THE REUNION IN CANBERRA

 These 5 Kambu Cuties were some of the 90+ folk who celebrated 50 years since graduation. What fun everybody had. Barbecues, official dinner, dancing, drinks, cruise.... and all that sort of stuff. Dale, Di, Fay, Jan and Gabi are the Kambu girls.

Laraine and Bruce Lucas enjoyed their chance to party and catch up with folk they'd not seen for decades in some cases.

 Wow! How gorgeous! And the flowers are lovely too!

 These flowers were grown by Graham and Janet Wright and brought to the reunion to decorate the tables. Janet instructed a few volunteers who then put the roses together. They sure looked great.

 Bruce played while we sang. Sounded great Bruce. Thanks.

 Sue thanks Col Sale - our guest speaker. Col was a warden and lecturer during 1963-64.

 Many ex-students caught up with Col to have a chat. Here John Griffin chats with Col.

 De Bak and Whit - have stories to share.

These two, Wendy and Keith, enjoyed college and each other. They've been married for nearly 50 years now.
fff
Activities included a Meet and Greet on the Friday night at the Forrest Hotel, a bus tour on Saturday finishing with a barbecue lunch. Then the official dinner was on Saturday night at the Hellenic Club. What a top night! On Sunday, there was a gorgeous lunch at Yarralumla followed by a lake cruise for the stayers on dusk. (Barbie on board the cruise boat.)
Fifty years is worth celebrating. Wonder when the next gathering will be? Two possibilities at this stage for 2015 include a bonfire at Kenthurst (Sydney) in July/August and a gathering in Melbourne, probably around Melbourne Cup time. Keep an eye on this blog for more pictures and updates. For Andy's photos, check out his FLIKR account by googling WWTCREUNION. (Or was it WWTC REUNION?) If I found it, you should be able to also.

GRAEME O'BRIEN

Later start than the rest of you but eventually received a letter saying that I was approved to join the teaching service.

ggg

Appointed as Science teacher to Wagga Wagga HS in March 1965. That didn’t last long! Transferred at Easter to Doonside HS to teach Science and Mathematics. Taught PE as well but mainly Mathematics.

ggg

Married Susann 17/01/70. Happy wife, happy life!

ggg

Transferred to Singleton HS as a Mathematics teacher, starting at the beginning of 1970.

ggg

Completed Bachelor of Arts in the School of Mathematics and Physics in Macquarie University, having started at UNE in my second year at Wagga Wagga.

ggg

Children, Sarah 1973, Garth 1977 and Andrew 1980 born while living at Reedy Creek.

ggg

Enrolled in the Masters Degree programme in the University of Newcastle in 1984.

ggg

Taught at Singleton until the end of 1985 when I was appointed Head Teacher Mathematics at Wallsend HS.

ggg

Completed Master of Educational Studies in 1988.

ggg

Transferred to Singleton HS as Mathematics Head Teacher, starting at the beginning of 1990.

ggg

Grandchildren started to appear in this time: Olivia 2000, Sophie 2004, Hamish 2006, Elodie

2006, Nesha 2008, Nicolas 2008 and Grace 2011.

ggg

Retired from teaching 19/09/2005. 40 years, 6 months and 5 days the Department letter said!

ggg

I have led a very rewarding life in Singleton:

I joined the Rural Fire Service in May 1971, hold the rank of Group Officer and received the National Medal for Service in 2010.

There has been a long running interest in Rugby as a player, coach and administrator.

Rural interests include serving on the Northern Agricultural Association Committee.

I joined Rotary in 1990, am a past president and Paul Harris Fellow and am currently serving as the District Secretary.

ggg

We had a Hereford cattle operation while at Reedy Creek but downsized and bought a property at Bulga where we still have cattle and a small vineyard growing muscat grapes.

ggg

Fighting mine encroachment and noise and dust impacts on our village now consume much time. We never thought about being environmental activists at this stage of our life.

ggg

Susann and I recognise how comfortable and lucky our life has been thus far – we really appreciate our lot and are grateful for our health, family and achievements.

