Old Geelong Grammarians

15/06/2026

The Old Geelong Grammarians Committee meets six times each year, including the Annual General Meeting (AGM) held in May. The Committee represents more than 15,000 Life Members and Honorary Life Members of the Old Geelong Grammarians Association (OGGA).

The objectives of the OGGA are to promote the welfare of the School, and unite former students of GGS, Glamorgan, The Hermitage and Clyde School.

Earlier this month, the Committee met at the Toorak Campus, marking the first meeting for new Committee Members Georgie Browne (A’17), Lulu Morton (Cl’19), Will Reed (P’05), Janet Ryle (Bone, Fr'77) and Imogen Smith-Waters (He’10), who were appointed at the AGM. Janet also serves as The Hermitage Old Girls' Association (HOGA) representative on the Committee, and Georgie is both an OGG and a GGS staff member. If you are attending the Business Breakfast on Wednesday, you may also recognise Imogen as one of the expert panellists.

To learn more about the OGGA and the Committee, visit the OGG website.

📸: Imogen Smith-Waters (He'10), Will Reed (P'05), and Janet Ryle (Bone, Fr'77) at their first OGG Committee meeting on 2 June 2026.

12/06/2026

On Monday 4 May, nine OGGs took to the fairways of the Metropolitan Golf Club for the annual APS Golf Day.

Representing GGS were Tim Whitney (M'80), Sam McCardel (M'81), Ben Grodski (FB'91), Jimmy Legoe (M'97), Tim Bayles (FB'99), Mark Leslie (M'99), Dane McNeill (A'02), Harry Smiles (FB'02), and Sam Bayles.

While conditions were fair early on, the wind picked up as the morning progressed, presenting a challenge for the golfers. Unfortunately, it wasn't to be GGS' day on the leaderboard, finishing eighth out of the 11 APS schools, with St Kevin's claiming the title.

Congratulations to Mark Leslie, who led the scoring for GGS with a par score of 2 down.

Thank you to all the OGGs who represented the School.

If some friendly competition with other APS alumni appeals to you, and you would like to be notified of details for future APS Golf Days, please register your interest with the Alumni Office at [email protected].

📸:
1. One of the two OGG Teams
2. Mark Leslie (M'99) with other APS representatives

10/06/2026

We are incredibly proud that five alumni have been recognised in this year’s King's Birthday Honours. Congratulations to our newest light blue recipients:

Companion of the Order of Australia (AC):
Janet Calvert-Jones (Murdoch, Clyde '56)

Officer of the Order of Australia (AO):
Sidney Myer (Glamorgan '66)

Member of the Order of Australia (AM):
Luke Thomson (Cu'82)

Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM):
Pat Crosbie (Wilson, The Hermitage '61)

Australian Fire Service Medal (AFSM):
Andrew Browning (P'85)

If you are aware of an OGG who is not listed above and who we should be celebrating, please contact the Alumni Office at [email protected]

07/06/2026

Bea Conroy (A’20) has won the Egmont Honey Pro in Taranaki, New Zealand, securing her place on the World Surf League World Longboard Tour for the first time.

After four years competing on the World Longboard Tour Qualifying Series — building on a strong foundation in local and state-level events — the multiple-time Victorian Open Women’s Longboard champion now steps onto the world stage full-time.

Bea previously sampled life on tour with a wildcard appearance at the 2025 Bells Beach Longboard Classic. “I am over the moon,” Bea said. “The experience at Bells Beach last year as a wildcard was amazing. I felt so welcomed by the surfers on tour and decided I wanted to join them.”

After falling to rankings leader Luana Matthies in round two, Bea needed nothing less than a win in New Zealand to secure qualification. Entering the event ranked seventh among the Australian qualifiers, her chances appeared slim, but a standout performance saw her achieve a long-held goal.

Bea posted the highest score of the women’s event in her semi-final win over Hannah Kohn, recording a 14.33 heat total, including an excellent 7.83 single-wave score.

“My chances were pretty low going in at number seven, so I took the pressure off and went heat by heat,” she said. “Being welcomed by the Taranaki community was lovely — I was just super happy to be there. The vibe on the beach helped me relax and surf to my potential.”

Bea will now balance the demands of the world tour with her university studies. “I am so keen for the tour. With a bit of negotiation with my uni supervisors, I’ll make it work,” she said. “I’m sure surrounding myself with such high-calibre surfers will lift my form. I’m really excited to explore the places the tour will take me.”

Support Bea and follow her tour journey at on Instagram.

05/06/2026

For the second year, the Hermitage Old Girls' Association gathered in Melbourne at Kooyong Tennis Club for their annual Autumn Lunch. Thursday 7 May was the coldest day for this time of year in 112 years, yet the Hermitage Old Girls were not deterred. Following a delicious lunch, guests had well and truly warmed up and were ready to sing the school song — both with feeling and in tune! Yet another wonderful HOGA event, celebrating lifelong friendships and cherished traditions.

03/06/2026

Members of the light blue community gathered on Friday evening for the privilege of hearing from and recognising two extraordinary OGGs at the biennial Geelong Grammar School (GGS) and Geelong Grammar Foundation (GGF) Dinner.

The event, held at the NGV, was expertly led by Master of Ceremonies and Sir James Darling's grandson, Charlie Sutherland (P'86), and opened with an Acknowledgment of Country by Marlley McNamara (Ga'22).

