About Us
Just two short years after the new Mentone Grammar opened its doors, there was a powerful movement driven by Headmaster of the day Henry Tonkin, to create an ‘Old Boys Association’, considered essential in the development of any discerning Grammar School.
In many ways it was the School’s sporting success that brought together an interested group of Old Boys who gathered in the Headmaster’s study on 7 June 1927 to formally establish the Old Mentonians Society. Of the nineteen Old Boys present that evening, seven were members of the 1926 Premiership Cricket and Football sides.
The same seven served on the Society’s foundation twelve-man Council having played together, gone through school together and graduated together. The first School Captain and Commonwealth medal winner, Alex Hillhouse, was unanimously elected inaugural President.
The Mentonians Association
Today, members of The Mentonians Association represent a diverse group of men and women who exhibit the same enthusiasm, dedication, and passion of those first Society pioneers.
They work together to find new and creative ways to collaborate and unite alumni, support the School, and foster great friendships and lifelong connections for all Mentonians.
Message from the President
The Mentonians Association is an incredible network of over 13,000 alumni around the world.
The extraordinary social, environmental, and political change we are experiencing will remain a constant. As Mentonians we have the opportunity and responsibility to use our education and connection to advance the wellbeing of people and the planet for current and future generations. Many of our alumni are doing amazing work and continue to have a positive impact on society.
Each year, The Mentonians Association supports and celebrates our alumni through our TMA Foundation Scholarship to support PhD studies, the Mentonians Acquisitive Art Prize for the top Year 12 Visual Arts student, and our prestigious Tony Drinan Medal – our highest award – given to only the most deserving of alumni who have, or are, making a significant contribution to a particular field of endeavour.
Our Community is incredibly important and is strengthened by our connection to each other and to the School. The Mentonians Association warmly invites you to continue your connection.
Once a Mentonian, always a Mentonian.
Kind regards
Jonathan Ponnusamy (Class of 2010)
President, The Mentonians Association