2025 is flying by and I am excited by the significant increase in engagement in our community.

We bid farewell to Headmaster Dr Richard Malpass. Dr Malpass, an Old Sydneian, built a strong rapport with the alumni network and we wish Richard and his family all the best as they embark on life in Singapore. We welcome Acting Headmaster Mr Philip Barr, who will guide Sydney Grammar School into 2026. Mr Stuart McPherson, commences as the 13th Headmaster of the School from 1 January 2026.

The OSU committee extends its sincere thanks to the founding members of the OSU Mentoring Program for their invaluable participation. Over the course of 14 weeks, mentors and mentees were invited to explore and define what mentoring looks like through unique engagement. We are proud to say that this inaugural initiative was a strong first step toward establishing a sustainable, ongoing program. We are now gathering feedback to enhance the program for 2026.

Throughout Term II, the OSU hosted two Grammar in Business networking evenings. The first event was Grammar in Mining, Resources and Commodities and it was encouraging to see over fifty alumni in attendance. The second event was Grammar in Real Estate, Property and Development, which had over eighty in attendance. This event consisted of a riveting discussion around the future of property, led by Andre Bressan (OS 2000), Phillip Beaumont (OS 2010) and Alexander Beale (OS 2006). It was pleasing to see a diverse industry presence; lawyers, developers, architects, builders, bankers, proptech and more. We will continue to deliver these forums encompassing a cross-section of industries.

The OSU launched a new Alligator Wine Club (AWC) with our first event hosted in a private room at Antica Dining, North Sydney. Thirty wine enthusiasts attended the event, each receiving a uniquely numbered alligator keyring. More Old Sydneians have since expressed interest in the Wine Club; hosting an evening, supplying their own wine labels or being our sommelier. This event provides participants with an opportunity to learn more about wine, enjoy a different drop, explore particular regions and share a few stories from the “old school yard”. Details about our next meeting will follow soon.

Thursday 24 July marks the return of the Great Debate. Representing the OSU is Tanveer Ahmed (OS 1992), Matt Barrie (OS 1998) and Robert Yezerski (OS 1997). The appointed Speaker of the House is James Hooke (OS 1988). Further details about the event can be viewed here.

The OSU has also announced its Annual Lunch on Thursday 28 August at NSW Parliament’s Strangers’ Room. We have confirmed and are excited by our guest speaker line-up of: The Honourable Chief Justice Andrew Bell (OS 1983), Emeritus Professor John Watson AM (OS 1972), Mr Toby Creswell (OS 1973) and Acting Headmaster, Mr Philip Barr. While, it may be difficult to attend in the middle of the day, we hope to see many of our alumni in attendance. Please use this link to book here.

We celebrate Old Sydneians featured on the King’s Birthday Honours List: Member of The Order of Australia (AM) awarded to the late Mr Matthew James PEACOCK for significant service to the broadcast media as a journalist and Medal of The Order of Australia (OAM) awarded to Emeritus Professor Ivor INDYK for service to Australian literature. 

The OSU continues to drive involvement directly with Sydney Grammar School and within our network. 

I look forward to seeing more of you engage as we continue to provide further opportunities.

Nick Manettas (OS 2009)
OSU President

It will be an entertaining evening as distinguished Old Sydneians face off against College Street’s top debaters in a spirited parliamentary-style debate.

Expect sharp wit and a showcase of Grammar’s rich tradition of oratory excellence.

Tickets are officially sold out, but we’ve released an additional 20 tickets exclusively for Old Sydneians who may still wish to attend.
If you’re interested, please register your details here.

The Speaker:

James Hooke (OS 1988) debated for the Grammar GPS Firsts, combined GPS, NSW Schools and Australian Schools Debating Team who were runners up at the inaugural World Schools Debating Championship. He debated at university and coached ISDA teams at Grammar. He has worked as a lawyer, freelance writer, management consultant, newspaper publisher of The Sydney Morning Herald, and with Macquarie Group, where he served as CEO of New York and Australian Stock Exchange listed companies. He is now a company director. 

The Government:

Tanveer Ahmed (OS 1992) is a psychiatrist, author and columnist. He is the medical director of Kellyville Private Hospital. Last year he won the GPS Gold Cup Debate, representing Sydney Grammar School speaking for the topic “Sport is the heart and soul of a GPS school!”, beating Gold Logie winner Tom Gleeson. He is the author of three books, including Fragile Nation, The Exotic Rissole and In Defence of Shame. The last was chosen as one of the best books of 2020 by an ABC books podcast. He is a former newspaper columnist for the Australian Financial Review and The Sydney Morning Herald. He has served on local government for the City of Canada Bay and been on multiple Boards including the Advertising Standards Bureau, the Australian Multicultural Council and the Australian Medical Association. He first honed these skills at Sydney Grammar School, where he attended through the Grainger Full Scholarship, as a member of the 1987 Debating team, the Philosophy Club and as a Prefect. He was also in the First XI in Soccer, Cricket and Athletics team.

Matt Barrie (OS 1990) was an active member of the Grammar community as a sportsman, thespian, cadet, and academic, receiving the Weigall Scholarship. Today he is an entrepreneur, tech executive, and the CEO of Freelancer Limited (ASX:FLN), CEO of Escrow.com, and Executive Chairman of Loadshift. He has been celebrated as one of Australia’s most influential tech entrepreneurs, in addition to international recognition featuring in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and Forbes. 

Robert Yezerski SC (OS 1997) was a key member of Grammar’s debating team, captaining the ISDA Firsts debating team in 1997. He was Second Prefect and recipient of the Old Sydneians’ Union Scholarship. Today he is senior counsel at Banco Chambers, where he practises in commercial litigation and competition law. He has been recognised as Competition Lawyer of the Year (2026), and as being among NSW’s Leading Commercial Litigation and Dispute Resolution Senior Counsel (2025) and Australia’s Leading Competition Law Senior Counsel (2024).

Football

The First XI has started the season impressively with two wins and a draw. Jonty Snyman (VI) and Rufus McGuinness (VI) were both chosen to represent the GPS and, following his performances for CIS at the NSW All Schools Championships, Rufus has been selected in the NSW team. 

Overall, football is strong at Grammar, with thirty-one teams participating most weeks and performing consistently across all age groups. The 13A XI deserves special mention as they have remained undefeated after several matches.

Rugby

There are three rugby teams in the Open Division this year. The Second XV has been the most successful while the First XV is a young team that has faced some very strong opposition. Out of the other teams in the School, the 15As has only lost one match.

Congratulations to Noah Dekell (Form VI), who was selected for the AAGPS White team to compete in the NSW Schools Rugby Championships. Additionally, congratulations to Tom Delaney (Form IV) and Ronan Shepherd (Form IV), who were both chosen for the President's XV team, playing in the NSW Schools U16 Rugby Championships over the weekend. Joseph Hayes (Form V) was also selected to officiate at the NSW Rugby State Championships in Orange over the King's Birthday Weekend. 

Back to Weigall Day

‘Back to Weigall Day’ is on Saturday 26 July so please come and support our rugby and football teams against St Joseph’s College. Further details will be circulated in due course.

Volleyball

With record numbers enlisting, twenty-one volleyball teams have taken to the courts. The latest highlight has been the Second's victory over Sydney Boys High School, three sets to two; a history-making match. 

Our GPS representatives this year are Ashton Clarke (V) and Marcus Levison (VI), while at NSW CIS level, Ashton was selected again with Aden Tay (V). James Guo (IV) represented NSW at the School Sports Australian Volleyball Championships in South Australia after his selection at the All-Schools Volleyball Trial. Ashton Clarke is also our U18 Australian representative, who will be competing at the Asian Men’s Volleyball Championships, held in Nakhon Pathom, Thailand, from 12-19 July.

Cross Country

The Junior team remains undefeated after six competitions and the Senior team has shown improvement with a win at the recent Newington Invitational. A record number of boys (twelve) were selected to compete at the CIS Championship on 12 June and our 14s team won the team event. 

Careers Convention

On Monday 2 June many Old Sydneians from diverse careers and university areas gave up their time to consult with Form IV - VI boys and their parents in the Palladium building. The School would like to thank them all for making this year’s Sydney CBD Schools Careers Convention successful. 

Term II Music

Grammarpalooza

The annual rock concert was held in the Alastair Mackerras Theatre (AMT) and featured several of the boys’ rock bands, playing original music as well as some covers. Money raised was donated to the Prefect’s charity.  

Term II Concert

The term’s main concert on 15 May in the John Vallance Hall (JVH) included jazz, percussion and choir items. Entry was by donation.

Farewell Concert for Dr Malpass

On Thursday 5 June a wonderful concert was held in the John Vallance Hall to honour Dr Malpass. Ensemble groups included the Grammarphones, Alastair Mackerras Chamber Orchestra, Big Band, School Orchestra, School Choir, Croonivores, Cantorum, Junior Vocal Ensemble, Wind Ensemble, Cambiata and Sydney Grammar School Community Choir.

