Jesmond High was Greg’s first appointment out of Teachers College in 1968. An accomplished musician and sportsman from his Tech High days, he became heavily involved with all musical activities in the school including assisting Geoff Lennard with the school band and working to re-establish choral activities in the school beginning with a Senior Choral group of some 8 singers in 1968 through to a culmination of an 80 voice Senior Choir in the mid to late 70s.
In 1968, the History department teachers (Mrs P Robson 1967-1969 & Mr M Scott 1964-1969) were producing “Reedy River”, which was performed at Wallsend High on 25 August of that year. In the ensuing years the music department trajectory changed, increasing to two teachers in 1970 and with some part-time staff, to four in 1976 . Elective music was introduced in 1969-70 for Year 8 and a 2-unit HSC course for Year 11 was offered in 1978.
Music was compulsory for the junior grades and recruitment for the choir became a priority. Greater depth and rapid improvement saw the school enter the Secondary Schools Music Festival in 1973. In 1974 a junior folk group was formed and by 1975 there were two choirs, a junior with 47 members and senior with 54.
Bill Bryant’s arrival in 1974 provided the impetus for the music department to develop its theatrical repertoire. Greg was travelling to school in a car pool with Bill and Jack Seamer (History Master 1968-1980) and conversations in the car often had a musical theme. From that, the concept of establishing a senior school musical hatched. After seeking approval from Harry Nossiter (Teacher 1962-1965 and Principal 1970-1978), auditions for the first of the musicals that Bill and Greg collaborated on, “Oklahoma!” were held in late 1976 for an anticipated April 1977 performance. Recruiting senior males for the musical was always going to be a challenge so Greg, who was coach of the school’s 1st Grade Rugby League side at the time enthusiastically “encouraged” the team members to venture outside of their comfort zones and give the musical a try. The result was a cast of 70 drawn from both years 11 & 12. Greg was involved in a further two musicals (Li’I Abner and Brigadoon) and returned to play for a fourth (My Fair Lady) after he had left the school.
In his last year the foundation had been laid. By 1977, there was a 10-piece brass band, junior and senior choirs, various vocal groups and elective students creating their own productions such as “Jonah Man Jazz”. Greg additionally performed the role of overall course/class scheduler for the school as well as a being sports coach.
Greg left Jesmond High in mid-1980 to take up a consultancy position with the Education Department followed by a teaching appointment at Belmont High. In 1992, he became Musical Director of Star Struck, Newcastle’s preeminent showcase of student talent in the Hunter region, a position he held until he retired from teaching in 2007. Greg was awarded an Order of Australia Medal in the Queen's Birthday honours in 2020 for his “service to the performing arts, particularly music”.