Alumni

Northcote High School boys and girls, c.1926

How to Join the Northcote High School Alumni

The Association is a developing organization and a $10 membership fee applies. The application form is available on application to Mrs Lilllian Gelevski at the School. Membership entitles you to obtain information about your old School, including receiving a copy of the annual Magazine “Ripples”, an invitation to the Ex-student reunion day and, from time to time, to other School events. The Association welcomes all ex-students and staff. It aims to promote the interests of the School and to act as a link to alumni. It seeks to enable School contacts to be maintained .There are over 600 names on the data base and many are paid up members. You are warmly invited to join! Contact Mrs Lillian Gelevski at the School office on 03 9488 2301 or by email- lilliang@nhs.vic.edu.au

Click here to download the Ex-students Registration form

NHS History Project

A major project is underway to publish a well researched history of the School. Mr Gary Israel, former Principal and Mr Robert Bridges, recently retired teacher of History and English, will coordinate research and work to have a history published. They are supported by a group of ex-Students-Alan Wilcox, Leonard Palermo, Noel Harris, Murray Campbell, John Hines and Bruce Campbell. Excellent archival material is available at the School but Gary and Robert would like to hear from ex-Students able to offer materials and help. This could include lists of names, details of the past days of the School, photographs, conducting and granting interviews, etc. The 1926-1945 period is of particular interest at this stage-Old magazines, photographs, student newspapers-Spectator, Speech Night Principals’ Reports.

Contact nhshistory@nhs.vic.edu.au or Lillian on 9488 2332

Vale Wayne Roberts

Former student of the school, teacher and Assistant Principal Wayne Roberts died on December 18th, 2008, after a long battle with illness. He is remembered fondly by the school community and will be greatly missed.

NHS Class of ’55 70^th Birthday Luncheon June 2008

On June 24^th 2008, 16 of the 34 members of the NHS Class of ’55 gathered at the Peacock Hotel, Northcote, along with a small group of colleagues & friends connected with NHS, to jointly celebrate their 70^th Birthdays which, in fact, occurred during the period from late 2007 through to early 2009. Apologies were received from another 7, most of whom were either living up North or had headed up that way to avoid the Melbourne winter.

Gail Davidson, the current Principal at NHS, provided the group with a Tour of the NHS Facilities prior to the Luncheon and then welcomed all to the luncheon “Birthday” celebration. Guests who also attended were introduced. These included

• Alan Smith, who is the last remaining teacher of this Group as well as being a former student (’49)
• Itiel Bereson, Robert Bridges & Hec Gallagher (former NHS Teachers/Students) who are working with former NHS Principal, Gary Israel, to produce a book recording the History and development of NHS from 1926
• Eleanor Peeler, who is currently involved with historical biographies within the Dept of Education. Her husband Bill is a former NHS student (’59).

Itiel, Robert & Hec spoke briefly about the role this particular group might play in contributing to the historical material which might be used in the book and invited all present to consider contributing cuttings, photos and any material they may have, along with providing suitable anecdotes which may be appropriate and relevant. It was agreed that colleagues not in attendance would also be advised of this request.

Gail distributed a “birthday present” to all which included an NHS key ring, pen and lapel pin, along with information relating to the History Project and a Membership Form for the NHS Ex-Student Association (which all present agreed to complete and return by the end of the week.) This latter document will be forwarded to all other class members (who will receive their presents upon receipt of the completed form!!)

The Luncheon began, accompanied by much reminiscing and the telling of tales (which become clearer and more exaggerated with the passage of time) along with considerable discussions about current ailments. Drs Newell & Lopata were consulted throughout the day but fortunately bulk billed all consultations.

Gail then invited Alan Smith to join her in cutting the 70^th Birthday cake (which had been prepared by the NHS Home Economics Dept that very morning, under the supervision of Lynne Delahunty & Shirley Tyler, who were both thanked for their help)

Many photos were taken by colleagues who have agreed to forward these to Gail, which is fortunate as the official photographer had the photocard in backwards in his camera and ended up with none!!!

