PEGS Alumni Association

12/10/2026

Blast from the Past - PEGS Archives
Before the school purchased the Eildon Camp site, students had camps in other places around Victoria, including the ESA Marysville Camp.
1982 PEGS - Junior School Boys - Year 5 Camp at ESA Marysville
Do you remember this camp? Can you help with names?
----
Here's a write-up from the PEGS Yearbook 1982
Our camp at Marysville (Year Five)
Day One — I arrived at school at 8.15 a.m. and departed at 8.52 a.m. On the way in the bus, we played a game called Spotto, where you have to find things like signs and pine trees. We got to the E.S.A. camp at 11.20 a.m., unpacked and had lunch. After lunch we finished unpacking. We were then called to the auditorium where there was a Forestry Commission Officer, who showed us some films on wood−chipping. Next on the programme was a hike to Red Hill, which took an hour and a half.
Then showers, writing in our dairies, tea and a film about Safety in the Bush. 8.45 p.m. Supper. 9.00 p.m. bed.
Day Two — I did bush cooking today, in which we made beautiful Damper Twist. It is amazing what you can make out of flour and water. It was a great feeling to eat damper out in the bush near a glowing fire. We had an interesting hike for environmental science, looking for plant and animal life. An important part was bush survival, where we made tents and stretchers, which was fun.
Dimitrios and I made a good team. We came second in orienteering.
Day 3 — At 9.30 a.m. we departed for Snobs Creek Fish Hatchery and Lake Eildon. At the Fish Hatchery, we saw trout at different stages of life from eggs to half metre long fish. There were not many big fish, because the rest had been poached. At Lake Eildon, I took some pictures. Lunch was at Fraser National Park with the Kangaroos and the Rosellas. 6.00 p.m. Tea, then practising for the concert tomorrow.
Day 4 — 8.00 a.m. Breakfast.
9.15 a.m. Hike to Stevenson's Falls. I took pictures of it. We then hiked to Goulds Sawmills. We arrived back at camp about 61/2 hours from when we had started. 6.00p.m. Tea. concert followed, which was very enjoyable. 8.45 p.m. Supper. 9.00 p.m. Bed.
Day 5
8.00 a.m. Breakfast. 9.00 a.m. Packed up. 10.00 a.m. We departed for Healesville Sanctuary, where we saw Australian wildlife. We arrived back at school at 3.30 p.m.
It was nice to have the company of my school friends. I think we were very lucky to have such an exciting time at the E.S.A. Camp in Marysville.
Darrell Raether — Year 5

07/10/2026

THIS SUNDAY!
The Friends of PEGS Craft Market is on Sunday 11 October, 10am to 4pm, at the Keilor East Campus.
🎈 Coffee and Food Trucks
🎈 Craft and Specialty Stalls
🎈 New Exciting Rides
🎈 Competitions and Games
🎈 Music and Dance Performances
🎈 Pre-loved Books and Toys Stall

05/10/2026

Highlighting our performing arts Alumni...
(please send through your Alumni music / performing arts events for us to promote)
🎭🎭🎭
Another Melbourne Fringe Festival show... starting soon
Eliza Carlin [Class of 2018] and current performing arts staff member, is performing in a play called ‘I Promise This Isn’t About You (Even If It Feels Like It Is)’.

Wednesday-Saturdays 8.30pm and Sundays 7.30pm at Trades Hall from October 7th-18th
https://www.melbournefringe.com.au/whats-on/events/i-promise-this-isn-t-about-you-even-if-it-feels-like-it-is
—
The three-time sold-out and award-winning smash hit of Melbourne Fringe 2025 returns to the carpark where it all began.

Set entirely in a share-house toilet, five young people in Narrm's southeast are thrown together for a night of bacchanalia and melancholy at an end-of-lease house party. Amidst overlapping masculinity crises, spirals of loneliness, and q***r audacity, I Promise This Isn’t About You follows the relentless discontentment of youth while the party rages on outside.

Performed in a pop up space in the Trades Hall car park, this production takes you across the threshold of adulthood in real time – interrupted by breakups, betrayals, and a gatecrashing little sister.

Written by emerging playwright Sarah Matthews, I Promise This Isn’t About You explores love in all its overlapping forms amidst the mess of life in twenty-first-century Melbourne. Sarah is a Green Room nominated playwright and educator. She is currently under commission with Canberra Youth Theatre and has developed work with both Australian Theatre for Young People and VIMH.

I Promise This Isn't About You received nominations for Sarah Matthew's writing and Carly Watson's directing at the 43rd Green Room awards, and took home the prestigious Crowd Pleaser Award at the 2025 Melbourne Fringe awards night.

05/10/2026

Congratulations to PEGS Alumni [EGS Class of 1976] - David McCourt DSM OAM, Captain RAN (Retd) on recent recognition of his support to East Timor in its independence struggle, as a United Nations Military Observer Sector Commander leading a multi-national team in 2000/2001

