THE TIES THAT BIND

Farewell to Ms Wendy Scotter

Ms Wendy Scotter was the ‘voice’ of the Old Sydneians. She worked within the School’s Archives Office updating information of alumni, organising reunions, working the phones, fielding enquiries or just having a chat to Old Sydneians. Wendy retired at the end of 2024 after over twenty years of service to the Sydney Grammar School community and she will be sorely missed.

On Friday 22 November 2024, about seventy Old Sydneians attended a farewell gathering for Wendy Scotter at the Phoenix Hotel in Woollahra. Representatives from all the decades since 1950 had the opportunity to thank Wendy for her wonderful efforts helping alumni since 2001.

Pictured: Ms Wendy Scotter and Ms Sharon Ditmarsch in the Community Office

1. Wedny Scotter and Sharon Ditmarsch.JPG

GPS Gold Challenge

The GPS Gold Challenge is a reunion of GPS schoolboys taking place around the time when they turn 50. Late last year the classes of 1991 and 1992 took part in nine different sporting events, culminating in a dinner and debate.

Sports included rowing, rifle shooting, golf, touch rugby, basketball, indoor cricket, tennis, swimming, athletics, and football (soccer) making its debut this year. Most sports (plus the dinner) were held at Newington College, but the six-a-side football was at Weigall.

In all, 651 old boys across all GPS schools took part in a wonderful reunion disguised as a sporting carnival and doubled as a fundraiser for ‘Redkite’. Grammar fielded a team of 73 across both years, winning the 1991 and 1992 touch rugby competitions. Once all results were aggregated, Grammar 1991 placed fourth and Grammar 1992 placed second, with the army of Old Ignatians triumphing in both years.

In October 2026, the classes of 1993 and 1994 will get the opportunity to participate in their GPS Gold Challenge.

Pictured: The victorious 1992 Grammar Touch Rugby team

Old Sydneians at a charity event

On Saturday 15 February 2025 the Chinese New Year was celebrated by a variety of Old Sydneians at a charity event for ‘Giant Steps’ at the Sky Phoenix Restaurant. For many years, Sylvia Yeung, mother of Nicholas Tsang (OS 2022), has been involved with Giant Steps, which helps educate and provide support for children and young adults with autism and other disabilities. The event raised $40,000.

Alumni shine on New York’s cricket scene

Five Sydney Grammar School alumni have brought Australia’s sporting spirit to the Big Apple. As members of the New York Kookaburras Cricket Club, this group of Aussies has created a slice of home while managing busy professional lives.

The Kookaburras recently claimed victory in the fiercely contested World Series League 35-over competition, played on Saturdays in the Bronx. Playing on matting wickets and facing off against a melting pot of expats from South Asia, England and the Caribbean, the team’s success was driven by the leadership of Jake List and Nick Kelland, who support the club’s administration and on-field strategies.

A highlight for the Kookaburras was having games officiated by Steve Bucknor, the legendary retired ICC umpire, who now calls New York home.

But the Kookaburras are more than just a cricket team – they are a supportive community for Australian expats seeking connection and camaraderie. Actively recruiting fellow Aussies with a love of cricket, they offer a welcoming home for Sydney Grammar School alumni far from their roots. Old Sydneians moving to New York are encouraged to reach out to Nick Kelland (nick. kelland96@gmail.com) to join the club.

Pictured L-R: Yash Diwan (OS 2013), Amiya Diwan (OS 2009), Jake List (OS 2004), Nick Kelland (OS 2014) and Patrick Kelland (OS 2012)

Old Sydneian in the spotlight

Ronald Vowden Davies (OS 1958-9) has been a member of the Sydney Cricket Ground team for over twenty years, and he thoroughly enjoys guiding groups around the famous arena. In his younger days, Ron was an ABC Sports commentator, and he called the last rugby union test held at the SCG (1986) before the original Allianz Stadium opened.

The Annual John Duffy Rugby Lunch

The first John Duffy Rugby Lunch was held in 2014 to celebrate 50 years since Ian Edwards appointed him First XV Coach. The latest and tenth gathering took place on Friday 8 November 2024 at Doyles, Watsons Bay.

Pictured L-R: Tim Ross, Tony Wehby, James Barkell, Michael Soulos, Tony de Saxe, Richard Allsop, Jim Cattlin, Peter Gibby, Denis Hillary, David Louden, Dave Raffan, Robert Barry, Vic Keller, Stuart Murray. (Absent for photo John Sample)

Class of 1984 – The 40-Year Reunion was held on Friday 18 October 2024 at North Bondi Surf Club.

Class of 1994 – The 30-Year Reunion was held on Friday 18 October 2024 at College Street.

Class of 2004 – The 20-Year Reunion was held on Saturday 19 October 2024 at College Street.

Class of 2014 – The 10-Year Reunion was held on Saturday 26 October 2024 at College Street.

1950–57 Old Sydneians’ Lunch – This lunch was held on Wednesday 13 November 2024 in the Alastair Mackerras Theatre.

Australia Day Awards 2025

Congratulations to the following Old Sydneians:

Medal (OAM) of the Order of Australia in the General Division

John BOWIE WILSON OAM (OS 1961)
For service to the financial sector

Daniel DREYFUS OAM (OS 1973)
For service to the community through charitable organisations

Have your contact details changed?

For more news on Old Sydneian events, to sign up to the Old Sydneians’ e-Newsletter or if your contact details have changed, please contact the Alumni Office at

alumni@sydgram.nsw.edu.au

or call (02) 9332 5843

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