Having enjoyed this informal get-together, there was general agreement to meet again annually in a similar informal manner at a luncheon to be arranged in March, in order to avoid the non involvement of colleagues who tend to head North during Melbourne’s winter weather. Thus the next gathering of this group will be in March 2009 with the date and location yet to be finalised.

The last participants departed around 3:00 pm.

Allan Wilcox, Form Captain (ret.) on behalf of the planning committee (Robbo & Titch)

Passing of old boy, Trevor Thomas Kane

The School and Ex-Students’ Association are saddened to learn of the passing of the Hon. Wing Commander Trevor Kaine who attended the School in the 1940’s. He had a distinguished career in the RAAF rising to the rank of Wing Commander. He was a senior officer of the Department of Defence and was attached to the Australian Embassy in Washington at one stage. Born in 1928 he passed away on June 3^rd 2008. He entered politics in the ACT. He was the second Chief Minister of the ACT and served in the Legislative Assembly there for 12 years. He was regarded as a dedicated and hard working member of that Chamber. He returned to Melbourne on one occasion to provide a most interesting address to the Ex-students’ Association. Condolences are extended to his wife, Sandie and family. Trevor’s high standing in the ACT will be marked by a State Funeral on June 11^th.

Tribute to Dennis Chard, NHS 1940s

Dennis passed away after an illness in November 2007. He attended the School in the 1940’s and shortly after leaving the School joined an insurance company and then the Navy. The war had ended but he went to Japan as part of the Occupying Force and had experiences in the China Sea saving Chinese refugees. He later worked for the Postmaster General’s Department in tele-communications and then for Telecom as a technical officer and senior technical officer. He later enjoyed the role of liaison officer for Telecom to apprentices in training. He travelled about Victoria in this role to ensure training standards were met. He was one of the early recipients of a bionic ear and became a Bionic Ear Ambassador, addressing community groups and providing information about the subject. He was a member of the Reservoir Probus Club, Inaugural Commodore of the Preston Yacht Club and several times President of the Northern Suburbs Organ Club. He enjoyed playing the organ. When the Northcote High School Ex-students’ Association was reformed by Associated Reunions (Martin and Wendy Vink), Dennis joined and became a loyal member, regularly attending meetings right up until just before his death. He was proud of his Old School and certainly lived up to the Motto, Meliora Sequamur. The School and Association extend their deepest sympathy to Dennis’ wife Dulcie and his two sons, daughter and families. Vale Dennis

The discovery of HMAS Sydney, March 2008. Five former students remembered.

The loss of HMAS Sydney in November 1941 caused great upset at Northcote High School, as five former students had served on the ship. Four ex students were lost when the ship was sunk with all hands in combat with the German raider Kormoran, off the Western Australia coast. The five former students who died in service on HMAS Sydney were;

• Warrant Officer Alan Kidd, who attended Northcote High School from its first year, 1926. He became a teacher at the School before joining the Royal Australian Navy and serving in the Mediterranean. He died of pneumonia in Alexandria, Egypt, after a nine week illness.
  He was 28 years of age.
  
• The four former NHS students who were killed in action on HMAS Sydney in November 1941 were;
  
  Victor Nathaniel Barclay, 23,
  Emmanuel Robert Thomas Duncan, 23,
  Glenbervie Edwin Forsyth, 23  and
  Ronald George Singleton Smith, 20. (above right)

The authors of the forthcoming school history have been surprised that so many former students were associated with the famous ship and would be very keen to obtain more information from friends or relatives.
Surely, these men followed their School motto, “Meliora Sequamur” (Follow the Better Things”). Prime Minister Kevin Rudd spoke for all Australians when he said he hoped the discovery of the wreck of the Sydney would bring closure for the families of the warship’s crew. Our thoughts are with the crew's family and friends. Lest We Forget.

