Alumni
Latest Friends' Student to become a Rhodes Scholar
Oliver Gales (2015 OS) is studying Agricultural Sciences at the University of Tasmania and has recently been named as the Tasmanian Rhodes Scholar for 2020. Oliver will travel to Oxford University to do a masters in development studies, investigating policy and governance in developing countries.
The Community Engagement Office recently chatted to Oliver about this fantastic opportunity, his Friends’ experience and his Agricultural Science journey so far.
“Coming to the end of Clemes, I was looking for a degree that would allow a range of possible careers, including opportunities that created positive tangible differences to the world. Agricultural science has a fantastic balance of technical science and research with applied hands-on experience; combining to create a career pathway that is limited only by imagination,” says Oliver.
When asked about how his time at School has impacted on his life, Oliver said, “The Friends’ School has had a lasting impact on not only learning opportunities but my life post-school. The ethos and education that Friends’ mentors and exemplifies to students are far more than just a schooling education, it has a lasting impact on the approach to life. The Friends’ education has had a lasting impact on the person I am now and how I value not only education but the environment around me. I was fortunate to have a few notable mentors through my time at The Friends’ School. Before departing on a trip to India inspired by our religion classes at school, two friends (Ruby Haywood and Oisin Stronach) and I sought travel and life advice from Peter Jones. He suggested we visit a Quaker farm in central India; an experience has had a lasting impact on my career choice. Hayley Pickett was much more than a tutor, her guidance, advice and mentoring shaped the education I had and the person I am today. She has had an amazing impact on all the fortunate students she has taught. Having Sandra Brooks as a teacher is an opportunity every student should have. She taught me how to learn and how to appreciate how fortunate we are to live and learn in Tasmania. She changed my perspective of education, and not only made me a better student but a better person.”
Oliver’s is looking forward to the Oxford ‘learning and life opportunity’; “To study at the University of Oxford allows unequivocal access to platforms and networks of a globalised education. Oxford is globally leading the approach of environmental change and international sustainable development studies. To be able to study and learn at an academic institution that has been globally leading the way for centuries is a once in a lifetime opportunity. “
We also asked Oliver about what advice he would share with current students, “My advice for students with regards to their future is simple; take opportunities. From volunteering at local charities to applying for far fetched scholarships, chase and pursue opportunities, always throw your hat in the ring and whilst many might not work out, some always will. Follow your dreams and make a difference.”
Congratulations to Oliver on this fantastic Rhodes Scholarship achievement opportunity. We look forward to hearing about his future endeavours.
To read a recent article in the Examiner - please click here.
Dr Alice McGushin appointed to the Lancet Countdown
Dr Alice McGushin (2008) has recently been appointed to the Lancet Countdown: an international, multidisciplinary collaboration, dedicated to monitoring the evolving health profile of climate change, and providing an independent assessment of the delivery of commitments made by governments worldwide under the Paris Agreement.
This appointment brings together two of Dr McGushin's passions: the environment and global health.
Zindzi Okenyo (2003)
Remembered at School as a wonderful actor, Zindzi graduated from the National Institute of Dramatic Art at 21. For more than a decade now she has been forging a career as a successful singer, theatre and television actor.
As an actress, Zindzi has one of the most sought-after jobs of any Australian growing up in the nineties - a presenter on Play School. She’s also had a variety of eclectic roles in contemporary theatre productions across the country – most recently in Ayad Akhtar’s Pulitzer-Prize winning play Disgraced, at the Melbourne Theatre Company.
She played in La Traviata at Belvoir St Theatre in 2015, and appeared in The Rasputin Affair at the 2017 production at the Ensemble Theatre. Zindzi accept the role of Charmian, in Bell Shakespeare's production of Antony and Cleopatra and is currently on tour in Bell Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing, she is playing Beatrice and Tasmanians have been lucky enough to see her in the Theatre Royal during this tour.
Zindzi has also made a name for herself singing, She is best known for the song "Woman's World",[5] from her debut EP album, The Wave. As a musician, under the moniker Okenyo, Zindzi has toured with Urthboy and L-FRESH the LION, and supported Santigold when she came to Australia.
Jess Melbourne-Thomas (nee Trebilcot, 1998)
Marine Scientist and Friends’ alumni Jess Melbourne-Thomas (nee Trebilcot, 1998 OS) was recently named Tasmania’s Australian of The Year 2020. Jess went on to UTAS after her senior secondary years at Friends’. She was then awarded a Rhodes Scholarship. Her love of the environment led her into a career as a research scientist, first with the Australian Antarctic Division and then with CSIRO, where she currently works with Oceans and Atmosphere. Jess uses her interdisciplinary research approach to understand how marine socio-ecological systems respond to climate change and other human activities and to inform decision-making for sustainable development. She is also a passionate advocate for women in science.
Jess will represent Tasmania at the 2020 Australian of the Year Awards to be held in Canberra on 25 January.
Please click here to view the recent article about Jess in the Tasweekend Magazine.
Michael Read (1950)
Now aged 86, I started as a boarder at Clemes College at the age of six as my father died when I was 2. People used to say "you poor little fella", but I loved it! Mr and Mrs Clemes ran Clemes College and they treated us like family. My mum worked hard to send me to Boarding School and she was always nearby. I transferred to Friends' as a Boarder after the School purchased Clemes. I left Friends' in 1949 and lived in melbourne as my mother had moved there two years earlier. I became a mechanical engineer, working with the same company all my working life. I was the School Under 14 Champion in 1946 and won the Junior Cross Country when I was 14.
Thank you, Michael, for sharing your story with us.
Ian Cumming (1997) and Jared Hill (1997)
A friendship that started in Kindergarten at Mt Stuart Primary School and was confirmed at Friends’ in High School was the foundation for an information technology business started by Ian Cumming and Jared Hill. At the end of their UTAS degrees Jared and Ian saw an opportunity to create their own business.
As twenty-three years old’s they decided to build a company that was fun and rewarding. Ian channelled his energy towards innovation and emerging technology, while Jared developed the company’s enterprise and government consulting strategy. By 2003 their company, Insight4, was a success and growing. In 2007, Jared and Ian concluded they needed outside investment if they wanted to further grow the company. A capital injection was provided by In-tellinc: a science and technology incubator managed by KPMG, UTAS and private investors.
Insight4 had the capital it required to expand and continue its work for Tasmanian Government agencies as well as its major private sector clients. The business was recognised with the TasICT 2009 Emerging Business Award; the TasICT 2009 Premier’s Digital Futures Award; and the Telstra 2010 Tasmanian Business Awards’ AMP Innovation Award.
In 2008, Jared took over from Ian as Managing Director. Ian pursued a new venture Travelr.com - a ‘question and answer’ website for travellers. Ian won the Tasmanian Pearcey Award for Young Achievers in 2006 for Innovation in Science and Engineering, and was named the 2008 Owner/Manager of the Year at the Tasmanian Business Leaders Awards. In 2014 came the news that Insight4 had been bought by global giant RXP Services, whose clients include some of the country’s biggest banks, Medibank Private, ASIC, Toll and the Department of Immigration and Citizenship. Jared became Practice Director for RXP till 2017 when he took on the role of Group Executive, a position he currently holds.
Meanwhile Ian continued to focus on Travelr, his online travel enquiry business, which thrived and eventually became part of the World Nomads Group. In 2011, Ian founded the Travel Massive community in Sydney. Travel Massive grew into an international movement connecting travel industry leaders and innovators and is the largest tourism community in the world. Ian, currently works as Travel Massive Chapter Leader from Sydney. He travels extensively and just occasionally gets back to Tasmania and the east coast, his favourite travel destination.
Emma Flukes (‘2005 OS) and Tom Bath (‘2002 OS) on the Tassie Gift
Having ridden from Cockle Creek to Uluru in 2018, Emma Flukes (2005’ OS) has recently been part of a Bikepacking event called the Tassie Gift. Also joining Emma on the epic trip was Tom Bath (2005’ OS).
As Emma puts it; “The Gift is not a gravel ride. It is not a touring route. It does not profess to be a mountain bikers’ haven, nor a FKT friendly time trial experiment. It is a tough, gritty, at times ugly jigsaw puzzle pieced together through a labour of love that started from scratch: targeting the very best secrets this little island has locked away; speaking with people who knew the land; and finding the roads, trails, goat tracks and not-tracks that would allow these to be wrangled into a loop format. It’s undergone countless iterations and expansions that have at times necessitated some pretty mercenary pruning. The route showcases the enormous diversity Tassie has to offer yet barely scratches the surface. A dating profile, if you like.” Congratulations to Emma and Tom for conquering and sharing their ride adventure.
To view the GPS tracker of this journey, please click here, and to view stunning pictures from the trip, please click here
A New Approach for the Old Scholar's Association
After a careful review by the Old Scholars’ Association, and in consultation with the School, a new approach for engagement with the Friends’ alumni community has been established.
The newly named Friends’ Alumni Community (FAC) has replaced the Old Scholars Association and has been broadened to encompass alumni and their families, former staff and volunteers, and friends of the School - wherever they are in the world.
FAC Representatives across geographic locations, cohort years and different parts of our community will work together 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.
In partnership with the School, our commitment to a vibrant reunion and events program will continue. We will also share stories and celebrate the achievements of community members.
In addition, we have an exciting list of focus areas for the next 12 months. We will be establishing a Mentoring Service that connects Young Alumni with established community members, establishing a Babysitting and Tutoring Register for Young Alumni looking to build skills and earn an income in the early years after graduation, building our online community to connect with alumni globally, and identifying, establishing and supporting Friends’ Alumni Community groups and clubs.
Alumni, past parents, former staff and friends of the School are invited to share their time and talents to help with:
Administration
Communications
Community Support and Outreach
Events and Awards
Membership & Data
Technology
To express your interest, or find out more, please contact Lucy Loney, Development Manager at
lloney@friends.tas.edu.au or call +61 3 6210 2203.