Congratulations to BHS Alumni Dennis O’Hoy (enrolled 1950) and Kaye Trimble (enrolled 1958) who carried the Queen’s Baton through the streets of Bendigo on Wednesday 14 February.

Dennis O’Hoy’s face is one we associate with so many Bendigo icons.

He has been an integral member of the Bendigo Trust, a driving force behind the city’s trams, and a familiar face at Bendigo’s Joss House Temple. He is also a member of the Bendigo Historical Society, the Bendigo Chinese Association, the Bendigo Art Gallery, and Castlemaine Art Gallery and Museum.

He worked in education from 1959 until his retirement in 1996, and was head of the School of Art and Design at the La Trobe University Bendigo campus.

The O’Hoy family has a long and proud history of community involvement.

“My grandfather, Louis O’Hoy, came to Bendigo in 1860 and was always committed to serving the community,” Mr O’Hoy said. He was one of the originators of the Chinese association and Chinese procession.

“In 1889, he was conferred by the imperial government in China the rank of a mandarin – that recognised his service.”

Que Lan O’Hoy, father of Dennis, came to Bendigo in 1894 and carried on the family’s work.

“In 1978 my brother Jan O’Hoy – everybody knew Jan – was awarded a British Empire medal for his service to the community, so I am very pleased I’ve been able to continue with the family tradition of helping and serving Bendigo,” Dennis said.

He is passionate about his home city and encouraged people to appreciate its beauty, from the historical buildings, to the trundling trams, to the friendly people who call Bendigo home.

Kaye (Oswald) Trimble was a founding member of the Eaglehawk Hockey Club in 1967. She is now a life member of the longest running hockey club in the City of Greater Bendigo, with a great many achievements to its name.

“Over the years, many premierships have been won, representatives have played for local, state, Victoria Country and against international teams, country weekend tournaments, and Australian and World Masters Games,” she said.

“And the club has held the record for the most number of local junior state and country players in the area.”

Kaye has been involved in administration, umpiring and coaching, as well as having family members who have played. Kaye has experience at elite level, representing Victoria and Vic Country at national titles in the early 1970s and playing in a Victorian state veterans team in more recent times. Her son Paul and daughter Kylie (both former students at BSSC) were also state representatives.

Kaye was also a long-time committee member of Old Gold Inc. preserving the history of Bendigo Senior Secondary College.