In Memoriam

Philip Bernadou (OTG 1963) enjoyed his time at Trinity, and perhaps even more so, the OTGA Mitre gatherings. Raised by a father who raced in the 1929 Australian Grand Prix and later rubbed shoulders with motor sporting legends like Jack Brabham and Stirling Moss, Philip was destined for motorsport.

He chaired the Young Motorists (RACV) from 1972 to 1974. In the 1980s, he introduced Victorians to Weber BBQs. A class-winning Porsche driver, Philip co-founded the Australian Porsche Owners Racing Association (PORA) in 1987. PORA ran as an Australian Grand Prix support race (1988–1992), laying the foundation for the Porsche Carrera Cup Australia.

Philip later administered major rallies, inspiring the Classic Outback Trial (2009–2022). From 2022 to 2026, he and Ian Swan (OTG 1965) helped run Victoria’s Targa Florio and Targa Classica events.

A passionate, caring man and motorsport fixture, Philip is deeply missed.

Rochford Devenish-Meares (OTG 1967) attended Trinity for his final year, having moved from Launceston Grammar. Rochford had a football career which took him to both the Victorian and Western Australian leagues. He played eight senior games for Hawthorn in the VFL during 1968, before joining Subiaco, where he played 43 WANFL matches between 1973 and 1978 and was a member of the Lions’ 1973 premiership team.

For many years, his full name, Rochford John Devenish-Meares, was regarded as the longest name of any player to have appeared in VFL/AFL football.

Anthony (Tony) Hargreaves (OTG 1972) At school Tony was a smart, slightly unconventional guy with the air of someone who humbly knew a bit more of what was going on than most. He played sport, bushwalked and was into anything musical – orchestras, choirs, musicals, lunchtime jam sessions and the pioneering school rock band “Just Us”.

After finishing year 12 in 1972 Tony pursued a career in the performing arts establishing himself as a highly regarded musician, band leader, musical director, record producer and sound engineer as well as a mentor and friend to many in the Melbourne music scene.

Probably best known his work with bands like The Whirling Furphies, Tony was also instrumental in establishing the Brunswick Music Festival and the record label Brunswick Recordings. Less well known is his involvement with Circus Oz, touring internationally in the 1980s.

Tony was a wonderful collaborator, whether working in bands and recording studios or as artist-in-residence writing songs with kids in aboriginal communities.

Thank you Tony. You are well remembered and will be greatly missed.

Thanks to Bruce Rigby (OTG 1972) for his thoughtful tribute.

Charles Hegarty (OTG 2002) Charlie was an avid flying enthusiast; his passion for aviation drove many chapters of his life. He derived great joy from his friendships, many of which began during his years at Trinity.

Adventurous, intrepid, refreshingly spontaneous, loyal and endlessly living life to the fullest, his good nature and kind heart were undeniable to anyone who met him.

Everyone who knew Charles could conjure up an unforgettable story about him or their adventures
together. Through his uniqueness, positivity, and authentic nature, Charles had a gift for connecting people from all walks of life – and those stories will continue to bring us together for years to come. That was Charles’ true gift to us all. He will be deeply missed.

“The best kind of people are the ones who come into your life, make you see the sun where you once saw clouds, and leave you with a hundred stories to tell.” – A.A. Milne

Thanks to Charlie’s good friend, James Milner (OTG 2002), for his thoughtful obituary.

Robert Utter (Past Parent and Chair of School Council)

Robert Eric Utter, aged 76, was born in Worcester, Massachusetts, and later lived in Kew and Buxton, died peacefully at home on 5 October 2026 after a long battle with pulmonary fibrosis. A memorial service was held in the Trinity Chapel on 5 November 2026. Robert was known to many in the Trinity community from his time as a parent to Adrian (OTG 1995) and James (OTG 2004), then as a member (1996-2018) and Chairman of the School Council, and more recently as a grandparent to William, Year 5.

Highlights of his tenure on the Trinity Council included Council’s appointment of Rick Tudor as Headmaster, involvement in the master-planning for the former Kew City Council offices, now Peter Crawley Centre for the Arts, the purchase of camp locations at Licola and Nillahcootie, and his speech night orations.

As a Chair and member of Council, Robert was well know for his unfailing interest in, and enthusiasm for, the life and programs of the school. He was highly respected, for his warmth, his genuine concern for people, his gentle sense of humour and his persistent seeking after excellence. Within the broader school community, he was recognised as being a true builder of relationships. He was a lifelong supporter – and sometime practitioner – of the arts, including painting, sculpture, poetry, theatre and music. He found ways to contribute his time and skills to his community, be it volunteering time to Trinity, raising funds to establish the Harvard Club of Australia (Vic) scholarship, putting on plays and readings at the Savage Club or his enduring admiration for, and facilitation of, wife Louise’s exhibitions and other creative pursuits.

He was much cheered in recent months by visits from friends in the Trinity community and remained optimistic until the very end, reflecting on a life well-lived, surrounded by loved ones.

Robert will be greatly missed by his family and friends.

“When you do things from your soul,
You feel a river moving in you, a joy.”
Jalal ad-Din Mohammad Rumi