REMINISCENCES
The following series of reminiscences is made up of articles and notes sent in by
ex students or culled from school publications. They all make good reading, but some of them are quite lengthy so we have set them up as links.
Simply click on them to get the full article.
We would love to add yours if you feel inclined to email something to us.
ex students or culled from school publications. They all make good reading, but some of them are quite lengthy so we have set them up as links.
Simply click on them to get the full article.
We would love to add yours if you feel inclined to email something to us.
H.P.BENNETT and the school motto
H.P.Bennett was Head Master of Coburg High School from 1924 to 1943. He was the longest serving principal in the school's history and arguably the most influential in creating and maintaining the culture of CHS.
Ron Reed [see Notable Students] taught at CHS in those days and later recalled H.P.Bennett as follows.
Professor Harry Rigby [see Notable students] writes in his memories of 'Coey High'
A combined reminiscence from the 1950's by Andrew Leopold and Barry Mitchell.
Barry was Head Prefect in 1953 and Andrew almost dropped out half way through his high school career, but was saved by a kind Head Master.
He tells it this way.
He tells it this way.
Andrew's story
I began CHS in Form 3C in 1949, transitioning from Grade 7 at Whittlesea State School.
By the time I completed Form 4 Term 1 exams in 1950 I was really struggling, so having
turned 14, I left school in May 1950.
My father sent me back to school( as a punishment) in November 1950 and I found myself
sitting in the examination room for Term 3. Stan Hutchison ( a favourite teacher of mine)
asked me why I was there and then advised me to come back the next week, which I did.
I repeated form 4 in 1951.
When I went to the school as a student teacher in 1957 one of the teachers said to me,
"Do you remember when you came back to school, Andy?" I replied, "Of course I do".
His response was, "When you came back we had a discussion in the staff room, because we were
not required to let you return (your having turned 14). When we took a vote, only two teachers
voted in favour of you returning, yet Len Millar let you".
I began CHS in Form 3C in 1949, transitioning from Grade 7 at Whittlesea State School.
By the time I completed Form 4 Term 1 exams in 1950 I was really struggling, so having
turned 14, I left school in May 1950.
My father sent me back to school( as a punishment) in November 1950 and I found myself
sitting in the examination room for Term 3. Stan Hutchison ( a favourite teacher of mine)
asked me why I was there and then advised me to come back the next week, which I did.
I repeated form 4 in 1951.
When I went to the school as a student teacher in 1957 one of the teachers said to me,
"Do you remember when you came back to school, Andy?" I replied, "Of course I do".
His response was, "When you came back we had a discussion in the staff room, because we were
not required to let you return (your having turned 14). When we took a vote, only two teachers
voted in favour of you returning, yet Len Millar let you".
Andrew Leopold remembers.
The form 6 boys of 1953 were out-maneuvered by the headmaster, Len Millar, when we were playing branders in the cramped schoolyard, and thus endangering the younger students.
He forbade us from playing for safety reasons and we reacted by playing "drop the hanky" and"ring-a ring-a-rosy.
It is my recollection that Ashley Cooper, one of our better known ex-students, brought along a heavy skipping rope, with which we played, on the second day.
We got the message, I guess via head prefect Barry Mitchell, that we could play branders, but we would need to go down to MacDonald Reserve to do it.
Of course, this was too much effort so we discontinued our game.
The form 6 boys of 1953 were out-maneuvered by the headmaster, Len Millar, when we were playing branders in the cramped schoolyard, and thus endangering the younger students.
He forbade us from playing for safety reasons and we reacted by playing "drop the hanky" and"ring-a ring-a-rosy.
It is my recollection that Ashley Cooper, one of our better known ex-students, brought along a heavy skipping rope, with which we played, on the second day.
We got the message, I guess via head prefect Barry Mitchell, that we could play branders, but we would need to go down to MacDonald Reserve to do it.
Of course, this was too much effort so we discontinued our game.
Barry Mitchell recalls.
I remember the incident well, but not quite the same as Andrew does, as I was well and truly involved.As far as I recall, the episode of "branders" was stopped by Len Millar when I was a fifth year Prefect, along with Allan Thompson, Don Jones and that crew. I'm not sure who confiscated the rope but I think it was Allan Thompson who decided that as we had the rope in the Prefects Room we should do something worthwhile with it. After some deliberation on the subject it was decided the best thing we could do with it was to tie somebody up. Nobody seemed willing to go along with this, so I ultimately volunteered rather stupidly, and naively, to go along with it, not thinking what the dire consequences might be.
The result was that one by one the kids went home from school and the Prefects left me there very securely bound with absolutely no hope of escaping.and eventually Messrs Millar and Nielsen met in the corridor outside the Prefects room and had along conversation, leaving me shaking in my boots expecting them to walk in any minute. This did not happen and eventually they also went home. Meantime I still could still not free myself.
