The Old Melburnians

After years of teaching in Australia and the UK, James Harrod (OM 2006) is back at Melbourne Grammar School, where his journey began. Now Head of Perry House, he’s passionate about building trust and a caring culture in the boarding community.

Read how James is ensuring students feel supported to excel in all aspects of their lives here: https://news.mgs.vic.edu.au/building-a-culture-of-trust-and-kindness/



Old Melburnians in the New York area are warmly invited to join the New York Branch Summer Drinks on Friday 16 August 2024.

Organised by our newest Old Melburnian Branch Ambassadors, Bill Liu (OM 2016) and Ben Hoskins (OM 2017), this event will be a wonderful opportunity for you to catch up with friends and make new connections.

Time: 6.00pm - late
Venue: Joe's Pub, 425 Lafayette Street, New York City, NY
Cost: Free of charge

Register now: https://mgs.ptly.com/NewYorkSummerDrinks



Tonight we cheer on Joel Baden (OM 2014), who will compete in the Men's High Jump at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. This is Joel's second time representing Australia at the Olympics.

A multiple national champion, Joel has previously made impressive leaps and we look forward to great things from him this time around.

The Men's High Jump Qualification round will start at 6.05pm tonight, 7 August (AEST).



Congratulations to Old Melburnian Jess Morrison (OM 2010) on earning a bronze medal in the Women’s Coxless Pair at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games!

This is Jess's second Olympic medal, winning Gold in the Women’s Coxless Four at the 2021 Tokyo Olympic Games.

Well done on this incredible achievement!

Jess is pictured with rowing teammate, Annabelle McIntyre.



The 2024 OM Exchange program has officially commenced.

It was great to see more than 70 Old Melburnians at the program launch workshops, both in-person and online. The workshops were a fantastic opportunity to meet other mentors and mentees involved in this year’s program and to hear about the transformative impact of mentoring.

Thank you to facilitator and coach Carlo Santoro (OM 1987) for leading these workshops.



Not only is Old Melburnian Jack Robertson (OM 2016) an exceptional rower, he balances his sporting commitments with academic success, winning numerous awards in both fields during his time at the University of California (Berkeley).

And while undertaking postgraduate studies at the University of Oxford he was a member of the crew that won the prestigious Boat Race against Cambridge.

We will be cheering on Jack and fellow Old Melburnians Fergus Hamilton (OM 2017) and Tim Masters (OM 2009) as they represent Australia at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, racing in the Men’s Coxless Four.

Final reminder that heats for the event start at 8.50pm on Sunday 28 July (AEST).

Read Jack’s story to success here: https://news.mgs.vic.edu.au/bringing-a-crew-together-to-make-history/



Old Melburnian Tim Masters (OM 2009) will head to the 2024 Paris Olympic Games with the experience of rowing at the 2021 Toyko Games under his belt.

A national champion, Tim has won numerous medals at international level over the years. He also stroked the Princeton University crew to some big wins during his time studying there.

At Paris, Tim will compete in the Men's Coxless Four with fellow Old Melburnians, Fergus Hamilton (OM 2017) and Jack Robertson (OM 2016).

In case you missed it, heats for the event start at 8.50pm on Sunday 28 July (AEST). Best of luck Tim, Fergus and Jack!

Read more about Tim's Olympic story here: https://news.mgs.vic.edu.au/an-olympic-journey-marked-by-determination-and-grit/



Old Melburnian Fergus Hamilton (OM 2017) won his first International Rowing Championship when he was just 17. After a stellar career at Yale University, including serving as Captain of the Rowing team, he heads into the 2024 Paris Olympic Games with strength and well-deserved confidence.

Fergus will be racing in the Men's Coxless Four with fellow Old Melburnians Tim Masters (OM 2009) and Jack Robertson (OM 2016). 

Heats for the event start at 8.50pm on Sunday 28 July (AEST). We will be cheering them on with the rest of the Melbourne Grammar School community!

Read more about Fergus's rowing career in the lead up to the Paris Games here: https://news.mgs.vic.edu.au/a-committed-rower-becomes-an-outstanding-leader/



Best of luck, Jess Morrison AO (OM 2010). We will be cheering you with the rest of the Melbourne Grammar School community!

