From the President - Bruce Forbes - Charles Sturt University
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Volume 24, No 1 March 2021
1965-66 attendees
at their Reunion
held in Wagga
Wagga, May 2016.
Looking pretty
good for their 50
years on.
From the President - Bruce Forbes
“Can you read and write?” This is have managed to operate remotely
a question from teachers to pupils and there continues to be support
in many classrooms. It is now a for our Scholarship Foundation
question for our members as cur- Fund, other educational organisa-
rently there are no articles in the tions and projects. Our Treasur-
editor’s in-tray for the next 2021 er’s Report details our position.
edition of Talkabout. We need you Scholarship recipients for 2021
to write so others can read. Give it will be determined by early April
some thought then just do it! Pho- and a total of $9000 will be allo-
tographs are good too. People love cated to worthy recipients for the
pictures so dive into those old pho- year. Selection each year is usual-
to albums or your recent trave- ly based on a needs basis but can-
logue and enhance your story. Un- didates are chosen from Regional
fortunately, we are not in a posi- NSW and who express a desire to
tion to pay for your journalistic teach in a rural location. Chris
abilities but our thanks are eter- and Jenny Blake take on the task
nal. of interview and selection and are
COVID has meant that your com- wonderful in keeping in contact
mittee has not been able to meet after scholarships are awarded.
since February 2020. However, we No more writing from me. It is
your turn!
1
Across the Secretary’s Desk - Lesley Forbes
ed. I have no other leads and Mum’s (Lawler 1966-67) passed away on
sister isn’t even sure if she is still 29 July 2020 in Canberra. Condo-
alive. We are aware that Andy died lences to her family
a few years back. Do you have
Jacquie’s email address or any con- Kevin Tye (1949-50) Thank you
tact details by any chance? I can’t for the Talkabout – Kevin was alert
recall her maiden name when she enough in latter months to enjoy
was at WWTC though but no doubt these regular newsletters. Sadly,
you would have her registered under Kevin died on September 26th,
her married name anyway. I under- peaceful and loving at the age of 89.
stand you may not be able to give Any information I have is rather
these to me due to privacy reasons scant. Other than dob 7-8-31, born
but perhaps you could reach out to in Sydney, attended Fort Street
her and see if she would like to con- High, attended WWTC years 1949-
tact me. I found a beautiful hand- 50, taught around the state - River-
written letter from her to Mum ina, Penang – was a DI for a num-
when I was clearing out some cup- ber of years, had a Masters in Edu-
boards. It is dated 16 June 1961 and cation and English Literature,
I thought Jacquie would love to be worked in Distance Education,
Anne Whitfield (Walton 1952-53) (after retirement) was a representa-
sent a copy of it.
I am Ann Whitfield’s daughter and tive Rugby and Cricket player, a
currently sorting through some Joanne Whitfield-Lowe ph: 65 9821 great lover of JAZZ, (played piano
emails in her inbox from this year. 6406 in a small jazz group) and generally
Mum passed away on 31 July this loved people and life. Many thanks
year (2020) after putting up a good Geraldine Muttukumaru
Pamela Tye X
fight with a blood disease that she
was diagnosed with around 40 years
ago. She was 85 in June and was
still living at home until June this
year. She leaves behind my father
(86) who is also still living at home
and every single day out in his 3
acre garden in Goulburn but miss-
ing Mum terribly. My brother is
only 1 hour away in Canberra so he
visits every weekend. I live in Sin-
gapore but have just returned after
2 months with Dad, and thank God,
with Mum when she died. Just out
of my second round of quarantine
but fortunately it was only 7 days
and I was able to serve that time at
home not in a hotel. My brother
and I are happy for you to share
this news in your next Talkabout as
no doubt there will be someone
around who knew Mum. I am also
trying to get in touch with Jacquie
(Jacqueline) Raine who was mar-
ried to Andy and a good friend of We had a surprise visit recently from a young and spritely Ron Vickress. He
Mum’s to let her know of Mum’s had driven to Laurieton from Armidale to visit a friend for a couple of days
passing. I knew she had moved to and included us in his schedule. Ron was an English Lecturer, 1966-67 and
Yass to be with her son who was a with Frances Tester, wrote and directed plays and musicals in his time at
policeman there but on a bit of a WWTC. He recalled many of the names of those in his productions—Catherine
Google search discovered he passed Whittaker, Noel Breen, Robert James, Bronwyn Chivers. He is a WWII vet,
away recently due to a liver disease having joined the Navy in 1943 at 17 years of age. He was in Japan at the
and the phone number for Jacquie Declaration of Peace. All this, not a bad effort for a very with it, 95 year old.
in the white pages (and Mum’s ad-
dress book) is no longer connect-
2
Ted Bolton (1955-56) Re: Cheryl Sri Lanka find life harder than it next 4 years, Margaret taught at Blayney,
Walmsley Coincidence? I'm fairly sure I should be. They need our prayerful Weethalle and Griffith Public Schools, and
taught Cheryl at Harden Murrumbur- and moral support. in later years taught casually occasionally
rah sometime between 1961 and 1965. If at the small public school of Tallimba.
it wasn't Cheryl then maybe a relative, Bob Muir (1952-53) A note from
Margaret enjoyed receiving the Talkabout
"Sue" - that's nearly 60 years ago. In Bob Muir’s daughter, Anne that he
passed away on 18 October shortly Alumni publication regularly and keeping
any case it's good to hear the Walmsley
after his wife of 63 years had died. in touch with news of old. Margaret met
surname once more. I recall a pleasant,
It was Bob Muir’s cheery note in the Keith Reid while playing tennis and a
quiet, unassuming but very competent
December Talkabout issue, indicat- courtship began. They were married in
teenager. Having lost my own beautiful
loving wife of 60 years in 2019, I share ing he had lived life filled with opti- 1957, made a home together in Tallimba
the family's grief. mism. and by 1965 had 4 daughters (the latter 2
being twins). They left the Tallimba dis-
Marion Davis (Shaw 1962-63)Thank Bruce and Margot Phillips trict and moved to Cowra to make a new
you, Lesley. By a strange coincidence I (Wilson 1948-50) In reference to
home in late 1976. Margaret and Keith
went to Marsden Girls School in 1955 names of the students in the photo
celebrated a wonderful 61 years of mar-
and 1956. I might have known her but I on page 7 of the last issue of Talka-
riage. Margaret’s number one priority was
can't remember. bout I can supply a few, particularly
that of my husband, Bruce Phillips. family. She always selflessly put her fami-
Maggie Harris (1966-67) What a year He is third on the left in the back ly before herself. To list her many attrib-
indeed, but at least Australia seems to row, Betty Punton? 5th, Eileen Pick- utes would take forever. Marg was loved by
be dealing exceptionally well with the ering 7th, Edna Tattersall? 8th. In her husband, her 4 daughters, 9 grandchil-
virus. Until the whole of the UK are the middle row, Eileen Ryan? 3rd dren, and 4 great grandchildren. She is
vaccinated, I think we shall have re- Pat Plowman 4th. The only names I missed every day, yet in our hearts forever.