Eventually at about six o'clock the then cleaner, George Lewis, walked in and freed me, having been set up by Thompson and Jones, making me late for football training , my after school job and my dinner.
For the full story of Barry Mitchell's time at CHS and how he came to be half of the only brother and sister head prefect team in it's history,
press this link.
press this link.
PAT CHAMBERS RECALLS HOW COBURG HIGH SCHOOL INFLUENCED AUSTRALIAN WOMEN'S SOFTBALL
Pat chambers [1st left seated] in 1949
Coburg High School and the effect it has had on my life
By Pat Chambers (Nee. Ploog)
1949
In form 4 the sport I chose was softball and I became an extra player for the team. The sport interested me so occasionally on a Sunday I rode my bike to Fawkner Park to watch softball games.
1968
I was married with 4 daughters and living in Mt. Waverley.
Waverley Softball Association ran primary competitions for Grade 6 and Grade 5 girls and had decided to introduce Grade 4 to the sport. Our second daughter Sue, as a grade 4 pupil had her introduction to a sport that set a future for my family. The teacher in charge already coached both Grade 5 and 6 teams so was looking for help.
Sue volunteered that Mum had a photo of her in a school softball team, so I was recruited to coach. My knowledge was very basic, but I was fortunate to find another player’s older sister with the skill to take over.
The team successively won the grade 4, 5 and 6 titles (only team to do this) as well as the Victorian Primary School Championship, with Sue continuing to State and Australian representation. Her youngest sister (Robyn) followed on and was the youngest member of the Australian team to compete in the inaugural World Under 19 Softball Championship in 1981. Having two daughters to wear the Australian green and gold was very satisfying.
2002
Robyn’s daughter Leigh continued the softball path, gaining her first selection at Australian level at 13 years of age and since has achieved worldwide acknowledgement. She represented at every age group in and for Australia and had a season with Radford College, West Virginia, USA. With many thousands playing college ball in the States she achieved top ten batting stats. She enlarged her achievements in 2014; after playing in The Netherlands at the World Softball Championship she flew immediately on to Japan to play for Australia in the World Baseball Championship.
Both teams won Bronze Medals and her performance was highlighted as unique. She has won numerous individual awards and is now an Olympic ambassador for softball’s return to the 2020 Olympics in Japan.
Softball has enabled me to travel to New Zealand, Canada via Japan, Taiwan via China, and Europe as well as visiting every Australian State.
I sometimes wonder what direction my family might have taken without the Coburg High School photo.
By Pat Chambers (Nee. Ploog)
1949
In form 4 the sport I chose was softball and I became an extra player for the team. The sport interested me so occasionally on a Sunday I rode my bike to Fawkner Park to watch softball games.
1968
I was married with 4 daughters and living in Mt. Waverley.
Waverley Softball Association ran primary competitions for Grade 6 and Grade 5 girls and had decided to introduce Grade 4 to the sport. Our second daughter Sue, as a grade 4 pupil had her introduction to a sport that set a future for my family. The teacher in charge already coached both Grade 5 and 6 teams so was looking for help.
Sue volunteered that Mum had a photo of her in a school softball team, so I was recruited to coach. My knowledge was very basic, but I was fortunate to find another player’s older sister with the skill to take over.
The team successively won the grade 4, 5 and 6 titles (only team to do this) as well as the Victorian Primary School Championship, with Sue continuing to State and Australian representation. Her youngest sister (Robyn) followed on and was the youngest member of the Australian team to compete in the inaugural World Under 19 Softball Championship in 1981. Having two daughters to wear the Australian green and gold was very satisfying.
2002
Robyn’s daughter Leigh continued the softball path, gaining her first selection at Australian level at 13 years of age and since has achieved worldwide acknowledgement. She represented at every age group in and for Australia and had a season with Radford College, West Virginia, USA. With many thousands playing college ball in the States she achieved top ten batting stats. She enlarged her achievements in 2014; after playing in The Netherlands at the World Softball Championship she flew immediately on to Japan to play for Australia in the World Baseball Championship.
Both teams won Bronze Medals and her performance was highlighted as unique. She has won numerous individual awards and is now an Olympic ambassador for softball’s return to the 2020 Olympics in Japan.
Softball has enabled me to travel to New Zealand, Canada via Japan, Taiwan via China, and Europe as well as visiting every Australian State.
I sometimes wonder what direction my family might have taken without the Coburg High School photo.
THE TUCK-SHOP LADY 'MRS VIN'
Phyllis Vincent managed the “tuckshop”(as it was known in those days) from 1950 to 1968.
