Barbara Green shares some memories from the past
When I started at BGS in the early 50s as the Junior School Art & Craft, Mabel Fairweather was the head of Junior School.
Brendan Mathews BGS 1989 – 2012
Latin Teacher, Director of Activities, APS Delegate, Coach of First XVIII, Deputy Head of Senior School
“I live in Templestowe within walking distance of a dozen or so fabulous restaurants. Dining out a few times a week is a priority or should I say, was a priority, since Covid-19.
Before lockdown, I was playing golf three times a week; meeting old BGS mates including Michael Urwin, Gary McPhee, Andrew Biggin for long lunches; travelling both in Australia and overseas; playing in and organising Latrobe Golf Club’s Senior Pennant Team; participating in Graeme Brennan’s BGS Round Table Luncheons; and, being a member of Latrobe Golf Club’s Heritage Committee, researching the history of our great club.
To maintain sanity during lockdown, I researched my family history, finding convicts and miscreants of all manner among my ancestors. I didn’t expect any less!
My wife and I were due to travel to Spain and Portugal in 2020, but that is now on hold until 2021, I look forward to attending Old Boy reunions and cricket matches or First XVIII football games on the Crowther in the near future.”
Peter Skelton BGS 1976 -2011
Deputy Headmaster for 23 years, Mathematics teacher, Master in Charge of Rowing, Debating and Chess.
“In my retirement, Mathematics remains a passion as does collecting old Maths books, the oldest from 1720, with many over 100 years old.
Judy and I have travelled overseas many times to meet family in the UK, Ireland and Denmark as well as Judy’s participation in distinguished international choirs including performing twice at Carnegie Hall in New York.
Our joys are plentiful: gardening, the maintenance of woodland reserves, and nurturing our seven grandchildren’s interests in Mathematics and Music and supporting them in a multitude of sporting pursuits.
What do I miss?: the boys, all now fine men; the staff with whom I shared a strong common purpose; the parents and the sense of community; and the pleasure of discovery and recording the history of the School.”
Rick Pemberton BGS 1976-2017
Classroom teacher, Special Education teacher, Sports Master and Deputy Head of Junior School.
Since retiring, Rick has built a house at Fairhaven where he loves exploring the beach and bush. Back in Bayside, he has devoted time to the maintenance of his Sandringham house, in particular the garden areas.
Also, Rick gives much of his time undertaking maintenance jobs for friends, neighbours and elderly citizens.
Being a diehard Melbourne supporter has resulted in many afternoons and nights at the MCG. Women’s football has encouraged Rick to support young people learning the game, in particular at the MCCFC and Casey VFLW.
Footy-based trips to Darwin and Alice Springs have encouraged Rick to explore the outback country that he last visited 30 years ago.
Coffee meetups with former colleagues Steve Lewis, Brad Nelsen, Brendan Rahn, Dale Sheppard and David Turner are weekly highlights, as are occasional dinners with John Arrowsmith, Peter Toms, Michael Urwin and Carole Webb.
Sailing from Royal Brighton Yacht Club with Douglas Scott is another pastime Rick has enjoyed for many years.
Peter Burke BGS 1997-2015
Physical Education, history and geography teacher and Coach 2nd XI Cricket for 15 years
“Since retiring I have maintained my great interest in cricket coaching whilst also working on fitness activities such as cycling and walking. As always, I still enjoy reading.
Both my sons attended BGS. Craig (OB 1996) is a senior aviation weather forecaster with the Bureau of Meteorology in Melbourne. David (OB 1998) is the Director of Legal Services with Queensland Treasury Corporation.
I have four grandchildren, three boys and a girl. My wife, Jenny, and I see Craig’s children regularly whilst we visit David’s family at various times throughout the year.
Jenny and I enjoy travelling and, in 2015, we visiting England, including a cruise of the British Isles and a tour of Normandy. In 2017, we travelled to Singapore and to Hawaii in 2018.
A great interest has been following the fortunes of some notable Old Boys whom I coached at School including Will Pucovski (Vic State and Australian A cricketer), and AFL footballers Chris Dawes, Jack Watts and Ben Jacobs.”
Fr Graeme Brennan BGS 2001- 2013
After 13 years as Senior Chaplain, Graeme resigned in 2013 to return to parish ministry.
Life since then has included: tutoring refugee East African girls in Maths; providing pastoral support to chaplains in the emergency services; working on the family farm near Mt Buller; and keeping contact with many past and present BGS staff and Old Boys, often by conducting their weddings.
Graeme’s work as a priest has included a number of busy parishes in both the city and the High Country.
Good memories in radio drew Graeme back a few years ago as a newsreader and a recorder of talking books. While Graeme maintains his life-long support for the Collingwood Football Club, he is also an active member and volunteer of the Fitzroy Football Club.
Graeme now finds himself the convenor of the ever-burgeoning ex-BGS Round Table whose pleasant duty it is to gather former BGS Staff socially twice a year over a counter lunch.
Margaret Templeton
BGS 1983 -2000 Junior School teacher and Lower Primary Coordinator
“In retirement with my husband, Graeme, we have travelled to many wonderful countries experiencing different cultures and customs such as in the UK, Europe, USA, Canada, Alaska, Vietnam and New Zealand. But the Irish stole my heart; I even tried some Irish dancing in one of their very quaint pubs!
We now spend much of our time in the Macedon ranges at Daylesford wandering the bush, renovating houses, golfing, gardening, reading and keeping connected with family and friends.
We have watched our children. James and Melissa, forge very successful careers. Our granddaughters, Olivia and Isabella, attend Star of the Sea and our grandson, William, is a third generation BGS boy.
For many years, I have been part of a fundraising committee with Bayley House of which BGS is a strong supporter.
I am forever grateful for the colleagues, students, families and friends who made up the caring community, a unique feature of BGS. I also love hearing news of past students and hearing that their sons are now attending BGS!”
