Introduction...... 2 Principal’s Message...... 3 1943 - 2018 War Cry...... 4

School Hymn...... 5 Whyalla High School School Construction...... 6 Seventyfive The New Hall 1953...... 8 The Library...... 10 Foreword...... 11 The first years of Whyalla Technical High School...... 12 Early days of the Apprentices/Trainee Graduate...... 17 Principals...... 19 Musicals...... 20 Hartley Searle...... 22 Evelyn Brougham (nee Greenhalgh)...... 28 Howard Havelberg...... 32 Graham Galpin...... 34 Graham Heinjus ...... 36 Tony Hughes...... 39 Joan Knight...... 41 Bronwyn Colegate (nee Hughes) ...... 42 Maxwell Smith...... 45 Barrie Robran...... 46 Kym Clayton...... 48 Jennifer Havelberg...... 50 Wendy Trimper (nee Havelberg) ...... 50 Gary Gray...... 51 Linda Feetham...... 52 Jodie Tozer (nee Custance)...... 53 Kerri Morgan (nee Pollock)...... 54 Jeff Spry ...... 55 John Hisco...... 57 Anthony Grundel...... 57 Shane Wissell...... 58 Katie Edwards...... 60 Laura Desmond...... 60 David Fargher...... 62 Ben Rogers...... 63 Emily Gloede...... 64 Harry Leverington...... 65 Olympians...... 66 Sports...... 67 Debutantes...... 78 Prefects...... 80 Music...... 96 2010 - 2018...... 98 Celebrating 75 Years of Public 2018 Leaders...... 100 Secondary Education in Whyalla 1 Introduction Principal ’s Message

The Whyalla High School 75th Anniversary Celebrations It has been our pleasure to look back over It is also a celebration of the current school Committee and I extend a welcome to you all and trust you will the past 75 years of education at the Whyalla culture. Many of the strengths of Whyalla enjoy the time of reminiscing and renewing acquaintances with Technical High School/Whyalla High School today are as a result of the energy, enthusiasm former classmates and teachers. site. The events, photographs and people and vision of those who have contributed to included are a snapshot of each unique era. its past. A lot has changed over the past 75 years, but the school motto (“Una The content and selection of photographs, The production of this book has been an Omnibus Schola - One School for all”) has remained a constant and to some extent, has been determined by amalgam of three committees working is as relevant today as it was when the school opened. The school the quality of photographs and materials independently of each other at different times values: respect, relationships, inclusion and learning achievement available to us, and the usual constraints of in the school’s history. The 50th Committee continue to be the foundation of the school culture shared by staff time and space available. If we have omitted and students alike. Tricia Richman created the original publication known as Principal 2016 - current to include a person or event of importance “A Celebration of Fifty Years 1943-1993”. Planning for this weekend’s celebration began in the middle of 2018. we apologise. This encompassed the history of the school The committee members are Christine Rehn, Jennifer Custance, Archival materials at the school, including from establishment to the early 1990s and also Sue Norman, Emily Macdonald, Mandy Quinn, Leanne Cole, Kaye school magazines have been invaluable to the Golden Jubilee Committee who created Rogers, Dave Searle, Bailey Noble, Liz Barnard-Brown, Belinda us. The Celebration of Fifty Years 1943 - “A Celebration of Sixty Years of Education Harvey and myself. My thanks, too, to the planning committee 1993 magazine, A Celebration of 60 years 1943-2003” which focused on the students for providing an opportunity to organise and The committee extends its thanks to Christine Rehn and Jenny release this book which endeavours to create of Education 1943 - 2003 magazine, History and teachers who were part of the school’s Custance who have spent many hours sorting through old photos, of Whyalla Technical High School book 60 year history. It has been determined that a trip down memory lane for many past staff teaching staff and students for their work in planning the Twilight and students. and Voices of Vocational Education in the the 75th Anniversary Commemorative Book, Fair and our Governing Council. We would also like to extend a big Twentieth Century South Australia written by “Seventy Five” will be a book of history thank you to the Whyalla City Council for sponsoring our weekend Tricia Richman Erica Jolly have all been very useful sources and memories. of celebrations. Principal of information. We hope that you enjoy this book which Special thanks to Belinda Harvey for her time, effort and dedication In capturing and valuing the rich history of celebrates 75 years of a very special and to compile this book. Which highlights special memories and events the school, we hope that it will invoke in history rich school. of Whyalla High School. readers special memories of the past, as well 75th Anniversary Celebrations as an appreciation of the complex yet rich Committee history of the school to this point.

School Site in 1935

Celebrating 75 Years of Public Secondary Education inWhyalla Celebrating 75 Years of Public Secondary Education inWhyalla 2 3 HOUSE WAR CRIES MONARCH WHYALLA HIGH SCHOOL Bookaracka, Boomaracka, Bish, Boom, Bah! Monarch! Monarch! Roo roo rah! WAR CRY In again! Win Again! Every on the ball! Monarch! Monarch! We can lick Iron Ore, Iron Ore, furnace of the blast, ‘em all! PRINCE Whyalla, Whyalla, the finest in the cast Za-bi! Za-bi! Zippi, Zippi Zi! Princes, Princes, Never never die! We’re on top and there we’ll stop. Shipyard, Basin, launch the fray, Yippi! Yippi! Yirraway! Princes Hi! WHYALLA HIGH We can work and we can play, BARON Bara’coota, bara-coota, booma- SCHOOL HYMN lunga baron, Hummocky, Hummocky, Bin-d-i Ching-a-lay and ching-a-chay, On your toes, and win the day! School of our youth, our love our pride We can take, we can give it, Whyalla, Whyalla, High, High, High! Baron House: Hi-hip Hooray! May fortune, truth and friendship abide DUKE Hic-a-mille, hic-a-mille E.O.G. Win we in life obscurity, fame Duke’s the house for you and me. When we win it’s not a fluke, Come peace or strife we honour your name Three loud cheers for good old Duke! Hip-hip Hooray! Hip-hip Hooray! Hip-Hip Hooray! School of renown beyond compare

May fortune crown thy promise so fair

Each passing year, bring honour to thee

School without peer thou ever shalt be

Celebrating 75 Years of Public Secondary Education inWhyalla Celebrating 75 Years of Public1943 Secondary Education inWhyalla 4 5 School Construction

1943 1942 Whyalla Technical School during building rear view

1952 Overview of School from F linders Lookout

Whyalla Techical High School during building view from Roberts Tce 1962 with the new 1942 Triple Storey Block Celebrating 75 Years of Public Secondary Education inWhyalla Celebrating 75 Years of Public Secondary Education inWhyalla 6 7 The Trade School Building 1953

Article New Trade School Block known in the as the ‘Commonwealth’ Building B.H.P review

September 1943

‘Commonwealth’ building being built 1952 Completed 1953

The new assembly hall

upgrade in 1972

Celebrating 75 Years of Public Secondary Education inWhyalla Celebrating 75 Years of Public Secondary Education inWhyalla 8 9 The Foreword Library

So imposing is the school’s main building that its exterior remains virtually unchanged, as enduring as ever, though there have been internal modifications. Those of you returning after some years away, will find that the dressmaking room now a classroom, the kitchen is the staff study, the laundry the abode of the school’s Student Services and Coordinator’s office, that the metalwork shop is the current staffroom, and that part of the library is still the library but one room is the home of the learning centre. But the main entrance remains almost as it has been since 1943, though there are Honour boards on both walls, listing the names of scholarship and bursary recipients, Head Prefects and the Dux of the school for each year from 1943 to 1991. These names represent just some 1971 of those who achieved success as students. Many of them have gone on to further success in the professions, in sport or in business, but by far the largest number of our students have become unsung citizens, the ‘ordinary’ folk, the essential component of any community. If there were to be a survey of people running their own business, those in community roles, or in research, physicians, educators, politicians, scientists - and so on, I’d be prepared to guarantee that large numbers - not only here in Whyalla, but across the country and overseas 1976 - would have passed through this school as students, teachers, ancillary staff or volunteers, and then there are the numerous good solid citizens.

The Library in 1946

1954 Library Committee Staff Organiser Mr Vaughan Extract from the Sixty Year Celebration Book (2003) and written by Joan Knight

Celebrating 75 Years of Public Secondary Education inWhyalla Celebrating 75 Years of Public Secondary Education inWhyalla 10 11 The foundation stone of the Whyalla Technical High School The first years of Whyalla was laid by His Excellency the Governor of South Australia, Sir Malcolm Barclay-Harvey, Technical High School K.C.M.G., on Tuesday, February 17, 1942.

1942 - Australia was at war and Whyalla was Augusta to Whyalla was made an all-weather a town classified for essential services. The bituminised road. B.H.P. Co. Ltd. was the main industry with an The Whyalla Technical High School was ore-shipping port located on the western side erected as the result of collaboration between of Spencer Gulf. It grew at a tremendous rate the South Australian Government and B.H.P. with B.H.P. supported by both the Federal and the company’s contribution of half the cost and State Governments establishing and ensured Whyalla’s young people were able to developing of the Whyalla blast furnace, Sir Malcolm Barclay-Harvey, enjoy educational facilities comparable to Iron Knob Classes 1945 shipbuilding and the munitions workshop those in much larger cities. At the time of laying the foundation stone operations along with the Australian the school’s opening there were nearly 300 Army Corp defence anti-aircraft guns apprentices in Whyalla who also benefitted positioned at the top of Hummock Hill. The from the improved education facilities. The increased population brought with it general B.H.P’s company training scheme had some improvement in civic amenities including 2,230 young people throughout Australia a new hospital, dairy, abattoirs, housing receiving tuition of some sort and it was schemes, and secure jobs. The Morgan to said, there is no obstacle in the path of any Whyalla water pipeline was a boom to the people who equips themselves technically town, making it possible for water to be piped and has the capacity, to reach the highest into homes and to establish gardens. The dirt executive position. track with rough creek crossings from Port

Students at work in the 40s

Students Weaving 1940s Girls Sport 1940s Students in classroom in the 1940s Girls Sport 2018

Celebrating 75 Years of Public Secondary Education inWhyalla Celebrating 75 Years of Public Secondary Education inWhyalla 12 13 The foundation stone of the Whyalla Technical High School was laid by His Excellency the The new school was erected on a site facing Cowell Road and overlooking the Gulf. Governor of South Australia, Sir Malcolm Barclay-Harvey, K.C.M.G., on Tuesday, February The building was planned to have southern lighting of classrooms and drawing rooms, as this 17, 1942. In addition to His Excellency and Lady Muriel Barclay-Harvey, other official guests was believed to be a definite advantage in warm climates. The building was well constructed included the Hon. S.W. Jeffries (SA Minister for Education), Dr Fenner Duncan, M.L.C. and finished tastefully with wood panelling and terrazzo floor in the main entrance and (of The Broken Hill Proprietary Co. Ltd. Directorate), and Mr L.W. Rogers (executive officer, incorporated all the latest equipment available at the time. B.H.P. staff training). The east wing section housed the art classroom, millinery and dressmaking room, domestic/ It was not until Tuesday, May 18 1943 that the new school enrolled it first students and it was kitchen room, female toilet room and two classrooms, which opened up into the assembly officially opened by the then Minister of Education, Mr S.W. Jeffries, on June 4, 1943. The first room. The west wing section housed the modern chemistry and physics/biology laboratories, year’s enrolments were 124 high school students and the total enrolment in the apprentice with two classrooms, which opened up into the large room as a mechanical drawing room, section was 249, interested in such trades as boiler-making, carpentry, copper smithing, a further classroom and the male toilet room. The northern annex housed both the male and black-smithing, electrical fitting and mechanics, fitting and turning, motor mechanics, female staff rooms and the metal and wood workshops with a storage room and classroom. moulding, painting, plumbing, sheet-metal working, ship’s carpentry and joinery, ship-writing The spacious library and two further classrooms were in the upstairs section of the school and panel beating along with trainee graduates and adult classes. giving a good view of Spencer Gulf. The building was well ventilated and good electric The official guests at the opening (welcomed by Mr R.T Kleeman Whyalla BHP Superintendent fluorescent lighting. and chairman of the school council) included Mr S.W. Jeffries (SA Minister for Education) and Mrs Jeffries, Mr Allen (Superintendent of High Schools), Mr G.S. McDonald (Superintendent of Technical Education), Mr J.S. Walker (Inspector High Schools) and Mr V Lindsay (Architect-in-Chief). The function was attended by a large gathering of local townspeople. The Whyalla Technical High School is unique in South Australia as it was the only high school built in the state during the Second World War. In regards to its education role and facilities Note: The mechanical drawing room could in the Whyalla community, it combined secondary school students and trade apprentices/ seat 44 apprentice/engineering student engineers/naval architects along with adult education classes, all under the one administration. draughtsmen at each session and was The apprentice’s courses were covered over three years, the students spending eight hours equipped with the usual drawing benches each fortnight in the ‘employer’s time’ and two hours weekly at evening in their own time. and stools, and storage accommodation for 300 drawing boards. Special mention has been given to the electric lighting of this room to bring it up to the recognized modern lighting standard required for drafting work.

P hysics Lab 1940s

Woodwork 2018 Science Lab 2018 Domestic Arts 1943 Woodwork 1943 Home Economics 2018

Celebrating 75 Years of Public Secondary Education inWhyalla Celebrating 75 Years of Public Secondary Education inWhyalla 14 15 Early days of the

The classes for advanced technical subjects, number of countries some of its end products for whom part-time instructors were (students) who in their chosen vocations have Apprentices/ Trainee Graduates employed, catered for engineers and naval gone on to be able to be leaders in many architects and were initially diploma courses valuable fields. to the equivalent of the South Australian Another step forward happened in 1960 School of Mines. It later became a separate with the establishment of a recreational Before the opening of the Whyalla and Joining); Doug Ewen (Shipwright); branch of the SA Institute of Technology, and reserve opposite the school building and (Technical) High School, the theory and Neil Fyffe, S Holmes (p/t) (Plumbing continued to use the facilities of the Education overlooking the gulf, providing students with drawing education of the apprentices and and Sheetmetal); Robert Murley, Graham Department. Many Whyalla citizens availed much-needed playing fields. The additional trainee graduates was held at various centres Sampson (p/t) (Automotive), Gordon Weston themselves to use the facilities to further grounds were acquired as a result of the City around Whyalla. The practical teaching of the and Max Roeseler (Maintenance). The their individual education and received due Commission having vested in the Education respective trade conducted in-house by BHP apprentices well-remember BHP Master recognition of their standard with diploma Department the foreshore oval. Former personnel. The listed trade teachers taught of Apprentices, Mr W (Bill) Rozee and the certificates. Community organizations also student Kevin King of King Earthmovers the following trades until the establishment trainees/graduates remember Mr J (Mac) used the school as a meeting centre. Pty. Ltd. carried out the complete levelling of the TAFE College on Nicolson Avenue in Jackson. In 1942 the Apprentice Association Whyalla Technical High School can claim of the sloping/stony bare ground and covered 1971 and were classed at Whyalla Technical organised competition football and cricket to be the educational stronghold of the city, the area with a garden soil (supplied free by High School Apprentice Section. Teachers: between the trade groups of Boilermakers, having at one time 1400 daytime students BHP) for grasses to be planted. Alan Glendinning (Trade) and Fred Tilson Electricians and the Fitter and Turners. The before the establishment of the other (p/t Maths) until appointment of Mr R G games were taken seriously with the team educational facilities in the city. It has given Extract from the Sixty Year Hawke and Senior Master; Eddy Peacock, co-opting player from some of the other the community of Whyalla, the state and a Celebration Book (2003) Gerry Pyne, Jim Jennison, Alan Tudor trades, plumbers, carpenters, shipwrights, (Electrical); Brian Marks, Norm Couch, trainees engineers and young men working Bryce Saint (p/t) (Fitting & Turning); Denzil outside of the boundaries of the BHP like the Stanton (Boilermaking); Bob Townsend, post office employees. Dean Duncan, Trevor Bettison (Carpentry Extract from the Sixty Year Celebration Book (2003)

In 1944 one of the young men, Hector Loughhead, who played for the Fitters & Turner team was injured at work in the shipyards and passed away. He showed great promise as a winger and was to have played for Central Whyalla Football Club as well as his apprentice team in 1944. Hector 1944 and 2018 was also an active person with the Whyalla Yacht Club in the summer season. Perpetuate trophies were established in his memory for the Fitters Apprentice Football Club, best and fairest and at the yacht Iron Knob Apprentices - December 1946 Club for particular events. Back L-R B Tomney, W Turley, B Lally, T Dempsey, R Ward Front L-R T Sheridan, C Hand, K Corbett, R Finnigan, D Surman, R Hand, R Nichols Domestic Arts 1943 Celebrating 75 Years of Public Secondary Education inWhyalla Celebrating 75 Years of Public Secondary Education inWhyalla 16 17 Principals

E G Davis Hartley Searle Clarrie Martin Head Teacher, 1943 August 1943 - 1954 1955 - 1958

1946 Electricians Football Team Back L-R H Dickerson, K Balnaves, R Thorpe, E McKeough, K Shelley, W Hansen, J Gale, V Armstrong, B Paech Second L-R R Parksinson, J McConville, W Flemming, V Techritz, S West Front L-R J McSweeney, J Ahern, M Kennewell, R Kennedy

Doug Forder Hugh Fitzgerald Kevin Dungey 1959 - 1960 1961- April 1963 August 1963 - 1968

Charlie Williams Richard Mansfield Jim Marshall Peter Frances Barbara Cock 1969 - 1972 1973 - 1975 1976 - 1989 1989 - 1990 1990 - 1992

1946 Boilermakers Football Team Back L-R F Wittscheibe, T Beatty, R Wilson, K Rowe, L Bade (Captain), I Collins, L rowden, A Morris, C Rodda, K Battersby, E Hall, C Emms, D Stanton (Sec) Second L-R K Boyde, N Goodfellow, R Noble, N Murray, J Dunne, D Phyllis, G Smith Front L-R R Penglase, D Rilsdon, G Rowe, K White

Bev Rogers Tony Green John Lawson Brian Sweeting David Roberts 1992 - 1993 1994 - 1996 1997 1998 - 2000 2001

1946 Fitters Football Team Dean Low Kath MaCalister Karryn-Lee Greenbank Graham Clark Tricia Richman Back L-R F A Ryan, J Rex, B Smith, D Whittwer, P bowe, P Coates Second L-R B Noble, L Charter, F Northcott, A Cain 2002 - 2005 2006 2007 - 2011 2012 - 2015 2016 - (captain), W Turley, P Rawling, J Thoday Front L-R J Garde, O Gillings, N Canny, W Hynes, C Zilm

Celebrating 75 Years of Public Secondary Education inWhyalla Celebrating 75 Years of Public Secondary Education inWhyalla 18 19 Musicals

1972 It’s A Small War 1944 The Burgomaster’s Daughter 1973 South Pacific 2014 All Shook Up 1945 The Wishing Cap 1974 Tom Sawyer 1946 Guns and Girls Revue 1975 Let’s Make An Opera 1947 The Jolly Jack Tars 1976 H.M.S. Pinafore Leap Year Levities 1948 1977 The Mikado 1949 The Mysterious Master • Operetta 1978 Trial By Jury • Something to Talk About 1979 The Boyfriend 1947 The Jolly Tars Under the Skill & Bones • Revue 1945 1950 1980 Annie Get Your Gun • The Village Fair 1981 Draculla Baby 1951 The Death of Julius Caesar, 1982 Oliver and Year Level Presentations 1983 The Three Tales 1952 The Pirates of Penzance 1984 The Coolest Cat in Town 1959 The Mysterious Master 1985 Big Rock at Candy’s Mountain 1964 The Man in the Bowler Hat, Black Wednesday, Chez Boguskovsky 1986 Sheik, Rattle and Roll (staff play) 1987 Smithy 1980 Annie Get Your Gun

