The Grammarian - The Rockhampton Grammar School

The Grammarian

The RGS Past Students' Association Newsletter

APRIL 2017

Welcome

Welcome to the April 2017 edition of The Grammarian, your Rockhampton Grammar School Past Students' Association newsletter. The Rockhampton Grammar School has a long and proud history since it was first established in 1881. This newsletter acknowledges the achievements, celebrations and news of the School's past students. If you have any contributions for future newsletters please contact editor Rachael McDonald on 4936 0776 or email rmcdonald@rgs.qld.edu.au Looking forward to hearing from you. Visit rgs.qld.edu.au to keep in touch with your School.

In this edition

From the President Alaina Kennedy (nee Alroe, RGS 2001)

Wow! What a tumultuous start to the year! rgs.qld.edu.au to purchase your tickets.

Firstly, I would like to send the committee's Our `All-Years Reunion' will be held again

best wishes to all of our past students that in Brisbane on 27 May, with RSVP's to go

have been affected by Cyclone Debbie

to: paststudents@rgs.qld.edu.au. 2017

and her aftermath ? she has certainly

also brings around the 40 year anniversary

been a long lingering irritation to all of

of girls returning to the School and a

us in Queensland, New South Wales and

reunion for the 1977 year group will be

New Zealand. Apologies must go to our

held on the weekend of 6-7 October.

Townsville alumni for the cancellation of

Our 2017 Distinguished Past Students'

the Past Students' event in March. We will Awards night was a fantastic evening

reschedule this event in the future and thank recognising the achievements of both The

you all for your understanding and patience. Honourable Hereward Humfry Henchman

This brings me to our annual fundraiser; the and Mr John Humphreys. It was wonderful

2017 Race Day on 6 May at Rockhampton's to have Hereward's grandson and John's

Callaghan Park. The track has been

daughters attend the function and we

inundated with floodwaters and the RJC

thank them for their attendance, their

is once again involved in the massive

company and their anecdotes. Nominations

clean-up process in order to ready the

for the 2018 awards close on August 25,

venue for our event. It is going to be

2017. Forms are available on the School's

a huge weekend with reunions for the

website: rgs.qld.edu.au/distinguished

2007 and 1987 cohorts scheduled. This

The RGS Past Students' Association

will be the first post-flood function at the

AGM is on Wednesday, 17 May, from

racecourse and we encourage you all to

5.30pm (top level, Islay Lee Centre). All

come and support both the Past Students' past students are welcome to attend.

Association and the Rockhampton Jockey

I hope that you all continue to stay safe and

Club. Please contact Rachael McDonald

dry and that you have a wonderful Easter

on 07 4936 0776 or email paststudents@ break with your families and loved ones.

2017 RGS Race Day

We're pushing ahead through the Rockhampton

floods to meet at Callaghan Park on 6 May.

Help support RGS and the Rockhampton Jockey Club.

Ticket details - Page 12

RGS Distinguished Past Students Page 2 and 3

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Honouring RGS past students

The Rockhampton Grammar School has a proud history since the School was established in 1881. Boys and girls have passed through the School gates since that inaugural year to follow their dreams. For the past three years the School has acknowledged some of our past students who have excelled in their chosen fields. At the annual Distinguished Past Student Dinner on 11 March the School honoured a further two students - late Supreme Court Judge Hereward Humphry Henchman (RGS 1891) and two time Olympic fencer John Humphreys (RGS 1949). Here are their stories:

Hereward Humfry Henchman John Douglas Humphreys

29 November 1874 - 25 April 1939 The Rockhampton Grammar School: 1883 ? 1891

The Honourable Hereward Humfry Henchman was born in Leeds, Yorkshire, England, before the family emigrated to Rockhampton in 1878. One of the School's earliest students, Henchman was an RGS School Captain and School Dux. Henchman returned to his School in 1933 to address Speech Night. At that occasion Henchman said, "You must realise that you will grow up in a world much greater than Rockhampton, and must equip yourselves to meet competition.... Unless you want to fall into the backwash, you must do your best at school." After completing his school education, Henchman won a Scholarship to the University of Melbourne where he graduated with Bachelor of Arts (1893) and Bachelor of Laws (1898) degrees. Both were later converted to Masters degrees. On 29 August 1899 Henchman was admitted as a barrister of the Supreme Court of Queensland and commenced practice in Brisbane. In 1916, aged 41, he enlisted in the Australian Imperial Forces, serving with the rank of Lieutenant (1916-1919). On 5 March, 1929, Henchman was appointed a judge of the Supreme Court of Queensland. He was the first judge of the court to hold a university degree in law. He died in office aged 64.

