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Vale
Vale – Dr Janette Gordon-Clark
(26 April 1936 – 27 October 2021)
The St Michael’s community is deeply saddened by the loss of Old Michaelian, Dr Janette (Jan) Gordon-Clark, one of the heroes of St Michael’s Grammar School. Jan embodied a zest for life and learning that was an inspiration to many generations of staff, students, parents and Old Michaelians. Jan began her astonishing 81-year connection with the School when she joined St Michael’s as a student in 1940 at the age of three. In her final year, 1952, Jan was a School Prefect, Editor of The Michaelian, Captain of her House Debating Team, and Dux of the School. She then went on to study at the University of Melbourne. In 1973, Jan was a foundation member of the School Council (now the Board of Directors) and served on the School’s governing body for an unbroken 40 years. During that time, she guided St Michael’s through a remarkable transformation from a small single-sex girls’ school to a much larger coeducational school. She was a very worthy recipient of the St Michael and All Angels Medal in 2014. The medal is bestowed on members of the St Michael’s community who have left a legacy of their connection with the School. The citation accompanying the medal presented to Jan at Speech Night reads, ‘There is no one in the St Michael’s story who has given so unstintingly of their life over such a lengthy period to ensure that we continue to prosper as a learning community. We who enjoy St Michael’s today owe much to Jan’s generosity, energy, foresight and commitment.’ While she gave so much to St Michael’s, raising her family was the main the focus of Jan’s life. Her long and happy marriage to Dr Henry Gordon-Clark (deceased 2014) produced four children, Helen (OM 1979), Matthew (OM 1984), Hugh (OM 1985) and Sophie (OM 1987), each of whom, in the words of Hugh, did their best to make their parents’ lives difficult. Jan and Henry, however, were a constant and loving presence who supported their children in all their different interests. Having raised her family Jan returned to study, first completing a Master of Arts at Monash University and then a Doctorate, the subject of which was early Melbourne Theatre. Jan was farewelled at a service at St. Peter’s Eastern Hill, where she had been a member of the parish for more than 50 years. Bishop David Farrer, a long-time friend of Jan’s, in delivering the Homily, quoted Robert Louis Stevenson ‘… A person is a success who has lived well, laughed often, and loved much; who has gained the respect of intelligent people and the love of children; who has filled their niche and accomplished their task; who leaves the world better than they found it…’ There is no doubt that Jan left the world, and this School, a better place.
Vale – Mr Allan Pizzey
(19 October 1939 – 28 November 2021)
Mr Alan Pizzey AM, LFAIB, FAIM, FAICD was a member of the Board of Directors at St Michael’s Grammar School for 16 years from 1995 to 2010, spending a decade of his tenure as Chairman. A former Chairman of the Board of Ivanhoe Girls’ Grammar School, Mr Pizzey joined the St Michael’s Board, at the invitation of then Headmaster, Mr ARC Hewison. As Chairman, Mr Pizzey oversaw the restructure of Board governance at the School. He also guided the School through a decade of growth and innovation, especially in the physical redevelopment of the campus. The Community of the Sisters of the Church Learning Centre and the Allan Pizzey Building are two landmark structures on the School site which he played a major role in developing from conception to completion. The Chapel of St Michael and All Angels, the refurbishment of the Frances Newson Oval, and the beautification of the centre of the campus with the construction of the Coleman Walk, are further examples of his impact on the campus. The Allan Pizzey Building – the Junior School Centre, is a wonderful expression of both Allan, and his wife, Ann’s commitment to education and, in particular, to that of younger children. Mr Pizzey also had oversight of the School’s considerable ongoing investment in enhancing quality and excellence in the St Michael’s staff. During his chairmanship, St Michael’s financial position was also strengthened. When Mr Pizzey was retiring from his role as Chairman in 2010 he reflected on some of the strengths of the School, and one of these was, ‘the overlay of the School’s founders, the Community of the Sisters of the Church. Over all my years at St Michael’s I’ve striven to increase the presence of the Sisters in the life of the School. I see our unique connection with the Sisters as a great strength; they impact upon our values and they are great role models for our students – strong women, who are dedicated to their role and to their philosophy.’ Educated at Ivanhoe Grammar School, where he was School Captain in 1957, Mr Pizzey joined the national building company E.A. Watts after leaving school. He remained with the company through several changes of ownership and became a Director of Fletcher Watts Group in 1980. In 1983 he formed his own company, Pizzey Noble Pty Ltd, a project management company specialising in the construction and building industry.
A Fellow and Past President of the Australian Institute of Building, Mr Pizzey was also a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Management and a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Directors. St Michael’s owes much to Mr Pizzey and his unswerving commitment to, and passion for, the School during his time on the Board. His experience and expertise in school governance, knowledge of the construction industry, and almost inexhaustible energy were all gifts he generously shared in the service of the School.
