Different, different but same

The accommodation has been different, the food has been different but the experience of developing lifelong friends has been the same for all three generations of the Webb family who have boarded at Melbourne Grammar School.

Geoffrey (Geoff) Webb (OM 1955) entered Perry House (on the current Wadhurst site) in 1946. His son, Richard Webb (OM 1985), followed, entering School House (located on the site of the current Nigel Peck Centre for Learning and Leadership) in 1982. Richard’s son, Jack, is currently in Year 10, having commenced at the School last year. He also resides in School House, albeit in its current location in the Boarding Precinct.

“Although I lived locally, my parents thought boarding school would suit me – and it did,” explains Geoff. “I remember being a little apprehensive at the start but, once I settled in, I was happy as could be and that never changed.”

Richard concurs. “I was already attending Melbourne Grammar when, in Year 9, my parents thought I might enjoy a boarding experience,” Richard says. “I was initially reluctant but, within less than a month, you couldn’t have pulled me out of there. It was one of the best things I ever did.”

So, what has made this the case?

The Webb family admits that each of them have had a different boarding experience. Geoff resided in a dormitory, whereas Richard and Jack reside(d) in more comfortable spaces. The food appears to have significantly improved in recent times. “Some meals were best avoided,” laughs Geoff whereas Jack enjoys great variety of teenage friendly, nutritious food.

However, the one abiding constant has been the mateship that develops between boarders.

“I still count some of my fellow boarders as being among my closest friends,” says Richard. “There is an indelible mark left on you by virtue of living in close proximity for those important, formative years of your life. The deep friendships tend to extend through passage of time.”

Geoff still catches up with some of his boarding mates on a regular basis. “Even though it was more than 60 years ago, I remember that period of my life far more vividly than any period since,” he says. “The opportunity to knock around with a mob of guys and get up to fun means that we became close and we now have many shared memories.”

Jack also enjoys his unstructured time. “There are loads of things to do on the weekend,” he says. “Some are organised by boarding staff but sometimes I just like to go and watch sport or catch up with friends.”

NEW DIRECTOR OF BOARDING

After more than five years of outstanding service as the inaugural Director of Boarding, Mr Michael Shaw has elected to step down from the role at end 2017.

Current Director of Students, Mr Geoff Guggenheimer, will commence in the role next year. He will operate in both roles. Mr Guggenheimer has considerable experience in managing a boarding environment, having previously served in a similar role at Christ Church Grammar School in Perth.

“Boarders form a special part of the Melbourne Grammar School community,” says Mr Guggenheimer. “My priority is to continue to provide boarding students with a safe, caring ‘home away from home’ which offers independence, privacy, flexibility and fun.”