STAYING CONNECTED
The Brown and White Acknowledgements
Copy: Brianna Ablett
Geoff Brown
Mirella Busso-Lee
Linda Paltoglou
Tim Swain
Photos: Josh Boland Dean Phipps
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: 1975 School Captain Wayne Barnett (centre) with Jon Brock (left) and Andrew Pratten at the Ridgeway Campus 50 Year Reunion.
Staying connected
The School continues to thrive, guided by enduring values of character and a forwardfocused vision. At the core of our strategic agenda are three pillars of transformation that are consistent across campuses and year levels, from Foundation to Year 12.
1. Academic Excellence
Academic growth is the foremost priority at the School. A bold and deliberate focus is being placed on strengthening learning outcomes through evidence-informed teaching, aligned curriculum and data-driven supports. The 2025 Academic Improvement Plan is a catalyst for school-wide enhancements including:
• expansion of the Academic Extension Program and introduction of Academic Growth Awards
• professional learning in Explicit Teaching aligned to the Ivanhoe Instructional Model
• advanced data analytics systems to support responsive interventions and personalised learning
• targeted literacy and numeracy initiatives in the Middle Year.
• tier two intervention programs supporting short-term, focused academic assistance.
Academic leadership roles have been redefined to promote greater collaboration and strategic coherence, ensuring every learner is empowered to reach their full potential.
2. Primary Program Innovation
Following the 2024 Primary Review, a comprehensive reform agenda is underway at Buckley House and Plenty Campus, redefining the Foundation to Year 6 experience. Key developments include:
• a new cross-campus leadership structure to strengthen alignment and instructional excellence
• the Literacy Action Team leading curriculum renewal and teacher development
• data-informed teaching practices leading to early positive learning trends
• the introduction of a Positive Wellbeing Framework, fostering behavioural consistency and student engagement across all classrooms.
These reforms reinforce our commitment to delivering a worldclass education and building strong foundations for lifelong learning.
3. AI Strategy and Digital Advancement
A landmark initiative in 2025 is the School’s first AI Strategy. Key pilot programs include:
• adaptive tutoring systems to personalise learning pathways for students
• AI-driven productivity tools to support teaching staff and enhance efficiency
• strategic frameworks to ensure responsible, future-ready AI implementation across all campuses.
This initiative positions the School as a leader in digital innovation and 21st-century learning.
Broader Strategic Developments
In capital works, the Fraser Centre design has been finalised. This Senior Years learning hub will offer flexible, contemporary spaces and is on track to open at the start of 2028.
Beyond the classroom, student life flourishes. This winter, both the First Girls’ Basketball and First Boys’ Football teams reached their respective grand finals, a reflection of the vibrant co-curricular spirit and excellence that defines Ivanhoe.
Looking Ahead
With strong momentum and a bold vision, the School is confidently shaping the future of education. From transformative capital projects and academic refinement to cuttingedge innovation, our mission remains clear: to deliver exceptional educational experiences for every learner.
We thank our alumni and wider community for their ongoing support and look forward to sharing more milestones on our journey.
Gerard Foley Principal
The Bell Monitor
From its beginnings in 1955 and for nearly three decades, the Memorial Junior School’s days and activities were structured by the bell monitor.
At the start of the school year, a Grade 6 (now Year 6) boy was selected to hand ring the bell throughout the day. This vital role was one reserved for an organised and trustworthy boy with exceptional timekeeping skills. Of course, he also required a working wristwatch, something that few young boys possessed at the time.
The bell was mounted on its own pole in a section of the garden outside the old Grade 6 classroom. The bell monitor rang the bell to mark the start and end of the day, class periods, commencement of recess, lunch time, and the dismissal of classes.
Bell Monitors 1950s
Some confusion occurred if his watch stopped or if he was distracted and did not notice the time, or if he was absent from the School for whatever reason, in which case his understudy took over.
Somewhat sadly, with the installation of an electronic bell system, this quaint tradition faded into history in the early 1980s.
