Old School Ties, Winter 2022

FEATURE STORY

JORDAN MORRIS MAKING WAVES Story on page 12

PLUS!

THE CLASS OF 1962 REUNION OWCA SPORTS DAY PIONEERS’ DAY PHOTOS

Contents

2 FROM THE PRESIDENT Mr Greg Brown (82-86) reports.

4 WHAT A PEARLER We talk to the new CEO of Willie Creek Pearls, Mr Paul Birch (90-94).

8 PIONEERS’ DAY Welcome to the Class of 1972.

10 DOWN TO THE WIRE A recap of OWCA Sports Day.

12 ALUMNI STORIES Featuring: Mr Jordan Morris (05-16); Mr Thomas Crane (01-11); Mr Olutomiwa (Tomi) Orundami (13-17); Mr Harry Fleming (08-14) and Mr Thomas Gordon (19-21).

16 SPOTLIGHT ON: Wesley welcomes newly appointed College Archivist, Ms Lisa Perriam.

18 REUNIONS Class of 1962.

20 VALE We honour Neville Philip Bird (66-71).

21 IN MEMORIAM

Cover: Mr Jordan Morris (05-16).

Inside Cover: Pioneer Ian Ainsworth (4446-48)

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From the President.

As I write, we have just completed our first full-blown, face to face function—Pioneers’ Day. With a near-capacity crowd, we changed tradition and welcomed the Class of 1972 at the Year 12 Assembly in the JGC Goatcher Auditorium.

While most of the soon-to-be alumni could not grasp the concept of having left school 50 years ago, the new Pioneers were presented with their Wyvern pins to commemorate the occasion.

Adjourning to the JGC Staff Room for lunch, the Pioneers and College Prefects were able to discuss the difference in the school environment between now and 50 years ago.

I have regaled many a Wesley student with the anecdote about the school rifle range where the Goatcher Auditorium now sits and the majority still don’t believe it!

Yet again, Anzac Day was a virtual ceremony. Using the skills and audio-

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visual resources of the College, we were able to post a fitting ceremony on various social media outlets. We are looking forward to 2023, when we expect be able to honour our fallen in the style of times past.

I am delighted to announce a new addition to the OWCA team. Our archivist, Ms Lisa Perriam, has started and is working hard towards a wonderful display of College memorabilia for the Centenary. If you have anything that you think might contribute, please do not hesitate to contact Lisa or Ms Georgia Atterton (00-02-10), our Alumni Manager.

In other news, don't forget that the annual Golf day is set for Friday 14 October—so lock that date away and look out for registration information shortly. Also, if your Year 12 finishing year ends in a two, you need to look out for reunion dates—they should be coming to you shortly.

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We will be full steam ahead with plans for the Centenary Year this coming year, but our normal events will continue. We will have the Pioneers Long Lunch in early December, so please ensure you have that in your diary.

As always, I’m keen for the OWCA to provide our alumni with the best possible opportunities to connect and reconnect with schoolmates, so if there is anything that we could do better, do not hesitate to get in touch.

Mr Greg Brown (82-86) President OWCA

Scan for link to Wesley Reunions.

What a pearler.

From making wine in Sicily to harvesting pearls in Broome, Mr Paul Birch (90-94) has lived a life like few others.

Paul Birch (90-94) started his Wesley journey in Year 8 in 1990. An avid rugby player, he captained the 1st XV in Year 11 and 12 and was both a School Prefect and Mofflin House Captain in his final year.

Little did Paul know that he was about to embark on a life that would take him from learning the skills of a winemaker in Sicily, to the leafy vineyards of Margaret River to a literal sea change and the crystal waters of the Broome’s most famous pearl farm.

We sat down with Paul, who has recently been appointed Chief Executive Officer of Willie Creek Pearls.

What are some of your memories from your time at Wesley?

My real passion was rugby. When I was in Year 10, I was fortunate enough to travel to the UK with the 1st XV for a tour of England and Scotland, which remains a highlight.