Northcote High School, c.1930

He “Followed the Better Things”- Profile of an NHS Old Boy

Born in 1915, Keith Kaufman entered NHS in 1928 and completed his schooling there in 1930. Several brothers followed him at NHS. Four years later Keith entered the Flying Training School at Point Cook.

This was just one year after Adolph Hitler had come to power in Germany. Keith left Melbourne in 1937 as a young RAAF pilot assigned for duty with the Royal Air Force in England. He was posted to No 214 Night Bomber Squadron flying, at first, Handley-Page Harrows but the Squadron soon switched to Wellington bombers and in time for Keith and his comrades to be involved in bombing raids on German industrial sites after the Allied failures leading to the evacuation from Dunkirk. In these early days of the War, units went out in small numbers and at obvious great risk. In August 1940, Keith was amongst the very first pilots to fly bombing raids against Berlin in defiance of Hitler’s claim that Berlin would never be bombed. Over the next three and a half months, Keith took part in 26 raids under dangerous conditions which saw many planes lost. Keith was actively involved in attacks on Kiel to seek to sink the German Battleships Scharnhorst and Gneissenau and for his skill and bravery in these raids he was awarded his first decoration, the Distinguished Flying Cross.

He then spent a period as a flying instructor with RAF, training young pilots and was promoted Squadron Leader. A period in the Air Ministry followed, as a staff officer before he was given Command of a Canadian Squadron and was involved in the raid on the German City of Cologne and attacks on Essen. In September 1940, Keith Kaufman became Commanding Officer of No 460 Squadron of the Australian Air Force based in Britain. Stanley Brogden, in his book, Sky Diggers- A Tribute to the RAAF, says of Kaufman, “By this time (he) was a well known and experienced bomber pilot….No more fortunate choice of Commanding Officer could have been made….” Page 41. In November, Keith received a Bar to his DFC and the citation read: “By his fearless determination and complete disregard of enemy opposition, Kaufman has set an inspiring example to his crews. When alone over a heavily defended area of the Ruhr, he was caught in a cone of search lights and his aircraft was hit in several places by ground fire. Kaufman skilfully extricated his aircraft from the spot light and with great determination penetrated further into enemy territory and bombed his target”. He completed 37 dangerous and nerve jangling missions into enemy territory returning to Australia, achieving the rank of Wing Commander and ultimately becoming a pilot with the Government Airline, ANA.

Keith was a great Australian and an ex-student of whom the School can be justly proud.

Queen’s Birthday Honour for Ex-student

Dr. Peter Harcourt attended NHS from 1962 to 1966. He was awarded an OAM in the recent Queen’s Birthday honours for services to Sports Medicine. He graduated in Medicine from Melbourne Uni and went into General Practice, ultimately setting up a Sports Medicine and Accident Medicine Practice in Alphington. He is on the Boards of TAC and Workcover and plays major roles with the Victorian and Australian Institutes of Sport as well as the Australian Football League. He wrote the drug policy for the latter body and has recently met with the Federal Sport Minister to defend this policy. He was Chief Medical Officer of the recent Melbourne Commonwealth Games. He is an important authority on sport, industrial and traffic accident recovery medicine. He is currently working with the Sri Lankan Cricket Team to help them avoid sports’ injuries. His father, Rex, is a well known local identity and local historian. His sister, Cathy, was the first girl to attend the School to commence co-education in the present era. The School and Ex-students’ Association congratulate Peter on this fine recognition of his work.

