Alumni
Cover image: Class of 1973 in Hodgkin Hall During their Tour of the School as part of their Reunion
Alumni Community Events
50, 10, 20, 30 and 40 year out Reunions for the Classes of 1973, 2003, 2013, 1983 and 1993
We recently held a number of reunions, starting with welcoming back the Class of 1973 for their 50 year reunion.
Class of 1973 Reunion
It was a true pleasure to host the Class of 1973 for a tour of the School and dinner at the Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania on Sat 27 May. With a turnout of more than 40 former students, the evening was a delightful and heartwarming occasion, marked by genuine connections and a spirited rendition of the school song. Image gallery here.
Class of 2003 and 2013 Reunion
The first of our double header reunions was on Sat 9 Sep with the 2 year groups enjoying a whole school tour followed by drinks and nibbles at Boodle Beasley in North Hobart. It was evident that they were very happy to see one another judging by the lively vibe in the room. Image gallery here.
Class of 1983 and 1993 Reunion
The following weekend witnessed the reunion of the next 2 year groups at Boodle Beasley and once more, it was clear that the joy of reconnecting was genuine. People traveled from various parts of Australia and even the USA to attend these gatherings.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who participated in these reunions whether they were large or small, making them truly memorable occasions. Image gallery here.
Alumni Updates
Have some news or something to share? Email your update to stayconnected@friends.tas.edu.au. We welcome all updates - whether it’s big news or something special to you.
Roberta MacLeod (1987) knows all about ups and downs: horse-training success, two children, divorce, then losing her second husband in an accident. But her passion for adventure remains undiminished. She’s ridden horses everywhere from Russia to Argentina (including the 1000km Mongol Derby), and now lectures in equine management at Geelong’s Marcus Oldham College. “All experiences teach you something,” she says. “Stay positive.” Read more here.
After leaving Friends’, Kyle Fitzpatrick (2016) completed a Bachelor of Visual Communication at UTAS, before relocating to Brisbane mid-pandemic. A four-month struggle with homelessness ensued, but Kyle’s creative gifts and furious work ethic helped him rise to the position of Art Director and Principal Concept Artist with US indie gaming studio Affray. Kyle remembers his former home at Friends', Walker House, fondly. “There was always something fun going on,” he says…including the questionable creation of “pineapple bacon birthday cake”. Kyle’s advice for current students is to be humble, stay positive and aim for where your passion lies. “With perseverance and motivation, you can do anything,” he says, “even if the road to get there seems impossible.”
After leaving Friends’, Sarah Chick (2020) began a Bachelor of Music in classical piano performance at UTAS, on a full scholarship. Now in the final year of her degree and married to Jordan, Sarah keeps busy teaching piano, working with Tasmanian Youth Orchestras, running community choirs and accompanying instrumentalists and singers. Earlier in 2023 she won the Ossa Music Prize, a $10,000 award open to UTAS music students, enabled by donors Dr Rod and Mrs Cecile Roberts. Sarah toured her prize-winning program ‘Portraits: Women Composing Wonders’ around Tasmania. Highlights of Sarah’s time at Friends’ include English Literature and Music, CAS days with the International Baccalaureate cohort, and the Year 12 formal. “Take opportunities that will help you grow,” she says. “The more I’ve tried doing things that I’ve felt a little uncomfortable about, the more I’ve enjoyed them.”
After leaving Friends’, Benjamin D’Emden (1993) went to Chile for a year as an exchange student. Being away from family and friends was difficult, but he learned Spanish, his self-confidence grew, and his wanderlust was ignited. After 18 months in London working as a barista, Ben returned to Sydney, studied at UNSW and roasted coffee in Randwick. His coffee career took off, sourcing and buying coffee for Campos Coffee and traveling to Colombia, El Salvador, Kenya, Ethiopia and other coffee hotspots. He’s currently the senior roaster at Coffee Supreme in Sydney. Looking back on his Friends’ days, Ben fondly recalls Barry McFarlane’s witty History lessons – studies that perhaps still inform his unique perspective. “A great life will be full of difficulties,” Ben says. “But I like to think that these things don’t happen to me, they happen for me.”
