The Power of a Residential College Experience
Caption: The King’s/Grace reunion in 2026 of the ‘hockey 6’: Ashley (Stan) Gohn, Mary-Lou, Kirsten, Andrew (Custard Chucker) Roxburgh, Josh (Protein) Mylne and Susan
There’s an old saying that “there’s one person out there for everyone.”
Thirty years ago, at King’s College, three spirited young Kingsmen discovered that sometimes you don’t have to look very far at all.
In 1993, Ashley ‘Stan’ Grohn, Josh ‘Protein’ Mylne and Andrew ‘Custard Chucker’ Roxburgh arrived as Freshers (first year resident students). It was, by all accounts, a vintage year — the kind that forges lifelong friendships, fierce rivalries and the sort of stories that grow better with time. Legends were born (including the infamous yet intangible Peter Doobes), but more importantly, foundations were laid.
Recently, Josh sent us these stories via email — recalling not just the victories, but the friendships, the laughter and the unexpected turns that defined those formative years.
The decision that changed everything
In their second year — widely acknowledged as an excellent year to broaden one’s social horizons — the trio agreed to co-coach the hockey team at Grace College.
The 1994 season? Respectable. A fourth-place finish.
The 1995 season? Extraordinary.
Grace dominated. Twenty-nine goals scored. Not a single goal conceded. The cup was theirs in emphatic style.
By 1996, the stakes were even higher. The season began with a heart-stopping deficit against Union College, eventually overturned in a gritty 3–2 comeback. It all came down to the final clash against undefeated St John’s College. Under pressure, the Grace women prevailed, securing back-to-back inter-college cups.
Three seasons. Countless training sessions. Shared victories. Celebrations. Shenanigans.
And somewhere in the middle of it all — love.
Each coach met his life partner through those years on and around the hockey field. All three remain happily married to this day — living proof that the collegiate experience shapes more than academic achievements.
Josh ‘Protein’ Mylne: from epigenetics to employability
After his time at King’s (1993–1994), Josh pursued a PhD at the University of Queensland, launching a 25-year career in plant molecular science. His research journey took him to the United Kingdom to work on epigenetics before returning to Brisbane’s Institute for Molecular Bioscience.
In 2012, Josh moved his family to Perth to establish his own lab at the University of Western Australia. Over nearly a decade, he lectured in genetics and biochemistry, rose to full Professor, and led research spanning plant peptides, herbicides, enzymes and protein structure.
In 2024, he came full circle — back into college life as Dean of Academic Programs & Employability at St Catherine’s College, a role that mirrors the formative influence King’s once had on him.
His partner Susan (Grace, 1993–1996) built her own distinguished career in public health service improvement and management. Now a member of the Health East Metropolitan executive based at Royal Perth Hospital, she has made lasting contributions to healthcare leadership.
Together since 1994 and married since 2000, Susan and Josh have raised three sons — now 22, 20 and 18 — their greatest shared achievement.
Ashley ‘Stan’ Grohn: powering energy globally through engineering
Ashley attended King’s from 1993 to 1996, graduating with a Bachelor of Engineering (Hons) in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Queensland.
Over nearly 30 years in the energy sector, he has developed, financed and constructed renewable power projects across the globe. Among his proudest achievements: working alongside governments in East and West Africa and with international aid organisations to deliver electricity to remote and underprivileged communities.
It was on the hockey field that he met Mary-Lou (Grace, 1994–1996). They married in 1999.
With her Bachelor of Pharmacy (Hons), Mary-Lou’s career took them to the United Kingdom, New Zealand and South Africa, interspersed with wide-ranging travels. In 2017, she pivoted into teaching and now inspires students as a Senior Chemistry teacher at Brisbane State High School.
They are proud parents to two daughters: Amelie (King’s, 2024–2025) and Zahra. Ashley has established his own consultancy and remains closely connected to King’s through the Watson Miles Engineering Society and its mentoring program — investing in the next generation of Collegians.
Andrew ‘Custard Chucker’ Roxburgh: from mining to mentorship
Andrew resided at King’s from 1993 to 1995, completing a Bachelor of Engineering (Mining) at the University of Queensland in 1996.
His career has spanned operational roles, projects, business analysis and development, taking him across New South Wales, Queensland, South America, Africa and Canada. Today, as Director Projects & Technical Support for Glencore’s Australian business, Andrew oversees projects, strategic planning, carbon abatement, business development and technical governance.
He married Kirsten Ledger (Grace, 1994–1996), who served as Grace hockey convenor during those triumphant 1995 and 1996 seasons. Kirsten graduated with a Bachelor of Veterinary Science (Hons I) and University Medal from the University of Queensland in 1998.
Her veterinary career has spanned the Hunter Valley and Central West New South Wales. She now works primarily in surgery at a small animal veterinary hospital in Muswellbrook.
Settled in Singleton in the Hunter Valley, Andrew and Kirsten have raised two children — Lucy (19) and Mitchell (16).
More than a degree
What began as a decision to coach a hockey team became something far greater.
The residential academic college experience — shared meals, late-night debates, sport, service, leadership and laughter — creates a rare environment. It forges resilience. It builds character. It nurtures ambition. And sometimes, it introduces you to the person you will spend the rest of your life with.
Thirty years on, three Kingsmen can attest:
Success in research. Success in engineering. Success in mining and global business. Strong families. Enduring marriages. Lifelong friendships.
Josh fondly closed his email with the words:
“All hail the mighty Wyvern.”
Ashley and Josh can be contacted via:
