In Memoriam

Neil Cash (OTG 1946)

Neil, late of Castlemaine, passed away in 2024. Neil’s sons David (OTG 1979) and Jonathon (OTG 1984) also attended Trinity, as did Neil’s father (Alan) Mick (OTG 1915).

Robert Coles (OTG 1951)

Robert was born to Sir Edgar and Dame Mabel Coles at Kew in 1934, and was always destined to follow his father into the family retail business. He had a happy childhood in Kew, and later in Mt Eliza when the family moved there. Robert had contracted polio around 1945 and was fortunate to have survived, although he was not too badly affected, it stayed with him his whole life.

Rob joined the family business, learning the ropes in all areas including accounting, housing, buying, maintenance, planning and strategy. He retired in 1988 after many years on the Board.

He is survived by his wife and their four children.

Rob’s family describe him as gentleman who was intelligent, articulate and always had a kind word. He loved Collingwood, and was a longtime member of the Melbourne Cricket Club, the RACV Club, the Athenaeum Club and the Peninsula Country Golf Club. He loved swimming, which he took to after his childhood polio affected his sporting choices.

Rob felt that he was personally called out of the crowd by Billy Graham at the Myer Music Bowl crusade in 1959 and he committed his life to Christ, becoming a longtime member and Elder of Mornington Baptist Church. Rob died peacefully in May 2024, surrounded by his family and we thank them for providing details for Robert’s obituary.

Warwick Dalton (OTG 1968)

Warwick commenced at Trinity in 1958 and left in 1968.

He was a St Paul’s Cathedral Chorister from 1959 to 1965. He learnt the piano at Trinity, and while having diverse interests after school, maintained a strong connection with keyboard instruments. He played in several bands while at school and then joined Jonny O’Keefe’s backing band after school, later becoming JOK’s musical director. After JOK he was musical director at the Melbourne Rocky Horror Show.

Following Rocky Horror, he moved to the then Northern Melbourne Institute of Tafe’s Piano Technology Department, later running the course for several years. He spent the rest of his working life working in this field – while still playing in bands. He was a life member, and past president, of the Piano Tuners & Technicians Guild Victoria.

Warwick was married to Creenagh and had two sons, Lee and Jack. Warwick’s brother, Roger, also attended Trinity, along with as well as Roger’s three sons, James, Andrew and Ben. Our thanks go to Roger for providing the obituary for Warwick.

Michael Hunt (OTG 1972)

Michael sadly passed away in June 2025. Michael is survived by his brother Gordon (OTG 1977).

Victor Ryder (OTG 1945)

Victor, late of Kingscliff NSW, sadly passed away in February 2025 aged 96. He often spoke about his time at Trinity as being a wonderful time in his life.

George Wood (OTG 1948)

George attended Trinity from 1946 to 1948 as a student before returning in the early 1950s after university as a valued member of the Trinity staff. For over 25 years, George engaged in wide range of activities and held many responsible positions, culminating in that of Senior Master since 1965. Before that time he had been a Form Master, House Master, Senior Maths and Science Master, Senior Resident Master, and Assistant Senior Master, and on occasion, Acting Headmaster. He coached cricket and tennis teams and for a number of years and stage-managed the Trinity-Ruyton plays. George was known to be a steading influence on students and perceived to be fair in his decisions whilst maintaining a high level of achievement.

George departed Trinity in 1975 when he was appointed as Principal of Yarra Valley Grammar in 1976 where he served until 1993 as a distinguished and prominent leader. Yarra Valley’s performing arts centre is named the George Wood Performing Arts Centre.
George is also a member of the Trinity Gallery of Achievement in recognition of his service to Education.

Bernie Byers

Bernie was a member of staff 1967-92 who taught Drama, French and Hospitality at Trinity. Bernie’s funeral was held in our Chapel of the Holy Trinity in June and was attended by many current and former staff and Old Trinity Grammarians. Bernie was born in 1927 in the United States and moved to Australia permanently in 1971, just as the White Australia Policy ended. Bernie’s most interesting life has been documented on ABC radio which may be of interest to many who knew him.