Collections that represent connections

Dr Mark Tucker (OM 1973) has a strong sense of gratitude for his family’s connection with Melbourne Grammar School.

His parents, Kenneth (OM 1936) and Wilma, supported wholeheartedly his enthusiasm for School life and encouraged his involvement in a wide range of activities. Mark remembers their pride when he was selected to represent the student body in the School’s annual ANZAC memorial parade.

Such moments connected various generations of Mark’s family, including his great uncle Kenneth Buchan (OM 1907), who had been killed in WWI in 1916. Every time Mark and his father entered The Old Melburnians War Memorial Hall, they were reminded of his sacrifice by seeing his name on the Roll of Honour.

More recently three nephews – Fraser Walker (OM 2011) and his twin brothers Harris and Pierce (OM 2013) – attended the School. This attachment reinforced the sense of family connection to the School.

Wilma personified the strong Tucker family identification with the School. She enthusiastically collected Melbourne Grammar memorabilia.

“Mum used to track down items that had a connection to Melbourne Grammar, which sometimes even appeared in country markets,” Mark recalls.

Thanks to Mark, the School has received a range of rare items from Wilma’s collection, including school reports, a prayer book, weekly record books, calendars, and sports and cadet programs, as well as a print by former Melbourne Grammar School art teacher Des Norman.

Mark hopes current students can learn from the items’ history.

“In a sense, these records represent my journey through the 1960s and 70s, as well as a wider family love of the School,” he says.

“Hopefully students can reflect back, compare what they’re going through and see that they’re following in others’ footsteps.”

Mark’s fondest memory from Melbourne Grammar is the friendships he nurtured. They continue today, some 50 years on.

“There’s a group of us who keep together and still catch up,” he says.

“We’ll often reflect with laughter on what we did and, because we were all from different Houses, each of us brings something different into the mix.”

Mark recently left two gifts to the School in his Will – one on his behalf, and another to honour his late father, whose supportive approach to Mark’s education is remembered with gratitude and fondness.

“I can now give something back to my dad by recognising him through this gift,” he says.

“It’s a nice memory of him and what he and mum did for me, and also what the School has done for me. It’s a fitting thing to do.”

To others wishing to leave a legacy, Mark’s advice is to act today.

“Make a start and do these things now before the opportunity is gone forever.”