1965 East Lynne, Queer Street, 1988 Austrayah Huyrrah Three Knaves of Normady 2013 Joseph and The Amazing 1966 The Pie & the Cart, The Little Man, Technicolor Dreamcoat A Distant Relative (staff play) 2014 All Shook Up Trial By Jury 1967 2015 Grease The Pirates of Penzance 1968 2016 The Addams Family Let’s Make An Opera 1971 1969 2017 The Little Mermaid The Parker Plan 1970 2018 We Will Rock You 1948 Leap Year Levities 1971 Figaro and Susanna

1949 The Mysterious Master

1950 Under the Skull and Bones 2016 The Addams Family 1948 Leap Year Levities 1944 The Burgemeisters Daughter

Celebrating 75 Years of Public Secondary Education inWhyalla Celebrating 75 Years of Public Secondary Education inWhyalla 20 21 Hartley Searle

Hartley Searle, at the 50th Celebrations

HEADMASTER 1943 - 1954 Apprentices and Trainees 1945 It was the middle period of the war and Whyalla With strong financial and general support from was a thriving and rapidly growing industrial the BHP Company, the Education Department town. Ship-building was a new and major was able to provide a fine new building on During the ensuing years, I had other outstanding enthusiasm, personality and ability not only activity of the BHP Company, complemented by Broadbent Terrace in time for the opening of the senior and junior teachers. When numbers made them valuable to our school but marked the established production of pig-iron and some school in May 1943. permitted, I gained an additional senior master, them out as potential leaders. Lou had quite a specialised steel. The first headmaster was Mr Eric Davis, from the Bernie Cosgrove, Bernie was a great asset, remarkable career - he became headmaster of The company employed a large number of Port Pirie Technical School, but unfortunately he and years later made a name for himself as Elizabeth Boys Technical High School, followed trade apprentices and technical and engineering died after only a few weeks in office. It was my headmaster of Marion High School. by senior administrative positions, culminating trainees, and it was important to provide for their good fortune to succeed him in August, at the age My senior mistresses were more numerous over in his appointment as Director of the TAFE requisite studies to supplement their on-the-job of thirty one, after many happy years at Adelaide the years, most of them advancing to become organisation. Bryce became head of Brighton practical training. Boys High School. headmistresses. One of the most impressive Boys Technical High School, and later held Secondary school numbers were outgrowing the The secondary school was small to begin with, was Joan Young, who distinguished herself as senior administrative positions, becoming finally provision of the higher primary school, which there being no more than about 300 students in headmistress of Gepps Cross Girls Technical the Southern Region’s Director of Education. taught to only Intermediate standard. Moreover, the first three years. We were a young staff, and High School for many years. There were two trade teachers in charge of the physical conditions were exceptionally crowded. I was impressed by the obvious enthusiasm of all Some of the junior staff, too, rose to very senior Apprentice School - Bill Glendinning (senior my teachers. It was important to provide a high school-type levels in the Education Department later in their master) and Dick Edwards. Bill left after a while education at least to Leaving level so that able I was fortunate in having two outstanding careers. Two of them readily come to mind: to go into private business and was replaced by students could qualify for further studies, and people for my senior staff. Mr Bert Mitchell Lou Kloeden and Bryce Saint. Both were very George Hawkes. They and their apprentices an alternative course comparable to that of the (ex Norwood footballer) was senior master and young when they came to Whyalla, and their were an integral part of the school. boys’ and girls’ technical schools for those not so Miss Thenie Baddams, senior mistress. Both academically motivated. were very able and were later to make their mark Whyalla Technical High School was established as principals of important schools. In fact, in The school as a comprehensive unit was strongly An energetic and resourceful Parents and Friends primarily to fulfil these functions. In addition it Thenie’s case, it was sooner than expected; after supported by an excellent school council, Association was more than usually helpful was intended that the school would be a centre two years she resigned to take up the position which was concerned with the support and for such a body, as a completely new school for some community cultural activity and general of headmistress of the Bowral (NSW) Church of development of all activities, as well as dealing needed much assistance in acquiring important adult education. Thus it was to be the first England Girls’ Grammar School. (Many years with problems relating to buildings, facilities and equipment and facilities not provided by the comprehensive school in South Australia - ‘One later she became headmistress of Woodlands grounds. It was a group widely representative of Education Department. A major activity of the school for all’ (as signified by the inscription Church of England Girls Grammar School in the community, and for many years had a very association was the establishment and running of ‘Una Omnibus Schola’ on the school badge). Adelaide.) Fifteen years later Bert would build Mitchell Park Boys Technical High School into influential chairman in Mr R T Kleeman, general the school tuck-shop. one of renown. manager of BHP Whyalla.

Staff 1944 Back Row L-R H Watson, J McKay, J Murdock, H Andrews, E Morris, E Greenhaigh, H Adams Front Row L-R R Bickle, V Battams, A Mitchell, H Searle (headmaster), W Glendenning, N Aspinall, R Edwards The Canteen when it was still the dairy in 1935 and in 1969

Celebrating 75 Years of Public Secondary Education inWhyalla Celebrating 75 Years of Public Secondary Education inWhyalla 22 23 The BHP Co naturally had a ‘propriety’ interest There was no segregation in the lower years of in the school, but it went beyond this and was technical and academic students - in fact because very generous in its support of all activities and we were a small school such segregation would requirements. have been impossible, even if it were considered The secondary school was unique in that it desirable. Any early categorising would have provided, side by side, both a high school and a been invidious, and I am sure that students were technical school curriculum. Thus there was no satisfied to find their own level over a period. snobbish choice of schools to be made by parents, We held our own internal technical school as often happened in the city and suburbs, where examinations, which in the non-craft/art subjects many parents considered the technical schools to were deliberately set at a standard not far short of be inferior. the PEB examinations. At the Intermediate level 1944 Duke House It was a time when the requirements of this had a double advantage; parents and students public examinations, conducted by the Public would not feel that the technical course was of an Examinations Board (PEB) at Intermediate, inferior standard, and results of the internal test Leaving and Leaving Honours levels, dominated were a good guide as to which students would be the secondary school curriculum and subject likely to succeed with the PEB course. syllabuses, and when examination results were Over the years we had many excellent students, too often given excessive importance. From the and some achieved top positions in the beginning, however, I made it clear to all that we professions, business and education. It was my would not allow examination results to dominate pleasure to meet a few of them when I returned our teaching. Our aim would be to see that, as to unveil the 50th Anniversary Plaque in 1993. far as possible, students would achieve results As the nearest secondary schools were 50-100 commensurate with their ability. I did not expect miles away there was not much opportunity teachers to wear themselves out trying to achieve for inter-school sport, although we did have the impossible. Soon after I arrived I found that occasional football, cricket and basketball one very conscientious and able teacher, Hugh matches against Port Augusta High School. 1944 Baron House Watson, was frequently ‘keeping in’ students Also, once a year we had a triangular athletics until five o’clock in an effort to improve their contest with Port Augusta and Port Pirie High standard. I told him that I appreciated his effort Schools. This was our biggest sporting event. and attitude, but I did not want him to go to such lengths. I think he was relieved. However, students made up for the limited inter-school opportunities by promoting In my time we did not go beyond Leaving level; a and participating in a variety of intra-school Leaving Honours class (Year 12) was established house contests. The school was divided into a few years later, when the population of four houses (named after four BHP iron-ore Whyalla grew rapidly for a time. There was no producing mountains in the area; Monarch, foreign language in the curriculum, and so there Prince, Duke and Baron), and inter-house Inter-house competition in was a slightly limited choice of subjects for PEB rivalry was keen. Most interest was centred other areas was also fostered. Leaving students. on regular sporting activities. For such a small Up to Intermediate level there was very little school there was a surprising variety of sports For example, at each weekly difference in the curriculum for technical and available: football, basketball (the modern assembly there was a public- PEB students, and art and craft subjects were ‘net-ball’), cricket, hockey, vigoro, swimming, included for all. athletics, deck-tennis, baseball and soccer. Not speaking contest, with each all of these were suitable for house competition. house having a representative. In a few sports the school fielded a team in the town competition. The best speaker won points 1944 Monarch House for his or her house. (This activity arose partly from the encouragement given to speech in English literature lessons.)

Celebrating 75 Years of Public Secondary Education inWhyalla Celebrating 75 Years of Public Secondary Education inWhyalla 24 25 One year (1948 I think it was), we decided that a 16mm movie camera would be a desirable At the end of each term there was a social and dance One was a talk by Professor Bull, Professor of Civil acquisition and the houses undertook to raise - with a little dancing instruction beforehand. The big Engineering at the University of Adelaide, on the money for its purchase. It so happened that event in the dancing line was an annual debutante ball - Tacoma Bride (USA) which collapsed because a partial that year the Australian film Kangaroo was always a great success. closing of the sides of the bridge some time after its being produced at or near Port Augusta, with The most notable event each year in music and drama completion caused a serious aero-dynamic problem. Maureen O’Hara and Peter Lawford as stars. was the production of an operetta (one year we had a A short moving picture of the collapse (showing the Through the film company’s public relations cabaret-style ‘revue’, with school and local content), violent undulation of the bridge and cars disappearing officer we were able to arrange for the four culminating in The Pirates of Penzance in 1952 with when it finally broke in two) was a graphic and dramatic leading house money-raisers to go to Port several staff members taking part. Teachers and accompaniment to the talk. The most outstanding talk, Augusta to meet Miss O’Hara. She proved members of the community assisted the producers and the timing of which was extraordinarily fortuitous, was to be not only a beautiful young woman but I was happy to help by playing the piano for rehearsals. that given by Professor Sir Kerr Grant. I had arranged also a very likeable one. No doubt the lucky Being a mixed school was certainly an advantage in for him to come to Whyalla in early August 1945 to talk students have since told this story to their producing these musicals. on ‘Splitting the Atom’. By a remarkable coincidence children and grand-children. the Hiroshima bomb was dropped the day before the One very commendable activity of the students was lecture! Not surprisingly our School Hall was crowded the production of an excellent school magazine each out. (Fourteen years before this Professor Kerr Grant term. Its success in the first years was largely due to the 1951 On the set of the film ‘Kangaroo’ had told our first year physics class at the University of L-R Bette Marsh, Maureen O’Hara, Lorna Osborn, Joy Ackland, ability and enthusiasm of the editor, Penelope Loveday. Adelaide that he did not think scientists would every Shirley Messner She later became a lecturer in history at the University succeed in splitting the atom.) These students helped raise £132 to buy a movie of Western Australia. (Her father became Minister camera for the school of Education.) We were fortunate that there were many accomplished musicians in the town, as well as others interested in Such activities, enabling every student to participate in There were several other extra-curricular music, though not performers themselves. As a result some way, contributed greatly to making the school a activities which were non-competitive, we were able to establish a thriving music club, which vibrant and happy one. and which contributed to the general met once a month in the school hall. On one occasion enthusiasm for school life. As mentioned in the beginning, the school was intended I agreed to present a programme myself. For one to provide for various forms of adult education and item I had in mind to play a movement of a concerto, In summer Bert Mitchell led the whole activity. There were three distinct types - formal tertiary with my wife playing the orchestral abbreviation on a school down to the beach each day for courses, job-related or ‘hobby’ courses, and general second piano (ours). The headmaster’s house was in the swimming lessons - only 300 yards away. ‘cultural’ activities. school grounds, about two hundred yards from the main This was only possible because we were a building. How were we going to transport the piano to Formal tertiary courses were provided in electrical/ small school (in secondary numbers). the school? No problem! Four strong young men (all mechanical engineering and naval architecture for BHP staff I think) volunteered to carry the piano all the way trainees, who attended day classes. They studied for there and back. the Certificate of the Institute of Technology which Students at work in the 1940s was of near diploma standard. (Many subjects and It was good to feel part of these adult activities, which examinations were exactly the same as those of the the school was intended to encourage and promote as Diploma course.) Some of those who completed the part of its multi-purpose function. certificate course won scholarships to complete the Those early days were happy ones for all of us I think, There were several hobby diploma course in Adelaide while some took leave to do and we were lucky to be there at that time. Later, the clubs, providing a wide the same thing privately. secondary school expanded rapidly until attendance choice; a school-improvement The second category of courses was immensely reached its maximum of 1480 in 1967 - by this time club, boys’ handicrafts and popular, and the school was open five nights a week. apprentices and other trainees had moved out. Along the girls’ handicraft clubs for There was a great variety of subjects offering, including way there had been almost continual building activity. gardening, photography, chemistry, mineralogy, mathematics, engine driving, Numbers were reduced when other high schools were dressmaking, glove-making mechanical drawing, lettering, design and colour, established. Later still, after the shipyard closed and and fancy cooking. dressmaking, invalid cookery, business correspondence the town declined, enrolments were further reduced. and typing, book-keeping, shorthand, woodwork and In 1992 all year 11-12 students had to attend only one sheet metalwork. The students were as various as the school - a ‘Secondary College.’ subjects - housewives, shop assistants, nurses, engine drivers, teachers, clerical workers, tradesmen and ship Sadly, when I returned for the 1993 ‘Fifty Year’ yard workers. Celebrations ‘my’ school had been reduced to junior high school status - further back than where it started. As part of our general cultural activity I arranged occasional public lectures on interesting subjects by Hartley Searle visiting speakers. Two of the most successful come Extract from Lythrvm Press - © to mind: Erica Jolly and individual authors

CelebratingCelebrating 75 Years75 Years of Public of Public Education Education inWhyalla Celebrating 75 Years of Public Secondary Education inWhyalla 26 27 Evelyn Brougham - the mine, lunch provided by BHP, procurable every Sunday from the week invalid cookery course each more inspection then home the appropriate shops. This I expect year. Programme unavailable! So, (nee Greenhalgh) same way we had arrived. Last was post war. I fail to recall a each Monday after a day’s work time I saw ‘the Knob’ I missed butcher shop or how meat was I had a meal at school, devised seeing the ‘Monarch’, rocks obtained. Many goods came from a lesson and a set of notes for formed to resemble King Canute Port Pirie across the Gulf or by that night and worked out the pointing to the waves telling them road via Port Augusta. ingredients to be brought from the to recede. I believe the ‘Monarch’ After one pleasant introductory hospital. All results of the lessons survived so long because the seam term at the higher primary the were to be taken to the matron of iron ore where he sat had a high woodwork and domestic arts (fortunately we had few failures manganese content not required at classes were moved to the new food wise). Waiting for exam the time. Some houses at Iron Knob technical high school. I am results was an anxious time but if appeared to be anchored with steel uncertain how equipment was I remember correctly - two credits, cables against wind destruction. moved but do recall a ‘class’ eight passes, no failures. Some One day Miss Hakenjos and carrying ‘various’ containers failed later courses. During 1945 I decided to climb Mt Laura. across to the present (then new, some third year students wished From the town side it seemed not quite finished) domestics arts to do the course at school and sat never-ending, each ridge climbed rooms. Excitement was high. for the exam. Those wishing to be revealed another climb. We ate Surprise and pleasure were evident nurses passed. I believe this was our lunch and gave up not knowing at the large attractive rooms with the only time invalid cookery was how far away was the top. The pantry, tables, stoves (electric and a school subject. This was possible view was pleasant. wood), lockers in the kitchen; because of the freedom within the curriculum the school was allowed The dairy with its irrigated greenery tables, copper troughs and storage room in the laundry. Kitchen in coping with school, community Staff 1946 and wind tunnel to blow off the and BHP requirements. Back Row L-R H Watson, R Karney, H Adams Middle Row L-R K Lomax, E Greenhalgh, J McKay, R Tee, F Hakinjos, flies always attracted visitors. It lighting had to be completed so a P loveday, R Bickle Front Row L-R N Aspinal, G Hawkes, B Mitchell, H Searle (Headmaster), M Connell, W Glendenning, J Morris and the cows are gone but they did few cooking lessons were given in To supply sports gear and other supply fresh milk for many years. the laundry with only stoves used equipment, the school held a very TEACHER 1943 - 1947 I believe milk was cooled before in the kitchen. Pastel colours and profitable annual fete. For several delivery. Green fodder growing large windows gave a warm effect years the home science classes The only consolation about my the new school opened in May. The was small but operated efficiently. near the dairy was a pleasant sight with the afternoon sun. made sweets for sale at the fete - appointment to Whyalla was that it beautiful building stood out, paid Whyalla was a town not a city, on entering the town from the On opening day (ceremony held credible and profitable efforts. was not a ‘one teacher school’. Far for equally (I understand) by the with a Town Commission, BHP north. A success story in a semi- in the mechanical drawing room), The school being the ‘pride and joy’ from it but a long way from home in BHP and the Education Department being the main supporter. Weather desert (mainly saltbush). I found several laundry troughs full of the BHP, school and Education Adelaide. This was war time, with (the equivalent of $20,000 each). seldom affected the open air picture Gone too is the need for dams for of Iceland poppy buds. My task Department visitors were frequent, all its restrictions. Travel to the It was designed to cater for the theatre as most days were fine was to arrange these to decorate sometimes watching lessons in town was by train via Port Pirie, then needs of an isolated town and though nights were cold. Single water supplies and storage. Days of water shortages when rain water the mechanical drawing room. progress. Suppers were usually by bus. One had only to obey the BHP apprenticeship training, men’s quarters catered for BHP, I am unsure how the buds arrived catered for by the third year rulings of the Education Department with city standards and resources shipyards and munitions workers was so valuable, when boys could be caned for using and wasting - courtesy of BHP I presume. Intermediate students. I remember as an ‘obedient servant’. So off as far as possible. In fact four in a town suddenly, because of the With fine weather, a successful two incidents concerning the I set into the unknown early one types of school in one plus adult war, rapidly expanding. Women tank water from forbidden tanks (used for woodwork and home opening was assured. Mr Davis making of such suppers. To my morning to be met late in the day by education were required. A staff workers (mainly munitions) found was then the headmaster. He left surprise a girl was upset because Mr Michelmore, Headmaster of the of 12 plus one office girl and two accommodation harder to find. science only) are of the past. Wartime rationing of food and at the end of the year as did Mrs the surface of her sponge was Whyalla Higher Primary School. senior masters for the apprentices Limited ‘board’ was available Neylon (dressmaking). Hartley slightly cracked. She thought I At my request he had found me a were expected to and succeeded but a ‘shanty’ area developed clothing, petrol and luxuries was not a real hardship so long as one Searle was appointed as head. would not accept it for the supper. place - to sleep, make breakfast and in creating courses for general, near Cudmore Terrace by the old Like many of us he was young and I hastily said, ‘When cut, who ‘eat out’. One could usually buy a technical, commercial, adult and cemetery which was removed to its was careful and avoided waste of any kind. inexperienced, as the curriculum would know?’ The trouble was main meal at a café. This continued apprentices, including mechanical present site. I assume the old site is was so different from any other she believed I would not accept for three months until I obtained drawing and science subjects. now the Ada Ryan Gardens. The main supply of fruit and school. Mr Essington-Lewis was anything less than perfect. That private board where I lived till There was a Catholic Church and Early in my Whyalla days, the staff vegetables came via the MV the head of BHP and Mr Kleeman, astounded me! The other was being transferred. school. The Church of England and of the high school was invited to Moonta on Saturday. Thus Sunday head of Whyalla, also chairman of one night at supper after the When built, the Whyalla Technical Presbyterian Church co-operated tour Iron Knob. We caught the was always a good day. At our the school council. pleasure we all found in making High School was the pride of the in using the Institute. Later the train (officially tram), at 5.30am, house usually roast at midday with a requisition for sandwiches. The salads for tea with fresh bread - all To my consternation I found I was town and the BHP. This was my Church of England built a small travelled in the guard’s van, had required to take nurses for a 10 class, because we had concocted appointment - the high primary till adaptable building. The hospital a detailed tour and explanation of