Woodwind Ensemble Concert

The final concert of the term, featuring wind ensembles, took place on Thursday 26 June in the Alastair Mackerras Theatre.

Music Events for Term III

Term III Concert A 
Thursday 31 July 6:30pm John Vallance Hall

Classical Guitar Concert
Thursday 21 August 6:30pm Big School

Term III Concert B
Thursday 28 August 6:30pm John Vallance Hall

Ithaka Lectures - Term III

Wednesday 6 August 2025 - Dr Theordore Ell (book tickets here)
Thursday 11 September 2025 - Dr Fiona Kerr (book tickets here)

Farewell to Dr Malpass

On the last day of term, the School had the opportunity to farewell the twelfth Headmaster of Sydney Grammar School, Dr Richard Malpass, at his final assembly at College Street.

We also celebrated the remarkable contributions of Mr Kavanagh (Senior Master), Ms Fin (Deputy Headmaster, Projects), and Mrs Lovelock (Deputy Headmaster, Academic), who are retiring or departing after collectively dedicating nearly a century to Grammar.

We congratulate Dr Malpass on his time as Headmaster and we thank him for his dedication to the Grammar education. He has brought energy and enthusiasm to the School on many levels. Academic passion, musical flourishes and sporting commitment are only a few of his personal touches.

To all four, we extend our warmest wishes for the future.

New Headmaster

Mr Stuart McPherson will become the thirteenth Headmaster of Sydney Grammar School on 1 January 2026.

An Australian, Stuart was educated at the University of Western Australia and Newcastle University (UK). He taught at Sydney Grammar School from 1990 to 2000. Stuart returns after a distinguished career in the United Kingdom. He taught at Eton College from 2000 to 2015 where he was a Housemaster for five years and was then appointed Headmaster of Worth School (Sussex). Stuart has four adult children and his wife, Johneen, has served as Headmistress of St Catherine’s School in Twickenham, London since 2018. 

On Saturday 9 August, the First XI and First XV take on The Scots College at Weigall. Football kicks off at 10:30am (it is also the Plate final) and rugby from 11:00am. We invite Old Sydneians to join us to support the boys. 

Following the GPS competition matches, we are hosting the inaugural touch football and six-aside football competition for Old Sydneians (2000-2024) and current staff. This event will be followed by an opportunity for Old Boys to meet Mr Stuart McPherson, our new Headmaster, from 4:00pm – 5:30pm at Weigall.

Look out for the invitation to register for the competition and/or the OS event with the Headmaster. Feel free to contact the Community Office for more details.

Phone: 9332 5843
Email: community@sydgram.nsw.edu.au

The 1979 45-Year Reunion Gathering was held on 15 November at The Phoenix Hotel, Woollahra

The 1989 36-Year Reunion Gathering was held on 24 May at The Rawson Hotel, The Rocks

L-R: Hamish Mackay, Justin Levis (Convenor), Brett Corrick and Shannon Folden

1991 Old Sydneians had lunch at China Doll, Woolloomooloo on 24 May

L-R: David Wylie, Andre Zara, Bill Doig, Jono Dixon, Andrew Boyarsky, Tim Lindley, Patrick Mist, Campbell Johnson, Clinton Alver, Miles Wilson, Anthony Karsay, Cam Cumming

1978 Annual Lunch at Tattersalls Club on 12 June

Reunions

Saturday 26 July – 1985 40-Year Reunion Weigall and Woollahra Hotel (Convenor: Morgan Parker)
Saturday 9 August – 2020 5-Year Reunion Hotel CBD Fourth Floor (Convenor: Mason Ginters, Jason Zhu He, Jeffrey Tse)
Saturday 11 October – 1980 45-Year 11.00am Reunion School Tour and then Lunch at Strangers’ Dining Room Parliament House (Convenor: Tony Wakefield)
Saturday 11 October – 1965 60-Year Reunion Lunch at College Street (Convenors: Paul Weaver, David Harris, Rod Ovens, Norm Fitzpatrick)
Saturday 11 October – 2015 10-Year Reunion Rawson Hotel (Convenor: George Glenn)
Saturday 18 October – 2000 25-Year Reunion College Street (Convenor: Andre Bressan)
Saturday 25 October – 2005 20-Year Reunion College Street (Convenor: Lachlan Renshaw)
Saturday 8 November – 1975 50-Year Reunion College Street (Convenors: Graeme Lowry Jones, David Wurth, Geoff Atherton, Phil Beale, David Lewis, Steve Gonski)
Saturday 15 November – 1995 30-Year Reunion College Street (Convenors: Ragavan Thuraisingham, David Yeo, Toby Slade)
Friday 5 December – 1945-1970 Reunion Lunch College Street

King’s Birthday 2025 Honours List

Member of The Order of Australia (AM)
The late Mr Matthew James PEACOCK 
For significant service to the broadcast media as a journalist. 

