‘And what better legacy could you leave than supporting education opportunities at Trinity?’

When Tunga Society member Ian Armstrong OAM (OTG 1960) first commenced at Trinity in Year 1 in 1949, it was what he describes as a ‘small school’.

‘The front of the Junior School was made of two levels for school’s jubilee in 1952 and our class was the first occupant under Miss Bell,’ he said.

Now, at almost 80 years old, Ian spends his time valuing the nation’s collection of history and technology for State and National museums as a Commonwealth Approved Valuer for cultural gifts and accounting audits.

‘Trinity gave me the grounding and the pathways, but you never stop learning,’ he said.

Ian has enjoyed a robust career in history and antiquities around the world, and through his work has been made a Knight of the Order of St Michael the Archangel (a Russian Imperial Order) and a Commander of the Order of St Lazarus of Jerusalem – both of which have a focus on giving back.

Honoured with the E W Cole award of ‘Australia’s Greatest Collector’, Ian has spent many years conserving a vast historical collection and sharing it with schools including Trinity Grammar School, Kew and Melbourne Girls Grammar.

Ian’s pieces are often on display in the Rick and Elizabeth Tudor Centre for Contemporary Learning for students to learn from and enjoy.

Ian joined the Tunga Society to ‘give back’ to others what Trinity provided for him.

‘Being a Trinity Grammarian is a privilege! The world is at your feet,’ he said.

‘And what better legacy could you leave than supporting education opportunities at Trinity?’