Please advise us of any change in your personal contact details.
Email alumni@ivanhoe.com.au or contact Linda Paltoglou at Ivanhoe Grammar School PO Box 91, Ivanhoe 3079, Australia Phone (03) 9490 3508.
The Brown and White is a quarterly newsletter for alumni and supporters of Ivanhoe Grammar School.
Cover photo: Tristan Carter (’17) competing in the Men’s Canoe Single (C1) final at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
It continues to be a busy and productive time at Ivanhoe Grammar School with our
Year 12 students approaching the final weeks of their schooling journey. We celebrate the numerous achievements of the Class of 24, from the classroom to theatre, music, debating and service learning, and through their involvement in the School’s sporting programs.
It is also an exciting time to be part of the School with our ambitious learning agenda, investment in staff, and significant capital projects. Ivanhoe Edge continues to expand with students undertaking oneon-one or small group coaching in Dance, AFL, Swimming, Water Polo, Tennis, DJ training, Netball, and Strength and Conditioning. Over 170 students are now participating in various Ivanhoe Edge sessions and we are looking to further expand the program in 2025.
The following are some of the projects that have commenced, or about to commence, in the near future.
• a review of primary schooling across the School.
• an investigation into the ‘ideal’ secondary pastoral structures, systems and processes to care for our students.
• the development of a Futures Focused agenda exploring micro credentials, and a Character Transcript for all Ivanhoe graduates.
Staying connected
The following three strategies were a priority for 2024 and much progress has been made in each of these areas.
a) Developing a data-informed teaching and learning strategy and culture, based on academic growth. The upcoming appointment of a Director of Evidence Informed Learning has been a central
component of this strategy, as has training staff to develop a data culture across the School. A key part of this strategy will involve changes to the teaching of our numeracy and literacy programs to improve our students’ skills even further.
b) Building on the success of the University Campus, a full review of the practices, programs and structures have been undertaken with significant change to occur in coming years. This will include further signature programs in partnership with La Trobe University; an expansion of the Out of Classroom Program; a newly devised numeracy and literary strategy, and a partnership with Melbourne Polytechnic to expand students’ knowledge, creativity, and enterprise by exploring emerging technologies.
c) Continuing the work undertaken in 2023, an Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technologies strategy has been developed to enhance the learning experience for all students.
Capital Works
Several exciting capital projects have either commenced or are planned to be built in the coming years.
• The Plenty Campus Sports and Aquatic Centre is on track to open in the first half of next year. It will include a 25m pool, a learn-to-swim pool, classrooms, gymnasium, and a soccer and hockey pitch.
• New facilities at Chelsworth Park were approved by Council this year and it is anticipated that building will commence in 2025.
• Design work for the Fraser Centre for Year 10-12 students at Ridgeway Campus has been completed and subject to final approval, construction is anticipated to commence in 2025.
As we head toward the final term of 2024, I take this opportunity to thank all members of the Ivanhoe Grammar School community for your support throughout the year.
Gerard Foley Principal
ATHALIE BENSON: THE SCHOOL’S ORIGINAL RECORD KEEPER
In its 109 years of existence, a great number of people have made indelible contributions to the School. One of the most remarkable was Athalie Benson She was born Athalie Pizzey, a name synonymous with Ivanhoe Grammar School for over 100 years. Many Pizzey boys have made extraordinary contributions to the School, starting with her brother George who was School Captain and Dux in 1925. Her father Frank Pizzey was a founder and member of the School Council until 1932. In 1920 when the School moved to the Ridgeway site, her two brothers George and Bill (Frank H) were enrolled and each had a distinguished school career. George later became President of the School Council, the first old boy to hold the office.
Athalie had intended to do a secretarial course but one night at a dancing class, Sydney Buckley persuaded her to take up teaching, and that began her personal association with Ivanhoe Grammar School.
Athalie was a teacher at the School from 1924-32 and in 1933 married John ‘Jack’ Benson (’19), who later became the School’s longest serving staff member. Jack was a very young man of 20 when he began his teaching career in 1920 and was the School’s first old boy teacher having attended St James’ Grammar in 1916-17. During his
first year of teaching, he also became the first president of the Old Ivanhoe Grammarians’ Association. While Athalie and Jack had no children, they could be regarded as Ivanhoe Grammar School’s first family whose legacy continues to this day.
A photo of Jack, on his last day of teaching at the School in 1966, is shown below.
However, it was during those bleak war years that perhaps Athalie’s greatest contribution to the School’s history was made. Athalie and Jack were in England on leave when war broke out in 1939. They returned to Australia in 1940 and with Jack in the RAAF, Athalie decided to collate information concerning the 600+ old boys serving in the forces.
Athalie wrote regularly to alumni on active service. She compiled newsletters, and made visits to ANZAC House, faithfully recording their service and sacrifice, to share with the School community. Her reports were poignant, and imbued with a deep sense of service, loyalty and duty.
During the war years, the newsletters contained lists of the dead, missing POWs and injured, as well as brave exploits. The newsletters she published and Ivanarians she sent were gratefully received by soldiers in far off places, while the letters written to parents who had lost their sons became of immense comfort to some families and extraordinary anguish for others.
The School Archives retains correspondence from families of the fallen to Athalie, and while no random letter can conjure up images of their
personal suffering, their reading 80 years later remains deeply personal. The School was a major part of her life and she was still keeping records about alumni up to the time of her death in 1995. Her knowledge of past students was second to none.
After her beloved Jack passed away in 1971, Athalie continued her close association with the School until her passing. One of her final legacies was the establishment of the John Benson Prize for Geography and the Pizzey Memorial Prize for Year 12 students through endowments from her estate. Athalie’s commitment to the School for over sixty years was invaluable and her contribution magnificent.
ATHALIE BENSON
Class of 2019 – Ridgeway Campus
Five Year Reunion - Friday 14 June; Hotel Collingwood
SAVE THE DATE 2024
The remaining dates for the 2024 OIGA reunion program are shown here. However, these are subject to change so please refer to the OIGA website, Facebook, and Instagram for details of all alumni activities.
Friday 25 October
Plenty Campus 20 Year Reunion, Hotel Collingwood (Class of 2004)
Friday 8 November
Plenty Campus 10 Year Reunion, Hotel Collingwood (Class of 2014)
Wednesday 27 November
Buckley Boys/Brown Era Reunion, Buckley Hall
Friday 29 November
Plenty Campus 5 Year Reunion, Hotel Collingwood(Class of 2019)
A small but passionate group of alumni joined Principal Gerard Foley and Development Manager Geoff Brown (’62) on Tuesday 27 August for a memorable lunch at La Maison, Albury. The group is pictured left with Gerard and Geoff, and included (L-R) John Adams (’70), Peter Chaston (’62), Wayne Furze (’73), Evelyn Furze behind husband Ron Furze (’49), David Lester (’59) and Colin Storey (’66)
Congratulations to our alumni below who have recently celebrated wonderful personal events.
and
If you have an addition to your family and would like a free OIGA bib for your new arrival, please contact our Alumni Coordinator via email at Mirella.Busso-Lee@ivanhoe.com.au
Rachel Jowett (’16) and Nick Mackay announced their
James Moio (’09) and partner Bec Fry welcomed daughter Luca in August.
Josh Swain (’08) married Livia Gil in Portugal in August.
Brayden McLean (’06)
wife Lucy welcomed triplet daughters Kaya, Ion and Astra in June in San Francisco.
Nick Butler (’00) and wife Mel welcomed daughter Bella Jean in June.
Henry Gibbs (’13) and Jessica Gibbs (nee Foley) (‘13) welcomed their son Sebastian James Gibbs in April.
GALLERY OF ACHIEVEMENT: NEW INDUCTEES
In 2002, the School, in conjunction with the Old Ivanhoe Grammarians’ Association, created the Gallery of Achievement to honour those past students who have achieved outstanding success in their chosen field of endeavour
Since 2002, just 63 individuals, 41 of whom are still alive, have been inducted into the gallery for excellence in academia, performance, sport or service to the community.
On Friday 23 August in front of Year 11 and 12 students, distinguished guests and ten gallery members, Principal Foley welcomed six new inductees into the gallery. David Larkin, Harry Jenkins, Peter Mitchell and Kathryn Rae were in attendance but unfortunately Ken Barlow and Richard Merjan had other commitments. A brief profile of the new Gallery of Achievement members appears below.
Ken is a graduate of Monash University and was admitted as a solicitor of the Supreme Court of Victoria in 1985. That same year, he was awarded the Law Institute of Victoria Solicitor’s Prize (Common Law).
Ken has over 30 years’ experience in legal practice, principally in complex commercial litigation involving diverse areas of law and business. He was admitted as a barrister of the Supreme Court of Queensland in 1996 and as Senior Counsel since November 2010. He was appointed Queen’s Counsel in June 2013.
In 2011, he founded and coordinated the Indigenous Students Mentoring Scheme of the Bar Association of Queensland, a position held until 2017. Ken was appointed a Sessional Member of the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal in 2009 and maintained that role until he was appointed a Judge of the District Court of Queensland on 18 June 2019. While Ken resides in Queensland, he attended his 50th school reunion (Class of ’74) in May.
Harry spent his entire school life at Ivanhoe Grammar School. Following a brief career in the public service, he was elected as Member for the Federal seat of Scullin in 1986, replacing his father Harry Jenkins Snr. In a long and distinguished career, Harry became the 26th Speaker of the House of Representatives in 2007 - again following his father who was the 18th Speaker of the House - and retired in 2013.
He was awarded an Officer of the Order of Australia in 2014 for distinguished service to the Parliament of Australia, particularly as a presiding officer and through a range of outreach and interParliamentary programs.
In his post-parliamentary life, Harry has assisted United Nations initiatives relating to women in parliaments around the world. He also joined Australian observer groups overseeing elections in Fiji, Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, and Timor-Leste, and participated in activities to strengthen parliaments in Pacific nations.
left
after Year 11 to pursue an apprenticeship in the meat trade. His subsequent endeavours have allowed him to reach great heights within the industry.
He is an experienced business leader, entrepreneur, chief executive, private company executive, board director and chair. He was the chief executive of Hancock Agriculture for four years before being appointed Chief Executive Officer of Kimberley Meat Company in November 2021. He has also been a board member of the Red Meat Advisory Council for five years and the Australian Meat Industry Council for 17 years as Chair and Deputy Chair.
David received the Distinguished Australian of the Year in 2009 by Australian Meat Industry Council. In 2017, he was awarded the Member of the Order of Australia for significant service to international business and commerce through leadership and innovation in the Australian beef export industry.
Judge Kenneth A Barlow KC (’74)
Mr Harry A Jenkins Jnr AO (’69)
Mr David A Larkin AM (’84)
David
Ivanhoe Grammar School
Mr Richard R Merjan (’07)
Richard had never been in a kayak until his first session during Year 7 in the Ivanhoe Grammar School swimming pool. He credits finding his passion for the sport to his time at the School and the two key kayaking teachers, David Gibbs and Peter Hogg. His progression was rapid and by Year 9, he was in the Australian Junior Development Team. In 2003, he started training with the Australian national team but was unable to commit to full time training.
Richard always knew he wanted to compete on the biggest stage possible - the Olympic Games. He holds dual citizenship and began kayaking for Lebanon in 2009. In 2016, he qualified for the Rio Olympic Games becoming the first Lebanese slalom canoeist to compete at the Olympics. He finished 19th in the Men’s C1 Slalom and became the School’s 8th Olympian.
Professor Peter J Mitchell (’76)
Peter completed his medical Degree at the University of Melbourne in 1982 and his post graduate Radiology training at the Royal Melbourne Hospital (RMH). He undertook his Neuroradiology Fellowship at the Oregon Health Sciences University in Portland, USA and returned to Australia in 1993 as Director of the Interventional Neuroradiology Department at the RMH, a role in which he remained until 2006.
In 2024, he is the Consultant Radiologist at the RMH, the Director of Neurointervention Service for Melbourne Health, Honorary Visiting Consultant at The Royal Children’s Hospital, and part of the Research Team at the University of Melbourne and the RMH. He is regarded as a world leader in the endovascular management of strokes. He was the President of the Australian and New Zealand Society of Neuroradiology (2016-2019) and through his work, continues to make advances in the treatment of strokes, aneurysms and limb paralysis.
Kat graduated from Plenty Campus in 1999. She won a scholarship to the Australian Defence Force Academy in Canberra, from where she graduated with a double Major in Literature in 2002, and later graduated from the Royal Military College Duntroon as a Logistics Lieutenant.
As an Army Officer, Kat held a variety of leadership, operational and logistical roles and was deployed to the Middle East three times. Her most memorable role was as a Logistics and Gender advisor to the Afghan national security forces where she was awarded the United States Bronze Star Medal for her tireless work.
Kat retired as a Lieutenant Colonel after her fulfilling 20-year military career to pursue another passion, becoming a full-time artist in 2019. Her artwork has been acquired by institutions such as the AWM and Victorian Shrine of Remembrance and she is a recent recipient of the prestigious Napier Waller Art Prize.
Following the induction, a panel of gallery members including Sam Bramham OAM (’07), Michael Gorton AM (’76) and Kat Rae (‘99) fielded questions from the audience, including the advice each would give to Year 11 and 12 students. All gallery members enjoyed a luncheon in the Watts Foyer hosted by Gerard Foley and an address by John McKenzie (‘66) The four new members in attendance, Peter Mitchell, Harry Jenkins, Kat Rae and David Larkin are pictured left.
Lt Col (Rtd) Kathryn (Kat) Rae (’99)
Judge James Parrish Retires
After an illustrious career within the legal world, His Honour James Parrish SC (’70) retired as a Judge with the County Court of Victoria in August. James attended the School from 1965-70 and graduated from Monash University with a Bachelor of Arts in 1973 and Bachelor of Law LLB in 1977, and was admitted to the Bar in 1978. In 2003, he was appointed Senior Counsel for the State of Victoria and in December 2009, was appointed a judge of the County Court of Victoria. James is a member of the School’s Gallery of Achievement and a generous donor to the School, and following his retirement, enjoyed a welldeserved holiday with his wife Prue on Hayman Island.
Kings Birthday Honour
Congratulations to Jeff Franklin who received a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for Service to Athletics in the Kings Birthday 2024 Honours List. Jeff has been President of the Ivanhoe Harriers Club (founded by Sydney Buckley) since 2014 and has worked tirelessly in various roles to ensure the ongoing success of the club for over 40 years. Jeff is a past parent to sons Adam (’90) and Glenn (’88), and a current grandparent to Thomas (Year 12) and Will (Year 10).
Football Journey - From Italy to Malaysia
Haris Stamboulidis (’14) expressed his regret at not being able to attend the recent Ridgeway Campus 10 Year Reunion as he was playing soccer for Sabah FC in the Malaysian Super League. Following school, Haris enrolled at Columbia University graduating with a degree in Economics, where he also played for their soccer team, the Columbia Lions, and subsequently professionally for clubs in Greece and Spain. He is good friends with Adrian Del Monte (’06) and the boys try to meet whenever they are in the same city, although these days this happens more often when they return to Melbourne.
Alumni Health Appointments
South Gippsland Hospital now has several alumni in senior leadership positions. Damon Stynes (’84) (above right), was appointed Chairman of the Board in July 2024 while former School Captain Paul Greenhalgh (’90) (above left), has been the Chief Executive Officer since 2020. Paul’s wife Marilla was Captain of Ivanhoe Girls Grammar School also in 1990 and her father is Dr David Abell (’59). South Gippsland Hospital is a public rural health service, which combines an acute hospital with a community care service.
Influential Lawyer
Helping our Greek Friends
Greece’s horror fire season has received considerable firefighting assistance from Nat Nagy (’97). Nat has held executive positions at the Australian Transport Safety Bureau and Airservices Australia, and is now CEO of Pay’s Air Services, an Australian company. Nat is based in Greece over the summer months and leading Pay’s deployment of aircraft assets, pilots and engineers to support international firefighting efforts. Mike Dorgan, a long-standing former teacher at the School, recently bumped into Nat at Athens airport and brought him up to date with all matters relating to the School. Nat is also the Managing Director of Summit Consulting Australia.
Irish Legend Down Under
As a follow up to his first book ‘Be My Guest – Football Superstars in Australia’ in 2021, Lucas Gillard (’97) recently released another football book on one of the greatest soccer players of all time. Titled ‘George Best Down Under’, the book explores the historical context of Best’s four visits to this country and their impact on Australia’s soccer culture. Lucas’s passion for soccer is reflected in this publication and we wish him and the book every success.
In this year’s edition of Australian Lawyer Most Influential Lawyers 2024, George Haros (’91) was recognised in the Business Category. A Partner at Gadens, George practices in employment, industrial relations, and commercial and property law. The 2024 list celebrates 47 influential lawyers who have delivered positive outcomes in support of their peers and the industry. George has retained close links to the School through his son Gab (Year 8) and his long-term involvment with the Old Ivanhoe Grammarians Football Club.
Our 9th Olympian
Tristan Carter (’19) who made his Olympic debut at Paris 2024, produced a gallant effort in the Men’s Canoe Single (C1) final. Tristan was strong through the first half of the course in the final but a mistake on Gate 15 of the final cost him a two-second time penalty and he finished in ninth place. He also reached the quarter final of the Men’s Kayak Cross event. In his spare time, Tristan is a freelance film makerphotographer but still has his eyes set on the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
Paris Olympics Content Creator
For Stella Barry (’19), it was not the worst way to spend an Australian winter. Having just completed her Bachelor of Marketing and Media Communications at Monash University and with experience with Tennis Australia and the Western Bulldogs as a Digital Media Specialist, Stella has spent the last three months working as an English Content Creator for the Organising Committee at the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games. An experience she described as ‘incredible,‘ Stella documented her journey on Instagram and is no doubt eyeing off a future role in Los Angeles in 2028.
Snippets
IB Arts Exhibition
Four students from the 2023 graduating class including Isobel Smith (’23) pictured above had their artworks selected in the prestigious International Baccalaureate Visual Arts Exhibition held at the Glen Eira Town Hall Gallery earlier this year. The exhibition features selected artworks from IB schools across Victoria and Tasmania and is held annually for Year 11 and 12 IB Visual Arts students.
The Girl From Oz
Congratulations to singer/songwriter Angelina Sevastopoulos (‘19) who recently appeared in her first musical as one of the backing singers in ‘The Boy from Oz’, which ran at the National Theatre in St Kilda. Angelina completed three years of musical theatre training and was very excited to make her transition into live theatre where she received rave reviews for her singing.
Beating Par in the USA
The green jacket is still some time away but Cody Brenner (’23) may be well on his way. He advanced to the 76th U.S. Junior Amateur after earning a qualifying spot following a playoff hole. Past winners at this event include Tiger Woods, Scottie Scheffler and Jordan Spieth among others but not even a year from leaving school, this is a fantastic achievement.
Bomber Milestones
The season may not have finished quite the way the players and Essendon fans hoped, but for Kyle Langford (’14) (left) and Nic Cox (’19), the year was memorable in other ways. Kyle celebrated his 150th match in the team’s one point win over Fremantle in Round 21, while Nic played his 50th game for the Bombers in Round 19 against Adelaide.
School Coach Selected for Australia
Congratulations to Ruby Shannon (’23), one of the Ivanhoe Edge netball coaches, who has been selected for the Australian U21 squad. Described as an ‘explosive midcourter, Ruby is part of a 24-strong team who will tour Fiji as a prelude to the 2025 Netball World Youth Cup in Gibraltar next September, where 20 countries will compete.
AROUND THE SCHOOL
PERFORMING ARTS
Performing Arts is alive and well at the School, and The Performing Arts Department continues to present dynamic, amusing and highly professional productions and concerts.
‘Clue’; Schuster Theatre, June
The 2024 School Play, based on the popular board game and adapted from the cult film, was a comedy whodunit that kept the audience guessing and laughing to the very end.
The talented cast delivered brilliant performances, flawlessly capturing the essence of mystery and comedy. The show was skilfully designed, from the costumes and set to the sound design by the Theatre Studies class of 2024. A credit to the dedication and talent of the cast and crew.
Monash Scholars Program
Congratulations to Year 10 students Hamish Waddell, Xavier Chy and Samantha Garbutt (pictured from left above) who have been accepted into the prestigious Monash Scholars Program. Aimed at high-achieving secondary school students, this advanced program provides an introduction to university, alongside opportunities for personal and academic development. Inductions took place during the Term 2 holidays where all three students received their certificates and badges at the Academic Awards ceremony.
‘More Than Words’; July, Buckley Hall
An annual concert that celebrates some of the School’s most talented vocalists, More Than Words is a celebration of singing and music-making for students from Year 7 to Year 12. The evening featured a variety of songs from artists including Billy Joel, Joni Mitchell, Kate Bush, Johnny Mercer and Carole King. While each performer demonstrated great vocal skills, special mention must be made of Year 12 student and Music Captain Lucinda Thompson (above) with her rendition of ‘My Way’ which only highlighted her extraordinary talent and a pointer to her future career.