I have fond memories of leading the cheer squad at the Interschool athletics carnival wearing a foam Wyvern head. I still sing out some of the chants from time to time and my family often look at me strangely. Likewise, when I rattle off verses from my favourite hymns from the day, including I am the Lord of the Dance.

How did you get into the pearling industry?

In 2014, I was fortunate enough to be presented with the opportunity to join the Willie Creek Pearls team as General Manager, so my family and I relocated to Broome. Shortly after, the rare opportunity came about for the business to acquire a commercial pearling licence.

I was lucky enough to have had some very experienced people to stand by me and teach me, including a Japanese gentleman, Hiro Akune, who has 50 years of industry experience and was one of

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the early hard hat pearl divers. He provided me tutoring in the art of technical skills in a Mr Miagi type Karate Kid training relationship.

What is the biggest pearl you have ever harvested?

I have just recently beat my personal best and harvested an 18.5mm round pearl. In May 2021, we harvested a 20.12mm perfectly round pearl on one of the Willie Creek Pearls tours.

It is the most valuable piece Willie Creek Pearls has ever harvested, valued at $150,000.

What is your favourite part about pearl farming?

It is hard to beat harvesting. Due to the pandemic, there have been some changes to the way we do things, so I have predominately harvested all pearls from the oysters myself.

One of the advantages has been that we have been able to conduct these operations in front of our tour guests, so they have been the

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real beneficiaries as they have been able to see something that used to take place on the ocean in remote locations along the Broome coast.

Before moving to Broome and working in Pearling, you worked in Margaret River in the wine industry—how did this come about?

I relocated to the South West of WA, taking a role as a Cellar Hand with Evans & Tate. In 2009, I was offered a role as General Manager at Swings & Roundabouts. During my time with Swings we developed Swings Taphouse, where I designed the wine kegging and the wine on tap delivery system.

Overall, in my 16 vintage wine production career, I can hang my hat on some notable medals and trophies, including best Rosé, at the Melbourne Wine Awards and Best Red Wine in the Qantas Wine Show of Western Australia.

What sparked your decision to make a career change from wine to pearls?

I found myself in the right place at the right time—it was more of a decision of why not rather than why.

I’ve always enjoyed learning, so getting into a new industry where the opportunities were almost unlimited was very attractive.

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It also helped that the position was Broome based, which allowed us to enjoy one of the most rugged and beautiful parts of the world, along with me being able to pursue my fishing dreams.

How was the transition between roles?

The transition itself, while challenging, wasn’t that difficult as there are many similarities across industries where luxury goods are manufactured over time.

Growing pearls is like making wine in that you take raw materials then, over time and through a series of processes, you get to the product.

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It’s how you react along that journey that determines what the end result is and there is always the balance of quality versus quantity, so business decision making comes into play.

What is the most interesting role you have held in your career?

Hand on heart, I would have to say my role with Willie Creek Pearls.

I continue to learn every day and now have the privilege of leading an amazing team into the future where there are many opportunities.

Have you been back on campus at all since you graduated in 1994?

Yes, I took a tour with my youngest

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son Elliott who aspires to attend the College in the future. I was significantly impressed with the development of the buildings and facilities. While several things have changed, including the uniform, there was a feeling that was hard to shake—going back to an old home where so many memories existed.

How do you reflect on your time at Wesley?

They were some of the greatest times of my life. I forged many longlasting friendships and it allowed me opportunities that otherwise wouldn’t have come about. My Wesley days made me who I am

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today and I built the confidence that allows me to challenge myself to achieve... By daring & by doing.

Of all the things you’ve achieved in your life, what are you most proud of?

Simple… my beautiful family who support and love me unconditionally, as I do them. As we all grow, learn and live, they each, in their own way, continue to be my inspiration.

Pioneers’ Day saw us welcome old friends as well as new faces, with the induction of the Class of 1972.

On Wednesday 4 May, we were delighted to welcome back 80 of our Pioneers, for a day of celebration and reconnecting with peers.

Pioneers’ Day is the initiative of the late Mr Eric Saunders (34-35-38) and serves as a reunion for those who left the College 50 or more years ago—with the Class of 1972 the latest cohort to be inducted.