Old Boy hits the headlines over David Hicks

Mr. Sam Cusumano attended NHS in the 1960s. He has gone on to become Acting Head of the Law School at Deakin University. Sam has actively supported the activities of the NHS Ex-Students’Association and is regularly encountered at Reunions. Four Heads of Law Schools, including Sam, spoke out very strongly in Sunday Age, Jan. 28^th, 2007 against the treatment by US authorities of Australian David Hicks. Sam was quoted as saying; “So many principles of Natural Justice have been ignored here…It is a basic principle of Natural Justice that a charged person be aware of the charges he or she is facing…It is particularly outrageous, as a teacher, to see these basics being ignored”. Sam is Acting and Associate Head of Deakin’s Law School .He holds a Bachelor of Laws from Melbourne University and a Masters in Laws from Deakin. He has a strong interest in applying his law background in the area of sports administration. He is a Member of the Victorian Football League Tribunal, the Victorian Soccer Federation Appeals Board and is Chair of Tennis Australia Disciplinary Tribunal. The Ex-Students’ Association congratulates Sam on his stand as a legal educator and wishes him well.

Recent NHS graduates experience success in the creative arts

A number of Northcote High School's recent graduates have experienced great success in fashion, design and the creative arts.

• Alexander Cappelli (2000) is now a successful actor and musician.  He played the role of Barry Hollis in the 2005 movie Hating Alison Ashley
• Joanne Redfearn (2002) won a scholarship to the prestigious Lee Strasburg Theatre and film Institute in New York, where she is currently studying acting.
• Former NHS Art student Kristen Condon (below) curated the Techikunst festival in 2005 and 2006. Kristen also starred in the 2008 Australian movie The Beautiful and the Damned.

• Phoebe Montague (above) is a former NHS student who now runs her own fashion design business. In 2004 she was awarded a British Council Australia scholarship (Realise your Dream) to study and work in the UK.
  Click here to go to Phoebe Montague's website.
• Jack Byrnes (below) Australian Idol Finalist is a former NHS student, with a passion for soul, funk and rock. He is fondly remembered at the school for his creative contributions to school productions.

Military Awards of Northcote High School

A large book has been found in the archives with enrolment details from 1926 to 1943. It is interesting to read of the many boys who served their country in World War 2 in various branches of the Armed Services. Many gave their lives and some were highly decorated. This book records many interesting details, including the following;

• Lloyd Forrester Bott (RAN) Distinguished Service Cross (DSC)
• Ray Dunlop (AIF) Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM)
• John Robert Keenan (RANVR)Distinguished Service Cross (DSC)
• Max Mainprize (RAAF) Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)
• Reginald Mohr (RAAF) Distinguished Flying Medal (DFM)
• Ernest Mustard (RAAF) Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)
• Victor Henry Neal (RAF) Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)
• John Purves (RAAF) Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)
• Frank Livingstone Proctor (RAAF) Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)
• Robert Tasker (RAAF) Distinguished Flying Medal (DFC)
• John Thayer (AIF) Mentioned in Dispatches (MID)
• Keith Trueman (RAAF) Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)
• Walter Waites RAAF) Distinguished Flying Medal (DFM)

Are there other boys decorated for War Service not recorded here? These are very high decorations and we feel sure there will be others. Gary and Robert would like to know.

The Passing of Don Chipp, AO

The School is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Don Chipp, Founder and Parliamentary Leader of the Australian Democrats, Senator and Member of the House of Representatives for Victoria, variously Minister for the Navy, Customs, Tourism, National Development and other important portfolios. He was a noted athlete and sportsperson and, in every respect, an outstanding student of the School. He always maintained a keen interest in NHS, returning to address assemblies and honouring the School by donating his Parliamentary Library of Hansard, covering the period of the Dismissal. This has been a most valuable resource for Australian History. The School Community extends deepest sympathy to Mrs Chipp and family.

Remembering Les Farren

Former student Leslie Farren is sadly remembered as the first Victorian National Serviceman to be killed in fighting in Vietnam, on June 10th, 1966, a few weeks short of his 21st birthday. On August 28th, Yr 7 Captains Shoshana Sniderman-Wise and Anthony Secoulidis (shown above) attended a City of Darebin ceremony to commemorate Les Farren. Also there was his mother Mrs. Lillian Farren, Darebin Mayor Stanley Chiang, and many Vietnam veterans and comrades. The Northcote student leaders were extremely moved to meet Mrs Farren and join in the commemoration. Les Farren's old Battalion, 5 RAR, maintains a website tribute. Click here to follow the link.