Boomers/Opals at SAAC
Over the June/July school holidays, the Australian Boomers and Opals basketball squads trained and held their Olympic Games Selection Camp at the School’s Sports and Aquatic Centre. The players and coaches clearly enjoyed the facilities, and it was equally thrilling for our Firsts basketball teams to watch them train and meet some of the players. What a great lead up to the 2024 Olympics and a great honour for the School to have played a part in Australian basketball history.
Ivanhoe Swim Recognition
It has been a year to remember for Ivanhoe Swim. At the Aquatic Recreation of Victoria (ARV) Industry Awards in June, it was a finalist in the Swim School of the Year Award, and Ivanhoe Swim Coach Aaron Richardson (pictured above) received a Highly Commended certificate in the category of Teacher of People with a Disability Award. The ARV awards recognise outstanding achievements and commitments of individuals and organisations within the industry. These nominations are testament to the dedication and passion of Ivanhoe Swim, and particularly the work of Katrina Gevaux, Aquatics Manager, in empowering individuals.
In a separate award, Ivanhoe Swim was nominated for the Swimming Victoria Club of the Year Award held in July at the Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre. The Club of the Year Award acknowledges clubs that are doing great things in the community and for the sport of swimming.
Greenway Cup 2024
The Greenway Cup, an annual debate between Ivanhoe Grammar School and Ivanhoe Girls Grammar School, is a treasured tradition which began in 1932. The topic this year was ‘Governments should penalise companies whose products experience a shortage.’ The Ivanhoe Grammar School team of Natalia Conte, Caitlin Malara, Victoria Sze, Edward Redlich and Emily Malcolm argued the negative side with conviction. Despite the judges awarding the cup to the girls’ school, Ivanhoe Grammar School retains its lead 44 to 43 in the competition.
State Sport Selections
Tennis:
Congratulations to Year 7 student
Kayden Jin who was selected for the Victoria U12 Team to compete at the 2024 Bruce Cup in August. Open to girls and boys aged 12 and under, the Bruce Cup is a prestigious national schools tennis championship, and many Australian greats including Rod Laver, Pat Rafter and Todd Woodbridge played their first representative matches in this competition. Kayden has enjoyed a wonderful year and won three U12 single titles in 2024.
Swimming: Year 7 student
Zoe Macaulay was selected in TeamVIC Swimming Squad 2024 which competed in School Sport Australia Swimming Championships (10-12 yo) on the Gold Coast. She was also appointed Vice-Captain of the 66-strong squad and represented Victoria in individual races and relays. This is a great honour and hopefully a springboard to future representative events.
Cambodia Service Project 2024
Cambodia 2024 took place during the mid-year holidays with 88 Year 11 students travelling the path well worn by hundreds of staff and students over the last 21 years. The School collaborates with local aid and community organisations to
Football: Year 10 students Sam Gayfer and Harry Van Hattum were selected for Vic Metro to play in the Marsh AFL National Development Championships in the Gold Coast in July. Both Sam (above left) and Harry play for the School First XVIII and have also been selected to play a few games for the under-18 Northern Knights team! Look out for them in the 2026 AFL draft!
Basketball:
School Basketball
Captain and Year 12 student Jesse McIntosh was a key member of the successful Australian team which won the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) U18 Men’s Asia Cup in Jordan in September. Known as The Emus, the Australian team will now be one of four countries to represent Asia at the 2025 FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup in Switzerland. Earlier this year, Jesse was selected for the Victorian U18s and U20s State teams which competed in the National Championships.
Ceremonial Parade
In lovely August weather, the Ivanhoe Grammar School Cadet Unit held its 63rd Annual Ceremonial Parade in front of staff, students, guests, parents and friends. The parade was the culmination of a four-year journey for the Year 12 cadets who led the unit onto the North ground.
Reviewed by Major Mark Wilson, Commanding Officer of Melbourne University Regiment, the cadet leaders of 2024 have left a strong legacy for future leaders to continue the customs and traditions of the unit, which have endured since its inception in 1961.
Later that month, the Annual Dinner for all Senior Officers, CUOs and their parents was held at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Attended by over 250 guests including Principal Foley, Commanding Officer Major John Doman and Honorary Colonel Major (Rtd) David Waugh, the occasion celebrated the service these officers gave to the cadet unit during their years at the School.
complete building projects and to support health and education initiatives. Fundraising initiatives raised over $70,000 to support our partners.
As well as funding the construction of toilets and shower facilities, playgrounds and water purification systems, participants also painted murals, ran a soccer tournament and visited culturally significant sites giving them invaluable insights into the history and culture of Cambodia. This exceptional global learning experience is often described as a transformative journey that profoundly impacts the lives of students.