Our Pioneers were invited to attend the Senior School Assembly, where our Year 12s shared insights into College life in 2022—from tales of Katitjin to Wesley NEXT and the World’s Greatest Shave.

The day is also an opportunity for current students to recognise the College’s rich history and acknowledge the many contributions of our Pioneers.

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Down to the wire.

Could the OWCA go the distance, or would youth prevail to give the students a win? That was the big question as the OWCA Sports Day loomed...

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It was a sunny Sunday in January when 70 Old Collegians dusted off their uniforms to play against our current first teams.

With last year’s competition cut short due to an unexpected COVID-19 lockdown, excitement was high for the 2022 meet.

played throughout a very warm 40-degree day.

In the end, it was a fairly even contest, with a clean sweep for the OWCA across both the Cricket matches and a win for Water Polo and Volleyball.

Both sides came to win, with the Old Boys keen to prove they still had what it takes.

The students took out the Basketball after a slow start from the Old Boys and won the Tennis, beating the OWCA for the first time since 2018.

This year was the first time that all five summer sports were featured, with fixtures in Cricket, Tennis, Water Polo, Volleyball and Basketball

Results aside, the Sports Day is a fantastic opportunity for some healthy competition and a handy extra game for our current school teams.

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We love to hear what you have been up to! Send through your updates to owca@wesley.wa.edu.au

Mr Jordan Morris (05-16) Making waves Jordan Morris is an avid surfer turned budding entrepreneur. After struggling for years to find good quality wetsuits on the market, he decided to start making his own through his label, Spiral Wetsuits.

Jordan spent most of 2021 at TAFE studying product design, to learn more about the manufacturing process as well as tearing apart old wetsuits to see how they were made and how they could be improved.

Jordan has recently opened a small factory in Perth, operating two to three days a week, stitching wetsuits for clients who place custom orders, with a focus

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on ethical and locally sourced materials.

Jordan plans to go back to TAFE to further his knowledge of pattern making and design because he sees making customised products as the way a local manufacturer can really stand out.

‘We want to be able to make it so anyone can come in—any shape or size—and we’ll be able to build them a wetsuit,’ he says. ‘There’s nowhere else that can do that in the world at the moment.’

To find out more, visit spiralwetsuits.com.au

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Mr Thomas Crane (01-11)

Mr Olutomiwa (Tomi) Orundami (13-17)

Thomas embarked on an exchange program back in 2013 to attend Kansas State University, where he eventually became a full-time student. After graduating with a Master of Architecture, five years later, Thomas moved to Los Angeles to begin working in the design and construction industry.

This year, Tomi moved to Dubbo in New South Wales to study the Doctor of Medicine as part of the inaugural cohort for the University of Sydney’s School of Rural Health.

Tomi’s rural background stems from his early childhood spent in Leongatha, a small town in the South Gippsland region in Victoria, where his father worked as a GP, before moving to Perth. Dubbo Hospital services a wide catchment across the agricultural and mining communities of Western NSW, covering 15% of the state with a population of 160,000.

With a passion for aviation architecture, Thomas has worked on major U.S. airports across the west coast including LAX, San Francisco International and Oakland International Airport. However, the last three years presented the most significant challenge and success of his career (outside of converting to the imperial system from metric!), working on the design and construction of two new concourses at Denver International Airport. The design features 20 new gates, state of the art holdrooms and two outdoor decks for passengers to enjoy views overlooking the Rockies while waiting for flights.

‘I’ve experienced the diversity of this group first hand, spending one day a week at the hospital, examining patients in relation to the disorder we are studying that week. I find this the most enjoyable aspect of the degree as I’m finally able to apply the knowledge I began learning in Year 11 Human Biology with Mr Glenn Solomon. In the future, I hope to undertake my internship and speciality training in country WA.’

Thomas has recently moved to San Francisco to work with the team designing a US$9.5 billion terminal at JFK International Airport in New York City. The new design will replace three existing terminals and sits at over 220,000 sq meters in size. The project is estimated to be completed by 2026.