strictions. At last we can start golfing recall in the front row are Bruce
again on 2nd Dec. Thankfully, we en- Robinson 4th and Boris Sumsky 7th.
joyed a brilliant Summer and so far a Thanks for publishing it, I have nev-
fairly mild Winter! Thank you for your e er seen it before. Many thanks to Chris and Jenny Blake (1966-67)
-mail. I think Bob Canty was at Coot- Fay Mitchell for supplying it. passed on this message from Scholarship
amundra High in my brother, Colin's recipient, Jack Catanzariti:
Year. Unfortunately Col died 3 years Margaret Reid (Darington 1951-
52) It is with sadness (and a little I hope you had a very relaxing and safe
ago with the big C. Sadly, no trips to
late sadly) that I inform you of my Christmas and New Year and are travel-
Australia this year but I did book a
mother Margaret Doreen Reid nee
ling well. I am currently in Albury and I
flight yesterday for 14th Sept. to 24th
Oct. 21. Darrington’s passing in September
am excited to tell you that I was offered
three separate jobs at local primary
2018. Margaret, affectionately
Tom and Clare Halls (Hicks 1961-62) schools, all full-time work (12 month
known by many as Margie, enjoyed
contract). I accepted work at Albury
growing up on the family farm of
North Public School and will have my
Arkell while attending Weethalle
very own Kindergarten class! I am both
Public School with her 2 siblings
excited and extremely nervous about
Molly and Lindsay. At 10 ½ years of
starting!
age, she was academically ready for
high school, yet was asked to repeat Hopefully we will be able to catch up in
a year, before happily attending the near future, I would love to finally
Preach- meet you both in person. Unlucky about
Hay War Memorial High School
ing by zoom has included most of the the fish less trips but I’m sure that big
from 1946 to 1950. Margaret lived
countries where I was committed to one is coming soon!
serve this year. On one day I preached at Butterworth Girls Hostel, Hay
in both London and Sydney; the first by with 50 other girls. Margaret often
pre-recording and the other in person. recalled memories of many happy
Joy Pickette (Hotchkiss 1961-62) I
Though used to preaching with transla- and enjoyable years at boarding
am writing to tell you of the sad passing
tion, it was challenging to speak on live school, playing representative ten-
of Joy at Coonabarabran on Saturday
simulcast to Visakhapatnam, south In- nis, softball, and basketball (now
dia and Manali in the western foothills
16th January. Joy was Joy Hotchkiss at
known as netball), playing the piano
of north India. There is no substitute for WWTC, years 1961/62. She married
for school dances, and proudly hold-
face-to-face preaching in any place and I ing the honour of Girl School Cap- Kevin Mahoney who was in the same
look forward to resuming this useful tain in 1950. Margaret attended years at College. They were both teach-
practice, when the fear of infection has Wagga Wagga Teachers College ing at Coonabarabran Primary School.
passed from the world. January in An- Very sadly she and Kevin were involved
(now Wagga Wagga CSU), graduat-
dhra Pradesh and March in Bangalore, in a terrible accident near Sydney one
ing in 1952 as a Primary School
India before the shut down, set the tone school holidays – I think either 1969 or
Teacher. Once again, she would
for worthwhile service, while God gives
recall very fond memories of her 1970. Kevin and their little baby were
strength to serve. Christian friends and
other minority groups in Hong Kong and time at Teachers College and the killed in this accident. Later Joy married
friends she made there. Over the Lindsay Pickette, a farmer at Coonaba-
3
rabran. They had two children, Tracey walls remained standing. It has the enjoyment of the rest of us.
and Scott. Joy had a very warm per- been a long wearying time of re- Mervyn’s brother, ‘Bob’ (Robert James)
sonality and was much loved in the storing water and power and carry- Whittaker, also known in his youth as
Coonabarabran area. She did a lot of ing out general repairs. I think it ‘Sprig’, is one who shares with me
work on the history of Coonabarabran will take the best part of this cur- many of the items, recalling people and
and published a book of her findings. rent year to get back to normal. I places. He was a WWTC student in
A private cremation service is being want to take the opportunity to the session following that of his broth-
held in Gunnedah, with a celebration thank you and your coterie of ex- er. Bob is now 88 and I am 90! June
of Joy’s life to be held at the Coonaba- WWTC helpers who, over the Whittaker OAM
years, have produced Talkabout for
rabran Golf Club on Monday 25th Jan- David Long (1953-54) Thank you
uary at 2pm. Regards, Peggy MacBeth both for the work you do on the prepa-
( phone 0267463595) (I had the privi- ration of the magazine. The buildings
lege of teaching with Joy at Coonaba- may have gone but as long as the mag-
rabran Primary school where she was azine comes in the mail, all will be
the very efficient teacher librarian, as well. Col’s article on small schools was
well as being in the same section at very interesting and brings back many
WWTC.) happy memories. My first appointment
was to Bombala Central School and,
Mervyn Whittaker (1947-49) I am after four terms, I was appointed T.I.C.
forwarding belatedly for your consider- at Ando on the Monaro Highway be-
ation a ‘vale’ notice for my husband, tween Bombala and Nimmitabel. Thir-
Mervyn Whittaker’s death, and a gen- ty six pupils enrolled, plus two second-
eral request for information on WWTC ary students doing correspondence. I
lecturer (1960-70) Michael Smith. I was married during my six years there
had every intention of sending the no- and the parents contributed money to
tice of Mervyn’s death at the time, but build a residence for me. It was later
my good intentions were overtaken by sold to the Department with the Minis-
weariness, then by being caught up in ter coming to the school to handle the
the local horrific bushfires, evacua- formalities of the purchase. At the time
tions etc. I have been luckier than a there were three one teacher schools
lot of my neighbours in that although I and two two teacher schools in the im-
lost all of the property’s out-buildings - mediate Bombala area; now there are
shed, fencing, ancient trees - as well as none. Ando school is now a puppy farm.
one of the verandahs of my house, the
The Great Scooter Race of 1962 Denis Simond (1961/2)
After completing my Leaving Certif- and revues, excursions to the
icate in 1959, I was awarded a snow, movies in Wagga on Friday
Teachers Scholarship to Armidale nights, and lessons in relevant
Teachers College, which I didn’t subjects and teaching methods.
accept. After working in the NSW The Principal was very unpopular
Public Service and the Common- and, despite our being young
wealth Bank during 1960, I applied adults, treated us as children.
for my scholarship to be reviewed “Lights out” was at 10.00pm and
and it was renewed. As I had been a no drinking was allowed.
child in the Riverina, I applied to I graduated with honours and I
attend Wagga Wagga Teachers Col- still enjoy reunions when I catch
lege and my request was granted. up with old friends and col-
In late February, 1961, I set off leagues.