Dr Phoebe Wynn‑Pope (Fraser, Cl'83) delivered the 12th James R. Darling Memorial Oration. Guests were captivated by insights into her distinguished career spanning more than 25-years as a global humanitarian and human rights leader, reminding those present that "the world worthy of our endeavours won't be bestowed upon us - it is something we must make, one conscious act a time".

The evening concluded with the presentation of the 2026 GGS Medal for Service to Society to Professor Tony Holmes AO (Cu'63). Tony was honoured for his extraordinary, pioneering career in craniofacial and reconstructive surgery, alongside his distinguished service to community as a leader, clinician and educator.

It was a remarkable night, celebrating 50 Years of the GGF, the strength of the light blue community, and our extraordinary alumni.

With thanks to the Chair of Council, David Bowser (Fr'90), Principal Rebecca Cody, and Chair of the GGF, Vanessa Mahon, for hosting.

31/05/2026

After having finished second, third and fourth in the 1600m front markers race at the Stawell Gift over the last three years, Charlie Sutherland (P'86) demonstrated that perseverance pays.

Showcasing both tactical maturity and endurance on one of the sport's most iconic stages, Charlie made full use of his front mark from the outset, setting into a smooth, controlled rhythm while the backmarkers began their pursuit.

Unfazed by the pressure building behind him, he maintained a consistent tempo down the back straight and into the final bend, conserving just enough to respond when it mattered most. As the field closed in over the concluding stages, Charlie found another gear. Lifting his cadence and holding his form under fatigue, he resisted the late challengers with determination, crossing the line to secure a well-earned victory.

His run was a perfect blend of pacing, composure, and grit – qualities essential for success over the testing Stawell 1600m.

Our congratulations to Charlie, and our warm thanks to him for serving as the Master of Ceremonies at the biennial GGS and Geelong Grammar Foundation dinner on Friday evening!

If you're feeling inspired by Charlie's success, you can join him and the John Landy Club for social cross-country with other APS Alumni. Contact the Alumni Office for details.

30/05/2026

Congratulations and good luck Ollie!

Ollie Peake (A'24) is set to become the youngest specialist batter to play One Day International (ODI) cricket for Australia, and the first Old Geelong Grammarian to represent Australia in international cricket at senior level, when Australia take on Pakistan this evening (Saturday 30 May). Ollie, who represented Australia at two Under 19 World Cups and led Geelong Grammar School's First XI to back-to-back Cricket premierships in 2023 and 2024, has been named for the first ODI of a three-match series in Pakistan. Ollie has risen to every challenge throughout his short senior career, playing mature knocks at Sheffield Shield and 50-over level for Victoria, while wowing spectators with his ingenuity and timing at T20 level with the Melbourne Renegades.

We wish Ollie every success as he makes the step up to the highest level of cricket this evening! The Pakistan series is broadcast on Fox Cricket and Kayo, with tonight's match set to start at 9.30pm (AEST).

29/05/2026

40 years ago today, the new Perry House was officially opened.

Since the School's move to Corio in 1914, Perry students had boarded in the main building (now Perry Quad), in accommodation always intended to be temporary. As early as 1924, Dr Francis Brown highlighted the need for “a new residential block for Perry House so that the central block may be liberated entirely for the purposes for which it was originally intended…” In the end, it would be 72 years and a term before Perry students moved into purpose-built accommodation at the commencement of Term 2, 1986.

The new Perry House was designed by GGS parent, Graeme Gunn AM of Gunn Williams Fender, to house 70 pupils in Years 10–12. While similar to older houses Cuthbertson and Manifold, students progressed more quickly from larger prep rooms to smaller studies - retaining the traditional social boarding experience while improving facilities for senior students.

While the move from the Quad’s austere accommodation was long anticipated, more than 100 Perry OGGs returned to Corio on 10 May for a nostalgic overnight stay in their dormitories. Organised by Housemaster Roger More (Hon.OGG), dinner in the Dining Hall saw Garth Manton (P’48) as MC, while David Lee (P’48) and Taffy Jones (P’56) entertained with irrepressible stories that reportedly raised the roof with laughter. Guests of honour included former Perry Housemasters Vic Tunbridge (M’24), Don Marles (Hon.OGG) and Frank Covill (Hon.OGG; OGG Fellow), along with long-serving matron Jane Stoddart (Hon.OGG). The following morning, OGGs toured the new complex.

The Perry project formed part of a wider Geelong Grammar Foundation development programme. Following the move, Cuthbertson, Manifold and Francis Brown Houses rotated through the Quad during renovations, before its transformation into a central educational and working space.

Tonight is the biennial GGS and Geelong Grammar Foundation dinner. As we mark 40 years since the opening of Perry House, this evening we also celebrate 50 years of the Foundation — whose support has been, and continues to be, integral to major projects across every GGS campus.

28/05/2026

Don’t miss our expert panel on The Business of AI at the 2026 OGG Business Breakfast on Wednesday 17 June at the RACV City Club, Bourke Street, Melbourne.

From today's chatbots to tomorrow's autonomous systems, our panellists will explore how AI is currently reshaping industries and how these advancements will redefine the future of work.

Panellists:
- David Bowser (Fr'90), CEO of Curio Group, and Chair of Geelong Grammar School Council,
- Imogen Smith-Waters (He'10), Privacy, Cyber Security & Online Safety Lawyer at Atlassian, and Member of the OGG Committee, and
- Marcus Woodhouse (FB'94), Head of Clients at Innovior

Registrations close Friday 5 June, unless sold out prior.
More information and bookings: https://loom.ly/xV-Cd28