Volume 24, No 1 March 2021 1965-66 attendees at their Reunion held in Wagga Wagga, May 2016. Looking pretty good for their 50 years on. From the President - Bruce Forbes “Can you read and write?” This is have managed to operate remotely a question from teachers to pupils and there continues to be support in many classrooms. It is now a for our Scholarship Foundation question for our members as cur- Fund, other educational organisa- rently there are no articles in the tions and projects. Our Treasur- editor’s in-tray for the next 2021 er’s Report details our position. edition of Talkabout. We need you Scholarship recipients for 2021 to write so others can read. Give it will be determined by early April some thought then just do it! Pho- and a total of $9000 will be allo- tographs are good too. People love cated to worthy recipients for the pictures so dive into those old pho- year. Selection each year is usual- to albums or your recent trave- ly based on a needs basis but can- logue and enhance your story. Un- didates are chosen from Regional fortunately, we are not in a posi- NSW and who express a desire to tion to pay for your journalistic teach in a rural location. Chris abilities but our thanks are eter- and Jenny Blake take on the task nal. of interview and selection and are COVID has meant that your com- wonderful in keeping in contact mittee has not been able to meet after scholarships are awarded. since February 2020. However, we No more writing from me. It is your turn! 1 Across the Secretary’s Desk - Lesley Forbes ed. I have no other leads and Mum’s (Lawler 1966-67) passed away on sister isn’t even sure if she is still 29 July 2020 in Canberra. Condo- alive. We are aware that Andy died lences to her family a few years back. Do you have Jacquie’s email address or any con- Kevin Tye (1949-50) Thank you tact details by any chance? I can’t for the Talkabout – Kevin was alert recall her maiden name when she enough in latter months to enjoy was at WWTC though but no doubt these regular newsletters. Sadly, you would have her registered under Kevin died on September 26th, her married name anyway. I under- peaceful and loving at the age of 89. stand you may not be able to give Any information I have is rather these to me due to privacy reasons scant. Other than dob 7-8-31, born but perhaps you could reach out to in Sydney, attended Fort Street her and see if she would like to con- High, attended WWTC years 1949- tact me. I found a beautiful hand- 50, taught around the state - River- written letter from her to Mum ina, Penang – was a DI for a num- when I was clearing out some cup- ber of years, had a Masters in Edu- boards. It is dated 16 June 1961 and cation and English Literature, worked in Distance Education, Anne Whitfield (Walton 1952-53) I thought Jacquie would love to be sent a copy of it. (after retirement) was a representa- I am Ann Whitfield’s daughter and tive Rugby and Cricket player, a currently sorting through some Joanne Whitfield-Lowe ph: 65 9821 great lover of JAZZ, (played piano emails in her inbox from this year. 6406 in a small jazz group) and generally Mum passed away on 31 July this loved people and life. Many thanks year (2020) after putting up a good Geraldine Muttukumaru Pamela Tye X fight with a blood disease that she was diagnosed with around 40 years ago. She was 85 in June and was still living at home until June this year. She leaves behind my father (86) who is also still living at home and every single day out in his 3 acre garden in Goulburn but miss- ing Mum terribly. My brother is only 1 hour away in Canberra so he visits every weekend. I live in Sin- gapore but have just returned after 2 months with Dad, and thank God, with Mum when she died. Just out of my second round of quarantine but fortunately it was only 7 days and I was able to serve that time at home not in a hotel. My brother and I are happy for you to share this news in your next Talkabout as no doubt there will be someone around who knew Mum. I am also trying to get in touch with Jacquie (Jacqueline) Raine who was mar- ried to Andy and a good friend of We had a surprise visit recently from a young and spritely Ron Vickress. He Mum’s to let her know of Mum’s had driven to Laurieton