authentic, real-world settings across London, Paris, Florence and Venice. Visits to many of the world’s greatest museums, galleries, theatres and palaces enabled students to appreciate the arts as living, evolving practices shaped by history, culture and place. For many, this was the trip of a lifetime providing students with invaluable insights into historical European art and culture, while sampling incredible food.
