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Volume 10 No 3 November 2007
SPECIAL REUNION EDITION
Ann Smith (nee Broadhead) was among the first group of students to attend Wagga Wagga Teachers’ College. Shecommenced in 1948 and graduated as an Infants teacher in 1950 with her first appointment to Guildford Public School.
This appointment was followed by positions at Darcy Road, The Meadows, Oxley Park, Parramatta West, Ringrose andWindermere Schools. Ann’s successful career spanned 36 and a half years; 23 years of which encompassed theresponsibility of a Mistress or Deputy Principal. A highlight was her role in the setting up of the Metropolitan WestPublications Unit.
Ann’s achievements also carried over into her family life – having been married to Brian for 40 years and producingthree children – Julie, David and Peter.
Over the last ten years, the Wagga Wagga Teachers’ College Alumni Association has played a major part in her life. Atthe inaugural AGM, Ann was elected as Secretary, a role which involved not just the usual Minute taking but also tracingmissing alumni. It soon became evident that this required a full-time effort and the position of Research and RecordsOfficer was created. Ann was elected into this new role and has held it ever since.
Ann became the bounty hunter of the Association. She took to her mission of tracking and recording all those who hadpassed through the College from 1947 until 1974 with the passion of a true believer.
The Association’s records of students from the College blossomed under her stewardship. Ann has located more than2800 alumni. This has been a true demonstration of the “spirit” of Wagga Wagga Teachers’ College.
Ann’s dedication, and her ability to infect all of those around her with her passion, has helped to strengthen the tieswhich bind together all Wagga Wagga Teachers’ College alumni.
The success of Wagga Wagga Teachers’ College Alumni Association in raising almost $60,000 for Scholarships can inpart be attributed to Ann’s dedication.
There have been ten (10) Wagga Wagga Teachers’ College Alumni Association Scholarships awarded over the past fiveyears with a combined value of $20,000. Each Scholarship has enabled a young student to achieve their goal to be ateacher.
In 2001, Charles Sturt University initiated the Distinguished Alumnus Award. This award is presented to an alumnuswhose dedication to, and affinity for, their profession has shone throughout their career.
Ann Smith epitomises the values and principles that this award represents.It is with great pleasure that I award Mrs Ann Smith the Charles Sturt University Distinguished Alumnus Award.
Distinguished Alumnus Award
Ann Smith was presented with the DistinguishedAlumnus Award by the Chancellor of CharlesSturt University, Mr Lawrie Willett AO, at theCommemorative Ceremony on Saturdayafternoon. The Citation for the award appearsbelow.
Congratulating Ann are: Head of the School ofEducation Dr Brian Hemmings, Wagga City DeputyMayor Cr Jan Hay, Alumni President Bob Collard,Ann Smith, Alumni Relations Officer MichelleFawkes, CSU Chancellor Mr Lawrie Willett AO.
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The following outline of the AlumniAssociation’s achievements wasdistributed to Alumni at the Saturdaymeeting where President Bob Collardexplained the rationale for theproposed change in the Association’sstructure to allow the greater alumnimembership. Alumni were invited tosubmit any ideas or objections inwriting to the management committeeprior to the Annual General Meeting inFebruary 2008.
WAGGA WAGGA TEACHERS’COLLEGE ALUMNI
ASSOCIATION
This Association was formed in 1997 atthe 50th anniversary reunioncelebrating the establishment of WaggaWagga Teachers’ College. It came intobeing following a low key meetingattended by very few, in an atmosphereof passivity from our colleagues andpatronising recognition from CharlesSturt University. There was no charter,no guidelines and no concrete plan forwhat we hoped to achieve.But there was idealism, commitmentand a spirit which had been created andfostered since the first students arrivedat the college. This spirit andcommitment soon allowed us toestablish the course we were to followand the goals we hoped to reach.The management committeeconcentrated on exploring the past,being actively engaged in the presentand being conscious of needing to planfor the future.
THE PASTThe history of the W.W.T.C. and thewhereabouts and identification of itsstudents, now our alumni, was of primeimportance as without that history itwas probable that the W.W.T.C. and itsimportance to C.S.U. would at bestremain unrecognised and at worst fadefrom memory altogether.We set about reviving the factualknowledge of the college and itsprogress to the present time.An intensive and ongoing programmewas initiated to trace and communicatewith all former students.A collection of memorabilia was begunand decisions made as to itspresentation.A collection of memoirs and stories
relating to events at W.W.T.C. wasbegun.
THE PRESENTA book was published : “W.W.T.C.:College and Teaching Memories”.A scholarship fund was established andmodest goals set. This project has beenan outstanding success as we near the$60,000 mark with a proud record of 10Scholarships totalling $20,000 over 6years and future awards will beScholarships of $2,500 per person.Our paper “Talkabout” was resurrectedand has become a main source ofcommunication and information.
Reunions were organised - somepertaining to specific years - others todraw together all sessions since 1947.We established that our student bodyhad spread throughout the world - withsome notable successes.Regular luncheon gatherings wereorganised and have been successful indrawing together the alumni.Strong and meaningful contact wasmade with the C.S.U. Alumni Officewhich has tended to bring ourAssociation with C.S.U. together.Memorabilia of all types was gatheredand donated to the C.S.U. Archives andThe Wagga Wagga Museum at WillansHill.We have established a viable financialbase for our activities.All these activities are ongoing.
THE FUTURETo assure the future of the W.W.T.C.Alumni Association and to preserve allthat has been achieved and therecognition that is due to this body it isdeemed that the wisest course of actionis to extend and embrace all graduatesof the teaching fraternity who havegraced the Charles Sturt UniversityWagga Wagga Campus and includethem in an alumni to be renamedWagga Wagga Teachers’ AlumniAssociation.This will allow us to be an importantelement in the future development of astudent accommodation scheme that isbeing planned.We believe that the W.W.T.C. AlumniAssociation has honoured its task andthe motto “Excel With Honour” — andnow to the future.
Bob Collard
Michelle Fawkes, Alumni RelationsOfficer, wrote to all the participants tothank them for attending the Reunion.
Thank you very much for attending theWagga Wagga Teachers College 60th
Anniversary Reunion last weekend.There was such a positive and joyfulatmosphere throughout the reunion thatit was obvious everyone was enjoyingthemselves very much.
Thank you also for your kind words ofthanks and congratulation. I wasprivileged to be a part of this specialtime.
I hope the Commemorative medallionwill always remind you of your days atWWTC and the part you have played inthe development of Charles SturtUniversity.
I encourage you to revisit the Universityinformation enclosed in your pack and Ihope it will give you a betterunderstanding of where your Universityis going in the future.
As the Chancellor, Lawrie Willett, toldus in his address, the support of ouralumni is paramount to the success ofachieving our mission to be “a nationaluniversity for excellence in educationfor the professions, strategic andapplied research and flexible delivery oflearning and teaching”.
CSU plays an important role in the lifeof our inland communities. We need thesupport of our alumni to help us in ourrole as an agent for economic andsocial development of inland Australia.
Thank you again for being a part of agreat 60th Anniversary reunion! I lookforward to meeting you again soon. Ifyou are ever passing through Bathurst,please call in and visit me at theGrange.
WHO HAS LOST A CAMERA?
A camera was left behind at thereunion. Anyone thinking it’s theirs cancall Michelle on 02 6338 4629 to claimit.
