Alumni
Cover image: L-R: Russell Reid, Graham Gourlay, Tony Ibbott, Robert Walker during a Friends’ 60th Rowing Anniversary
Alumni Stories
Lucy GIVEN (1982)
Lucy
Lucy
Lucy Given graduated from The Friends’ School in1982 and has gone on to have a successful career in Interior Design within the retail industry, giving Hobart an iconic and stylish store in LUC and recently her second store, CLUCK. Lucy has very kindly shared with us her inspiring story about that journey.
Reia ANQUET (FARRALL) (1992)
Nicolas and Reia
Nicolas and Reia
We were delighted to catch up with Reia Anquet (Farrall) recently whilst she was visiting from France. Reia kindly shared a bit about her life in France and insights into her journey since leaving Friends’.
Quick 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.
Hanny ALLSTON (2003) long distance runner, record holder for multiple road, trail and ultra-running events, world orienteering champion and founder and director of Find Your Feet retail in Hobart and Launceston and Find Your Feet Running Trails, is currently preparing to move to Europe to undertake a role as a performance development coach and manager for British Orienteering. Hanny will move with her husband Graham and her small son Nikolas to be based at Edinburgh University. We wish you well Hanny.
Sam MOFFAT (1998) returned to Tasmania recently after a 20 year hiatus overseas working in brand development and design across a wide range of sectors and a broad spectrum of clients at all scales – from large global enterprises down to innovative start-ups. On his return, Sam established Studio Decade with Douglas HAGGER (2008). You might have noticed some of their work at “6 Storeys 6 Stories - Argyle Street Car Park” which also features current Friends’ student Luca Redwig as “The Human Crab”. Sam and Doug were also engaged by The Friends' School recently to develop the Illuminate Campaign logo and imagery. We think they nailed the brief!
Hockey Olympian Eddie OCKENDEN (2005) is adding to his proud record as one of the best hockey players produced in Tasmania by preparing for selection in what might be his fourth Commonwealth Games.
Sarah SARGENT (2020) has followed her love of sailing and boating for many years and recently featured in a Marine and Safety Tasmania (MAST) safety campaign blitz targeting boat owners. Shared through Facebook and YouTube, Sarah has been promoting the topic from personal experience as at 15, she fell from a boat and narrowly avoided having her “face minced” in the propeller blades. This is the inspiring story of Sarah and it just shows how quickly things can change when you are on the water. You can watch “Safe Boating - Sarah’s Story” here.
Congratulations Gabrielle ANDOLFATTO (2016) and Aaron BENHAM (2012) on winning awards in the 2022 Tasmanian Young Achiever Awards. Gabrielle received the Heather & Christopher Chong Community Service & Volunteering Award for her work training volunteers at Edge Radio 99.3FM. Gabrielle is also the Youth Representative on the Community Broadcasting Association of Australia Board. Aarron Benham received the Spirit Super Create Change Award for his work as co-founder and current Convenor of Repair Café Hobart (RCH), a space where community members can bring broken items from home and repair them with the help of volunteers with the skills and expertise.
'We Give Thanks for the Lives Of Community Members' was published in the July 2022 edition of the Focus newspaper.
Did we miss an important update? Please let us know at stayconnected@friends.tas.edu.au.
Boarding House Photos from the 1950's
We were recently contacted by former student Barry ROGERS (1955) who shared with us some wonderful archival photos from his time at the Boarding House. It is believed the photos were taken some time between 1950-1953 of the boarding house students and Friends’ School teachers. For those interested, some names are included on one of the photos.
Female Boarders 1950-1953
Male Boarders 1950-1953
Combined boarders group
List of names of combined group
Female Boarders 1950-1953
Male Boarders 1950-1953
Combined boarders group
List of names of combined group
“I attended Friends’ School as a boarder from 1952 to 1953 when due to family circumstances I left school and joined the ANZ Bank, 40 Elizabeth Street, Hobart in February 1954, aged 15 1/2.
My mother, Joyce Rogers, was matron at the Junior School for about the same period and my sister Diana Fay Rogers (1957) also attended the school from 1952 to 1955, so there may be some past pupils that still remember them.
Whilst I did not excel academically, I had a great time socially and have many happy memories of my time as a boarder! I am now retired and living in Glen Waverley, Victoria with my wife, Jill. We have two grown boys, twins, Michael and Mark and four grandchildren. Life is good!
Regards to any who may remember me & mine”
Year 7 - Class of 2027 Alumni Pins
Friends’ Alumni Reps Convener Lucy Loney (1988), and Mary Woolnough (1969) attended the Year 7 students Gathering in Term 2. Lucy spoke about the importance of community - both the learning community they are currently part of at The Friends’ School, and the Alumni Community they will become part of after graduating from Friends’. Students were then presented with their Alumni Pins, which now include their ‘cohort’ year. Alumni pins are awarded in Year 7 to help students understand that they are already part of a global Friends’ community which will continue after they leave Friends’.
