Dr Peter Dunn was a teacher of science and sports master at Geelong Grammar School from 1977 until his retirement in 2010. Peter arrived in Australia at GGS after studying and playing Soccer at Oxford, later becoming captain-coach of the ANU Soccer team whilst furthering his studies in neurobiology. He was always known as Doc Dunn.
Upon arrival at GGS there was no formal Soccer program until Peter repeatedly asked and agitated for entrance of the school into the Associated Public Schools (APS) Soccer program. After being knocked back for two years, the school relented and Peter was allowed to hold trials putting together a soccer squad. When he presented the school with 50 keen and able players, he was told he had to trim this to 25 players as there would be too much of an impact upon Australian Rules football and Rugby Union numbers!
In 1980 GGS entered APS for the first time in soccer and were highly competitive. Over the next 25 years he either coached, co-coached or managed GGS boys’ first team – a phenomenal achievement. In the late 90’s, whilst still maintaining his involvement in soccer, he was promoted to Head of Sport at GGS and introduced outside coaches to assist him (including Ernie Tapai who was capped as a Socceroo 37 times). The highlights of his coaching career were Peter’s first team winning their division in 1987 (a period when APS and Australian Grammar Schools were combined), and being runners up in the APS soccer program during both 1991 and 1997 (the latter, incidentally, with a very athletic Craig Mottram in midfield).
Peter also pushed extremely hard for girls’ Soccer to be introduced and in 2002 an all-girl squad was put together playing both local and informal matches. Whilst not officially in the APS, so good was this team that (controversially), the captain, Julia Davis, was actually selected to captain the APS representative side. In 2003 GGS girls were formally admitted to the APS Soccer schedule and girl participation numbers have continued rising since then.
Since a humble beginning of 25 boys representing GGS in 1980 to over 200 male and female students playing today, Peter Dunn has been instrumental in the establishment and flourishing of Soccer at GGS. Through his patience, persistence and sheer will, Soccer still continues with strong numbers. Dr Peter Dunn is a most worthy patron for the GGS Soccer Support Group. The Club is proud and privileged to bear his name.
Peter ‘Doc’ Dunn passed away on 18 May 2017.