- Autumn 2025
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- News of Old Trinity Grammarians
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News of Old Trinity Grammarians
Sam Geldard (OTG 2024) signed with UK-based professional cycling team, Zappi for 2025.
Liam Henderson (OTG 2021), who was the Trinity Firsts Hockey Captain and AGSV Hockey Captain in 2021, has been selected for the 2025 Kookaburras Australian Men’s’ Hockey team. He debuted for Australia in Sydney in the FIH Pro League, and was awarded ‘Player of the Match’ in his second game. The Kookaburras will tour Europe in June in preparation for World Cup Qualifiers in September.
Dr Ved Jithoo (OTG 2019) graduated from the University of Newcastle Medical School and commenced his internship at John Hunter Hospital early this year. Ved and his mother Sadhna recently took the time to reach out to those teachers at Trinity who had an impact on Ved and his family during their time at Trinity – a gesture most appreciated.
Sam Power (OTG 2001) has been appointed as Executive Manager Football – Men’s Football at the Western Bulldogs. Sam played eight AFL seasons for the Western Bulldogs and North Melbourne FC respectively, and has held several professional roles across the sector since, including in football operations and as club secretary.
A gathering of significant Trinitarians! Neil Williams (OTG 1964), Murray Verso (OTG 1966), Peter McIntyre (OTG 1943), Rick Tudor and Adrian Farrer in the McIntyre Gym earlier this year.
A SiSU Health Station will be available to the wider Trinity community in the McIntyre Gym during the month of May.
The health check machine is a quick, easy and free way to understand your cardiovascular disease and diabetes risk factors.
For more information visit otgonline.net
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In Memoriam
Wal Close (OTG 1955)
Wal was part of Trinity, both as a student (1948-1955) and as a teacher (1967-1997).
As a student, Wal was one of the Choir Boys that rehearsed at St Paul’s Cathedral each morning. The Choir Boys would return to Kew, missing the first two periods of school each day. Wal missed out on the maths and science classes which may have manoeuvred him towards his true passion: Geography. He finished his Year 12 as a Prefect. Wal’s ability was recognised with a government scholarship, and he pursued a Bachelor of Arts (Geography) and a Diploma of Education; teaching at Moe High School before returning to Trinity. He had many roles in his 30 years of service. He was a Geography Master, Head of Year Level Master, Boarding House Master, a Cricket Coach and Umpire, (kiss your Saturdays goodbye!) and Head of the Geography Department. His last job at TGS was as a Careers Advisor.
If you didn’t know him at school, you may have caught up with him at a Gold Mitre lunch. He was a regular attender.
Wal had a quality to engage with all those he worked with and taught. He saw generations of students pass through the school gates and all of them remember their time in “Mr Close’s Geography classes.” Two past students immortalised Wal when they opened a café in the Bourke St Mall, calling it “Mr Close.”
Outside Trinity, Wal was an exacting furniture maker and, in his retirement, a keen photographer, whose abilities were recognised with numerous awards.
Wal will be remembered not only for his expertise in his subject, but as a man of integrity, a believer in fairness and always reliable.
Barrie Grigg (OTG 1953)
Barrie was a very proud Trinity Grammarian and attended from 1948-51. Barrie loved all sports at the school and received colours for athletics. After Barrie graduated from Trinity, he served in the Australian Army from 1952-54.
Brian Hansford (OTG 1954)
Brian was a pupil at Trinity in 1953 and 1954 and always said that Trinity was the most rewarding and enjoyable school time he ever had, and that he attributed his future success in education to those two years at Trinity. He went on through various educational facilities to become a much-respected Emeritus Professor until his retirement from QUT in Queensland. He is survived by his beloved wife Jean and family.
Ian Mumme (OTG 1970)
Ian passed away in Esperance surrounded by family and friends at 72 years of age after battling cancer in December 2024. He attended Trinity from 1968 through to 1970 on a scholarship and was an excellent sportsman, he retained a love of sport throughout his life, particularly golf with a 10 handicap. After leaving Trinity he worked as a Jackaroo in Hay/Deniliquin areas, then properties in NSW, South Australia and Western Australia. He managed a sheep husbandry business in Moora and managed properties in Esperance before starting his own business. He enjoyed receiving the Grammarian and reading about all the developments at school which helped shape him. Ian is survived by his wife Bev, two children and grandchildren.
Rob Neish (OTG 1979)
Rob attended Trinity from 1973 and was named School Captain in 1979. During his time at school he enjoyed athletics, cross country and football, he was also named AGSV Captain of Athletics and awarded Trinity’s Rhodes Prize in 1979. Rob went on to have a wonderful career as a physiotherapist and lived in New Zealand.
Rob regularly made the trip to join his cohorts at Trinity reunions and recently attended an Old Trinity dinner in New Zealand. Sadly, Rob collapsed at a National Bowling Tournament in Auckland in January and could not be saved. Many of his Trinity friends and his brothers David (OTG 1976) and Peter (OTG 1987) gathered with Rob’s many friends to celebrate his life in January. Rob will be sadly missed by all who knew him.
All Soul's Day
Senior Chaplain, Bryn Jones welcomes all members of the Trinity Community to join him for All Soul’s Day on Sunday 2 November from 4.00pm in the
Chapel of the Holy Trinity.
This is an opportunity remember loved ones who have died and hold them in our prayers. This will be a reflective liturgy with opportunities for
silence and to light a candle.
If you want your loved one(s) remembered in the prayers, please email Rev Bryn Jones their name(s) at
jonesb@trinity.vic.edu.au