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From Ann’sM ailbag
CONTACTS
President: Bob Collard MBE: 2 Louise Close, Ourimbah 2258Phone 02 43622764
Secretary: Dorothy Tanner: 282 Doncaster Ave, Kingsford 2032Ph 02 96633204 E-mail: [email protected]
Research and Records Officer:Ann Smith: 24 Whitworth St, Westmead 2145Phone 02 96350449 E-mail: [email protected]
Treasurer: Lindsay Budd: 4 Flemington Close, Casula 2170Phone 02 96013003 E-mail: [email protected]
Talkabout Editors:Lindsay BuddLew Morrell: 25 Grandview Drive, Newport 2106Phone 02 99971506 E-mail: [email protected]
Alumni Office: Michelle Fawkes: The Alumni Office, Charles Sturt University,Bathurst 2795. Phone 02 63384629. E-mail: [email protected]
The reunion is over and lots of goodfeelings were generated by those whocame.The following people expressed byemail these good feelings.Malcolm Hanratty 50-51, CharlieFerris 51-52, Kay Killick 60-61,Lindsay Budd 1950-51, and RayOsmotherly 1959-60.I counted how many came from theattendance list. There were:-1949-50 = 23 1960-61 = 21 1950 –51 = 21 1947-49 = 21 1948 – 50= 18The other groups were smaller andevery session was represented except1966.Helen Musgrove nee McDonald 1966sent an apology.
At this time I would like to say thankyou from the Alumni to MichelleFawkes for her organization of thereunion. Every ex-student and staffpresent received a Wagga WaggaTeachers’College medallion for theDiamond Jubilee 1947-1971.
I was given a standing ovation when itwas announced that I also received theDistinguished Alumnus Award. Thankyou so much. I am still recovering as Iknew nothing about it. The ChancellorMr Lawrie Willetts wanted to knowwhy I was so popular. I blurted out“Talkabout”.
Karen Hoad (1971) found herself to bethe only one present from her 1971group. In true Alumni spirit the 1970group Wendy Dwyer (Hockey), SueEvershed (Payne), Mary Walter(Vonthien), Lorraine Mollard
(Partridge), Tom Grigg, and LesDudman invited her to join their group.Already they are talking of having areunion for the 1970 and 1971 groups.
Thank you Graeme Wilson (Pioneer)for taking back to Wagga theTalkabouts left over from previousmailings. They were given out.
Among people who have changedaddress are Verna Taylor nee Canning1962-63 and Jo Yule nee Degotardi1952-53. Jo has lived in Canada formany years. Thank you to MaryPenfold, her friend from college daysfor telling me where to contact her.
Congratulations to the Scholarshipwinners Ann Harris and CarolynScott.
Joe Lonsdale, Pioneer Registrar wasmost impressed with the proceedingsand looks forward to attending futuregatherings.Here are some of the Pioneers beingkept busy in new found activities Donand Thelma Davis (Whitechurch)They are farmers at Wilton. NickBricknell and his son are building aboat. Shirley Yonge lives in Tamworthwhere she enjoys her grandchildren.Kevin and Wyn Wilcox (Walshaw)are proficient in German and use it intheir travels.
Enjoy this Talkabout!
In Memoriam
Years go by, memories stayAs near and dear as yesterday.
Isabella Mary Bieler,
wife of Desmond (Pioneer)
Allan McMahon husband of KathleenClare nee Mckerrow
Jean Janet Bellamy nee Shepherd 49-50
Patricia Dawn Fullerton nee Hoare 48-50
Mary Ryder 1949-50
Louis Frederic Whant 1949-50
Michael James Rowlands 1950-51
Rodney Donald Fenton 1950-51
Ronald Alec Waters 1951-52
Robert Campbell 1951-52
Thelma Mary Furey 1952-53
John Joseph Briggs 1953-54
Donald Clifford Lusty 1957
Robert James Bennetts 1962-63
Cheryl Jean McHugh 1966-67
Charlie Pike, warden in 1960’s
MUSEUM VISITAt our 60th Anniversary Reunion someof our Alumni visited the Willans HillMuseum to view the W.W.T.C. Displayand were disappointed to find none onshow.Madeline Scully, manager of theMuseum phoned me to explain why therewas no display. There are no permanentdisplays and all are regularly rotated.Those that are rested for a time undergocare and repair.As a display was exhibited in Joyes Hall,much of the Museum artifacts had beenborrowed by C.S.U. for this exhibition.Editors.
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Ruby Riach cuts the 60th AnniversaryCake.In the background are: MichelleFawkes, Gladys Budd, Lindsay Budd(Hidden), Joe Lonsdale.
1950-51 Session: Back: Phil Bastick, Noel Bible, Arthur King, Paul Butz, Gladys Budd, Lindsay Budd,Decima Pickles, Malcolm Hanratty, Robin Ryan, Knox Durrant, Ella Keesing, Robin Cantrill,Front: Ruth Chiswell, Pam Holman, Margaret King, Ray Fielder, Velma Kneale, Alan Roberts
These ladies were girls together in WandooDorm in 1960.Trish O’Brien, Jo Flintham, Margo Hopman,Pat Hayes, Kay Killick.
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Nigel and Dorothy Tanner have kindlysubmitted some of their recollections ofthe Reunion. Appended is a list of theattendees in Year order.
A TALE OF COMPLEMENTARYVISIONS
As a foundation stone of the WaggaWagga Teachers’ Alumni the WaggaWagga Teachers’ College AlumniAssociation has already assured theplace and the future that its membershad desired for it when it was formedten years ago.
The reunion was an opportunity tocelebrate and applaud the achievementsof those, many from the earliest yearsof its establishment, who haveidentified with the “Excel withHonour” motto of the College and nowidentify with the Mission Statement ofthe University.
A 1948/50 alumnus himself, BobCollard, M.B.E., has been President ofthe Association since its inception andwith the support of the managementcommittee (and his contemporaryalumnus, his wife Olga) has largelyrealised the vision of maximising thealumni membership. Ann Smith’sindefatigable efforts in this regard wereacknowledged at the Dinner by aspecial presentation from theChancellor.
The College magazine Talkabout wasresurrected by Lew Morrell and LewCrabtree (now deceased) and LindsayBudd (also Treasurer). Its publication ofinteresting and often humorousaccounts by those who contributed tothe magazine meant that the alumni’snumbers increased even further.“Teaching Memories” edited by the lateJohn Riley was a popular publication.
A Scholarship Fund that will close at$60,000 was established on the basis ofalumni contributions and it has a proudrecord of 12 Scholarships totalling$12,000 over 6 years and future awardswill be $2,500 per person.
It has been proposed that all teachinggraduates from the Wagga WaggaCampus since 1971 be invited to jointhe Wagga Wagga Teachers’ Alumni.
At the 11.00 a.m. meeting on Saturday,President Bob Collard explained the
rationale for the proposed change in theAssociation’s structure to allow thegreater alumni membership.
Members were advised that the changewould need to be ratified at the AnnualGeneral Meeting of the Association inFebruary next year. Members wereinvited to submit any ideas orobjections in writing to themanagement committee prior to theAnnual General Meeting.
The historical significance of theoccasion was enhanced by having thefirst Bursar of the College, a very fitJoe Lonsdale, as well as former staffmembers with us. The opening wasonly two years after the end of WorldWar Two so, as Joe explained to usbefore saying Grace at the Dinner, hecame from Airforce operations inMoratai to help launch new teachers inWagga after overcoming considerableinitial administrative problems.
Head of the Wagga Wagga Campus,Professor David Green, has expressedhis wish to foster the spirit of serviceevident from the first days of the firstcoeducational residential N.S.W. StateTeachers’ College. The importance ofthe residential experience motivates hiswish to see future alumni fundsallocated to the building of campusstudent accommodation.
More than 270 attendees, alumni andtheir partners, enjoyed the busyweekend so smoothly run by AlumniOfficer, Michelle Fawkes and herhelpers. Too cool for the marquee, itwas possible to have the initial Fridayevening smorgasbord in the studentdining area.
The importance that Charles SturtUniversity places on the AlumniAssociation was evident from theCommemorative Ceremony at 5 pm andthe Dinner at both of which the verydistinguished Chancellor of theUniversity, Laurie Willett was present.He re-emphasised the importance of theAlumni Association and presentedcommemorative medallions to each of
the alumni as well as the DistinguishedAlumnus Accolade to Ann Smith.
Attendees were blessed with goodweather for the weekend. Theyappreciated the good catering, transportand facilities and in particular wereimpressed by the display ofmemorabilia in Joyes Hall.
