Sapere Aude Bequest Society Events
It was a busy end to 2022 for society members and guests, with two tours of the Royal Botanic Gardens led by Mary Ward, Past President of the Friends of the Botanic Gardens. Kenneth Park presented his final webinar for the year, ‘Inspiring destinations with Agatha Christie’ and more than 40 guests enjoyed a splendid afternoon at our annual Christmas Celebration, Carols with our Wesley Community Choir - A Chorus Lion.
SABS members visiting the Botanic Gardens
SABS members visit the Botanic Gardens in Melbourne
A Chorus Lion
Stanley and Glenys Goricane at the SABS Christmas function
Spencer Wilkinson, Peter Williams, Philip Lambourne, Nicki Lefkovits and Lawrence Money
SABS members visiting the Gothic Bank
SABS members touring the Gothic Bank
The merry group: SABS members at the Gothic Bank
Our 2023 program was launched in style with two oversubscribed visits to the historic ANZ Gothic Bank, the former Australasian headquarters of the English, Scottish and Australian (ES&A) Bank in February. Guests enjoyed a tour of this iconic building that opened in the heady days of 1880s Melbourne with a visit to Verdon Chambers – the private apartments of Sir George Verdon, former General Manager of the ES&A Bank; a real highlight.
To find out more about work of the Society, contact kenneth.park@wesleycollege.edu.au or visit our Sapere Aude Bequest Society page.
Jock (OW1945) and Nancy Balding Bequest
John (Jock) Methuen Balding entered Wesley College in 1942 as a boarder and left in 1945 having gained his Leaving Certificate. He enjoyed school and was an allrounder in sport, proving useful on the cricket field, excelling in diving and achieving football colours in 1944.
Upon leaving school, he went straight to work as all hands were needed to support the war effort. Jock had a very successful career, distinguished by his long-time employment with Ansett Airlines (Transport Industries) in senior management roles, including a stint as Manager, Inflight Services. Jock maintained a very active connection with the Old Wesley Collegians as a golfer, playing in many competitions during his working life and retirement.
He and Nancy joined the Sapere Aude Bequest Society in 2005 and enjoyed the many functions and events on offer. Jock and Nancy had no children, but valued education and appreciated the lifelong friendships forged through their association with Wesley.
They made a bequest to the College a few years ago and following Jock’s death in 2019 and Nancy’s passing last year, we are the recipients of $750,000 generously donated for the benefit of current and future students.
