What They’re Doing Now - Scotch College

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What They’re Doing Now

1940s

GEORGE DEVRIES KLEIN(‘46) is a widely respected geologist, in academe as well as the petroleum industry. In 2010 he co-authored a book, The Hydrocarbon Potential of Peru. In 1960, George received a PhD in Geology at Yale University in the USA, after having been awarded a Howe Fellowship to the university. Among many appointments over the years, George has been assistant professor of geology at Pittsburgh University and professor of geology at the University of Illinois, USA.

1950s

Proposing the toast to the school at the 2011 OSCA 60+ Reunion Lunch in the Cardinal Pavilion in July, DR COLIN MELVILLE(’52) mused on the 66-year friendships he has maintained with many of the Old Boys from his era. ‘When I stepped off the 69 tram in 1945 with DUNCAN WATSON(’52),’ he said, ‘I could never have imagined that 66 years later I would still be at Scotch, with some of those whom I met on that first day and with whom I have maintained strong friendships over the years. In that class were BRIAN HAWDON, BRUCE MOORE, JOHN EARLE and DON McCLEAN (all ’52) to name but a few.

‘Others whom I met at that time were RALPH MORRIS(’52), DAVE YOFFA(’51), ROB SHERWEN(’52), JIM BEATTIE(’52) and DAVE KIDD(’49).’

Brian recalled student pranks which may have caused some teachers a little angst. ‘One lunchtime, a number of us lifted up Herbie Engel’s small Fiat and put it in the entrance foyer of the Science block. When we were in the mortar platoon commanded by Billy Blenkiron at Puckapunyal, the whole platoon dropped back and allowed Billy to march on to the parade ground all alone!’

‘The school gave us all a good education and heritage,’ Colin concluded, ‘but above all, friendships which will always remain.’

1960s

Featuring in a ‘getting to know you’ segment in the September issue of the Flinders Golf Club newsletter was local resident JOHN MONTGOMERY(’60). Asked how often he played golf, John answered, ‘In 2007 I played 236 times! Bad weather precluded me from playing more’. John admitted his highest score on one hole was ‘19 on the 12th at Flinders with partner Ron Corser, who asked me after eight shots in the bunker, “Will you be long?” – another eight bunker shots.’ Against that, John cited his lowest scores of 77 at Kingston Heath and 72 at Flinders.

ROD FINDLAY(’61) retired in 2003 after 37 years as an accountant, the last 19 years of which were in the not-for-profit health and aged care field. Since retirement he has done voluntary work, mainly as treasurer of various organisations. His continuing love has been for choir singing, partly fostered at Scotch. He has fond memories of singing in the combined Scotch and MLC performances of Handel’s Messiah in 1960 and ’61 (with iconic singer John Williamson as a fellow tenor). Rod is now a member of the Star Chorale, a community choir which normally comprises, but is not limited to, former students, family of students or friends of MLC. Its musical director is Jane Elton-Brown OAM. Star Chorale will perform Brahms’ German Requiem in July 2012 at the Melbourne Recital Centre, and Rod invites Old Boys who love singing to join him in the choir. If you’re interested, Rod can be contacted on (03) 9807 0999.

ANDREW FAIRLEY(’67) has been chairman of Zoos Victoria for the past five years, and was also recently appointed chairman of Parks Victoria. In another ‘life’, Andrew has just taken over the reins as honorary consul general for Finland in Victoria – from another Old Boy, GRAHAM JOHNSON(’63). Andrew had been vice-consul for 15 years before that. And in another Scotch/Finland connection, Andrew told Great Scot he recently met the honorary consul for Finland in Darwin, STEPHEN BADDELEY, who by coincidence is also a member of the Class of ‘67. Stephen is a reconstructive surgeon in the Top End.

1970s

Senior lecturer in Law at the University of Melbourne, GARY CAZALET(’79) is teaching a ‘law and literature’ course to his students, describing it to The Age as ‘one of the highlights of my teaching career’. Law and literature is new to Australia, but has been taught for many years in the USA. As The Age pointed out, there are numerous examples of books, plays or films in which legal issues area central to the action, including The Merchant of Venice, To Kill a Mockingbird, Anatomy of a Murder and many others.