From The Akuna to the MJS
The origins of the bell are both fascinating and mysterious. While it remains unclear exactly how the bell found its way to the School, what is known offers a compelling link to maritime and military history.
The bell once belonged to the Komet, a German steam vessel built in 1911 for the German Administrator of New Guinea.
With the outbreak of World War 1, the Komet was discovered hiding in Talasea Bay, west of Rabaul. Local villagers alerted the Australian authorities promoting a response from HMAS Sydney. The Sydney’s captain warned the Komet’s commander that failure to surrender would result in the ship being shelled. The German captain complied, and he and his 57 crew were taken as prisoners of war.
In 1914, it was renamed HMAS Una and commissioned by the RAN as a patrol and general-purpose vessel in New Guinea, New Hebrides and Malayan waters. In December 1918, Una was sent to Darwin to protect the Administrator of the Northern Territory John Gilruth, during the Darwin Rebellion.
Following her naval service, Una was decommissioned in 1925 and sold to the Port Phillip Sea Pilots Association. Renamed Akuna, an Indigenous word meaning ‘running waters’, the ship served as a pilot vessel at Port Phillip Heads from 1925 to 1953, guiding vessels through the treacherous waters of ‘The Rip.’
The SS Akuna (courtesy Australian War Museum) In 1955, the Akuna was broken up for scrap in Melbourne, and around this time, the bell somehow made its way to the Memorial Junior School, where it began a new chapter in its long and varied life.
Where is it now?
The story of how the bell made its journey from the SS Akuna to the Memorial Junior School remains a mystery. Despite its prominent place in the School’s daily life for nearly 30 years, no definitive record has surfaced to explain how it came into the School’s possession. Equally unclear is the bell’s fate and sadly its whereabouts today are unknown.
What is certain, however, is that the bell holds a unique place in the School’s history—its origins intertwined with international maritime events and decades of student life. The School warmly welcomes any recollections, photographs or stories from members of the community who may know how the bell came to be part of Memorial Junior School’s past, or what became of it after its removal.
Volunteer Queen
Former IB student Emmy Lamontagne (‘20) recently had a chance reunion with Ridgeway staff members Georgia Thorpe and Jacinta Patterson while working in Cambodia. Emmy was on the School’s Cambodia trip in 2019 and is now working a humanitarian project with Engineers without Borders (EWB), supporting communities in Cambodia. She said that her own experience on the School’s trip inspired her to get involved with this important work and was delighted to see the School’s large group in Cambodia this year.
After school, Emmy completed a Bachelor of International Studies at RMIT University majoring in development and social justice with interest in climate change, education and food security. Engineers Without Borders Australia (EWB) is a purposedriven organisation with a national office and staff team located in Melbourne, in-country offices in Vanuatu, TimorLeste and Cambodia, and 20+ Chapters located across Australia.
Heading into Space
It may not have been the outcome that Gilmour Space Technologies (GST) hoped for but for Alex Wright (’17), it was an extraordinary step into the world of orbital rockets.
After completing a Bachelor of Aerospace Engineering at RMIT in 2022, Alex moved to the Gold Coast to join GST as a propulsion engineer.
The company is pioneering hybridpropellant rocket engines designed to launch satellites into space.
In July, GST launched their Eris rocket from the Bowen Orbital Spaceport in North Queensland. Although it malfunctioned shortly after take-off and crashed back near the launch pad, the event was heralded as a significant milestone for both the company and Australia’s space industry.
We will follow GSTs progress and Alex’s future role with great interest.
September Blues
After a wonderful home and away season when it sat on top of the ladder for much of the year, the Old Ivanhoe Grammarians Football Club unfortunately lost both finals to miss out on promotion to Section A. The Reserves team, which had an equally dominant year, also lost in their preliminary final. The disappointment was offset by the success of the Under 19s which won the Grand Final in the Holmesglen Division 2 competition.
Happy 90th Birthday Mr Hit Parade
The Old Ivanhoe Grammarians’ Association proudly sends its best wishes to a new Living Treasure of the School.