Pictured above: Alumni Rep Convener Lucy Loney (1988) and Mary Woolnough (1969) with Year 7 Co-Head of High School, Lou Giudici and Class of 2027 students, L-R; Alia May, Charlotte Garnham, Bridie-Ru MacDonald, William Castley and Stirling Moreton.
David Long (1953) - Visit to Year 6
The opening of the new Revell Sports Centre during Term 2 on the Commercial Road campus has been very exciting. Year 6, in particular, were captivated by the story of former student Richard Revell (1953) after whom the Centre was named. After watching the video about Richard Revell they invited Richard’s good friend David Long (1953) into the class to learn more, whereupon a fruitful and engaged conversation ensued about Richard's life, David’s time at the School and how current students belong in ‘the bigger story’ of The Friends’ School.
Watch the video about Richard Revell here
Lucy Loney with David Long and Year 6's
Lucy Loney with David Long and Year 6's
Many of the students wrote to David to thank him for visiting. Here is just one letter. More will be shared in the upcoming issue of The Torch.
Dear David,
Thank you for coming to The Friends’ School to share your story and Richard’s. I love how you bring a positive mindset and vibe to your speech. I personally love sport and I really enjoyed listening to you talk about your life as an all rounder and your lifelong passion with sport.
I play many sports such as soccer, karate, badminton, cricket, futsal and sailing. Whilst there are many sports now, I am sure that you and Richard would have excelled at all of them.
Yours sincerely, Xav
Friends’ 60th Rowing Anniversary
The winning Head of the River rowing team got back together recently to celebrate the anniversary of the 1962 race and look back over old photos from their rowing days, the christening of their boat that they would win the race in and of the race itself.
Pictured above, L-R: Russell Reid, Graham Gourlay, Tony Ibbott, Robert Walker
1962 Head of the River
1962 Head of the River
On the occasion of the 1962 Head of the River anniversary, former rower and student Tony Ibbott (1962) took the time to share his reflections on the values held for rowing and how they aligned with The Friends’ School ethos, the two being continually intertwined. Read Friends’ Rowing - A family affair
Tony Ibbott and the Ibbott Family Boat
Tony Ibbott and the Ibbott Family Boat
The Friends’ Old Girls
The Friends’ Old Girls met recently at the Waterfront Hotel in Bellerive, where a wonderful lunch and conversation was enjoyed by all. These friendly former students have been catching up regularly for years, sharing connections and friendship since their School days.
Pictured above, L-R: Wendy Mundy, Denise Webb, Ruth Austin, Jan McCommon, Jen Wiggins, Rose Fry, Sandra Wilson (hidden), Merrilyn Evans, Judy Edhouse.
Thank you Mary Woolnough (1969)
A huge thank you to Mary Woolnough, who is laying down her service as an Alumni Representative. Mary was central to the careful work and thought that went into transitioning the former Old Scholars’ Association into the Alumni Representatives. We thank Mary for her tireless work and positive energy in helping to shape the newly formed Alumni Reps initiatives and focus over the past few years.
Friends’ Alumni Representatives Meeting - May 2022
Our wonderful Alumni Reps gathered again for our quarterly Alumni Community meeting.
Topics discussed during the meeting included:
- An update from Principal Nelson File about the current and future focus of the School, including the decision by The Board of Governors to adopt the recommendations in the Learning @ Friends ‘24 Plus Program.
- An update from Community Engagement about stewardship, giving, publications and content, reunions and events, including the launch of Illuminate - Campaign for The Friends’ School which is a key focus for the School this year, and the recent Impact of Giving 2021 Report.
- An update from the Alumni Reps on the Friends’ Alumni Community projects and priorities including continuing to connect our global community via The Friends’ School LinkedIn group (register as an alum), the date for the next Hobart Friends’ community catch up, ideas for a Canberra community event and continued sourcing and sharing of Friends’ stories.
Next Meeting: Monday 15 August, 2022
Your Alumni Representatives
Lucy Loney (Ogilvie) (1988) (Convener)
Jade Galbally (1995), Melbourne
Roly Hill (1959), Western Australia
Andrew Kibbey (1995), Melbourne
Roger Stilwell (1956), British Columbia, Canada
The Friends’ School LinkedIn
Please register with the Friend's 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. For those who would like to brush up their LinkedIn profiles you may like to take a look at LinkedIn specialist Sue Ellson’s profile, who shared her expert tips with Years 11 and 12 students preparing to transition to life after Friends’.
About the Friends’ Alumni Community
The Friends’ Alumni Community (FAC) encompasses alumni and their families, former staff and volunteers, and friends of the School – wherever you are in the world. Membership is automatic – there is no application or membership fee. If you wish to receive updates about the activities of this group please ensure your details are up to date.
Stay Connected
stayconnected@friends.tas.edu.au
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