Vice President's Message

Volume 18 No 2 August 2015

Examinations in the Auditorium 1965 VICE PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

It is indeed a pleasure to open the second edition of Talkabout for 2015 while President Bruce enjoys a well earned trip as he and Lesley travel around our great nation.

I am sure that all in the Alumni were sorry to hear of the passing of Lew Morrell in July. As a founding member, Lew was a wonderful supporter through his work as editor of Talkabout, firstly with Lew Crabtree and later with Lindsay Budd. Talkabout has kept alive the history of the graduates of Wagga. In addition to his efforts through Talkabout, Lew was a force behind the Scholarship Fund encouraging donations and then every year, until this year, being involved in the interviewing of candidates and the presentation of scholarships. Lindsay Budd gave a wonderful eulogy at Lew's funeral highlighting his contributions to the Association.

It was pleasing to note that the Scholarship recipients this year were two final year students from small Riverina towns. Ryan Heffer from Temora is completing his Dip. Ed. in Secondary Science and Jayde Hounsell from Lockhart is finishing her Primary training. She has a strong Mathematics background. We wish them well for the completion of their studies and career in education.

After consultation with Wagga Wagga City Council the dates for the 70 Year Reunion in Wagga Wag- gahave been set for Friday, 27th October, 2017 to Monday, 30th October, 2017. Lesley Forbes would love to hear from volunteers for the Steering Committee. Cont’d p2

EDITOR VICE PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE Cont’d

Welcome to the The 50 Year Reunion for 1965 - tion to the preface now correctly second edition of 1968 will be held in Wagga from states Wagga Wagga was operat- Talkabout 2015. the 15th to 17th of May 2016 ing in 1947 well before Bathurst, and planning is well under way. which began in 1951. It is antici- Our thanks to those who have Make sure that your contact de- pated that this edition will be shared their memories and sto- tails are up to date. available later in the year. ries with us. I am sure that the articles and stories in this edition Nancy Blacklow's book South Chris Blake will be enjoyed by your friends Campus - A History has sold out Vice President WWTCAA and colleagues and will encour- and will be reprinted. A correc- age them to do likewise.

Apologies to those whose article ACROSS THE SECRETARY’S DESK has not been included. I still have a number of stories that I Thanks for all 200 people there which made it a will include in the next edition. your letters and little difficult to circulate. How- emails. They make ever I met several of my Lower Despite the backlog of articles the most interest- Division students as well as old- referred to above, additional ma- ing reading. I have er brothers and sisters and 5 terial is still needed for the next included many in teachers who followed after me edition. Please put fingers to the my column below. (I had been the first assistant ap- keyboard, or if you prefer, pen pointed to Kemps Creek in to paper and we will have them Harry Gibbs (1947-49) I would 1958). It was certainly an inter- typed up once we receive them. just like to add my thanks and esting "blast from the past". The congratulations to all those in- organiser (who had started When submitting articles please volved in reviving Talkabout school the year after I was trans- consider sending along photos and thus giving us oldies a link ferred) had spent many hours as they add to the story. Whilst to a past life. It was great to read researching. He put an adver- older photos help enrich the sto- a contribution from the lovely tisement in The Sydney Morning ry more recent shots are appre- Marie Hulme in the November Herald with a school photo and I ciated by those reading your edition. It is nice to know that just happened to see it and rec- article. Marie is still out and about and ognised the Headmaster. Best enjoying a happy barley-water wishes. If you haven’t the time to write a free life. Stay well, Marie. P.S. After all these years I found full article just a few lines to the out that my time at these schools Secretary can be included and it Jenny Atkins (1956-57) On counted as country service. will inform friends and col- 18th October 2014 I attended a leagues that you are still con- reunion for students and teachers Secretary’s Note: My great nected to the Alumni. of the 50's and 60's of both grandfather was principal at Kemps Creek and Badgerys Kemps Creek at the turn of the Brian Powyer Creek Schools. There were over century, 1900s. cont’d next page

Secretary WWTCAA Unit 5/185 Albany St Point Frederick NSW 2250 Ph: 0243225650 or Mob: 0408587065 Email: [email protected]