The ecumenical service and the brunchon Sunday provided a fitting conclusionto the weekend and more opportunityfor reminiscing and filling in theblanks. As the Chancellor suggested,perhaps we should have our next majorreunion in five rather than ten years!
DOT TANNER’S IMPRESSIONS
What a weekend starting at the CSUConvention Centre on Friday, 28th
September! Ann Smith and her cousin,Russ, came with us from the motel wewere staying at. We had intended togive our Pioneer Bursar, Joe Lonsdale, alift from Wagga but he took a taxi for $25instead. It was great to see him lookingso fit. Margot and Bruce Phillips as wellas Graeme Wilson took care of Joe’stransport to and from CSU from then on.We had our meal in the ConventionCentre as it was too windy in the
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marquee. It was wonderful to see somany of our quarterly alumni lunchgroup there. The evening just flew as weenjoyed the smorgasbord. Michelle, asusual, was able to gain attention andgive us plans for Saturday.
On Saturday Pam English helpedMichelle make sure we had a name tagand appropriate CSU promotionalinformation. We then had time to inspectthe memorabilia displayed in the JoyesHall. There was a long white gownwhich must have been for a graduation.Some people are so thoughtful andgenerous with their donations! Therewere numerous photos and other itemsof interest.
Bob Collard then chaired a well-attendedmeeting in the marquee to explain theproposed extension of the AlumniAssociation. Lew Morrell distributedcopies of an outline of the Association’sachievements during the last ten years.After our morning tea there was a breakuntil the evening activities.
A little after 4pm a bus arrived to pickAnn, Russ, Nigel and me up to take usto the Dinner. We were amazed that thedriver actually picked some folk up fromprivate homes so he had to consult hismap quite a few times. What a wonderfuljob Michelle did organising this andalso the group photos! At theCommemorative Ceremony we hadseveral speakers including theChancellor, Lawrie Willett, and the Headof WW Campus, Professor David Green.Bob Collard made an excellent responsespeech on behalf the Alumni. TheChancellor presented each alumnus witha medallion in memory of the occasionand a photo was taken as at agraduation.
There were pre-dinner drinks followedby the Reunion Dinner ably comperedby Lindsay Budd. Joe Lonsdale gave aspecial talk about the difficulties hedealt with in 1947 in setting up theadministration of the College. After hesaid Grace we had a feast.
Meeting other alumni was mostfascinating. Some people have great-grandchildren and lead spectacularlives. The weekend went too quicklybecause we did not manage to talk to allthe people we knew. Thankyou to CSUfor having an Alumni Officer asenthusiastic and efficient as MichelleFawkes.
REUNION ATTENDEESStaff: Joe Lonsdale, First Bursar,Margaret Macpherson, Librarian, KayKolsky, wife of Alan 57-58, John Cosier,Ruby Riach 50-55, Laurie Orchard 54-62.
47-49: Shirley Barry, Don Davis, ThelDavis, Jean Douglass, Gwen Ferguson,Miriam Foster, John Hale, Clare Hopkins,Noreen Hunt, Ruth McFadden, BonnieMills, J A Orange, Colin Taylor, IanThomas, Allan Thomson, JoanThomson, Joyce Trindall, Brian Webb,Kevin Wilcox, Winifred Wilcox, GraemeWilson.
48-50: Bob Collard, Olga Collard, NormaCooke, Douglas Gamble, Eileen Garvan,Des Handsaker, Alison Harrison, JudithHiatt, Jean Johnston, Hazel Mann, BrucePhillips, Margot Phillips, Stanley BruceRobinson, June Shaw, Ann Smith, JudySmith, Geoff Spiller, John Stuckings,Dorothy Tanner.
49-50: Sylvia Andrews, Bruce Bowman,Leah Buckley, Roger Clements, LesDavey, Yvonne Day, Frances Gavel, JillGumley, Don Hatch, Barry Hubbard,Shirley James, Pam Martin, Lew Morrell,Bernice Munro, Jeanette O’Connell,Janette Perry, Sonia Phee, Ron Pickles,Shirley Salter, Joe Schipp, Leslie Shore,Margaret Watts.
50-51: Philip Bastick, Noel Bible, GladysBudd, Lindsay Budd, Paul Butz, RobinCantrill, Ruth Chiswell, Colin Crittenden,Knox Durrant, Walter Raymond Fielder,Geoffrey Gorman, Malcom Hanratty, PamHolman, Ella Keesing, Arthur King,Margaret King, Velma Kneale, DecimaPickles, Alan Roberts, Robin Ryan,Jennifer Svenson.
51-52: Frederick Armstrong, Ted Fowler,Elaine Larkin, Roy Parker, Muriel Perry,Margaret Reid, Gary Ryan, CynthiaStrong, Col Curtis.
52-53: Lucie Gabb, Shirley Radcliffe,Jacqui Raine, Ann Whitfield.
53-54: James Banks, Lorraine Colvin,Geoffrey Cooke, Neroli Cooper, HenryGardiner, Margaret Gardiner, NoelHaberecht, William Hanley, MaryKanaley, David Long, Rhona Morton,Margaret Pyc, Barry Reece, JudithReece.
54-55: Frances Bevan, Barbara Chisnall,Coral Hayman, James Hill, Evelyn Jones,A. Robert Mackintosh, DonaldWhitbread.
55-56: Allan Cobbin, Pat Cobbin, BettyHudson, Judy Magill, Bruce Wells.
56-57: Irene Crittenden, KeithCrittenden, Ruth Fritsch, CarmelMcNeill, John McNeill, PeggyShumacher, Helen Sigley.
57-58: Heather Dunne, GladysMcPherson, Janet Morrissey.
58-59: Malcolm Clune, Eric BruceReineker, Fay Rowe.
59-60: John Brasier, Leonie Brown,Patricia Buchanan, Barry Conway, GillianDodd, Deidre Lynam, GwennethMcLaughlin, Ann McNeill, RayOsmotherly, Margaret Perrin, BarbaraSawtell, Patricia Sheridan, Judith Smyth,Wendy Whatson, Rosemary Williams.
60-61: Elaine Armstrong, Judith Brindle,Maureen Carroll, Helen Dunlop, FayEverson, Joan Gunn, Margo Hodge,Joan Hosking, Ross Hosking, BethHudson, Helen Isaac, Kay Killick,Christine Martin, Kerry McNicol, MarieRadford, Helen Schlenker, LaurelSimmonds, Clifford Robert Smyth,Warren Williams, Gwenda Zappert,Constance Ross, John Mansley, AllanSlater.
61-62: Diana Alexander, Joy Carter,Gregory (Tony) Fogarty, EstelleHammond, William Howitt, LynetteKirby, Raymond Petts, Jackie Robinson,Denis Simond, Patricia Spaul, AdeleWeatherall, Keith Wood, Alan Milne.
62-63: Marion Davis, Kerry Eastlake,Jenny Madden, Lyn Potter, BerylSteinke, Robyn Stewart, PamelaWyndham, Grahame Keast.
63-64: Marie Curtis, Janice Fitzpatrick,Marion Giddy, Fay Keast, Sue King,Douglas Walker.
64-65: Bernard Fitzpatrick.
65-66: Marilyn Comitti,Raelene Wilson.
67-68: Shirley Craig, Barbara Selleck.
68-69: Bev Hill, Richard Morey,Christine Phillis.
70-71: Les Dudman, Wendy Dwyer, SueEvershed, Mary Walter, Tom Grigg,Lorraine Mollard.
71-73: Karen Hoad, Ailsa Bowman.
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To commemorate the Diamond Jubilee ofWWTC Charles Sturt Universitypublicly recognised their antecedentwith a Commemorative medallion. Atthe Commemorative Ceremony eachAlumnus who attended the 60th
Reunion was presented with amedallion by the Chancellor, MrLawrie Willett AO.