John D’Arcy (’52) celebrated his 90th birthday in August. While he may not be a household name to many today, John was one of the early stars of radio and television in Melbourne during the 1950s. Enrolled at the School in 1944, John was recognised by fellow alumni and former staff members Bill Dodemaide (’40) and Bill Lyon (’49) as a remarkably talented sportsman.
In 1948, he was part of the athletics team that, along with Caulfield Grammar, shared the AGSV Athletics championships. In 1950, he was awarded Full Colours as a member of the School’s Premiership First XI and played fullforward in the First XVIII – both at the age of 14! He later played cricket for Melbourne Cricket Club.
After school, John became a radio announcer and then worked regularly on HSV-7 television for many years. He hosted The Hit Parade on Channel 7 from 1956-59 and The Teenage Show, which aired on Saturdays, from 1958-60. He also succeeded Bert Newton as one of the hosts of The Late Show, a mix of music and comedy variety series, which competed against In Melbourne Tonight on GTV-9 during the late 1950s. John was also a regular on the iconic World of Sport television program doing voiceover work for many years.
John was one of eighty Ivanarians named to mark the School’s 80th anniversary in 1995. He maintained his connection with the School for many years through reunion events and served as MC at Plenty Campus Country Fairs during the 1990s.
Still living independently in Melbourne with his wife Kathy, the OIGA salutes John on his milestone birthday and hopes he reflects fondly on a wonderfully varied and fulfilling life.
Milan – more than just fashion
International sports TV presenter Adriano Del Monte (’06) recently teamed up with ‘Tipping Point’ host Todd Woodbridge in Milan.
They filmed an exciting day trip through the iconic city for Channel Nine’s Postcards series, as well as Nine’s Wide World of Sports, as a prelude to the 2026 Winter Olympics to take place next February. Congratulations to Adriano on yet another milestone in his distinguished career, further cementing his reputation as a leading figure in international sports broadcasting.
World University Games
Elly McInerney (’19) stepped away from the office and back onto the volleyball court to represent Australia at the FSU World University Games in July. Over 8,500 athletes aged 18-25 who are currently studying or have previously pursued a university degree, and officials from more than 150 countries contested 18 sports in venues across Germany. Instead of an athlete’s village, athletes stayed in hotels and university residential buildings around the RhineRhur region.
The Old Ivanhoe Grammarians’ Association was proud to support Elly as she reached this milestone in her sporting career. Elly, pictured above with her vintage EgoYah cap and team uniform, is currently working as a digital content creator in the United States.
Back to School
Dean of International Students Leisl Bruhn welcomed Heidi Chan (’21) back to the School in June. Heidi, on the left, is studying a Bachelor of Industrial Design at RMIT and took the opportunity during her mid-semester break to see the changes at Ridgeway Campus since her graduation.
Alongside her studies, Heidi works parttime at Preston High School as an Art/ Engineering technician and volunteers with Banyule Nillumbik Tech. She’s also eagerly anticipating her parents’ visit from Hong Kong to attend her graduation later this year.
School Sustainability Winner
Alumna and former staff member Elise Dunstan (’01) was recognised in the 2025 ResourceSmart School Awards run by Sustainability Victoria in June. The awards encourage schools to become more sustainable through practical guidance and resources.
Elise was the winner of the Secondary School Teacher of the Year for her innovative work at Kew High School across areas ranging from worm farming to recycling and waste management among other initiatives.
A former Plenty Campus Vice Captain, Elise later coached netball at the School, co-ordinated the Cabaret for Cambodia events, and worked as the Alumni Coordinator. She was also the daughter of the late Jim Dunstan, a former member of the Board of Governors.
Gibraltar Bound
Victorian Netball pathway athlete and alumna Ruby Shannon (’22) has been selected for the Australian U21 squad ahead of preparations for the Netball World Youth Cup in September. The tournament, featuring 20 teams, is the pinnacle of netball competition for emerging players under 21 years of age. Ruby has been part of the U21 team the past 12 months and earlier this year was added to the Melbourne Vixens training squad. In 2022, Ruby led the School Firsts team to win the Netball Victoria School Championships and is the School’s Open Firsts coach this season.