with Brian Hunter, who had com- In 1962 the Southern Aurora was
pleted his first year of training. My introduced to link Sydney with
room was allocated in Marinya Dor- Melbourne. As it came through
mitory, where Hunter lived. Wagga on its inaugural trip, we,
College was a great time with sport, in the absence of streamers or
dances on Saturday night, musicals bunting, stretched toilet paper
Denis at College
4
across the tracks to welcome it. Coin- by policemen on
cidentally, I was in Wagga when it motor bikes and
travelled through for its 50th year. It as I scooted down
has since been replaced by smaller the hill at Junee
diesel trains. the policeman,
For Practice Teaching I taught, un- riding beside me,
der supervision, at South Wagga Pri- registered my
mary School, French Park (a small speed in excess of
school near Lockhart), Turvey Park 40 miles an hour.
and Holsworthy. As we passed
As President of the Publications Com- through each
mittee I was responsible for publish- town we had
ing the Talkabout College magazine. blankets into
When I received a challenge from which donations
UNSW to beat their record for were thrown and
”scooting” from Melbourne to Sydney, we challenged
I saw an opportunity for the college to the locals to a
get some good PR rather than the sco o t e r ra ce
negative press that the Principal cre- down the main
ated. Hence the idea of the “Great streets. The 2
Scooter Race” around the Riverina day event was
was born. Two college teams, one held in early De-
male and one female, challenged the cember and the
RAAF Sergeants’ Mess to a 189 mile temperature one foot (30cm) off the mitted a request for schools at
scooter race to raise funds to establish bitumen road surface at midday on which we would prefer to teach. I
a dormitory for the Kurrajong Special the first day was 120 degrees Fahren- requested Hammondville Primary
School. We raised 500 pounds to allow heit, hence the need for a swim in the not expecting to have my request
the first sods to be turned for the pro- local dam at Beckom. A great deal of met. It wasn’t a popular school as it
ject. The RAAF organised the event as fun was had by all with a really pleas- serviced the children from the East
a training exercise and provided the ing result for the Kurrajong School. Hills and Heathcote Migrant Hos-
bus to carry contestants, strengthened Above is a photo of me and a tels. I was successful, and, as my
the scooters, and arranged for a doc- RAAF Sergeant during the race. father was the Principal at the
tor to travel in a car behind the three The car following carried a doctor but, neighbouring school, Holsworthy
contestants, who each scooted for half fortunately, he was not required. An- Primary, I was able to travel with
a mile before being replaced by the other following vehicle collected the him to work. I moved back home in
next trio. We stayed at the village of riders after their half-mile was com- Ingleburn and lived in a caravan in
Beckom overnight, where a dance in pleted and ferried them to the bus, the back yard.
the local hall was held prior to the which stayed a mile ahead of the My first class at Hammondville was
girls’ team sleeping there. The only scooters. The teams’ bus dropped off made up of “slow learners”. They
pub ran out of beer by 8 o’clock and the next riders and waited a mile were a terrific group of boys and we
the two male teams slept on RAAF down the road to drop off and collect won every award except the aca-
supplied mattresses in open wheat before travelling another mile. demic ones. The class performed a
sheds at the railway. All logistical support was provided by play that my father had written
Maurie Hale, our Principal, unex- the RAAF. called “Crazy School”. They did so
pectedly turned up at Beckom just Such a fund-raiser could not be held well that it was the only class se-
before the pub ran out of beer. He was today. lected to perform at The Hammond-
a wowser and when he saw a young ville Old Peoples’ Home. They were
A friend came to Wagga Wagga to
lady leaving the bar in a bikini, which very proud.
drive me home from College. On the
she wore for a welcome dip in the way home, we had an accident at I enjoyed coaching Rugby League
nearby dam, he turned to me and Junee. The hill that I had ridden the and in 1964 taught 6B and in 1965
said, “I hope that’s not one of ours.” Of scooter down was the scene of our ac- taught 6A.
course I lied when I told him that she cident. I was driving up the hill at I married Robyn Apperley in 1969. I
was a local lass and he reluctantly about 3.00 am, went to sleep and left remember hand-grooming Robyn’s
asked no more questions. If he had two headlight rings on the two posts horses that she rode in many shows.
known that she was indeed a member of a “Reduce Speed” sign at the crest I’m sure that my grooming resulted
of the College Women’s team, he of the hill. The car was repairable, but in her becoming “Champion Lady
would have expelled her for drinking I was in real trouble with my parents. Rider” at the Campbelltown Show
or a worse trumped up claim. Luckily The police laid no charges as they in 1966. She doesn’t agree.
he left shortly after and I was able to suggested that I had been blinded by In 1964, Robyn and I took 6B to
join the revelry. an oncoming vehicle. Lake Macquarie for an excursion
We were escorted for most of the race Towards the end of college, we sub- and, in 1965, took 6A to Canberra.
5
September, 1966. The job entailed
teaching trainers how to teach, con-
sulting with the departmental train-
ing schools, administering the Junior
Executive Scheme and the teaching of
skills, which were common to all de-
partments.
One task I remember was arranging
typing training for staff in readiness
for computerising the reservations
system, which previously had been
manual and a card system. The staff,
many of them middle aged, were terri-
fied that learning to type was beyond
them. No one failed.
Towards the end of my three years as
an Education Officer, Robyn and I
were married. Typically, the day after
our wedding was spent treating her
horse’s leg, which had been caught in
a barbed wire fence.
Qantas staff only paid 10% of the fare,
so we honeymooned in Fiji aboard a
WR Carpenter ship, which cruised
around the Fijian islands delivering
and collecting goods. Wild cattle were
loaded onto the deck at one of the is-
A Tired Trio at the End of the Scooter Race in Baylis
lands. Two ropes were thrown over
their horns and one group of about 12
Staying in an hotel was a new experience bating team, which could not leave men pulled each beast into the water
for most of the class and they worked out the prison. The teams against which whilst another group stopped the cat-
that they could communicate with the room Long Bay competed had to visit the tle from charging the first group.
below them, through the basin plumbing in prison and debate inside the prison When the cow was in deep enough wa-
the bathroom. This was the trip’s highlight. walls. My team consisted of teach- ter for it to swim, it was tied to the
At Hammondville I was Sports Master, ran ers, barristers, clergymen and a tender vessel for transferring to the
assemblies and organised the School Con- “hitman”. It’s no wonder that we ship, where a belly strap was used to
certs. became the State champions. winch the animal on to the deck. Once
I was transferred to Fairfield Boys High at My staff consisted of a bank ac- on deck it was secured to a bollard and
the end of 1965 and advised to finish my countant, in prison for embezzle- fed to quieten it down. One twisted so
degree at Macquarie University. The In- ment, a thief and a murderer. With- much she fell out of the belly strap on
spector told me that my first promotion, in the prison they valued their jobs to the deck causing the crew to take
which could be awarded after 6 years teach- and we formed a good team. cover wherever they could. It was hi-
ing, would be virtually a formality. I can’t remember whether Robyn or larious to see them scurrying for cover,
Imagine my surprise when a telegram ar- I saw an advertisement for an Edu- from which they shouted instructions
rived one week before the end of the holi- cation Officer at Qantas. I rang to to the other crew. Eventually the ani-
days, cancelling my transfer and advising enquire what an Education Officer mal was secured on deck and all was
that my future school would be nominated did in Qantas and was invited to peaceful again.
