Alex Abrahams
Joined the Board in 2001
Dentist, and Executive Director, Pacific Smiles Group
Alex was born in Newcastle in 1958, equal 3rd of 7 children. His parents were both Medical doctors and his father (John) practiced as a GP in High Street, Maitland for 49 years.
Alex’s secondary education was at Sydney Grammar School, where he was a boarder. He represented the school in Rowing and first XV rugby team as a front rower.
He attended Sydney University for Dentistry and was a member of St Andrews College (residential).
After graduating in 1982, he moved to Maitland to join the Dental Practice in East Maitland. This practice moved to Greenhills in 1999 and is now part of the Pacific Smiles Group. He spends 50% of his time still doing clinical work and 50% management for the Pacific Smiles. His main clinical interests are Oral Surgery & Dental Implantology.
Alex is married to Sue and has 2 children, Lucy & Caroline, both attending HVGS. They live on 100 acres with their menagerie of horses, cows, geese, chooks, dogs, cats and more. He is a keen camper and canoeists, still paddling annually down the Nymboida River which his father pioneered in the 1940’s.
Alex is a member of the Maitland Private Hospital Medical Advisory Board, a member of the Australian Institute of Management and a director of the Canyon Property Trust.
Alex has always been interested in how the private world can assist in delivering public benefits, especially in Education & Health. The benefits to Government for a healthy private sector for these industries are enormous and allow the Government to concentrate on special needs, geographic coverage, higher level tertiary health & education and policy development. The need for continued financial support by Government to these private sectors is paramount and is accepted by both sides of politics as integral in meeting the needs of the community.
Alex is the HVGS Board Secretary and a member of the Policy & Compliance committee.
As far as Alex’s wishes for the school is concerned, he is drawn to our motto, “success through endeavour” meaning that success comes to those who become involved, strive and seek to better themselves and as a consequence, enable a greater contribution to others. For students to use the comprehensive resources (both physical and teachers) available at HVGS to develop into leaders that make a strong contribution to society and the fabric that is our great land, Australia.
Lindsay Crutch
Lindsay Crutch joined the Board this year with the aim of assisting the ongoing development and governance of HVGS. He has lived in the Hunter Valley for the past 20 years after returning to Australia from living in Alaska and travelling for a couple of years.
Lindsay graduated in Mining Engineering from Melbourne University and completed post graduate qualifications in financial management at Capricorn University in Queensland. Lindsay has enjoyed a career in mining in Australia and the USA and is an Executive Manager with Thiess. He chaired the Australian Coal Industry Research Association for a number of years and is always on the look out for students wishing to develop a career in mining.
His interests include boating, football, skiing and cycling, especially the MS charity ride from Sydney to the Gong.
Lindsay and Marjorie have one son who is completing Year 12 at HVGS this year.
Dr Bernie Curran
BA (Hons), PhD
Executive Officer, UoN Foundation
Joined the Board in 2008
Dr Bernie Curran graduated from the University of Newcastle with Honours Class 1 in Classics and a Rugby Blue, in 1968.
In 1971 he completed his PhD, and immediately following that began his teaching career at Canberra Grammar School as Classics Master. He subsequently became Head of Burgman House and coach of the school’s 1st XV.
He returned to the University of Newcastle in 1975 as a member of academic staff in the Classics Department. In 1990, he was appointed to the position of Foundation Warden of Evatt House, a residential College for country students at the University of Newcastle.
In 1996, he was appointed to the new External Relations Division of the University as Director of Development, Community and Alumni Relations and the University Foundation, of which he is now the Executive Officer.
Bernie has always been interested in secondary education and particularly in independent schools, where there is an emphasis on all round education. While he has no direct connection to Hunter Valley Grammar, he is a very committed member of the Hunter, and has worked closely with many schools in the Hunter Region, especially in the area of scholarships and preparation for University life. Each year for the last 10 years, he has participated with Newcastle Grammar School in their Year 12 retreat, by presenting seminars on preparing for the HSC, for University and for life in general. He is very interested in the question of values, and for that reason is very keen to serve on the Values Committee of Hunter Valley Grammar School’s Board.
Outside of his University life, Bernie is very much committed to his children, of whom he has 3, and his grandchildren, of which he has 8. His wife Mary, is the Librarian at Newcastle Grammar and is equally committed to the importance of an all round education. She is also interested in values.
When he is not doing these things, Bernie enjoys physical exercise, especially swimming. He loves rock fishing, but doesn’t get enough time for it and is committed to producing the world’s best and most secret garden at Wollombi.
As far as Bernie’s wishes for the school is concerned, Bernie is committed to a number of objectives:
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to help every student to develop his/her potential to the maximum;
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to ensure that our students are alive to, and aware of, the community to which they belong;
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to develop ways in which we can add value to their lives as human beings in the modern world.
Tony Dockrill (information available shortly).
Reverend George Garnsey
BA (Hons) (Sydney), MA (Oxford), MA (Leeds), Diploma, Teachers’ Guild of NSW (Independent Schools)
Joined the Board in 1998
Reverend Garnsey was educated at Young Public School, NSW, Camberwell Grammar School (Melbourne), Canberra Grammar School, Universities of Sydney and Oxford, Leeds.