ACROSS THE SECRETARY’S DESK Cont’d

Barry Ewert (1953-54) Many that Ian Thomas (1947-49) is Thanks for the latest edition of thanks for Talkabout issues and suffering health problems since Talkabout, especially with the an appreciated thanks to all who a turn last November. news of Alan Maxwell’s pass- have helped to write and collate ing. it. I’m sure there are many like Barb Sawtell (1959-60) I enjoy me that the only contact with the receiving Talkabout. I am happy John Grantley (1962-63) college and colleagues is to receive just the electronic ver- Thank you so much for the latest through Talkabout where we can sion. edition of Talkabout. I do enjoy read the many stories and relate reading about past WWTC stu- them to our own experiences. Elaine Saunders (1962-63) Sin- dents and their varied and inter- On reflection, College days cere thanks for all your admira- esting lives. I look forward to bring back many happy memo- ble efforts. searching through the digitised ries and it’s pleasing to see Talk- editions of Talkabout. A brilliant about continuing. Stan Fulker (1948-50) Really idea to have completed this pro- enjoying the Talkabout so con- ject. Bruce Molloy (1962-63) Many gratulations to the new team. thanks for all your work in tak- Liz Meertens (1961-62) Just ing WWTCAA from strength to Wayne Shaw (1955-56) Thank having breakfast and read your strength. The efforts of you and you for all your time-consuming mail. Thank you. This morning your committee are very much hard work for the Alumni. off to see my grandson in the appreciated. This view is appre- presentation of his class sketches ciated by my ex-student friends Ann Goninon (1954-55) Is so will have to wait to peruse and myself. Whenever Talka- there any plan afoot for a reun- Talkabout. Dutch spring has bout is received it is always a ion of our 54/55 session. Even a more or less arrived. So sun and topic for much discussion… little one in Sydney would be colour on the horizon. All the Keep up the great work! great…lunch together or similar. best wishes and thanks for the great work. Geoff Gorman (1950-51) My Thanks for Talkabout. Keep up first appointment was as Lith- the good work. Reading the sto- Marie Curtis (1963-64) Thank gow District Relief Teacher. I ries though, I feel my life has you for your hard work. had a stint in the middle of win- been rather dull. My reward ter at Portland. My class was 3C though is the kids that have Paul Nicoll (1967-68) I am in -4C-5C-6C and the classroom made good citizens. I love the Brazil where I have been was the C.W.A. room adjacent poem. pleased to receive Talkabout. to the school playground. On the WWTC’s wings have travelled a first day there, the boss gave me Jim Lewis (1962-63) I enjoyed long way. I am in Juiz de Fora. a shilling to put in a meter in the reading them all. There seems to The Teachers’ Union in this city room for an electric heater. The be very few from my session is one of the strongest in the class soon told me that if I took 60/61. Am I able to contribute country. They have been on the heater to the back of the something in the hope of recon- strike for months over their re- room, I could plug it in and it necting with a few from my sec- quest for a fair wage and most would go all day for nothing – tion (32)? parents support them – as I do. and I could keep the shilling! Not so dumb after all! Cavel Payne (1967-68) I en- Alexander Abbotsmith (1953) joyed reading Talkabout. Con- Thank you for Talkabout 2015. Pam Harris (1957-58) Many grats to you both. Your effort is Always interesting. Good to thanks for sending back copies. I appreciated. keep in touch. know I will enjoy reading them. Lesley Forbes Secretary) Liz Farley just letting you know Warwick Bradley (1966-67)

NOW AND THEN: LIFELONG FRIENDSHIPS

Members of 50-51 Session in the library. Members of the 50-51Session together in 2015.

I could relate totally to the front of the November Talkabout and of course recognised Pam Clayton’s head of hair in the foreground. As a consequence to this, I took a photo when meeting with some 1950/51 ex-students in Sydney in February (Pam being one of those attending) and hope it may bring back some memories for other ex-students of this era. Ella Keesing (Redpath) 1950/51.

Students of the 1950/51 year Bombaderry Bowling Club. He national Conventions of Rotary meet once a year in Sydney in is still a member of Nowra Ro- in Birmingham, Glasgow, Bris- February. Pictured above Arthur tary Club and has been awarded bane and Copenhagen. King; Pam Holman (Clayton); life membership of Nowra Decima Pickles (Wheeler); South Probus Club. Each year Pam: Now lives in the Sydney Jeanette Jackson (Cowle); Mar- Arthur’s Probus Club has an or- area; she has 4 children and 11 garet King (Wallace); Narelle ganised trip somewhere in Aus- grandchildren. Griffiths (Matthews); Ella Kees- tralia. He also enjoys tending a ing (Redpath). large vegetable garden on his After leaving College Pam acre of land on the south coast taught at West Parramatta (2 History after leaving college: of NSW. years); Bathurst Dem School (2 Arthur: 1952–1962 small years); then at St Ives. She lived schools in the Riverina; 1963– Margaret: (5th from left); mar- at St Ives and did casual teach- 1966 Mathematics teaching at ried Arthur. They have 3 chil- ing in the area for 12 years. Cootamundra High; 1967–1974 dren and 5 grandchildren) 1952– Mathematics Master Goulburn 1953 Infants Henty; 1954–1955 Pam’s current interests include High; 1974-1978 Deputy Bar- Infants Gundagai; 1965–1966 bowls at St Ives Bowling Club ham High;1979–1984 Principal Infants Cootamundra; 1967– and at the Pymble Golf Club Hay Memorial High; 1985–1987 1974 Infants in Goulburn area; where she is President of a small Principal Bomaderry High. 1975–1978 Infants at Wakool group of ex-golfers who play and Barham; 1980–84 Infants’ bowls socially. Her other inter- In his retirement Arthur trav- Mistress at Hay; 1985–1986 In- est is swimming. elled Australia collecting mate- fants Shoalhaven Heads. rial for his family history of the Decima : Married Ron Pickles, a King family, who migrated from After teaching Margaret became student at Wagga in 49–50. Ireland, and in 1992 he pub- very involved with spinning and They have 3 sons and 6 grand- lished a book A King from Ty- weaving and attended statewide children, some in Sweden. Son, rone. workshops. She also became an Tim, owns the highly successful active member of the Australian Tim’s Garden Centre in Camp- Arthur is in his 29th year of Plants Society. Both Margaret belltown. Dec and Ron now live playing pennant bowls for the and Arthur have attended Inter- in Sydney. cont’d next page 4

