News of Anson Cameron (M'78), Oopy MacGillivray (Kimpton, Cl'89), Charlie Gardiner (M'00), Gussie Gould (He'12), Dev Ansh Tiwari (FB'12), Nina Morrison (A'18), Sam Lalor (FB'24), Lou-Lou Field (Fr'24) and Xavier Ivisic (A'24) feature in this edition. 

Anson Cameron (M'78) 

Melbourne author Anson was awarded first prize in The Best Australian Yarn competition in November. Anson attended the ceremony hosted in the State Library of Western Australia, where he received $50,000 for his short story, Vanilla…then Cinnamon, ahead of 6,000 entrants. The story, about the shifting relationship between a man in a coma and the nurse who cares for him, was described by Prize Jury Judge Robert Drewe as "impressing the judges on emotional levels beyond story-telling". Anson thanked the organisers and sponsors, acknowledging that prize money for competitions like this one "is one of the only ways, one of the routes into being a writer…". 

Oopy MacGillivray (Kimpton, Cl'89) 

Oopy saddled up her first Melbourne Cup runner in the Race that stops the nation, co-training roughie The Map with Dan Clarken. The Map secured its spot in the Cup in May with a win in the Andrew Ramsden Stakes, allowing Oopy and Dan to plot their path to the first Tuesday in November with the sole goal of ensuring the horse was at its peak. "We are still pinching ourselves – it's an absolute dream – we obviously don't have the big numbers to choose from, like some of the big stables that regularly have Melbourne Cup runners," Oopy said before the Race. In a field stacked with overseas raiders and big-money purchases, The Map was the underdog; a $35,000 purchase, bred in Tasmania, owned by a group including graziers, builders, a publican, and Oopy and Dan. While The Map didn't place this year, to race in the Cup was an amazing achievement! 

Charlie Gardiner (M'00)

 

It was announced on 11 December that Charlie has been appointed Executive General Manager of Football at Collingwood Football Club. Charlie has most recently held the position of Legal Counsel and Strategy at the Sydney Swans Football Club and prior to this, led the AFL Men's Football Program as Executive General Manager of Football at the Swans. Charlie played 63 games for Geelong and St Kilda Football clubs and is passionate about sport and the management of it. In October, Charlie generously gave his time to be part of the panel to discuss the business of sport at the OGG Business Breakfast. You can read more about Charlie and the OGG Business Breakfast here.

Gussie Gould (He'12)

 

Gussie was Captain of Snowsports at School but swapped the slopes for the seas as the Associate Circumnavigator on the Qingdao in the 2023-24 Clipper Race. 13 nations were represented by 65 race crew on her yacht, with Gussie flying the flag for New Zealand. The Clipper Race fleet travelled over 40,000 nautical miles, crossed six oceans, participated in 14 races, and spent 11 months on the sea. This time last year, the fleet were racing 2,500 nautical miles from Freemantle, WA, to Newcastle, NSW. Gussie was upbeat about Christmas on the seas, saying "Sailing around Australia at Christmas time is an incredible experience. The Qingdao crew feel like my offshore family…. so it's a pleasure to be sailing in the Roaring Forties again together during this festive time". Wishing Gussie a merry and dry Christmas this year! 

Dev Ansh Tiwari (FB'12)

 

Alongside 21 other educators, Dev has been celebrated at the 2024 Commonwealth Bank Teaching Awards for his innovative teaching methods and dedication to children and young people's success. Dev received an Early Career Teaching Scholarship with a value of $10,000 at the Parliament House ceremony hosted by the Honourable Jason Clare MP, Federal Minister for Education, in October. This isn't the first time that Dev has been recognised for his love of helping others learn. In 2021, Dev was an English teacher at Huonville High School in Tasmania, when he was presented with the Early Career Teaching and Leadership award from the Australian Council of Educational Leaders. This award recognised Dev's commitment to improving student academic outcomes, as well as his contribution to his broader school community. Although he studied a Bachelor of Economics and Bachelor of Laws (Honours) at the Australian National University, Dev always thought he would end up a school teacher and is currently an Assistant Principal at Katherine High School in the Northern Territory. You can read more about Dev here.

Nina Morrison (A'18)

 

November was a big month for Nina. As Vice Captain of the Geelong Cats AFLW team, she played her 50th game in the last round of the season, was named in the 42-player AFLW All-Australian squad and won the Geelong Cats AFLW 2024 Best and Fairest. Nina polled 138 votes in the count finishing ahead of Aishling Moloney (98) and Georgie Prespakis (74). Cats senior coach, Dan Lowther, said Nina's preparation is "second to none". "She prepares and drives this group and she wants to win everything, she brings everyone along with her on the ride". Reflecting after her win, Nina stated she had "plenty more to give" and was "very, very hungry to go again in 2025". Since graduating from Deakin University with a Bachelor of Exercise and Sports Science degree, majoring in Data Analytics, Nina has been juggling her football career with a role as a Data Analyst with the AFL. Having recently resigned from that position, she is excited to commence the next stage of her football career as a full-time professional. 

Sam Lalor (FB'24)

 

A roar from Francis Brown House could be heard across the Corio campus on 20 November, following the announcement that GGS Boys' 1st XVIII midfielder, Sam, had been selected by Richmond Football Club as Pick 1 in the AFL Draft. Capturing the moment was FB's Head of House, Simon Haigh, who reflected that the reaction provides insight into Sam's contribution to the boarding community and that "kindness is a character strength that epitomises Sam's approach to life". Following the announcement Sam said that "it was a really surreal feeling, and I was pretty shocked, but to share it with family and friends in the room was really special". Sam has become the third GGS student to be selected with Pick 1 in an AFL/AFLW Draft, following in the footsteps of Paddy McCartin (Fr'14) and Nina Morrison (A'18). It was announced on 3 December that Sam will be wearing number 22 in his debut season. 

Lou-Lou Field (Fr'24) 

On 16 December, Lou-Lou was selected by the Carlton Football Club with Pick 46 in the AFLW Draft. Lou-Lou has shown tremendous leadership in the School's football programme, guiding the team as Vice Captain and finishing runner-up for the best and fairest award in what was the most successful season of Geelong Grammar's girls football history. Away from school, Lou-Lou Captained the Western Jets in the Coates Talent League and represented Victoria Metro at Under 18 level this year. Congratulations Lou-Lou! 

Xavier Ivisic (A'24)

 

Xavier was selected by the Geelong Football Club via the AFL Rookie Draft on 22 November. Xavier co-captained the GGS Boys' 1st XVIII this season, alongside fellow draftee, Sam Lalor (FB'24), and secured back-to-back 1st XVIII best and fairest awards. Xavier came to the attention of recruiters across the country this year for averaging 22 disposals per game in the National Under 18 Championships. "Xavier's journey is a true testament to resilience and determination, as he has worked tirelessly to reach this point", said Troy Selwood, GGS Sports Performance Mentor.