“in due course”. apply to learn more about the job. When we returned to Australia I be-
I was eventually transferred to Finley, 660 During my interview, I had a very gan my second job at Qantas. As an
kms from Sydney. I spent 3 weeks there heated argument with the inter- Education Officer I had been consult-
before being appointed Education Officer at viewer and left not expecting to hear ing to the Cabin Crew Training Col-
Long Bay Gaol, The NSW State Peniten- from Qantas again. A week later I lege and was appointed to it to build a
tiary, where I tutored prisoners and taught was invited to a second interview new Training College in readiness for
in the Officers’ School. and was subsequently offered a job. the pending arrival of Qantas’ Boeing
It was a very maturing experience as Long Apparently my first interviewer was 747s. The roll of Cabin Crew Training
Bay and The State Reformatory for Women trying to see whether I would stop and Standards Manager involved
were adjacent and I was responsible for the arguing and give in, or hold my building a new college, managing the
training and education correspondence ground. existing 707 Cabin Crew training,
courses undertaken by the male and female I left Long Bay after only 6 months readying the training staff for the arri-
prisoners. and joined Qantas’ Manpower Plan- val of a completely different type of
I also coached the Long Bay “A” Grade de- ning and Development Division in aircraft inflight service, recruiting the
6
additional staff required for the sight of a massive 747 door interior be- The ABC broadcast its morning shows
much bigger aircraft and developing ing carried with difficulty through secu- from the upstairs “Captain Cook”
the operating procedures to ensure rity but the brown paper did the trick lounge and we were met by Prime
the service on the first new 747 was and we were able to copy them for our Ministerial VIPs on arrival.
the equal of Qantas’ world renowned 747 training replica. I shall never forget the first sighting
standard. A big ask for a 27 year old. of “our” 747. As the 2 crews to fly the
There were many concerns by cabin
My brief was very clear; the service delivery flight were coached to Seat-
crew, who heard negative comments
on the 747 was to be equal to, or bet- tle, the coach stopped on a hill over-
from foreign crews about the 747, when
ter than, the world-leading service looking Boeing Field Airport and
compared by them with the tried and
on Qantas’s 707s. there on the tarmac was our “Red
true 707. There was a growing concern
The first task was to build a new about “the unknown”. To counter this, Tail” Qantas 747. There wasn’t a dry
Cabin Crew Training facility to en- we recruited 12 Liaison Flight Stewards eye on the coach as the excitement of
sure Cabin Crew were ready for the to spread the real facts about the air- the initial viewing was experienced.
747’s many different inflight ser- craft to Cabin Crew during flight and at Another memory was when the new
vices. slip ports. These formed the basis of the Hostess uniform was introduced. The
It was so “modern” that Macquarie first 17 Flight Service Directors, whose red stripe on the hat was immediately
University Education students visit- training was my responsibility. likened to the “red back spider” and
ed to experience the innovative edu- John Fysh, son of QF founder, Sir Hud- until this uniform was replaced,
cational technology imported from son Fysh, was my boss and I recall him Qantas hostesses were nick-named
USA. I guest-lectured in Higher & phoning me late one Friday afternoon “Red Back Spiders”.
Further Education at Macquarie and requesting a “man specification” for You can imagine how excited I was to
University, from which I graduated the new role of Flight Service Director, fly on the last Qantas 747 flight, and
BA (School of Education) after trans- a different role from a “Chief Steward” why I was so excited to be able to say
ferring credits from New England because of the number of staff to be farewell to this revered “Queen of the
University, Armidale, where I com- managed and the many different as- Skies” on the Farewell Flight on Mon-
menced my degree while in Teachers’ pects of service the 747 offered to pas- day 13 July, 2020.
College. sengers. I wrote the specification over At the end of 1973 I was sent to Auck-
The Mock Up, the most expensive the weekend and John presented it to land, New Zealand, to learn sales and
non-operational training aid built in the Executive on the Monday morning. marketing. As Sales Development
Qantas’ history prior to 1970, was It was accepted and so began the re- Manager, I was responsible for man-
planned and built so that recruit- cruitment and training of these men, aging Qantas marketing and sales
ment and training of crew could com- most of whom had not seen a 747 interi- throughout New Zealand and trav-
mence in readiness for the 747 arri- or and had previously performed the elled extensively all over the country.
val. It quickly became recognised as role of Chief Steward. Then I was transferred to Melbourne
a first-class training aid and many The delivery flight, which arrived in as Sales Manager, Victoria and Tas-
airlines visited Mascot to experience Sydney on August 16, 1971, carried 120 mania. Subsequently, I left Qantas for
it. In fact, Singapore Airlines were so journalists (all first class despite the several senior roles in the Travel In-
impressed they took the plans back aircraft having only 56 first class seats). dustry culminating in my appoint-
to Singapore to model their mock-up I recall sitting with Qantas’ PR lady for ment as CEO of The Australian and
on ours. I recall being chided for the Americas, in doorway 4 left, opening New Zealand College for Seniors Ltd
sharing our plan with them, but ex- more than 4 dozen large bottles of red (trading as Odyssey Travel), a Not-for
plained that the different philosophi- wine, which were consumed very quick- -Profit, 32 University Member educa-
cal approaches of QF & SQ would ly by thirsty journalists. We transited tional travel operator. Odyssey Travel
not be detrimental to the standard of overnight in Honolulu, where a spectac- offered Inbound, outbound and do-
our performance. ular Luau was provided for the journal- mestic educational travel for retired
Overhead racks were replaced with ists and VIPs. All of the Captain Cook “mature adults”.
lockers and, as no templates or actu- crystal tankards, specially hand-etched My training at WWTC has been pivot-
al lockers were available, I sought and exclusively for use in the new up- al to my success in all the roles of my
the help of my peers in Seattle. They stairs lounge, were “souvenired” within career. The planning and communica-
allowed me to unscrew both an over- 15 minutes of our departure from Amer- tion skills needed for success as a
head locker complete with valved ica. teacher have proven transferable to
hinges and an interior door shell A long stopover in Honolulu was organ- my many roles.
from their mock up. I then carried ised so that the aircraft would arrive in My wife and I have resided in
them out (on consecutive days) of the Sydney on time and without any delays. Berry since our retirement and I
Boeing complex wrapped in brown From about Fiji, we were escorted into occupy myself running courses for
paper, gave the security guards the Sydney by Qantas’ two HS125 training U3A Shoalhaven, the oldest U3A
“everything’s okay” salute and aircraft, which flew wingtip to wingtip in NSW.
brought them to Australia for copy- into Australia.
ing for our Mock Up. Imagine the
7
Gaudeamus Gratitude
Janice Fitzpatrick (Kerin 1963-64)
Arriving at WWTC in Feb 1963 lievably, he was posted to Leeton HS, Sturt Uni.