Heading to Chile
Western United rising star Harry Casci (’24) was selected for the New Zealand Under 20s for their tour of Chile in June. The Youth All Whites played two matches in Santiago in preparation for the FIFA U20 World Cup, scheduled to take place in Chile in September.
A tireless midfielder, Harry won the Western United Under 23s Club Champion award in 2024 and made his VPL 1 Men’s debut the same year. With New Zealand citizenship through his father, this marks Harry’s first selection for a national team, a great milestone in his promising career.
New Diamond
Congratulations to alumna Alice Teague-Neeld (’15) on her selection to the Australian Diamonds 2025-26 squad. Alice will represent Australia later this year in the Constellation Cup against the New Zealand Silver Ferns as well as the October series against South Africa. Alice has had a stellar season with the West Coast Fever, leading the league in goal assists and centre-pass receives for the 2025 Super Netball season.
Alice was a major contributor to the School’s 2014 and 2015 Netball AGSV/ APS Premierships which helped set-up the three-peat in 2016 after her 2015 graduation.
VAFA Representatives
Congratulations to Charlie Opie (’24) and Tyson Nagel (’24) on their selection for the VAFA Under 19s in July against the Bendigo Football Netball League in July. Charlie, pictured left with Tyson, was also Captain of the team and led them to a huge 89-point win! Both boys currently play for the OIGFC Seniors team.
Master in Liberal Arts
Another remarkable milestone for David Purser (’10) who graduated from Harvard University in June with a Master of Liberal Arts after four years of part-time study. This achievement follows a Distinction in his Master of Business from the Kellogg School of Management Northwestern University in 2022, and previous first-class honours in Aerospace Engineering from RMIT University in 2016.
In 2018, David was recognised as one of the ‘25 Under 25 Rising Stars’ by the Herald Sun. He currently works as a Project Leader at Boston Consulting Group’s Melbourne office, focusing on aerospace and defence.
Well Done Ump!
Congratulations to AFL umpire Andre Gianfagna (’05) who officiated his 150th match in Round 23 when Fremantle faced Brisbane in Perth. Andre joined the AFL rookie umpiring list in 2016 and made his senior debut in 2018. As well as keeping order on the field, Andre is also a teacher at Balwyn High School.
EgoYah Podcast Update
Launched in April this year, The Egoyah podcast has quickly become a vibrant platform for the Old Ivanhoe Grammarians’ community, reaching over 35,000 listeners within its first week.
This monthly series has already featured insightful conversations with notable alumni including Lana Murphy (’10), Adriano Del Monte (’06), Chris Branigan (‘97), Martin Goh (’08), James Moio (’09) and Andrew Sheehan (’09). Produced in collaboration with Producey, an alumni-owned business specialising in podcasting, The Egoyah has received enthusiastic feedback from listeners, reinforcing its role in fostering connections and community bonds.
The most recent episode in August featured Scott Assender (’90) pictured above, who is the Director and CoFounder of Welcome to Group & Australian Bar Holdings. Over the past 25 years, Scott has owned, operated and run over 42 hospitality businesses and employed over 5,000 people across three countries.
Tune in to Spotify or Apple to hear how Scott has helped people achieve their hospitality goals.
HEARD ANY NEWS?
If you hear of any news about alumni that you would like to share with The Brown and White readers, feel free to email the Development Office on alumni@ivanhoe.com.au
A proactive approach to AI and digital learning innovation
Ivanhoe Grammar School teachers have always responded to the wave of digital innovation in meaningful and transformative ways. Recently, the focus has been on how we integrate Artificial Intelligence (AI) effectively and ethically into classrooms.
AI is often perceived to be new technology; however, it has a long history of development, starting over a century ago. For at least the last decade, AI has been a constant in our lives. It is the technology used to drive chat bots, facilitate e-commerce, enable face recognition and web searches.
