NEWS FROM GRAMMAR 2015

Out & About
- former students achieving in their chosen fields
James Terry (Class of 2003) - Nuffield Recipient
Friends at Grammar always knew James, or ‘Spud’
was connected to the land and his career would
be in agriculture. On leaving school, James Terry
studied agriculture at Sydney University where he
was awarded the EJ Holtsbaum scholarship for
agriculture. He graduated with first class honours
in 2007.
After two years in Melbourne, working as an
agronomist for Elders and playing football with
the Casey Scorpions in the VFL James began
work with Momack Produce. Momack is a large
grower, packer and exporter of asparagus and other
vegetables. He is now a director of the company.
James also has a share in a farming partnership
growing asparagus. In 2014 James was awarded
the prestigious Nuffield scholarship to study the
economic sustainability of vegetable farming. He is
concerned that vegetable farming in Australia is not
viable and sustainable for business owners.
“My aim is to assist in ensuring the sustainability
of vegetable farming for future generations, to
achieve this we need to be able to grow produce
of the highest quality. Finding new growing,
harvest and packing techniques, along with
utilising mechanisation and advancing technology,
could save time and money.” James will visit the
Netherlands, USA, China, Mexico, Peru and New
Zealand during his studies.
Simon Wood (Class of 1994)
I began my LCGS experience in Kinder, in
the Log Cabin at the Mowbray campus, in
1980.
After amalgamation, I spent Grades 2-6 at
the Broadland House campus, returning to
the Log Cabin for Grade 7. For my entire
school life, except for my final year, I was
under the magnificent Headmastership
of the late Christopher Strong, of whom I
have the greatest admiration and fondest
memories.
Whilst not really academic, I thoroughly
enjoyed the sport and the emphasis on
outdoor education that Grammar affords
its students. I guess along with many, I still
think of the Grade 7 trip to Maria Island with
the happiest of memories.
I enjoyed tennis during my school years
but swimming was my chosen sport and
I thoroughly enjoyed putting my all into
it. I remember breakfast in the boarding
house of spaghetti on toast, after slogging
out a few kilometres in the Mowbray pool
with my team mates before the school day
commenced. In my final year I was made
vice-captain of the school and vice-captain
of swimming.
On the completion of my time at Grammar
I moved to Hobart and worked in our family
business. I dabbled in university, but found
the thrill of making a sale in the shop far
more exciting and was far better at selling
than studying!
In February 2001 whilst at the Launceston
Cup I was introduced by mutual friends
to my wife Zoe. We were married in April
2003 at the Grammar Chapel and had
the reception in a marquee on the lawn in
front of the pilot station at Low Head. We
now have 2 beautiful children, Lucy 7 and
Alexander 3, who both attend Broadland
campus. It’s wonderful taking our children
to my old school and seeing some of my
own teachers there, and classmates who are
also doing the school run with their children.
In November last year I was elected an
Alderman of Launceston City Council.
I had previously run for council some
10 years before, and have always been
interested in local government. My main
motivation for standing for council is that
I am proud of Launceston and proud to
be a Launcestonian, and I want to do
everything I can to see Launceston succeed.
I want our children to have the choice and
opportunities to remain here in the city and
state we all love.
I'm thoroughly enjoying my new role as
an Alderman. Twenty years in retail has
provided me with great training and the
ability to communicate with all people from
all walks of life.
My time at Grammar has taught me to be
strong, resilient and to never give up.
Jeremy Kode (Class of 2006)
Jeremy recently returned to live in Launceston. After
completing Grade 12 at Grammar, he followed a
career in hotel management and hospitality; studying
at the Swiss Hotel and Hospitality School in Adelaide.
His work in the hospitality industry has taken him
to Queensland and Spain, and the last four years
in Shanghai, China. Recently he returned home to
work on the family farm at Longford with his partner
Victoria. They are now preparing to open a new
business. Geronimo’s Aperitivo Bar and restaurant
is in the old Xerox building in Charles Street which is
due to open in July.
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