OC Voice: Anniversaries
Class of 2012 – 10 Years Out
Matthew Thompson
At Cranbrook, I loved hanging out with mates every day during lunch, in class, house period or
weekends. You don’t miss it till it’s gone! I’m a lawyer working for the NSW DPP which is the State Prosecutor. Enjoying my free time with mates, at the beach, playing touch footy and travelling. Keen to see what everyone’s been up to at the 10 year Reunion!
Hugo Goode
Getting the call up to the 1st XV midway through the season is a great memory, only then to break my ankle two weeks later. Talk about 15 minutes of fame!
I’m currently based in Vancouver, Canada, and have been for the last 3 years with my partner. I currently work as a Macro Research Analyst at an Investment Management firm and have just completed the CFA program. During the winter here, I take advantage of the world-class ski mountains in the surrounding area (I’m still not very good though!) and during the short summer, you can find me hiking up those same mountains or biking down them. If you are ever coming through Vancouver – hit me up at hugogoode2@gmail.com!
Dylan Roos
My favourite Cranbrook memory is captaining the firsts basketball in a Friday Night Lights game. Nothing will compare to it for the rest of my life.
Currently, I empower independent young men to find their power, passion and purpose through my mentoring program Prince To King.
Nicholas Bucci
My favourite Cranbrook memory has to be enduring our first week of downpour on Year 10 CITF, the fever pitch of the crowd at our final CAS athletics carnival, and celebrating the end of HSC exams together in the summer heat at Watsons Bay all stand out.
I spent the first few years after the HSC reconnecting with my more creative interests, pursuing a Bachelor of Architectural Studies at UNSW as a start. I discovered a wonderful community in architecture and have developed a real passion for design and the built environment that I have been fascinated by and exploring ever since! Since then I have completed a Masters of Architecture at USYD and been lucky to have opportunities to work and study in Sydney, and abroad in Italy and Denmark. Today I work with a fantastic small practice in Redfern, lead public walking tours of the city on weekends, and spend time involved with a number of mentorship programs for students in my free time. I’ve kept in touch with a number of close friends from school, who I still catch up with and speak to regularly, and been fortunate to make many new ones through university and work over the years. Like many others I have also made the move away from the east and now enjoy life in the friendly neighbourhoods of Sydney’s Inner West!
Thomas Berry
Being an Aboriginal person coming from Nowra on the NSW South Coast, it was a massive change to come to Cranbrook, for not only myself but my family. I made a lot of good mates while I was at Cranbrook but my favourite memory would be being able to spend time with my mates and have a good laugh. Graduating Year 12 was a massive achievement in my life. I’m currently working at the South Coast Medical Service Aboriginal Corporation where I manage the Tackling Indigenous Smoking Program. I cover from Nowra down to the Victoria border.
I am married to my wife Laura and have three kids Havana (8) Oden (5) and Hudson (1). I have a very busy life with work, kids and sports.
Bill McKay
My memories of Cranbrook are meeting good friends and a wide range of people, sleeping on the balconies during my time in Rawson, and commencing rugby refereeing. I was lucky enough to show my late Grandfather around the Rawson boarding house in 2012 (he left Cranbrook in 1948), which was very special for both of us. The Cranbrook community as a whole was very good to my family when I attended – there weren’t any other kids from the bush when I started in 2007 in my year, and a lot of city families looked after me, whom we are still friends with today.
I currently work in Sydney for a commercial building company and still referee rugby. Hopefully in the next few years, I’ll be back on the farm in Coonamble and away from the chaos!!
Roderick (Roddy) Middlehurst
When identifying a favourite memory, It’s hard to go past the 2011 Kenya trip. Connecting with the boys, reaching the peak of Mt. Kenya and lending a hand in remote Kenyan communities were meaningful and unforgettable experiences. I have also recently thought a lot about the careful and considerate guidance and mentorship provided by my house grade Tutor Mr. Phillip Barden.
