A black tie celebration in honour of our newest Honorary Fellow inductees, Associate Professor Robert (Rob) Cheesman AM and Mr Antony (Ant) Simpson was recently held at St Mark’s. Rob and Ant have officially joined 43 pre-eminent Honorary Fellows (and 7 Foundation Honorary Fellows) in recognition of their outstanding contribution to their industry and St Mark’s College over their lifetime.
Rob Cheesman AM (alum 1960-1964) graduated in Architecture from the University of Adelaide in 1964 and undertook postgraduate studies at Clare College Cambridge. During his time at St Mark’s he held the position of College Club Treasurer and was a talented rower and athlete
Rob is widely recognised for his successful career as an architect and master planner which spans more than 50 years in Australia, Canada and the United Kingdom. The College has welcomed his practical and strategic advice over the past four decades through his involvement in the design of New Abel, New Cain, Matheson, Wall and Lewis buildings, East Wing and the Car Park. Although retired, Rob continues to provide generous advice to the College on a pro bono basis.
During the dinner Michael Shearer AM (alum 1961-62) proposed a toast to Rob with whom he has shared a very strong friendship for over 60 years through school, university and beyond. Michael shared that Rob’s early life at St Mark’s included him being “an able scholar, a prodigious stroke oarsman and sportsman generally” who has continued to be an “extraordinarily talented and generous man” throughout his life.
In response Rob shared that “Throughout our lives we are in a state of continual transition inevitably heading to a largely unknown circumstance – yet within this dynamic it is so often our connections that help to anchor us, to nurture us, to lead us on to the next adventure, with confidence. For me, St Mark’s has fostered and nurtured many caring connections.”
Ant Simpson (alum 1958-1962) was a student at St Mark’s for five years whilst undertaking a degree in Mechanical Engineering at Adelaide University. He later obtained an MBA from Harvard Business School. Whilst at St Mark’s he was an eager participant in College life holding the positions of College Club Secretary and Grand Alpiner. He has also contributed to the College’s historical records writing the history of the Buick and the development of an oral history on DVD.
Ant SimpsonAnt’s career encompasses working within the family Simpson business, in management consulting in New York and more recently with the CSIRO’s integrated manufactured products sector and the Gartrell School of Mining, Metallurgy and Applied Geology and the Academy of Science. In addition to this, he has held many Board Directorships and has been a strong supporter of the South Australian Museum.
In proposing a toast to Ant, John Mayo (alum 1959-1962) shared that “In a time when there were only Marksmen, he stood out in his generation” by being actively engaged in College life, the College Club and many events and activities.
Ant has been one of the most generous benefactors to the College in its history and in his response Ant shared that “donations have been the result of hard work and good fortune but it hasn’t always been easy”. He concluded by “thanking all that have contributed so much to this College of ours … which has made such a difference to so many lives, mine in particular.”
In the words of alum Michael Shearer, both Rob and Ant are “ably credentialed to join that special band of people who have given unstintingly of their time and talents for the betterment of the College”.