On leaving College, Decima Victoria and Shellharbour. In status in Victoria and registered was appointed to Austral (a 3 her retirement Jeanette enjoys with the Victorian Education teacher school), then Dubbo, reading, playing bridge and din- Department. Seven Hills, Rydalmere, Home- ing with friends. bush, Toongabbie West and An interest in the disability field Metella Road where she became Narelle: Currently resides in the led to a Post Graduate course in the Infants’ Mistress and then Sydney area. She has 3 children Special Education at Deakin Deputy Principal. and 3 grandchildren. University. Ella’s particular in- On retiring, Decima and Ron Narelle taught for 3 years before terest was in the language area taught swimming to schools for leaving the Department to help as she worked with children many years. Now their interests her husband in his furniture who had limited verbal skills. are golf and heading to the business. Narelle says she and warmer climes of Noosa in their her husband lead a simple life in In retirement she has helped to caravan in the winter months, a house near the harbour but produce several books and CD golf and fishing being major enjoy driving to the mountains. Roms illustrating manual signs interests. (Auslan). Ella also works on Ella: Moved to Melbourne in numerous committees –Probus, Jeanette: Now lives in Parkes. 1967 for her husband’s work. Life Activities Club, Key Word Her daughter, Meredith, who She has 3 daughters and 6 lives in Lithgow, drove to Sign Victoria and enjoys walk- grandchildren. Parkes to pick up her mother to ing, gardening, travel, reading, bring her to the reunion. Ella taught at Hammondville for attending Melbourne Theatre

3 years, Wagga Dem School for Company plays. Jeanette has 2 children and 4 a year, then at Collaroy Plateau. grandchildren, including triplets Ella Keesing (Redpath) Jeanette taught in Tottenham, She upgraded to 3 year trained 1950/51

WWTC THE BEGINNING OF AN ENVIABLE LIFE ODYSSEY.

Terence Lindsay Dwyer 61-62 only lasted a year. Heather Heather and I were married in (Evans) was still at College and January 1965 - it is our 50th an- March 1961: was a major partner in our black niversary this year. I had been I boarded the VW. It turned out to be a busy appointed to Brucedale, a small express train year, dodging Fanny B and get- school 8 miles north of Wagga, to Wagga ting to training etc. I was then and Heather to South Wagga Wagga with appointed District Relief Teach- Public School. Brucedale had a freedom, a er servicing an area of about ‘vested residence’ which had suit case and 100km around Wagga. been condemned fifteen years bank account previously. It was primitive but of £52. After retrieving my case Heather was appointed close to CHEAP and allowed us to build from the station I headed to her home in Sydney in 1964. In our first home at Kooringal in WWTC and my life’s odyssey those days the Wagga–Sydney 1967. That same year Brucedale was underway. trip involved around 7-8 VW was closed and I had a further hours on the old Hume High- stint as the District Relief After graduating from College I way. Three of us had girls in Teacher prior to a transfer to was appointed to North Wagga Sydney and made the trip as of- Ashmont Infants. Against my Public School. At the same time ten as footy would allow! My will I was subsequently moved I signed up with Wagga City landlady packed us enough food to the GA staff of Mt Austin Rugby Union Club. for the trip both ways but didn’t High. My Small Schools’ train- include the usual bottle of D.A. ing was considered adequate. My North Wagga appointment Ho! Ho! Cont’d next page

Following completion of a my rameters as interests, and with High with extensive periods as B.A. at UNE I was transferred varying outcomes! Over the Acting Principal. to the Commerce Department of years we invested heavily in Mt Austin High, gained various Robb College, U.N.E. from We eventually retired and listings and in 1976 moved to which each of our three children moved to Forster in October. Canobolas High, Orange as gained their tertiary education 2001. We have been fortunate in Head Teacher Social Sciences (in comfort) and launched their our travels both around Austral- under Principal Fred Dobbin. subsequently successful careers ia and O/S in that we have in- We built a large, beautiful home in Education, Town Planning variably enjoyed the company in Orange and enjoyed it for and Mining….Well, two out of of wonderful people and be- some eleven years. three ain’t bad !! tween us have seen a lot of the inhabited world. I think these were my happiest Mudgee High School gained me teaching years; great school, as Deputy Principal in 1987. A We still have much to see along kids, staff and top social life. wonderful school, community with some parts of our own and life style which we were sad great Australia. Forster is a pret- For some years I was involved to leave after only two years. ty good place from which to with Service Clubs; Apex, Lions begin our future travels. and eventually Rotary Interna- My next appointment (1989) tional. Heather has been similar- was possibly the “Best Ever”. ly involved with her church As much as we loved Mudgee, Terry organisations, View and Quota Gloucester proved to be our fa- Dwyer, International. vorite posting. We stayed there 1961 – 62 in various roles for 13 years – We have also dabbled in enter- Heather as A.P. Gloucester Pub- prises outside pedagogical pa- lic and I as D.P. Gloucester