CITY OF WAGGA WAGGAPRESENTATION
Wagga Wagga Teachers College wasrecognised by the Wagga Wagga CityCouncil by the production of aCommemorative Plaque.The plaque was presented to PresidentBob Collard by the Deputy Mayor,Councillor Jan Hay who spoke of thecontribution the students of WWTChad made to the cultural and socialdevelopment of the City of WaggaWagga over the years.
The inscription on the plaque reads:
“Presented to the students of theWagga Wagga Teachers College by
Deputy Mayor, Councillor Jan Hay, on29th September 2007.
On the occasion of their 60th
Anniversary Reunion.In appreciation of their contribution tothe cultural and social development of
the City of Wagga Wagga.”
To illustrate the contribution thatWagga Wagga Teachers College hasmade to the City of Wagga Wagga thefollowing excerpt is reproduced from abooklet which was prepared for the 50th
Anniversary Reunion in 1997.
THE COLLEGE IN THECOMMUNITY
(A report from 1970)
Wagga Wagga Teachers’ Collegeparticipates in a variety of ways in thelife of the larger community in which itis situated. Its members are associatedwith local groups and societiesconcerned with education, science,music, art, drama and the like, as wellas with service groups and churches,and with social, sporting, andrecreational pursuits. Over the years ithas made impressive contributions tothe cultural life of the district throughits assistance with adult education.
College lecturers frequently are guestspeakers at service clubs, all kinds oforganizations, Parents and Citizens’Associations and Conferences, both inneighbouring towns and the City ofWagga Wagga. In-Service courses forteachers in a variety of subjects areconstantly given, while most of theUniversity adult education and W.E.A.classes have a member of the Collegefaculty as lecturer. From time to timepost-College courses are held forteachers. Rooms and equipment areconstantly being used for thesepurposes and for organizations with an
educational value such as the WaggaWagga and District Historical Society.The library is made available toteachers in the environs, after theimmediate needs of students andlecturers have been met. A number ofbooks have been written by lecturers inCraft, Biology, and Geography andothers are being prepared.
The College also contributes to thecultural life of the district by producingand sponsoring musical and dramaticworks. In 1965, Beethoven’s “ChoralFantasia” (for large choir, soloists,piano, and orchestra) was presented ata special concert in which music groupsfrom the City of Wagga Waggacombined with the College. Theproceeds of this concert, added to thoseof a special performance of Gilbert andSullivan’s “Patience”, enabled theCollege to make substantial donationsto the Wagga Wagga City Grand PianoFund, and to the R.A.A.F. Women’sAuxiliary.
In 1969 a Sacred Choral Concert waspresented in St Michael’s Cathedral,involving a College Choir of 130voices, a Children’s Choir of more than100 voices and an Orchestra of strings,percussion, piano, and organ. Theprogramme featured the presentation ofBenjamin Britten’s cantata “SaintNicolas”.
A special feature of this aspect of thefunctioning of the College is theproduction in alternate years of aGilbert and Sullivan comic opera, andthe tradition has grown for many ex-students to return for these occasions.
Open Day, usually arranged in mid-September, has for years provided anopportunity for hundred of people whoare interested to visit the College to seesome of its activities, its grounds andbuildings, and to meet the staff andstudents. Visitors also come in bignumbers when the grounds are openedon a Sunday, at the height of the roseseason on Michaelmas term.
****************
RECOGNITION OF WAGGA WAGGA TEACHERS COLLEGE
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A Reunion of the 1963-64 Session washeld at Marion Giddy’s home onBastille Day in June 2007.Marion submitted the following reportby Graham Keast and some photos..
COLLAMBIENCE
What a joy it is to mix with such atalented, intelligent and interestingbunch of people as the ex WWTCstudents from 1963-64 era.There have been quite a number of get-togethers over recent years at Wagga,Canberra, Millthorpe (near Orange),Armidale and Sydney. Future eventswill take place down Sussex Inlet way,Hunter Valley and of course Waggaagain.We tried to find a word which describesthe feeling we have when we meettogether. One dictionary meaning forget-together is to bring or cometogether; meet; assemble. Unfortunatelythat definition didn’t seem to describeour assemblages. So on Bastille Daythis year, at our most recentaggregation, we set about trying tocome up with a word to better describethe atmosphere and the occasion. Ithink Bill Semple came up withcollambience. We all agreed quicklythat that word said it all. Thanks Bill.There were 36 who enjoyed thefabulous weekend at Marion (Smith)Giddy’s place which happened to be onBastille Day. Marion has enough spaceto park two motor homes, three A vansand a regular caravan and annexe.There were quite a few who had asleepover inside as well. There’s stillroom for several more such recreationalvehicles and I would think if there wasa replay (and there’s every possibility),that Rob Hughes and the Fitzpatricks(and maybe others) might decide tobook into Marion’s “holiday park”.One of the great things about thesegatherings is meeting and getting toknow folk that you didn’t really knowwhen you attended WWTC back 40years ago. I mean, just how many girlsdid Dougie Walker whiz in that twoyear period? (Is it any wonder whysome chose to repeat and make it athree year program?) As well asstudents we didn’t know too well,there’s also the partners that quite oftenweren’t even thought about in 1963 or1964. It has been a real thrill to get to
know the PSBMCK group (poor sillybuggers that married college kids).They provide a necessary rich additiveto our group.Interestingly enough we are finding ourlives are now having more in common.But not all are grandparents. Not all areretired. Not all are travelling overseas.But it is really stimulating to hear ofothers’ adventures when we gettogether. Have the O’Briens finishedtheir renovations? Is Graham Wrightaway judging roses in Adelaide? HasJock Grant got an email address yet? IsMarion still painting? Have the Smartsreturned from China and Russia? Arethe Keasts still in Dubbo?We do look forward to our gatheringswith great anticipation. This is aspecial time of our lives when we can
enjoy ourselves and share our lives withpeople we are linked with from thoseWagga days over forty years ago.
Graham Keast (1962-63)
Those who attended were : David andLyn Giles, Doug, Lucie and DavidWalker, Sue (Upton) and Gerd King,Graeme and Susanna O’Brien,Grahame and Fay (Bailey) Keast,Bernie and Janice (Kerin) Fitzpatrick,Graham and Janet Wright, Merv andHelen Smith, Colleen (Brophy) andBob Cureton, Wendy (Michie) andKeith Lambert, Bill and SandraSemple, Van and Jennifer Davy, Russelland Lauren Warfield, Rob and JulianneHughes, Tom McKibbin, Lynn Ludwig,Colin (Jock) Grant, Judy Dark, Judy(Wilson) James, David Baker and Marion(Smith) Giddy.
Grahame Keast, Graham and Janet Wright, Lynn Ludwig, Susanna O’Brien(seated), Bill Semple, Judy (Wilson) James, David Giles (background), FayKeast
Graham Keast called this one “How many people can you fit in a Winebago?”
Page 9
TEACHING MEMORIESCUMMERAGUNJA ABORIGINAL
SCHOOL
Part 4
Robert Smyth concludes the story of hisfirst appointment and the two years hespent as TIC of Cummeragunja.
“Echuca, Here We Come!”
One morning, as it looked like rain, I wasdriving the car to school and had drivendown the bank and onto the punt. Thepunt man closed the back gate and wentinto the engine room to start the crossing.All was proceeding as usual and I wasjust sitting in the car. Because of thestrong current, the punt normally swungdown the river a bit, then curved back tothe road on the other side. I noticed thatthis morning, the punt was swingingfurther than usual and I got out of my carto say something to the punt driver whenthere was a resounding ‘twang’ and thesmall drive cable broke, and the puntstarted to float off down the river, withthe anchor cable just pulling out of theguide rollers.
The punt man raced out of the engineroom, said some very rude words, thenscreamed out to his wife, “Mary! Ringthe DMR (Department of Main Roads)at Echuca and tell them to stop the puntat Echuca. The cable’s broke and we arecomin’ down the river! !” At that point,the clouds opened up and it startedteeming rain. We both jumped into thecar and sat there as we floated down theriver! It was 56 miles of very windingriver to Echuca. We floated about 200yards down stream, and stopped againsta submerged tree.
I had noticed Mary running out of thehouse, seeing the punt disappearing downthe river, yelling something intelligentthat sounded like, “OH, Sh—t!!” and ranback into the house.
When the rain stopped, we got out of thecar and tried to figure out what hadhappened and how could we get out ofthis predicament. (It seems that someonehad removed the nuts from the boltsholding the anchor cable on to the anchorposts—probably to use as sinkers forfishing—and the cable had just pulledout. That put the whole weight of the puntplus my car onto the thin drive cable andit just broke)
After a while (about 1/2 an hour) I looked
up and saw a lot of little black headspeeping over the bank, then a few handsthrown in the air, and a few jumps forglee and they all disappeared!!
Finally someone rowed the boat out to usand we were able to get off the punt, butthat left my car sitting on it in the middleof the river.
The DMR truck arrived on the NSW sideat about 10 a.m. The foreman and acouple of his men were picked up in therowing boat and they got the spare drivecables, tied them end to end and draggedthem into the river using the rowing boat.They tied the half inch cable on to thepunt, wound the other end around thewinch used for adjusting the anchor cablefor the height of the river, and started towinch the punt back up the river againstthe current. I was amazed and told himso! He said, “Don’t worry mate, thesecables are so strong we’ll pull it backeasily.” I pointed out that the drive cablehad already broken when the weight ofthe punt and my car was put on it whenthe anchor cable pulled out. He ignoredmy comments and continued winching.The cable began to cut into the bank andmust have cut in about ten feet and wasso tight, you could have played a top Con it.
I told everyone to take cover because thecable was going to break. Amazingly, thepunt came back to about 50 yards fromthe road before it broke! Bits of steel wirewhipped and lashed about the place andluckily didn’t hit anyone. The punt, withmy car, just floated off down the river andstopped again, against the submergedtree. I just looked at the foreman with alook that said, “You B-----y Idiot! I toldyou it would break!”
What I did say was that if my car wentinto the river, the DMR would be up fora new one for me!!
He did not even reply, just got in therowing boat and crossed back to the truck.He had a conference with his men andmust have had 2-way radio in the truckto contact his headquarters back inEchuca.
After some time, the truck drove off andturned down the river and stoppedopposite the punt. Using the rowing boat,they tied a rope onto the punt, hitched itup to the truck and pulled the punt in tothe bank. They then unhitched and shifted
the truck back up the river and hitched itup again to the punt. The men then alllined up and pushed the punt back intothe stream, then with much wheelspinning, dragged the punt back to thebank, but about 20 yards further up theriver. They repeated this exercise over andover again until finally worked the puntback to the correct place on the roadway.They re-threaded the anchor cablethrough the guide rollers and bolted itback onto the anchor posts, put in a newdrive cable and brought the punt back tothe Victorian side of the river. I walkedon to it and drove my car off and parkedit back on the Victorian side.
I took my brief case and was rowed backto the NSW side and walked to school. Iarrived there about 2 p.m! The few peoplearound told me that the kids thought thatthere would be no school today so wentoff ‘down the bush’ for a picnic! Iwandered off and found them about a miledown the river. As we made our way backto the school, they gave me a Nature StudyLesson on all the creatures they couldfind. They were a bit disappointed thatthey could not find any Tiger Snakes,knowing how I just love the things!!
After the kids left for home, I filled in a‘Variation of Routine’ Form andexplained why I did not arrive at workuntil 2 p.m. A week or so later, I receiveda note from the Inspector saying that,owing to the unusual circumstances, noloss of pay would be incurred!!
Mr Kingsmill’s Visit.
As I said at the beginning of this walkdown memory lane, the Mission had beenabandoned and most of the land leasedout to Italian tobacco farmers. The rentmoney was supposed to be used toimprove the facilities at Cummeragunja.
I was talking to a Teachers’ FederationRep. one day, about the lack of facilitiesand he told me there was a section in theFederation that would be able to look intothe situation.
Some time later two of the men weregiven fares to go to Sydney to FederationHouse and talk about their lack offacilities. When they returned, they saidsomeone from the Aboriginal Boardwould come to Cummeragunja.
I received a letter telling me that MrKingsmill would be coming and to
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TEACHING MEMORIESorganize the people to tell him suchthings as the lack of a phone, the lack ofan all-weather road, the inadequate watersupply and the poor housing.
I was very happy with the number ofpeople who crammed into the littlebuilding we used as a hall for Kingsmill’svisit. Mrs Sophie Briggs was elected asthe spokesperson for the people.
I went into the hall and sat up the back.
A large black car appeared, bounced overthe track into the settlement and stoppedoutside the hall. Four large men in blacksuits with black overcoats and black hatsgot out of the car and marched in line,into the hall. They took a chair each andsat in a line in front of all the people (stillwith their hats and coats on!) folded theirarms and glared about. I have never seensuch intimidatory behaviour in my life!
Then, Kingsmill rose to his feet, glaringabout and said, “Now, what do you want?”There was silence in the room. Then, veryslowly, Sophie Briggs rose to her feet andstarted off:- “Well, Mr Kingsmill, we....we.. ..” then her nerve broke and sheslumped back down into her seat.
Kingsmill boomed, “Do you mean wehave driven all this way from Sydney tofind that you have nothing to say??” Withthat, they all rose and started for the door.
I stood up and said in a loud clear voice,“Excuse me Mr Kingsmill. I would liketo speak on behalf of the people ofCummeragunja.”
He stopped in his tracks and glared at meand grunted, “Who are you??” When Itold him who I was, he said, “Are youthe teacher here?” I replied that I was andhe said, “Oh! So you’re the one.” He, andhis henchmen then continued on, got intothe car and drove off without anotherword!
We had worked out an approximateamount of money that had been collectedin rent over the years and deducted whatsmall amount had been spent. Within sixmonths, tradesmen from as far away asGriffith NSW, arrived and worked onhouses and water supply. The value of thework would have been at least what wethought had been collected over the years.
Pam and Alby Ballard
No story of my first two years of teachingwould be complete without mention of the
two people responsible far more thananyone else, for my survival over thoseyears. The only others to come close werethe Lawfords.
I met Alby Ballard when I approachedthe Picola Football Club about playingAussie Rules Football.
Before I had my car, I would catch thebus after school to Picola, go to the footytraining, then go around to Alby and hislovely wife Pam’s place for tea. We wouldthen watch Gilligan’s Island, thenAdventures in Paradise, have a cup ofActavite, and Alby would drive me backto Barmah. As I said before, Alby evenlent me his VW to ‘run it in’ for him anddrive over to see Judith.
These two people were like foster parentsto me. They took me to the footy, pickedme up and returned me to Barmah many,many times and gave me much welcomeadvice on life and sport. I spent manyweek-ends at their home, helping withthe baking (Alby was the local Baker) andsharing their lives and helping look aftertheir children. It was Alby who organizedthe trip to Melbourne to get my first car.They were just marvellous people.
Post Script
I am writing this in 2005—43 years afterit all happened, but it seems onlyyesterday, as I have been putting thistogether. Whether my memory iscompletely accurate, only others whowere there at the time can judge. A fewyears ago, I called in to Cummeragunjaon my way back from a trip acrossAustralia. I was delighted with theprogress made at Cummeragunja....withall the new houses, proper roads,Community Centre, but most of all withthe school. It had been restored and isnow a small museum.
I met Ned Atkinson, an ‘old’ white-hairedman now and he told me so many sadstories of the children that had been inmy classes over the two years. I told himI was going to write this so, Ned, if youever get to read this, may it bring backsome pleasant memories of my“Appointment to Cummeragunja.”
C. Robert Smyth.
Teacher-in-Charge. 1962 - 1963.
IT IS THE TEACHER’S FAULT.
Bill Semple (1963-64) was appointed toLake Cargelligo Central in 1965.
