april 2019 ˜˚˛˝˙ˆˇ˘ - frankston high school · 2 april 2019 optima semper president’s...

OPTIMA SEMPEROPTIMA SEMPER

BEST ALWAYS

APRIL 2019

OPTIMA SEMPER APRIL 2019 1

THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE FORMER STUDENTS & STAFF ASSOCIATION

FRANKSTON HIGH SCHOOL

97 Foot Street Frankston Victoria 3199Telephone (03) 9783 7955Fax (03) 9783 7689Email [email protected] Homepage http://www.fhs.vic.edu.au

PRINCIPAL’S REPORT

WHAT’S INSIDE

Principal’s Report 1

President’s Report 2

Margaret Mace Study Centre Opening 7 December 2018 3

Tony Morton – from FHS Cadet Under Officer to Colonel 4

Memories… Snap Shot – Andrew Van Nooten 5

Class of 1988 – 30 Year Reunion 6-7

Baxter Tavern Christmas Lunch 8-12

Frankston High 40 Year Reunion 1973 – 1978 13

Vale – Leonard (Len) K. Stevens AM 14

Membership Renewal 15

JOHN ALBISTON, PRINCIPALDear Former Staff and Students

As I write this report early on a Monday morning we have just had a heatwave throughout the weekend with fires

raging across Victoria. All of us are praying for our brave fire fighters to get these fires under control. Last week our Year 7 students were on camp near Flinders and we were constantly monitoring a fire in nearby Shoreham. The camp owner commented that she was so relieved it was a camp with Frankston High School staff because she knew that our staff would keep the students calm and continuing to enjoy the camp. This is exactly what they did! The students continued to enjoy the camp, and with no wind change an evacuation wasn’t necessary. Just like when you were at Frankston High School we continue to be very fortunate in having teachers who are up there with the best in the world.

This year began with us celebrating outstanding VCE results from the class of 2018. Some of these results are the best ever in the 94 year history of Frankston High School. An incredible median of 32, six perfect study scores and 11.8% of subject scores over 40 places our great school as the leading coeducational school on the Peninsula ahead of all government and private coeducational schools. As a result, Frankston High School is ranked in the top 10 of non-select entry government schools in the state. Vivian Li our DUX who achieved an amazing ATAR of 99.45 has generously visited our school this year to provide a talk to inspire our Class of 2019. She has now begun a degree in Design at The University of Melbourne.

Also, we have celebrated the opening of our STEM centre. I am sure many of you will remember the ‘Ada Rogerson’ Hall. It has now been refurbished as a two storey STEM Centre. STEM provides our students with the opportunity of solving current world problems using the knowledge and skills they have acquired in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. We are hoping our students will develop high level critical and creative thinking skills as they solve such problems using a design thinking process. With more and more students engaged in STEM subjects we are anticipating greater numbers of young people proceeding onwards with STEM related careers such as Engineering. The STEM Centre will accommodate our flight and helicopter simulators which will thrill our potential pilots as part of our aviation course. Now you are probably wondering where we are going to have assemblies. Currently our stadium is being converted to a theatre with a capacity to seat 380. The new Performing Arts Theatre will open in June. At the moment, as you can imagine we are one big building site.

As usual so much is happening at Frankston High School. I am off on long service leave for most of Term 2, travelling with our new caravan in tow up the East Coast. Wish me luck; as I find reversing into tight sites very stressful; so does my wife. Onlookers always find our antics very amusing.

Kind regards John Albiston Principal

BILL UNDERWOOD 33 BELUGA STREET MT ELIZA 3930 TEL: 9787 2981

Welcome to our new members of the Former Students & Staff Association and our continuing members. If you are not a member yet all payments will be accepted until the 30th of June, 2019.

At our AGM in 2018 the following Office Bearers were elected:

President – Bill Underwood Vice President – Graeme Horsburgh Secretary – Lesley Clapperton Treasurer – Carolyn Florance Reunion Co-ordinator – Kylie Grech (Frankston High School)

We welcomed our newest member to the committee, Kylie Grech who works at Frankston High School in an Administration position. She will be assisting the committee with the Optima Semper magazine, reunions other tasks from time to time.