JAN and JIM SMART

Yep, Jan Ferguson and Jim Smart were an item at college - they whizzed! (Ask Jan about the mixed common room incident!!)
Jan began her teaching at Yerong Creek (her home town 45 km from Wagga.) Jim started out at Cathcart, 20 minutes out of Bombala. Cathcart and Yerong Creek were about 400 km apart.
They married on 23 Dec 1967 and moved to Talbingo. From there they found their way to Canada (Buckhorn Elementary! - but that's another story).
Later the Smarts did a stint at Penang. Jim finished his career at Sanctuary Point as AP and the family lived in Bomaderry/Nowra. Jim was regarded as a premier fisherman and certainly caught the fish to go with the reputation.
Jim passed away on 19 October 2011, just 10 days after he reached 66.
Jan has now relocated to the Arbour in Berry on the south coast. It recently won the top "retirement place". [And it is very nice there.] Jan's still into gym work and of course craft. Her three daughters are in Townsville, Seattle and the NSW South Coast. Jan is eagerly awaiting grandkid #6, already overdue! Jan still has links with Nowra and visiting the three daughters and their families keeps her busy.
ggg
Oh, the mystery lady's initials were GZ and are now GB. (That's a giveaway!)

BILL FROST

Bill Frost once landed a JetRanger chopper at Nev Pollard's small school at Yarras Mill inland a bit from Wauchope in about Nov 1972. He was doing a ferry trip from New Guinea to Sydney and talked to Nev's kids then took Nev up for a ride.

gggg

 [From Bill:]         Visited Talbingo in either late 67 or early 68 by car while on a shooting trip. Luke Livissianos (Turvey Park Dem) was Headmaster to Jim Smart and I talked to the assembled kids on how a chopper stayed in the air. Self and a mate stayed in Jim's Talbingo house for about five days in Aug 68 school hols while Jim / Jan were away and I was about to depart for SVN. I got back from SVN just as Jim was about to leave for Canada in Sep 69 and I was able to take the family for lunch at Rose Bay. All back in the days when I was on the move all the time. Now I'm very content to watch the change of Seasons  and observe the trees grow.

ggg

Bill lives near Tumut - which is where Bob Bennetts and Dave Ross (WWTC 1962-63) came from and also Jim Smart.  

MYSTERY LADY

This lady attended WWTC in 1963-64. She lived in Kambu dormitory. She was not born in this country. She currently doesn't live in NSW. She has worked in education for longer than many of the ex-students.

WHO IS SHE? 

She will be at the reunion in Canberra!!!

SUE (UPTON) KING - MANY FACES!!

My two years at WWTC were great. “Growing up’ without mum and dad hanging over my shoulder for 2 years was a real bonus! But most importantly, friendships were made that are still strong today.

I only taught for 5 years here in Canberra at North Ainslie Primary as I married Gerd King in 1969. My years studying German certainly paid dividends, as shortly after marrying, we lived in his hometown in Germany in the Black Forest for about 18 months.

As Gerd was a letterpress compositor, we decided on our return to Australia in 1971 to start our own printing business, which (we are very proud to say) we are still working in together! Retirement is somewhere in the not too distant future ………….

Our 2 children, Martin Wendelin 41 and Elizabeth Anna 33, decided that Canberra is the place for their families to live. As grandparents living here, we couldn’t be happier. One grandson and 2 granddaughters certainly keep us both on our toes.

Gerd and I are keen racehorse owners and race goers. About 10 years ago, I started a club in Canberra called Women in Racing, which now has close to 200 members who love the racing scene. Until recently, I was a board member of the Canberra Racing Club, Diabetes ACT and the ACT Bookmakers’ Licensing Committee. Family and other interests now take up all my spare time.

Gerd and I used to ski, but this sport has been shelved permanently as our knees are not as good as they were. Going to the races is a very pleasant and non-strenuous alternate way to spend our leisure time together and with friends.

Life is good.

Editor: We, ex-students from WWTC, are most fortunate to have such an energetic, focused chairperson of our Reunion Planning Committee. We're sure gonna have a beaut time in Canberra at the end of October. Thanks Sue. 

John Cassidy

John retired early from the work scene due to illness. Then he worked in a call centre for 11 years. He is currently a volunteer at his church and also two nursing homes. Shortly John will be looking to move to a retirement village.

