Old Scholars
50+ Summer Luncheon
The 50+ Summer Luncheon (Held in February at the School) was a wonderful event for Old Scholars who have been out of School for 50 years or more to catch up and reconnect with each other.
Old Scholars were treated to a Sunday roast lunch, some beautiful music from student Cellist, Stephanie Skinner, the Morris Majors and from our very own staff and Old Scholars 4-part harmony troop who lead the room through the School song, Alma Mater.
Ilja Terwinghe (2009)
Thank you to Old Scholar Ilja Terwinghe (2009) for getting in touch and sharing his story with us:
After I left Tasmania early 2010 I moved back to Belgium (Antwerp province), where I worked in industrial construction for half a year after which I enrolled at Ghent University for the bachelor in law program. I obtained my LL.B. and subsequently my LL.M. in 2016, generalising in Belgian law and minoring in EU and international law. Then, I was accepted for the prestigious European Law School of Maastricht University where I obtained my second LL.M. in 2017 specialising in EU law (deep specialising in Economic and Monetary law), with the highest overall grades and finishing a semi-finalist in the final round of the European Moot Court Competition.
Personally, I spent probably thousands of hours volunteering in youth movements on local and regional levels organising fundraisers and game days with children aged 6-18 from 2010 to 2015 before completely focusing on studying. After that, I worked as a trainee in the Permanent Representation of Belgium to the European Union for half a year, after which I took part in the small concourse for the EU Civil Service which resulted in being recruited by the European Parliament.
Currently, I live in Brussels, Belgium. Brussels, as the place of work of the European Parliament (however it’s official seat is in Strasbourg) is my place of work, but regularly I have to go to Luxembourg because part of our administration is based there and also the Court of Justice of the European Union, which is the relevant jurisdiction for the field of law for which I have to represent the Parliament in legal matters. Our working language is predominantly French, and to a limited extent also English and German.
I have a partner, and my parents have a cat which I consider as my pet (the cat is actually called Tasman).
I have plenty of fond memories from my time at Friends'. One, in particular, comes to mind: at the end of Year 12 I was handed the Mock Award for “Everything is bigger in Belgium”. Inadvertently, born out of a desire to share my observations about the differences between Tasmania and Belgium (and probably the subconscious nostalgia) I had created the picture that my country of nationality outperformed Tasmania in all its aspects, this certainly wasn’t the case. Nonetheless, I still have the award somewhere on my desk in my parents’ home.
To a younger me I would say to never let anyone dictate the pace at which you ought to achieve your ambition, but not to lose sight that all resources of life are limited.
Old Scholars Today
If you have news of an old scholar to share with the community in the next edition of Rose & Waratah please send an email with text and photos to Lucy Loney. We are interested in old scholars near and far.
If you know an old scholar who isn’t receiving these newsletters please send them this link to update their contact details.
OSA AGM - Save the Date!
The date for this year’s Old Scholars’ Association Annual General Meeting is Monday 13 May at 7.30pm.
All old scholars are welcome to attend the AGM and further details regarding the venue and format will be advised closer to the date.
The Association is currently undergoing a review of its role and purpose and how it can best go forward supporting the School. A sub-committee is meeting to prepare a review and a plan will be presented at the AGM.
This is an exciting time for the Association and we feel it is an opportunity to renew its focus and identify projects to progress into the future.
As happens every Annual General Meeting all positions on the Committee will be declared vacant. If you are interested in being part of the OSA and can attend 4 meetings per year we would love to hear from you. In particular, we need help with building a mentor database of old scholars Australia wide. In the first instance we need to have an old scholar contact in each State - maybe you could help us do that.
We would also like to build on current students’ sporting success and provide access to play on after school in old scholar teams. If you are interested in helping us with that please get in touch.
Another role of the OSA is to provide news of our former students and share with everyone what they are doing now. If you have any news of your children, grandchildren, family and friends we would appreciate hearing from you.
If you would like to find out more about being a member of the Committee please contact the Secretary, Mary Woolnough.
And, as always, the hard-working Committee will be running the Satay Stall at the Fair on Saturday 30 March, drop by and say hello. We would love to see you.
Upcoming Old Scholar's Events
Wed 1 May - Northern Friends' Luncheon
Saturday 17 August - 50 Year Out Reunion
Saturday 7 September - 20 Year Out Reunion
Saturday 7 September - 30 Year Out Reunion
Saturday 14 September - 40 Year Out Reunion
Thursday 5 December - One Year Out Reunion
Friday 6 December - Five Year Out Reunion
The Friends’ School will also have a display at AGFEST from 2-4 May 2019, at site number CWA6 Grove and 105 First Ave. Make sure you pop in and say hello!