I would like to thank our members who have made donations it is greatly appreciated and assists the school in providing items that are not funded for by the government.

Any former students and staff who would like to attend any of our com-mittee meetings are more than welcome. We would like to hear from you if you have any ideas about events, activities or reunions that you may be interested.

When making payments for the Optima Semper please ensure your credit card details are correct or if paying by cheque that you have sufficient funds to cover the payment. The school receives a number of cheques that are returned by the bank as dishonoured, the school then incurs a fee as a result.

The school is currently undergoing a major redevelopment with the old school hall now refurbished into a STEM Centre (Science, Technology, En-gineering and Maths). The stadium is converting into a Performing Arts Theatre and a new two basketball court stadium. In the next issue we will include some photos for you.

Our Christmas reunion will be held on Saturday 23rd November, 2019 so please don’t forget to come and enjoy the day.

Last year on December 19th I had the pleasure in representing the Former Staff and Students Association by presenting the Former Staff and Students awards at the Frankston Arts Centre to Lu Yang (Year 8) & Blake Shaw (Year 10).

I would be happy to take your calls after 5pm any weekday if you would like any further information or just to have a chat! Perhaps you know of a former student celebrating a milestone or achievement that we could promote in our magazine! I’d be happy to help providing any additional information on any aspect of the Association.

Hope you all have a healthy and safe year in 2019

Regards Bill

2 APRIL 2019 OPTIMA SEMPER

PRESIDENT’S REPORT

FORMER STAFF & STUDENTS MEETING DATES 201922nd July - August Optima Semper Due Date for Articles

21st October

18th Nov (AGM) - December Optima Semper Due Date for Articles

NEWSLETTER ONLINEDid you know that you can access the school’s newsletter on our website?

Try it on: www.fhs.vic.edu.au/newsletters and catch up on what’s happening at Frankston High School.

Digital photos taken at the 90th Anniversary Celebration in 2014, the 2016 reunion (never published) and 2018 (published in the December issue)

are available in a DVD format free of charge on request . Email Bob Edwards: [email protected]


MARGARET MACE STUDY CENTRE OPENING 7 DECEMBER 2018

YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS ARE WANTEDWe welcome any submissions/stories/photos regarding former staff and students for publication in Optima Semper. Please keep articles to no more than 500 words and can be emailed to:

[email protected]

or by post to: Optima Semper Frankston High School 97 Foot St Frankston Vic 3199

In spite of the 39 degree heat, an excellent afternoon was held at Frankston High School 7 December 2018 in the new Study Centre on the Senior Campus.

Past staff member Margaret Mace was recognised for her long term association with Frankston High School, which dated back to her time at the old red brick building in Quality Street as a student in the 1950s and then for her 34 years as a teacher at the current location.

Margaret accepted this honour graciously but in her speech turned it around to tell what Frankston High School had done for her. This covered many highlights; trips to sister school Kawaguchi with 28 Year 11 students, mentioning the visit to Hiroshima as something those students would never forget. Being ‘home hosted’ in Japan and returning the compliment when Michiyo stayed with her on Kawaguchi return trip to Frankston High School. Her two trips to Central OZ, again with the highlights of the beauty of Uluru and the ‘low-light’ of the group being lost in the Olgas and having to be rescued by the local Rangers at midnight. Her personal enjoyment of the Deb Balls over 22 of her 34 years at the school. Her pride in the Debs and Partners and in watching their parents and grandparents also bursting with pride.

Margaret admitted that what she loved most of all was her classroom and the students. Maths in the Junior School, then crossing the road to what became the love of her life, teaching VCE English and English Literature.

However, the highlight of the afternoon was the introduction of Heather Holmes.

Heather Murray (nee Holmes), Jenny Evans (nee Render) and Mary Evans (the then librarian in the 1992) were the authors of the big blue ‘Optima semper History Book of Frankston High School from 1924 to 1994 – 70 Years of History’.

Heather and Jenny were school friends of Margaret’s at Quality Street and when the then Principal Ken Rowe asked if we knew of anyone who could collate and make sense of all the memorabilia that flooded in after the fires in 1990-1991, these three women put their hands up and they sorted and made sense of everything.