Medal of The Order of Australia (OAM)
Emeritus Professor Ivor INDYK 
For service to Australian literature.

Anzac Day Service

On Friday 2 May an Anzac Day service was held in the John Vallance Hall. All boys and masters attended along with several Old Sydneians. The guest speaker was Lieutenant Colonel Colin Shadbolt (OS 1986), the Staff Officer responsible for Land Mobility and Support Platforms within the Force Modernisation cell at 2nd (Australian) Division. He addressed the boys in a personal way, outlining the huge sacrifice made by Australian forces over the years. A lunch followed in Big School and Dr Matthew Glozier gave a most interesting presentation about Old Sydneians in WWII.

 
Lieutenant Colonel Colin Shadbolt (OS 1986) and Mr Geoff Simmons (SGS Master 1968 -2004)


Wing Commander Daniel Mendoza-Jones (OS 1999) with Mr Warren Cree (OS 1987)

Facts about Old Sydneians in WWII (courtesy of Dr Matthew Glozier on 2 May 2025)

Old Sydneians at North Shore Rowing Club

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 9 Gold medals, 3 Silver medals and 1 Bronze medal, and won a gold medal as a competitor.


Kim Rudder and Tony Wehby (Inset: 1968 First Eight with Tony in 7 and Kim in the bow)

The SGS Lawn Bowls Team

L-R: Nick Manettas (OS 2009), Ron Schaffer(OS 1974), Paul de Bruyn (OS 1980), Peter Baume (OS 1951)

Old Sydneians to Switzerland

About twelve years ago, Sydney Grammar School established a pupil exchange programme with Freies Gymnasium Zürich. Founded in 1888, FGZ is one of Zürich’s oldest and a highly reputed co-educational private school. 

While ‘enroute’ to taking up his new appointment as the School’s thirteenth Headmaster, Mr Stuart McPherson, accompanied by his wife, Johneen, Headmistress of St Catherine’s School (Twickenham), will visit Zurich on 6 November 2025 to meet Stuart’s counterpart and others involved in having made the FGZ-SGS exchange programme a success. 

That evening, several Grammar Swiss Alumni will host a dinner for our new Headmaster and his wife. If any other SGS alumni will be in Zurich or nearby and would like to join this evening celebration, please send an email to the coordinator no later than 23 October 2025 to mfisher@mmiswi.ch.

Peter Polgar (OS 1967)

After graduating in 1972 with a Bachelor of Commerce from the UNSW, Peter entered the commercial world as assistant accountant for a large smallgoods manufacturer, moving on to a short stint with Arthur Anderson - Chartered Accountants operating both in Australia and internationally as an auditor. Having decided to move back into the commercial world a year later, Peter worked as Head Office accountant with an American printing company operating in Australia. From there he moved into an Australian company (subsequently taken over by W R Carpenters Limited), progressing from branch accountant to eventually head the financial operations of the three divisions, as Group Financial Controller.  

In the past 15 years Peter has worked with various companies involved in music publishing, property development, ownership and management of shopping centres and office buildings in Australia and the USA, moving finally into the insurance industry, with one of the largest Loss Adjusting firms in Australia. 

Peter Polgar & Associates was founded in the late 1990's as a public accounting practice, providing assistance to small and developing businesses needing a big business overview. 

Peter is continually working with and passionately advocating for all professional Accountants/Tax Agents and has networked extensively since 1999 with various State and Federal Government Ministers. He tries to assist fellow tax practitioners, particularly those struggling sole practitioners suffering with difficult client tax matters. He is passionate about accountancy and believes that it is a most worthy profession.

Sydney James ‘Jim’ Law (OS 1930) deceased

2025 marks the 80th anniversary of the end of WWII, and the 90th anniversary of the formation of the Malay Regiment. Writer Stuart Lloyd has a new book called The Malay Experiment where he features an Old Sydneian, Sydney James ‘Jim’ Law.

Jim was involved as a chartered accountant working for the Austral Malay Tin Ltd before he signed up with the Federated Malay States Volunteer Force. After training as an officer in Singapore, he was assigned to the British Army’s General List (a floating pool of available officers) before being seconded as a 2nd Lieutenant to C Company 1st Battalion, Malay Regiment, in mid-December 1941. He was the only Australian in the regiment.

The Japanese were by now forcing the Allies back onto Singapore Island and on 12 February 1942 — just three days before the Fall of Singapore — Jim (aged 26) was tragically killed in action.