He was ordained as an Anglican Priest in 1960 and served in the parishes of Wagga Wagga (1961), St Mary’s Oxford 1961-4, St Philip’s Canberra 1964-1978, St George’s Wakefield, Yorkshire, England 1978-1980. St James’ Morpeth, N.S.W. (1980-1989, 2001, 2008). Gresford–Paterson 1992-2001. Rev Garnsey was Principal of St John’s Theological College, Morpeth, 1980-1991. He was the Ecumenical Chaplain at the ANU Canberra from 1964-1975. His academic and cultural interests include: Classics, History, English Literature, Theology, Music, Sport: Cricket, Tennis, Rugby Union, Athletics (very slow!), Swimming, Squash, golf (very inconsistent).
Rev Garnsey is (officially) retired but still active as priest, educator, part-time student, University of Newcastle (candidate for PhD). He teaches weekly Religious Education at Morpeth School.
He is a member of Christians for Peace, Newcastle, Amnesty International Australia (Maitland–Morpeth Branch), United Nations Association, Member Counterpoint (Maitland Chamber Choir). And former conductor of the Maitland City Choir.
His wish for the school:
A school which enables all the members to develop their skills and talents fully, including a sense of belonging to a community in which the values of mutual respect, honesty and integrity, justice, care and compassion for disadvantaged people become real in the lives of all its members.
Earl Hulin (information available shortly) 
Kristine Hallam Littlewood
BA (Newcastle), Dip. Law BAB (Sydney)
Joined the Board in 2000 - Current Chairman
I was born in Cessnock and attended Cessnock High, where I was a prefect and a member of the School Debating Team, a participant in representative basketball and athletics, and very involved in competitive horse riding outside of school. Following my HSC I was awarded a Commonwealth Scholarship and studied at Newcastle University completing a Bachelor of Arts majoring in English. I have a particular passion for Shakespeare and Oscar Wilde, but will read anything, including the back of a “”Weet-Bix” packet (according to my family).
During my final year at Newcastle University I started part-time work in a law firm and commenced studying law externally through the University of Sydney Law School. I won the NSW Law Society prize for two years in succession and was admitted to the Bar of NSW in 1980, following which I started private practice with my husband, Robert. I am a Solicitor of the Supreme Courts of New South Wales and Victoria, and of the High Court of Australia and have served as a volunteer /Honorary Solicitor/committee member of a variety of non-profit sporting and community organizations over many years. Apart from my legal qualifications I have management experience in business, investment and property development, and breeding Murray Grey beef cattle.
My four children are all past or present HVGS students: Lisa has a BA.LLB (Newcastle) and is studying part-time for her Master of Business Administration; Erin has a BA(Psych)(Macquarie) and is studying post-graduate law; Stephanie is in her second year of a BA(Comm.)(UTS); and Jon is in Year 11 and has a wealth of possibilities before him.
My personal interests include snow skiing and reading, food and travel, and a variety of whatever outdoor or indoor sports and activities come my way in the context of a very lively and adventurous family. I am an avid movie and theatre buff and enjoy most styles of music. Needless to say, HVGS in particular and education in general, is a major interest. My belief is that education is the means by which we empower our children to become active participants in the transformation of our society and in the betterment of the planet. I am extremely privileged to be involved.
Greg Lourey 
Bachelor of Commerce, Member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants, Registered Company Auditor, JP, Accredited consultant for The Leadership Circle.
Joined the Board in 2003
Management Consultant – Strategic Development and Leadership
Greg was born in Kurri Kurri in 1964 and grew up in Cessnock attending Maitland Marist Brothers in secondary schooling. He is one of 7 children (5 lucky sisters) and now resides in Bishops Bridge.
He completed his Commerce degree at the University of Newcastle whilst working for PricewaterhouseCoopers in 1989 and completed his chartered accounting qualification in 1991.
Greg worked in insolvency, risk management, forensic accounting and mergers and acquisitions before moving to London for 3 years where he worked and his wife competed to try and make the equestrian team for the 2000 Olympics.
After working in the UK, Europe and the US Greg returned to Australia and moved back to the Hunter in 1997 where he became Office Managing Partner for PwC Newcastle.
Greg recently commenced his own management consulting practice on Strategic Business Advisory services and Leadership Development. His interests are sport and music and he is a qualified massage therapist in his spare time.
Greg has a particular interest in leadership development and growing great leaders in organisations. This requires a life long interest in education and learning and is why he has started his own business to focus on bridging the gap which exists in organisations between achieving their strategic goals and the leadership they require to take them there.
Greg joined the school board whilst his daughter was at the school and continues in that role as he believes in the value of a well rounded education, with parental participation, in developing the leaders of tomorrow. It is Greg’s desire that through the success of his own business he can have an impact on education in countries where the benefits we take for granted here in Australia are not available by providing infrastructure and people to improve the lives and prospects of many children.
Greg is the HVGS Board Treasurer, and a member of the Finance Committee.
Gwen O'Brien (information available shortly)