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Mr Harry Fleming (08-14)

Mr Thomas Gordon (19-21)

In January 2022, Harry made the move to Melbourne to continue his work with AECOM, a global engineering consultancy. ‘While I wouldn’t recommend moving amid a global pandemic, my first few months were occupied with settling into my new place, and making new friends through my running, golf and work,’ he says.

Upon finishing school last year, Thomas took a role as a Ringer at Lake Nash Station, a large cattle station in the Northern Territory that spans over three million acres.

Harry’s work as a graduate in the Infrastructure Advisory team is predominantly focused on the detailed planning works for major transport projects and upgrades, including the new MelbourneGeelong Fast Rail link, and the Melbourne Metro Tunnel—a significant upgrade to Melbourne’s transport network that will enable more than half a million additional trips per week.

Outside of work, Harry has enjoyed exploring Melbourne, and weekend trips to the Mornington and Bellarine Peninsulas have been recent highlights of his travels. Another perk of being in Melbourne (as a Collingwood supporter) is being able to see his beloved Pies more than once a year!

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‘As a ringer, the work I do is focussed on looking after the livestock on the station. My day-to-day is largely made up of mustering, branding and processing cattle through the yards, but every day is different,’ he says.

Originally from Carnarvon, Tom (pictured above: bottom row, second left) is no stranger to living life on a farm. Despite the geographical isolation, he says social events are a regular occurrence. ‘On the weekends, there are always local rodeos, campdrafts and racing events which are a great reward after a long week’s work.’

Tom is loving his time on the station and recommends it for Wesley students as a great adventure for a gap year, especially for boarders who have grown up on farms.

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SPOTLIGHT ON College Archivist, Ms Lisa Perriam The College is delighted to announce the arrival of Ms Lisa Perriam as our new Archivist. Here she tells us a little about herself and shares some treasures from the archive.

I’m thrilled to be unearthing numerous treasures here at Wesley.

I’ve worked in libraries and archives for nearly 15 years. My passions are early literacy, storytelling, and research. Archives and literacy became a passion of mine when I worked as an archivist at the State Records Office WA, and that experience encouraged me to broaden my horizons with similar work in Sydney and London.

The highlight of my career was researching maritime history in the Caird Library in Greenwich’s National Maritime Museum. A thirst for variety and family friendly workplaces saw me pivot towards roles in public libraries and Scotch College’s Junior Middle Library.

I thought it unbearable to leave my Scotch family, but the team here are very welcoming and supportive.

I’m really fortunate to be the caretaker of a collection that Wesley staff really care about,

Call for submissions

and they’ve ensured that a complete record of all the events and accomplishments of past and present Wesley students has been carefully documented. My job is a dream come true because the archive collection has been respected and enjoyed for many years, so all the research I do is fun and not arduous.

1 Uniforms Numerous uniforms have been donated to the archive, and they are now safely contained within costume boxes. Wesley students have worn many different types of hats over the last 100 years, but I think this style is my favourite.

We have some impressive blazers, ties, and sporting paraphernalia to complete the collection.

2 1930 Dance Card This precious artefact contains the names of partners who were asked to dance during the OWCA’s

inaugural Annual Dance on 23 July 1930 at the Karrakatta Club.

3 Newspapers We have newspapers galore! The Old Wesleyan newspaper was published by the Old Wesley Collegians’ Association and documented all the highlights of the week, such as upcoming social events, sporting fixtures, and calls for donations. It’s interesting to note how College news from the 1950s is remarkably similar to College news in 2022.

4 1948 Old Boys’ Week I was fascinated to find a poster regarding Wesley’s Silver Jubilee.

Wesley celebrated 25 years of mateship and hard work with assorted formal and informal events. The tradition of connection with past and present students, unity in Chapel services, and making time for fun, has been treasured for almost 100 years.

Please contribute to our archive! Whether that means a conversation or donating items, I would love to hear from you: lisa.perriam@wesley.wa.edu.au or 08 9358 8124.

I also encourage you to use the online archive ‘eHive’. You’ll find items from far and wide on this site, and it’s easy to get lost in there.