Gary studied law at Monash University, and then practiced as a barrister and a consultant on corporate social responsibility. In academia he teaches dispute resolution, civil litigation, legal ethics and negotiation.

1980s

Based in Sydney, ARCHIE LAW(’81) is CEO of ActionAid Australia, a not-for-profit group which is part of an international anti-poverty agency active in over 40 countries across Africa, the Americas, Asia and Europe. Archie is married to Jenny, and the couple has two children, Stephen (14) and Sarah (12). Archie is the drummer in rock band Huxton Creepers (see the Old Boys section of this edition).

JEREMY LAIRD(’89) is currently the construction operations manager for the Mirvac Group. He is married to Libby, and they have two daughters, Lucy (seven) and Annabelle (five).

1990s

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Justin and Brooke celebrate.

JUSTIN NEGLER(‘93) married Brooke Alford in Brooke’s home town of Birregurra near Colac in late 2010, ably assisted by his Scotch schoolmates MATTHEW FARRELL(‘93), best man, and ANDREW ASHTON(‘93), master of ceremonies. On their honeymoon, Justin and Brooke visited Justin’s uncle in France before road-tripping around the Mediterranean in a Renault. After brief stays in New York, New Orleans and Memphis, the US stage of their trip culminated in driving a V8 Ford Mustang from Los Angeles to Monument Valley via Las Vegas and the Grand Canyon.

Returning to Melbourne, Justin was admitted to partnership at Davies Collison Cave, where he works as a patent attorney. He is also active in Engineers Australia, where he is a judge in the Engineering Excellence Awards.

CONRAD MCKEE(’94) has walked across Australia pushing a wheelbarrow to raise funds for the Inspire Foundation – a youth help service. Conrad is a great supporter of Wollangarra, an independent non-profit outdoor education project for young people, centred on a pioneer-style homestead situated on a small, remote river flat of the Macalister River, halfway between Heyfield and Licola. Conrad attended many work parties with Tony Glover while at school, and continued after he left school, eventually spending a period on the Wollangarra staff. For several years Conrad drove B double milk tankers around East Gippsland, before driving road trains all over the outback. He now lives in Western Australia.

Conrad became involved in the battle against youth suicide shortly after leaving Wollangarra. He decided to push a wheelbarrow across Australia to raise money for youth suicide prevention. Conrad’s walk, totally without a support crew, has taken months, and has raised at least $10,500. Information about the walk is on www.everydayhero.com.au (search for Conrad McKee).

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WILLIAM HENDERSON(’95), and his company, Technicalities Group Consulting, recently won The Age/D&B 2012 Small Business Award for Business Services. Will paid tribute to his staff for the award, describing them as ‘amazing’ and the award as ‘a team effort’.

After leaving school, Will worked part-time in a computer shop before setting Technicalities up in 1998. The company grew rapidly, gaining a reputation for the quality of its innovative approach to business, and tailoring its service to each customer rather than offering an off-the-shelf product. As a result, it now has a wide range of clients, large and small, ranging from home users to large companies, but always respecting the individual client’s requirements.

ELLIOT GILL(’97) is a licensed real estate agent and auctioneer, and has recently become a partner at Bennison Mackinnon real estate, based in South Yarra.

2000s

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Rob Harding(’03) with Chris Scott, Geelong coach

Sharing the spoils of the 2011 AFL premiership with Geelong coach Chris Scott (right) is ROB HARDING(‘03). Rob joined Geelong this year as an opposition analyst, charged with studying other AFL teams’ tactics and players, and presenting the information he gathers to Geelong coaches, players and tacticians. Rob did an Arts degree after leaving school, before being employed by North Melbourne in 2008. He left North, coached by Brad Scott, to join Brad’s twin brother Chris at Geelong and played his part in a premiership year for the Cats.

Rob has now moved on to the Adelaide Crows, but is working out of Melbourne and living in his own home six nights a week throughout the season. Adelaide offered him an excellent career opportunity which he accepted, even though he loved his time at Geelong (and a premiership!).