After graduating from Charles Sturt University with a Bachelor of Social Science (Criminal Justice) I spent a few years ski instructing in Utah, USA. I came back to Australia in 2020 and started a career in social work. I’ve worked to prevent homelessness among young people leaving out of home care across Western NSW at an NGO called Veritas House. Recently I’ve returned to Sydney and currently work with Veterans experiencing homelessness in a program called Homes for Heroes at RSL Lifecare.
Class of 1997 – 25 Years Out
Pookaiyaudom
Hamish Thomson
“A defining memory of my time at Cranbrook was Year 7 Outward Bound in Myall Lakes. It was seriously challenging at the time, but when I look back at the skills gained and friendships formed during those 9 days and nights, I am forever thankful for the experience.”
After a recent career change, Hamish now leads the Australian business development activities for SOURCE Global, which manufactures the SOURCE Hydropanel, a completely off grid solution which makes drinking water from nothing more than sunlight and air.
“I feel a huge sense of pride to be working for a company whose technology improves the environment and people’s lives.”
Recently, Hamish has been running educational sessions for primary school children in Orange, NSW, where Hydropanels have been installed.
These sessions discuss the technology and its applications in remote worksites, towns and communities where access to good quality water can be a challenge.
Asst. Prof. Dr. Panavy Pookaiyaudom
Favourite Memory of Cranbrook: Weekend activities with Street house, early morning training for rowing as well as Design and Technology/Woodwork classes.
I gained a PhD in Analogue Integrated Circuit Design from Imperial College, UK and I am now the President of Mahanakorn University of Technology, Thailand.
Cranbrook helped me build the essential soft skills needed in my life.
Peter Willis
My favourite Cranbrook memory is standing on the art block and looking over Hordern Oval.
I am currently running my own business and attempting to raise two girls!
Class of 1972 – 50 Years Out
Philip James Thomas Stroud
I cannot believe it has been 50 years since I finished at Cranbrook! For 46 of those years, I was a lawyer on the Central Coast. I married, had twin daughters, and have been blessed with a grandson who has livened up my recent retirement.
I think the best part of my time at Cranbrook was the introduction to music. In Remove, as it then was, Charles Colman played one of Bach’s Brandenburg Concertos in a music class. The following weekend
I travelled to Grace Bros. Bondi Junction and purchased the LP which I still have. I also reflect fondly on the friends I made at school and the dedicated teachers. I came across Harry Nicolson in the early 2000’s. He had moved to Gosford and I enjoyed many meals and discussions with him until his passing last year. As a result I developed an interest in Philosophy.
My interest in music had been dormant until the last few years and I now play clarinet in Central Coast Concert Band and Central Coast Symphony Orchestra which takes up a large part of my time.
John Alfred Blair
Favourite Memory of Cranbrook: Several extraordinary teachers (Harry Nicolson, Graham Blazey, Dr. Gauld, Dave Stone spring to mind). And good friends – including Peter Vogel (OC 1972) and Kim Ryrie (OC 1970) who got me into electronics, a foundation of a career and a lifelong interest.
I left Australia in 1988 after I sold my software company. Lived a long time in California (Silicon Valley) and now split my time between California and New York. Started a company over here with a few others in 2010 (Berkeley Research Group, www. thinkbrg.com) and it’s keeping me busy.
Married for over 20 years now to Michelle, and with a son and a daughter both to be married this year. Life is good.
Class of 1962 – 60 Years Out
Stephen Newton Carroll
I remember fondly Street House with its 280 degree views of Sydney Harbour and the camaraderie of my fellow students, sailing on Rose Bay with the Sailing Club.
After repeating the Leaving Certificate in 1963, I started a degree in Rural Science at New England University, but later changed to Veterinary Science at Sydney.
After graduation, I worked as a large animal veterinarian, mainly with cattle, at Narrabri in northern NSW and then mainly with sheep on the Southern Tablelands at Yass. I then joined the NSW Department of Agriculture as District Veterinary Officer Wagga Wagga, later becoming Regional Director of Veterinary Services with responsibility for animal health and fisheries activities in the Riverina from Jindabyne in the east to the South Australian Border. I oversaw a multi-million dollar redevelopment of the Warm Water Fisheries Research Station at Narrandera.
