Wellington Lee has been described as a trailblazer for multicultural Australia. He was born in 1925 and attended TGS from 1940-42 before serving with the RAAF during WWII from 1943-46 and the Active Reserve of Officers from 1953-83.
Mr Lee was a remarkable man of good character who lived in an exciting time of growth and change during Australia’s, and particularly Victoria’s history; the early days in Melbourne when 10% of their population was a thriving Asian community. It was also a difficult and tumultuous time for Chinese Australians due to the White Australia Policy which led to segregation and persecution.
Mr Lee used his determination and resilience to rise above these challenges, and became a decorated war veteran, a pharmacist, a small business owner and Deputy Lord Mayor of Melbourne. He was proud of the fact that he was a returned serviceman and would march in the ANZAC Day Parades. He was a prominent figure in veterans affairs as a member of the RSL and served on the State Executive of the Victorian RSL.
In 1977, Mr Lee was one of the first Australians of Asian heritage to be elected to public office as a councillor for the City of Melbourne and he went on to be one of the longest-serving councillors, spanning the 70s, 80s and 90s. He never aligned with a political party or powerful civic group, he was always independent and ‘his own man’. It was purely his ability to connect with people at any level that maintained his popularity.
He faced up to racism at many stages of his life but never let it define him. Instead, he became a local legend, a champion for a multitude of good causes and a trailblazer on many levels. The scale of his contribution to community life over the decades is demonstrated by the exhausting length and breadth of the many roles he held.
He was president of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce of Victoria, the Australian Chinese Chamber of Commerce and the Federation of Chinese Associations, as well as chair of Overseas Students’ Trust and Emergency Fund. He served on the state executive of the Victorian RSL and the Victorian Regional Council Air Training Corps, and also served on the State Library Foundation, the Adult Parole Board and the Honorary Magistrates Bench. He was a district governor of Lions International, a Red Cross Appeals organiser, a member of the Victorian Health Services Review Committee, Chair of the Ethnic Communities Council of Victoria and the Landcare Foundation of Victoria.
Mr Lee has been fondly described as, “A character with a big personality who was both a gentleman and a larrikin. His strength was his ability to get along with people, and he made it his business to know everyone in the Melbourne CBD.”
Mr Lee had a great love for TGS. He would speak of the School with fondness and attended numerous reunions. He sadly passed away on Christmas Day 2022. He has been acknowledged on our Old Boys’ Wall of Achievement for his noteworthy services to Australia, particularly the Chinese community.
Mr Lee is a shining example of a man of good character. A man who served others. A man who gave without any thought of reward. A man who was Fidelis in Omnibus.
Latest Blog
Transition to Senior School at TGS
Starting at a new school can be a time of mixed feelings – very exciting, but also quite daunting and challenging. Irrespective of whether your son is joining us from the TGS Junior School, or if they are just starting at Toowoomba Grammar School, this is the start of a long and special journey. Your son will have a lot to digest with a new, possibly larger campus to navigate, different teachers and lessons, making new friends, where to go and what to do at morning tea and lunch. There can be a…
The Transition to Year 7 - from a Parent and Staff Member's Perspective
Regardless of your history with the school, you are all equally welcome here and should feel comfortable in knowing that we value every family and their son’s contribution to our School. Toowoomba Grammar School was built by the community, for the community and it is a School that I am immensely proud of. In 2025 we will celebrate our sesquicentenary or Grammar 150 and your sons will play a vital role in those celebrations. Our pedagogy is modelled on explicit instruction which has its roots in…
Boarding Families - Surviving Homesickness
Homesickness can be brutal for both the child and their parents. As a parent it can feel like your heart is being ripped out in some cases daily. It is extremely hard hearing how sad your boy may sound on the phone, and then you are left reeling for 24hrs until the next call, you are often left worried that they are feeling like this ALL DAY. Rest assured only vary rare cases are that bad, they usually improve as they settle in, and it is temporary. The reality is that most boys tend to save…
Helpful Tips for New Boarding Parents
Name absolutely everything! Socks, undies, phone chargers, water bottles, caps. EVERYTHING!! Make sure you name items with Boy’s name & House number; most parents will put their senior house number if printing the tags so they don’t have to rename items when they move the following year (Corfe House doesn’t have a house number). Some boys find a double bed doona is a better option than single doona as it hangs down the sides of the bed a little more to keep them warmer in winter. An…
Parenting Styles: Parties and the Holidays
As the holiday season approaches, parents and caregivers find themselves immersed in the joy and bustle of festivities. Amidst the celebrations, it’s essential to pause and reflect on the pivotal role our parenting styles play in shaping our children’s attitudes and behaviours, especially concerning alcohol and other drug use. As a father of four young people with my fifth child coming into our family on 8 December 2023, I’m particularly mindful of my parenting style and my role as School…
Building the Boarding Experience - at Home
Family connections is a vital aspect of our Toowoomba Grammar School boarding program that we hold close to our heart. Our Heads of House regularly make the effort to visit our boarding families so they have a better understanding of our boarders' lives, the challenges and experiences, and staff always enjoy the warmth and hospitality provided by families. Head of Corfe House, Henry White and his wife, Samantha recently spent a weekend with the Acton family on Dalgonally Station near Julia…
A New Season for Coach Kabe
Highly respected Head of Basketball and 1st V Coach, Kabe Ciccolini is embarking on a new and inspiring chapter. This season, he takes up the role of Assistant Head of Corfe House, guiding our youngest boarders with a warmth and passion that is uniquely his own. Kabe’s decision to transition into the role of Assistant Head of Corfe House reflects his unwavering commitment to mentorship and leadership. For him, this move signifies a positive step in his career. “It’s an opportunity to further…
Embrace Every Moment
In the words of one of the greatest leaders of all time, Albus Dumbledore, “it does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live.” The wise wizard spoke these words to Harry as he stood before the Mirror of Erised, a magical artifact that reveals one’s deepest desires. These words tell the story of the balance between our dreams and the richness of the present moment. We live in a world that often urges us to focus on our aspirations; , sometimes we get so lost in our dreams that we do not…
What is the TGS Athletic Development Academy?
As a TGS Old Boy (2003-14), sport has always been an integral part of my upbringing. As a young boy I discovered the joys of cricket, track and field and touch footy. This love of being active led me to studying Exercise Science at University and I was fortunate enough to work with a range of national and international level athletes, culminating in an internship at the Brisbane Broncos. This experience launched my career in the strength and conditioning space, allowing me to work with…