WHAT EVER HAPPENED TO JOHN ("JIM") CAROLAN 1954-55

Back in the late 60's and early for the first two years !! No equipment we could possibly 70's many WWTC teachers income tax!! Another encour- hope for. moved to western Canada. agement was that teachers re- At the time most teachers in turning to NSW with overseas In 1969 I met and married a western Canada were trained experience (e.g. exchanges) wonderful Canadian nurse. My like apprentices in the schools, seemed to get promoted quickly parents flew in from Australia. they graduated from what was (to our surprise !!) However, I was also able to in- called "Normal School". How- vite to the wedding 23 Australi- ever, the provincial (state) Hundreds of young Australian an teachers I knew who governments felt that to teach teachers accepted teaching po- were teaching in Alberta. one should have university qual- sitions in Alberta, Saskatchewan ifications, so many hundreds of and in British Columbia. This Most of my friends returned to teachers left the classroom to included many teaching in the Australia at the end of two go to university. This caused Riverina that I knew, most years. This was despite reports quite a shortage of teachers so who were trained at WWTC. coming back from returning advertisements went out to teachers to NSW of the way the teachers in Australia and the In 1968, I accepted to teach NSW Education Department United Kingdom to come and math at a beautiful new high treated them (unsatisfactory ap- teach in Canada. We were of- school at Warburgin Alberta. pointment offers) and the fact fered almost double the salary The classrooms and most of the that the Australian Federal Gov- we received in NSW and the school was carpeted, the staf- ernment was taxing at least Canada and Alberta govern- froom was a dream, and we some returning teachers who ments gave us a tax free status were given all the teaching stayed in - cont’d next page

Canada for less than two years, 1974 we formed a hobby com- grew and was quite profitable. on the money they earned in pany, Koala Books of Canada From 1975, I taught in Edmon- Canada. There are only three of Ltd to import books for univer- ton high schools until I retired us left in Canada of the 23 who sity bookstores and public in 1997 to then work for Koala came to our wedding. and university libraries across Books. Canada and down into the John Carolan (1954-55) I had another reason to stay. In USA. It started small but it

OUR MYRTLE: A GODDESS REBORN

What are your memories of CSU. He met with Wayne Mil- be planted near Myrtle. Myrtle? What mischievous lar, Director Operational Ser- deeds did you do to enhance her vices, CSU Riverina, who ad- The support of former students body? vised that the area around Myr- is sought. Early photos (pref- tle will be developed into a nat- erably black and white) of Myr- Alas, she no longer stands in ural parkland with water fea- tle and the rotunda would be that exalted position, gracing the tures to be known as the Cliff appreciated so that an image small garden adjacent to the Ad- Blake Pleasance. could be placed on the interpre- ministration Building. She was tive signs. If you have any docu- “retired” to the grounds of the mentation or memories of their Boorooma Campus. Here she installation please forward them stands forlornly, like Atlas, la- to The Secretary, WWTCAA. bouring under the weight of a huge round globe and cowering The Mary Gilmour Gates also beneath a eucalypt, which has deserve preservation. Any pho- been slowly succumbing to dry tographs and/or information you rot, thus endangering her very may have together with your existence. ideas as to their eventual loca- tion would also be appreciated. Following the 2012 Reunion of the 1960–1962 cohorts a plan to We owe both Ray and Wayne restore Myrtle’s dignity was This area will also include the Millar our thanks for their ef- hatched. A replacement globe, Rotunda. The offending euca- forts in this project. in keeping with the original, was lypt will be removed. Interpre- purchased. Armed with this fit- tive signs will be installed. Ray Bob Haskew, ting Ray Petts revisited the has suggested that crepe myrtles Archives Officer WWTCAA.

WWTCAA SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS 2015

The WWTCAA has been sup- a Bachelor of Science/ Bachelor Chris and I had the great pleas- porting the Charles Sturt Uni- of Teaching (Secondary) and ure of representing the versity Foundation since 1997 Jayde, Bachelor of Education WWTCAA at the Charles Sturt and this year Jayde Hounsell (Primary). University Foundation Scholar- and Ryan Heffer were chosen as ship Presentation Ceremony on joint recipients of the Both have also made impressive Wednesday, May 20. We were WWTCAA scholarship. voluntary contributions to their able to present Jayde with her local communities and possess Certificate but unfortunately Both candidates displayed out- musical and sporting skills. Ryan was unable to attend as he standing attributes and conduct- Their schooling has been in ru- was involved in a teaching ed themselves in a confident ral settings and both are hoping placement. and professional manner during to find employment in rural are- Chris and Louise Fox interviews. Ryan is completing as. 1968-69

THANK YOU: SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS’ RESPONSE

Jayde Hounsell: Ryan Heffer:

I am the first in my immediate family to attend Attending University has been a great challenge university and my parents and siblings recognise that has allowed me to step into independence and are proud of the hours I dedicate towards my and grow in knowledge as well. My family and I university studies. They have supported me are thankful for the blessing to be able to attend through both stressful and rewarding times moti- university to further my education and help equip vating me to always try my hardest. If it wasn't me to take the next step in the journey of my life. for this support I do not believe I would have achieved the academic grades I have. This scholarship will allow me to complete my practical place- Living out of town ment subjects in and having to pay my education expenses such as degree without fuel, food and rent needing to wor- has meant that I have ry about the ex- had to work in- penses associat- creased hours in part ed with accom- time and casual em- modation and tra ployment positions. -vel. This bless- This scholarship will ing will mean allow me to concen- that I can con- trate and dedicate centrate on uni- more hours towards versity study my study and profes- and my place- sional development Jayde Hounsell receiving her Scholarship from Chris Fox (WWTC 68-69) ment without which I hope will needing to worry better prepare me for my teaching career in the about where the money for the extra expenses near future. will come from. This means less stress and worry as well as the ability to devote myself to study. This scholarship will assist me in successfully completing my last year of university including My personal and professional aspirations revolve my practical experience at Rand Public School. It around being the best secondary teacher I can therefore allows me to further develop an under- be. I wish to remain in a rural setting and this standing of effective teaching pedagogies through scholarship will allow me to travel to these areas the university subjects as well as applying these to complete my practical experiences which will in my own classroom. This will greatly contribute help me develop as a professional for this setting. to my confidence when embarking on my teaching career and will prepare me to implement suc- I know that a lot of people contribute to this cessful rural pedagogies in the near future. scholarship and I am very grateful for their support. I will likely not meet any of the several do- I would like to thank WWTCAA for providing nors but their support and encouragement mean a me with financial ease and increased motivation lot to me. It is encouraging to know there are peo- to finish my last year at university. I will try my ple willing to contribute financially to people hardest in this last year to further develop both they have never met and will likely never personally and professionally to become a suc- meet. For this I am very thankful. cessful educator. I am motivated to teach and in- spire in rural and disadvantaged contexts and I Congratulations to Jayde and Ryan from all am very grateful for the financial assistance that members of the WWTCAA. has brought me closer to this goal.