Celebrating 75 Years of Public Secondary Education inWhyalla Celebrating 75 Years of Public Secondary Education inWhyalla 28 29 some unusual fillings, was allowed Accidents in the centre were During my time at Whyalla, general with a light, a microphone, an air cinema and school concerts, centre rattled when that happened, tastings with crusts and scrapings few but one girl sustained a deep science was introduced for girls. unseen audience and a speech to swimming in safety inside the stopping all talking in the room for from the bowls. My pleasure was cut in her finger when cleaning Because I had subjects such as read was daunting. My effort came ‘blue line’ where razor fish couldn’t several seconds as the gun fired. in being introduced at the supper cook’s knives (not stainless) with chemistry, botany, physiology and from a ‘suggestion’ on cooking. inflict nasty gashes were the main A visit by a submarine (Triumph to Sir Stanton Hicks, Professor of a cork and emery powder. Having economics, I again had to fill the Somehow I couldn’t cope with recreations apart from sport and I think) and the barbecue for the Diet and Nutrition at the Adelaide bandaged it, she was sent to the gap. Staff in war time was always reading, so talked on, ending my church functions. Dances and sailors at Middleback Station was University. He asked about the clinic where the sister was satisfied a problem even though teachers effort with a reference to the Blue balls (on special occasions) were another highlight. contents of a certain sandwich with the bandages and made an were seldom allowed to join the Danube. Fortunately I had called held in the Institute or church halls. VE day was I suppose, exciting filling. I don’t remember which but appointment with the doctor for forces. I managed to maintain my programme ‘Neighbours’, Nights were usually pleasant for - certainly I felt relief. Life it was probably the one contained the evening. First aid (simple) was a class for first year boys as well making reference, despite the war such occasions but I do remember then went on progressing and grated young turnips which are part of the course. as a girls’ class for one year. The and our opponents, to countries going to one ball on a very developing as the town grew. somewhat sweet with chopped egg snag was physics - a blank for me. Iron Knob depended on the staff around the Pacific, using the wet night. Blackouts in windows, especially and grated carrot combined with a Consequently experiments were of the high school for apprentice Danube flowing through various Sport was the highlight of the week facing the sea, came down, guns little homemade dressing. set up by Mr Mitchell (science and dressmaking teachers. Each European countries as an example. usually in fine weather. Football, stopped firing, the army finally left, teacher). My greatest frustration Mrs Neylon began the first Tuesday BHP supplied a car for Today, everyone sues ‘Neighbours’ hockey, basketball, tennis and making munitions ceased but ship was in flattening a battery and dressmaking lessons. I attended transport for two apprentices and for all pacific countries, friendly some soccer teams played building continued. Bus and air being unable to stop certain the first adult classes. Having had two dressmaking instructors, and or otherwise. regularly. I played hockey (in the transport improved and taxis were substances ‘fizzing’. Examples some lessons in Adelaide I had supplied a midday meal. These Swimming lessons were given in green team) for three years and updated. I saw running boards given in exams often had a to help as classes were so large. trips were usually accident and the BHP Basin in summer. Sports helped the school team. Hockey disappear in favour of modern car ‘domestic flavour’, for example After three dressmaking teachers incident free, except for one while days were eventful and interschool sticks were hard to come by so bodies. More roads were sealed left Whyalla in three years, I was jelly for a colloid. I was one of the regular passengers. contests and visits were arranged the school ‘acquired’ some for and gardens improved due to the left in charge with Miss Hakenjos A blow-out on the tyre of the back At a physics lesson, three boys on various occasions. Uniforms student use. completion of the pipeline. taking most of the home science passenger side. George Hawkes, disobeyed the ruling on mud on and shorts for girls were made as classes. During that first three the driver, managed to keep the car My first flight by Guinea Airways The town is now a city. Though the new brown lino in the science part of dressmaking instruction. years I had passed my own on the dirt road about half way to was in a four-seater air taxi to Port I would have not been lost in lab. Punishment required after Material bought in bulk was sold dressmaking exams. the Knob. The tyre was replaced Pirie. A memorable flight was to the town, I did lose my way in school detention by the home to the girls. Most teachers had to but lessons began rather later. All Adelaide flying in a small plane the city because of changes and Break-up concerts were held at the science teacher. Friday pm: I had be involved in sports. was ready when we arrived because close to the Gulf at sunset where extensions. It was interesting and end of each year. Costumes and papers to mark and was averse to rising dust heralded our approach. Looking back, things I remember the apricot colours were reflected reassuring to see how many of the some props were the responsibility written impositions. Discussion well are the sunsets, reflections in the sea and seeing the ocean bed old places are still there and still in of the dressmaking classes under Regular bus services supplied decided boys to wash staff over Spencer’s Gulf, the peace from the air. Thinking of colour, it use. For the first time I was able to Miss Murdoch. Drafting of patterns transport for the town and school. morning tea dishes - somehow and development, pink dogs, was not unusual to see a colourful be on Hummock Hill and see guns required paper - very scarce - so Children were under control most forgotten and sent to the domestic difficulties of war, munitions, sunset mirrored in the Gulf with and placements. I enjoyed a walk BHP came to the rescue with of the time. I was not in Whyalla arts centre. Boys elated, rolled a fast growing population and the Flinders Ranges as a vivid down Patterson Street, found the redundant ‘blue prints’ from ship to see the effect of the ‘baby down woodwork aprons from water shortages, the acceptance of backdrop. One night we had a clear post office had moved down one building. The backs were white boomers’ except to see so many under blazers, merrily coping with the situation and progress made. display of the aurora australis, the from the corner, hotels were the and though stiff, were adequate young children about. Buses task. Enter Mr Hubert Watson, There were dreadful dust storms air being particularly clear. same, some shops modernised and for children’s and adults’ use. This serviced Port Lincoln and Port class teacher - quiet and sarcasm from across the old aerodrome, dirt some recognisable with evidence stiff paper made adequate caps, Augusta. Birdseye and Galpins prevailed. Tasks finished - all The day the Morgan-Whyalla seeping in everywhere, sometimes of progress everywhere. hats and accessories, all made at ran at various times. Cars were sorry at the end. Boys generally pipeline came on tap was exciting the school. Back drops and sets few and far between and so roads taking days to clear it all out. and surprising - due to lime in the I was impressed with the museum, liked any rare excuse to visit the Thunderstorms that sometimes were produced by art teachers were usually safe for walking. domestic arts centre. Some would pipe lining the water was ‘fizzy’. the efforts to preserve the and students. Mr Searle was very The town being small (outer followed ‘rained mud’ for a few Secure supplies of water were ‘Whyalla’ and depict life as it was have joined a hobby class if it minutes after the rain came. Once musical so productions and items boundaries being Rudall Avenue, could have been arranged. wonderful. Bath water in many on board and ashore. The foreshore were usually successful. The Nicolson Avenue and around about three inches of rain fell between homes still drained to the edges and the Ada Ryan Gardens with As one can see, members of that concerts were held in the Institute Playford Avenue) walking was 10.30pm and midnight washing of gardens. ‘Overflow’ from the the wild life area are valuable first staff had to be adaptable, being the only hall large enough to taken for granted. away the newly sealed road in school septic tanks watered trees improvements. Having found the resourceful and at times innovative. hold both students and parents. Raws Street. It was interesting in the sports area opposite. modern caravan park close to the With prevalent enthusiasm and to see the effect of the flood on school, a walk along the beach many good students, standards Then there was VE Day! To mark the area, the railway embankment was a very quiet and relaxing way were high. The school had the end of the war. That meant washaway, the brown stream in the of remembering. been built with forethought and sea as the creek emptied its soil for the town no more gun practice expectancy of development. So and regrowth of salt bush, shrubs from Hummock Hill (we said there was a sound-proof room for and grasses. Hummocky Hill) at a target from ‘broadcasting’ (intercom). Each behind a light plane. Crockery Extract from Lythrvm Press - © Daylight saving enabling picnic and pots and pans in the higher Erica Jolly and individual authors staff member was asked to give a teas on the beach, Ozone open- talk. Being shut in a small room primary school domestic arts

Celebrating 75 Years of Public Secondary Education inWhyalla Celebrating 75 Years of Public Secondary Education inWhyalla 30 31 Howard Havelberg

STUDENT 1943 “The foundation stone was laid by His Excellency the Governor of South Australia, Sir Malcolm Barclay-Harvey, on Tuesday, February 17 1942 in front of a very large crowd. The most important part of it was that I had been chosen to front up to Sir Barclay-Harvey and place a flower in His Excellency’s buttonhole on his coat lapel!!! My counter-part who presented Lady Muriel Barclay-Harvey with a bouquet was Barbara Irving (by the way her father was the Blast Furnace Superintendent!). I still have a photo tucked away somewhere of the occasion! Must look it up. It was quite an honour to do this, also to shake his hand. That is my only act of notoriety.”

1943 First Year Girls Back Row L-R Shirley Denton, Rhonda Trebilcock, Florrie Jenkins, Rhonda Smart, Tessa Yendall, Pat Monson, Eileen Teague, Eileen Stacy, Mary Smith, Mary O-Niell, Mavis Smith Front Row L-R Elaine Azzopardi, Joan Burchett, Gwen Gibbs, Lola Gillings, Shirley Noble, Gwenda Fisher, Fay Davis, Yvonne Barratt Tom Beaty was the first student to walk through the doors when the new school opened.

1943 1943 Back Row L-R Ray Kennedy, Syd West, Merve Mullard, Howard Havelberg, Ed McKeogh, Don Collins, Keith Lomax Back Row L-R Lawrence Cox, Frank Thomas, M Rowe, Ivan Collins, John Way, Jim Paul, Vic Techritz, Owen Gillings Middle Row L-R Lynton Trebilcock, Graham Hill, Dorothy Zubrinich, Phylis Marshall, Connie Murphy, Ronda Smart, Les Adams, Ken Barrett Middle Row L-R Bruce Paltridge, Gavin Wilson, Bob Zeven, P Ryan, Tasma Spencer, Joyce Bernhard, June Doyle, Rodney Parkinson, Front Row L-R Barbara Coombe, Norma Paltridge, June McKay, Barbara Irving, Mary Vianello, Myra Beaty, John Patterson, Tom Beaty Front Row L-R Eileen Murphy, Laurie Morgan, Helen Tilly, Olive Henderson, Shirly Galpin, Audrey McKenzie, Margaret Atkinson, Iris Huddleston Rhonda Arthur, Eileen Henderson, Jenny Hallet, Betty Harland

Celebrating 75 Years of Public Secondary Education inWhyalla Celebrating 75 Years of Public Secondary Education inWhyalla 32 33 Graham Galpin Prefects and house captains were and Melbourne Technical school The school experienced a state of honoured in the school and the elected diplomas. TAFE or Uni in those shock when teacher, Robert Bickle members took the position quite days and adult classes were not quite and fellow student and friend of seriously. There was much rivalry in vogue even though there was a mine, Brian Lomax were killed on during the year between the school limited amount of night classes. 4 October 1946 in an accident a few houses; Monarch, Duke, Prince and Oath of Allegiance - God save the miles south of Wilmington. Keith Baron. Of course Monarch had the King - the playgrounds, with the Lomas (junior teacher and Brian’s STUDENT 1946 - 1947 first mention as that was the house sloping grounds, both at the school brother), Vic Woods, Andrew Roberts, What would a student think to go to a brand new school to witness the start of a new era of education in Whyalla. I was allocated to. Points were and the ground across the road. Played David Atkinson, Jim Loveday (school today that didn’t have any cooling system, like fans or air I was in grade 5 at the time. allocated to respective houses for basketball (netball), no free standing mate), others and myself were also in school uniform attire, academically, the accident. There was no trauma conditioning, workshops without electrical equipment, the Outside the front doors of the imposing new school, Mr goal posts - French cricket - chasey, sport and other things the staff counselling in those days. domestic classrooms without electric sewing machines or Davis, Head Teacher, and his staff officially welcomed the red rover all over, from end to end till thought up. The staff encouraged all electrical washing machines, the commercial and financial students. Then followed the flag raising ceremony, the last one caught - the hot north winds, I served seven years on the Whyalla students to participate in sport and the classes with only manual typewriters, no calculators, no Song of Australia and God Save the King, and the students dirt roads, no trees for shade, crowded High school Council and was school had equipment for football, computers, no copying machines, no level playing area, entered their new school for the first time and were shown to classrooms, air raid shelters, the pan secretary for two of them. Some of soccer, tennis, cricket, hockey, no turf or fences ovals, only two tennis courts, no school their respective classrooms for the start of the second term. system, the headmasters office for this time was when Mr Jim Marshall basketball (Netball), (International bus for excursions, no proper swimming facilities. (The (The official opening of the school occurred on Friday 4 punishment, windows taped, specific was Principal and it was stated that Basketball did not come to Whyalla area known as the shipyard basin was the swimming June 1943 by Mr S Jeffries, SA Minister for Education and rooms blackened for evening classes, the school was then under Marshall till 1955/56 when it was introduced place, where the ships unload and load, and the former attended by many official guests.) Us, the primary school House Athletics sports day and other law. Jim was a first class Principal. by two Mormon Missionaries) vigoro, location of the Whyalla Yacht Club. Why, because the kids and staff then walked back, in an orderly manner I sports played on dirt and pot holed In addition, I was Memorial Oval and swimming and athletics. The school tide was usually out at the beach.) No hall for assembly might add, to our classrooms. The previous time I recall of stony grounds on the sloping ovals Whyalla High School Representative had annual combined sport trips - drama classes - gymnastics - social activities, for end of the whole school marching outside of the school grounds across the road. The town’s growth, on the Combined School Council for away competing against Port Augusta term or school year. All the above, and a lot more, are to the fife and drum band was to the official opening of the mode of transport, walking, bikes, five years as well. now expected today to be part of any normal school to be and Port Lincoln. It was usually Savings Bank of SA on 15 August 1941 in Forsyth Street. being donkeyed, (three corner jacks In addition to my wife and I having able to function. I can assure you when the first students cricket and vigoro in the summer and Grade 7 students went to the Whyalla High School for craft punctures), 7.00pm siren sounding, the privilege of attending this school, attended this school, they didn’t have any of the above and football and basketball in the winter. classes, boys for wood and metal lessons and the girls for Saturday matinee at the Institute for our three children, Wayne, Joylene they were extremely grateful. Why? Because they were The school entered teams into the domestic and sewing lessons. pictures, the open-air pictures at either and Janine also were students and all moving from a very overcrowded school where students local basketball (netball) association the Ozone or the Pacific theatres. Class subjects taught were English, Social Studies, attained their matriculation, (1979, were being taught in corridors, in buildings away from the competition each year. Ration cards for food, clothing Mathematics 1, Mathematics 2, General Science, Drawing 1982 and 1989), and also were all town school complex. Of course a lot of the above hadn’t In 1946, the school organised an and petrol. Foundation stone laid and Current Events. The classes were segregated in that Prefects in their final year here. We been invented or marketed at the time. We had happy excursion for the students in second, 17/2/1942, Whyalla Technical High the girls classroom and lessons were different to the are proud of the achievements of times and enjoyed life as we could. By the way, I’m one third and fourth year classes (and I add School, the opening of the catholic boys. In lieu of Woodwork, Sheet metal work the girls this school and its students. It is not of a family of 12 children and was born in Whyalla in 1933 to those whose parents could afford to school, 27/1/1942, the opening of subjects were Domestic Science and Dressmaking. Some the building but the people in it who when the population was 800 people. send them), to travel to Sydney. There the Whyalla Hospital, the opening of classmates opted to study language and what was on offer make a school. was much excitement preparing to the South Primary and many others The town of Whyalla was growing at a tremendous rate. was Latin. Religious Instruction classes were also held in go and on their return as those who were all important events in Whyalla Graham Galpin 2002 Australia was at war and Whyalla was a town classified the school. The school encouraged hobby activities for went sharing of the wonderful things during my early years. as essential services in the establishing of the Whyalla classes in - gardening, stamp collecting, drama, sketching, they had seen. The Bridge, The Blue Blast Furnace, the munitions workshops, the more recent book review etc to name a few along with fostering adult Mountains (Katoomba), the train established Shipyard and the Army Corp setting the anti- interests in a music club, readers club, etc. aircraft guns at the top of Hummock Hill. The Morgan rides, the ferries, the Manley surf, the to Whyalla water pipeline opened up new dimensions to We, the boys, and I suppose the girls were told the opposite, big buildings etc. All the things we the mid north of SA as well as Whyalla. The road from this is the girl’s area and that is yours (the boys). All the now of course take for granted. girls areas are out of bounds to you lot. In my days the only Port Augusta to Whyalla was bituminised. My parents The Whyalla High School Parent buildings north of the main structure were the old dairy, conducted a co-ordinated bus service between the Port and Friends Committee organised (now the canteen) and the headmaster’s house. There were Augusta railway station and Whyalla and transported a the annual Debutantes Ball at the no transportable classrooms, no apprentice’s workshop/ large influx of people into the town of Whyalla throughout Whyalla Institute. The Institute stood classrooms, no triple block, nor music room. the war years. where Harvey Norman now stands. The Mathematics book that we studied was The Searle The school’s foundation stone was laid on 17 February The Apprentices attended the and Jones Maths book. The authors were our Headmaster, 1942 but it was not until 18 May 1943 the Whyalla Whyalla Technical High School for Hartley M Searle and Mr Jones who in later years was the Technical High School enrolled its first students. It was their classes to the appropriate trade Director of Education in South Australia. Mr Searle was 9.00am on Tuesday 18 May 1943, a special school day they had undertaken along with the also very talented on the piano and introduced annual for 113 secondary students currently enrolled at Whyalla introduction by members of the school revues and subsequent plays that were presented Higher Primary School. They lined up behind the navy and school council to enable trainees to in the Whyalla Institute. In 1946 our whole class formed green uniformed fife and drum band and set off to march to study in Whyalla for the Engineers the choir with members also involved in other items, Whyalla Technical High School, the new school (the only certificate courses under the Adelaide i.e. short plays, gymnastics displays, stagehands etc… High School built in South Australia during the 2nd World School of Mines Authorities and The staff encouraged every student to participate in this War). Following them were all the primary school students meeting a standard to that of Sydney (grade 1 to grade 7) and their teachers, who were allowed outreach activity.