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Class of 1962 reunion The Class of 1962 reunion had a fabulous turnout, with the state’s borders coming down just in time for Richard Johns (57-62) to fly in from Melbourne and both the School Captain, Benjamin Mercer (57-62) and Vice Captain, Ian Bassett-Scarfe (58-62), in attendance. A big thank you to Alan Stewart (58-62) and Richard Winslade (56-62), for all their hard work in putting together such a joyous event.

IMAGES FROM TOP LEFT TO RIGHT (excluding group shot) Peter King, Richard Winslade, Peter Cherry, Richard Johns, Peter Beach, Graeme Morrell, Robert Trickey, Peter Beach, Wally Green, Henry (Tony) Baxter, Peter Johnson, Graham Power, Greg Morrell, Trevor Harris, Benjamin Mercer, Ian Bassett-Scarfe, Robert Trickey, Benjamin Mercer, John Nash, Kevin Nikellys, Bruce Peacock, Alan Stewart.

VALE Mr Neville Philip Bird (66-71) The OWCA and College were saddened to learn of the passing of Mr Neville Bird on 18 March 2022.

Neville was the founder of the Wyvern Big Band, formally The Wyvern Jazz, which he formed in August 1996. Neville aspired to bring together Old Wesleyans to form a 17-Piece Big Band.

In initiating the jazz band, Neville provided the opportunity—for over two decades—for hundreds of alumni who learnt an instrument at Wesley, to continue to practise their skills upon graduating.

Neville was born in 1954 and attended Wesley College from 1966 to 1971. A member of Walton

House, Neville was a passionate musician, playing the trombone in the College orchestra.

In 2020, Neville was awarded Honorary Life Membership to the OWCA. Neville made an exemplary contribution to the OWCA and Wesley College and impacted the lives of so many students, devoting 24 years of his life to the Wyvern Big Band.

Neville is fondly remembered by past and present members of the band, with current President, Ben Harrison (90-95) reflecting on

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his commitment and dedication throughout his years at the helm: ‘Nev spent many hours arranging and adapting music for the band.

Sometimes this was to put the piece into a more favourable key, but the band has also performed actual arrangements he has done.

Most notably, an instrumental version of Rasputin.’

Neville’s legacy will live on, as the Wyvern Big Band continues to thrive and connect our Wesley musicians long after leaving the College.

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In memoriam.

MR IAN MCLAREN (67-68) 3 March 2021

MR IAIN MERCER (59-60) 25 December 2021

MR ROSS DICK (63-68) 4 March 2022

MR BEVERLY STEPHENS (47-48-51) 24 June 2021

MR CHARLES JAMES (JIM) LOGAN-BELL (51-52-54) 1 January 2022

MR NEVILLE BIRD (66-71) 18 March 2022

MR JOHN TATE AM (43-47) 11 August 2021 MR DONALD TRUSCOTT (44-47-49) 6 September 2021 MR RAYMOND PETERSON (41-42) 10 November 2021

MR KAYE LUSH (48-50-52) 16 January 2022 MR PETER ADAMS (52-58-60) 20 January 2022 MR GREG CARROLL (51-56-57) 22 January 2022

MR PAUL MARTIN (96-00) 18 March 2022 MR REX LEWINGTON (52-58) 23 March 2022 MR ARNOLD POTTS (40-44) 24 April 2022 MR IAN SIMPSON (55-59) 29 April 2022

MR TIMOTHY HOOPER (73-74) 8 December 2021

MR PHIL RAE (74-78) 12 February 2022

MR NICKOLAI (NICK) HOLCZ (54-61-62) 12 December 2021

MR GILL THOMAS (55-59) 19 February 2022

MR RONALD (TOBY) TRAVANNER (73-80) 9 May 2022

MR RICHARD MAIN (77-81) 16 December 2021

MR DENNIS RANFORD (48-50-52) 23 February 2022

MR JAMES (JACK) JENNINGS (46-47) 20 May 2022

MR RICHARD (DICK) RULE (44-52) 20 December 2021

MR BYRON HALBERT (49-53) 26 February 2022

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