HANDS ACROSS THE WATERS—THE CANADIAN CONNECTION

Some years back, John Charles alone, as my husband, Graham over old times and various col- Ferris (aka Charlie Ferris) set up had recently lost his eleven year lege friends. a WWTC egroup ( email ) via battle with Non Hodgkins Lym- Yahoo, now incorporated within phoma, only three weeks before Brian had been in touch with Yahoo groups. our only child Steven had pre- Pippa Ingram who also lives on sented us with our only grand- Vancouver Island. I believe that Once it gained momentum, child, in Vancouver she too is engaged in a health many ex-WWTC members join- battle, so there was no chance of ed, some of whom had never The plan was to stay some of the her joining us either. I have nev- been in contact over the years. time with Judy and Jim. Judy er really "met" Pippa, but I re- Subsequently friendships were had liaised with Brian and Bill member her from WWTC days rekindled and in my case new to travel by ferry to Nanaimo so and it would have been nice to friendships were formed. that we could have our first ever make contact too. get together as a foursome. For my part, I was able to make Pippa, if you get to read this contact with my first room mate, Unfortunately, Judy and Jim had little tale "out of school" please Leonie Hack and her husband, to leave town, as their daughter know that I am thinking of you Kevin Mitchell, who now reside who lived about nine hours drive and having been in a similar sit- on the QLD Gold Coast. away had to have emergency uation recently, my thoughts are surgery. So, then there were with you. It would have been Through egroup I met up with three! nice to really meet and chat. Deanne Churchill, also on the Maybe another time. Maybe Gold Coast. Our paths had never Judy suggested Bill and Brian even another 59/60 reunion crossed in WWTC days ( differ- come over to me on the main- soon? ent section, different dorm and land, as I'm a bit fragile and different sporting teams). We have a problem with stairs. This What a blast the fiftieth anniver- have become firm friends ever coupled with my non-existent sary reunion was, in Mittagong. since 2000, when we first met sense of direction, made it a bit So, thanks once again to the for lunch, which we now do on a daunting for me and quite within wonderful organisers. regular basis. the realms of possibility that I would get lost in transit. AND, thanks too to Charlie Fer- Further afield, I made contact ris for the egroup, as it was the with Brian Pettit in Canada and Brian had to pass on that, as he egroup that made possible the we stayed with him and his fam- is having health issues and really Canadian Connection. ily several times. Once again, needs to stay close to home. So, Brian and I had never actually then there were two! Best Wishes "met" in 59/60. He and Bill Joan Kirkham. (Robinson) Keast were both school princi- I suggested to Bill that we also WWTC 59/60 pals in Nanaimo, where they take a "pass" and hope for an- both still reside. Brian had invit- other time. However, he said we ed Bill to also catch up on our should go ahead as planned, so A POEM FOR DAD first visit. We all kept in touch we two met for lunch and had a over the next few years. great few hours catching up. Thank you Bill, for keeping the Thank you for including Dad's When in Vancouver, I had al- "tradition" of catching up. Verse in your last Talkabout. ways stayed with Judy Morrison The family was chuffed and dad ( Noble ) and her husband Jim. Brian had stayed with us for a would have been as well. Great- few days some time back, so he ly appreciated. Fast track to Sept / Oct 2014 knew Graham. I must say, it was Lance Raskall and this time I made the trip great to be able to reminisce