Celebrating 75 Years of Public Secondary Education inWhyalla Celebrating 75 Years of Public Secondary Education inWhyalla 34 35 Graham Heinjus At Whyalla Tech most classes were played in these teams. At school holidays. Even then the petrol was co-ed. My experience through the older girls played basketball supplemented by kerosene which school was such that I didn’t ever and many were in the competitions didn’t go down well with ‘the O realise, until much later, that boys played during the weekends. authorities’.) Some children had O and girls going to school together Hockey was also a popular game bikes but they were in the minority. was anything other than the norm. for girls and, like the boys, a lot ‘Everybody walked everywhere’ STUDENT & APPRENTICE 1944 - 1951 (Of course, if we hadn’t had any were members of the Swimming would be a fair slogan of the day! Whyalla was always a company professional. It was the old story What more could a student wish for; girls there wouldn’t have been any Club and swam competitively on There is another thought that comes town and the older part of it - ‘disciplines’, many and varied, a nice new, shiny school that still pig-tails to dip into the ink-wells.) the weekend. to mind - how quiet it was during reflected this in every way - even even good manners!! - respect smelt of fresh paint and our own The classes were co-ed as far as The school could field quite a good classes, hardly any noise, and if the town water was transported for the girls and your elders. Stay locker - marvellous! And look at the the usual, accepted subjects were football team and over a period of a teacher had to raise his or her from Newcastle as ballast in the inside the ‘accepted’ guide lines WC toilets. Quite a culture shock concerned, with the exceptions time played inter-school games voice it was ‘bad news’ for those iron ore ships, pumped up to the and the world was a great place. when we only had ‘long drops’ at being the obvious male activities against teams from Port Augusta, concerned. If anyone upset the class tank on Hummocky Hill and then If we chose to break the mostly home. (Now don’t knock the ‘long such as woodwork and metalwork Port Pirie and maybe Iron Knob. by talking or in any way ‘disturbing reticulated to the working men’s ‘unwritten’ rules, then we had to drop’, the pine seat, or seats, had and female activities such as In baseball the school entered the peace’, there was always an houses and the town gardens, also accept the consequences. It just to be scrubbed at least once a week domestic arts and needlework. two teams in the competitions on ‘imposition’ quite sensibly handed looked after by BHP workmen. seemed so easy and reasonable. and if anyone had an accident then it Friday afternoon was a ‘free the weekends. The ‘A’ team was out in the form of 100 words or In 1936 the primary school even then Reading to the class was mandatory was ‘certain and immediate action’. activities’ time and we could do any always close to the top. There some maths on page 88 or write out was a very imposing brick building, and solving a ‘sum’ on the Another incidental memory makes of the above as well as gardening were quite a number of students PPPs on page 88 in your ‘best’ hand a structure of strength, when most blackboard - there was no way of the spine tingle. Everyone used - very popular with females as who were members of the local - punishment on a positive level! of the other buildings and homes hiding the inability to read, write newspaper, all nicely cut up in four well as males, or reading in the ‘Harriers’ Sports Club involved in The woodwork and sheetmetal were timber and galvanised iron. and do arithmetic - some time on inch squares. Plenty of lime and library. Sometimes there was the usual athletics field events. So shops were of a standard that we All the class rooms were mostly any given day it might be your turn ash kept the whole thing ‘sweet as competitive swimming between I think the conclusion to be reached had not seen before. All those new full, discipline was strict and the to show everyone in the class your a lily’. Then there was the ‘firing the school’s ‘houses’ out at the from this is that not only were we tools, so sharp and so well looked teachers fair and set the required ability (or lack of it). Every Friday up’ which involved setting the fire Shipyard Basin, which was the to participate in sport at school but after. In the woodwork shop not examples, and were very capable. It afternoon was a ‘test’. A new ruled to the newspaper! What started Swimming Club’s headquarters. that it very much overlapped into only the smell of timber but linseed all started with ‘a’ for apple and one page. ‘Dictation’ written on the top all this anyway?). However, even Writing about swimming reminds the local Sports Club. For those and neatsfoot oil, something not add one equals two! And what more of the page, and at the bottom two though we joked about it - ‘What me that in summer, one morning a not caught up in sport, the Saturday to be easily forgotten. Not having can I say except that the students columns of 10, one for 10 spelling has four wheels, four horse power, week between the start of school afternoon movie matinee was the done sheetmetal work until Whyalla went until seventh grade and, as far words and the other for 10 ‘mental’ forty cylinders and flies?’ - don’t and morning recess, all students highlight of the week. It only cost Technical High School the whole as memory serves, everyone passed arithmetic. The dictation, read out let anyone tell you that the removal were required to go down and have 6d (six pence) to get in and if anyone set-up of the shop with all those their QC certificate and went on to by the teacher, was done in the pan system was anything, other a swim or learn to swim - providing missed the continuing ‘saga’ of The curious tools and the smell of hot Whyalla Technical High School. best ‘copy-book’ hand in ink and than terrible. of course the tide was ‘in’. This Green Hornet life was not quite the ‘copper bits’ (not soldering irons) with character - light upstrokes and would be organised by the sports same again. An important part of our early I have fond memories of the teachers and even a ‘bending machine’ was heavier down strokes - hopefully teachers and happened en masse; training was what may be referred and great respect for what I saw as It may have nothing to do with sport really something to get excited with no spelling mistakes. This and the young girls never failed to as ‘disciplines’ - ‘sit up straight,’ their dedicated and professional but does have a lot to do with fitness. about. was followed by 10 mental and to remind us boys that they were ‘elbows in to your side,’ ‘hold the approach to their responsibility for In that era nobody came to school I think the impression that these the 10 hard spelling words. Any growing up into ‘Young Ladies’. pencil lightly and easily,’ ‘write imparting knowledge to a group in a vehicle, mainly because most two areas made upon me may mental or spelling mistakes had to And they didn’t say a word! neatly and make the letters round,’ of students whom I remember as families didn’t have a car anyway! have been part of the reason why be written correctly 10 times, when ‘don’t talk in class - plenty of time mostly responsible and respectful. Sport was very popular and well Before the war quite a lot of the ‘marked’ test was returned to I thought it was called a ‘technical to ‘play around’ at recess time.’ When I mention responsible and patronised, not only at the school working men, around 1939 - 1940, school’. Along with the impressive us on Monday morning. Is it any respectful - it appears to me that but generally by the whole town. had good quality Chevrolets, Fords Nothing very dramatic, just good wonder that everyone passed the area given over to the teaching of old-fashioned common sense. our ‘discipline’ was consistent and Swimming in Whyalla was part and or Pontiacs but prior to this vehicles apprentices who did not use these Qualifying Certificate. tempered, to a large degree, by parcel of growing up. In the early were few and far between. Even Among my memories of life in the shops. In this period in Whyalla Even though I was not keen on our acceptance of responsibility. days races were held between two so they were not used for taking Technical High School there were primary school, where so much algebra, the time I spent at Whyalla In retrospect I believe that, in this jetties at the ‘main beach’, later children to school. (Weekend trips gave us a sound grounding for the no power machines so obviously Technical High School, from 1944 period, the fear and worry of the transferred to the ‘basis’ out at the were ‘the big thing’, but when the everything was made ‘by hand and future, is Mr Wachtel, my seventh to 1945, as a student was great war was starting to lessen, so adults shipyards. Football was always war came and rationing started most grade teacher, a person for whom by the book’. Of course a major although the headmaster, H.M. were beginning to relax and, as time there and as the town grew into a of the cars went up on ‘blocks’. If part of the timer was ordered in to I have always had the greatest Searle was not all that pleased about progressed, these attitudes were city there were four major teams the petrol was saved, maybe a trip respect and admiration. I have the required size. I have quite an our attitude to algebra - Searle and passed on to the children. and some of the older, larger boys to Adelaide eventuated during the impressive ‘flower-pot stand’ that I nothing but praise for this dedicated Jones wrote that rotten text book.

Celebrating 75 Years of Public Secondary Education inWhyalla Celebrating 75 Years of Public Secondary Education inWhyalla 36 37 made for my mother, still useful and decorative. A lot of It seems to me that family life was very important in misconduct or failure to attend were good at this time, it did not When my indenture was completed time was spent on the practical care and sharpening of this era and, no matter what the ‘outing’, everyone technical school classes as well hurt to be a bandsman. I had certificates from the high tools. Theory was about how trees grow - for instance, went - if it was an adult theme then the children sat for insolence, wilful damage A lot of times they were allowed to school for Building Drawing, osmosis and medullary rays - along with the botanical quietly by or played outside or waited until such time as to property or neglect of safety ‘knock off’ in order to play at some the Woodwork Certificate in names of all those used for milling, for furniture and they were incorporated into the activities. In a reverse precautions. function including the launching of Benchwork, drawing, Timber and construction, the making and use of ‘garnet’ paper and situation of course the children held sway but most of In the depression jobs were scarce. a vessel in the Whyalla shipyards. Tools prescribed for the three year emery paper and, of course, the care of ourselves - the time parents were not far away. Maybe birthday Some of the best brass bands were The launching of a ship is exciting, course, and a prize of £1.1.0. for the mainly fingers! parties, Cubs and Scouts, Brownies and Guides and in evidence during the depression and no matter how many times best Building Drawing in Carpentry similar occasions were the exceptions - but in those and/or during hard times. Any man it is seen the thrill never wanes. and Joinery. cases the parent didn’t accompany the child because who was a good musician could Of course a launching relied on a In conclusion may I offer the we could wander around anywhere without any fear or reasonably expect to get a job if high tide and even if a launching comment that, because Whyalla problem of any kind. Mind you ‘outings’ were not very Hartley Searle, headmaster, gave me a a large industry was interested in is held in the early morning or late was a company town it was a great prevalent and, apart from church and Sunday school promoting the town, the suburb or evening then the band is expected place to be educated in and grow up. note towards the end of 1945 asking my with harvest festivals and other things associated with its own business. The members of to officiate. The party after the parent to visit him at the school to discuss the church, there was very little else. the Whyalla brass Band enjoyed this launching was always most my future as an apprentice. Apparently activity and, although conditions acceptable. Extract from Lythrvm Press - © Erica Jolly and individual authors BHP would inform him of vacancies being available and he obviously accepted the responsibility of suggesting these options to likely students.

MY APPRENTICESHIP Tony Hughes I was an apprentice from 1946 - the shipyards at 11.30am so as to be on Saturday. Then later it eventually 1951. The probation period was at school by 1.00 - which was quite arrived at the 40 hour week. When from 16-1-46 until 16-4-46 and a rush. Nobody went to school in a man worked 48 hours he was indentures were signed and sealed work clothes. entitled to morning and afternoon on 16-4-46 for a period of five Most of the time, when school ‘Smoko’ of reasonable time but, years, plus any time ‘taken off’ to holidays were on, it was not as the working hours dropped, STUDENT 1956 - 1959 be added on. The completion of necessarily holidays for apprentices. entitlement decreased until when I was a student in 1956 to 1959 my apprenticeship was signed and Tuesday afternoon included theory the 40 hours came in he was entitled and my first class, 1A, had 30 sealed 3-5-51 and that included time but most of the time was taken up to 10 minutes at 9.50am and had to members, 11 girls - the class photo added on which was used mainly with building drawing - doing the keep working. is my only record of all four years for Cub and Scout activities and actual drawing and printing from Behaving in a ‘proper manner’ - no magazines - nothing. My training, mostly held in Adelaide. plans and also from specifications. included personal appearance at memory is very clear on how I got into that class. Necessary to have The three year study course for As an apprentice BHP offered a work in our trade, the requirements an IQ test then we all lined up to my apprenticeship at Whyalla bonus of 45/- per month providing being - clean hair short back and have our fortune told by Mr Frith, Technical High School was in we were punctual at work and school sides, clean polished boots or shoes the deputy who sat at his table as 1946-47 and ’48 as provided for and behaved in a ‘proper manner’ and a clean white apron; otherwise we edged closer. His question to under the Technical Education at all times. This was a wonderful a severe reprimand was in order me - ‘What do you want to be?’ - Apprentices Act. The main time incentive when the weekly wage - mainly from the tradesmen who I said, ‘Electrical Technician’ as my to attend Whyalla Tech for theory for a first year apprentice was about also kept a tight rein on apprentices idea of being an electrical engineer on Tuesday afternoons from one to 45/-. This was the era of ‘change’ swearing. meant university, which meant four pm and on Thursday evenings in the working hours - the working The Indenture of Apprenticeship Latin - I didn’t want to do Latin. from seven to nine pm for maths and man prior to 1946 was doing 48 made very precise educational His answer was that I want to tell it was started from the beginning hours. This included all day on and moral demands. There were people what to do, not be told - 1A. - multiplication, division and ‘x’ Saturday. Then later in 1952 the penalties for disobedience, laziness, Class 1A 1956 tables! If I remember correctly we award changed to 44.5 - 4.5 hours bad timekeeping, or other general were allowed to ‘knock off’ from

Celebrating 75 Years of Public Secondary Education inWhyalla Celebrating 75 Years of Public Secondary Education inWhyalla 38 39 Joan Knight Most of my seventh grade local School buildings were great, with pocket - a lot, lot more important mates went into 1B or 1T (not sure) apprentice buildings and hall than in state schools today. and my very poor Latin marks - 54% ‘up the back’ near the tennis courts Lots of school excursions - but by plus very poor maths, meant I was and almost level with the ‘old dairy’ bike; 4A geography pedalled out only promoted to 2G on probation; canteen. to hematite dairy a few times - a TEACHER AND DEPUTY HEADMISTRESS 2G was a class of 41, and next year Have vivid memory of a first year large geography project and the 8G was 37. The 1A and 2G class 1957 - 1992 boys’ assembly where Barry Bills geography teacher, Rex Hosking, teacher was a newly arrived Pom “Will you be in tomorrow?” said the headmaster as I left Teaching, though, takes fainted - smallest boy, at front of line, later principal at Cummins Area, - George Collyer - he tried hard to after my first day at Whyalla Technical High School in hold of the teacher, I was flat on face on concrete verandah would take a VW ‘beetle’ load of 4A understand us but we did give him September 1957. That question was repeated several times to discover. The word and speaker commenting that ‘he lads, three or four of us on weekend a bit of a hard time - nice bloke over the next few weeks and my answer was always in the itself seems rather arid was certainly paying attention’ - geography trips - Cowells Landing, though - was a lieutenant in the affirmative. After all, I had only to keep going for 15 weeks. and colourless, but the don’t know why I remember that so sand dunes, Iron Baron ore works - British army in WWII, captured in process of teaching is not well. I can remember being hauled great days. After primary, secondary and tertiary education and four a trench, in Italy I think - rest of the years teaching, all in England, I was on a two year holiday because it encompasses so before some principal or deputy a I have always had this feeling of war he was a POW. and had not been keen to take on the job, but teachers were in much; learning, listening, mutual respect, couple to times - and got ‘six of the pleasure about school in Whyalla leading, commitment and involvement Now, the rest of this will have to be very short supply in South Australia in the fifties and I agreed best’ once. - I enjoyed it, although not a fully in so many activities. Amongst these just brief sentences, as I can only to “help out for a term”. The rest, as they say, is history. School socials - always massive switched on student, but everything were my seven years as producer seem to remember odd bits, and I’m attendance - in local institute, great was so easy, so well organised, so in I was appointed as a Temporary Junior Unclassified of the school’s musicals under the not too sure of timings. events - pleasant as all in best step with each other, no pressures or Assistant and, as a qualified physical education teacher I expert musical direction of Ray Estall Classes were co-ed but the school clothes and it was all the ‘correct’ rushing around - just a most pleasant suddenly found myself teaching in a classroom - instead of a - gentleman and musician and the yard wasn’t - line down the middle dances of the time. ‘Take partners place. Good students, good friends, gymnasium or on a playing field - science, technical drawing school’s music teacher for those years; and dimension sketching, social studies, ancient history, SA from the woodwork room on the for the military two step.’ Girls on good teachers, good subject work coaching netball and athletics and geography (how quickly one can learn!), English and the staff room spine up to the first of one side, boys on another, and it and after school - tennis hit outs experiencing the collective delight of occasional bit of sport - vigoro and netball!! Classes were the trade teaching halls - bit hazy was daunting to walk all that way or just socialising or even relaxing victories at interschool matches or the large, often over 40 - and mixed - another new experience there. Quadrangle for assemblies across to ‘select’ a partner to try in the library - I was a continuous Upper Northern; organising the annual for this product of a girls’ grammar school, women’s college - girls only and boys only - even and do whatever was expected by reader. Also I can vividly remember speech/presentation night for umpteen years; being on the P and a small, private boarding school for girls. And even the had separate staff rooms, side title or music. A great time was had our 3A, 4A woman English teacher & F especially the year we raised so much money towards sun and moon went in the wrong direction! But I settled by side and foot of stairs - up to by all. who was a real disciplinarian. Boy, the transformation of then Commonwealth (apprentice) library where Des Bettany painted in, spent long hours in preparation and marking, faced up building with its lathes and welding bays, into our school Many days I went home for lunch, she was tough, but we all learned to Education Department inspectors, signed on daily - a the mural. English and grammar. hall. And then there was the year of the marathon P & F ‘flying’ down the road on my self- departmental requirement in those days and strictly in order working bee, when in only two days, hundreds of parent, George Collyer also ran a gardening painted bike - had to have a lunch We always knew that we were of seniority; TJUAs were last on the list! - poured the recess student and teacher hands planted strands of couch grass on club for first and second years - don’t pass - I made once by sneaking into at a unique school, technical, time cuppa for the senior mistress in the women’s staff room the erstwhile stony and dusty mound the length of the tennis think any others interested. Lots of the typing room - don’t know why commercial and PEB classes, as (strict segregation in those days), and completed that first courts and down to the oval itself. And so the years passed. clubs - either lunch, after school - perhaps a spare as the prefects well as the trade school section, term. And then stayed on. or maybe in the sport afternoon There were many highlights, mostly in relation to the school, made life unpleasant if you didn’t but we expected that, as everything As the years went by, my teaching load became less diverse - sport played all over town - had and I had a great deal of pleasure and satisfaction in writing have your pass when pushing bike there then was all BHP, we either and I was able to concentrate on English and physiology - my most of my soccer matches, house the school’s history, after retiring in 1992. The Golden Jubilee through school gate - usually late. went to Adelaide to Uni or went to two ‘pet’ subjects - and junior science. competition, (houses all BHP ore - part of Back to Whyalla in 1993 was a wonderful event. In 3G woodwork, we only made BHP. No job future problems. hills) at Westies’ soccer ground In 1963 I was appointed senior mistress - no longer temporary As well, there were the lows, the saddest of all for me being just past the cemetery - very near joint after joint - 3T made furniture I did teach at Whyalla technical - and in 1965 became the school’s first female deputy, a the decision by the Education Department to truncate the my home. but 3G were doing the Intermediate four years after being a fourth year position I held, apart from a one-month stint as Acting school in order to set up the Whyalla Secondary College exam - so joints. We had fantastic student and it has not been easy to Principal, until my retirement in 1992, just in time to become I have memories of very simple in 1992. It had been so good to watch the development of results - some of my class became isolate one period from the other. involved in the Golden Jubilee. The Deputy position meant students through their four or five years, and, having being subject choices, third year woodwork/boys’ craft teachers. It has been a little rushed as this some reduction of classroom time and much more ‘people’ chemistry or woodwork, physics around for so long, I was privileged to watch this over Gary Coombes one of the best. On is assessment time. It’s very hard time with teachers, parents and individual students. This I three generations. or - and in fourth year art or maths that point, of our 4A class a heck for me to try and get thoughts to found very fulfilling. 11. All seven or eight of us who of a lot came to Adelaide to Uni or work. So long ago and too many only did Leaving maths 1 failed; Leaving grammar school all those years ago, I had not wanted Teachers College as well as SAIT students since. to be a teacher, but I had been a good gymnast and netballer, maths 11 knowledge was needed I borrow my last paragraph from ‘A celebration of Fifty (the SA Institute of Technology) represented my country in lacrosse and was an adequate for some questions. years’: There have been difficult days, difficult people; there in Whyalla. performer in cricket, tennis and athletics and several forms I can’t remember any real discipline have been frustrations, both bureaucratic and human, but School uniform very strict, grey for of dance, in fact all facets of PE; consequently, my chosen have cause to problems in my classes/lessons. overall the tradition, the strivingno for one excellence, should the spirit of all with white and blue, great school career was in physical education. But the only way to follow cooperation have prevailed and A bit of boredom and slight Extract from Lythrvm Press - © badge, which we had in metal and Erica Jolly and individual authors a career in that field in the 1940s and ‘50s as a PE graduate be ashamed to say, ‘I was at Whyalla High School’. disruptions - I do have an idea that embroidered (as today) on blazer was to become a teacher, and so that was what I did. Extract from the Sixty Year they were quiet occasions. Celebration Book (2003)