Heather spoke of the interviews (taped), research, sorting, searching of public records and photographs, studying old newspapers and of how these three women devoted themselves to this work. The end product, is a ‘great read’ lively, articulate and entertaining, but above all else accurate.

Mary Evans and Jenny Render have passed on (sadly) and Heather represented them perfectly in her excellent presentation.

The afternoon ended on a wonderful note with nibbles and a glass of wine.

Anonymous


Tony Morton (1958) like so many ex Frankston High School students has lived a varied and interesting career culminating in a very successful career in the Australian Army and also in later years as an accomplished financial planner.

By way of introduction, I first met Tony when we were both Army Cadets in the Frankston High School Cadet unit. Tony started at FHS in 1958. Army cadet units were prevalent in most High Schools and Technical schools throughout Australia in the 50’s and 60’s and exposed students to Army Infantry type training.

After I completed year 5 (1959) Tony stepped into my shoes as a Cadet Under Officer (February 1960). During his matriculation year (Form 6) Tony applied for admission to the Royal Military College (RMC) Duntroon. In January 1963 Tony joined the Corps of Staff Cadets, the first step in his 27-year Army career. Of the 88 cadets who marched in with Tony, (class of 63) 52 graduated. Training in the remaining years (four in total) never let up as the College course covered the first two years of a degree as well as military subjects, Cadets were also required to meet very high standards of both physical and mental fitness. Failure in any aspect of the course usually meant repeating a year or dismissal.

As a cadet Sergeant Tony Graduated from the RMC in 1966 and joined the Royal Australian Engineers with the rank of Lieutenant. Tony’s invited guests at his graduation included OC FHS Cadet Unit, Ken Walding and his wife Flora. Ken played a pivotal role in Tony’s choice of deciding to become an Army Officer. Ken would have been ever so proud of being present at Tony’s graduation and highly honoured to have been invited. Shortly after graduation, Tony married Pam.

The class of 63 distinguished itself by producing 14 high ranking officers, 1 Major General, 1 Brigadier General and 12 full Colonels.

After graduation Tony had a number of local as well as overseas postings, these included South Vietnam, Papua NG and UK

Tony’s career culminated in being promoted to Colonel and taking up the appointment as the Director of Personnel Plans - Army. Tony resigned from the Army early 1990, he Joined Legacy that year going on to serve on the Board of Canberra Legacy and later Senior Vice President.

Tony remained in Canberra as a Financial Planner originally with a local firm before establishing his own business in partnership with another RMC graduate. Tony completed a Diploma of Financial Planning from RMIT University and was awarded CFP classification. After merging the business with another group in Canberra, followed by purchase by a national company Tony retired and moved to the Central Coast NSW in 2001. Tony transferred to Brisbane Water (NSW) Legacy and has continuously served as a Director and had two stints as President. Tony is a keen golfer playing twice weekly if possible and is a member of the Gosford Golf Club.

Both Tony and Pam’s children are married and feel they have been blessed with one very special granddaughter. Tony and Pam celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in 2016.

Bob Edward (FHS 1955)

TONY MORTON – FROM FHS CADET UNDER OFFICER TO COLONEL

Tony Morton Receiving Graduation Certificate From LTGEN Sir John Wilton CGS - 6 Dec 1966

Colonel 1987 - Tony Morton


MEMORIES…

SNAP SHOT – ANDREW VAN NOOTENAndrew Van Nooten was a teacher at Frankston High School from 1986 to 2008. Many students will remember his wit and wisdom. He enjoyed considerable popularity; he didn’t take it all too seriously, he enjoyed a laugh.Andrew married Gabby in 1998 and they set off in 2008 to teach and work in Muscat (Sultanate of Oman) for 6 years and is now teaching in Ajman (UAE). Gabby also worked in Muscat as Secretary to the Principal of the same school. During this time he was visited by many friends from home. My cruise ship stopped in port where Andrew and Gabby took me on a tour of Muscat, as they did with their many Aussie visitors. Andrew and Gabby have loved their many and varied experiences in both countries and have many wonderful stories to tell.There is talk of them returning permanently in 2019 and Andrew has expressed an interest in Joining the Ex-Student and Staff Association and perhaps taking a part in its programs. Some memories of Andrew’s time at Frankston High School include:• Eight trips to Central Australia. Most

famously, the 1986 tour where “apparently” the party got lost and attracted media attention. Names like Mark Fisher, Mazza, Seats, and Carter spring to mind.

• Countless school productions, all of them notable, and none forgettable. How shy retiring types became extroverts on stage.

• The many friends he made on staff; these include life long mates like Helen Wilson, Bianca Jones, Shane Moffat and many more. He thoroughly enjoyed using the microphone at staff farewell gatherings, of course he spoke at his own.

• His work as Careers Counsellor and History teacher with Sonia Murr, Lisa Christie and Zena Churchill.

• The time he lost his voice and had to go from room to room with a portable “Madonna” mic and roving amplifier and he day some students hid it from him.

EXERPTS FROM OPTIMA SEMPER’S THE BEST YEAR OF YOUR LIFEDespite the work-loaded and related side effects (ulcers, insomnia, suicidal tendencies) HSC is also the best year in high school. You are not TOP DOG. You are treated like an adult and suddenly teachers become friends and confidants. You are able to get away with much more – like painting a PE teacher’s car with shaving cream and acting like a juvenile

in the canteen. One event enjoyed by everyone is the HSC Dinner Dance. Can you Form Oners imagine having dinner with your English teacher? In HSC it is possible, and what’s more, it’s enjoyable.Enjoy the freedom of junior school life as long as possible. When you reach HSC savour it. There are times when you feel like leaving and never returning, and there are also times when you’re glad to be there. Jacqui Horwood - Level 2.

FRANKSTON HIGH INVADES BALIAugust 1985 saw twelve Indonesian language students, accompanied by Mr Paul McCarthy and Mrs Trudy MacKenzie, touch down on Indonesian soil. The students commented on their experiences:When I think of Bali the first thing that comes to mind is the Balinese people. They are a beautiful race. Many of them are kind, friendly and polite. They have great respect for families, beliefs and culture. I was impressed with the love they have for one another. The cultivation of rice occurs everywhere – on the side of the road, backyards, terraces. Every piece of land is used. The housing in Bali shocked me greatly. The most interesting thing I saw there was the Barong Dance. It was fun, lively and easy to understand and watch. Jodi ReadThere was another visit in 1988 when Jenny Lamond and Andrew Van Nooten accompanied eighteen year 11 students. Indonesian language teaching at the school finished when Trudy MacKenzie left in 1987.

STORMING THE ROCKThe Central Australian trip in August 1986 was the most ambitious and adventurous undertaken by the school. Margaret Mace, Miriam Mazlo, Mark Seaton and Andrew Van Nooten accompanied 40 students on the assault of the interior. Long remembered was the storming of the rock when the FHS group, hand over hand, chain ganged their way to the top of Ayers Rock (Uluru). Then came the epic conquest of the Olgas (Kata Tjuta). The treacherous Olga Gorge was traversed in one great communal effort, up huge boulders and down narrow crevices. Then, over a chasm marked on the map ‘for experienced climbers only’ and entry to the Valley of the Winds was gained, a tremendous feeling of excitement, not marred by the fact that ‘the coach was lost’. It had failed to traverse the ring road successfully! A search party led by Mark Seaton set out and found the lost coach and encountered some rangers anxious to meet up with the Frankston group. Back at Yulara the great conquest of the Olgas was the chief topic on Outback Radio and made the TV news as well.