ALAN MILLS

Alan lived at Londonderry for 25 years, teaching at Colo High, North Richmond. Towards the end of his time there, the local environment group requested that Penrith City Council name the hall at Londonderry (which had recently had an expensive upgrade) after John Murphy and Alan Mills in recognition of their work for the environment. Unfortunately John passed away shortly before the naming. The above photo shows John's widow with Alan Mills at the naming and re-opening.
ddd
While Alan will be unable to join in the 50 year celebrations in Canberra, he has been generous in making a donation to the event. Thanks very much Alan. He now lives at Bilambil near Tweed Heads. Looks like a good spot Alan.

LADMORE, Malcolm

First school - Forster Central where he met his wife. Then Dapto HS - 15 yrs. NZ exchange 1981. Resigned 1982 and went into newsagency and restaurant near Taree. Also Kip McGrath franchise. Back teaching 1996-2005 at Chatham High. 

Started Old Bar Pirates Rugby League (near Taree) in 1991, now life member.

Joined VISE (Volunteers for Isolated Students' Edn), working at cattle station, circuses!!

Interests now: Bowls, travel, volunteering including Manning Art Gallery. 

TONY SCANLON

 Appointed Broken Hill North Primary (1965-66) re-assigned Secondary 1967 - Bankstown Boys High; thence Pennant Hills High

Completed BA(Hons1) Macquarie 1973

English/History Subject Master, Whalan High.

Seconded to Uni New England as Dip Ed Lecturer English 76-79

Completed PhD (Early English Literature 1985)

From 1980-91 worked in tertiary sector (Macquarie, Darwin Institute Technology, UNE)

Senior English teacher Scots College Sydney 1991-2000

Senior Lecturer English Hong Kong University College 2002-2009.

Retired 2010

Married Susan Mack 1967.

Four children, 2 granddaughters.

Published 2 books of poetry (1990;1995); edited a number of books and anthologies. Have been very active on the lit. scene since leaving College, including many readings at literary festivals and on AM and FM radio; and as a judge for lit. competitions.

OLDIES but GOODIES or 6 of the BEST

Looks like the following folk are pretty definite for Canberra in October: Besson, Zeidler, Gra Brown, Cureton, Brophy, Deards, Fitzpatrick, Kerin, Forsythe, Marion Smithy, Griffin, Diehm, Rob Hughes, Keast, Bailey, Upton, Ladmore, Lambert, Mitchie, Lisle, B Lucas, Masters, McKibbin, McSeveny, Olsen, Pollard (at least one species), Ryan, Ferguson, Helen (Merv Smith's widow), Walker, Warfield, Fulton, Wright and Barry Robbo (62-63). Throw in a few spouses and presto! You've got about 45 I reckon. Fairly definite starters. Feel free to phone Marion (Smith) Giddy and register: 0412 817 645

 I can recognise Megan and Fay at the start of the line-up of Kambu girls. There's also Dale and maybe Joy Barr and Chris Jack there. Oh Millsie is behind Megan.

 Nev Pollard, Bob Hughes and Dave Lisle.

 So, do you recognise any of these girls?

 Jan Ferg, Jim Smart, Millsie, Mick Carney, Fay Bailey and Dino Forsythe.

 Tom, Dave, Doug, Dave, Bob (now Rob) and Alan. How close am I?

Mr Cozier/Cosier is there amongst our Percy boxes. Maybe Lyn Ludwig at front left; Hughes, Pollard and Kember seated at front. Who are the others? 

ROB HUGHES

                                                           

                                             ROB HUGHES

Do you want to know what’s happened since I first began to teach?

I’ll dig down in my memory bank to see what I can reach.

It all started in Bombala back in 1965,

Many pleasant schools came after that to keep the dream alive.

Mt Druitt was a highlight, that was where I met my wife,

Who for more than forty years has been a beacon in my life.

Lakemba, Penshurst West, on to Padstow Park, and then

A big step up the ladder at Panania North School Dem.

Three years as a consultant in the Region at St George,

That took a lot of effort as ahead I strove to forge.

New English was my subject as I struggled in the midst

Of syllabus revival, and it was there I won Third List.