The School had a homework policywhere forms were sent to parents ifpupils did not complete their homeworksatisfactorily.
Bill has submitted the form and theparent’s handwritten reply scrawled onthe bottom.
(Names have been changed to protectthe innocent/guilty)
Dear Mrs Brown,
Your child Ron has failed to completesatisfactorily homework set for today.His homework record is unsatisfactory.
Homework is set to enable the child torevise and consolidate the day’s workand to give further practice at acquiringskills which will help the child tobecome proficient at school work. Attimes the child is required to seekfurther information about a subjecttreated at school.
Realising your keen interest in yourchild’s welfare and your desire that hedo his best, I am taking this opportunityto seek your further co-operation insupervising and encouraging the child’swork.
Will you please sign and return thisnote to the class teacher.
Yours faithfully,
B Johnston,
Principal.
Comment (if so desired):
Ian tries to do hishomework but it is quite plain thathe is not taught enough at school,by inefficient teachers who arenot educated enough when theyleave the Teachers College, to beable to teach or takeresponsibility of any child nomatter how old.E.M Brown.
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LETTERS PAGEHi Lew and Lindsay.
In reference to our recent conversation Lew,I am submitting this article and plug for mynew book for your next edition ofTalkabout.
Many Thanks,
Ken Little (1969-70)
I presented myself to Wagga Teachers’College for ‘processing’ straight off thesands and cricket fields of Sydney’sNorthern Beaches on a hot February day in1969. My first impressions were of dust,heat and despair. Maybe it was the lack ofsleep after the overnight train trip that hadfogged my brain, but upon arriving I felt themost sensible thing to do was catch the nexttrain back to Sydney. With similarly likeminded newcomers around me, thisimpression lasted for just half an hour asfriendships were made, apprehensionsshared, sniggers exchanged and hopedescended.
So I stayed and began two of the mostenjoyable years of my life. For a sportyyoung chap who had zilch social life, (tootired after a hard day on the rugby paddockor a hot day on the cricket field), a countrycollege was ideal. All those lovely girls, thesporting potential in Wagga, dorm living,plenty of food to eat, (despite its forbiddingreputation), and college life to explore.Highlights were many over the next twoyears. The college revues come to mind as,by default, I found myself president of therevue club. Our revue nights were excitingexperiences both from the performance sideand from the uncritical good will thatemanated from the student body. Iremember opening proceedings with, ‘TheSpray Fresh Ad’, and being overwhelmedby the number who turned up, thesupportive smiles on faces and the‘thunderous’ applause when I finished theskit. Our good taste revues of ‘69 and ‘70showed that you didn’t need to be smutty tobe entertaining. A further highlight was mycreative writing classes which acted as amotivating influence to some day write a‘novel’. Then of course there was the MilkyWay and Willans’ Hill but that’s anotherstory.
Sport played a big part in my life at Wagga.I opened the bowling for Lake Albert in thelocal cricket competition, played for Waggain something called the Hedditch Cup, andrepresented Riverina and Country threetimes in rugby. Unfortunately a fellowcountry rep from Cootamundra wiped thesmile off my face in a club match whichresulted in me tearing ligaments in myankle so badly I couldn’t run on it properlyagain. Still can’t - run that is.
My first appointment was to CowabbieWest via Grong Grong as a T.I.C. Despite adodgy ankle I played Aussie Rules for thelocal area as well as hobbling around thepaddock on Saturdays for Wagga Waratahsand Riverina at Country Week. Needless tosay my prospects for Country Reppingagain in ‘71 were zero.
I enjoyed a short but enriching time at myschool. The children and parents weremagnificent and taught me much, but mysocial life again ebbed, waningproportionally to the waxing of myorganisational skills finely tuned byattacking my responsibilities as the localT.I.C. with enthusiasm and best mate,gusto.
Unfortunately my stay was cut short whenan infection in my finger, a legacy of theschool’s delinquent firewood, found its wayinto my spine thus domiciling me intoWagga Base Hospital paralyzed from thechest down. It all happened rather suddenlyand sadly brought an abrupt end to my timeat Wagga and a free flight back to Sydneyin the air ambulance. It took a year ofrehabilitation at The Royal North Shorespinal injuries unit until I was deemed fitenough to resume teaching at theCorrespondence School. I stayed there longenough to draw pictures, write languageleaflets, teach children, and write threeschool readers until I was able to escape toBourke limping around the outback as anitinerant teacher and top banana of ‘TheLittle Outback School’.
Being a keen observer of things in motion Ilearnt much while out there such as theresilliance of the bush spirit, the sheerterror and majesty of the outback and howto kill a brown snake with my walking stickbefore it did so unto me. I wasaccommodated in a single teachers’ flat inBourke while spending my school weeksout on the road visiting students on isolatedproperties and occasionally the aboriginalreserve at Enngonia. After one two weeksojourn which took me out beyondWanaaring up into Queensland and alongthe dingo fence, I arrived back in Bourkeonly to discover that Elvis had died while Ihad been out cavorting around the ParooRiver. (Not that I thought it was hisresponsibility to consult with me firstbefore dying.)
For a single bloke, living out there, thoughfinancially rewarding, had short legs so Icame back to Sydney escaping again fromthe clutches of the Correspondence schoolafter another year to spend the next threeyears doing post grad studies in Special Edfrom which I learnt nothing ... other thansystematic teaching is important as well asa few other important things. Another noted
event in ‘79 was a girl friend saw the errorof her ways and came back from Scotlandintent on maybe marrying me, which shedid.
I spent the years from 1980 - 85 atCromehurst SSP, Lindfield, workingalongside some brilliant teachers andteaching the full time class of children withlearning disabilities. A highlight there waswriting the script for a Christmas musicalfor our students and seeing them perform itwith supreme confidence in front of apacked St Albans Church Hall tothunderous applause - again. I left thedepartment at the end of ‘85 to joinNorthern Beaches Christian School where Istarted a Special Ed unit. Another musicalfollowed, more thunderous applause andafter eleven more years I was out of therewith my life as a classroom teacher prettywell over. Mobility had become an everincreasing problem so for the past eightyears, other than six months at distanceeducation for special needs students, I havebeen working with primary and high schoolaged students as a private tutor.
With teaching waning and writingbeckoning I renewed my acquaintanceswith my pen, completed a script writingcourse with the Australian College ofJournalism and began writing a novel,completing it last year. With encouragementfrom a number of sources including TomKenneally, (the writer not the footballplayer), it was published last month byZeus Publications an Australian companybased on the Gold Coast.
Its title ‘Three Miles in the Dry and Twelvein the Wet’ would be well understood byanyone who has ever taught in a P4. It notsurprisingly concerns the life of a youngfellow from the beaches who ends upteaching at a little bush school down nearWagga. It bears an uncanny resemblance toreal life events but although I have drawnon composites of real characters andpersonal experiences it is mostly fiction. Ithas a sprinkling of romance, (boy meetsbeach girl at beach, boy goes to bush, boymeets feisty country girl, now what doesboy do?), some juicy educational challengesfor teachers in isolated schools, lost soulssuch as an ex-Vietnam War veteran and adrunken barrister whose life is spirallingdownwards as well as ‘colourful’ characterssuch as Fang who accidentally sets fire tohis pants while trying to smoke a rollieduring a football match and a group of oldfellows called the Jolly Boys, (which is infact based on a group of old fellows I metalong the Paroo river who were called bylocals, The Jolly Boys).
Some of my associates from the ‘69 -‘70session have found their way into the book
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LETTERS PAGEas well in some form or another. For anyonewho is interested, (it would make a goodChristmas present for a teacher don’t youthink?), it can be ordered through thepublishers at www.zeus-publications.com .
At the moment I am writing the sequel bycourtesy of my trusty iMac but reflectingback on my life I count the time I spent atWagga, the people I met, the experiences Ihad, and the life education I received aspriceless. Some have written criticallyabout college life back then but despitesome petty annoyances I found it to be anideal place for young people to grow andmature even if I “had” to miss the moonlanding on television just to attend aGordon Young history lecture.