Both Les Farren and and another ex student who died in Vietnam in 1970, Daryl Poulson, are commorated by plaques in the school foyer.

Passing of Distinguished Alumnist - Professor John Ritchie

Emeritus Professor John Ritchie, A.O., B.A.(Hons), Dip. Ed. (Melb), Ph.D.,(ANU), FRHistS., FAHA, FASSA., HonFRAHS passed away on May 10th this year. He attended West Preston Primary School and NHS in the 1950’s and was further educated at Melbourne University as a residential student of Trinity College. In 1964 he became a teaching Fellow at Monash University in Australian and British History. The great Professor Manning Clark appointed him as lecturer at the Australian National University in 1969 where he developed an immense reputation as a teacher, researcher and writer. His books include Australia As We Once Were; Lachlan Macquarie: A Biography; A Charge of Mutiny and TheWentworths, Father and Son. Professor Ritchie was an important contributor to the Australian Dictionary of Biography. He played a major role in assembling and editing material for Volumes 11 to 16. His achievements resulted in the award of an Officership in the Order of Australia, a Centenary Medal and election to four learned academies. He served as Deputy and Acting Warden of Burton Hall at ANU and, in the late 1980’s, was Dean of the Faculty of Arts. He was in his youth quite an athlete, competing against Herb Elliott in middle distance running. He is described as a conservative man, loyal to his Church. He was a lover of good food and wine and also of Opera, Ballet and literature. He remained throughout his life, a supporter of Carlton Football Club. The School extends deepest sympathy to Mrs Ritchie and son Christopher. (The Editor acknowledges with thanks The Sydney Morning Herald July 1-2, 2006 for much of this material)

Professor Max Lay awarded AM

The school extends hearty congratulations to ex-student, Professor Max Lay, A.M. Max was made a Member of the Order of Australia in the recent Queen’s Birthday Honours. He studied at NHS, Melbourne University and Lehigh University, Pennsylvania. As an engineer Dr. Lay had worked for the State Electricity Commission and BHP before becoming Executive Director of the Australian Road Research Board. He became a Director of VicRoads in 1989 and, later, was Reviewer of the Melbourne City Link Project and a Principal of Sinclair Knight Mertz. Max is a Professorial Fellow of Melbourne University, Past President of the RACV, the Australian Automobile Association and the Royal Society of Victoria. He is a Fellow of many important Institutes and organizations. His award of the AM is for services to Engineering, particularly in quality road design and as educator and historian. He is a keen supporter of his old School and assisted us to examine the road outside the School to make suggestions for improvements to VicRoads after the tragic death of a student on the School crossing. Max has certainly “Followed the Better Things” as our Motto suggests. Well done Max!

Letter from Barry York

"I was a pupil at Northcote High from 1962 to 1968. I am still in touch with one of the teachers, Itiel Bereson, who was the finest History teacher a young student could want. I only just discovered your website and the image of the façade of the school brought back many memories. I have a photo of myself, in 1962, outside that entrance.

Does the school have an archivist? What is done with old records? In particular, I am wondering about a letter my father wrote to the school, in 1966, seeking my exemption from an excurison into the city to welcome visiting US President L. B. Johnson.

I became a historian myself and this year was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia for services to immigration history.

I resided in West Brunswick for most of my life and used to take the bus up Normandy Avenue and then the tram along St George's Road to get to school each day. Sometimes, I'd ride my bicycle.

Anyway, I hope you might be able to respond and inform me about the 'archives'.

Sincerely,
Barry York
PS - I have resided in Canberra for the past 17 years".