DP out at Ingleburn, Sackville Street’s the name,

Then sixteen years at Peakhurst as a leader in the game.

List Four, P1 at Holsworthy, eleven hundred kids,

And a staff all made in heaven – wouldn’t have missed that school for quids.

Alongside Education, I’ve had a thrilling ride

As professional musician, earning income on the side.

A muso’s life’s exciting, playing dives and places grand,

This for me began in Wagga in the ‘Lucas Old Time Band’.

Retirement is a lot of fun; I’ll not be a white elephant,

Eight years as outback touring guide; right now, a civil celebrant.

Who knows what’s in the future? You may guess but you can’t know it,

I’m testing out my mettle now. A budding new bush poet?

We have four happy grandchildren, who keep us wide awake,

When they join us for sleepovers when their parents take a break.

For our further entertainment, when there’s time for more exertion,

We enjoy some time away on a brief van or boat excursion.

As I look back over my career of more than fifty years,

I recall so many happy times, and not too many tears.

You dare to hope in younger days, “Will all my dreams come true?”

My experience of life lets me assure you… yes, they do!                                © Rob Hughes 2014

VAN DAVY

Living at Pearl Beach, NSW with wife Yue. Step daughter Sheng now off at Sydney Uni so we are freer to do as we wish. Latest adventures have included two 3 week bicycle tours [through Vietnam and Taiwan], a 4 week motorcycle rip through NZ, with an [in planning now] 2015 hybrid [bicycle + motorcycle] 6 month trip through Turkey, Greece, Adriatic coast, Italy, France, UK, Norway. Any ideas from more experienced travellers are welcomed.
 
Very engaged with matters political, especially since the Abbott-led and Murdoch-managed neo-cons have taken the Treasury benches and shame us internationally with their denial of Climate Change and brutal treatment of refugees [amongst other matters]. 
 
My wife is a Japanese-Chinese cuisine chef, an elite musician [traditional Chinese instruments], and a truly great travelling companion, amongst many other attributes. She really enjoyed her recent weekend engagement with the WWTC crew at Marion's, thinks everyone is warm and caring, everyone is intelligent, all seem to be without hallucinations of greatness, none suffering from Narcisism ... she loved them all. She managed to get a long yarn with Helen to whom she has taken a shine.
 
Finished a PhD with 3 top boxes in 2009. It is the single most unread piece of high-quality research in the English-speaking world. 
I am currently attempting to:
[a] establish a blog where I will advance my researched views [finding the blog very difficult to est]
[b] up-date my thesis with current data so that those who do not read it will be not reading the best of up-to-date research in this field
[c] ignore the fact that I turn 70 this year.
 
I am grappling with Facebook and welcome all to connect.
 

Very active in the Rural Fire Service, especially as President of the Trail Bike Squad which comprises 20 men [no women now] who patrol the fire trails of the Central Coast throughout the year.
 
Mobile: 0414310968
Email: vandavy@hotmail.com
Contact: is very welcome
Pearl Beach: is accessible and welcoming no matter what your views.

All the best, Van

PARTY TIME AT KENTHURST... again

I can't believe the matrons came through and gave us all a serve! Including me!!

 Yes... it's on again. Thanks heaps Marion. Any excuse for a party eh?

50 YEAR REUNION IN OCTOBER

Coming so far: Marion GIDDY (Smith), Sue KING (Upton), Bernie and Janice FITZPATRICK (Kerin), Jan SMART (Ferguson), Bruce and Laraine LUCAS (Masters), Grahame and Fay KEAST (Bailey), Alan McSEVENY, Dave BESSON, Graham and Janet WRIGHT, Keith and Wendy LAMBERT (Mitchie) and Malcolm LADMORE. This list will be updated regularly.

fff

If you want more information contact: Sue KING - 0411046347; Marion GIDDY - 0412817645 or Grahame KEAST - 0411386814. 

Accommodation Options: 

• Brassy Hotel, Barton 02 6273 3766
• Forrest Hotel, Forrest 1800 676 372
• Adobe Hotel, Phillip 1300 122 633
• Rydges Capital Hill, Barton 02 6295 3144
• Alivio Tourist Park 02 6247 5466
• Canberra Carotel and Caravan Park, Watson 02 6241 1377

See you at the action - 24, 25 and 26 October. Make sure you register. Go on, ring Marion!!