I REMEMBER JOE LONSDALE —Mervyn Whitaker 1947-49

I remember Joe Lonsdale quite ucation Unit on the island of er, Vera. I told Mr Blakemore I well as the young bursar of Etajima near Kure. thought my mother might help WWTC in 1947 when the Col- out until he could find perma- lege was opened. He was highly I returned to Australia in April nent staff. My mother was used respected and well liked by eve- 1947 and found my parents had to cooking for large numbers – ryone – his peers and the pio- moved from their farm near shearers and big family occa- neer students. Tumbarumba to live in Wagga. sions on the family farm, After being away without leave “Clifton”. I told him I thought If Joe can claim to be the first for three years, I so much en- she might be able to gather up a bursar and first of the adminis- joyed being back with my par- few friends to help out in the trative staff to arrive at WWTC, ents, Vera and Jim, and my kitchen for a while. then I believe I may claim to be younger brothers, Doug and the first student to arrive there. Bob, that I was reluctant to And so it was that my mother move on to Sydney to attend was dragooned into becoming This happened quite by chance. university. Then I heard about WWTC’s housekeeper, a posi- I was one of the returned ser- the opening of the WWTC. I tion she kept until her resigna- vicemen from WWII who was hopped on my recently acquired tion five years later. What a offered a scholarship for tertiary Harley Davidson motor-bike challenge it was for her! But education. On my return to and rode up to the collection of she took it in her stride. Num- Australia after service with the ugly old airforce huts on a bar- bers of permanent kitchen and AIF in New Guinea and then in ren hillside and, unannounced, domestic staff arrived just be- Japan with the British Common- knocked on the office door of fore the flood of students. Alas! wealth Occupation Force the Principal, George Blake- They were all from Bonegilla (BCOF), I intended to take up more. Refugee Camp, recent arrivals the scholarship at Sydney Uni- in Australia from East European versity’s Asian Studies depart- There is no need for me to de- countries - the Balkan States, ment, specialising in Japanese. scribe the chaos that confronted Yugoslavia, Poland, Russia. me when the Principal invited None of them had more than a My initial career choice was me into his office. Joe Lons- few words of English. governed by the fact that I al- dale’s description of the muddle ready spoke some Japanese. and confusion that greeted his None of the new domestic staff While in Lae, New Guinea, I arrival says it all. The Principal had much cooking experience. had been transferred to ANGAU invited me to sit on one packing But what joy for my mother to (Australian New Guinea Admin- case while he sat on another and discover one of the men was a istrative Unit) and ordered to told me his tale of woe. He was butcher. Gross, a huge Croatian study the Japanese language. expecting 150 students (75 men of fierce - cont’d next page Tutoring was organised for me and 75 women) as well as a full by way of correspondence les- complement of academic staff to sons from Melbourne. Later, I arrive the first week in May. was transferred to Rabaul, re- The newly named WWTC had a cently retaken by the Allies, so kitchen but no cook or kitchen that I could take lessons from a staff; barracks with beds, but no Japanese speaker. A Japanese housekeeper or domestic staff; Sergeant (same rank as myself) and no assurance that any do- who was a prisoner of war there, mestic staff would be forthcom- was released every afternoon ing. from the camp to tutor me. A few weeks after the bombing of After we chewed over the prob- Hiroshima and Nagasaki, I had lem for some time, I gallantly Joe Lonsdale been transferred to BCOF’s Ed- offered the services of my moth-

appearance, wielded a butcher’s little sons were given the flat all, even in English, unless she axe with dexterity, especially next door. My father helped the used her hands! when the Principal appeared in cleaners when they were short- the kitchen to make an inspec- handed. My mother was on call Long after her time at WWTC tion, which was always a very day and night, for ordinary and she remained in contact with short one. Another young man, special occasions. Given a lim- Mrs Blakemore as well as with “Jimmy” Habul, spoke a little ited budget with which to satisfy many of the “new Australians” English and was interested to the healthy appetites of so many who had been members of her learn to cook. Under my moth- young men and women was a staff. er’s tuition, he became a first- greater challenge for her than rate cook and pursued a chef’s communication. It was amaz- I was 23 when I sat with career long after leaving ing how she managed to com- George Blakemore amid the WWTC. municate with staff. She used chaos of his office. I am 91 her hands to good effect. Long now, and have a few years to go My parents were given a flat in after her time at WWTC, her to catch up with Joe Lonsdale! the college grounds. Jimmy Ha- family teased her, claiming that Mervyn Whittaker bul with his wife Clara and two she could not communicate at 1947-49

LIFE STORY: PART 1—BILL MURRAY 1960-61)

Bill Murray was acknowledged in the last edition of Talkabout for his award of Order of Australia for services to the community. The following article looks at Part 1 of his life Story.

I was born in lems. We were all brought up as to hold the lambs on a fence 1941 at caring and nurturing people be- railing while he branded their Young NSW cause of the difficulties that we ear, castrated the males and cut where I had had to endure with farm life and off their tails. When he looked the good for- we quickly learned to support at me all I could see was the tune of grow- one another to survive. whites of his eyes peering ing up on a through a blood spattered face sheep and Our school holidays were spent and he would say in that typical wheat farm. Farm life was a working on the farm to provide country drawl ‘ Ya don’t wanna great lifestyle but it had many much needed help. I learned to be doing this for the rest of your hardships that we had to endure drive farm machinery when I life, Ya wanna get a real job’. e.g. drought, floods, bushfires was 10 years old to help out at This was the drive that made and locust plagues. To make harvest time. Being the eldest I me work hard at school and I matters worse it was a 2 hour would have to drive everyone to was able to secure a scholarship drive in an old Dodge utility to school with whatever was avail- and finally complete university. the nearest town for supplies able and not in use at the time and medical attention. because there was no school Joining the work force. I com- bus. This meant boarding with pleted a teacher training course I was the eldest of 6 children (3 my grandmother in the nearest at Wagga Teacher’s College in sisters and 2 brothers) and we town for much of my High 1962 and was appointed to Al- all went to school at a one (1) School days. At school I was bury High School teaching sen- teacher school at Tubbul. We Vice Captain, Sports Captain ior Biology to Leaving Certifi- didn’t have anything and we and senior athletics champion. cate candidates. I was then didn’t expect anything because Farm life meant severe expo- transferred to Narooma Central we were used to going without. sure to the sun and I find myself School to set up that school’s I was considered lucky if I got a continually visiting the doctor first new science laboratory. dinky toy for Xmas. We were for removal of carcinomas and Having spent all of my life all happy and worked together melanoma. I vividly recall lamb in the dry, dusty heart of the as a family to solve our prob- marking with my father. I had western - cont’d next page

