In Memoriam

It is with deep sadness that we share the news of the passing of the following members of the Trinity community. Our condolences to their family and friends.

Old Trinity Grammarians

Geoff Broadbent (OTG 1959) was a regular attendee at the annual Gold Mitre Lunch and a member of Henty House. His son James (OTG 1983) also attended Trinity.

Ronald Clough (OTG 1949) commenced Trinity in 1946. He was a member of Henty House and was also Dux of Maths and Science in 1949. He sadly passed in October 2025.

Derek Cosburn (OTG 1956) attended Trinity as a St Paul’s Chorister in 1949 and was a member of Merritt House. Until his passing, he was still active in various singing and Barbershop Harmony groups.

John Crane (OTG 1961) commenced at Trinity in the Junior School in 1951 and was a member of Arnold House. He spent his entire career working at Network 10 as their Chief Electrical Engineer.

Trevor Fiander (OTG 1962) was a regular at the Gold Mitre Lunches and enjoyed catching up with his school friends. He was also a member of Arnold House and was in the Trinity swim team at school.

Andrew Campbell (OTG 1960)

Bernard Eddy (OTG 1961), 1961 School Captain, recalls he met Andy on the prep school oval in the second week of February 1948.“He was carrying a small black board. He had been drawing popular cars of the day, so I asked him to sketch a 1939 Chevrolet as my father drove a light green model. Later in life, he was quite an accomplished artist using oil-based paints. He introduced me to his friend Ian Armstrong, their families lived quite close to each other.”

Andrew Campbell, Ian Armstrong, Michael Eager.

Ian Armstrong (OTG 1960) shared this reflection of his longtime friend, Andrew:

Bernard Eddy (School Captain 1961) rang to advise of the passing of our dear colleague J Andrew Campbell. We three went right through all years at TGS. Andrew and I started in 1949 aged 5 and did matric in 1960. Andy did Medicine at Melbourne Uni and became lead paediatrician in NSW. I did commerce at Melbourne Uni. I still remember Andy taking me into the lab where they were carving up corpses. Oh the smell! Bernard and I have been good friends over nearly 80 years and have regular phone calls discussing Trinity matters. Andy and l lived in Hawthorn around the corner from each other and spent much time together especially over holidays. I used to breed silk worms and the future doctor Andrew observed. – Those eggs laid by the moth will be no good as they have not been paralized’. Of course he should have said fertilised. So sad to lose a dear friend of old!

James Curtis-Smith (OTG 1960) commenced his TGS journey in the prep school in 1948 and was a member of Roberts House. Although he spent many years in the Philippines as an active member of the community and as a barrister and solicitor, he was able to attend the Gold Mitre Lunch just a few years ago.

Richard Freeman OBE (OTG 1954 and member of the Gallery of Achievement) sadly passed away in January of 2026. After teaching at Melbourne University in the 1960s, Richard left Australia to work with the OECD as an economist, living in the UK ever since. Richard was inducted into the Gallery of Achievement for his services as an economist, having been an economic advisor to the British Government; Head of Division at the OECD and awarded an OBE for services to industry.

Craig Gamble (OTG 1971) sadly passed away in September 2025.

Graeme Hotton (OTG 1956) enjoyed attending the Gold Mitre Lunch regularly. At school, he was a member of Henty House. He later enjoyed a long career as an accountant. Graeme’s brother Bruce and Graeme’s two sons also attended Trinity.

Gary Knight (OTG 1969) attended Trinity as a boarder from Maffra from 1966 to 1969. He was a member of Arnold House. He returned to work in Primary Industry, most recently in the Stratford area.

James Kritsonis (OTG 1987) attended Trinity for two years, along with his twin brother and best friend, George. He made many lifelong friends.

Craig Gamble (OTG 1971) sadly passed away in September 2025.

Gary Knight (OTG 1969) attended Trinity as a boarder from Maffra from 1966 to 1969. He was a member of Arnold House. He returned to work in Primary Industry, most recently in the Stratford area.

