Mr Richard Trigg

Having relocated from Kerang to Bendigo in June 1990 to enable his two boys to receive a better education, Richard and his family were just starting to establish themselves in the community when they received the gut-wrenching news that Girton College was to close its doors. After investing such a significant amount of time and money only two years prior, he and his family decided to take the gamble and stay on. Richard recalls that his business partner had the stronger connection with the school and typically represented their accounting firm at school meetings. However, in a twist of fate, one evening when his business partner was out of town, Richard found himself representing the pair at a very important meeting where John Higgs was seeking nominations to join a specialist committee. When nominations were called for a finance representative, a voice from the back of the room bellowed: “I nominate Richard Trigg”. He looked around to see it was one of his clients, a fellow parent – presumably satisfied with Richard’s service! 

As an accountant, Richard was used to advising on matters such as financial sustainability, business restructures and debt consolidation, so he initially looked on the task as he would for a client. However, he soon realised this endeavour transcended the realm of business. In light of the significant repercussions for his family and the committee’s quest to correct an injustice, he began to view the fight to save Girton as a personal challenge. With other local schools at capacity, parents were in very real danger of having nowhere for their children to go to school in 1993, and the committee’s battle to retain an independent school in Bendigo developed into an underdog fight, garnering significant public support. 

In addition to the lack of cashflow, the biggest problem facing the fledging school was getting the required government funding. However, through a combination of good financial modelling, expert script-writing and political pressure, the group ultimately prevailed. Another significant milestone was securing the support of Peter Wade, the owner of the Mackenzie Street site, to enter into a lease. Richard recalls Peter confessing one day that he purchased the abandoned site simply because God had told him it would be needed for a good cause one day. The initial walk through the campus felt like a homecoming, with a blackboard still bearing the eerie chalk marks of a lesson that must have occurred on the last day the college taught at the site.

Richard marvels at the exceptional strength and belief of the committee – all of whom had a business or job to attend to during the day but turned up to work on building the school every afternoon, often staying until as late as 2am. The committee’s eventual success not only allowed his sons to complete their education in Bendigo, but it forever changed Richard’s career and life. While he ended up having to sacrifice his accounting practice, he says will never “forget or regret” his role in the cause, which helped him develop skills he has since used in many situations in his business and personal life. Having now finished full-time employment, Richard remains heavily involved with the community through local government audit and risk committees, occasional work for the Electoral Commission, church and charity organisations, classic car clubs and providing sailing tuition. Richard looks back on his time in Bendigo with pride, reinforced by the continued development and success of Girton Grammar.