Vale Les Evans, Tom Glazebrook & Maureen Smith

Vale Mr Les Evans, Former Senior Master

The Girton community was saddened to hear of the passing of Mr Les Evans, former Senior Master and teacher of Mathematics, on 18 August 2025. We offer our deepest condolences to his wife, Leonie, his daughters, Brigid and Laura, his son-in-law, Chris, his granddaughter, Melody, and their families and friends.

Mr Les Evans commenced at Girton as a teacher of Mathematics in 1998, having taught previously in Catholic Schools around Victoria and in the Northern Territory.

Following his appointment, Mr Evans’ intellect and organisational ability were soon evident, and he was appointed Head of Curriculum in 1999. He was appointed Senior Master in 2004 and remained in that important role until his retirement at the end of Term Four in 2019.

During his 22 years at Girton, Mr Evans proved himself as an outstanding teacher of Mathematics. His students enjoyed his teaching style and dry sense of humour. He was always willing to help a student who struggled with a subject, and his students performed very well at VCE level.

As Senior Master, Mr Evans drove curriculum development and was responsible for the complex task of timetabling. Ever the mathematician, Mr Evans made extensive use of data and statistical analysis to assist in ensuring that student learning was tracked and monitored appropriately. His ability to extrapolate information from data was crucial in helping the school’s curriculum leaders understand the learning styles and learning needs of the students in Senior School.

In 2011, Mr Evans led the school’s adoption of Yale University’s RULER program, introducing the development of emotional intelligence throughout the school community. Teams of teachers were sent to Yale for intensive training in the RULER approach based on Mr Evans’ recommendation. RULER is now part of the fabric of Girton’s Junior School thanks to the leadership and vision of Mr Evans, with Girton having been named a RULER Spotlight School for 2025.

One of Mr Evans’ most important roles was to advise students and their parents about learning pathways and subject selection. This was a task that Mr Evans took very seriously, and his advice was greatly valued. Ever an understanding and logical thinker, Mr Evans was an intelligent problem solver who could always be relied upon for clear analysis and sound advice.

Girton Grammar School was lucky to know and have Mr Evans, and to benefit from his calm, professional manner, his care and precision, and his bottomless reserves of good humour.

Vale Mr Tom Glazebrook AM RFD ED

We were saddened to hear of the passing of Mr Tom Glazebrook, a mentor and dear friend of the Girton community. We offer our deepest condolences to his children Sue and David, and to their friends and families. 

Mr Tom Glazebrook was born in Rockhampton, Queensland in 1926. He moved to Victoria to attend Scotch College Melbourne, then studied Civil Engineering at the predecessor to RMIT University, graduating in 1948 and receiving the Municipal Engineers prize from the Institution of Engineers Australia and the Kernot Medal for Dux of Engineering School from RMIT. 

He enlisted in the Army Reserve in 1950, and made his way up the ranks to Major. He received his Master of Engineering and retired from the OC 104 Construction Squadron RAW (SR) in 1975 after 25 years of service, after having been awarded medals of Efficiency Decoration ED, 1st clasp to ED, Reserve Force Decoration RFD, 1st clasp to RFD, National Medal and Defence Medal. 

Mr Glazebrook held a number of roles during his life, including Assistant City Engineer, Assistant Divisional Engineer, Divisional Engineer, Sunday School Teacher, Preacher and Scout Teacher. He spent the majority of his working career at the Country Roads Board (which eventually became VicRoads). 

Mr Glazebrook gave to his community. He designed an oval and Kindergarten for a technical school, sat on the Advisory Council of Bendigo Senior High School for 10 years, was made Commodore of the Bendigo Yacht Club, served three years as Deputy Chairman of the Regional Board of La Trobe University Bendigo, and was the Executive Secretary and Building Coordinator for the Greater Bendigo Chapter of Habitat for Humanity. 

In 1970, Mr Glazebrook became a member of the Rotary Club of Bendigo South, and was awarded a Paul Harris Fellow by the club in 1988. He worked tirelessly for youth programs in the club, and was integral in forming a scholarship for a Year 10-11 student at Girton Grammar School. This is named ‘The Rotary Club of Bendigo South – Tom Glazebrook Scholarship’ in honour of Mr Glazebrook and his work. 

In 1995, Mr Glazebrook was made a Fellow of the Institute of Municipal Engineers Australia, an Honorary Member of the Institute of Public Works Engineering Australia, and was additionally granted a Fellow status with the Institution of Engineers Australia. 

In 2001, Mr Glazebrook made the Queen’s Birthday Honours list and was made a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for ‘service to the community, particularly through the greater Bendigo Chapter of Habitat for Humanity and service to the Engineering profession’. 

Mr Glazebrook was a stalwart in the Girton community. He took it upon himself to personally present the scholarship bearing his name at Speech night over 27 years. Principal Dr Emma O’Rielly shares the following about Mr Glazebrook: 

“The image of Tom standing at the podium, year after year, is one that so many of us will carry forward. He brought with him a quiet dignity, a gentle but infectious enthusiasm, and a spirit of encouragement that reached far beyond the recipient of the award. Each time he stepped onto the stage, Tom did more than present a scholarship; he offered hope, recognition, and the powerful gift of believing in a young person’s potential.” 

Mr Glazebrook’s involvement with Girton extended beyond the scholarship and Speech Night. He attended Foundation Day each year and supported the school’s events and development, and regularly checked in on the recipients of his scholarship, becoming an unofficial mentor and celebrating their successes. 

Girton Grammar School thanks Mr Glazebrook and his family for their support and his presence for so many years. We are grateful for having known him. 

Vale Miss Maureen Smith

The Old Girtonians’ Association was saddened to learn of the passing of former Girton boarding house mistress Miss Maureen Smith, who passed away in October 2025.

Maureen served as House Mistress in both Herring House and Arnold House, caring for senior boarders from 1978 to 1984. When the OGA met with her in 2022 when she kindly donated years of Boarding House photo's, she spoke very fondly of her girls — many of whom came from overseas and regional communities — and of the special connections formed during their boarding years.

Affectionately known by her boarders as 'Smithy', Maureen enjoyed spending time at the Bendigo Library, reading, caring for her cats, listening to classical music, tackling quizzes and following programs on the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 

She is remembered with warmth and gratitude by the Old Girtonians she cared for during her years at Girton.