Old Sydneians continue to reunite and rekindle their friendships, forged during their school years at Grammar.
Matthew (Matt) Peacock (OS 1969) AM died on 30 October 2024. Matt has just been awarded (posthumously) an AM in the King’s Birthday Honours. He was mostly known for his dogged reporting in the 1970s and 1980s of the perilous nature of the then widely used asbestos fibro in housing. His 2009 book Killer Company: James Hardie Exposed documented how the company’s strategies ‘led to the deaths of thousands of workers and customers, who were never informed of the dangers’. Eventually James Hardie Industries Limited was ordered to pay billions in compensation to asbestos victims. As a reporter Matt worked on This Day Tonight and Four Corners and in radio was often heard on The World Today and both the AM and PM shows. He was the chief political correspondent in Washington DC (1990 – 93), Canberra (1997 – 2000) and London (2001 – 2003).
During 2013 – 18 he served on the ABC Board as the staff elected representative. In his final years he co-founded the ABC Alumni which focused on the continuation of public advocacy for the democratic, cultural and public interest benefits of taxpayer investment in public broadcasting. Matt was a driving force behind the notion of ‘the public good’.
Pictured: Kim Rudder and Tony Wehby
Tony Wehby (OS 1968) is a stalwart of the North Shore Rowing Club, rowing most mornings year round, and ever present as a volunteer at club social, fundraising and maintenance days. Kim Rudder (OS 1968) is Head Coach at the club, which is first on the medals table for the NSW Masters Championships, and first on both medals table and club point-score (from 96 clubs) at the Australian Masters Rowing Championships. Kim coached crews to nine gold medals, three silver medals and one bronze medal, and won a gold medal as a competitor.
Pictured: 1968 First VIII with Tony in 7 and Kim in the bow
Vangel Rafael and Stephen Lamond organised a wonderful gathering of 1971 Old Boys, with an overnight stay celebrating ‘Christmas in July’ at Robertson in the Southern Highlands. Thirty old boys and twenty partners attended, along with ex-master Laurie Fahy and former alumni employee Wendy Scotter.
After dinner entertainment was hosted by Craig Moran. Tim Watson-Munro gave a fascinating speech before Rob Schneider presented a musical trivia quiz centred around the year 1971. This was followed up with a few original songs by Duncan Hill and his wife Susan, who have been active with the Tamworth Songwriters Association. With five minutes notice, Jim Manzie then joined Duncan and launched into some old favourites, featuring the Ol’ 55 hit Looking for an Echo. (Jim was the bass player for Ol’ 55 and is still performing in several bands.)
Pictured: Jim Manzie and Duncan Hill
Congratulations to the following Old Sydneians:
Member (AM) of the Order of Australia for significant service to the broadcast media as a journalist
The late Mr Matthew James PEACOCK
Medal (OAM) of The Order of Australia for service to Australian literature
Emeritus Professor Ivor INDYK
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