TALENT ON SHOWThe annual variety concert was greatly enjoyed by all. Among the staff acts were:-• Pots and Pans – Luanne Carter, Diane

Paul and Andrew Van Nooten• Secretary – Simon Farrar, Anne Burnell

and Lindy Mumme• Top of the Class – Andrew Peters,

Craig Ridoutt, Simon Farrar, Susie Falk, Mandy Stein, Miriam Mazlo and Diane Paul

Some dances presented by students were:-• Venus – Peta-Marie Stephens, Karen

Marsh, Kylie Brew• Pink Panther Theme – Lisa Ciechomski• Dancing on the Ceiling – Leah

Partington, Cathie Thomas and Kellie Jeanes

• Jungle Dance – Nicky Dymott and Alyson McClenaghan

Some Solos:-• Sisters – Lara and Amber Hulls• I know Him So Well – Nicole and

Kristen Godsman• The Greatest Love Of All – Flute, Linda

Hartskeerl and Andrea Friend• Drum Solo – Roger ThresherThe school’s musical, ‘The Coolest Cat in Town’, a resounding success, won five nominations for Peninsula Light Opera Society Awards: Mathew Crichton – Best Supporting Actor; Sean Meggs – Best Male Vocal; Meredith Hunt – Best Female Vocal; Best Costumes and Best sets - Thanks to Bob Cooper and Best Music – thanks to Kathy Cleeves.

THE ENTERTAINERSSeptember 1988 saw the production of the musical ‘Pardon Me: Is This Planet Taken?’ – was a great success. The production group included Andrew Van Nooten, John Price, Susie Falk, Lindy Mumme, Karen Jones, Diane Paul, Kathy Cleeves, Sally Chapple and Phil Southam. The production gained several awards from PLOS. Mrs Williamson and her assistants won the section for best costumes; John Price, Bob Cooper and Adrian D’Ambra - Best Set Design Award. Nicola Tyrie was judged - best Female Volcalist.

Margaret Mace


CLASS OF 1988 – 30 YEAR REUNION

What a fabulous night, seeing so many familiar faces after so many years! It was great to share memories and reignite friendships. Thanks to the organisers for all the effort that went into making it possible and to all those that travelled to be part of it. Hope to see you all again at the next one!

Andrea De Jong


BAXTER TAVERN CHRISTMAS LUNCH

Sue Coward (nee Mc Laren), Sue Gilbert

(nee Gilham), Jan Lee (nee Gilham)

Bill Underwood24 NOVEMBER 2018This was an excellent reunion with approximately 150 in attendance which was made easier by the ‘sit where you want to’ rather than having to sit at specified tables.

It was great to have five students from the 60s attend the reunion. John Baker son of Jack and Doris Baker (both staff members in the 50s and 60s), sisters Sue and Jan Gilham, their father was well known in Frankston for working with returned soldiers, and their best friend Sue McLaren, Douwe Hoeksema also attended. Hopefully, we may have more of the 1960s next year. Much catching up, re-hashed memories and lots of laughter.

John Albiston’s suggestion to bring along an exchange student to speak to us was an excellent move. Zanele, from Soweto, entertained us with stories from her own school and compared the differences between the schools and our societies. She had picked up some Aussie ‘slang’; her (sometimes) misuse of these strange words prompted a few laughs.

Zanele is a lovely young woman who hopes to go on to University in the field of Science. She was to return home shortly after completing her studies in year 11 with Frankston High School. She spoke very well, you could have heard a pin drop; finishing with her honesty about going home with mixed emotions sad to leave but happy to be seeing family and friends back home in Soweto.

The reunion was enjoyed by all that attended.

Margaret Mace

Ian Adderly, Leigh Jondahl

Liz Marshall (nee Reid), Fiona Jones (nee Wagstaff)

Roger Townsend, Peter Jupp

Helena Vanzanden (nee Hall), Linda Shepherd (nee Cousland), Chris Mead

Brenda Thornell (nee Unthank) Maisie Lewis (nee Unthank)

Rae Bailey (nee Dennis), Suzanne Fischer (nee

Dennis), Jacquie Wissenden (nee Rodenburg)


Jennie Martin (nee Mc Comb), Kevin Reid,

Bob Edward

Richard Prestt,

Marie Prestt (nee Baker)

Kerin Fogarty, Ross Perkins

Lauris Rogerson, Ron wood, Val White

Bill Mc Gennisken, Geoff Oates

Anita Alderson (nee Comelli), Patricia Mair (nee Ticknell)

John McKinnon, Henry McKinnon

June Gardener, (nee Rumble), Valma Gardner,

(nee Waddell), Joyce Gardner (nee J

ames)

Graeme Hornsburgh, Don Legge, Jenny Hornsburgh, Ian Rogerson


Tim Mirabella,Charlie Munday

Margaret Akeroyd,Bill Underwood`

Daryl Groves,Shirley Groves (nee Williamson)

Joy Bohn,Peggy Curd,Robin Bohn

Sandra Barnes, Margaret Jones, Edith Urbanczyk

Bruce Petrie,Jess Thomas



Suzanne Fischer (nee Dennis , Jan La

ing (nee

Mackenzie) , Jacquie Wissenden (nee

Rodenburg) ,

Margaret Harrington (nee Hanton)

Peter Bourne

Jan East (nee Bond , Gwenda Stubbington (nee McLeod) , John Stubbington

Wally Allen, Brendah Allen

Bev Le Bas (nee Hocking),Doug Le Bas

eff Fletcher , Bill Underwood , Peggy Curd

Charlie Munday ,Shirley Higgins (nee Wilson)

Liz Marshall (Nee Reid , Jan Mc Gilll (nee Latham), Fiona Jones (nee Wagstaff), Jan Laing (nee Mackenzie) , Barbara Denham

Shirley Davies (nee Mc Clelland , Laurel Scaife (nee Heron)


David Bilton

John Stubbington,

Gloria Cullinane (nee Willshire)

Margaret Akeroyd, Max Muller

Elizabeth Gaeth (nee Green), Douwe Hoeksema,

Mary Hoeksema

Faye Pangiazio, Chris Pangiazio

John Albiston

John Albiston

Diana Burt , Lew Jenkins

Zanele Year 11 student



FRANKSTON HIGH 40 YEAR REUNION 1973 – 1978

6 October 2019 at Ranelagh ClubIt was a fantastic night, many laughs and stories exchanged all night.

It was fantastic to have 38 students there, quality people in their own way.

We all have been on our own journey and all are very proud of what we all have achieved.

We would like to thank Brad McKenzie who was a fantastic MC on the night.

A big thank you to Sue Hawkins, Ann Hyde, Karen Marin and Clive Watson for organising a fantastic night.

ATTENDEESSue HawkinsAnn Osbourne (Hyde)Clive WatsonKaren Kenter (Martin)Wendy Grieve (Lennard)Wendy FassoJohn HilleBronwyn Sullivan (Kelly)Jon SavilleDawn Leicester (Williams)Kerry Whitehead WhiteIan BirdBrett MayorTrenn SayerLee Gillen (Blackham)Susan Booth (Ash)Ian Ridley.Jenny Radfeld (Mair)Brian CunialDenise Harrison.(Hayes)Tanya Lefebvre (van Tienen)Steven AshleyBrad McKenzieBronwyn LewisJane Harris Geldard)Jenny Glick(Warland)David GrantBronwyn Leech (Wils)Jan Green (Backx)John MaceMarianne Roberts (Van Dorsla)Judy Cooper (Easton)Vicki Perry (Inglis)Andrew HammondShane GriffinApril Hinton (Redman)Kent Wingfield.Kerrie Brodie(Oliver)

John Albiston


VALECORAL GAUNT (WHEELER) sadly passed away 30/08/2018. 1954 intake

LEONARD (LEN) K. STEVENS AM 1 July 1925 – 17 August 2018

Len Stevens was born in Frankston, his family lived on the northern side of Cranbourne Road just prior to the intersection with Beach Street.He attended Frankston Primary School and then Frankston High School from 1937 to 1943. He then served as a Flying Officer in the Pacific during World War ll. His family had limited financial resources, however staff members at Frankston High had emphasised to him that as he was very bright he must attend university and he should be able to get a scholarship to do so. After the war, thanks to a government reconstruction training scheme, he was able to commence his studies at the University of Melbourne, School of Engineering, graduating with a Bachelor of Civil Engineering in 1950 and a Master of Engineering in 1954. He then obtained a scholarship to the University of Cambridge where he completed his PhD in 1955. In 1956 he commenced as a lecturer in the subject of Strength of Materials, in the School of Engineering at Melbourne University. In 1968 he became a Professor and in 1970 Head and Chairman of the Department of Civil Engineering, he was Dean of the School of Engineering from 1979 to 1988 and continued his involvement in the Melbourne University School of Engineering for over 60 Years. From 1991, Professor Stevens continued to teach Engineering students as an Emeritus Professor at the Department of Infrastructure Engineering, as well as subjects for architecture and building students until 2017.Prof. Stevens very much appreciated the need for scholarships to assist worthy students and championed the creation of scholarship opportunities through initiatives such as the Melbourne University Engineering Foundation, which he established as Dean in 1982 with the assistance of Prof. Joubert. In addition, a scholarship has been named after him, the Len Stevens Scholarship Appeal was established in 2011 in celebration of the 150th anniversary of engineering education at Melbourne University, with Prof. Stevens as its patron.His significant published works (over 80 papers, mostly written before the advent of research funding bodies) which testify to his careful and innovative research work, have changed both industry and academic practice. Some of the projects that Prof. Stevens contributed to were:• The initiation of the adoption of Limit State Design, this has involved major changes to