Hereward Humfry Henchman is a Grammarian forever.

Macte Virtute Et Litteris.

15 March 1932 The Rockhampton Grammar School: 1945 ? 1949

John Humphreys was born in Springsure on 15 March 1932. In 1945 he arrived at The Rockhampton Grammar School as a boarder from Blair Athol, near Clermont. Fencing was not a sport offered at The Rockhampton Grammar School, but John soon discovered a talent for fencing when he moved to Brisbane for work. John went on to fence for Australia in two Olympic Games and two Empire (now Commonwealth) Games. John made his Olympic fencing debut at the 1960 Olympic Games in Rome where he competed in the teams event. He would return for a second Olympic Games campaign at the Tokyo 1964 Olympic Games where he reached the semi-finals of the singles competition and also competed in the teams event. At the 1962 British Empire and Commonwealth Games in Perth John won a silver medal with the Australian team and also competed in ?p?e singles. John again fenced for Australia at the 1966 Commonwealth Games in Jamaica where the team won a bronze medal and he also competed in the singles competition. John also won numerous Australian and Queensland fencing titles during his career.

John Douglas Humphreys is a Grammarian forever.

Macte Virtute Et Litteris.

Next page: Dinner Photographs and previous inductees

Nominations for the 2018 RGS Distinguished Past Student Awards are now open. Nominations close on 25 August. For more information visit -

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Dinner celebrates RGS past students

The third annual Rockhampton Grammar School Distinguished Past Student Dinner was held in the School's Memorial Assembly Hall on Saturday, 11 March. Attending the 2017 dinner were RGS past students, 2017 School Captains, RGS staff, and special guests Peter Henchman (Hereward Henchman's grandson) and Naomi Humphreys and Bec Lindemann (John Humphreys daughters). Event organisers and the School were very grateful to all who attended, especially family

members of this year's recipients. To register your interest in attending next year's event please email paststudents@rgs.qld.edu.au

RGS Distinguished Past Students

Lance Currie (RGS 1955-1959), Headmaster Dr Phillip Moulds and Hugh Grant (RGS 1954 - 1957)

Francis Fairweather RGS: 1900 - 1906

Michael Kennedy (RGS 19932001) and Alaina Kennedy (nee Alroe, RGS 1990-2001)

Adrian Holmes RGS: 1941

Deputy Headmaster Arthur Kelly and Brett Morrison (RGS 1985)

Steven Deaves (RGS 1985 1987) and Matt Heelan (RGS 2001 - 2005)

RGS past teacher Mr Jack Lanham (1957 - 1975) and Graham Clark (1955-1956)

Fitzroy Jardine RGS: 1910-1913

Cecil Hadgraft RGS: 1917 - 1922

Merilyn and Frank Luck (RGS 1939 1942)

Jules Guerassimoff RGS: 1954 - 1957

Assistant Head of Senior School Pam Hadwen and Ray Boyle (RGS 1944 - 1948)

Dinner guests: (far left) Bec Lindemann and Naomi Humphreys; (left) Peter Henchman with Steve Deaves.

Neville Hewitt RGS: 1934 - 1936

Fred Paterson RGS: 1911 - 1914

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RGS 1977 - a time of change

When the 1977 school year started it was vastly different from the end of the 1976 school year. The Rockhampton Grammar all boys school was now a co-educational institute - welcoming girls back for the first time since 1885. In October of this year the Class of 1977 will reunite to share their school memories.

RGS girls in 1977. Photo supplied by Jane Walsh (RGS 1978)

At the start of each school term Springsure's Debbie Rolfe (now Orford) would be dropped off at Rockhampton Girls' Grammar School while her brother Andrew Rolfe returned to boarding at The Rockhampton Grammar School up the street.

Debbie was one person who welcomed the move to co-education.

"It was a wonderful time of change and is so pleasing to see what the School has become today,'' Debbie said.

"I defected from the RGGS to do Year 12 as I had a brother already attending RGS,'' Debbie said.

"I will be forever thankful to my parents and RGS for a happy final year."

"There were four of us girls in Year 12 boarding and we integrated with the boys with no problems."

