OSCA
‘ MUCH LOVE TO THE WARRIORS OUT THERE , KEEP ON FIGHTING !'
Edward John ( Ned ) Parnham (’ 15 ) – 20 August 1997- 19 February 2020
IN RELAXED MODE – 2017
Despite a long and arduous period of treatment , Ned Parnham , a member of Scotch ’ s Class of 2015 , died earlier this year of a rare form of acute myeloid leukaemia ( AML ). Ned had just re-enrolled in his Environmental Science course at the University of Melbourne following stem cell treatment when he became unwell again . He died on 19 February – just 22 years old . This article was written for Great Scot by Ned ’ s aunt , GILL HUNT . As Gill ’ s article reveals , Ned ’ s story is sad , but also very inspirational .
Ned Parnham was born on 20 August 1997 in Malvern to Jenny and David Parnham . He was the middle of three children , with older brother Josh and younger brother Angus .
Ned was a placid , chubby baby , and from a very early age displayed passionate interest in the strange and wonderful , from roller doors to vacuum cleaners , as a toddler , and then sea creatures .
He would spend hours drawing beautifully detailed pictures of sea life , and at three years old was much more interested in watching David Attenborough ’ s Blue Planet rather than the usual kids ’ programs . He loved the piano , writing a symphony including parts for all the instruments , and then becoming fixated on slacklining , followed by archery , at which he punctured the hot water service at the side of the house !
He and his brothers had a wonderful , happy childhood , filled with games , sport , holidays with family and friends and lots of laughter . Ned always had a great sense of humour which remained with him even when
62 Great Scot Issue 160 – September 2020