In 1985, I moved to Sydney as Director of Animal Health Services with the Department and then left government to become the inaugural General Manager of AUS-MEAT, a livestock industry organisation involved with product description and quality standards. After five years I became Chief Executive Officer of the Meat and Allied Trades Federation (the employer organisation for the meat industry) where I oversaw the implementation of the recommendations of the Industrial Relations Commission Full Bench Decision on the Meat Industry. This followed the enquiry conducted after the Mudginberri dispute in the mid-1980s. I was a Foundation Board Member of the Australian Quality Council and Chairman of the Trustee Board of the Australian Meat Industry Superannuation Trust Fund.
I was also a Board member of the Sydney University Veterinary Science Foundation, a Fellow of the Institute of Company Directors and a Member of the Agribusiness Association of Australia.
I was the Independent Chairman of the NSW Poultry Meat Industry Committee from 2004 to 2014, when the poultry meat industry was deregulated.
Now I fill my days with art, handyman work (I am an active member of St Ives Community Shed) and travelling.
Michael David Steiner
I started at Cranbrook in Transition with Miss Hind as Headmistress of the Prep School.
My favourite memory is of the Headmaster, Gethyn Hewan at a school assembly saying, “Pointed toe shoes, these are not part of the school uniform and are not to be worn; full stop!”
Occasionally if we forgot to bring or order lunch we could get permission to go to the Pier, to Charlie’s to buy hot chips – a real treat to be done only very occasionally.
I’ve been an Ophthalmologist for over 45 years and have been involved with many medical organisations.
Peter Meares
I was a boarder for all but my last year and always seemed to be hungry. A favourite memory of those Rawson House years was sneaking out, with a couple of mates, to Charlie’s fish shop at the Rose Bay Pier for a dozen potato scallops AFTER dinner!
My wife and I are now living at Mount Coolum on the Sunshine Coast. I’m virtually retired, after 50 years covering sport on Radio and TV. I now write books and have had 6 non-fiction works published on sport. My first novel, a murder/mystery with a cricket theme, is due out this year. It’s called “The Long Shot”, and Cranbrook gets a mention.
I loved my school days and am very proud of Cranbrook. I was down in Sydney for a reunion a couple of years ago and watched a First XV rugby match against Aloysius. I was pleasantly surprised when the Cranbrook boys in the crowd sang “Schola Nostra” – I loved hearing it as war-cry. It was very moving.
Richard Francis Brady
My memories of Cranbrook are numerous. I am forever grateful for the support and inspiration I received from Justin O’Brien and Frank Tebbutt (my Art and Geology teachers). And Jim Connolly (my Geography teacher and Housemaster of Davidson), who, while coaching cricket, introduced me to wicketkeeping, which I pursued well into my 40’s.
I was a day student living at Wollstonecraft. My school days were therefore long. In Winter I would arrive home in the dark after football practice, having used 2-3 forms of public transport. Saturday sport to all parts of Sydney, also by public transport, was also challenging. And character building!
I initially pursued a career in accountancy before graduating in Arts (majoring in Political Science) at NSW University.
I retired in 1995, aged 50, after a working life mostly in real estate as a self employed valuer specialising in the liquor, accommodation and tourist sectors of the economy. I also lectured in real estate practice at the University of Western Sydney. I then returned to full time post graduate studies in Visual Arts (photography) at NSW University and Sydney University. The last 20 years have been devoted to travelling regularly around the world with my wife of 53 years in search of exotic experiences (like Antarctica, Easter Island, Siberia and the Trobriand Islands off New Guinea). And, at the same time, researching my family history since early settlement in Australia.
Ian Rose
After gaining a Bachelor of Science (Chemistry) and a Diploma of Education from the University of Sydney, I joined the Department of Education. I have enjoyed a long teaching career and have taught at Mosman High, Peel High in Tamworth, James Ruse Agricultural before becoming the Head of Science at Pittwater High. I am now retired and am living in Avalon in a great retirement village.