districts it was like living in par- School while my wife continued descent, completed training as a adise at Narooma with its won- her career with National Aus- nurse. derful beaches, great fishing and tralia Bank. We built a new pro- Change in Career. My life on its natural forest backdrop. ject home at Bulli where we live the farm in those early days and to this day. I was promoted to my love of the land generated a It was here that I met my wife science master and appointed to ‘mid life crisis’ that resulted in a Maureen. She was a descendent Kanahooka High School. change of direction in my career of one of the first pioneer fami- and I became interested in prop- lies in Narooma and was work- I contributed 10 years to work- erty development. I completed ing in the Commercial Banking ing with Illawarra rugby league , town planning, land economics, Company of Sydney. Our court- refereeing both senior and junior real estate valuation and a post ship lasted 3 years and we were football. graduate degree before working married in the historic heritage as a consultant in a private com- cathedral at Bodalla built by My wife and I were never fortu- pany preparing environmental Thomas Mort. It still has the nate to have children of our own impact assessments for councils. stone floor at the back of the so we thought it best if we could church where the convicts used help children in need and we I then decided to join the Public to sit. decided to adopt. We now have Service …………………… 2 wonderful children. Bradford, We moved to Austinmer in a 1 who is of Canadian descent, Read Part 2 bedroom flat opposite the beach completed a university educa- Next Edition of Talkabout. and I taught at Woonona High tion and Nadine, who is of Irish

69-72 SESSION: DID THEY CLOSE WAGGA TC BECAUSE OF YOU?

A small but enthusiastic group some of the shenanigans de- (the opposite of the Pioneers) to of those who attended WWTC scribed might have suggested gather together again. in either the last (1971) or sec- this. ond last year met recently at The suggested date is lunchtime Boyles Hotel in Sutherland. What this impromptu meeting on Friday 11 September 2015. did was to spark a discussion Depending on the availability of After hearing some of the sto- about the need for another get the venue. Possibly the Rugby ries that were spun over a few together for those of us that saw Club, following our last function beers the question of the closure the end of Wagga Wagga TC. of the College was raised. The What we need to know is that if consensus of the group was that It is proposed to organise anoth- any of the 69 to 71 group would it was not our fault, though er opportunity for the Enders be interested?

If so, email your expression of interest to:

Neville Keeley [email protected] or Bob Hogan [email protected]

Looking forward to hearing from as many Enders as possi- L to R Alan Symes (69–71), Bob Lamaro (69–71), Michael Riley (69–70), Robert Ho- ble so please spread the word. gan (69–71), George Manojlovic (69–70), Joe Moore, (69–70) Peter Madigan (70-72) Neville Keeley

TRIBUTES POUR IN FOR ROGER CLEMENTS

Roger Clements where they forged friendships Charles Sturt University’s pre- Roger Clem- that would only be broken with decessors, as a senior educa- ents was a Tuesday’s harrowing events. tional designer. “mongrel” on the rugby lea- Both travelled to Wagga and Mr. Clements is survived by his gue field in stayed with Mr. Clements for wife June and four adult chil- his heyday but their visits to the town. dren. one of the nic- Wagga Daily Advertiser est people you Away from teaching, Mr. Alex McConachie could meet off it, according to Clements had been an outstand- May 27, 2015 his closest friends. ing sportsman according to his close friends. In his younger The 83-year-old retired teacher years he was a gifted sprinter CSU CONDOLENCE was tragically slain in the back- and rugby league winger before yard of his Springvale home becoming a keen lawn bowler On behalf of the Advancement shortly after midday on Tues- as he got older. Unit and CSU, I would like to day. His 49-year-old son, David extend our sincere condolences John Clements, faced Wagga He had spoken to Mr. Morrell to the WWTCAA for the tragic Local Court on Wednesday on the phone just a week ago, passing of Roger Clements. I charged with his murder. who said he was doing well. know Roger was such a valued and loved member of your As- “He was just a mighty man, just After finishing at the Wagga sociation. He was a character a wonderful bloody bloke,” Teachers College, Mr. Clem- and friend that will be dreadful- Mal Hanratty, a friend of more ents spent some time in Cana- ly missed. Our office has for- than 60 years, said of Mr. da working as a school princi- warded a card to his family to Clements on Wednesday. pal. extend our sympathies and grat- itude for the contribution Roger Mr. Hanratty and Mr. Clem- Back home he worked at the made to the Association and ents, together with another Goulburn Centre for Advanced WWTCAA Scholarship. close friend, Lew Morrell, all Education prior to moving to attended the Wagga Teachers the Riverina-Murray Institute Stacey Fish College in the early 1950s, of Higher Education, one of CSU Advancement Unit