With the development of OpenAI and other factors, the possibility, growth and uptake of AI is compounding quickly. We strongly believe at the School that a proactive approach to AI and digital learning innovation will lead to successful outcomes for students.
Since last year we have been trialling Copilot Agents (a subject expert chatbot) to support student learning. These AI-powered assistants are currently being piloted in VCE Physical Education as well as in Year 9, Year 10, VCE and IB Science classes. These agents offer students real-time support, helping them revise content, explore concepts and develop inquiry-based skills in a personalised and interactive way.
Recognising the importance of responsible AI use, we are developing policies for students and staff. We are also looking to adopt Microsoft Copilot to support staff to navigate the evolving landscape, and shortly to distribute a student guide and dedicated website to enable the safe and ethical use of AI.
In the digital innovation space, one of the most exciting additions to our classrooms has been the deployment of Class VR headsets. These allow students to explore environments without leaving the classroom. Students can immerse themselves in the depths of the ocean, the surface of Mars or to medieval times. These experiences are not only engaging but also deepen conceptual understanding.
In robotics, students have been hands-on with the Micro-bit Robotic Dog, a programmable companion that introduces coding logic, sensor integration, and mechanical design. Complementing this is the Micro-bit Home Automation Kit, which empowers students to build and control smart home systems, fostering real world problem-solving and sustainable thinking.
Both kits now include AI capabilities, enabling them to explore how machine learning and automation can be applied to everyday tasks and intelligent systems.
These initiatives reflect our commitment to preparing students not just for exams, but for life in a rapidly changing world. We will continue to engage with specialists and ensure continuous dialogue with staff and students. Understanding their perception, concerns, future ideas and use of AI and digital innovation, helps direct our way forward.
Rachelle Crameri, Director of AI and Digital Learning Innovation
New OIGA Business Directory Member
We are pleased to welcome our newest OIGA Business Directory member.
Class of 2015 – Ridgeway Campus
10 Year Reunion - Friday 20 June, Hotel Collingwood
Class
of 1975 – Ridgeway Campus 50 Year Reunion - Friday 25 July, Hotel Collingwood
Class of 1995 – Plenty Campus
30 Year Reunion - Friday 29 August, Welcome to Brunswick
HATCHED & MATCHED
Congratulations to our alumni below who have recently celebrated wonderful personal events.
Xavier Agostino (’10) and wife Irene welcomed daughter Celene in April (pictured left) with son Harvey born in November 2023.
Andrew Paine (‘07) and wife Samantha welcomed son William in August.
James O’Donoghue-Hayes (’17) and Jasmine Iluffi (’17) announced their engagement in July.
Rebecca Russo (‘17) and Christian Rischitelli welcomed daughter Ilaria.
Lana Murphy (’10) and husband Nick Riddle (’10) welcomed son Navy in September.
Jacques Elias (’18) announced his engagement to Alexandra Saffchur in August.
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 SAVE THE DATE 2025
The dates for the remaining 2025 OIGA reunions are set out below. However, these are subject to change so please refer to the OIGA website, Facebook, and Instagram for details of all alumni activities.
Friday 24 October
Plenty Campus 20 Year Reunion (Class of 2005)
Friday 7 November
Plenty Campus 10 Year Reunion (Class of 2015)
Friday 21 November
Plenty Campus 5 Year Reunion (Class of 2020)
Tuesday 25 November
Buckley Boys/Brown Era Reunion
Please ensure that you save the date for your reunion and spread the word to other alumni and ask them to update their contact details.
VCE Premier’s Awards
The prestigious annual Premier’s VCE Awards ceremony was held at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre in July where Victoria’s topperforming 2024 VCE students were recognised for their outstanding academic results.
Congratulations to Georgie Wooller (left) who received a Premier’s VCE Award in Business Management, while Alice Darby (right) was the recipient of a Premier’s VCE Award in Equine Studies (VCE VET).
