Great Scot September 2018 Gt Scot_154_September_online | Page 92

OSCA
What they're doing now – compiled by Mr David Ashton
LEFT TO RIGHT: JIM POULTER (‘59); BOYCE PIZZEY (‘66); JOHN GOODWIN (‘81); BRUCE EADY (‘65); RALPH BALLARD (‘76); DAVID ARMSTRONG (‘87); STUART (‘91), JENNIFER AND ISLA SHEAHAN; SIMON ZAVISKA (‘98)
1950s
CHARLES STRINGER (‘57) studied
mechanical engineering at Caulfield Technical
College (now Monash University) after leaving
school, and subsequently worked at the
Government Aircraft Factory in research and
development for six years. After that he went
into private enterprise for five years, before
taking a different tack by purchasing John
Clements Records, which expanded into three
shops during the 1970s, when vinyl was king.
The introduction of CDs prompted a final career
change — into real estate.
He retired after that for health reasons, but
came out of retirement to work as a surveyor until
retiring (again) after seven years as a surveyor.
Charles married Suzanne Quick at Scotch in
1964, and has three married children and seven
grandchildren.
At a civic ceremony on 24 April, DR JIM
POULTER (‘59) was honoured with the Key to
the City of Manningham – the first time the city
has made such an award. In a lifetime of civic
contribution, Jim was a founder of the local
welfare agency, Doncare and the Manningham
Community Health Service as well as being a
former councillor. A retired social worker, Jim
has previously received life membership of his
professional association. And, after 61 seasons
Jim still continues the athletics career he began
at Scotch. Last year he won silver in the over 75
decathlon at the World Masters Championships
in Perth, and just missed a medal in his pet event,
the pole vault.
At the civic ceremony, the Mayor of
Manningham noted Jim’s unique lifetime
contribution to reconciliation. Settling in
Templestowe in 1840, Jim’s family has always
maintained close friendships with the Aboriginal
community. Jim works with local Elders in
producing, articles, books and documentaries on
92
our Aboriginal history and heritage. Together with
the Elders, Jim conducts more than 50 guided
tours and talks each year on the many significant
and historical sites in Manningham.
1960s
BRUCE EADY (‘65) retired in late 2017
from his part-time role in Brunswick for the
Foundation for Survivors of Torture. This followed
a career which first involved working for 12 years
as an accountant in large companies. Then a
career change, based on his love of travel and
fascination with other cultures, led him to join the
staff of Community Aid Abroad, and for 25 years
he worked in program management for CAA and
Oxfam Australia, overseas and in Australia, on
community development and emergency relief
and rehabilitation projects, particularly in Somalia,
Sudan, Ethiopia, India and Bangladesh.
Bruce and his wife Cathy have two sons,
FLYNN (‘14) and TOM EADY-JENNINGS (Year
11). Bruce says life is now a little more relaxed.
‘I enjoy travel, swimming, walking, meditation
and yoga,’ he told Great Scot. ‘I have enjoyed
reconnecting to Scotch through my sons, and
I’m very impressed with how the School operates
these days.’
After completing an Arts degree, BOYCE
PIZZEY (‘66) worked for Nylex and gained an
MBA. 1976 saw him appointed Director of (now)
Heritage Victoria. In 1986 he became a Deputy
Director of the Museum of Victoria, where he
led the team that conceived and delivered the
world-renowned Scienceworks museum and
helped to plan the new Melbourne Museum.
Since then Boyce has consulted on cultural
projects across Australia, and has sat on various
boards and advisory councils. He has been a
sessional member of VCAT and Planning Panels
Victoria. In 2014, Boyce received an OAM for
service to the arts through the development of
cultural institutions and heritage conservation.
Most recently he was elected to the Borough
of Queenscliffe Council where he is currently
Deputy Mayor.
Boyce’s father ALEC (‘25), his son ANDREW
(‘00) and many other relatives attended Scotch.
Boyce still looks forward to more time with his
wife Rhonda, family, golf and royal tennis.
1970s
RALPH BALLARD (‘76) worked as a
specialist medical acupuncturist and a consultant
medical acupuncturist at the Northern Hospital
in Epping from 2007 to 2014, and now operates
a private medical laser acupuncture practice,
Warburton Wellbeing. He has also been a senior
lecturer at the Australian Medical Acupuncture
College for many years. Ralph began playing
the bagpipes at Scotch in 1977 under Bill Brown
then Ross Campbell, and continues to play them
today. He was a member of the Hawthorn City
Pipe Band from 1976 to 1985, and was a band
member when Hawthorn City won the grade one
Australian Pipe Band Championships in 1982.
In recent years he has diversified into the
great highland bagpipes and Scottish smallpipes
and whistles, performing at music events in
the Yarra Valley with accompanist, Morgan
McKay, on guitar and vocals. In May 2016, Ralph
and Morgan released a CD, Celtic Dreaming,
containing traditional songs, tunes and airs from
Scotland and Ireland performed with a mix of
guitar, vocals, Scottish smallpipes, the great
highland bagpipe and whistles, which is still
available via Amazon.
Virtually from day one after leaving school,
JONATHAN WOOD (‘77) has worked in the
construction industry. Jonathan’s father FRANK
WOOD (‘46) started Koorool Constructions 57
Great Scot Number 154 – September 2018