straight from an all-girls boarding just 32 km away. Initially, I was a challenge to Ber-
school, the first skill required was The original plan was to marry towards nie’s personal image of being the
how to mix with the opposite sex. the end of my 3year bond but “Love sole provider, and also the social
Realising that I was one of the 4 Changes Everything” and we married on mores of the era, but as he saw our
lucky ones (my 3 friends went to January 7 1967 and I was transferred to housing loan reduce with 1.2+ in-
Bathurst TC) in my LC class to be Leeton Primary School. comes he was smiling. The P/T Per-
awarded a Teacher Training Schol- Bernie was quick to remove my shell manent Teacher Librarian job at
arship I couldn’t afford to “botch” completely, and our first son was born in Stella Maris Shellharbour contin-
this one. The safest strategy ap- Oct 1967, followed by a daughter in Aug. ued for 19 years before a 2 year
peared to be to move at a snail’s 1969. transfer to Moss Vale. My studies in
pace out of my shell. ESL at UOW in 2006 became an
Bernie was keen to further his career as
On hearing the strains of Gaudea- an English/History teacher and in Janu- asset when we were adversely af-
mus Igitur booming from the radio, ary 1972 we moved back to Wagga where fected by the GFC in 2008, and I
who is not transported back to the Bernie was appointed to Mt Austin High took up a P/T position teaching
College weekly assembly in the School and our 2nd daughter was born. English to adult OS students at
College auditorium where a great UOW College for 2 years. Bernie
Meanwhile, Bernie was getting itchy feet
sense of patriotism and followed my lead to work at UOW
for an even bigger adventure and suc-
cameraderie, not to mention rules working with mature age Academic
cessfully applied for Darwin High School.
plus, were imbued in the approx. Studies students.
Concurrently, he was appointed to RAAF
400 combined 1st and 2nd year stu- The family was completed with the
School Penang, Malaysia, an Australian
dents. arrival of a third son in 1982 and
school for children of Australian person-
No sooner had I returned to college nel. Of course we both accepted the pro- life moved along in the fast lane
at the beginning of 1964, when in spect of a 3 year OS adventure, fully with 7 children, namely, Stephen,
March, a 1st year student in his funded by the Commonwealth Govern- Gabrielle, Dolores, Juanita, Berna-
21st year spotted me and decided to ment. dette, Julian and Adrian. There
lift off my shell. I resisted slightly were P/T Uni studies for Janice and
Life is full of amazing surprises and won-
but within a few short months Ber- Bernie as well as Bernie writing his
derful opportunities, especially with Ber-
nie Fitzpatrick had become my 600p family memoirs, A Pocketful of
nie, and during our 3 year secondment to
best friend and, in his opinion, his Dreams, published in 2018. Of
Penang, 1973-75, we were gifted with 2
future wife. course, there were some challenges
more daughters.
My first teaching appointment in along the way but nothing insur-
My teaching career took a back seat in mountable.
January 1965 to Narrandera Pri-
Penang apart from a few casual days
mary School, 96km from Wagga, The Penang posting had given us a
teaching near the end of our posting.
was going to test the strength of taste for OS travel, which we were
the romance, by this time, well Anyone who took up an OS posting will able to resume when our youngest
established, but communication have wonderful memories of friends son was 12years old, then subse-
was by snail mail letters only, nei- made, travel and broadening horizons, as quently, visiting several of our adult
ther of us with a car and no public did we. children in their various OS post-
transport between Wagga and Nar- Returning to Australia, we chose the Illa- ings.
randera. warra with an abundance of schools and Cycling continued as a common in-
Being out in the “Big Wide World” a University, with possibilities for our terest for Bernie and myself and in
gave me the opportunity to accept growing family. Bernie was appointed to 2006 and 2008 we rode our tandem
invites to a couple of country balls Warilla High School and in 1978 I com- from Sydney to Surfers Paradise in
and other social gatherings and pleted my 3rd year of Teacher Training at a large group fundraiser for Youth
also to survey prospective local the then Wollongong Teachers’ College, Off the Streets.
beaus, to gauge if Bernie was still after a 2nd son had been born in 1977.
Subsequently, in 2012, 2014 abd
“The One”. He certainly won the Bernie was able to move around different 2015 we rode our mountain bikes in
day and at his College Graduation High Schools, namely Oak Flats as His- remote areas of NSW & SA in a
in Dec 1965 we announced our en- tory Master, St Joseph’s High School as group fundraiser for the Royal Fly-
gagement. Deputy Head Master, Miller High School, ing Doctor, each lengthy rides of
Bernie hoped to have his first ap- and Lake Illawarra High School as Depu- 850km over 2 weeks.
pointment relatively close to Nar- ty. I secured a 2 days per week PT Teach-
In 2020 it’s the Oct Great Cycle
randera, where I would spend my er Librarian job while completing a Grad
Challenge, setting our own target to
second year teaching and, unbe- Dip in School Librarianship at Charles
8
raise funds for children’s cancer re- Others of you out there will surely be including partners and 12 beautiful
search to keep our goals positive. facing the challenges of dementia, con- grandchildren, and a life full of ad-
The future has always been unknown sidering the present statistics. Still, life ventures and challenges, although, in
but with some backwards time travel- is to be savoured, although changed a different gear, and through a differ-
ling going on, it almost seems like the and pruned, as Bernie diligently mani- ent mirror. Am I grateful that Bernie
future is becoming foggier. The pre- cures our garden, carefully deep cleans brought me out of my shell? Absolute-
sent is becoming even more precious in the year of COVID 19, and checks ly!!! He is still “The One.”
in our time together. It is bittersweet our bike tyres daily, for the weekly
to see my rock of 55 years being so 22km cycle with friends, “Carpe Diem.” * “Gaudeamus Igitur” is Latin for
stoic in the face of restricted brain Now we are moving from Gaudeamus “While we’re young, let us rejoice”, a
function. to gratitude, for a loving family, now popular university or high school
Vale Reg Brain
Sandy Brain (Booth 1962-63)
Reg Brain: Kabi roommate of Al Kempsey. He enjoyed his time at WWTC mak-
Schirmer 1962. At WWTC Reg played in the college 1st ing lifelong friends with Al Schirm-
Reg, much loved husband of Sandy grade rugby union and basketball teams er, Mick Bryant, Joy Sheargold
and father of Sam and Morgan, died and I daresay a lot of other things I did ( Barr), Kati Schirmer (Bland) - in
on 11 June 2020 as the result of the not know about. Mick Bryant and Reg fact Kati used to take the lecture
heartbreaking disease of Alzheimers. also played with the Riverina Colts notes using carbon paper while Reg
Reg only stayed at WWTC for the one whilst at WWTC. usually slept - Gordon and Di Nolan
year before transferring to Hawkes- We often wonder if the fierce contact and me.
bury Ag College to study Food Tech- sports Reg played whilst at Yanco AHS, Reg loved red wine, a good argu-
nology. He worked in the field of qual- WWTC, Hawkesbury, New Guinea and ment, fishing with Schirm, his gar-
ity control before changing to Club Wests Rugby Union may have added to den, his extended family, travelling
Management at Deniliquin and the factors causing Alzheimers and the beautiful bush where he
lived at Arakoon.