PRESS RELEASE - PRESIDENT J. RAMOS-HORTA CONFERS THE INSIGNIA OF THE ORDER OF TIMOR-LESTE AND THE MEDAL "SOLIDARITY OF TIMOR-LESTE" ON INTERFET VETERANS
Dili, 2 October 2026
The President of the Republic and Nobel Peace Laureate, J. Ramos-Horta, has conferred the Insignia of the Order of Timor-Leste and the Medal "Solidarity of Timor-Leste," along with a Certificate of Recognition, upon two distinguished members of the International Force for Timor-Leste (INTERFET).
The Order of Timor-Leste is the nation’s highest honor, bestowed upon individuals who have rendered exceptional and meritorious service that has contributed significantly to the good of Timor-Leste, the Timorese people, or Humanity.
The Medal "Solidarity of Timor-Leste" recognizes and thanks the military, police, and civilians, both national and international, who served the Timorese nation to strengthen social order and contributed significantly to national peace and stability. It also symbolizes gratitude to those from around the world who played an active and crucial role in the development of democracy in Timor-Leste.
Under the Decree of the President of the Republic No. 117/2026, the recipients are Captain David Llewelyn McCourt, DSM, OAM, RAN (retired), and Captain-Lieutenant Tamara Anne Sloper-Harding, OAM, RAN (retired). Both are honored for their pivotal roles during the 1999 INTERFET operation and their lasting contributions to Timor-Leste’s peace, stability, and community development.
Captain McCourt’s service in Timor-Leste included significant roles in supporting INTERFET operations and directly contributing to the United Nations mission. In the late 1990s, while serving as Joint Operations Officer at Headquarters Northern Command in Darwin, he was heavily involved in military support to operations in East Timor, with the headquarters serving as a Forward Mounting Base for INTERFET. In late 2000, he was deployed to East Timor as a United Nations Military Observer and became Senior Regional Military Observer for Sector South Central, covering the mountainous districts of Aileu, Manufahi, and Ainaro. He led a multinational team monitoring the security situation and supporting nation-building activities, including the rollout of polio vaccinations and disaster relief following a tropical cyclone.
Captain-Lieutenant Sloper-Harding served in Timor-Leste as part of Australia’s military commitment during the 1999 INTERFET operation, undertaking intelligence duties from 20 September 1999. Her service contributed to the international force’s efforts to restore security and stability following the violence surrounding the 1999 independence referendum. Following her military service, she maintained a deep and enduring connection with Timor-Leste and founded Friends of Soibada, an organization supporting the people and community of Soibada through ongoing humanitarian and community initiatives. Her continued involvement has strengthened longstanding relationships with the people of Soibada and reflects a commitment to Timor-Leste that has extended well beyond her military service.
President J. Ramos-Horta stated:
"Captain McCourt and Captain-Lieutenant Sloper-Harding answered the call when Timor-Leste needed the world’s help. They stood with us in our darkest hours and remained with us in the long journey of nation-building. Their service on the field and in the communities, they have continued to support, is a testament to the enduring friendship between Timor-Leste and Australia. On behalf of the Timorese people, I offer our deepest gratitude and recognition."
The recognition of these two individuals serves as a powerful reminder of the international solidarity that was instrumental in Timor-Leste's journey to independence and its subsequent development. Their continued dedication exemplifies the lasting bonds of friendship and cooperation forged during a critical period in the nation's history, and their stories stand as an inspiration for future generations of Timorese and friends of Timor-Leste around the world.

05/10/2026

Highlighting our performing arts Alumni...
(please send through your Alumni music / performing arts events for us to promote)
🎭🎭🎭
The Melbourne Fringe Festival is currently in full swing.
Amy Todd [Class of 2022] has designed the sets and costumes for "Rhomboid" a play by Eric Jiang
There's still time to get along and see this production - last show is 11 October - at fortyfivedownstairs theatre, 45 Flinders Lane, Melbourne
https://fortyfivedownstairs.sales.ticketsearch.com/sales/salesevent/158244

22/09/2026

Sharing the news of the passing of Essendon Grammar School / Penleigh and Essendon Grammar School past staff member and Alumni Coordinator, Mr Baden Hagger, aged 90.
Baden held many roles in his nearly 40 years at the school. He taught at the Senior School and the Junior School, held different positions including Form Master, Junior School Master in Charge and later Head of Junior School, Head of House, English teacher, Remedial teacher, Special Subjects Master, and established many clubs and activities, including the Camera Club and the Film Society.
The PEGS Community extends its condolences to his family and friends at this time.

27/08/2026

Calling all Class of 2016 - Reunion time!
Join this FB Group to keep up to date with the Reunion details and keep in touch with your year level
https://www.facebook.com/groups/pegsclassof2016

27/08/2026

Calling all Class of 1996 - Reunion time!
Join this FB Group to keep up to date with the Reunion details and keep in touch with your year level
https://www.facebook.com/PEGSClassof1996

27/08/2026

Highlighting our musical Alumni...
(please send through your Alumni music / performing arts events for us to promote)
🎶
This time 3 local Alumni (and 1 past parent) who have joined the Essendon Choral Society and will be singing solos in their upcoming concert (details below).
They will also be joined by a current PEGS VCE Music Student who will perform a couple of their VCE violin works.
Come along to Moonee Ponds and support James, Sebastian and Maddison, and the current student!

Introducing our fabulous soloists for the Schubert Mass in G - all from the choir! We are so fortunate to have such lovely voices in the choir!!

Come and support these courageous choristers at our concert...
2:30pm Saturday 5 September at St Thomas' Anglican Church Moonee Ponds.

🎟️ Tickets: www.trybooking.com/DNJJF or at the door

New choristers always welcome to come along and attend a rehearsal, Tuesdays 7:15-9:15pm. For more information please visit www.essendonchoralsociety.org.au

13/08/2026

Blast from the Past - PEGS Archives
More scanned negatives from Chris Lenz
c1983/c1984 - PEGS - Middle School Girls - "Jump Rope For Heart" skipping fundraiser
Can you help with names?