Alumni
Cover image: L-R: Alumni during a Friends’ 45 year reunion
The Friends’ School Alumni Reunion - Canberra - 25 September 2022
By Elizabeth Field (nee Murphy) 1966 Leaver
On Saturday, 24 September, I set off for the drive to Canberra, through intermittent rain showers, arriving early afternoon. Former Hobart Quaker, Susan Rockcliff had kindly offered accommodation so that I did not need to set off at the crack of dawn on Sunday.
The celebration began at 10.30 for some of us as we had been invited to attend Meeting for Worship then. It was good to catch up with old F/friends there before heading off to the lunch venue, only 10 minutes walk from the meeting House. The guest list was not very large, but included old scholars from a span of more than 60 years. The head boy of 2021, Riley Curtain was there, as was the head girl of 1961, Beth Kelly (now Barber) There were at least three leavers from the 50s as well!
I found myself seated next to Alison Boothroyd (now Hutchison) who had been in my brother David’s cohort, so there were many old scholars known to both of us to reminisce about. It being a small world we live in, Alison and her family had been neighbours of the man who became my second husband!
Ruth Megirian was one of a family I had known at Friends Meeting in Hobart in the sixties. I had even taken a children’s Sunday group containing her two brothers, Rene and Dirk, back then! So we too, had common ground other than having attended Friends.
So, while there was no one there from my cohort, I found many people to have enjoyable chats with over a delightful lunch. I heard of so many varied pathways taken by old scholars in their post-school lives.
It is always a pleasure to meet with Nelson and Lisa, and with Julian Robertson, another former Hobartian! I had intended to go to the later “drinks and nibbles’ event later in the day, but opted to leave beforehand so that I could drive for most of the four hours it takes to get back to the Blue Mountains in daylight. I look forward to the 50 year plus gathering in February next year in Hobart.
Please enjoy some snapshots from the day.
10 & 20 Year Out Reunions (Classes of 2002 and 2012)
The Class of 2002 and 2012 Reunions were held on Saturday the 10th of September in The Hanging Garden to celebrate their 10 and 20 year reunions, following a tour of the School. We had a fantastic turn out and it was lovely to see so many people come together and enjoy catching up with fellow alumni.
40 & 45 Year Out Reunions (Classes of 1982 and 1977)
It was wonderful to see those who joined us at the Class of 1982 and 1977 Friends' School Reunion on Saturday the 17th of September. The School tour was well attended, with people warmly reminiscing about their School experiences. The following drinks and nibbles at Boodle Beasley saw many reconnections being made amongst our Friends’ Alumni community, within and between year groups.
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.
Samantha CLIMIE (2015) - Congratulations to alumna, Samantha Climie (2015), who has been awarded a Rhodes Scholarship to study at Oxford next year, which is a fantastic opportunity and achievement.
Sam graduated in 2015 in the TCE Pathway. She is remembered for her strong commitment to, and passion for community service, achieving a 'Full Colours' award for service to the community in 2015. She was an avid Waterpolo player and coached junior teams at the School. Sam is perhaps best remembered for her love of the outdoors and natural environment.
Read about what being a Rhodes Scholar means to her in the article below. Well done Sam.
https://www.govhouse.tas.gov.au/.../rhodes-scholarship...
Isobel BROADHURST (1968) - I have been retired for a few years and am enjoying the freedom to be available for “nanna” duties. Older daughter has four children and I now live near her. Younger daughter has one child and lives interstate, so video calls keep us in touch. This year I have acquired a large 10 year old cat named Tom who just likes to snuggle. Main project is to keep improving my IT competence, which is fairly basic.
Matthew BYE (1993) - I've been living and working in the United States since 2001 and in San Francisco specifically since 2009. I'm married with two children - Wesley, who is 10 and Luna, who is 7. I work at Google as a lawyer and oversee the company's global competition law team.
William HEDBERG (2002) - Since leaving Friends’, I moved to Melbourne to study and graduated there after studying accounting and finance. I started working at PwC in consulting and did this for about 4 years. I moved to Sydney in 2013 and have been up here since – I have worked a range of corporate roles, in particular the media and technology industries.
Congratulations Eddie OCKENDEN (2005) on being the Australian team flag bearer for the 2022 Commonwealth Games and Captain of the Silver winning Hockeyroos team. Kookaburras and Hockeyroos shine in Birmingham.
Elaine WATSON (1944) - Dear Friends, it’s now 88 years since I commenced at The Friends’ School. The memories and things that I learned continue to delight me. I remember playing the piano for morning assembly hymns and Sunday evening service, singing and dancing with Mr Unwin on stage. I was Toad of Toad Hall! In Grade 4, Cracker Morris taught me how a car works. Playing netball. Being a prefect. Being in a Nursing Home with residents - many with dementia - is teaching me social skills.
Dr. Georgia GURNEY (Class of 2003) nominated for international 2022 ASPIRE Prize
Congratulations to Georgia on her nomination for this award, which is worth US $25,000 and recognises young scientists from Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) member countries for their commitment to innovation, research and education excellence. Dr Georgia Gurney was nominated for the award by the Australian Academy of Science and the Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources.
Dr. Gurney’s research in conservation and sustainability science has not only pushed the boundaries scientifically, but has also created innovations that advance the sustainability of tropical oceans across the three pillars of economy, society and the environment. Read more about Georgia’s nomination here.
Ketrina CLARKE (1978) graduated from The Friends’ School in 1978 pursuing a career in law and business management. Ketrina kindly shared a little of her life since Friends’ with us here, including being awarded an OAM in 2019 for service to swimming. Thank you for sharing Ketrina.
Perth Alumni impromptu catch up!
An unofficial Old Scholars/Alumni reunion was held in Perth recently. Cecelia Wedd (Davis) (1959) and Sue Shirley (Morris) (1960) were passing through on holidays, and had dinner with Sandra Chittock (Donaldson) (1959) and Roly Hill (1959).
Flower Drum Reunion, Melbourne
A few of the lads had a lovely catch up with their lasses at the brilliant Flower Drum restaurant in Melbourne a couple of weeks ago. All Friends’ School leavers 1968/1969. The ties that bind!
From left to right: John Nichols, Nick Way, John Tomlin, David Murphy, Brian Correy and Andrew Tompson.
CORRECTION
In Rose & Waratah, April, and Focus, July, we incorrectly reported that former Friends’ student Meg Phillips (2001) was named the winner of the recent national Samsung Electronics Australia’s “Solve for Tomorrow” competition. The winner, Meg Phillips, was not a student at The Friends’ School. We apologise for the error and congratulate Meg Phillips regardless for her achievement.
Friends’ Alumni Representatives Meeting - August 2022
The Friends’ Alumni Reps met on 10 August, and included here is a summary of topics discussed:
- An update from Deputy Principal Shaun O’Rourke about the current and future focus of the School, including the ongoing management of Covid in the School and progress of the Learning @ Friends ‘24 Plus Program.
- An update from Community Engagement about stewardship, giving, publications and content, reunions and events, including the priority of Illuminate - Campaign for The Friends’ School as a key focus for the School this year.
- 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 alumni using the drop down list) and planned live LinkedIn events for 2023, and continued sourcing and sharing of Friends’ stories.
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
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 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.
Stay Connected
stayconnected@friends.tas.edu.au
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