Tony Hill (1955) came to Friends’ from Devonport in 1949. After university, he returned to the school as a Mathematics teacher (1961–81). But – aside from teaching legendary Australian fast bowler Max ‘Tangles’ Walker – his defining school moment was meeting fellow teacher Miss Clifford, whom he married in 1965. Their three children, Alison, Jenni and Graeme, also went to Friends’, before the family relocated to Canberra in 1981. A dashing cricketer himself, Tony was captain of Friends’ senior XI. But it was the charisma and energy of his High School Mathematics teacher Digby Pridmore that set his career in motion. As Tony recalls, Pridmore would declare, “This is childishly simple!”. And Tony’s advice? “Learn your tables: don’t rely on your calculator. Have a quiet place to study, and don't get diverted by having a milkshake or a chocolate every 10 minutes.”
After Year 12, Michael Lemmer (1983) spent a year in the United States, attending high school in Minnesota. Back in Tasmania, he completed a Bachelor of Education at UTas, then a Graduate Diploma in Library and Information Studies. Living in Canberra since 2009, Michael works as a librarian at UNSW, traveling regularly to Germany to see his partner. He’s also a musician. “I’ve been playing guitar since high school,” says Michael, “where I used to strum ‘60s and ‘70s folk songs.” He then discovered Robert Johnson, learned to play blues slide guitar, and has since supported the likes of Stephen Cummings, Phil Emmanuel and Mick Thomas. Thinking back on school, Michael fondly recalls British History with Wendy Chapman: “I remember Tudor and Stuart history in immersive detail to this day.” Some advice from the stage? “Do what you enjoy intrinsically,” he says.
After Year 12, Julian Maguire (2015) travelled around Europe then started a Bachelor of Arts at the University of Melbourne. Melbourne was rather a lonely place for Julian, but the city ignited his passion for cinema: next stop, Sydney and the AFTRS (Australian Film, Television and Radio School). After barely touching a camera in first semester, Julian returned to Tasmania and began solo filmmaking. His debut short film A Beating Heart emerged, and has since screened at the 2023 St Kilda Film Festival. Julian now lives in Edinburgh, where he’s working on Threads of Fate, another short film about unlikely friendship, sacrifice and redemption. Alliance Française rehearsals with Sally Williams shine through in Julian’s memories of Friends’ (“a wonderful human being”). Another of Julian’s heroes, CS Lewis, offers some words to live by: “Courage, dear heart.”
Presentation of Alumni Pins
Alumnus David Ovens (2017) attended a Year 7 Gathering during Term 3 to present students with their Class of 2028 alumni pins. David spoke about his time at Friends’, shining a light on the importance and changing nature of community over time. The students then reflected on what a strong community ‘feels’ like, what it ‘looks’ like, and what they are doing each day to contribute to their community. We hope Year 7 students will treasure their alumni pins as a symbol of their connection with the Friends’ community – both at school and after they graduate.
Alumni Reps Update
We recently farewelled retiring Alumni Reps Sam Cairnduff (1994), Flick Boucher (1989), and Andrew Kibbey (1995), thanking them for their valuable contributions over the past three years. However we're excited to introduce our new Reps Gryff Connah (2022), Trish Groom (1966), and David Ovens (2017) and look forward to their ideas, energy and contributions with upcoming alumni activities.
In recent weeks Reps have been busy planning activities over the next 6 months including alumni events in Melbourne, correspondence programs between alumni and students, mentoring and career activities amongst alumni, past staff gatherings, peer year and co-curricular reunions.
Our dedicated Reps volunteer their time to nurture and strengthen connections within our community and with the School. We extend our sincere appreciation to them for their commitment.
Alumni Reps
Lucy Loney (Ogilvie) (1988), Convener
Gryff Connah (2022)
Riley Curtain (2021)
Jade Galbally (1995)
Trish Groom (1966)
Roly Hill (1959)
David Ovens (2017)
International Representatives
Roger Stilwell (1956), British Columbia, Canada
Alex Given (2009), London, UK
Tessa Fink (1999), Germany
About the Friends’ Alumni Community
Alumni Representatives are volunteers who create meaningful connections amongst the alumni community and with the School. Together they work across geographic locations, cohort years and different parts of our community to broaden and deepen connections amongst our community, foster and promote life-long connections, share stories, and advocate for the School and its Purpose and Concerns. The Friends’ Alumni Community encompasses alumni and their families, former staff and volunteers, and friends of the School – wherever they are in the world.
The Friends’ School LinkedIn
Please register with the Friends' LinkedIn page to join our growing digital alumni community and participate in mentoring opportunities globally. Don't forget to select The Friends' School from the drop down list in the education section of your profile to be included in the alumni section of the School's LinkedIn page, and follow the page for updates and information about the School and alumni community.
Stay Connected
stayconnected@friends.tas.edu.au
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