The Tunga Society

In April, Dr Murray Verso (OTG 1966), Patron, and the Headmaster, Dr Michael Davies, were delighted to welcome Peter Casey (OTG 1973), Rodney De Boos (OTG 1966), Rodney Lyle (OTG 1972), Duncan McPherson OAM (OTG 1977), and Garry and Deborah Ringwood to the Tunga Society. Each new member was presented with a bequestor pin to symbolise their involvement and their contribution to Trinity.

Linda Beilharz OAM, the first Australian woman to ski or trek to both the North and South Poles, and her partner, Rob Rigato, retiring this year after heading up the Outdoor Education program at Trinity for 34 years, spoke to the Society about their extraordinary trek to the North Pole in 2010. 

Rob Rigato planting the Trinity flag at the North Pole

Listeners were held spellbound as Linda and Rob spoke of their 56 day, 780 kilometre journey from the shores of northern Canada to the North Pole, traversing extremely rugged ice landscapes, complete with crevices, cracking and drifting ice and open sea leads, the latter requiring them to swim in survival suits, while dragging sleds and 80kg backpacks. Linda and Rob’s physical endurance, mental courage and tenacity, especially in the final days, saw them trekking through extreme conditions for 17 hours a day with one hour’s sleep.  With space in his backpack at a premium, Rob still found a spot for a Trinity flag. 

Rowan Joyce and Laurence Williams, 2016 Outdoor Education leaders, thanked Linda and Rob.  In recognising Linda and Rob’s achievements, the Headmaster and Director of Development and Community Relations, Sue Felton, also expressed their gratitude, and noted how privileged Trinity’s current and past students were to have had Rob as their Head of Outdoor Education for so many years.

Year 12 Vice-Captain and Captain of Outdoor Education, Rowan Joyce and Laurence Williams, with guest speakers Linda Beilharz OAM and Rob Rigato

Membership of the Tunga Society is open to anyone who has made a bequest to the School. The next Tunga Society event will be held on Wednesday 5 October, 2016.

A bequest is the key to ensuring that what you have valued will continue to grow in the future. Participation is the key, not necessarily the amount.

If you would like to discuss how to leave a bequest to the School in your Will, please call Sue Felton in the Community Relations Office at any time on +61 3 9854 3604 or email feltons@trinity.vic.edu.au. Your conversation will be held in the strictest confidence.