Adventure Training Award (ATA)
Year 12 student Stephanie Cotronis was one of just 12 female cadets nationwide selected to attend the Adventure Training Award (ATA) at Lake Barrington, Tasmania. This gruelling three-day course tests their physical and mental resilience, and Stephanie successfully completed the course, earning the highly coveted ‘Boomerang and Torch’ ATA badge, testament to her character and the strength of the School’s cadet leadership program.
Piano Award
Years of dedication and hard work for Year 9 student Gabriella Li have paid off as she was awarded an Associate in Music, Australia (AmusA). Awarded by the Australian Music Examinations Board, Gabriella received her diploma in the subject of ‘Piano with Distinction’, and has participated in many concerts, competitions and other musical events, including the John Perry Academy of Music in Los Angeles.
Middle Years Music Camp
The Middle Years Music Camp for the Locksley Symphonic Band, Locksley Singers and Locksley Strings took place at the scenic Rutherford Park Country Retreat near Daylesford. This enriching and rewarding experience provided three days of focused music-making, and preparation for upcoming concerts and school events in stunning surroundings.
The Juilliard School
Year 10 student Bella Ansell spent her Term 2 school holidays at the prestigious Juilliard School Summer Performing Arts Program in Florida. This once-ina-lifetime experience brings together talented young performers aged 12-18 to train with Juilliard artist faculty, which will hopefully give Bella a clear pathway on how she can pursue a career in the performing arts.
Interschool Mooting Competition
The School hosted this year’s annual Interschool Mooting Competition, together with Trinity Grammar School and Deakin Law School. Each year, students from schools all over Melbourne compete in simulated court proceedings. Retired Judge James Parrish (’70) gave a series of lectures on the preliminary competition day from his decades of experience as a barrister and County Court Judge.
Staff Conference
The third annual conference for over 400 academic and professional services staff took place at Plenty Campus in August. The keynote speaker for Academic Staff was Dr Nathaniel Swain (’07) who is a teacher, instructional coach and Senior Lecturer in Learning Sciences at La Trobe University School of Education. Nate has become one of the most influential voices in evidenceinformed education today, and is one of the contributors to The Playbook, a key resource for teachers to ensure high quality, consistent teaching practices.
Cadets Ceremonial Parade
The 64th Annual Ceremonial Parade of the School Cadet Unit took place in June and was the culmination of a fouryear journey for the Year 12 cadets who marched down The Ridgeway and onto the North ground.
Reviewed by Lieutenant Colonel Amelia Knapman, Commanding Officer of Melbourne University Regiment, the parade celebrated leadership, discipline and tradition.
The Annual Cadet Dinner was held at the MCG with cadets dressed in Ceremonial Mess Dress. Attended by numerous military guests, the evening featured a stirring performance from the Pipes and Drums of the 5th/6th Battalion, the Royal Victoria Regiment, and heartfelt reflections from senior leaders Matilda Wanless and Stephanie Cotronis, on their personal journeys in the Cadet Program.
IGNITE
IGNITE is a program at the School’s University Campus where Year 9 students pursue passion projects for six months, culminating in an exposition where their projects are presented to the School community. IGNITE is a hugely popular initiative which has produced some incredible creations and quite possibly the start of new career options. Pictured above are Ms Stella Batsanis, Head of University Campus with Ella Dorman and her Crocket Soft Toys project.
Cambodia Service Trip
In June, 118 Year 11 students and staff travelled to Cambodia for two weeks of service and cultural immersion, continuing a proud 21-year tradition. Over the years, the School has contributed to numerous health, education and building projects in the country.
The Rolous Village Project, in partnership with Roots Cambodia, involved the construction of a four-classroom school in Rolous Village, near Siem Reap.
Scheduled for completion over two years, the school was opened by Gerard Foley ahead of time, thanks to the generous support of the OIGA and the tireless the fundraising efforts of the students.
