Change of flavour as GGS Hosts Beverley Dinner

On 5 May, Guildford made a refreshing deviation from the traditional rural theme by inviting humanitarian Dr Michael Tiller (49-53) to be the guest speaker at this year’s Beverley & Districts Combined PSA Schools Old Boys Assoc Annual Dinner. It was the School’s turn to host this year’s event and our lads did us proud by answering the call to arms to ensure we were well represented. Thirty out of the eighty people in attendance represented the School, more than any other school, and this included a better than normal showing by our younger Old Guildfordians.

Dr Tiller provided a most engaging speech sharing his experiences from his colourful life. After spending his early childhood in Boulder and Katanning, Michael boarded at Guildford Grammar before studying at the University of Western Australia and the University of Adelaide. He then entered the Royal Australian Navy as a surgeon with the rank of Lieutenant. Michael served aboard the HMAS Voyager at the time the HMAS Melbourne carved through its hull during night manoeuvres in 1964, tragically killing 82 men. In a strange twist of fate, Michael had only just been ordered to provide medical support elsewhere for a couple of days and he escaped certain death as his medical station was in the path of the carnage. Upon completing four years in the Navy, Michael studied further in the United Kingdom and returned to Australia in 1972 with a Fellowship in Surgery. Michael has since dedicated his life to humanitarian work and his selfless devotion to this cause includes thirty one years of service to Leprosy sufferers in the Kimberley, thirty years of service to clinics in Bunbury and Esperance, and a twenty year tradition of annual medical visits to third world countries. Michael has shared the benefit of his expertise as a committee member of the Australian Medical Association and as President of the Australian Orthopaedic Association. In 1998, Michael received the AMA’s inaugural award for Service to the Community.

Fuelled by the night’s typically juicy steaks and the usual lavations, the guests enjoyed the camaraderie and good natured Inter-School banter resulting from their common PSA bond. Thanks to all those that attended for showing your support of the School.

Guildford was out in force at the Beverley Dinner