In appreciation.Ken Little (1969-70)
Dear Lindsay,
The following may be of interest to thereaders of “Talkabout” .
At the Reunion of some of the 1960-61session, held in Moruya in February 2006,many inquired as to the whereabouts ofMichael Gow.
During September 2006 I was standing atthe counter in a Radiographers Office inCorrimal and was asked my name. Afterinforming the receptionist it was FrankLeonard, a diminutive man standing besideme said, “You are not the Frank Leonardthat went to Wagga Teachers’ College areyou?”
When I answered in the affirmative ittriggered a long conversation that reviewedboth careers and life histories, a socialdrink together at Corrimal Bowling Clubthe following Saturday afternoon and a gettogether with John Tierney, Barry Brown(1959-60), Geoff Peters and Dave Martin afew weeks later in Wollongong.
Mike now lives in Gordons in Papua NewGuinea and has returned to Wollongongagain during May of this year where, again,a convivial was held that included JohnTierney and myself. Mike has a brotherwho is a doctor practicing in Austinmer,which is one of Wollongong’s northernsuburbs. This is what brings Mike back toAustralia on a fairly regular basis.
If anyone is interested I have Mike’saddress and mobile telephone number.
Sincerely
Frank Leonard
Dear Editor,
Well, someone has finally done it; criticizedour beloved college.
Barry Michell’s criticism ( July’sTalkabout) about our training at W.T.C. hassome credibility. Being a “pioneer”, I don’tknow what went on, in regard to training,after 1949, but I have to agree with Barrythat some aspects of our training left muchto be desired. Not that I, personally, thoughtabout it at the time I was a trainee, but itwas not long after venturing into theunknown world of teaching that I realized Ihad been left high and dry, so to speak.
It was when I found myself as teacher-in-charge of an isolated small school, first up,that I realized I had not been preparedadequately for what confronted me. Tobegin with, I had received no training inhow to cope, all day, with a roomful (32) ofchildren, aged from about 5 to 14 – fromkindergarten to early secondary school, andall with varying abilities. General Primarytraining wasn’t of much help. Surely theDept. of Education and the Collegehierarchy were aware of the fact, when wewere being trained, that some of us, mostlythe men, would end up in the back blocksof the state.
While I spent many hours planning lessons,and determining how best to manage mytime with various groups, as best I knew how,there was virtually nothing in my collegetraining that assisted me, during those earlydays.
Then there were the problems with literacyand numeracy – students’ problems andmine, too.. I soon realized, much to myconcern, that I was totally unprepared tohelp students who had problems in theseareas. What to do with those whostruggled? How to diagnose problems andtreat them were hardly mentioned (unless Iwas asleep at the time) during our training.Perhaps our lecturers, at that time, didn’tknow much about tackling problems, either.Some years later, having gained a lot ofexperience, I thought that much valuable timewas wasted during our training , time thatshould have been spent on method andorganization.
(I don’t think I was alone with the aboveproblems. Sadly, even 20 plus years later,when I was a Principal, teachers appointedto my schools still knew “B-all” aboutdiagnosis and treatment. Also, lot ofconfusion existed about phonics and othermethods, when it came to the teaching ofreading.)
Barry spoke about “potential” and statedthat no one left any teachers’ college as anaccomplished teacher. Quite right.However, something existed at W.T.C.,
something intangible, because many of itsstudents, with potential, became verysuccessful teachers who climbed to the verytop of the education ladder.
There, I’ve done it – my only fling inTalkabout. I must say, however, despite mycriticism, my days at college were amongthe most enjoyable of my life and to thisday I treasure the memories of it all. Ialways look forward to catching up withcollege friends and saddened when I read ofthe death of those with whom I shared somewonderful times.
Brian Webb 1947 - 49 (Pioneer)
COMING EVENTS
ALUMNI ASSOCIATIONMEETINGS
The next quarterly meeting ofthe Alumni Association will beheld at the Teachers CreditUnion Building Homebush at11 am on:Tuesday 13th November 2007.
The next meeting will be theAnnual General Meeting whichwill be held on:Tuesday 12th February 2008.At this meeting decisions will bemade which will determine thefuture of the Alumni Association.Please attend if you can.
WWTC ALUMNI LUNCHEONS
The Christmas luncheon will beheld at the Masonic Club inCastlereigh Street Sydney onFriday 23rd November.
For bookings contact KevinWilcox on 02 9580 5916 a weekbefore.
1956/57 REUNION
A reminder that the reunion forthe 1956/57 session will be heldat Ranelagh House Robertsonon 15-16 March 2008.It is a significant year as it willbe 50 years since wecommenced our teachingcareer.Phone 4885 1111 for bookings.
Page 13
A LIFE OF ACHIEVEMENTRODNEY FENTON
(1950-51)
Rodney Donald Fenton was born15.1.33 and died 31.5.07 aged 74. Hegrew up in Dubbo and attended DubboHigh School and then to WaggaTeachers College 1950-51.
He began his teaching career atEdgehill, a small school near Henty. Hethen taught in the Deniliquin areabefore returning to Dubbo in 1958 toteach at Dubbo South Primary School.While at South Rod was asked to fill anawkward spot at Dubbo High Schoolteaching OAs. He then moved to theSocial Science department where hebecame acting Social Science Master onthe retirement of Harry Treverrow.
Rod commenced a BA degree with NewEngland Armidale in 1964 majoring inEconomics and Geography –Geography being his passion.
In 1971 he moved with wife Margaretand children Ian and Jenny toCoonabarabran as Social ScienceMaster – a position he held until takingearly retirement at 55 in 1988.
Rod was a dedicated teacher whoparticipated in all phases of school life– a lover of his students and people, - amate, and friend to all whatever age.
Rod enjoyed teaching whether hisstudents were good or bad, gifted ornot. He was patient but firm andlearning in Rod’s classes was fun. Hewas a leader to his staff. His inspiringways lead many students to continuetheir studies beyond High School withamazing successes.
Rod carried the Olympic torch at Hentyin 1956 and was honoured to carry itonce again in Coonabarabran in 2000.He suffered with arthritis for manyyears and had a knee replacement in1999 to enable him to jog more freelywith the torch. Since then he had hadboth hips replaced – the last in late2006.
Always being a frustrated farmer, onretiring Rod “retired” to his little farmKOSTALLOTTA on the Timor Roadwhile still living in town. There hegrew gladdies, fruit, vegies, pecan nuts
and berries and raised a few head ofcattle – all named.
Rod loved the limelight and performedin many local musicals such as Mikado,South Pacific and Fiddler on the Roof –yes, he was Fagin in Oliver.
Rod was diagnosed with a veryaggressive cancer in Jan 2007 andsuccumbed at the end of May.
A tribute to Rod was the editorial in theCoonabarabran Times 7.7.07 – “apopular member of the community. Hisrapport with people from all walks oflife, and his continued interest in thepursuits of all who crossed his path,will be remembered with fondness.”
Rod loved music – most music butespecially John Williamson. “TrueBlue” could have been written for/abouthim.
****************
BOB BENNETTS(1960-61)
Bob Bennets died on Saturday, June 30,2007, surrounded by his family inCanberra, Australia, after a long andcourageous battle with cancer. Bob wasborn in Tumut, New South Wales,Australia, on December 28, 1944, andattended Tumut Primary and HighSchools. He graduated from WaggaWagga Teachers’ College in 1963 and,after three years of teaching in NewSouth Wales, he emigrated to Canadawhere he spent the next 30+ yearsteaching in School District #60 (PeaceRiver North) in British Columbia.
Bob was principal of several schools inFort St. John and area and earned muchrespect from parents, students and hiscolleagues as a teacher, a leader, aneducator, an innovator, and a vocalproponent of many varied causes.
