Alumni

Alumni news

November 2021

The Ex-student Association is saddened by the passing of Sir James Gobbo, AC, Kt, CMG, QC who interacted with the School as Governor of Victoria. He and Lady Gobbo visited the School and toured classes at work after addressing the assembled School. He invited the Principal and President of Council and wives to the Queen’s Birthday Reception at Government House one year in which he placed a focus on education. Vale Sir James!

His Honour Judge Graham Fricke, LLB (Hons) (Melb), LLM (Pennsylvania), Dip. Crim (Melb), AICM passed away on November 6^th this year. He was appointed a County Court Judge in 1983 following a distinguished practice in civil law. He tutored in Law at Melbourne University, lectured at Monash and was Adjunct Professor of Law at Deakin University. He was awarded many prizes from various institutions for his law scholarship. He published several books and articles, including “An Evening with a Judge”.  He was a keen and active supporter of the School and Ex-students’ Association. At School he was a member of the Debating Team. He attended NHS from 1947 to 1951. The Association extends its sincere sympathy to Graham’s wife Toni and the family.

October 2021

The Association is deeply saddened by the passing of one of its very early students, Frank Lees AM MBE on October 5^th 2021. Frank obtained the degree of Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering, University of Melbourne and was an Honorary Associate of the Faculty of Engineering. He served in the RAAF during WWII and in the Occupation Force in Japan. He developed a love for Japanese poetry (Haiku) writing and publishing his own poems in this mode. He worked for many years for the Taylor Instrument Company and was a Member of the Australian Academy of Science. He held many offices and positions in relation to his outstanding contribution to his profession. He was presented with his MBE by HM the Queen at Buckingham Palace for his services to British education and links to Australia. He was Visiting Professor of Technology at the Malaysian University of Technology 1990. He was President of the Graduate Union, University of Melbourne 2000 to 2005 overseeing major building developments. He represented engineering as a long standing member of the University’s Committee of Convocation. He attended NHS from 1936 to 1941  (Darebin House) and again in 1948 as part of the Commonwealth Reconstruction and Training Program. He was a loyal member of the Ex-Students’ Association and attended many functions.

The School and Association extend deepest sympathy to his wife Jeannine and daughters Elizabeth and Suzanne and family. He will be very much missed. Vale Frank!

We are saddened to learn of the passing of Jeffrey Lee 1955-1959 who left school  for a life of service as a public servant. He passed away recently and we extend condolences of the School and Association to his family. Vale Jeffrey!

The Ex-students’ Association apologises sincerely to Graeme Weideman and the Weidman family for any offence caused for an error in the April 2021 News. An obituary was published following the passing of Mr Murray Weideman, former Collingwood FC player. It was published incorrectly with the biography of Mr Graeme Weideman, past student and Murray’s brother. Murray did pass away in February of this year but several of the details of his life applied to Graeme. Many thanks to Jim Simpson for pointing out the error.

August 2021

The Association warmly welcomes Mr. Chris Jones as Acting Principal from his substantive position at University High School. Sue Harrap is on a posting to another School as part of the Department’s policy of professional placements. Chris has already signalled his interest in alumni matters and is wishing to see the Association emerge from the impacts of COVID lockdowns as soon as possible. We did set up an interim committee of management early last year and plans are developing to set this in motion again. We are keen to hear from Ex-students willing to become more involved in the Old School.

Contact Kate Challis at the School or on Kate.Challis@education.vic.gov.au for information or to register interest.

The Association is saddened by the passing of two Ex-students and expresses sincere sympathy to the families of the deceased. Alan Archer completed a Bachelor of Science degree and a Diploma of Education to teach with the Victorian Education Department. Alan finished his career as Principal of Nhill High School but found a new career operating a motel and other businesses. He attended the School from 1950 to 1955 and passed away on July 2^nd this year. Peter Ronald Dwyer attended the School in the 1960s and and, for 21 years, was Dean’s Verger at St. Paul’s Cathedral. In this position he served 3 Archbishops, 4 Deans and 5 Precentors. He retired in 2019 and then served as a volunteer guide at the Cathedral. Peter died on June 6^th this year.

Meliora Sequamur!

April 2021

The Class of 1955 successfully held their annual reunion at The Peacock Inn (March ’21). A “goodly” gathering occurred and old times and memories exchanged. Active members who had passed away recently were remembered (Allan Wilcox and Peter Tsitas) but it was great to see Allan’s wife, Mavis, down from Kilmore. Ken Cunningham did a great job organising the lunch and reported that, although there were many apologies, the list of contacts for “55 has grown considerably.

Unfortunately, the list of obituaries continues. In March, Colin Lovitt, QC, Class of 1962 passed away. He attended NHS for much of his secondary education but attended Melbourne High for his final year. He was a great leader of the Criminal Bar and appeared in some 200 murder trials as the defence counsellor. A lover of fine food and wine, he was a humanist and defender of people in serious legal trouble. He was a brilliant barrister, orator and courageous fighter for the principles of Justice.

Vale Colin!

March also saw the loss of the Hon. Murray Weideman, Ph. C, Class of 1952,  Member of the Legislative Council 1985-1992. He served as Minister for Tourism and Assistant Minister for Health. He was a prominent pharmacist and member of the Pharmacy Board. He played football for Collingwood, including two premiership matches in the 1950s. Winner of the Copeland Trophy, he was Captain of Collingwood 1960-63 and a member of the AFL Hall of Fame. He spoke at a School General Assembly and, at School, was a member of the School Band and also the Orchestra. He was a member of the Swimming Team and Cadet Under-Officer, School Cadet Unit.

The Association extends condolences to the families of both men who certainly lived up to the School motto!

February 2021

The Ex-students’ Association wishes the School well for its new year and following the disruptions caused in 2020 by the COVID Pandemic. It was good to see many fine results achieved by the Year 12 Class of 2020 despite all the problems. We hope it will be possible to see many of the activities of the Association resumed this year. The Class of 1959 has already held its first monthly luncheons in Carlton. Unfortunately, 2020 and the start of this year has seen the passing of many of our loyal supporters.

Allan Wilcox, Class of 1955, passed away on 30 August 2020. He held a BSc and BEd and taught in various Victorian schools and the New York UN school. He lectured at Swinburne and RMIT, before moving into International School Education in Germany and at Kilmore, being principal in both places. He maintained a very active interest in the old school, helping to re-establish the Association over several years. At School he was a keen footballer and member of the first XVIII and player of junior soccer. He convened the Class of 1955 group and will be sadly missed.

Peter Tsitas, Class of 1955 held a BArch and Master Town Planning (London) as well as various fellowships. He passed away on 03 February 2021. this year after a fall. He operated a private practice and did much work for Government in public housing. He was a keen supporter of his year group and the Association. Several relatives also attended NHS.

David Warry, Class of 1959, began his working life with Victoria Police but after 10 years studied chiropractice in the USA. He helped set up this profession in Italy. He was a member of the Rotary Club of Preston and practised as a chiropractor in Preston. He was a volunteer for many organizations and was State and National President of the Australian Boxing Association. He supported his year group attending monthly luncheons. He passed away on 18 January 2021.

Victor Cottren, Class of 1959, worked in the insurance industry operating his own brokerage business. He passed away 17 January 2021. He was in regular contact with his old classmates.

Jack Mulready, Class of 1959, held a BSc and as a professional geologist, operated a private geological consulting office until his passing on 06 December 2020. His wife Lyndall served several years in the office at NHS. He too keenly supported his year group functions.

Denis Coghlan, Class of 1959, passed away earlier in 2020. He worked in the insurance industry and was an outstanding billiards and snooker player. He ultimately became an international referee for this sport, organizing a notable tournament for Melbourne.

The loss of these men is sadly recorded by the Association and we extend our deepest sympathy to their families and friends. Many had reconnected with the School and spoke of their fond memories.  We will miss them.

Meliora Sequamur!