from Armidale to visit a friend for a couple of days passing. I knew she had moved to and included us in his schedule. Ron was an English Lecturer, 1966-67 and Yass to be with her son who was a with Frances Tester, wrote and directed plays and musicals in his time at policeman there but on a bit of a WWTC. He recalled many of the names of those in his productions—Catherine Google search discovered he passed Whittaker, Noel Breen, Robert James, Bronwyn Chivers. He is a WWII vet, away recently due to a liver disease having joined the Navy in 1943 at 17 years of age. He was in Japan at the and the phone number for Jacquie Declaration of Peace. All this, not a bad effort for a very with it, 95 year old. in the white pages (and Mum’s ad- dress book) is no longer connect- 2 Ted Bolton (1955-56) Re: Cheryl Sri Lanka find life harder than it next 4 years, Margaret taught at Blayney, Walmsley Coincidence? I'm fairly sure I should be. They need our prayerful Weethalle and Griffith Public Schools, and taught Cheryl at Harden Murrumbur- and moral support. in later years taught casually occasionally rah sometime between 1961 and 1965. If at the small public school of Tallimba. Bob Muir (1952-53) A note from it wasn't Cheryl then maybe a relative, Margaret enjoyed receiving the Talkabout Bob Muir’s daughter, Anne that he "Sue" - that's nearly 60 years ago. In Alumni publication regularly and keeping any case it's good to hear the Walmsley passed away on 18 October shortly in touch with news of old. Margaret met surname once more. I recall a pleasant, after his wife of 63 years had died. Keith Reid while playing tennis and a quiet, unassuming but very competent It was Bob Muir’s cheery note in the courtship began. They were married in teenager. Having lost my own beautiful December Talkabout issue, indicat- loving wife of 60 years in 2019, I share ing he had lived life filled with opti- 1957, made a home together in Tallimba the family's grief. mism. and by 1965 had 4 daughters (the latter 2 being twins). They left the Tallimba dis- Marion Davis (Shaw 1962-63)Thank Bruce and Margot Phillips trict and moved to Cowra to make a new (Wilson 1948-50) In reference to you, Lesley. By a strange coincidence I home in late 1976. Margaret and Keith names of the students in the photo went to Marsden Girls School in 1955 celebrated a wonderful 61 years of mar- on page 7 of the last issue of Talka- and 1956. I might have known her but I riage. Margaret’s number one priority was can't remember. bout I can supply a few, particularly that of my husband, Bruce Phillips. family. She always selflessly put her fami- Maggie Harris (1966-67) What a year He is third on the left in the back ly before herself. To list her many attrib- indeed, but at least Australia seems to row, Betty Punton? 5th, Eileen Pick- utes would take forever. Marg was loved by be dealing exceptionally well with the ering 7th, Edna Tattersall? 8th. In her husband, her 4 daughters, 9 grandchil- virus. Until the whole of the UK are the middle row, Eileen Ryan? 3rd dren, and 4 great grandchildren. She is vaccinated, I think we shall have re- Pat Plowman 4th. The only names I missed every day, yet in our hearts forever. strictions. At last we can start golfing recall in the front row are Bruce again on 2nd Dec. Thankfully, we en- Robinson 4th and Boris Sumsky 7th. joyed a brilliant Summer and so far a Thanks for publishing it, I have nev- fairly mild Winter! Thank you for your e er seen it before. Many thanks to Chris and Jenny Blake (1966-67) -mail. I think Bob Canty was at Coot- Fay Mitchell for supplying it. passed on this message from Scholarship amundra High in my brother, Colin's recipient, Jack Catanzariti: Margaret Reid (Darington 1951- Year. Unfortunately Col died 3 years I hope you had a very relaxing and safe ago with the big C. Sadly, no trips to 52) It is with sadness (and a little Christmas and New Year and are travel- Australia this year but I did book a late sadly) that I inform you of my ling well. I am currently in Albury and I flight yesterday for 14th Sept. to 24th mother Margaret Doreen Reid nee Oct. 21. Darrington’s passing in September am excited to tell you that I was offered three separate jobs at local primary 2018.