Celebrating 75 Years of Public Secondary Education inWhyalla Celebrating 75 Years of Public Secondary Education inWhyalla 40 41 Bronwyn Colegate (nee Hughes)

STUDENT 1958 - 1961 I remember my school days with fondness as they were enjoyable, challenging and the foundation for my future life. Whyalla Technical High School was special. We knew it was unique in the South Australian education system and, as students, we were given opportunities that Library Mural 1967 were not available to students in other schools. Several Sports Day held at of our teachers left because of appointments within the heaters built into the walls. There was no cooling, but I Prince House Sports Day 1951 Education Department and the independent system and so don’t remember it as being excessively hot in summer. The Memorial Oval in the 50s we were aware that it was a stepping stone towards higher large dressmaking room I always considered to be quite positions for the staff. Its traditions and rules were well cool: to me it was the best room in the school and I loved known around the town: students began there knowing going there. Each year we had long booklists to buy our text books and Once I started though, none of my fears seemed to stationery - a very expensive exercise for our parents, and materialise. Our first two days were spent doing IQ tests them and in the expectation that they would also uphold The library was upstairs with only a few classrooms on them as students, plus pass them on to newcomers. very time consuming at school as the first week of the year in the big double rooms of the main building, to determine either side of it. An art teacher, I think, was commissioned was usually devoted to this process. All books had to be which stream and class we would be in. I was put into 1L My association with Whyalla Technical High School or decided to donate his work to the school - this I’m covered, preferably in plastic. This process took hours of as it was called that year. It was the ‘top’ class, the only began in 1957 when, as a seventh grade primary student, unsure of –painted a huge mural, during my school days, a night time. first year class to do Latin. In previous years it had been I attended the high school for domestic arts lessons, half of the BHP works on one wall. It seemed to take forever to called 1A but, to try to remove the stigma of superiority, a day per week. We girls rode our bikes there, carrying paint and, as a consequence, the library was out-of-bounds As well as classes, we also were divided up into ‘houses’, another task that usually occupied the first week of the the school decided to rename this class. The second class large cane covered baskets in which we had our books for ages. The mural was much admired by those who saw became 1A, the third 1B and so on. However, when asked and ingredients. These were all measured out, dry ones it but I didn’t really like it much. We didn’t seem to use school year in year eight. There were four houses, Prince (blue), Duke (yellow), Monarch (red), Baron (green), by people outside of the school (who were familiar with the wrapped in waxed lunch wrap and wet ones in jars. One the library for reference materials for class work but I can previous method of distinguishing classes and perceived day the milk spilt in my basket and went all over my recipe remember borrowing fiction books from there. which competed against each other for the school year for a trophy and the honour of being the winning house that student academic ability), I soon realised that I needed to books - it took ages to get the sour smell out of those As students, we were not permitted to use the front or main answer ‘the Latin class’ as, in the beginning, they gave precious books. We also took our completed cooking year. As my older brother was in Prince, I automatically door of the school. Inside it was the reception desk which joined that house. Students without older siblings were me such pitying looks, assuming that I was way down the home. I can’t remember what we made, except for a stew was staffed by the front office assistant, a lovely, motherly bottom of the scale academic-wise, to be in 1L! Needless (a white stew) one day. It was carried home in a large jar just allocated to a house without any consultation regarding lady, kind, sympathetic and helpful, who knew all the their preferences. The competition for the trophy was based to say that system of class numbering was abandoned the and looked revolting. Another day our teacher, a lovely students and most of their parents. following year. elderly spinster, demonstrated chocolate blanc mange, on sports day results plus academic points gained from mid which she passed around the class, in the saucepan, so that In the school yard a line was painted down the middle of the and end-of-year exams. Prince won the trophy during my As first years, we didn’t seem important in the school we could all see the finished result. Well, we all tasted it asphalt to segregate the boys from the girls. We each had school days and I felt quite proud to be part of the winning until we became third or fourth year students. This was as the saucepan came around to our tables and she received our own quadrangle and I’m sure especially the younger house. This outcome of the competition was announced at borne out by our year eight classroom - a portable (hot in an empty saucepan back! That was the last time she passed girls were quite happy to be segregated from the boys. I the annual, end-of-year speech night which was always a summer, freezing in winter) in the remote outposts of the her demonstration dishes around our class. cannot remember any occasions when students flouted this very formal occasion held in the local Institute Hall. We school grounds. Only in later years did we ‘graduate’ to rule and went into the other quadrangle, although we had had a sense of its importance to the school, but as students the more comfortable classrooms in the main building. As grade sevens we felt very intimidate in ‘the big school’. to mix when changing lessons, going to the canteen or considered it to be a boring occasion which we had to We had few subject choices, the only one I remember in We left our bikes by the side door of the building closest entering and leaving the school yard. attend of an evening. to the kitchen and hurried in and out. I can’t remember first year was the choice of dressmaking or home science. spending a lesson break out in the school yard. But I loved Assemblies were held in the respective quadrangles, and ‘The Knob kids’ were another aspect of our school life. I didn’t study art at all during my school years, but I can’t those lessons and enjoyed going to the school each week; were girls and boys only, as I recall, although we did have They were students who lived at Iron Knob and came to remember if I had the choice of it or not. My curriculum we did feel important. mixed ‘house’ assemblies prior to sports day. School rules school each day by school bus, usually arriving in time was very limited, English, maths - two subjects - science (in and behaviour were usually the focus of the assemblies. for lessons and leaving as soon as school finished. They later years chemistry, physics/physiology), dressmaking, To me the main school building was far superior to those I The school rules, protocol, our behaviour were always seemed to be a separate group on their own who didn’t social studies and Latin. No other languages were offered. had previously experienced in primary school. It had high reinforced at these assemblies, but the majority of students appear to mix in with the other students. However, they had ceilings, a wide, brown linoleum covered corridor down Dressmaking was my favourite subject and I studied it seemed to accept and abide by them. several excellent sports people in their group and so were for three years to Intermediate level. I topped the state in the centre, with various classrooms on either side. The always very welcome members of the houses at sports days. administration offices were in the centre section along with Our grey uniform we wore with pride and my friends and that examination but the next year at school, no official the staff rooms. At one end were the kitchen, laundry and I never thought to wear anything but our correct uniform I recall, on beginning high school, how fearful I felt on the recognition of my achievement was ever forthcoming. dressmaking rooms, While the science laboratories were to school each day. My blazer was meant to last the four first day. Those feelings were mixed with pride, especially My first year of dressmaking lessons was wonderful. We at the other. Opening from both of these sections were years of my schooling and so it was bought ‘big’ in year as my parents fully supported my education and were proud had a new young teacher with high expectations which I doorways to the quadrangle - girls next to the laundry and eight. It saw the distance, even though it was almost of my achievements in primary school. The fear was caused could meet. My best friend couldn’t; she disliked it and the boys down the science end. General classrooms were threadbare by the end of year 11. Leather satchels were by the rumours of how strict it was at WTHS, how ‘hard’ the was often singled out for being slow to finish her work. in between. As a student, these rooms seemed huge, with fashionable for carrying our books and I remember having work was, as well as the apprehension of having to make new I used to do some of her practical homework for her, large sash windows, thick walls, heavy doors and grill type to have a black one. friends and mix with the students from the Town Primary especially the samples we had to do each week and glue school who considered themselves superior to the rest of us.

Celebrating 75 Years of Public Secondary Education inWhyalla Celebrating 75 Years of Public Secondary Education inWhyalla 42 43 Maxwell Smith into our notebooks. We learned to draft patterns, make PE was the subject I disliked the most. We had to change garments for ourselves and do embroidery. Everything into our uniform, a shapeless, baggy short dress called a that we made during the year had to stay at school, ‘zuke-suit’. We played sports on the oval across the road locked in big wardrobes and cupboards in the fitting from the school. It was only gravel, no grass and there room, until the inspector had seen them, at the end of the seemed always to be a cold wind, off the sea, sweeping year. I disliked leaving my garments as I always wanted over it. to wear them as soon as I’d completed them. TEACHER 1960 In December 1959 I had been ten years at Goodwood Tech In my second year, my friend went into the commercial and in January 1960 I transferred to Whyalla Technical course, which terminated after the third year. I didn’t see High School which was co-educational. Whyalla was a much of her at school after that as the academic students didn’t mix with the commercial. We had different bit difficult as a school. At the swimming carnival kids lessons, interests and expectations. From this year took off. The head was quiet, gentlemanly Dough Forder onwards my classmates were constant, with very few who became head of Westminster and who was replaced additions or students transferring out. The group of boys, by Hugh Fitzgerald. A very good head with a loud voice, a few in particular, were memorable, as they delighted in he was more in line with the kind of discipline that had being disruptive in every lesson where they could. They existed at Goodwood - kids did not dare to ignore him. were out to ‘test’ every teacher and could be great fun The atmosphere at Whyalla was very different from that but, at times, especially in the later years, we girls tired at Goodwood. At football matches, when I was umpiring, of their antics as we wanted to learn and they hindered kids would be yelling out, when they disagreed with my us. Academically they were very capable students but decisions, ‘Get back to your woodwork room’ or Get turned their talents into messing around and we girls your nose out of your eyes.’ I made contact with students outperformed them. However, I always had the feeling 1960 SPORTS DAY CUP WINNERS through the football field at Whyalla. Among my students K Matters, C Richards, T Selby, D Mills, W Maxwell, D Couche that as boys their education was more important than was Barrie Robran and years later I said to him, ‘Call me 1966 ours. They always seemed to be given more attention Max, Barrie.’ and preferential treatment by the school. I often thought ‘Yes Mr Smith,’ was his reply. that the girls’ better results surprised and dismayed the For recess in years 10 and 11 I had a buttered roll each male teachers at times. day. It was a very popular choice amongst my peer A couple of the boys’ antics I have never forgotten. In group. We sometimes added potato chips to it for variety. Extract from Lythrvm Press - © I went home for lunch each day as did my best friends. our first year science class during the year, the teacher Erica Jolly and individual authors eventually became fed up with one of the boys. We sat in At first I rode my bike, but later walked so that I could long desks that extended half the width of the room and chat with these friends to make it an enjoyable occasion. this boy was in the middle of the front row. Our teacher Within my peer group, we talked about our school-work walked up to him, picked him up by the shirt collar, at recess time (and lunch break), especially when we lifted him out of his seat and then proceeded to put him had to learn for tests and exams. At these times we all outside through the window! Each lesson we enjoyed pretended to one another that we hadn’t learnt for it. We and expectantly waited to see what would happen when often had tests in all subjects and mid and end of year the boys began their antics. Our teacher was new to the exams. Our results determined which class we’d be in the school and very young. He boarded with a family friend next year. I was fortunate that school work did not bother of my best friend - she used to delight in telling us what me, except in maths in my later years. I always felt that she could find out about his private life. my first year friend, who did experience difficulty with Maths in year 11 provided another memorable occasion. her work, lived down to the teachers’ expectations of her, During our lunch hour, the boys went into the scrub and no matter how hard she tried, she was never given behind the school and returned to maths with two brown good marks. Extra help was not available for those who lizards. Our teacher was late for our lesson and so the struggled, except from their classmates, but we often boys pushed the desks to one side and conducted races were not allowed to talk in class. with those lizards in the classroom. They had a lookout My peers and I also talked about clothes and fashion - we in the corridor who warned us of the teacher’s return and were very fashion conscious with definite ideas of what so the desks hurriedly went back into place, out came was and was not acceptable to wear casually. We mixed our books as the teacher came into the room. Somehow socially with the same youth group and so were very one lizard got onto his desk. He obviously didn’t see aware of what each was wearing. We also talked about it and every time he touched the desk, the lizard would boys, especially in year 11. Some of us had boyfriends bound away. We were all transfixed, watching to see if only for a short time, although others paired up with what would happen when he discovered it. However, the fellow students whom they later married. outcome I can’t recall. Extract from Lythrvm Press - © Erica Jolly and individual authors

Celebrating 75 Years of Public Secondary Education inWhyalla Celebrating 75 Years of Public Secondary Education inWhyalla 44 45 Barrie Robran almost the entire school population perched on the rocks Another personal memory of this course, is that of falling and yacht-launching ramp surrounding the swimming down when coming down Hummock Hill, and rolling venue and cheering their teams on. some little distance before getting up with very skun I must make mention of our school cross-country course knees and palms of my hands to complete the course. … what a test of endurance that was. We would start I survived. This took place in an inter-school sports’ day the course by running out of the back gate of the playing against the Port Lincoln High School. Such exchanges WHYALLA TECHNICAL HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT 1960 - 1964 fields, directly opposite the School, on the southern side back then were not uncommon. of Broadbent Terrace. Immediately we would turn right My apologies at this stage, I am getting a bit carried Whyalla. What a wonderful place to grow up in back Sports’ afternoons were always on a Thursday and and run along the bitumen road above the beach and make away, however I have always considered my school days in the fifties and sixties. during the football season, most football players “wore” our way, on the western side (or back side) of Hummock to be some of the very best years of my life. When life was simple, easy and mostly, full of fun. permanent skun knees and elbows from fall on, or, being Hill, to the top of this Hill. Then having reached the top, tackled to the ground on the dirt/gritty surfaces. Of course, we would run (rather quickly, with the aid of gravity) These years of course were mainly spent at school. And, when we were lucky enough to play cricket with a new down the southern front of the Hill to the beach. Once how fortunate we were to have such a great high school at ball, the shine of the new ball didn’t last very long because having reached the beach, we would then have to run which to undertake our secondary education. of the very rough surface of the grounds. along the beach out to the rubbish dump … assuming that I first attended the Whyalla Technical High School in 1960. During the football season, the malthoid cricket pitches at this is still roughly in the same position as it was back My very good friend, Geoffrey Raneberg (we both lived in both ovals were covered with a generous coating of soil. then. The next manoeuvre was a sharp right-hand U-turn I will finish by stating that we had many Ward Street) and I would mostly ride to school, although running back in the direct opposite direction to that we wonderful teachers “back then”, but Our annual Swimming Carnivals were always held at the sometimes we would walk. (Incidentally, Geoff and I had just completed, along a narrow, one-lane only dirt Shipyard basin where a couple of permanent pontoons none more memorable and helpful as remain very good friends still, almost some 60 years later.) track leading back towards the school. Then, the final were in place at (I think) 25 meters apart. Pretty much the Mr David Darr (Maths teacher) and Mr leg was back along a dirt road which ran back below the For my entire High School life (completed in 1964), entire school population were transported out to the Basin caravan park and the South Whyalla Football Clubrooms Milton Haseloff (English teacher). we played all of our intra-school football and cricket to either compete, or barrack for their house. Geoffrey to the same gate from which we first commenced our run. competitions on dirt ovals. These were the old South and I were both Monarch house allocated. We (Monarch) Many of us will be indebted to these two Whyalla Oval (or Foreshore Oval) and the old West never ever did very well in these swimming carnivals. outstanding teachers (and role models) Whyalla Oval (which now could be a cross-country I did compete in a 50 meter back-stroke event once, but for the remainder of Thank you for this BMX track). didn’t trouble the judges at all. It was quite a sight to see opportunity …………. Over and out.

1963

1964

Celebrating 75 Years of Public Secondary Education inWhyalla Celebrating 75 Years of Public Secondary Education inWhyalla 46 47 Kym Clayton The school always put on a theatre production at the end occupied by the legendary Ms Joan Knight, who was of each year - usually a play - and it was a big affair. Deputy Headmistress when I was a student at the school. We performed in the school theatrette, which was a It was a humbling and almost scary experience to sit in double portable building. What is now the school’s what was once her chair. theater used to be an underutilized surplus building but I left Whyalla at the end of 1996 and moved to Adelaide the occasional game a badminton was played in it. (It where I still live and work. In the early 2000s my job STUDENT 1967 - 1971 was once a technical workshop, but that was before my within the Education Department involved me teaching time). I participated in the school play most years and teachers how to deliver aspects of curriculum, and on one I attended Whyalla High School as a student from 1967 to we looked forward to the annual drama camp that was occasion Mr Wood was in my audience! He remembered 1971. I have very fond memories of those years, but like held in far-away places like Point Lowly or Thuruna Bay! me and I certainly remembered him, but on this occasion most experiences in life, it is not so much the place itself (Well, at the time they seemed far away!) This whet my I called him ‘Trevor’ but I was still a bit in awe of him. that was important but the people you interacted with and appetite for community theatre, and eventually I joined the things you did along the way. For whatever reason, the Whyalla Players and community theatre is something My current job in the education and training bureaucracy Whyalla High was good to me, and, good for me. I still enjoy and am heavily involved with to this day. still connects me to schools - not as often as I would like - and it still gives me a great deal of pleasure when On a hot day in February 1967 I recall being extremely After five years at university I became a teacher and the work specifically connects me back to Whyalla and nervous as we gathered for the first assembly on day one of was posted to Stuart High School, where I taught its schools. the school year. We were sneered at by the ‘big’ kids but mathematics and science (and a bit of drama and music that’s just the way it was, and I suspect it is no different and sex ed and ….and …) for fourteen years. During in school yards today. We were divided into classes and that time, as I sharpened my teaching skills and deepened I found myself in 1A (year 8 was called first year, year 9 my understanding and approach to education, I spent As I approach the end of my career I still second year etc). The “A” signaled you were in the top some time assisting the state’s chief examiner in year ability group - there was ‘streaming’ in those days. 12 mathematics, and taught some classes at the Whyalla fondly remember Whyalla High School campus of the University of South Australia. Whyalla I used to suffer frequent and heavy nose bleeds as a and am thankful for the opportunities it was a wonderful place to develop one’s craft - so many child, and that’s exactly what happened on day 1. Major 1970 presented to me. L-R Derek Clothier and Kym Clayton opportunities were available if you were prepared to embarrassment. There was no air-conditioning in those work at them. When the Whyalla Secondary College was Congratulations Whyalla High as you head days, not even fans in classrooms, and there was no early created my job was to work across the three secondary dismissal when it got too hot. We just toughed it out. It’s towards your 75th anniversary. schools to develop a coherent approach to mathematics what you did. (However, the ‘main’ building as it was education. It was during this time that my office was at Una omnibus schola! called was usually much cooler than the ‘portables’ or the That was how they lived and indeed still live their own Whyalla High and it was the same office that was once ‘triple blocks’, and it was considered a privilege to have lives - wonderful role models. My hard work paid off and lessons there.) I topped the state in the end of year 11 public examinations in Mathematics 1, and my good friend Derek Clothier did Some 10 years later when I became a teacher myself, the same in Mathematics 2. I recall that neither of us were I remember looking back at the practice of ‘streaming’ overly excited about it at the time, but the school made a students and being scornful of it as outdated and damaging fuss and like it or not we were both in the school’s spotlight to students. However, it worked for me and as a 1A student from that day until the time we left the school at the end of I settled very quickly into a routine of double mathematics, Year 12. Our notoriety led us to both becoming prefects science, social studies (a blend of history and geography), and I also became a House Captain for Monarch House. French, woodwork, PE, and English. I loved it all, mostly, I still remember our war cry (“Boomeraka, boomeraka, and I particularly enjoyed French, science and mathematics, bish bom bah, Monarch, Monarch, roo roo rah etc etc”). which became my passion right through to fifth year/Year School sports carnivals always finished with all four 12 (or matriculation as it was called). houses chanting their war cries, and it was awesome to There were a number of teachers that were very significant behold. The school was big in those days - some 1400 in my time at Whyalla High School. I fondly recall Mr students at its peak - and to hear 350 of them all chanting Wood, the physics teacher, whom I first encountered in their war cry in unison was spine tingling. year 11. I remember thumbing through books in the main Eyre High School was quite new, and Stuart High School Physics laboratory and being in awe of the mathematics didn’t yet exist. There were huge sporting competitions and the complex equations they contained. I remember between Whyalla High and Eyre High, and also an inter- asking Mr Wood when would one get to study such ‘stuff’, city school competition against Port Augusta, Port Pirie and he replied third year at university. I clearly recall that and Woomera Area School. They were exiting events, and was the moment when I decided I wanted to do a degree in big! We looked forward to travelling by bus to the carnival physics and mathematics. I was encouraged by my parents when it was being hosted in another city. to work hard, and while they had no specific expectations about what I might do with my life, they did expect me to always strive to achieve my absolute best and leave no stone unturned in the pursuit of excellence.