OIGA Alumni Panel
In August, a group of Plenty Campus alumni at various stages of their postschool journeys returned to share their insights and perspectives into the many pathways available to Year 12 students after school. Pictured above (L-R), are Tapu Nicol (‘22), 3rd year, Latrobe University, Physiotherapy; Sasha Braybrook (‘22), 3rd Year Monash University Computer Science; Dr Nerissa Imeri (‘03), Emergency Doctor Eastern Health; Rebecca Ioannidis (‘14), Brand Manager, Digital Specialist; Jessica Mihajlov (‘24), 1st year Latrobe University, Health Science; Anata Gliana (‘24), 1st year Monash University, Law/Commerce, and Yosip Oghanna (‘24), 1st year Melbourne University, Biomedicine. After the presentation, alumni, teachers and the Year 12 students shared a lunch provided by the OIGA and continued these discussions.
Da Vinci Decathlon
In late May, 57 students competed in the state-wide schools competition, The Da Vinci Decathlon, an event designed to challenge and stimulate the minds of students with emphasis on problem solving and creativity.
Students from Years 7–10 competed in teams of eight across 10 disciplines. The School performed exceptionally well and achieved First Place in Year 9 Engineering, Third Place in Year 8 Ideation, and Third Place in Year 9 Legacy.
Problem Solving Stars
In 2024, a group of Year 9 University Campus students came third in the national final of the Future ProblemSolving Program Australia competition which involves tackling a complex future scenario with limited time. This qualified them to attend the international conference in Indiana in 2025.
The School team, comprising the same six students, had to provide a six-step solution on the topic ‘The Future of History’ in the ‘Global Issues Problem Solving’ category.
With over 1,400 students from 11 countries participating, the School was placed 9th out of 72 teams, which was both a great result and an opportunity to connect with other students from around the world.
SCHOOL SPORTING NEWS
Football
It was a disappointing end to a great season but the Boys Firsts Football team should be proud to have reached the AGSV Grand Final. Playing against a very strong Penleigh and Essendon Grammar School on their home ground, the boys played with great spirit and were supported wonderfully by the Ivy Army but went down by 17 points.
Basketball
The Girls’ Firsts Basketball Team reached the APS/AGSV Grand Final against Caufield Grammar School in August. Despite great support from students, staff and parents, the girls fell just short but with a very young team, there are great hopes for 2026.
Aerobics
The School’s aerobics team has enjoyed an outstanding 2025 season and is one of the School’s largest and fastest-growing sports with around 100 students from Years 2-12 involved. At the Victorian State Championships in August, Ridgeway Campus was crowned State Champion School which reflects the great leadership from the coaching team, most of whom are Ivanhoe alumni.
Fencing Year 7 student
Travis Lin represented the School at the 2025 Australia Intermediate
School Championship. Despite being the youngest fencer in the competition, Travis demonstrated remarkable skill and determination and finished in 14th in the Boys Foil event and is now a member of the Australian Fencing Federation’s High Performance Program.
Basketball Congratulations (again!) to Year 11 student
Sophie Richardson on her selection for the U16 Sapphires Team to represent Australia in the FIBA Asia Cup in Malaysia in September. Sophie was also invited to attend the 2025 National Performance Program Graduation Camp at the Centre of Excellence in Canberra in August, which was a great preparation for this event.
Kayaking
Year 10 student Alex Ellul is a clearly emerging kayak star after his selection for Australia in the International Canoe Federation Junior and U23 Wildwater Canoeing World Championships in Slovenia. Alex recently became the national U16 Wildwater Sprint and Classic champion after competing at the National Wildwater Championship in Tasmania. He also received a Local Sporting Champions Grant from the AIS to assist with the costs of competing.
Volleyball
A phenomenal achievement for Year 10 student
Ediri Ukoko who captained the Victorian team in the 2025 School Sport Australia U15 National Volleyball Championships in Adelaide which finished runner up
to Queensland. Ediri was selected in the All-Australian team and is also in the Australian U16 National Indoor Volleyball Squad! In June, Ediri was awarded the Sydney and Evelyn Buckley Scholarship, established by the OIGA in 1957, which commences in 2026.