IN MEMORIAM

Pam Martin ( Georgeson) Pam was a member of the third long illness. Before he retired 1948-50 session in Wagga. She was one he had a position at the Univer- Born in Sydney, 26 April of the people who helped or- sity of Queensland. 1931. Passed away in Burwood ganize the reunion of the first Ella Keesing (Redpath) Heights, 8 June 2015. Late of three sessions at Ku-ring-gai 1950/51 Burwood Heights, Marrick- years later. One remembers ville, Roseville, Northbridge. kindly all the people we met Kevin "Rue" Street 1956 - 57 Laid to rest 17 June 2015 in along the way in WTC. Nashos Nostalgia 1957 the Macquarie Park Lawn Lindsay Budd Holsworthy Cemetery, together again Fastidious preparation and per- with her much loved late Bob Brownlie 1950-51 formance rewarded "Rue" husband Kenneth. Aged 84 I wish to advise that Bob throughout his life as an army years. Brownlie (1950/51) died on conscript and in his teaching 12th December, 2014 after a career. cont’d next page

Many of the men from WWTC was more like a wire mesh ham- "padding" the relevant corners were "drafted" into Nashos at mock surrounded by bent water with well hidden and disguised Holsworthy Barracks near Liv- pipes. The mattresses and bed- pieces of three ply cleverly in- erpool in January, 1957. They ding were probably discarded serted to ensure no cause for shared with "Rue" the most un- after WW 1 and we were ex- criticism was available to the usual pleasures of army life and pected to maintain them neat, inspecting sergeant who often training. flat and square in shape at all arrived unannounced! Kevin's times. If they were not so, one bed was always perfect. In our barracks we were given received some punishment to the most awful shaped beds on occupy spare time. Kevin Rest in Peace - Kevin. which to sleep - their final form solved the problem by Roy Strange

CAN YOU HELP ?

Missing Talkabouts: A member is looking for the following editions to complete her set of Talkabouts : Volume 2 No’s 17, 18 and 22 and Volume 3 No’s 43 and 44. These would be 1948 and 1949.

Contact Details Helen Bradley (1960-61) forwarded her membership without including her address.

Please contact WWTCAA Secretary [email protected] or phone 0408587065

REUNION ROUNDUP

Ex-Students of Wagga Wagga Ex-Students of Wagga Wagga Teachers College Teachers College

50 Year Reunion 60 Year Reunion Years 1965-66; 1966-67; 1967-68 Years 1956-57

A fifty year re-union is proposed for Sunday 15 All ex-students and partners from 1956-1957 May to Wednesday 18 May 2016 to be held in session are invited to attend the 60th Anniver- Wagga Wagga. sary Reunion in 2016.

We need: Dormie House, Moss Vale Volunteers to join the organising committee Tuesday 8th - Wednesday 9th March – much organisation can be done by email Suggestions for interesting activities For Registration and Bookings Collection of memorabilia Most of all, please register your interest in Contact: Gwen Ravell being there by contacting: Phone: 0242294706 Address: 27/41 Smith St. Wollongong 2500 Bruce and Lesley Forbes Unit 5/185 Albany St All Welcome Point Frederick NSW 2250 60 Year Reunion Ph: 0243225650 Years 1956-57 Mob: 0408587065 Email: [email protected]

The Wagga Wagga Teachers Alumni Association

KEEPING THE SPIRIT ALIVE IN 2015 TO SECURE THE FUTURE

IMPORTANT NOTICE WWTCAA CONTRIBUTIONS 2015 MEMBERSHIP CONTRIBUTIONS Surname ______To ensure the continued financial viability of the Former Name ______Wagga Wagga Teachers Alumni Association the following membership contributions and ser- Given Name ______vices will apply from 1 January 2015. Address ______a) Electronic Membership: ______Postcode ______Receive all information and three (3) copies Years at College ______to ______of Talkabout electronically. $10.00 p.a. Home Phone ______b) Standard Membership Mobile ______Receive all information and three (3) printed copies of Talkabout via standard mail $20.00 Email ______p.a. CONTRIBUTIONS In addition to either Electronic or Standard Electronic Membership ($10) ______Membership members may choose to make additional contributions from the options below. Standard Membership ($20) ______Donation to Alumni Projects ______c) Additional Contributions i. general donation to the Alumni for ongoing Donation to Scholarship Fund ______projects e.g. digitalise archives from $10.00 General Donation ______

ii. specific donation to the WWTCAA Schol- TOTAL CONTRIBUTION 2015 ______arship Fund from $10.00 Make cheques payable to: WWTC ALUMNI ASSOCIATION Opposite is a contribution slip for 2015. Send Your Contribution To: Secretary WWTCAA Unit 5/185 Albany Street Point Frederick NSW 2250

ELECTRONIC FUNDS TRANSFER CONTRIBUTIONS To credit of TALKABOUT (Including Photos ) WWTC ALUMNI ASSOC Commonwealth Bank Casula NSW Please email contributions for Talkabout to BSB: 06 2329 A/C No: 10073789 [email protected] Reference : Member's First Initial, Surname and Or mail to first year at college e.g. BForbes65 Secretary WWTCAA Please send a Remittance Advice to: Unit 5/185 Albany Street email: [email protected] Point Frederick NSW 2250

Volume 18 No 2 August 2015

August 2015 Volume 18 No 2

If undeliverable please return to: POSTAGE The Secretary WWTCAA Unit 5/185 Albany St PAID Point Frederick NSW 2250 AUSTRALIA

Change of Address

If your address details are incorrect please email [email protected]

The Secretary WWTCAA Unit 5/185 Albany St Point Frederick NSW 2250