Celebrating 75 Years of Public Secondary Education inWhyalla Celebrating 75 Years of Public Secondary Education inWhyalla 48 49 Jennifer Wendy Trimper Gary Gray Havelberg (nee Havelberg) STUDENT 1972 - 1976 STUDENT 1969 - 1972 STUDENT 1970 - 1973 42 years after leaving Whyalla High School, I still hear the we were at Whyalla High when the last man walked on the I attended Whyalla Technical High (as it was known My name is Wendy Trimper (nee Havelberg). I was sounds of the schoolyard, the oval and school bus. I hear moon, when Nixon quit and when Chairman Mao died. then) during the early 1970’s and to my parents and a student at the Whyalla High for all my high school the school bell.* Our teachers made sense of these contemporary events, in teachers despair was not a happy student. I was a loner, years, from 1970-73 in the Commercial Course as it I can still hear Miss Knight, Mr Wilton and Mr the context of history, economics and literature. I longed an outsider. My main interest was Classical Ballet and was known, i.e. the first year 1E was a combined boys/ Dodderidge. They were great teachers, whose teaching to go to a great university to understand my world better. it caused the careers consultants no end of frustration girls year, then 2D, 3D & 4D were girls only classes, was informed by a desire to make our world a better place Whyalla High provided the stimulus and lit the fire in me -’ you can’t have a career in ballet, what else are you with one exception of English in 4th year when I was in than the post war world into which they were born. I still to do that. interested in?’ Books. ‘Be a librarian’ Fortunately a combined class with Mr Eickhoff as teacher. (He was exchange occasional notes and Christmas cards with them I was at Whyalla High when we competed in and once the Deputy Headmistress, Miss English, saw my a bit scary). and until recently, drop an occasional note to Principal determination and passion and in 4th year allowed won, the Upper Northern inter school athletics carnival. The years at Whyalla High (in retrospect) were happy Jim Marshall. The highlight of my ordinary athletic career was running me to replace sports with a crash course in Typing, times, although being in an all girls’ class for 3 years, A good school is a village that will create relationships and in the 4x100 metre relay team in 1974, 1975, and 1976. which was deemed to be a skill needed by librarians with only a few changes of girls, was not ideal. Our memories that last forever, while shaping the lives of the I do not recall winning. back then, so I didn’t jeopardise my ballet training with poor teachers! Some were given a hard time, and some people in its care. While I was busy enjoying my years Joyce Clothier. It was a very unusual consideration. were giving us a hard time. All in all, our education The highlight of my not very good sporting career was of school, school was shaping me. Whyalla High was a After leaving school I did a variety of things which was paramount, and I feel I had the right education for playing hockey and taking 4 for 24 in the Whyalla High combination of a focal point for our social and sporting led me to a degree in Dance at Adelaide University what life had in store for me. Miss Doleschal (typing B cricket team in the summer of 1976. Later in my life I life and a place of learning and fun. It helped me to live my and a few years later I was Artist-in-Residence at and shorthand teacher) was an inspiration, and I’ll never met a man who won a Victoria Cross. He did not like to life as I wanted, to take the world on my terms. Whyalla High choreographing the musical ‘Austrayah forget her. Miss English Deputy Principal then, was a talk about it, but I couldn’t stop talking about my 4 for 24. Hurrah’! I confess to feeling a bit smug. For nearly 30 lovely lady too. I was not a great student but I enjoyed my school years. years I have been Movement Lecturer at the Adelaide The sound track of Whyalla in the 1970’s was dominated College of the Arts and an independent Director/ I had every intention of being a “Secretary” once I left When in Europe, I cannot look at architecture, relics of by ABBA while the highlight of my not very good music Choreographer/Theatre designer. In 2016 I returned to school, and that is pretty much what I have done in that the industrial revolution or battlefields without thinking career was in to be in the chorus line in our school Whyalla High with a group of students from ACArts to time. My start with the BHP typing pool was a proud of Bruce Wilton and his Modern History course. Walking musicals; South Pacific and HMS Pinafore. I remember give a workshop to the students who were working on a moment for me in 1974. After several years I married (I through Cannery Row, John Steinbeck came to life Mr Marshall coaching the chorus. have been fortunate to be married to the same man for drama production. It gave me great pleasure to be able because of the context set for me in Literature by Mrs In Parliament I spoke about this school, a good school, a 40 years), and in my early 20’s we moved to Bendigo to say that I went to their school and against the odds Warrander. Dale Dodderidge made Ancient History come state school and a village in its own way. ‘It takes a village where great opportunities arose to further our lives. have been able to pursue my passion - partly because alive. When I walked among Roman ruins in Libya, Italy to raise a child’, my wife used to say. We need good state of the understanding from some of the staff. In the We have been back in South Australia for many years, or England, Dale talked to me. Good Days. schools, we need good state school teachers, office staff, end I’ve been very grateful for the quality of education and as fate would have it, I am Secretary of The Rose I remember my school mates who died too young on bikes cleaners and caretakers. They too need our support to at Whyalla High. The teachers had a tough job. So I Society of South Australia and Doug Gregory is the or in cars, on roads around Whyalla; girls and boys who continue their good work; nurturing the village children always encourage the schools and students we visit to current President. Doug was a teacher at Whyalla were part of my school, but whose lives were over before into leaders of the future. Congratulations Whyalla High get as much as you can from your teachers and follow High for one year before I left (perhaps 1973- ?). Queen had released Bohemian Rhapsody. on 75 years. your dreams - everything is possible. I do remember him, and he remembers some of the We were at Whyalla High when Gough Whitlam went it was a horn not a bell, Havelberg children from 3 different families. What a coincidence! Doug, by the way, is a true gentleman and to China, when he won Government and I was in Mr excuse my poetic expression. I think he would have been a fantastic teacher every McNamarra’s chemistry class when Gough was sacked, * student would have wanted to have. I missed out on him.

First Day of 1973 Year 12s 1976

Celebrating 75 Years of Public Secondary Education inWhyalla Celebrating 75 Years of Public Secondary Education inWhyalla 50 51 Linda Feetham Jodie Tozer (nee Custance) STUDENT 1982 - 1986 I can’t actually remember sitting in a classroom doing any Luckily some of our parents had small cars so driving STUDENT 1974 - 1975 REMEMBERS….Smith looks down at my undernourished, anorexic specimen with work ….. maybe too many years have passed or perhaps them around the Road Safety track on Billing St. wasn’t a This story I am about to share about my time at Whyalla High a smug smirk and flicks Kermit’s bowlegs. it is only the out of the ordinary things that have stuck in problem. I am not sure how we weren’t caught? School is based on an actual event but it is not meant to mock, my mind. Note to self….will deal with that insolence after class. I was able to take these wonderful Whyalla High be cruel or criticise the teacher or student. It is simply tongue in At school I hung out with what was branded the “Bob experiences (including what I must have learnt in the cheek humour and not designed to be taken too seriously. We FINALLY get to the part where we can go all texas chainsaw massacre in frog town…. I recall some sort of method we were Squad”. I am guessing this was because we all had the classroom) and completed Accounting studies at what This is one of my absolute favourite memories from high school. supposed to follow but being the individual that I was (cough) I same hairstyle, which must have been on trend in the was then the South Australian Institute of Technology. It was great fun writing it too. Sorry Mr Jones. like to experiment….loosely translated means I zoned out while day. I think we all seemed to dress the same as well. The After graduating, I worked in the Finance team at BHP BIOLOGY with Mr ‘fuz head’ Jones. Oh dear…… that poor man. Jonesy was going through the instructions and I had to wing it… squad used to ride to school and at the end of the day belt for several years. I was lucky enough to have a career I was quite the ‘trying’ student. I never actually tried in his lessons down to Wood Terrace to pick our afternoon snack off my which took me around the world and I lived in places Wandering around the class peering at the handwork with lots of BUT I certainly did try his patience. This particular trauma (his, Granny’s orange tree before heading off home and going such as San Francisco, Houston and Kuala Lumpur. This ‘oh WELL done so and so’, Jonesy finally gets to my bench. Lab not mine) comes to mind. to sport. meant that for many years I had no real place to call home. coat on….splattered with amphibian blood….hunched over my Throughout this time Whyalla remained my home and so It was a sunny day and there was much excitement…for you see…. frog like a demented Edward Scissorhands feverishly, sawing and Sport at school was such a big part of what we did growing I’d have to explain to foreigners where on earth it was. the circus had come to town. Well…in the Year 9 Biology class at hacking…. up and I remember proudly representing Whyalla High in least. A momentous day had arrived, one we’d been waiting for all netball under coach Mr. Cunningham who was the team My kids also referred to it as home and they would rather What the HELL is THAT???? term….dissect the frog day. umpire as well. I also went in a football long kicking return to Whyalla for holidays to visit Nana and Pupa and I’m pretending he was murdered sir and then I’, gonna put him their cousins than head to a new country. There I stood….clutching my scalpel like an over-zealous competition and probably because there weren’t too many back together like an autopsy… mortuary assistant….a half defrosted Kermit laying spread eagled participants I won the competition. Perhaps Whyalla I definitely understand why they felt that way. I often on the slab…. (Up goes the hand to the forehead) Linda....did you even LISTEN High knew back then that AFL for women was going to reflect on how lucky I was that I got the opportunity to to the instructions????? be a thing one day! grow up and go to school in Whyalla. It grounds you and Now….pin the frogs to the board before you start. sets you up for life in a way that only others that have YES I did!!....AND I’m learning about the body….I’ll prove it (I During my years at Whyalla High I encountered some Chortling away….up I pipe…. experienced this life will ever know! pick up a piece of half frozen flesh with the tweezers)….I think my fantastic teachers. Miss Knight was always keen to instil Where will I put the pins sir? In his hands? Like Jesus? frog’s a boy sir….this looks like his d….P.E.N.I.S. (exaggerated a love of the English language in her students. There Sniggers from the class. for effect) was Mr. Noll (Nollsy) the Maths teacher who controlled the class by kicking the kids out who weren’t behaving. Yes ALRIIIIIIIGHT….That’ll be enough Linda…. Sniggers from the other lab rats… There were often more kids in the corridor than there were Tap tap tapping away driving pins through his deal little flippers WATCH your mouth Miss!! Oh for GODSAKE… look at the in class. Then there was Mr. Peters who tried to make and making squealing froggy “OW” noises as I tapped in each mess you’ve made!! (SIGH). Just put it in the bin, CLEAN up the Science interesting but all I can remember is squirting pin….of course this provided much amusement to the class. bench and get OUT! each other with acid bottles which created brown patches I glanced across at Smith (not his real name) and his frog…. Snigger from Smith and a muttered ‘haha….SUCKED in ya on our royal blue windcheaters. m…e’. Suffice to say, I was plotting retribution for Smith for this Hey SIR! It was handy at times to have Mum work at the school. She disparaging remark. worked in the resource centre which I am sure no longer Doesn’t seem to have heard me….too….busy showering praise Scoop up froggy’s remains in a paper towel bemoaning the fact exists. It was the place you went to get photocopying done over the crawling A grade sycophant lab rat at the back of the class that NO-ONE had a sense of humour…and as a parting gesture, from a machine that took up half the room or to get a set on her EXCEPTIONAL skills because she’d pinned her frog in I lean over and slice off both of Smith’s frogs legs at the knees…. of text books. It was great being able to call by and get perfect symmetry. THERE!... now he’s a paraplegic…SMARTAR….! change for the canteen or ask her to mediate fights between SSIR! my sister and I. I am sure she loved every minute of it! In between the class erupting into guffaws, Smith grabbing me WHAT do you want Linda!! in a retributory headlock and me with a fistful of his hair, Jonesy There were times beyond the sport and homework when Smith’s frog….it’s HEAPS bigger than mine!! screams… we would do some things that in hindsight probably weren’t that smart. Our end of school celebrations Now, to add some context, Smith and I had a love hate FEETHAM!!!!!!!! Get down to…. relationship….actually that’s not quite correct….it was more involved egging some of the boys’ cars followed by a ALRIGHT!!!!...I Know… bloody hell… (flick Smith a you… a hate/detest relationship. When we weren’t ducking down to plan of consuming a few drinks from the Bottle-o in the me…oval…lunchtime) look and off I go. the oval for a quick scrap at recess time (more air slapping than Ada Ryan gardens. This didn’t happen because someone anything) to settle our differences, we were sneering and gesturing Hi ho, hi ho…it’s off to … (probably the boys whose cars we egged) stole our stash of drinks which we had hidden in the bushes. Most of to each other. Sigh… our nights out involved driving somewhere we shouldn’t. (SIGH) it doesn’t matter Linda, they’ve ALL got the same internal Start the well worn path to Dodderidge’s office…jeez…hope he’s organs….now be QUIET! had his bloody lunch…. He’s less p….. off if he’s not hungry…

Celebrating 75 Years of Public Secondary Education inWhyalla Celebrating 75 Years of Public Secondary Education inWhyalla 52 53 Kerri Morgan Jeff Spry (nee Pollock)

STUDENT 1983 - 1987 STUDENT 1983 - 1988 I was a proud Whyalla High Girl and sincerely enjoyed my On Tuesday February 2nd 1983, I commenced my first that I witnessed one of the funniest sights. We had years as a student there. day at Whyalla High School, having ended my Primary travelled to Port Pirie to play, as with any team there I completed my primary years at Hincks Avenue School, so School years at Long Street Primary School the previous is the need for support staff to assist. One particular coming to a High school on the other side of town meant year. As most will remember, Whyalla back then was support member was a younger student who was of very that I had to make a new group of friends. And that I did serviced with three public High Schools offering years lean build. At one break in the game this helper was with a few of them becoming my life long friends. With 8-12. A lot of my friends from the Long Street days went asked to carry of relatively large water container from my two besties, Margot and Marija, we became known to Eyre High but, following in my Dad’s footsteps I made the oval to the change room. Always eager to help he as the three of us - always up for a good time, a laugh and the journey down the Highway to Whyalla High. went to pick up the container, lifting it centimetres off sometimes mischief. A highlight in my year 12 was to win the “Graeme Jose the ground his other arm flew into the air in an attempt to Memorial Award”. It was a very humbling award to win The school back then sprawled up the “hill” with An early memory of mine at Whyalla High was winning and one to this day that I am very proud of. I was awarded classrooms of all types offering us the chance to turn our balance himself, the sight of him, bent at the hips to right, the 1500m at sports day in 1983, my year 8. I was in this over a very talented group of students. The prize water container barely off the ground, left arm straight Monarch (the red team) and I would have gone into almost hands to most things, plastics, woodwork, metalwork, money helped me fulfil my dream of moving to Adelaide up into the air walking as fast as he could in order to put all the events as I loved all sport. photography, electronics the list goes on. To this day to complete “Dental Therapy”. I have a couple of clay pot masterpieces which have the container down had the team in hysterics and made I remember a few kids in our year that would go on and the task of the coach so much harder to bring up back After I graduated, I was lucky to come home and start my endured the years, these days living their lives in the do great things in the field of sport, even representing career in my chosen field. shed. I witnessed some wonderful creations being made on track. Australia. My love of sport pursued my career in Netball. through these classes, some class mates certainly had the As we progressed through our school years we were I dedicated my years after High School in all aspects of I married Nigel and together we have two beautiful Netball and am still to this day the President of the True daughters Katelin and Alice. My hope for my girls is that knack even back then, skills that eluded me. (rightly or wrongly) given more responsibility, once we Blue Netball Club here in Whyalla - a position I have held they appreciate their High School and University years and One of the best things about Whyalla back in those reached year 12 we were provided with a year 12 retreat, over the last 25 years. realise how special they will be in later years. days was the strength of the local sporting competitions a room at the end of the school hall which was used for study or whatever we needed it for. A lot of fun times I’ve played, coached A grade, represented SA Country and My time at Whyalla High gave me the courage and drive to around the town. All sporting associations were strong. were had in that room, not all productive but fun in any won three Whyalla News Medals in 1994, l998 and 2000. embrace my future years. This strength meant that the school competitions were also very strong. I was fortunate enough to be part of the case. One particular day one of my best mates was Whyalla High Football side. We played other Whyalla reviewing another student’s work. For whatever reason schools and nearby towns. It was on one of these trips this piece of work ended up above his head and came

1983 Prefects Back Row L-R A Anninos, D McNamara, J Harvey, A Inglish, B Chadban Middle Row L-R M Karavas, P Kalfas, A King, A Viedt, J King, B Meizner, E Marino, T Stock Front Row L-R K Reynolds, H Walker, L Brinkman, E Dawson, A Woodforde, V Sweetman, S Koumides, C Jones, G Ling, K Fleming

