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Old Haileyburians Association

Celebrating OHA Week at Haileybury Rendall School

Last month, we thoroughly enjoyed celebrating OHA Week at HRS. Our Senior School students enjoyed a range of interactive activities, including a silent disco, a photo booth, captivating presentations and a variety of delicious food trucks. The day provided awareness of the OHA brand and demonstrated to our students that the Haileybury community will always be there for them.

We concluded the day with a memorable Chapter dinner, welcoming alumni living in Darwin along with senior staff from HRS. One of the attendees was David Ray (OH 1990) and his daughter Grace (OH 2022) who kindly shared their story with us.

David Ray and his beautiful family moved to Darwin in late 2019. They were very pleased to have had daughter Grace and now also daughter Lydia enrolled at their father’s alma mater.

After some post-VCE travelling, Grace returned to Darwin in mid-2023 to pursue her interest in visual arts, craft and design. This year, Grace has combined those interests by commencing studies in Architectural Design at Charles Darwin University. Aiming to truly become a Territorian, Grace hopes to use those skills in designing appropriate housing for the tropics.

Since arriving in Darwin, David completed and published his doctoral dissertation on Conflict and Enmity in the Asaph Psalms (Tübingen: Mohr Siebeck, 2023). While working as a Chartered Accountant and serving on a number of risk management and audit committees in the not-for-profit and public sectors, David continues to pursue his research on ancient texts and traditions as a University Scholar at St Francis College, Milton, Queensland (University of Divinity).

Thank you, David and Grace, for staying connected. Once a Haileyburian, always a Haileyburian.

The OHA Roadshow travels to Tasmania

The Tasmanian Chapter dinner at the Landscape Restaurant in Hobart was a wonderful occasion. Our members had a fantastic time catching up with each other while enjoying a delicious three-course dinner. One of the reasons we love hosting events is when we receive positive and unsolicited feedback: “The best part of the night was networking and reflecting on our experience of the School and how it has changed.”

It was fascinating to hear from one of the attendees, Stuart McFadzean (OH 1991), whose journey after graduating is incredible.

Stuart joined the army and served for 10 years, specialising as a Parachute Rigger and Air Dispatch Officer. The Army introduced him to a range of diverse outdoor pursuits including adventure racing to Africa, sailing in the Pacific and on several climbing expeditions to New Zealand and Nepal. Many of these pursuits he continues to enjoy.

During Stuart’s last posting, he met his partner Melinda and they moved to Hobart in search of adventure and a more exciting lifestyle. According to Stuart, “There’s so much fun stuff to do in Tassie and within a short drive from your door, there is incredible wilderness, mountains, beaches and rivers.” They have built a beautiful home to European passive house standards of which they are immensely proud.

Stuart then joined the Australian Antarctic Division to work on a project to introduce fixed winged aircraft. One highlight was building Australia’s Wilkins Runway, the first ice runway to ever receive civil certifications. At the time, he viewed this as an exciting side project, a diversion from a more conventional career that he was sure he would be drawn into. He didn’t realise Antarctic operations would become his career and passion!

Stuart passionately believes that tourism, when done well, is essential for the ongoing protection of Antarctica. This is his 10th year with White Desert Antarctica where he leads operations. He brings both tourists and scientists in to experience Antarctica with the aim of ensuring the continent is valued, understood and protected. They do so with a far lighter footprint than government programs and he is delighted that they have pioneered many techniques to minimise environmental impact.

Recently, Stuart was fortunate to return to formal study, completing the General Management Program at Harvard. “Learning is a lifelong passion that began at Haileybury, and it was a great opportunity to test myself and keep abreast of global trends while living in Tassie,” he commented.

Thank you, Stuart, for staying connected. Once a Haileyburian, always a Haileyburian.


Upcoming OHA events

Information regarding all OHA events can be found here.

Date Event
Thursday, 22 August
OHA Brighton Generations Breakfast
Friday, 23 August
Class of 1994 - 30 Year Reunion
Sunday, 25 August
Mornington Peninsula Lunch

Sold out

Thursday, 12 September
OHA London event
Friday, 13 September
Perth Chapter Dinner
Friday, 4 October
Golf Day
Friday, 11 October
Class of 1989 - 35 Year Reunion
Saturday, 12 October
Berwick Edrington Reunion
Wednesday, 16 October
OHA Foundation Archives event
Friday, 18 October
Class of 2004 - 20 Year Reunion
Wednesday, 23 October
OHA Canberra Chapter dinner
Thursday, 24 October
OHA Sydney Chapter evening
Friday, 25 October
Class of 1974 - 50 Year Reunion
Friday, 25 October
Clark Club Luncheon
Thursday, 31 October
OHA Brisbane Chapter dinner
Friday, 1 November
OHA Gold Coast Chapter dinner
Friday, 8 November
Class of 1999 - 25 Year Reunion
Friday, 15 November
Class of 2019 - 5 Year Reunion

Stay connected

We love hearing what our OHA alumni are up to. Please submit your amazing stories here.

If you do not already, please follow the OHA on Facebook and Instagram. We also invite you to stay connected by subscribing to our monthly newsletter here.

Please note that the OHA Office is here for all members and we encourage you to reach out if required via stayconnected@haileybury.com.au or contact me on 9904 6615

Kylie Phillips
Development Office Operations Lead