R IC PA LM E R – 3 5 Y E A RS OF DE DIC AT E D S E RV IC E
I have enjoyed working with the
Headmasters, Bursars, School Councils and
Architects over these years on all of the
different projects, and watching these ideas
grow into new houses, buildings and ovals;
how marvellous it has been to be a part of
it all.
The thing I have enjoyed the most and will
have the most difficulty coming to terms
with, is leaving the people here, the staff,
parents and students who have all become
part of my daily life. There is a unique
bond that we share here, which I have not
experienced anywhere else. My bond with
the members of the Bursar’s team, whom I
have worked with every day for most of my
time here, is very special and I will miss the
fun, comradery and support that they have
provided for many years. We have shared so
much and I’m sure they will miss me a little
bit too!
I will also miss the interactions I have had
with the students and boarders. Over the
years I have watched many boys grow into
men, including my own, I have seen them
come through the School to be married and
seen their children, and in some cases grandchildren, come back to the School. I almost
feel a part of the boarding community,
having also lived on campus for so many
years. It always amazes me that no matter
where I am, in Australia or overseas, some
young (and some not so young!) man will
The Bursar’s Office team.
stride up and say hello; this is something I
truly treasure.
Most significantly, I shall miss the Chapel.
Waking each day to walk next door to work
in its radiance, strolling across to have a word
to the Lord, especially when people had
passed, or things were troubling me and I
needed some solace. It is such a wonderful
place and will always hold a special place in
my heart.
My advice to one and all, is to embrace the
School, grasp its mettle and work with it
and help it wholeheartedly. In return it will
deliver to you the most wonderful life and
opportunities you can imagine and it will
support you and develop you to be the best
you can be.
I have done this and I have enjoyed a
wonderful life journey, shared with the
School community, for almost four decades.
I must give thanks to my wonderful wife,
who has supported me all the way, and to
my children, who were born here, grew up
here and schooled here. What an amazing
ride I have had.
Thank you. Go Forward with pride.
I will miss you all.
Mr Ric Palmer
Some parting words from Ric’s colleagues
Ric Palmer, what can I say! Twenty-seven years have flown by so
quickly! It has been an absolute honour to have worked with you
all these years. No more April fools jokes making you run down the
street looking for your horses and cows that we only pretended had
escaped! The office is not going to be the same without you and
your quirky ways.
Maria Lintern (Bursar’s Office)
I know from here on things will never be the same. No more
“good morning darling” when you forget someone’s name!
You really are our very own Crocodile Dundee and I wish you well.
I will miss the snakes and horses that you would bring in for show
and tell! Twenty-seven years have passed and we have seen and
done it all; so much laughter and fun is evident from all the snap
shots on the wall of our fun times as a team. My friend, enjoy this
new adventure, wherever it takes you. There are so many more
“darlings” to meet, and places and things to do.
Tracey Roki (Bursar’s Office)
Ric Palmer is a name synonymous with Guildford Grammar School.
In fact the legend of Ric Palmer was established with me the day of
my final interview for the Bursar’s position. Being a New Zealander
I had absolutely no experience or desire to have anything to do
with snakes, and a colleague in New Zealand had been telling me
that one of the roles I would need to undertake was to be the
first person on call to deal with any snakes. During my tour of the
grounds with the then Headmaster, Rob Zordan, I ventured into a
discussion about snakes and what my role might be. Rob assured
me that I would not have to worry about this as I had Ric Palmer
working for me and he was the resident “snake Dundee”.
Ric, having given some 36 years’ service to Guildford Grammar
School, is a very unique man in so many ways. Ric is very much the
English gentleman, who for me as Bursar has been a tremendous
support and a wealth of knowledge of all things Guildford. Ric is a
true servant of the School and so much of what he does is not seen
by anyone because it simply needs to be done, and Ric is not one to
do things to be noticed.
During my eight years here at Guildford Grammar School I have
had the privilege of really getting to know Ric and to see him
redevelop himself over this time, as he has taken on the redefined
roles that have arisen. Ric has been one of those instrumental
in seeing the completion of the Thwaites Centre and now the
Preparatory School Building Project, and I think it is very fitting
that these will provide a lasting testament to his time at Guildford
Grammar School.
I am not sure yet, whether Ric really understands what retirement
will actually mean, but I wish both he and his amazing wife Jenni all
the very best.
Ric, well done good and faithful servant.
Mr Kent Peters
Bursar
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