Celebrating 75 Years of Public Secondary Education inWhyalla Celebrating 75 Years of Public Secondary Education inWhyalla 54 55 John Hisco Anthony into very close contact with a gas heater operating above him, causing the work to catch fire. This, now on fire, piece of school work was dropped into a bin which caused the contents of the bin to also ignite. The bin was run over to a sink within the study area but it was decided that given it was only serviced with a hot water tap, the hot water could Grundel not extinguish the flames so out it went alight to self-extinguish itself. Now this particular student has gone on to join a defence force, spend time in war zones and now travels the world in his chosen field, this particular day though his IQ level escaped him. I look back on my time at Whyalla High with great fondness. There were some great teachers, the late Malcolm Lloyd, TEACHER 1986 - 1989 STUDENT 1986 - 1990 Steve Glacken, Murray Peters, Mrs Joan Knight and Mrs Reid. Teachers who took the time to show you the right Subjects Science, Maths, Physics, I don’t have too many memories from school other than way, who took an interest in you as a person not only as a student. I still see some around the place now and always electronics, photography Mr Menhennet telling me Geography is easy, all you say g’day. Extracurricular Astronomy have to do is listen and you’ll do alright. I must have I drive past the school these days, from time to time having to go there in my role as Detective within the South listened as I ended up with a Distinction in Geography Committees School Councillor Australian Police. The school holds that same charm it always has and I still feel like that school kid walking in. & a pass in everything else. I gave a cyber safety presentation in the school hall, the same school hall that my mates and I used to break into from There are many fond memories of Whyalla High for I have fond memories of Jim Marshall & Joan Knight. the year 12 study to mess around on the gym mats, the old hall seems so much smaller now. me as a newly married teacher in the town. Within the Disciplinarians from the outset but always found them first few weeks of being a new Whyalla High School firm but fair. Like everything in life there is a first day and a last day, the first day of school and the last day of school. In between family member, I think I’d been to 4 or 5 teacher it was the memories, the friendships that last through the years, the highs the lows but, as I tell my children now these BBQ’s, won a meat raffle in the staff room - everyone I did my accounting a Uni SA in Whyalla while working are the days that shape you in so many ways, without realising it at the time. Thank you Whyalla High, it will be a was so welcoming. How lucky was I as a new physics for Sportspower. Left Whyalla in 1999 to move to the sad day when the new school opens. teacher to have Murray Peters and Doug Gregory as Barossa to set up a Sportpower in the Community mentors? It was 1986, and this was the year I had to Cooperative Nuriootpa. Worked for them for 9 years assist in holding the line of keen students back as the before deciding to go back to accounting. Started in a Queen drove past the school - somehow all the staff small winery called Murray Street in 2007, eventually succeeded in this. Then the circus came to town and I becoming GM & Australian Director in 2014. Left was assigned yard duty on the oval to keep the students in 2016, having helped it establish itself as the best back from the elephants. It was also the year of the experience in the Barossa on Trip Advisor and a 5 star return of Halley’s Comet (this made the cover of the rated winery. 1986 School Magazine!). Many astronomy nights During this time I also married Selena Cusselli occurred and after this I remember students wanting (Whyalla girl) had we have wonderful 3 kids, Tyson, an Astronomy Club. For the next 4 years I was at the Sharli & Jaslyn. school we held regular viewing nights where many staff Looking for a bigger challenge, I started with Chateau and parents joined students from all year levels to gaze Yaldara in 2016 as GM with the 1847 Wines Group. at the amazing night sky from the oval. I left the town We have 150+ of our own branded 1847 wine stores with 2 new additions to my own family, a new collection in China & are one of the top 10 wine exporters to of lifelong friends and some of the best memories in my China & second highest for export value. Our wines teaching career. sell for between $50 to $1000 per bottle through our store network. The business also has a Tourism arm bringing guests from China to visit us in Barossa / South Australia to experience the best SA has to offer. We are also bringing the Chateau Yaldara brand back into the Australian market with a view to bringing the historic Chateau site to its former glory that was lost under its previous interstate ownership.

Prefects 1989

Back L-R Paul Brown, Paul Eadon, Craig Liddicoat, Brendan Daniels 2nd Back L-R Jarrod Starkey, Darren Post, Vegelli Kondylas, Esad Brkic, Anthony Grundel, Gary Karetsian 2nd Row L-R Mr Marshall, Matina Teakle, Emma Carmichael, Kerry Jacobs, Terri Juett, Penny Bray

Front L-R Susan Vice, Susan Corbett, Janine Galpin, Emma Hunt, Nikki Reynolds

Celebrating 75 Years of Public Secondary Education inWhyalla Celebrating 75 Years of Public Secondary Education inWhyalla 56 57 Shane Wissell provided the students as did the multi-sports enclosed FINALLY area on the top courts. Both facilities were instant success I would not be where I am now in life if it wasn’t for Whyalla stories with the students and were heavily utilized in PE and Whyalla High in particular. The school enabled me to lessons and also during break times. Having the top sports work in many teaching and leadership positions, especially area named after myself and fellow peer, John Saint, in PE and school sport. The knowledge and skills I built in TEACHER 1992 - 2008 was an unexpected and humbling honour, something I Whyalla have been invaluable since returning to Adelaide, still cherish. they set me up. The years I spent in Whyalla also made it It was the term 3 holidays of 1992 and I was travelling adhere to the varied house rules, play in your cricket team a bit easier to return to a lovely area in Adelaide, close to along the Great Ocean Road towards South Australia as Keeper and get smashed in the head by a ball and then Whyalla was the largest town outside Adelaide during my stay, but really didn’t feel that big. You couldn’t go where I was raised. If I wasn’t at Whyalla High I wouldn’t with two mates. I did my normal check in phone be the complete straight shooter professional when he had have met my wife, Kirsten. I count my lucky stars every call to home and found out that there was a call for his Principal hat on in school. He was the best I had. anywhere in Whyalla without running into students or their parents, thus making these trips go a lot longer than day that I am with her and that we met at Whyalla High. me from the Education Department. I rang them up When I was in Whyalla there were a lot of young teachers We now have 2 beautiful boys who possess their mother’s and was offered a Term 4 contract at Whyalla High would normally be the case due to the conversations about at the different schools. These teachers mixed with each school which would occur. This could be at sport, when brains and their fathers sporting ability, lucky for them School which I instantly accepted. At that time I would other socially and provided each other with friendship on both counts. I also have a beautiful daughter, Louise, never have dreamt that I would still be in town and shopping, when out for a meal or just when you were out and a support network as they were all in the same boat, for a casual walk. The majority of these conversations were from my Whyalla time who is nearly a teacher herself, completing my last year at Whyalla High School in a long way from home and family for work. To this day, this makes me very proud. Whyalla is in my blood. I feel 2008, but I wouldn’t have wanted it any other way. friendly and amicable as those involved had a genuine I am still friends with a lot of my Whyalla teaching peers, interest in what was going on at school. This interest was fortunate that I have two homes and look back on my days Craig Bailey, Lisa Meek, Marco Monti, Ronnie Alderman especially pleasing. at Whyalla High with nothing but love. Una Omnibus THE PEOPLE to name just a few. I always bump into someone I knew Schola indeed. I was extremely fortunate to be surrounded by such from Whyalla at conferences in Adelaide and just as much This is now my tenth year since I have left Whyalla High welcoming and supportive peers on my arrival to Whyalla time is spent reminiscing about the old days as it is on the but I still have many connections with past students. High. This was my first contract after nearly two years of purpose of the conference. The people in the job, mostly at There are actually ex-students of mine who are in there relief work and other odd jobs in Adelaide, so these people Whyalla High made my time in Whyalla memorable, but forties which makes me feel really old. I have quite a few were a godsend. Chris Hayward, Phil Ward, Stephen unfortunately most of those stories are unprintable. ex and mature students on Facebook who like to stay in Glacken and Christine Rehn have all become lifelong touch and I always bump into ex-students at the Cricket friends from those early teaching years. THE STUDENTS or Football in Adelaide. It amazes me that we recognize There is an old saying in the teaching fraternity “If you each other straight away, how often I get the names correct Being away from home for the first time, I enjoyed the can teach in Whyalla, you can teach anywhere”. This and how willing and open they are to have a meaningful freedom, sometimes a little too much. Christine provided comes partly due to statistics which paint Whyalla as a and genuine chat, not just because they feel that they are me with the steadying influence and a responsible ear if tough place to live, work and grow up, but I don’t fully obliged to. This is one of the real rewards in teaching, any advice was needed. She offered the mothering role agree with it. Sure, Whyalla High had its share of difficult seeing the development of your past pupils in life and but was also a tremendous friend who I loved dearly and challenging individuals, but there were far more experiencing the mutual respect. They are often the first to and would do anything for, still to this day. Without her wonderful and engaging students to enlighten your day. admit that they played up in high school but have grown guidance and care my stay in Whyalla could well have In my role in PE and School Sport, I would often take up to be worthwhile members of society. Great to see. been a brief one which would have been unfortunate. students far and wide to compete against other schools. I am forever grateful to Glacks for getting me involved These students would always represent the school at South Whyalla, both Football and Cricket. Being a with pride and distinction through their behavior and Tiger supporter, and never having the opportunity to ever attitude, no matter what the scoreboard would indicate. play for a Tiger team, I probably would have ventured to They were true ambassadors for Whyalla High and Weeroona Bay if it was not for Glacks. I was fortunate to Whyalla in general, they would often be spoken about play in three South’s A grade Cricket Premierships, the in a positive manner by others. Whyalla High students only person to do so, and to collect Life Membership with were appreciative of the time and effort I put in for these the Whyalla Cricket Association. Unfortunately, I didn’t sporting trips. I would often get a lot of students thanking take my football as seriously as I did before I arrived in me when they left the bus or got picked up by caregivers, Whyalla, but I had a ball playing A and B grade as well this was a great trait of the students as they didn’t take as taking on team manager and runner responsibilities for it for granted. Occasionally, it would be a student’s first various grades at Souths. The friendships I developed at trip to Adelaide and they may have been in Year 9, the the club are also lifelong, it was a great place to be and a excitement in their face was reward enough. In one of my special release form school life. last years at Whyalla High the school won the Howard Country Schools are often seen as a stepping stone for Mutton award for participation in school sport, unheard of people who wanted to travel up the ladder in terms of roles for an 8-10 school to win. This was a huge achievement in leadership/executive. I believe I saw off around 6 or 7 for the school and something which still fills me with pride Principals in my time at Whyalla High, each bringing their to this day. own strengths, changes and directions with them. To this I was lucky enough to play a part in improving the day I am still friendly with the one who I believe was the sporting facilities at Whyalla High during my time best and had my total respect, Tony Green. Greeny had the there. The introduction of a fitness room in the Boys Rec ability to watch footy at your house on Saturday night and area provided extra flexibility to the PE curriculum we

Celebrating 75 Years of Public Secondary Education inWhyalla Celebrating 75 Years of Public Secondary Education inWhyalla 58 59 Katie Edwards The music program was a great outlet for my desire Someone must have done something right in the to be centre of attention. I was given the opportunity classroom too, because as my love for reading and to perform vocally and, to my mother’s surprised writing was fostered, I started to consider a teaching delight, I didn’t embarrass myself in a number of career for myself. Although I didn’t go from high solo, duet and small group vocal performances in school straight into a teaching degree, here I am, ten STUDENT 2004 - 2006 annual concerts. I really tried to put myself out there years later, teaching English at a brilliant high school TEACHER 2016 - CURRENT in music, and managed to also perform on flute and in Adelaide. piano. The combined schools’ Stage Band was a I had some incredible teachers at Whyalla High who I attended Whyalla High School from 2004 to 2006. great place to meet students from other schools and took a real interest in me and my learning. Comments The uniform was not very strict, we simply wore our go off on fun band tours. An absolute highlight was which seem small at the time can stick with students Whyalla High polo shirt or jumper with any bottoms we travelling to Dreamworld in Queensland, performing and influence their future. I will be forever grateful liked. I usually wore face off jeans and my skate shoes, in the morning, then having free reign over the rides for all of the support and opportunities I received at apparently that was fashionable back then. I often laugh The different subjects I got to try at Whyalla High meant all afternoon. Whyalla High. with my friends about our school uniform. that I could really get the opportunity to understand what My performing career began in music, but through I wanted to be when I was older. I remember Mr Stazz Whyalla High School was a great school, we had great school arts and culture trips to Adelaide, I was able (Harry Stassinopoulos) being my Maths teacher and teachers and plenty of subjects to choose from. I loved to start appreciating theatre. Although I never studied helping me understand that Maths could be fun and you that we could do physical activity almost every day and I drama at Whyalla High, this exposure was a huge think I played almost every knock out sport carnival there can make it relate to real life. Some of the choice subjects influence on me and I have since performed in many was. I remember playing netball, basketball, volleyball, I got to do were, Art, HPE, Automotive (this was the best shows in Australia. I’ve also written, produced and soccer, cricket, rugby, and football, I would do anything class as my best friend and I were the only two girls in the performed my own work in Scotland and Australia. If to get out of class it seemed. I remember one basketball class, we had Mr James wrapped around our little fingers), it weren’t for these opportunities at Whyalla High, I carnival we won in Whyalla and had the opportunity to Metal work, Plastics, Woodwork, Australian Studies, doubt I would have started my love affair with being play in Adelaide to win the state championship. Of course Photography and Home Economics. on stage. our team was very good and competitive, safe to say we As a year 10 student, one of my fondest memories was won that year. We also got to travel to Clare for soccer, going to Adelaide with all my classmates for the week which I’m pretty sure none of us had ever played. We had to look at universities and attend the careers expo at the the best times at sports carnivals and they are some of the Adelaide show grounds. This was a great opportunity to best memories of school I have. discover what job opportunities there were for people in the country. We stayed at the Adelaide Shores Caravan Park and had cabins to ourselves. We got to hang out with our mates while learning at the same time. DREAMWORLD MUSIC CAMP

Laura Desmond

L-R Laura Desmond, Rosie Toomer and Linda Farantouris at the Legacy Junior Public Speaking Awards in Adelaide CROC FEST STUDENT 2004 - 2006 I started at Whyalla High well and truly in my older years 9 and 10 as I was elected president both years. brother’s shadow. Fortunately, my teachers were very I worked hard with the SRC teams to put together quick to realise our stark differences in character, and I fundraising social events and school initiatives. was given support and encouragement to be myself in During my tenure as president of SRC I hosted school my three years there. assemblies and I was able to give a speech on behalf of the student body to farewell one of the most iconic From my first year, I was active in the Student members of staff, Harry Stassinopoulos, fondly known Representative Council, and was elected secretary in as Stazz. This time in SRC was key in fostering my year 8. My involvement in SRC continued through LAURA DESMOND AND JAANA ANTILA organisation and management skills. WORK EDUCATION CAMP

Celebrating 75 Years of Public Secondary Education inWhyalla Celebrating 75 Years of Public Secondary Education inWhyalla 60 61 David Fargher Ben Rogers

STUDENT 2008 - 2010 STUDENT 2005 - 2007 TEACHER 2014 - CURRENT Ben Rogers always knew he wanted to be a chef, and this I started at Whyalla High School in 2005 and the school I was also very lucky to have amazing mentors and friends knowledge helped him to remain focused and passionate was in a state of ‘resurgence’. There were six care groups that assisted me in my early development as a teacher. about his schooling. He was a standout student in with between 20-25 students per class which was a huge People like Christian Riebeling, Rhys Lacey, Jenna Hewlett, Kitchen Operations (VET) and his story shows that TAFE turnaround from years past. I remember being in year 8 Tricia Richman, Graham Clark, Don Gapp, Dave Searle and pathways can be every bit as rewarding (and challenging!) and having most of my lessons at the top of the girls’ triple Shane Scarman were hugely influential to me. as university. block (which wasn’t ideal for some who didn’t like heights). This school also gave me the chance to work with one of There comes a time in school when you start to think about I quickly learnt to get over that. my best friends. Meiles Manser and myself did university what you want to do when it finishes. Everyone is all about Most of my time here revolved around sport and hanging out together and he came to the school at the start of 2016. giving advice on what to do, pursue etc, but everybody with my mates. We went on a number of trips to Adelaide During my time in leadership as STEM coordinator, we is different. I kept it simple. Do something you enjoy, whole animals like pigs and lambs, and cooking a whole for basketball in years 9 & 10 and regularly won the 9-a-side worked together to develop the STEM programs, workshop and better yet, do something you’re good at. I decided to cows head. I also worked with legendary chefs through football competitions. I also remember the school offering and pedagogy the school used in project based learning. become a chef because I was told I was good at cooking, pop up dinners including David Moyle, Victor Liong and HPE as an elective subject in years 9 & 10 which was great and that my job probably won’t be replaced with a robot Now STEM is an integral part of student learning at Whyalla Luke Burgess. It was here that I also cooked for Katie for me because in some semesters of school I was only doing in 30 years. High School and is taught to every year 8 who comes to Perry in 2015 (turns out she doesn’t like the heads left on my four core subjects (Maths, English, Science, SOSE) and the school. There are also multiple subjects at years 9 and I started with a school based apprenticeship at Percy’s on her prawns, who knew?). two subject lines of HPE. 10 that are devoted to students developing STEM skills. Playford in my last two years of school, this was more After a while, I started noticing I was becoming run down, I was very lucky to have some great teachers throughout my I am currently in the process of design a new state of the art about getting my foot in the door. It wasn’t long before my tired, and sore. The last few years of not looking after time at Whyalla High School. People like Mr Hardy (HPE), ‘STEM workshop’ to give students the access to an amazing head chef said I could go further and bigger than Whyalla. I myself by not eating and exercising well, and pushing Mr James (D&T/English), Mrs Reese (Food & Nutrition) class space and all the latest resources. spoke with Ben Sharp and within a fortnight I had arranged a week’s worth of work experience at Augé Ristorante in myself day after day had caught up. I stepped away from and Mr Birch (Science) were all excellent and really helped I am now in my 5th year of teaching at Whyalla High Adelaide. In my school holidays, I drove down to Adelaide Africola and took a step back. I started doing some casual me with my learning. School, and find myself as a STEM/Design & Technologies to do this, I worked over 65 hours in five days and loved chef work to keep myself busy. I then got a phone call from Coming back in 2014 as a teacher was an exciting but coordinator. The school has gone through a number of every second of it. My passion must have been picked up Career Employment Group to do Training and Assessment nerve-racking experience. The school had been completely changes throughout my time here. Some of the things that on as I was asked if I was interested in an apprenticeship, I for students starting commercial cookery. I did this part overhauled under the leadership of Graham Clark and haven’t changed is the high expectations set for staff and accepted without hesitation. After finishing school that year time for six months, loved it, showing someone how to Tricia Richman. The expectations of the staff and students students and the school always striving to display the values on the Friday, the Saturday morning I moved to Adelaide cook then coaching them through it, over time you step had significantly increased (for the better) with the most of Learning Achievement, Respect, Relationships and and started working full time on the following Monday. back and watch them do it on their own. Then they come noticeable changes being in the layout of student workspaces Inclusion. This is due to the excellent leadership displayed Straight into the busiest time of the year, the month before up to you and say they want to be a chef. Job accomplished. and more of an emphasis on school uniform/values. I was by Tricia Richman (Principal), Jenna Hewlett (Deputy Christmas. The only thing I remember from that month It was through this I realized a new goal for me, to start very thankful to see familiar faces still here from when I was Principal) and Dianna Pickert. was I had to start a risotto three times over as I didn’t have a network of young chefs and apprentices for the ever- a student. It gave me a level of comfort seeing people who I feel very blessed that I could do my schooling and start my my ‘mise en place’ ready in time. changing industry of cooking. The next generation of I already knew and got along with really well. These people teaching career at Whyalla High School. chefs working together. This was just an idea at the time. included: Belinda Harvey, Christine Rehn, Sue Norman, Slowly over the next year, I got better, faster, and more I would have continued teaching; however, the workload Leanne Desmond, Amanda Reese and Anthony Birch, just time efficient, meeting new chefs in the hospitality industry just wasn’t there. Since then, I have been working at the to name a few. my professional network began to grow. I started attending TAFE and then Career Employment Group for ‘trade National Wine Centre of Australia. I started as a casual school’ training, where I met a lot of people in the industry chef and have been working my way up the ranks. that I keep in regular contact with today. Halfway through At the beginning of the year, our apprentice Sarah my second year I moved to Public Café, earlier hours, approached me about entering the Nestle Golden Chef faster paced. I do not miss the days of getting up at 4am for Hat competition together, which is the longest running work. It was here that I met my idol Heston Blumenthal, competition for young chefs in Australia. In June we I still kick myself to this day for not getting a photograph. competed and won Regional in South Australia. As of last It wasn’t long until one of my previous head chefs called week, we competed in Melbourne, representing South me unexpectedly one day with a job offer, basically saying Australia in the National Finals. Although we didn’t take if I wanted the job, I needed to start in two weeks. I don’t first place, we did score three silver medals consecutively normally make spontaneous decisions over the phone, but for a three course meal. We now prepare ourselves for our sometimes the boat is ready to sail before you know it. next competition, where we fly to France to compete in That’s how I ended up at Africola working under Duncan Tropheé Mille, where for the first time, Australia will be Welgemoed. The knowledge and skills I learnt working competing in, which Sarah and I will be representing. there, you could never buy with money. I never thought I Ben Rogers would be cooking over open fire and coals, breaking down