FIRST BIOS ARE IN...GUESS WHO?

JANICE KERIN and BERNIE FITZPATRICK

1964: Bernie meets Janice, WWTC, 18^th March; Janice, plays hard-to-get … … … … … …

1965: Janice, Narrandera PS – ’65-‘66

Bernie, 2^nd Year WWTC – hitch-hiking to Narrandera!!!

Bernie & Janice announce engagement, Bernie’s grad ball, December ‘65

1966: Bernie, Leeton HS – ’66-‘71

1967: Bernie and Janice marry, North Goulburn, 7^th January ‘67

Janice, Leeton PS – ’67-‘68

Birth of Stephen; 6 siblings in next 15 years: Gabrielle, Dolores, Juanita, Bernadette, Julian and Adrian

1972: Bernie, Mt Austin HS, Wagga Wagga – ‘72

1973: Bernie, RAAF School Penang, Malaysia – secondment to Department of Defence, ’73-‘75

1975: Janice, part-time casual RAAF School Penang – ‘75

1976: Bernie, Warilla HS (Southern Illawarra) – ’76-‘77

Bernie & Janice, tertiary studies (external study)

1977: Bernie, BA degree, UNE Armidale – ‘65-‘76

1978: Bernie, History Master, Oak Flats HS – ’78-‘83

1979: Janice, Dip Teach (Primary), Wollongong Institute of Education

1980: Janice, part-time permanent Teacher-Librarian, Stella Maris Shellharbour – ’80-‘98

1984: Bernie, Deputy Principal, St Joseph’s HS Albion Park – ’84-‘89

1986: Janice, Grad Dip School Librarianship, Riverina-Murray Institute of Higher Education

1989: Bernie departed from teaching; work in finance industry – Oct ‘89

1990: Bernie returned to classroom teaching, Miller Technology HS (Green Valley) – Term 4 ’90-‘91

1992: Bernie, Deputy Principal, Miller Technology HS – ’92-‘96

1997: Bernie, Deputy Principal, Lake Illawarra HS – ’97-‘02

1999: Janice, part-time permanent Teacher-Librarian, St Paul’s PS, Moss Vale – ’99-‘00

2006: Bernie & Janice, Sydney–Surfers Paradise fund-raiser bike ride (on a tandem), 950 km – 7 days

2008: Bernie & Janice, Sydney–Surfers Paradise fund-raiser bike ride (on a tandem), 950 km – 7 days

2008: Janice, part-time casual, UOW College, University of Wollongong

2009: Bernie, part-time casual, UOW College, University of Wollongong

2012: Bernie & Janice, Broken Hill–Tibooburra fund-raiser mountain bike ride, 700 km – 14 days

2014: Bernie & Janice, Warren–Warren via Qld border fund-raiser mountain bike ride, 850 km – 14 days

In Summary: Children growing up: parents become more sensitive teachers

Grandchildren arrive: more fun and games

Overseas travel: lots of fun; great learning experiences

Book group: widening horizons

Local Burmese refugees: ESL support

OF CARS AND SNOW ETC

 Snow trips were GREAT fun. Many who went on these had never seen snow before.
Here Di Edwards enjoys being a model..... well, the photographer enjoyed it anyway.

 We did think we were pretty flash in those days. I wonder how many could fit into a small Renault to go to dems? Hughes, Porter, Kember.... who else is there?

 XXXXXX, Keith Jenkins, Cookie Masters and Bruce Lucas.

 Makes me laugh just looking at this photo.

 Di Edwards, Lorraine Collins, Fay Bailey, Jan Ferguson & Dale Read.

All Kambu girls from 1963-64.

 Crosweller and Keast

 Keast, Edwards, Ziedler and Lawrence

Yes, none other than Andy Baltaks.

PLAYERS IN THE 60s

 Laraine "Cookie" Masters.... married Bruce Lucas. 

 A famous baseballer in early 60s!!

 Who could forget Jacko from PE?

 ...or Maree O'Donnell (music).

Merv Smith elected to sit at the back!