His school musical productions werewell known throughout the District,and among his many achievements wasthe establishment of the School DistrictCultural program. Bob was very activein the Fort St. John community,especially as a Master of Ceremonies atvarious arts and cultural activities, andat the Annual Fort St John ChildDevelopment Talent Show. Bob was
well-known in the Provincial and localarts community for his active support,and he was a member of the BritishColumbia Provincial Arts Council, andBritish Columbia Touring Council formany years.
Bob returned to Australia in 2000where he settled in the warmth of CoffsHarbour in New South Wales. There heenjoyed his garden, his woodworkingand once again the close proximity ofhis family.
Bob touched many lives. He will bedeeply missed.
****************
MARY RYDER(1949-50)
The following article was taken fromThe Wagga Daily Advertiser, July 2007.
Wagga lost one of its more influentialcitizens on Saturday with the death ofteacher Mary Ryder. Ms Ryder, whowas Wagga sporting news identity TedRyder’s sister, taught in the area formany years, was 75 and is survived byher sisters Clare and Elizabeth.
Former editor of the Daily AdvertiserMichael McCormack, who knows thefamily well, said he was saddened byMs Ryder’s passing. “She was a greatlady”, he said.
“In many ways she was a lot like herlate brother Ted, who dominated thelocal sporting media – newspapers,radio and television – for more thatthree decades.
“Both were very forthright with theirviews and meticulous in theirprofessions. Everything had to be justright.
“But for all their frankness, the Ryderswere very kind and caring people andwere greatly respected in thecommunity. My deepest sympathy goesto Mary’s sisters Clare and Elizabeth.”
****************
Page 14
Increasing higher education opportunitiesfor inland NSW
Story by Peter Andrea
Charles Sturt University (CSU), Griffith City Council and TAFENSW Riverina Institute (RI) will cooperate to develop furtheropportunities for higher education in Griffith and the WesternRiverina region though a Memorandum of Understanding(MOU) to be signed this week in Griffith.
The parties will devise a strategic plan to sustainably developtertiary education in Griffith, which will support the growth ofthe city and the NSW Western Riverina region. The plan willalso aim to improve participation in higher education in theregion, which is currently below State and national levels.
CSU Acting Vice-Chancellor Professor Ross Chambers says theMOU builds on the collaborative achievements in the parties’teaching and research in recent years, including:
• the establishment of a joint Riverina Institute/CSUstudy centre at RI’s Griffith Campus in business courses atundergraduate and post graduate levels;
• collaboration between CSU and Riverina Institutein providing higher education in social welfare, networkengineering, digital media and fine arts;
• the extension of the work of CSU’s National Wineand Grape Industry Research Centre and water managementresearch in the Griffith region.
Professor Chambers says,”CSU welcomes this collaboration. Itwill greatly assist us in our commitment to the education of
professionals who will be retained in and contribute to inlandAustralian communities.”
”We are always looking at ways in which we can bring moreeducational opportunities to people within our communities,and this is great example of how we can work co-operatively tobenefit people in our region,” says Riverina Institute DirectorRosemary Campbell.
Griffith City Mayor Councillor (Cr) Dino Zappacostawelcomes the impending MOU signing as a positive step forGriffith and the communities of the Western Riverina.
“Developing a greater university presence in Griffith will helpto attract people to the area and retain some of the youngpeople who leave to pursue tertiary studies,” he said.
“This community has identified access to tertiary education asan important factor to stimulate future growth of this city.”
Cr Zappacosta also applauds the forward thinking of both theRiverina Institute and CSU that fostered partnerships such asthe one being developed with Griffith City Council, which willprovide positive options and access to tertiary facilities andcourses that would otherwise be unavailable to regionalcommunities.
The MOU establishes a working group, which comprises twosenior members from CSU, Griffith City Council and RI tooversee its development and implementation.
The WWTCAA Scholarship Fund currently stands at$57,501.20. This is a superb effort!
It would be great if we could reach the $60,000 markbefore Christmas. If all 3000 alumni gave just $1.00we’d more than make it.
The University pays tribute to all those WWTCAlumni who have so very generously donated to thiswonderful Scholarship.
Twelve young students have benefitted from yourgenerousity as will many more into the future.
Wagga Wagga Teachers’ CollegeScholarship Fund
Event & Reunions Dates for 2008
Early March CSU-Bathurst Rugby FundraiserCity Tattersall’s Sydney
March 11 - 13 WWTC 1960-61 Broulee
March 15 & 16 WWTC 1956-57 Robertson
March 21 - 24 RCAE 1975-85 Wagga Wagga
October 17 - 19 WWTC 1957-58 Wagga Wagga
October 24 - 26 Wagga Ag 1956 Wagga Wagga
For information on any of these events contact theAlumni Office on 02 6338 4629 or email to
Page 15
I would prefer to receive my Talkaboutby email
The Wagga Wagga Teachers’ CollegeAlumni Association Scholarship Appeal
KEEPING THE SPIRIT ALIVE IN 2007 TO SECURE THE FUTURE
Here is my annual contribution to the production ofTALKABOUT.
My contribution for 2007 is: $ ________________
Surname: __________________________________
Former Name: ______________________________
Given Names: ______________________________
Address: __________________________________
________________________ Postcode: ________
Years at College: ____________ to _____________
Home Phone: ______________________________
Work Phone: ______________________________
Facsimile: ________________________________
E.mail: ___________________________________
The WWTC Alumni committee is seeking your continuing support for the Scholarship Fund in 2007. Although we havereached our target of $50,000, we are keen to see this expand and allow us to either have an additional Scholarship or to makethe present one more prestigious.
It is an important project as it serves not only to assist students who have affiliations with our members but also to perpetuatethe spirit and comradeship which was established so long ago and still exists. The WWTC Alumni Association will have directinput as to how this Fund is managed and where the Fund will expend its monies. All information pertaining to activities of theFund will be communicated to our membership through ‘TALKABOUT’.
Your willingness and courage to ‘secure the future’ providing for the best possible education for members of the WWTCAlumni family is an outstanding goal.
In order for donations to reach their destination as quickly as possible, please take note of the following information:-Scholarship Fund donations must go directly to the CSU Foundation at:-
The Grange, Charles Sturt University, Panorama Avenue, Bathurst NSW 2795
Talkabout contributions should go directly to the Treasurer of the WWTC Alumni Association:-Lindsay Budd, 4 Flemington Close, Casula NSW 2170.
As you know, we pay for the printing of TALKABOUT and now we have to bear the cost of postage. It has therefore beendecided that an annual contribution of $10 per member is required and that this will fall due at the time of the March“Talkabout”. Remember to send your contribution directly to the Treasurer. If you require a receipt please enclose astamped addressed envelope.
The Alumni Office over the years has been a great supporter of the Association and will continue to provide what assistancethey can. They will still do the mailing of Talkabout. To assist them to cut costs you can opt to receive your “Talkabout” byemail. Simply tick the box on the bottom of your contribution form. The Alumni Office will appreciate your help very much.
If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact the Alumni Office on 02 63384629
I want to support the WWTCAA Scholarship Appeal(All gifts over $2.00 are TAX DEDUCTABLE.)
My gift for 2007 is: $________________
Please find my cheque for $ __________________
OR please debit my credit card for $ ____________
Card type: Mastercard Visa
Name on Card: _________________________________
Expiry Date: ___________________________________
Signature: ____________________________________
Surname: _____________________________________
Former Name: _________________________________
Given Names: _________________________________
Address: _____________________________________
________________________ Postcode: ___________
Years at College: ____________ to ________________
Home Phone: __________________________________
Work Phone: __________________________________
Facsimile: ____________________________________
E-mail: _______________________________________
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If undeliverable please return to:The Alumni OfficeCharles Sturt UniversityBathurst NSW 2795 Australia
Place address sticker here.
Change of Address If your address details are incorrect please notify Michelle at:
The Alumni OfficeCharles SturtUniversity
Bathurst NSW 2795 Australia
POSTAGE
PAID
AUSTRALIA
Novem
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Volum
e 10 No 3
Nov
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