Celebrating 75 Years of Public Secondary Education inWhyalla Celebrating 75 Years of Public Secondary Education inWhyalla 62 63 Emily Gloede Harry Leverington

STUDENT 2014 - 2016 STUDENT 2014 - 2016 I attended Whyalla High School from 2014 until 2016, in School Leaders 2016 My name is Harry Leverington. I am currently studying Year12 at Edward John Eyre High School. I completed Years 2016 I had the honour of being School Captain which was L-R Harry Dunn, Emily Gloede and Georgia O’Bona 8-10 at Whyalla High School. I am a third generation student of Whyalla High as my mother Angela Silvestri (1980 a humbling experience. - 1984) and grandmother Ruth Silvestri (née Hazel) also attended. I remember all of my teachers that I had throughout my For the past 12 months, I have been working towards attaining my Personal Pilots Licence. I have been learning how time at Whyalla High School and I believe that each of Although many of my teachers have since moved on to fly an Ultralight Tecnam Aircraft out of Port Augusta with Pro Sky Flight Training. Last year I completed my first them had an impression on me that I will carry for the I still think of Whyalla High School as a family. Hence solo flight. It is very exciting to be in control of an aircraft in the sky and then to land safely! I have flown with my rest of my life. They taught me more than just how to why, every day, hail or shine, I would walk that whole instructor to Port Pirie and also to Whyalla (it is better than taking the bus). do algebra and read Shakespeare, they taught me how to 900m to school, without complaint (that’s a lie) because I genuinely enjoyed being there (that’s not a lie). My plan for the future is to become a Commercial Pilot. I have investigated numerous options in how to achieve my love learning. goal. It is an expensive and long career path but I am determined to follow my passion for aviation. I know it will My favourite subject was and always will be science, I remember in year 8 we all had to make goals before take many years but one day I will be at the controls as a Captain and flying around the world. thanks to a remarkable teacher. He taught me my passion starting year 9, most students were very serious about for the environment and instilled in me a respect for the this; however, for me, I couldn’t wait for the view from world we live in. He would start every lesson with satellite that triple block. The view overlooking the beautiful images of international weather, which I know sounds ocean. The best view in Whyalla. Turns out once we ANGELA SILVESTRI FRONT ROW ON RIGHT 1984 GRAEME JOSE MEMORIAL AWARD FINALISTS boring, but it was seriously cool and stuck in memory. got the view from the triple block it was more of a tease Mind you, my parents liked him decidedly less after than anything else. Picture this, on a scorching hot day I became a vegetarian, in an attempt to save the world! you’re in a classroom of 30 kids trying to learn something significant about World War II and out the window is this I was fortunate as this teacher was not an exception, he sparkling blue beach. Safe to say my goals for year 10 was the rule; all of my teachers cared and genuinely valued were different, and probably less distracting. their students. I remember dumpster diving during Art for that perfect piece of cardboard. I remember arguing with The main thing I will always be grateful for from my my English teacher as to why Shakespeare was actually time at Whyalla High School is the friends I made and not all that relevant. I remember playing capture the flag the memories they gave me. The amazing friends I made in the sand dunes for HPE and I remember my care group and the people I met will continue to be part of my life for teacher crying as she had to say goodbye to her students many years to come, and for that, I must thank Whyalla on the last day of school. High School.

2016 The Addams Family Musical

Celebrating 75 Years of Public Secondary Education inWhyalla Celebrating 75 Years of Public Secondary Education inWhyalla 64 65 Olympians Sports

GRAEME JOSE STUDENT 1964 - 1968 1940s OLYMPIAN Graeme Jose was Whyalla’s - and the school’s first Olympian. In 1968, while still at school and a Prefect, he was a member of the SA Cycling team. In 1972 he won the Australian 200km Road Cycling Championship and was selected to represent Australia at the Munich Olympics that year. Whilst competing in the European season in 1973 Graeme was badly injured on a mountain descent and died eight days later of his injuries. News of the accident shocked the Whyalla community and an appeal was immediately establish by Keith Wilson, Mayor of Whyalla, Fred Ogg and Don Winton to enable Graeme’s parents go to Austria, and donations came from far and wide. With half the money remaining, the Whyalla Cycling Club purchased a clubroom and the rest was invested to fund the Graeme Jose Memorial Award. This was inaugurated in 1974 and was set up to recognise involvement, excellence and dedication in young people, emulating those characteristics so prominent in Graeme. 1946 Basketball (Netball) Team Back Row L-R Dianne Campbell, Fay Gibbs, Pat Gibbs, June Talbot, June Crook, Peggy Jarvis, Valmai Smith Front Row L-R Joan Henderson, Maureen Ward, Mavis Smith, Lorna Wright, Eleanore Steffenson, Beryl Busch, Fay Abraham CARL VEART STUDENT 1983 - 1987 OLYMPIAN As a Junior he played for the South Australian High Schools Team and the Australian High Schools Team Tour of Hong Kong and China. Carl made his debut for the Socceroos in 1992 and played 18 ‘A’ matches, scoring 7 goals, including in their 1994 World Cup qualifying campaign. He represented Australia in the Barcelona Olympics in 1992 where he scored against Poland in the team’s semi-final loss placing them fourth. He played in England from 1994 to 1998 for Sheffield United, Crystal Palace and Millwall. While at Sheffield United he is remembered for scoring the winning goal against Premier League side Arsenal in the 1995-6 FA Cup. He also scored the first ever goal in the newly formed Hyundai A-League for Adelaide United against the Newcastle United Jets in a 1–0 opening day victory. He retired from football in May 2007, after Adelaide United’s match against Vietnamese team Gach Dong Tam Long An in the AFC Champions League. 1947 Carl works as a Specialist Coach at Adelaide United and was also an ambassador at the 2015 Pacific School Games.

Celebrating 75 Years of Public Secondary Education inWhyalla Celebrating 75 Years of Public Secondary Education inWhyalla 66 67 Sports Sports

1940s 1950s

1948

1956 1949 Girls Hockey Team Back Row L-R J Stacey, B Gill, J Cole, H Day, I Bohlin, N Hinton Front Row L-R J Borrot, B Harvey, Miss O’Neill, L Havelberg, H Chaplin 1956 Basketball (Netball) Team Back Row L-R Joan Rayner, Val Baker, Judith Rayner, Helen Wilson 1948 Front Row L-R Jan Zimmerman, Lynlee Gillick, Shirley Barratt, Ros Medlin, Bev Smith

Celebrating 75 Years of Public Secondary Education inWhyalla Celebrating 75 Years of Public Secondary Education inWhyalla 68 69 Sports Sports

1960s 1960s

1964 1962

1963

1964 1966

1963

1967 Athletics Team

Celebrating 75 Years of Public Secondary Education inWhyalla Celebrating 75 Years of Public Secondary Education inWhyalla 70 71 Sports Sports

1970s 1970s

1978 Open Boys Hockey Champions: Defeated Adelaide High 4 – 1 1970 Back L-R S Barker, S Bonham (Vice Captain), G Payne, M Edwards, I Stock, A Hedley, M Marshall, J Hillman, A Jones (Coach) Front L-R T Hands, T Reynolds, M Pudney, P Brandbury, P Appleyard (Captain), T Appleyard, S Bielby, S Marshall, D Searle Ian Stock was the leading goal scorer in the competition

1979 Interschool Swimming Victorious Stephen Ferguson, Helen Brereton, Gabrielle Babi, Paul Phillips

1978 Open Girls Hockey Champions: Whyalla High Defeated Seymour College 4 – 0 Back L–R C Gardner (coach), Tracey Johnson, Juliette Sparkman, Sara Smith, Susie Batusic (reserve), Nena Jurjevic Front L-R Sarah Norris, Helen Campbell, Elizabeth White, Rosalind Stewart, Margret Thomas, mandy Dvies, Tracey Poole (captain), Wendy Scrivener Absent: Mary Ruzic 1979 Interschool Swimming Victorious Sports Day early 1970s Nena Jurjevic was the leading goal scorer in the competition Sally Vasilopolous

Celebrating 75 Years of Public Secondary Education inWhyalla Celebrating 75 Years of Public Secondary Education inWhyalla 72 73 Sports Sports

1990s 1980s

1998 Sports Day - Laura House

1998 Sports Day - Hummock House 1998 Sports Day - Young House

1980 Champions on Athletics Day

1989 Inter-school Swimming Trophy won by Whyalla High School for the 19th time Swimming Team Captains Darren Post and Karen Hara

1986 Junior Girls Hockey Team KO Cup Winners Back L-R E Hunt, K Allan, N Reynolds, K Tonkin, S Watson, J Galpin, J Henderson, D Rodd (Coach) Front L-R J Crack, T Juett, D Scoones, M Haggas Absent S Matchett, T Brooks

Celebrating 75 Years of Public Secondary Education inWhyalla Celebrating 75 Years of Public Secondary Education inWhyalla 74 75 Sports Sports

2000s 2010s

2003 Girls Basketball Team

2002 Year 8/9 Girls Netball Team

2011 Year 8/9 KO Soccer Champions Back L-R Coach – Mr Sean Sheedy, James Hazeal, Matthew Oberthur, Angus Weir, Bradley Coulson, Toby Buhlmann, Bailey Todd, Aaron Dawson, Emerson Crowley. Front L-R Reece Jurjevic, Corey King, Sam Sullivan, Jesse Mikic, Cohan Morris, Bryce Ellis, Dylan South, Kurt Velthuizen-Kuchel.

2005 Sports Day 2005 Sports Day 2005 Sports Day

2013 Girls Netball Team

2017 Sports Day 2016 Sports Day 2009 Year 8/9 Boys Tennis Team 2006 Year 8/9 Boys Table Tennis Team L-R Amy Leevers, Emma Ainsworth and Amalia Evans Back L-R Daniel Arbon, Caitlin Hector, Liam Heron, Hannah Ewbank, Emily Boundey, Tyson Richman Martilette Allers Front L-R Emma Ainsworth, Billie McMillan, Adam Rogers, Liam Vasey

Celebrating 75 Years of Public Secondary Education inWhyalla Celebrating 75 Years of Public Secondary Education inWhyalla 76 77 1946 Debutantes

1944

Back Rhonda Smart Second Row L-R Norma Paltridge, Barbara Combe, Janet Broadbent, June Doyle Front Row L-R Betty Lewthwaite, Myra Beatty

1945 Back Row L-R Florence Morgan, Jose Flavel, Valda Burchett, Joyce Bernhardt, Pat Monson, Lorraine McKeogh, Betty Harland, June Joyce, Betty Smart Front Row L-R Shirley McDonachie, Shirley Galpin, Joyce Sandery, Ellen Henderson, Brenda Rice, Eileen Kilderry, Joan Smart, Maxine West

1965 L-R Rodney Flavel, Des Sampson, Charlie Agett, Raelene Zerna, Tony Hannan, Regina Sheridan, Leon Watson, Robyn Wright, Kevin Matters, Kathy Brammer, Allan Zerna, Jenny Zerna 1963

Celebrating 75 Years of Public Secondary Education inWhyalla Celebrating 75 Years of Public Secondary Education inWhyalla 78 79 Prefects Prefects 1945

1947

Prefects of 1945 Back Row L-R John Loveday, Syd West, Doc Gillespie, Laurie Cos Front Row L-R Jean Lewthwaite, Norma Platridge, Penelope Loveday, 1944 Olive Henderson

Prefects and House Captains of 1947 Back Row L-R W Ramsay, L Norman, L Venning, G Ackland, G Pearson, D Atkinson, R Leigh 1946 Front Row L-R K Leigh, R Jacobs, N Smith, M Loveday

Prefects and House Captains of 1946 Boys L-R Brenton Hawkes, Bill Marsh, Henry Broadbent, Gavin Wilson 1949 Girls L-R Mary Smith, Lorna Wright, Prefects and House Captains of 1949 Joyce Kendall, Maxine Charters, Back L-R P deWaard, R Johnstone, R Shoubridge, J Loveday, D Reid, L Creber, R McDonald Mavis Smith Front L-R H Day, D Campbel, J Talbot, B Harvey, B Gill

Celebrating 75 Years of Public Secondary Education inWhyalla Celebrating 75 Years of Public Secondary Education inWhyalla 80 81 Prefects Prefects

1956 1953

1960

Prefects and House Captains of 1954 Head Prefect Girl Yvonne Harvey Head Prefect Boy Peter Jeffrey 1954

Celebrating 75 Years of Public Secondary Education inWhyalla Celebrating 75 Years of Public Secondary Education inWhyalla 82 83 Prefects Prefects

1961 1963

1962

1964

Celebrating 75 Years of Public Secondary Education inWhyalla Celebrating 75 Years of Public Secondary Education inWhyalla 84 85 Prefects Prefects

1965 1967

1966 1968

Celebrating 75 Years of Public Secondary Education inWhyalla Celebrating 75 Years of Public Secondary Education inWhyalla 86 87 Prefects Prefects

1968

Celebrating 75 Years of Public Secondary Education inWhyalla Celebrating 75 Years of Public Secondary Education inWhyalla 88 89 Prefects Prefects

1969 1970

1969 BOYS 1970 BOYS L-R Alan Hamlyn, Lyall Mutton, Kevin Finn, Tony Harrison, Mark Favilla, Robert Baines, Robert Bamford, Chris Branson (head), L-R Geoffrey Knuckey, Bob Bamford (deputy head), Ian Herbert, David Mitchell, Stephen Gustard, Gerhard Ganser, Graham Douglas Knuckey (deputy head), Malcolm Battersby, David Holt, Chris Ellis, Graham Moretti, Hugh Knox, Moretti, Malcolm Battersby, Craig Hunt, John Balnaves (head), Alistair Muir, Tony Harrison, Anthony Reynolds, Dean Watson, Absent: Ken Lawrence Chris Easton, Kim Penglase

1969 1970

1969 GIRLS 1970 GIRLS L-R Mary Davies, Susan Cumming, Sue Raftry, Suzanne Brown, Helen Garwood, Margaret Phillips, Pam Liebelt, L-R Davinia Edwards, Marieke Voorendt, Julie Gale, Danila Sossa, Glenda Battersby, Christine Kiil, Sylvia Smith (deputy Brenda Kuhr (head), Charmain Angelin, Jane Favilla, Rita Ritenburg, Julie Mason, Moira O’Brien, Rosemary Tummel, head), Diana Rice, Margaret Phillips (head), Rita Ritenberg, Maxine Hancock, Jo-Anne Messenger, Lee Henderson, Jill Broadbent (deputy head) Dianne Murray, Jenny Rice and Susan Nott

Celebrating 75 Years of Public Secondary Education inWhyalla Celebrating 75 Years of Public Secondary Education inWhyalla 90 91 Prefects Prefects

1971

1980

School Leaders 1971 Rita Ritenberg and Ian Herbert

1985 1971

Celebrating 75 Years of Public Secondary Education inWhyalla Celebrating 75 Years of Public Secondary Education inWhyalla 92 93 Prefects Prefects

1991 Last year of Prefects 1991 Changed to an 8-10 school 1992 1988

1997

1990

Celebrating 75 Years of Public Secondary Education inWhyalla Celebrating 75 Years of Public Secondary Education inWhyalla 94 95 Music Music

1968 Brass Band

Bryce Saint conducting singers at WTHS late 1940s

1989 Year 12 Music Award Winners

RAY ESTALL

1962 School Choir

1996 Music

1962

1987 Music 1998 Music - Riverland Tour

Celebrating 75 Years of Public Secondary Education inWhyalla Celebrating 75 Years of Public Secondary Education inWhyalla 96 97 2010 - 2018 2010 - 2018

2016 Classroom 2018 Football 2012 Cooking for The Minister Team

2013 Sports Day Captains

2014 Snow Tour 2013 Sports Day

2018 STEM 2014 Year 9 Melbourne Culture Tour 2016 Art 2018 Woodwork

Celebrating 75 Years of Public Secondary Education inWhyalla Celebrating 75 Years of Public Secondary Education inWhyalla 98 99 2018 Leaders

OLIVIA HUDSON STUDENT 2016 - 2018 (SCHOOL CAPTAIN 2018) My time at Whyalla High School has changed my life forever. It is a great school to make friends that you will have for the rest of your life. I have learnt so much throughout my time at Whyalla High and have gained so much knowledge about life and culture. I would like to say thank you to all of my teachers that I have been inspired by throughout my time here. Also, I would like to applaud the staff on the many things that they have achieved and the many memories they have made for me that I will cherish forever. I would also like to congratulate the school on achieving a successful 75 years in Whyalla.

TYRA SPIRAT STUDENT 2016 - 2018 (VICE CAPTAIN 2018) Whyalla High has opened so many opportunities for me and my future. This school has set me up for a successful pathway and I have developed so many skills whilst attending this school. I am thankful for the new relationships I have built with not only my peers but the teachers too. The emphasis on school values has encouraged me to do well in my school work and take pride in the school I attend. I am proud to say I attend Whyalla High School and am pleased to acknowledge the 75th anniversary of the school. Congratulations to Whyalla High School and the teachers, students past and present for their commitment to the excellent education of generations to come and go.

ZOE TIESTE STUDENT 2016 - 2018 (VICE CAPTAIN 2018) My name is Zoe Tieste, and I am Whyalla High schools Vice Captain for 2018. Throughout my three years that I have attended Whyalla High, I have loved every minute of it. All the teachers, SSO’s and students are all very welcoming and are extremely caring for everyone’s wellbeing. One of my best memories of being a student at Whyalla High is the friends that I have made along the way of my journey, not only the students, but the teachers as well. Being a part of the captaincy positions was always a goal of mine, from the first day of Year 8 and I found out the process to getting there. This year I finally had the chance to achieve my goal and I gave it everything that I had, thankfully due to the students vote I was able to be successful. Having this position has allowed me to interact and have more of an insight into our school, and just how it has progressed over the years.

I want to wish all the future students good luck with their studies!

Celebrating 75 Years of Public Secondary Education inWhyalla 100