Heading into her third Olympics with one gold medal already to her name, Old Melburnian Jess Morrison AO is looking forward to her next challenge - winning gold in the Women's Coxless Pair at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.

The heats start at 6.30pm on Sunday 28 July (AEST). Join the rest of the Melbourne Grammar School community and cheer her on!

You can read about Jess's journey to the Games here: https://news.mgs.vic.edu.au/a-new-challenge-for-one-of-our-olympic-greats/

Watch out for posts about our other Old Melburnian Paris Olympians in the following days.



There were a number of great sporting achievements over the school holidays. Congratulations!

Year 12 boarding student, Duncan Jackson captained the Victorian team in their Gold Medal win at the 2024 Hockey Australia Boys U18 Championships.

Along with Nicholas Mordes (OM 2023), Year 12 student, Daniel Magasanik represented Australia in the World Aquatics Men’s U18 Water Polo Championships 2024. Australia finished 10th out of 20 countries.

And Year 12 boarding student, Sam Marshall was selected in the AFL National Championships U18 Boys All Australian Team. 



The July 2024 edition of Grammar News is now available online. This edition includes features on our five Old Melburnian Olympians, boarding at Melbourne Grammar, Old Melburnians working at sporting icons, and some of the ideas shaping the School.

Access Grammar News here: https://news.mgs.vic.edu.au/edition-148-july-2024/

Congratulations Joel Baden (OM 2014) on your Olympic selection. We will be cheering you on!

Applications for The Old Melburnians Dick Cotton Fund close in less than a week - on Monday 15 July 2024.

With a cash grant of up to $5000, the Fund provides Old Melburnians with the support and encouragement to act for the benefit of others. Funds can be used for training, study, travel or other expenses related to a project or volunteer work.

Find more information and apply here: https://mgs.vic.edu.au/community/old-melburnians/dick-cotton-fund



Applications to The Old Melburnians Dick Cotton Fund close soon.

With a cash grant of up to $5000, the Fund provides Old Melburnians with the support and encouragement to act for the benefit of others. Funds can be used for training, study, travel or other expenses related to a project or volunteer work.

Find more information and apply here: https://mgs.vic.edu.au/community/old-melburnians/dick-cotton-fund



Applications for the 2024 OM Exchange program are now open!

This new and improved mentoring program will run from July 2024 to early 2025, pairing Old Melburnians in a mentoring relationship, matched specifically on career pathways and/or professional expertise.

This year, the Old Melburnians will be offering two streams of mentoring: One-to-One Professional Mentoring, as in previous years, and a new Business-to-Business Mentoring stream.

For more information and to apply online: https://mgs.vic.edu.au/community/old-melburnians/om-exchange

Applications close on Wednesday 17 July.



What a fantastic night! The Old Melburnians Annual Dinner at Zinc was a wonderful evening of connection, entertainment and fine food.

This year's Annual Dinner celebrated cricket at the School. A panel interview featuring special guests Paul Sheahan AM, Tim Morris (OM 1981), and Alex Keath (OM 2010), conducted by Ian Cover OAM, was just one of the many highlights.

We hope everyone enjoyed reconnecting with friends and teachers, and sharing memories of their time at Melbourne Grammar School.



We are aware that you may have friends or family members in the area who are considering a boarding school education for their son and invite you to forward the information onto them.

Of course, if you are in the area, Belinda would be glad to see you too.

Our Director of Boarding, Belinda Annan, will be in Wagga Wagga, NSW from Thursday 20 June to Saturday 22 June 2024.

If you are in the area and would like to discuss the possibility of enrolling your child at Melbourne Grammar School, please contact us to set up a personal appointment via [email protected].

Belinda will also be at the Boarding Schools Expo on Friday 21 June and Saturday 22 June and we encourage you to visit the Melbourne Grammar School stand.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Tanya Dontas (OM 2007), co-founder of the online volunteering marketplace Vollie, has redefined how people can contribute to non-profits by removing physical barriers and offering project-based tasks for skilled professionals.

Inspired by her values learned at Grimwade House, Tanya's commitment to giving back is reflected in her ongoing efforts to mentor startups and support her community.