existing practice, which is now universally adopted.• Chair of the International Standards Committee which achieved harmonisation of structural

standards in the Pacific and East Asia nations. • Member of the Royal Commission on the 1970 collapse of the Westgate Bridge and design

consultant in the rehabilitation design brief and continuing maintenance, 1971-1978.• Worked on the official government inquiry into the aftermath of the devastating Cyclone

Tracy in 1974.• 1979- 80 Engineer Assessor for the design competition and Design Consultant for the

construction of the New Parliament House in Canberra. 1982-85 Design consultant for the New Parliament House

• Engineer Assessor for the design of the Arts Centre spire in Melbourne.• Engineer Assessor for the design of the Australian Academy of Science Shine Dome in

Canberra. Prof. Stevens was a Fellow of the Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering and a Fellow of the Institution of Engineers Australia, where he received several medals for his contribution and service. In 2005 he was awarded a Member of the Order of Australia for his outstanding contribution in the field of Engineering and Education.On 28 November 2018 a memorial service and celebration of the life of Emeritus Professor Len Stevens was held at the University of Melbourne. This memorial service was attended by some 170 academics, former students, members of the engineering profession, family and friends. Many of the attendees set out in a handbook their reflections on their experiences with Len Stevens during his over 60 year involvement with the University of Melbourne School of Engineering. He was considered to be an outstanding structural engineer and teacher who was intelligent, competent, respected, admired and a pleasant knowledgeable person who had had an enduring influence on many people during his life. Bruce F.H. Miller

DON’T MISS OUT ON YOUR COPIES (APRIL, AUGUST AND DECEMBER) OF OPTIMA SEMPERPlease urge your friends to become ‘paid up’ members of our association. By paying the annual membership of $15.00 you ensure you don’t miss out on future events and hearing what has been happening. You also guarantee your 2019 copies of Optima Semper with lots of news and photos.

BEST ALWAYSOPTIMA SEMPER

Len Stevens


‘OPTIMA SEMPER’ MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL NOTICE

Membership renewals for 2019 are due by the 31st of December 2018.

Payments will be accepted until the 30th of June 2019

Please remember that if you do not pay membership, you will only receive the April ‘Optima Semper’.

Please attach your payment of $15 to this slip and return to Frankston High School, Foot Street, Frankston.

Cheques should be made payable to ‘Frankston High School’.

If you are not yet a financial member and would like to be, please fill in the details below.

Name: ________________________________________________ FHS Years: _________________________ Address: __________________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________ Post Code: _____________ Contact Phone Number: _________________________________________________ I am happy to have my name and contact details distributed to reunion organisers: YES / NO My email address is: ___________________________________________________________________________

Donations from readers are greatly appreciated and help support the continuation of ‘Optima Semper’.

Cheque payment attached Please make cheques payable to Frankston High School. Or Credit Card Details: Expiry Date: _____/_____ CVC No. ____________ Donation Amount to be included: __________________ Total Amount Paid: ________________________ Cardholders Name: ____________________________________ Signature: __________________________

You can cut this slip out and mail it directly to the school. Thank you.

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APRIL 2019

april 2019 ˜˚˛˝˙ˆˇ˘ - frankston high school · 2 april 2019 optima semper president’s...

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