More Small School Experiences - Fred Rice (1952-53)
After reading Col Kohlhagen’s account
of the demise of The Small School, it
reminded me of my early days. My
teaching career should have begun at
the beginning of 1953 but having
turned 18 in June of 1952, I had to
attend National Service Training at
Holsworthy Camp at the beginning of
1953. Subsequently, it wasn’t until
May, 1953 that I took on a 5th Grade
of 50 odd pupils at Brighton-le-Sands
School. However, at the beginning of
Third Term, I was instructed to report
to Middle Arm via Goulburn, a one
teacher school with only eight pupils,
with a spread across almost all grades
from 1st to 6th grades. I was accom-
modated by a farmer who had a child
at the school. Despite the size of the
school, there were two factions among
the families and I had to tread lightly.
It was necessary to walk back and
forth to school each day and I was at- Middle Arm Public School Population 1953
tacked by a marauding magpie
9
The children were from a diverse
background and included second-
ary students.
I taught all grades and supervised
the correspondence courses of the
older pupils. It was one of the best
groups I taught. But all was not to
continue. The school grew in num-
bers and a second teacher was ap-
pointed. I was not senior enough to
assume Teacher-in-Charge of a two
teacher school, so a married couple
were appointed in my place.
My next move was also in the
Snowy to a school called Clear
Creek at Tumut Pond. A prefab as
well, it had all Happy Jack’s facili-
ties but was smaller. Again, the
range of pupils was diverse and I
enjoyed this appointment.
While here I met a civil engineer
on the staff. He was planning an
Happy Jack School 1954 overseas trip and was looking for a
every day. One morning, I was con- companion, so I decided to resign
1954 saw me at Bellview Public
fronted by a bull on the road who was from the Department in 1957. We
School, via Bombala. (I couldn’t sneak
eyeing me and pawing the ground. traveled to England by ship and
home to Sydney from there.) The
Needless to say, I miraculously jumped toured Europe for three months. I
school community couldn’t accommo-
over the fence into a paddock and gave worked in Britain at a school in
date a teacher so I boarded in Bombala
the bull the right of way. (You have Aylesbury.
and walked to my school each day. If I
probably guessed by now that I was a On return to Australia, I was again
was lucky and a parent had to come
city boy who knew nothing about the given a small school out of Temora
into town, I would get a lift home.
country.) but on complaining to the inspector,
Some afternoons, I was even picked up
While at this school, I travelled fre- I was found a position at Temora
by railway workers on their trolley
quently on weekends to Sydney and a High School. Living in London was
returning to Bombala.
parent would meet me at Goulburn not a preparation for being isolated
Midyear, the school was closed because again in a remote country school.
Railway Station at 7 am when I arrived the floor boards were dangerous and
on the mail train and drive me straight I met my wife, Jan in Temora and I
the children transported into Bombala,
to school. This appointment also lasted spent the remainder of my career in
me with them.
only one term as the Department in its Wollongong teaching at three pri-
I was approached by the inspector and mary schools, Wollongong, Lake-
wisdom decided to close the school and
asked if I would take an appointment lands and Keiraville.
transport the kiddies to Goulburn.
to Happy Jack School in the Snowy
Mountains.
More Responses after Col Kohlhagen’s Article
Andrew Newman was at WWTC in 69- ried man. The inspector turned up built by the local farmers.
70 and was then appointed as TIC to in the first week and asked why Bruce, who had spent the first
Caldwell PS between Deniliquin and there was a caravan in the back term, isolated, without a car,
Barham. He went back to the closing yard. Finding that Murray was liv- was not a favourite of the in-
celebration in 1988. About 350 people ing in it, he quickly sorted out the spector when he closed the
turned up. problem. Murray was not homeless school half a day early, Thurs-
any more and the borrowed caravan day lunchtime of Easter to pick
Murray Townsend was TIC at Morun- was returned to his home town. up a ride with a Narrandera
dah 1972. It is now closed and is about neighbour who worked for
20 km out of Narrandera. When he Bruce Forbes appointed to Oxley, Balranald Shire so he could be
showed up to the school it had quite a north west of Hay, was delivered home and come back with his
decent school house but he was not al- there by the Riverina Archbishop. first car, a Zephyr Mark II.
lowed to live in it as he was not a mar- The school was a fibro building,
10Me and my Step Through Suzuki 70
Lesley Forbes (Strong 1966-67)
Telegram, ‘Report for duty Buronga my parents at Uranquinty. My Dad During the year, after school, most
Public School 6 February 1968’, then drove me and the scooter back to Hay Fridays, I set off for Wentworth, some
the scramble to locate Buronga. At at the end of Easter and I set off on it twenty kilometres west, on the scooter,
twenty years of age, a suitcase in for Mildura. My new scooter had had with a small case strapped to the back.
hand, I caught the Spirit of Progress its first service in Wagga Wagga. It There I parked it and proceeded to
from Wagga Wagga to Melbourne was a ‘posi-force’ two stroke and had a hitch a ride to Broken Hill. It was not
and then the Fruit Flyer to Mildura. tank for oil and one for petrol. I putted long before I had met up with the
On alighting, I met Suzanne Power, along for about 20 kilometres when it Main Roads guys from Broken Hill
fresh out of Armidale Teachers Col- spluttered and stopped. How I remem- who were building the bridge across
lege, who had come all the way by ber that sinking feeling: there I was on the Murray at Wentworth, and could
North Coast Mail from Lismore to organise a regular Friday
Sydney and on to Melbourne, then afternoon ride to Broken
the Fruit Flyer, to take up her ap- Hill where Bruce would
pointment at Buronga too – such was have driven through from
the wisdom in appointments by the Wilcannia to play AFL
Department of Education. with South Broken Hill.
We secured ourselves digs, a one- We stayed as guests of
bedroom unit, furnished with a bed the All Nations Pub, pa-
each, for $20 per week, half of one of trons of the footy team.
our pays. How I remember the ten The return trip on Sun-
day heatwave out there where I day afternoon was also
spent the night periodically taking with DMR and concluded
my top sheet to the laundry to wet it with my tottle back on
while the night’s temperature re- the scooter for school
mained above 90 degree Fahrenheit. again on Monday.