James Kritsonis (OTG 1987) attended Trinity for two years, along with his twin brother and best friend, George. He made many lifelong friends.

Ian Parker Sichlau (OTG 1968) was a Trinity boarder and sadly passed away at his family farm on Australia Day. Ian is survived by his wife Patricia, his son Benjamin and daughter Bethany.

Patrick West (OTG 1985) passed away suddenly in September 2025. He was an active school community member, especially enjoying camps at Lake Eppalock, cricket and hockey. After travelling and studying, he completed his PhD in English Literature at the University of Melbourne in 1995 and went on to teach in Australia and China before returning to Melbourne to join Deakin’s School of Communication and Creative Arts.

A gifted writer, Patrick’s short fiction appeared in Antipodes, Cracking the Spine, Best Australian Stories and other publications. He championed independent Australian literary publishing, and his works include the collection The World Swimmers and the recent Architectures of Occupation in the Australian Short Story.

Patrick is survived by his partner Cher, children LanTian and Brando, parents Alan and Gwenda, and siblings Timothy (OTG 1986) and Fiona (Ruyton 1988).

Michael Liu (OTG 1989)

Michael Liu (OTG 1989) – attended Trinity from 1984 to 1989 and was Dux of his final year. Michael led a full, engaged and impactful life, though he faced, and repeatedly overcame, significant health challenges from September 2014 onwards. He was farewelled in a heartfelt service, attended by over 360 people, held at Holy Trinity Kew. Michael is survived by his wife Rebecca Liu and their children Oscar (OTG 2022), Leni and Yvette.

Michael was a devoted family man at heart; he worked tirelessly to support his migrant grandparents (Frank and Wai Sau) and parents (Barry and Judy), his four sisters (Vicki, Sally, Kerry and Michelle), and his own family. After graduating BCom LLB (Hons) from the University of Melbourne in 1994, he began his legal career at Arthur Robinson & Hedderwicks (now Allens), leaving soon after to pursue a career in investment banking. Until 2014, Michael held several senior investment banking positions at Macquarie Bank, and later at UBS. When you next drive along the Exhibition Street extension, or past the Port of Melbourne, think of Michael, because he helped to arrange funding for both of them. He worked across Australia, Malaysia, New Zealand and Singapore, and in New York, only one month after the events of 9/11.

In 2014, while Michael was out running one morning, he suffered a cardiac arrest in the street and was saved by a chain of strangers who performed CPR until the fireys and paramedics arrived to take him to St Vincent’s. He had a defib implanted, and just got on with things, leaving investment banking for a stint as Country Director for Australia, then later Head of APAC for WorldRemit, a London-based fintech company founded in 2010 to support migrants. In that role, he worked directly with people from places including Mauritius, the Philippines, Singapore, Malaysia, New Zealand, Pakistan, Africa, France and the United Kingdom. He then held roles with organisations including 5i Capital, Affinity Private, Bendigo Bank and Foresters Financial, culminating in him co-founding a fintech startup, Aerotruth, and holding several non-executive director roles with esteemed colleagues from the Law Institute of Victoria, BankVic (where he was appointed Chair in 2025), ASX-listed WQG, Defence Health, and Odola.

Because Michael was a fiercely private man with a sky-high pain threshold, many who knew or worked with him had no idea that he’d survived multiple stints in the ICUs of the Alfred and Cabrini hospitals, including on life support, was managing a chronic autoimmune condition, and had commenced chemotherapy treatment for lymphoma in October 2025. Short of being hooked up to a machine, Michael would not have let you down. He was an incredibly strong, brave, and resilient man. His only fear was not being around for his family.

Michael passed away at Cabrini Malvern on the night of Sunday, 25 January 2026. His family had fully expected him to walk out of hospital the way he always did, and remain shocked and heartbroken at the enormity of their loss. He was a passionate supporter of the Carlton Football Club and has been laid to rest in a beautiful, grassy, sunny spot in Melbourne General Cemetery, just metres from his beloved Princes Park, within earshot of the sirens and the roar of the crowd on game days.

“A good friend and colleague, and trusted counsel to many; also a cherished husband, father, son, grandson, brother, nephew, cousin and uncle. Always with us. Forever loved and missed.”

John McIlwain (OTG 1962) – John was a Leader of the 2nd Kew Scouts and Merritt Boarding House Master in 1971. John passed away after a long illness and is survived by his wife Jenny and daughters Lisa and Karie. John’s father, John (OTG 1938) also attended Trinity as a St Paul’s Chorister.

Peter Ringersma (OTG 1963) – a student at Trinity from 1960 to 63 and a regular attendee at the annual Gold Mitre lunch, sadly passed away in November 2025. He leaves behind a wife, three loving daughters, two stepsons and four grandsons. He will be greatly missed.

Peter Russell (OTG 1965) – Peter passed away peacefully in October 2025, after a short illness, aged 77. Peter was a boarder from the age of 11 through to the completion of his schooling. A respected and well-known member of the Borough of Queenscliff and the Moorabool communities, Peter made a lasting contribution to both business and public life.

He was the proud owner of Russell’s Department Store in Bacchus Marsh and later continued his passion for local enterprise through Leopold News & Lotto. Deeply committed to his community, Peter served as both Councillor and Mayor of Moorabool Shire and also held a short councillorship with the Borough of Queenscliff. He was an active member of the Rotary and Probus Clubs, embodying the spirit of service throughout his life.

Ian Parker Sichlau (OTG 1968) – Ian was a Trinity boarder and sadly passed away at his family farm on Australia Day. Ian is survived by his wife Patricia, his son Benjamin and daughter Bethany.

Patrick West (OTG 1985) – passed away suddenly in September 2025. He was an active school community member, especially enjoying camps, cricket and hockey. After travelling and studying, he completed his PhD in English Literature at the University of Melbourne in 1995 and went on to teach in Australia and China before returning to Melbourne to join Deakin’s School of Communication and Creative Arts.

Patrick is survived by his partner Cher, children LanTian and Brando, parents Alan and Gwenda, and siblings Timothy (OTG 1986) and Fiona (Ruyton 1988).

Former staff

Ray Woods (1931–2026) was a former Senior Art Master and Head of Junior School. Raymond Edward “Ray” Woods was a much-loved staff member whose influence shaped generations of Trinity students and staff.

Ray passed away peacefully on February 14. He was farewelled at a memorial service at Holy Trinity Kew by a large contingent of family and friends, including many present and former Trinity staff and students.

Ray joined Trinity in 1968 as an art teacher and would go on to serve the school with distinction for more than two decades. His passion for teaching, his creativity and curiosity about the world made him a distinctive and deeply respected figure within the Trinity community.

As an educator, he believed art was not simply a subject, but a way of seeing, and he encouraged his students to observe closely, think independently and express themselves with confidence.

Ray taught across year levels and played a significant role in shaping art education within the school. He contributed to senior HSC examinations while also immersing himself in the life of the Junior School, painting stage sets for productions and fostering a creative spirit that extended far beyond the classroom.

As Head of the Junior School, he brought the same thoughtful approach to leadership that defined his teaching. Deeply interested in people, he created an environment where both students and teachers felt valued. He will be remembered for his curiosity, kindness and cheeky humour.

Ray’s love of art and education never truly ended with his retirement from Trinity in 1990. He continued teaching and sharing his knowledge of watercolour painting, printmaking and drawing with adults and children across the Geelong and Surf Coast communities, remaining active in exhibitions and art education well into his later years.

Outside the classroom, Ray had wide-ranging passions. Travel opened his eyes to the broader world and remained a lifelong interest, as did music, galleries, and the natural beauty of Victoria’s coastline.

Yet those who knew Ray best will also remember his warmth. Together with his beloved wife Marion, who passed away in mid-2025, they hosted many memorable Trinity staff gatherings and their hospitality was legendary.

After retirement, Ray and Marion moved to Moggs Creek on the Surf Coast. Ray’s mantra was to swim every morning (for at least three waves) and paint a picture every day.

Autumn 2026