One defining moment at Moogerah taught me true perseverance. We were tasked with climbing the iconic Big John; a majestic pine on the other side of the dam. All thirty boys were tethered together, weaving through the branches in a helical path. Being slightly chubby and not the most athletic at that point in my life, I reached a point about halfway up the tree where I could not progress further. I struggled and struggled and kept insisting I was unable to do it, tears welling up in my eyes.
The answer from Jon Hodges down on the ground was that untethering from the group and returning down alone was not possible; that the only way to get out of that tree would be to reach the top along with all my classmates.
I was fortunate that one of our Form seniors happened to be the person immediately behind me. After his words of encouragement and a boost to help me get my footing, I managed to complete the climb.
It was an important moment of confidence development that has remained with me long into adulthood, helping me with in all challenges I face in life. Once back on the ground Mr Hodges revealed to me that he was actually harnessing up and preparing to come and retrieve me moments before I finally broke through and made it.
Overcoming challenges like that are exactly what Moogerah was built for. Years later I would return to Moogerah as a Form Senior, to help young Grammar boys learn to overcome their own challenges.
- Jon Tannahill, Old Boy '12