Buronga is on the NSW side of the More calamity was to
border and transport was an imme- involve the scooter and
diate concern for us so within a cou- the side of the road looking out across me, as early in the last term, I was
ple of weeks, we bought ourselves the Hay Plain, as flat as can be and following a delivery truck which did a
wheels, Suzanne, a Vesper and me a only a distant windmill to break the U-Turn in front of me. As I turned too,
Step Through Suzuki 70. Through monotony. I was at the mercy of what- to try to avoid collision, its bumper bar
the year, riding the parallel boards ever came. A white ute approached
tore the flesh to the bone on the calf of
of the bridge over the Murray, espe- and stopped. How blessed was I? It
my left leg. I was thrown off my bike
cially on the frosty mornings was a was a couple from Griffith on their way
which landed on top of me giving me a
scary, hairy experience. to Mildura. I hopped in on the bench
I rode the Scooter, during the even- seat to share with them and they load- battery burn on my right knee. I sus-
ing, through to Hay when Easter ed my bike in the back, dropping it off tained severe bruising to my left leg
arrived, taking myself off the road at the cycle shop in Mildura for me. As and a shiner to my face, but nothing
and waiting until the approaching I reflect on the busy roads today and broken. I also had a pillion passenger
vehicle, usually a truck, had passed. horror stories of hitchhikers, I am for- (I was not licensed to do so) and she
Sometimes this took up to ten ever grateful to that couple. It turned was also thrown off, sustaining minor
minutes as the vehicle was some way out that the Cycle Centre in Wagga injuries. So, I missed a bit of that term
away on this long, straight road. Wagga had failed to put oil in the oil as I mended up. My bike was repaired
Bruce came down from his Wilcannia tank during the service and the piston and I was able to donate it to Bruce’s
School and picked both me and the had seized in my new bike. brother and so ended my ‘motor bike’
scooter up and on we went to Nar- days.
randera, his home town and then to
Pen to paper, fingers to keyboard needed for the next
issue of Talkabout.
11ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 9th FEBRUARY 2021
TREASURER'S REPORT
The Association's accounting records, Principal had a premonition to close RECOMMENDATIONS
in respect of the year ended 31 Decem- the school on Friday 8th November That the contributions for
ber 2020, have been audited according 2019. On that day fire came out of membership remain un-
to the Constitution and found correct. the hills and raced through the com- changed - $10 for Elec-
Alumni members have again generous- munity of Bobin destroying most of tronic Membership and
ly supported the Association and its the school's classrooms and outbuild- $20 for Standard Mem-
activities, resulting in a credit bank ings. Only the original historical bership.
balance, as at 31 December 2020, of classroom now used as a library and That $4,000 be transferred to
$16,439.40, and representing a de- dating back to 1883 remained. For- CSU Foundation for
crease in available funds of $2,236.72, tunately, because of the Principal's WWTCAA Scholarship.
when compared to the previous year. decision to close the school that day, That $1,500m be donated to
Total income for the year was $11,069 no injuries to school pupils were re- CSU Archives for continu-
($10,429 in 2019), which included ported. The school was rebuilt and ing the work of digitizing
membership contributions of $4,020 reopened on the 9th March 2020. WWTC Archives.
($3,800) and donations to the Scholar- The Alumni has received thank you That $1,000 be donated to
ship Fund of $3,695 ($3,420), to Alum- notes from the principal and stu- Stewart House.
ni Projects of $1,415 ($1,270) and to dents for our donation. That $100 be donated to the
General Funds of $1,939 ($1,895). The Committee acknowledges and Teachers Federation for
Total expenditure for the year was appreciates the members who con- use of meeting rooms.
$13,306 ($9,961 in 2019). The increase tribute varying amounts above their
in expenditure was as a result of being annual subscription and in particu- Lindsay Brockway
in a financial position to be able to sup- lar the following members who have Treasurer 2020
port charities and children in need. contributed substantial amounts to
Donations were made to the Teachers Alumni funds during 2020.
Federation for use of meeting rooms
$200 ($200), CSU Foundation for the C. & J. Blake
Scholarship Fund $4,500 ($4,000), B. Chittick
Alumni Project - Archives CSU $2,500 K. Farrell
($2,000), Stewart House $1,500 V. Chapman
($1,000), Abbotsleigh Indigenous W. Emerton
Scholarship Fund (in lieu of Talkabout A. Foggett
printing costs) $400 ($600) and Bobin G. & E. Forrest
Public School $1,500. Talkabout print- N. McAlpine
ing was $159 ($169), Postage including R. Robinson
Talkabout $1,397 ($1,038), Audit Fees, C. Fox
Out of Pocket Expenses, Stationery E. McLaren
and General Printing totalled $1,150 G. Say
($955). D. Groenewegen
The Scholarship Fund , as at 1 Decem- E. Mertens
ber 2020, had a balance of $119,153, R. Stuart
which is close to twice the original goal P. Harris
of $60,000, thanks to Alumni support R. Midgley
and interest in assisting worthy stu- A. Thompson
dents in their endeavour to become W. Keast
teachers of high quality. A. & W Petersen Bruce and Lesley Forbes took a recent trip via Ellenbor-
In a difficult year for many, a highlight S. S. Truin ough Falls and Bobin Public School, seeing a well-kept gar-
for the Alumni has been our ability to P. Kidson den and surrounds and the renewal program after the dev-
support Bobin Public School, one of R. Rentz astating bushfires.
many schools severely damaged or de- P. Van Bergen
stroyed during the horror bushfire sea- B. Lawrence
son of 2019/2020. Bobin Public School R. Riach
is just north of Wingham and is a D. Walker
small school of around seventeen pu- H. Lohse
pils. After watching the Rumba Dump B. Richardson
fire burn in the distance and surround G. Waples
the school for a number of weeks, the
12Who Remembers Mike Smith?
June Whittaker (Scott 1947-49)
Michael J. Smith (19.9.24 - 25.8.2011) Wagga. continued to publish in his academ-
Is there anyone out there who remem- Probably the last event attended by Mi- ic field and to umpire; while Ruth
bers Mike Smith? chael and Ruth before his death in August indulged her passion for landscape
Michael Smith was a lecturer in Geog- 2011 was a reunion of particular ‘non- painting. She lived only a few years
raphy at WWTC from 1960 to 1970 graduates’ of WWTC at Mogo, south of after Michael.
when he moved to the Nepean TC. Bateman’s Bay, NSW. It was organised by Rebecca’s husband, Brian Hastings,
Michael with his wife Ruth came to them to commemorate the 50th anniver- having recently produced a history
WWTC from England. sary of their failure to graduate, the hon- of his own family, is now writing a
Michael was very popular with his our having been denied them when the history of Rebecca’s family which, of
students at WWTC. He was highly Principal, Maurice Hale, found all of them necessity, will comprise mostly pen
thought of by his colleagues and his gathered in one of their rooms at the Col- pictures of Michael and Ruth.
students for his academic standing. As lege on the evening before graduation hav- To this end, Brian is very keen to
he was a keen Union football player/ ing a farewell drink. Some of the lecturing hear from anyone who was a stu-
coach, he also gained particular re- staff were invited to attend the commemo- dent / colleague / friend of Michael
spect from players among the student rative event, which was quite hilarious. and is willing to share recollections
body. He coached both First and Re- Most of the non-graduates of WWTC had of him - it matters not how small or
serve Team players for local and away long since graduated from universities of seemingly insignificant.