"Our house mothers were lovely motherly people." "Our headmaster, Mr Butler was also a very decent human being and my favourite teacher was Mr Woo." Debbie welcomed the "wonderful" opportunity to catch up with

(Back Row) Carol Eggleshaw, Linda Hallahan, Kerrie Chippindale, Barbara Launchbury, Kathy Burton, Julie Crang, Jane Walsh, Gail Kearney, Diana Foster, Julie Chandler, Karen Russell, Christan Phelan, Sally Fairweather, Anna Shannon, Kerry Boon ;

(4th Row) Ruth Illich , Janine Piggott, Jenny Burton, Rosemary King, Freda Gilbert, Linda Brown, Pauline Pope, Kerry Ferguson, Kathy Oakley, Toni Lawrence, Miriam Bauman, Pam King, Helen Letchford;

(3rd Row) Kim Chudleigh, Margaret Glover, Regina MacNevin, Helen Appleton, Anne Rutherford, Merle Murray, Sarah Fitz-William, Cathey Cruickshank, Natahsa Wake, Mandy Walker, Elizabeth Anderson, Mary-Jane Hibler, Ruth Priest;

(2nd Row) Georgina Hock, Shirley Morretti, Katrina Robertson, Debbie Rolfe, Mrs Walters, Mrs Anderson, Mr Butler (Headmaster), Mrs Homer, Glenda Ford, Karen Freeman, Marie Tighe, Jenny Dahms;

(Front Row) Cathy Orgill, Shevaun Greenwood, Noeline Hoffman, Bernadene Lennon, Lucy Oswald, Laverne Henry, Jane Anderson, Kim Thomason, Lorraine Derrick, Kim Walker, Marilyn Platen. Absent: Brianna Wheatley, Cedar Whelan, Katrina Murphy.

Mr Woo while visiting her childrens' functions at RGS. Damian (RGS 2005), Jodie (RGS 2007) and Clinton (RGS 2014) all attended the School.

"The growth of the School in 40 years is truly amazing,'' Debbie said

"It's a great tribute to the Board of Trustees and Headmasters." Glenda Ford was another girl to enter the School in 1977, arriving from Gladstone State High School and therefore already familiar with co-educational schooling. "It feels like yesterday,'' Glenda said. "It was a big change of pace and structure - and I loved it.'' "It was a wonderful final year of school where all my basic needs were met and it provided me with lots of opportunities.'' The Class of 1977 Reunion will be held from 6-8 October. For further enquiries please contact the School at paststudents@rgs.qld.edu.au

Ellie Gambling (RGS 2014) (pictured left) captained the Australian Universities team at the Australian Rugby Sevens Championships in Adelaide in December last year. Ellie is attending university in Brisbane.

RGS past students joined the 11th annual TOB (Tony O'Brien) Annual Cricket match in Brisbane against Sheldon College earlier this year. Tony O'Brien (RGS 1998) taught at Sheldon College before an accident but he still loves watching cricket. The match also raises money for "Youngcare".

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A Passion for Dance AARON SHAW TAKES TO THE STAGE IN GERMANY

Aaron Shaw (RGS 2010) always loved to dance and now performs with the Hessisches Staatsballett (State Ballet of Hessen) in Germany. The Grammarian caught up with Aaron for a Q&A on his professional dance career.

What was your dance background when you were at School?

I began with Jazz dance at twelve years of age and successively incorporated Hip Hop, Contemporary, Lyrical, Cabaret, and finally Ballet to my regime when I was sixteen. I also participated in two School musicals (Alice and Grease) which were highlights of my time at RGS and which really ignited my passion for dance and performance.

In Year 12 I began attending a ballet school full time on the Gold Coast. This required a substantial time commitment and I subsequently opted to reduce my schooling and completed subjects via correspondence. At this point I had made the decision to pursue dance as a career.

Why do you enjoy dance and what does it take to make it in dancing?

I particularly enjoy the behind the scenes work that goes into producing a performance; the process of training in a particular aspect then using this ability to achieve a certain quality or to portray a particularity.

This is an aspect of dance, and performance in general, that many do not get to appreciate or be privy to and yet it comprises the majority of the process. The performance is seen as the ultimate objective but in actuality it is merely the decorative frame in which the art piece resides. It is like the sheen of lacquer painted on wood; you notice the gloss but it exists only because of the quality of the cut, grain and finish of the timber.

Hard work, discipline, dedication, perseverance, teamwork, artistry, versatility, and most of all passion, are the essentials that coalesce to form the final product we observe onstage.

How did you break into an overseas dance company and tell us about your current employer?

