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Obituaries
Graeme Ivallan Duke (OW1943)
07/07/1926 - 18/12/2021
Graeme began at Wesley on a scholarship in 1939. A Corrigan House Senior and active committee member of the Student Christian Movement, he was a member of both the Library and Chronicle Staff. He was a prodigious contributor to the life of the school through Chronicle and covered many important war-time student experiences for Wesley.
When Major-General George Vasey (OW1907) addressed the boys in Assembly following his leading of the Australian soldiers through the Kokoda Trail, it was Graeme who wrote the detailed and engaging article for Chronicle. Graeme went to Queens College and became an outstanding teacher and inspirational leader at Melbourne High School from 1961 to 1986, and was Vice Principal for ten years until 1986. Reproduced with the permission of the author, we share this obituary from Melbourne High School where he is fondly remembered:
'Graeme Duke was born into a Methodist family and won a scholarship to Wesley College. He then went to the University of Melbourne where he completed an Honours Arts degree and was a student of Queens College. He was an excellent scholar, gaining honours in French and Ancient History and a first-class honour in Latin. He completed his Dip Ed in 1947 and joined the Education Department. His teaching career commenced at Rushworth Higher and Elementary School where he taught from 1948-1952. He was then promoted to University High School (1953-1960) where he was soon recognised as a first-class teacher. In 1961, he was promoted to Melbourne High School to teach social studies but was soon promoted to the new category of Senior Teacher. This meant administrative responsibilities which he assumed with great ease and to good effect.
One of his students, later Professor Russell Lansbury, noting him as an outstanding teacher also commented: "He read every student essay carefully but did not tell you what to think, he simply posed questions. His interest was seminal."
A brilliant classroom teacher and pioneer in social studies and politics, he had a scholarly breadth that saw him familiar with so much. He was well versed in the classics, Latin, modern literature and Theology. He had a keen sense of humour and a dry wit, but was always modest and self-effacing.
Graeme was at the school under three principals — Thompson, Collins and Barberis, but he is most well-known for his remarkable work as vice principal to Barberis. The two of them combined to make a brilliant and effective combination. He was promoted to Vice-Principal in 1976 and became a legendary figure. His voice and presence immediately had the attention of the students, who respected him greatly. He rejoiced in the nick name of “Snapper,” for reasons unknown. Legend amongst the boys had him as a former boxer! As such, he never had any disciplinary problems.
One of his favourite stories was of a phone call reporting that a boy was ill and would be absent that day from school. Asking who was speaking, the reply was, “It’s my father!”
When Graeme Duke retired in 1986, Principal Lou Barberis said the debt to him was immense. He had administered a large and complex institution with apparent ease and his influence on staff and students was enormous. He was not only wise but his "presence instilled respect". Barberis went on to say, "He brings to an exacting role a superb intellect, wisdom and long familiarity with and an inspired awareness of the unique character of MHS" and he showed "unremitting dedication".
He provided important structures for staff and students within which they could show creativity and achieve excellence.
Sadly, soon after he retired in 1987, his wife Sheila died. This was a grievous blow. He was a man of faith so he undertook more study and became a Doctor of Divinity. His thesis topic was ‘Biblical criticism and the Protestant Churches in Victoria 1850-1900’.
Graeme retained a keen interest in the school and was a regular at school and old boy events. He was a key figure in the writing of the history of the school as well as the centenary celebrations. Not only was Graeme Duke one of the great figures in the history of MHS, but one of the most loved. He truly Honoured the Work.'
Dr Alan Gregory AM, School Historian, Melbourne High School