competitions. renown, and have forged noble careers. Brian can be contacted by phone; 04
Rebecca, their only child, was born to Michael (and Ruth) spent his retirement 144 348 32 or through me, June
them a year after they arrived in years in further overseas travel. Michael Whittaker, by email jmfair-
view@bordernet.com.au
Life after College Frank Leonard (1960-61)
Despite wanting to pursue a career as the weekends with a few of the local volved locally with top grade Rugby
a Civil Engineer, Pharmacist or Com- girls and as a sportsman, played hock- League refereeing, including repre-
monwealth Bank Economist, I was ey, basketball, tennis and Rugby sentative Country Divisional games,
forced to accept a scholarship to League which I think got me a tick. Touch judge for the Country V City
WWTC as my father was a Primary I met Marie Ford when I joined the game at the SCG in 1977, President of
School Principal without the finance Bowral Choral and Drama Society in Apex, Captain of Golf Club and soloist
to put me through University. A 1964 and transferred to Moss Vale at numerous weddings, many of them
staunch member of the ALP who had High School in 1965. Marie and I had for ex-students.
lived through the Great Depression, our 55th wedding anniversary in Au- Looking for a coastal change, I was ap-
he wanted me to have a secure Gov- gust this year. I had Special Education pointed to Moruya High School in 1979.
ernment job. I followed the Primary classes. I combined with the Art teach- With the faculty changing, I completed
Teacher Course and had two of the er to teach the full score of Oliver. I a Grad Dip in Asian Studies at UNE
best years of my life. I roomed with became totally involved in golf seeing and introduced Society & Culture, Aus-
Ray Writer for most of it, but sadly, the course develop from 9 to 18 holes tralian Studies and Transition Educa-
we failed to keep in touch, even and serving on the committee. tion. Once again I was fully involved
though my father was involved At UNE, I completed a B.A. degree and locally, refereeing, joining Apex, the
through Teachers Federation in hav- joined the Social Science faculty where golf club and added some local sports
ing the martyred 13 reinstated. some of my students in Economics broadcasting. I played tennis and crick-
My first appointment was Robertson were placed in the State Honours et, establishing Junior Cricket as well
Primary School (1962-64) on 2nd, 3rd group. I was promoted to Social Sci- as helping organise the Centenary of
and 4th grades, including teaching ence Master at Scone High School in the local Catholic Church.
Nathan Hindmarsh’s father, Bill. I 1973 and was Supervisor of the only At Woolooware High School I was pro-
had just turned nineteen, facing forty decentralised Correspondence School moted to Deputy in 1990. Here such
children in one classroom, limited in Australasia. Recognised for my fair- sportsmen as Adam Dykes (Cronulla
resources, the green board, a very old ly trendy clothes at the time, I remem- and Parramatta, captain of the State
Gestetner and a spirit duplicator, I ber the Inspector for my List 3 asking winning Buckley Shield team that I
used often, because of the minor high me if I set the standard for sartorial coached), Stuart Clark (Australian fast
I would experience from the methyl- elegance in the place; I was wearing a bowler), Todd Woodbridge (tennis) at-
ated spirits. What impressed me most plum coloured suit, mahogany shoes, a tended. Todd was instrumental in get-
was the respect I received from the mauve shirt and multicoloured, mainly ting my twin boys selected as ball boys
parents. I joined the community, at- purple, patterned tie. Embarrassed for the Sydney Open at White City
tending local dances and movies at now when I reflect! I was totally in- where I also marked HSC Society &
13Culture for five years. Here I missed larger school with over 1000 stu-
appointment for a Principal’s posi- dents, I concentrated on improved
tion, possibly because affirmative ac- infrastructure for Creative Arts
tion had just been introduced. I was (involved teachers working with the
approached by the Catholic Education architect), for Science and Special
Office to consider St John the Evan- Education. Applications for enrol-
gelist, Nowra as the second principal. ment exceeded vacancies and Year 7
My loyalty to the State System for 30 became an interview process. I re-
years made me reluctant but I even- tired at the end of 2002 and was
tually took up this position in 1993. honoured with a farewell function
The school developed from Year 8 to at Kembla Grange Racecourse
the full Year 12 enrolments, 425 to which included staff, parents and
785 in my time there, with ongoing family.
building programs. I was pleased Marie and I had four children in
with the developing culture of the five years.
school. Closer to home, I took up the
position of Principal at St Joseph’s
Catholic School in Albion Park. A
One Sentence in your Will can make a Lifetime of Difference
university myself but when I was leav-
A planned gift in a will to the Charles work on. Then after that there was ing school, universities were very ex-
Sturt Foundation can make an endur- disability social life. pensive places and I couldn’t afford it.
ing contribution to the progress of “I enjoyed my community work. I It seemed that my husband and I could
learning and discovery. can’t tell you how many groups I’ve do something to help people. We
Supporting a cause you are passionate been in – Scouting, Church, the Ru- thought, seeing we had no children, we
about can create a powerful legacy in ral Fire Brigade, and the Show and might be able to help other people’s
your honour or in memory of a loved the Progress Association in Rydal. children who needed a bit of a helping
one which you can direct to a specific In the early 90s I was awarded an hand to get through University”.
cause, or should you choose, be ap- Order of Australia because of the In 2019, Charles Sturt University
plied more broadly in support of stu- community work I had done. That made the decision to expand upon their
dents. was quite startling but very pleas- current planned giving program with
One of our valued supporters of the ant.” the inclusion of a new updated bequest
planned giving Bequest program, Hel- In 1994, Helen had an idea to ex- brochure, donor information webpage
en Baber OAM has a strong affiliation tend the reach of her community and the planned establishment of the
with Charles Sturt University having service and contacted Charles Sturt Sturt Legacy Society (currently in final
attended the antecedent institution, University to discuss leaving a be- stages of preparation). The aim of this
the Bathurst Teachers’ College, in quest. “I rang the university and Dr program is to establish a dedicated
1952. Throughout her career, Helen Peter Hodson came and saw us and recognition and stewardship program
taught in Toongabbie, Newtown, Lon- explained all about it. After that we which honours those people who have
don UK, Wallerawang and Bathurst, became very involved.” indicated they would like to leave a
before accepting a position in Lithgow The couple chose to leave a bequest bequest within their lifetime. We have
where she worked for 23 years until to Charles Sturt in the hope that it also developed support material for
her retirement. would encourage others to do the people interested in leaving a bequest
It was while working in this role that same. They have asked that their by providing simple and clear facts re-
Helen first became involved in disabil- bequest be used to fund a scholar- garding the types of bequests available,
ity advocacy. “I was involved in very ship to help students who would the next steps for creating a legacy and
many community groups. I was partic- otherwise be unable to afford uni- information that can be supplied to
ularly involved in disability services. I versity and are studying in areas your legal professional.
taught what they used to call an OA related to community services. Charles Sturt University is humbled to
class at Lithgow Public School for the “We’d like the scholarship to be be considered for a bequest be it large
last 23 years of my teaching career something to do with community or small. Every donation is important
and loved it. “I became interested in services, so that would include nurs- and every donation makes a difference.
disabled employment, so we got that ing, education and paramedics. For any enquiries or to request a bro-
up and running. Then we became in- “I think in one way, I wanted to chure, please contact Kirstie Grady 02
terested in disability accommodation, give to Charles Sturt University 63384834 or kgrady@csu.edu.au
so that was the next thing we had to because I would have liked to go to
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