I moved to Germany at seventeen to attend a professional ballet school, which was necessary to improve my technique and develop further skills. I had the opportunity to learn in the midst of a professional ballet company for three years also headed by the director of my Academy.

Upon completion I auditioned for the newly formed Hessisches Staatsballett, or State Ballet of Hessen, and was offered a position in the company. It is currently my third season with the Hessisches Staatsballett where I continue to perform a variety of styles from neoclassical to modern and pieces from various choreographers from around the globe.

One particular creation that has been a highlight for me is Thr(o)ugh from Belgian choreographer Damien Jalet. The movement quality of car crash-test dummies was researched and effectively replicated in order to reproduce the natural movement of the human form under external stress. This was an extremely personal piece, especially for the choreographer, as it was inspired by the reactions of him and others who were in the midst of the 2015 Paris terror attacks.

Where do you hope to take your dancing in the future?

I hope to be continually challenged to develop as a dancer and to never cease learning.

I wish to engage with different choreographies that portray relevant ideas and messages and to be a part of a team that advocates these priorities. Most of all I hope to enjoy what I am doing.

What is it like living and working in Germany?

The lifestyle in Germany differs greatly to that of Australia though each has its own appeal. The rich historical and cultural foundation of Germany is hard to beat, as is their general acceptance and multiculturalism.

There are rules and regulations and endless amounts of bureaucracy, which is extreme but so well organised and effective that it is hard to fault.

I do miss though the general easygoing friendliness of the Australian people and their kindness.

In the end Australia will always be the place where I feel at home.

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RGS past students

Queensland and Australian rugby union player Stephen Moore (RGS 1993-1996) caught up with the RGS 1st XV rugby players who finished runner-up at this year's Ballymore Cup.

Louise Wood (RGS 2010) and Matthew Dennis (RGS 2009) returned to RGS last year to talk to the Year 9 students about career opportunities. Louise has finished her medical studies while Matthew is an engineer in Rockhampton.

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Rugby Opportunities Connor Tansey (RGS 2015) has joined the ACT Brumbies Under-20 squad to compete in the Super U20's competition in 2017. Connor was included in the backs. The 36-player group included three contracted Super Rugby players and a host of talented youngsters eager to make their mark.

Sam Barsby (RGS 2016) is also continuing to push his rugby claims with the flyhalf joining the Joondalup Brothers Rugby Club in Perth, Western Australia. One of Sam's club mates is Rockhampton's Liam Fletcher, who attended RGS in Primary School before leaving in Year 9.

Rockhampton Regional Council recognised Sasha Belonogoff (RGS 2007) for his silver medal performance at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games. Catching up to congratulate Sasha were fellow RGS past students Ray Young (RGS 1942) and Michael Rutherford (RGS 1980). Michael represented Australia in trampoline.

Peter Coonan (RGS 2006) was a Year 10 boarder from Taroom when he arrived at RGS.

Rockhampton-based Peter is the School's new Adopt-A-Cop which involves speaking with students on a range of safety issues throughout the year.

"Who would have thought 11 years ago I would be back at RGS in 2017 in a Police uniform,'' Peter said.

"It feels good to be back and involved in the School.'' "I know exactly what the students are going through, especially the Year 12s. RGS gives students plenty of assistance getting them ready and setting them up for life after school." "I feel like I could be another point of contact for the students having "been there, done that" after school myself ? university, travel, different work experiences / jobs, some major highs and lows in life experiences ? and now a Police Officer having graduated from the Oxley Academy in December 2012."

Lauren Shackleton (RGS 2012) was lending a helping hand at The Rockhampton Grammar School Early Learning Centre's 10th anniversary celebrations in February. Lauren is now based in Brisbane and still loves playing cricket. Lauren's mum Adeina, the current ELC Director, has watched the facility transform over the past 10 years. In 2007 the centre averaged 15 children per day with a licence for 48 places. In 2017 the ELC now has a capacity for 138 places per day and currently has 176 families supporting the centre.

Marnie Hungerford (RGS 2014) hopes to raise enough funds to join the B12 Berlin Dance Festival, a showcase of professional research, outreach and performance projects. Over three weeks there is opportunity to collaborate and learn from many established artists. While absorbing as much knowledge as possible this is also a fabulous opportunity to make connections with other aspiring dancers and to help Marnie get her foot in the door of the contemporary dance world. The intensive runs from 26 June to 16 July with a showcase at the end of the intensive as part of the Berlin contemporary dance festival. To help Marnie get to Berlin visit - https:// marnies-europeandance-venture

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