Read the full article here: https://news.mgs.vic.edu.au/redefining-volunteering-in-a-digital-age/



Tickets to next Friday’s Old Melburnians Annual Dinner are still available until midnight tomorrow! Book now here: https://mgs.ptly.com/AnnualDinner2024

A big shout out to our generous sponsors Nick Johnstone Real Estate, Affinda, and S-Trend Sportswear.

It is great to see so many Old Melburnians returning to the School to speak to the students.

This morning Melbourne Grammar welcomed past boarding student and AFL great, Steven May (OM 2010), to the School. Steven spoke to students from Rusden House about his time at the School and his AFL career playing for the Gold Coast Suns and Melbourne Football Club.

Steven also gave some great advice to the students about remaining open to all possibilities.

Less than one week left to book for the 2024 Old Melburnians Annual Dinner. Join us this year as we celebrate the 148-year history of cricket at Melbourne Grammar School on Friday 14 June from 7.00pm at Zinc, Melbourne’s premier riverside event venue.

Enjoy some photos from last year's Annual Dinner to give you a glimpse of the night.

Book online by Thursday 6 June 2024 here: https://mgs.ptly.com/AnnualDinner2024



There is still time to book for tomorrow's Community Speaker Series with Joe Hewett (OM 1993).

As Principal of Shepherdson College, a bilingual, bi-cultural school on remote Northern Territory, Joe will share unique and insightful tales as we build a stronger path to Reconciliation across Australia.

Book your ticket here: https://mgs.ptly.com/CSSMay

Date: Tuesday 28 May 2024
Time: 7.00pm - 8.00pm
Venue: Higgins Theatrette, Nigel Peck Centre for Learning and Leadership, Melbourne Grammar School
Cost: Free of charge. Bookings are essential.



What an incredible win! Congratulations to the 1st XVIII football team on holding strong and winning an absolute nail biter against Scotch College in the Cordner-Egglston Cup. It was truly a game for the ages.

2024 Cordner-Eggleston Cup scores:

Melbourne Grammar 12.3 (75)
Scotch College 9.19 (73)



A steward of nature, Leon Costermans OAM (OM 1950) has been dedicated to exploring and preserving the beauty of Victoria's bushland for more than 70 years.

Botanist, geologist, educationalist and conservationist, Leon has published a number of books on the Australian environment and in 2024 was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia ‘for service to conservation and the environment’.

Read the full article here: https://news.mgs.vic.edu.au/a-lifetime-of-natures-work-recognised/



Old Melburnians are invited to get involved in the annual Bruce House fundraising event on Sunday 2 June. 

Funds will be raised to support charities that feed the homeless across Melbourne.
 
If you are interested in being involved and for more information, please contact Anthony Taranto, Head of Bruce House, at [email protected]

At the sold-out Business Breakfast last Friday, more than 100 Old Melburnians, their guests and current Melbourne Grammar School Year 12 students gathered over breakfast to hear from Tim Toner (OM 1999), Founder and CEO of Affinda, one of Australia’s leading AI companies.

We extend our thanks to Tim for generously sharing his insights on the advances of AI and its future impact on businesses.

Secure your seats at the next event for Old Melburnians, the 2024 Annual Dinner on 14 June. Book now: https://mgs.ptly.com/AnnualDinner2024


Melbourne Grammar welcomed former boarding student, Ryley Sanders (OM 2023), to Grimwade House to speak to the Year 6 students.

Drafted to the Western Bulldogs last year, Ryley answered questions from the students, providing insight into his AFL journey and time at the School.



Electric vehicles (EVs) are no longer science fiction, and this Old Melburnian has been preparing for their roll-out for over a decade.

Tim Washington (OM 2001) anticipated the EV revolution in Australia and founded JET Charge, Australia's leading EV infrastructure provider.

With a focus on societal impact and innovation, Tim's journey is a testament to perseverance and foresight, offering a glimpse into the future of sustainable transportation.

Read the full article here: https://news.mgs.vic.edu.au/preparing-for-the-electric-revolution/



This year, we've already enjoyed welcoming over 500 Old Melburnians back to Melbourne Grammar for their reunions.

We can't wait to invite the Class of 2023 to their One Year Reunion later this year.

If you haven't done so already, be sure to view the collection of photos from your reunion via OMLink, the Old Melburnians online platform.