VCE Premiers Award
The prestigious annual Premier’s VCE Awards ceremony was held at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre in July where four Ivanhoe Grammar School students were recognised for outstanding achievement in the 2023 VCE exams.
• Johnny Chen for Top All-Round VCE High Achiever
• Eve Beccia for Business Management
• Bethany Ryan (above) for Literature
• Tansy Elliot for Theatre Studies
As well as honouring their outstanding results, the award also acknowledges the invaluable support provided by principals, teachers, and families to the students.
Major School Bequest
The School recently received an incredibly generous bequest from Edward ‘Hux’ Carver (’47) who passed away in January 2023.
His bequest, the largest ever by an old Ivanhoe Grammarian, has made him a Lifetime Benefactor of the School. The gift was left to the Sydney and Evelyn Buckley Scholarship Fund and will create the opportunity for another student to attend the School as a Buckley scholar.
Staff Supported Scholarship Drinks
The Staff Supported Scholarship is a unique program funded entirely by Ivanhoe Grammar School staff members, both past and present. Since 2016, it has enabled three students to complete their education at the School, and in recognition of their support, a drinks function hosted by Principal Foley for many of the 75 participating staff members was held in the Boardroom at School House.
A feature of this year’s function was the attendance of our current scholarship holder, Year 12 student and Prefect Denzel Vaghani and his mother Sharon. Denzel has been at the School since prep in 2012 and was awarded the scholarship after his family experienced financial difficulties some years ago. Denzel sincerely thanked the staff for their ongoing support which has enabled him to remain at the School, and for the memories and pride he has being part of the Ivanhoe Grammar School community.
In 1941, Hux began at the School in Year 7 as a boarder but with the majority of our students, relocated to Yea in 1942 when the School’s grounds were taken over by the Australian Army. Hux was a Fidelis Society member and throughout his life was a major donor to various school projects.
His commitment and gratitude to Ivanhoe Grammar School was exceptional. In one letter he wrote:
‘I was a child of the Depression era, living in a country area remote from any school featuring a full secondary education. An Ivanhoe Grammar School scholarship provided an opportunity and led ultimately to Melbourne University, and an interesting and varied 42-year career
as a civil engineer. A contributing factor was the excellent teaching and dedication of staff in the senior years. I therefore feel impelled to give support to the School, in particular the scholarship fund, in my later years.’
In the current economic climate, it is even more imperative that we grow our scholarship fund. If you would like further information about the scholarship program, please contact Geoff Brown (’62) via email (geoff.brown@ivanhoe.com.au) or phone 9490 3423.
The entire School community extends its appreciation to the estate of Hux Carver, and its condolences to his widow Mary and the Carver family members.
Ridgeway Club Luncheon
The Ridgeway Club was formed in 1989 to provide financial support for school projects not funded through the annual budget, and also recognises the School’s significant annual benefactors.
On Friday 19 July, new members Peter Dimarelos (’05) and wife Rachel were welcomed before guests were treated to a wonderful meal at the Little Black Pig restaurant in Heidelberg. Rachelle Maynard, Head of Pedagogy - Science and Technology, provided an insightful overview of the growth of artificial intelligence at the School and the future of new technologies in education, which sparked much discussion amongst the guests.
VALE – FIDELIS USQUE AD MORTEM
We acknowledge the passing of the following individuals who were part of the Ivanhoe Grammar School family.
Matthew Arnold (’48) Buckley Boy
William Darvall (’56) Buckley Boy/Brown Era
Walter Dower (’56) Buckley Boy/Brown Era
Richard Isaac (’55) Brown Era
John Kiriakidis (’90) Sligo Era
John McCrohan (’53) Brown Era
Ian Palmer (’55) Brown Era
Anthony Sim (’52) Buckley Boy/Brown Era
Professor Richard ‘Dick’ Smallwood A0 (’55) Buckley Boy, Yea Boarder
Peter Southby (’51) Buckley Boy/Brown Era
John Sullivan (’51) Buckley Boy/Brown Era
Trevor Thomas (’53) Brown Era
Angela Di Ciocco, Denzel Vaghani
Talia Ciavarella, Yvonne Ngiam
Stuart Adderley, Gerard Foley, Kasia Van Leest, Murray Gill