His name was added to the Singapore Memorial Wall, but sadly not recorded on The Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour because he had signed up under the UK Forces (being an expat). Later, after strong support from the North Steyne SLSC, his name was added to the Manly War Memorial (the suburb where he was raised).

Matthew (Matt) PEACOCK AM (OS 1969) 

The Sydney Grammar School community on 30 October 2024 sadly lost one of its foremost journalists, Matthew Peacock, who has just been awarded (posthumously) an AM in the King’s Birthday Honours. 

Matt is mostly known by older Old Sydneians 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 eventually resulted in the company paying billions in compensation to asbestos victims. 

As an ABC reporter, Matt worked on This Day Tonight and Four Corners. On radio he was often heard on The World Today and both the AM and PM shows. He was ABC’s chief political correspondent in Washington DC (1990-1993), Canberra (1997-2000) and London (2001-2003). During 2013-2018 he served on the ABC Board as the staff elected representative and in his final years co-founded the ABC Alumni.  

A small group of his 1969 form mates have initiated discussions with the School, with a view to establishing an annual prize in his name. If you would like to contribute towards establishing this prize you can do so here, Giving to Grammar, and select the Matthew Peacock SGS Prize.  

Matt’s form mates have been able to achieve agreement with the ABC and UTS (where he served outside work as the Adjunct Professor of Journalism) to establish an internship in Matt’s name in perpetuity. A formal announcement will be made by both operations in due course.

For more information, please contact either:

Mike Perry admin@perryptr.net
Doug Wood dougw@fosterraffan.com.au
Andy Ross asross@frontierinsights.com.au

Sadly, many of our Old Sydneians have passed away in recent times, and the School sends condolences to friends and family. 

Old Sydneians who have passed away since our last OS E-Newsletter:

John Leyton PHILLIPS (OS 1944)
Ian Richard BRUCE (OS 1948)
Maxwell Brian Reginald RENNIE (OS 1949-50)
William Rupert Absalom WILCOCKS (OS 1951)
David Thomas FOX (OS 1952)
Errol Marsden ABBOTT (1953-4)
John (Moony) Stewart BOAG (OS 1956)
William (Antony) LAYTON (1956-7)
John Kinloch HINDMARSH (OS 1958)
Peter McNAMARA (OS 1961)
David Henry ARCHBOLD (OS 1967)
David Grinston (OS 1971)
Jonathan Edward LAWSON (OS 2020)

These are the names that we have been made aware of at the Alumni Office. If you know of any Old Sydneians who have recently passed away, please contact the Alumni Office on (02) 9332 5918 or alumni@sydgram.nsw.edu.au.

The latest edition of SGS magazine, Edition 20, Autumn 2025 is available in an online electronic format here.

A vast number of hard copy magazines are ‘returned to sender’ each time the School sends a new edition out to subscribers through the post. If you are regularly on the move and would prefer to receive the SGS magazine online via email, or would no longer wish to receive a hard copy of the magazine via post, please kindly notify the Alumni Office on (02) 9332 5918 or alumni@sydgram.nsw.edu.au.

You are able to view most editions of SGS magazine anytime via the School’s website.

Alligator Grammar! A History of Sydney Grammar School Rugby

Jim Cattlin (OS and First XV 1961) has published Alligator Grammar! A History of Sydney Grammar School Rugby. The book delves into the 150-year history of rugby at the School, with 440 photos of teams, action shots and illustrations. Purchase here for $50. 

In Gallant Company

Dr Philip Creagh’s (OS 1965-1966) book honouring the Old Sydneians who died in World War I is available, at a cost of $65 plus postage via the following link. This book includes short biographies of each Old Sydneian who didn’t make it home, comprising details of their school career, the circumstances in which they found themselves during the war and events leading to their untimely demise.

In the last edition we listed several Old Sydneians, who have gone on to head senior schools. Unfortunately, we did not mention:
Michael Stephen Spurr (OS 1971) - Westminster School in the UK;
Murray Leigh Guest (OS 1977) - The Armidale School;
Graham Leddie (OS 1989) - the current Principal of Waverley College.

If you have news of some significant event or achievement, that you would like published, please contact Steve Gonski (OS 1975) on smg@sydgram.nsw.edu.au.

Old Sydneians’ Newsletter

Editor:

Mr Steve Gonski

smg@sydgram.nsw.edu.au

Alumni Office 

Ms Charlotte McColl

alumni@sydgram.nsw.edu.au

Publications Office

Ms Dimetra Skondras-Silva

publications@sydgram.nsw.edu.au