AFL Victoria Congratulations to Year 10 student Jesse Ingleton who represented Victoria at the U15 AFL National Carnival in Brisbane. Over 7 days, his team played five games with strong wins over NSW, QLD and Tasmania, a semi-final victory against WA, and an exciting Grand Final win over SA! Jesse performed brilliantly throughout the week and gained invaluable experience.
Athletics Rising middle distance runner and Year 8 student Leonardo Donarelli represented the School at the State Cross Country Championship in June where he won a bronze medal and secured a place with Team Victoria for the 2025 National Cross Country Competition in the U15 category.
Rugby Union
Year 10 student
Will Gore has been selected to attend the Elite Iron Armour Rugby Union Academy which offers elite training and mentoring for talented young rugby players. As part of the program, he will tour with the U15 Europe team for matches this October in Prato, Italy, and also the Portugal Rugby Youth Festival.
At many schools, it’s not uncommon to find students forming rock bands or pop groups that perform at school concerts or local venues. It’s far less common for teachers and alumni to take to the stage but at the School in the 1940s, this was exactly the case where a group of boys formed a traditional jazz band that played together for more than fifty years.
The Ad Mortem Rhythm Kings
Originally formed in 1944 by a group of classmates, the Ad Mortem Rhythm Kings was a tongue-in-cheek nod to the School’s Latin motto, Fidelis Usque Ad Mortem - ‘Faithful even unto death’. Translated loosely, the band’s name meant ‘To Death Rhythm Kings’. The founding members were:
• Dick Dooley (’44) – trumpet
• Vincent ‘Wal’ Davis (’46) – clarinet and saxophone
• Geoff Davey (’45) – banjo
• Neil Davey (’48) – washboard (and brother to Geoff)
After leaving school, Wal briefly attended Melbourne Technical College (now RMIT), where he met John ‘Doc’ Davies and Bruce ‘Spruck’ Thomson who joined the band in 1948.
John played piano, while Bruce, who started out tapping rhythms on an old suitcase, soon purchased a drum kit that would stay with the band for over 60 years.
Humble Beginnings and Coastal Gigs
The group’s first ‘major’ performance was at Mount Martha House in 1948, where they served as the house band over Christmas and New Year. In exchange, they received free board. Similar arrangements followed at the Continental Hotel in Sorrento (1950), the Portsea Hotel (1951), and the Cumberland Hotel in Lorne (1952).
These early gigs were more than just performances; they were based on camaraderie, trad jazz enthusiasm, and a warm, open attitude.
An Expanding Ensemble
During their time at Mount Martha House, the band met Peter MacNeil, a trombonist who asked if he could join. He was welcomed with open arms and went on to play with the group for many decades.
Alex McKenzie (‘46), a schoolmate of Wal Davis, joined the band after Wal bought him a sousaphone, a large brass instrument akin to a tuba. In 1949, thanks to personal connections, the band secured a recording session at Suttons Music on Elizabeth Street.
Several ‘direct-to-disc’ recordings were made on 78rpm records during that session, though the audio quality left much to be desired.
Transition to Muddy River Jazz Band
Apart from the occasional school performances, the band entered a hiatus from 1953 through the early 1970s. Life took its natural course; members travelled, got married, and started families. But in 1975, the band reformed under a new name: The Muddy River Jazz Band, a nod to the Yarra River that flowed through Heidelberg and Ivanhoe where most members lived.
Over the next two decades, the band continued at a gentler pace, becoming a regular fixture around Wonga Park and Warrandyte, a notable appearance at the 50th Australian Jazz Convention. Sadly, around 2012, the music finally quieted. Age and arthritis made it difficult for the musicians to continue doing what they loved most, playing extraordinary Dixie jazz. In one of their final gestures, the drumkit (below) used by Bruce Thomson for six decades was donated to the Australian Jazz Museum in 2022. Known for their talent, creativity, and unmistakable sense of fun, the group became a cherished part of the School’s musical legacy.