Mrs Vin, as she was known to her devoted following of food addicts, was not only the “tuckshop lady” but a true friend and confidant to many students and staff. She was always interested in what they were doing and was a shoulder to cry on when things were not going quite so well as they should have.
Mrs Vin, managed Fergusons cake shop for many years and when she was approached to join the Coburg High team she saw this an opportunity to cut back on her working hours and spend more time with her family. She also enjoyed the company of young people and had a real rapport with them.
Even after retiring in 1968, after the birth of her second grand child, she still kept in contact with staff members and followed the lives and achievements of many students. Coburg High was very much always in her heart.
Being chosen to help out in the “tuckshop” was quite an achievement. In those days there was a large variety of lollies, cakes, milkshakes, ice-creams and other delicious things that are definitely a no-no in school canteens today
(somehow the kids survived).
The “tuckshop” was quite famous for its bar where you lined up to enter (of course boys on one side girls on the other,
no mixing of the sexes). The school yard was quite segregated, as was the canteen (one half for boys another for girls). Some girls were considered to be quite “forward” as they loitered around the dividing bar to catch a few words or even a glimpse of their “heart throbs”. Mrs Vin got to see many romances blossom and develop at the bar
(she was even invited to quite a few weddings).
When she retired she really missed the social interaction so she joined the PANCH Auxiliary where she became President and later President of Northern Hospital Auxiliary. She loved every minute of it and was working in their kiosk and running fund-raising activities up until 12 months before she passed away in 2009 (aged 90).
Phyllis Vincent lived a very full and eventful life and is missed by many.
Mrs Vin, as she was known to her devoted following of food addicts, was not only the “tuckshop lady” but a true friend and confidant to many students and staff. She was always interested in what they were doing and was a shoulder to cry on when things were not going quite so well as they should have.
Mrs Vin, managed Fergusons cake shop for many years and when she was approached to join the Coburg High team she saw this an opportunity to cut back on her working hours and spend more time with her family. She also enjoyed the company of young people and had a real rapport with them.
Even after retiring in 1968, after the birth of her second grand child, she still kept in contact with staff members and followed the lives and achievements of many students. Coburg High was very much always in her heart.
Being chosen to help out in the “tuckshop” was quite an achievement. In those days there was a large variety of lollies, cakes, milkshakes, ice-creams and other delicious things that are definitely a no-no in school canteens today
(somehow the kids survived).
The “tuckshop” was quite famous for its bar where you lined up to enter (of course boys on one side girls on the other,
no mixing of the sexes). The school yard was quite segregated, as was the canteen (one half for boys another for girls). Some girls were considered to be quite “forward” as they loitered around the dividing bar to catch a few words or even a glimpse of their “heart throbs”. Mrs Vin got to see many romances blossom and develop at the bar
(she was even invited to quite a few weddings).
When she retired she really missed the social interaction so she joined the PANCH Auxiliary where she became President and later President of Northern Hospital Auxiliary. She loved every minute of it and was working in their kiosk and running fund-raising activities up until 12 months before she passed away in 2009 (aged 90).
Phyllis Vincent lived a very full and eventful life and is missed by many.
BRUCE HILL RECALLS MISS ROSS AND HER FATHER'S MATHS BOOK
Wilson and Ross
It was a large expense for families to start high school with uniforms and books to buy. Our first Maths book in Year 7 was simply known as Wilson and Ross after the surnames of the authors, two teachers or lecturers in the Victorian school system. Mathematics and Maths books were not hugely popular; x; y; and simultaneous equations;; now what was that all about. The book was around for years and often you would find students with second hand versions, but its reputation never improved and our first maths teacher Frank Demeo could not inspire us to like Wilson and Ross . Mr Demeo would ride his cycle to school, and of course he had a bike peg in the bike shed. It was years before I got a bike peg.
Later in Matriculation year I was taught Pure Mathematics by Miss Ross,who was a fine teacher not much older than her pupils …. Miss Ross was the daughter of the author of the dastardly Wilson and Ross ; she knew only too well what reputation her father’s book had throughout the land. Not deterred she intended to write her own maths book one day
Just recently I was at a grand parents day at a grandaughter’s primary school . The grade 5 boy sitting beside her had his proud new maths book, the first chapter was x ,y , and simultaneous equations , he was very proud of his maths text book.
Bruce Hill
It was a large expense for families to start high school with uniforms and books to buy. Our first Maths book in Year 7 was simply known as Wilson and Ross after the surnames of the authors, two teachers or lecturers in the Victorian school system. Mathematics and Maths books were not hugely popular; x; y; and simultaneous equations;; now what was that all about. The book was around for years and often you would find students with second hand versions, but its reputation never improved and our first maths teacher Frank Demeo could not inspire us to like Wilson and Ross . Mr Demeo would ride his cycle to school, and of course he had a bike peg in the bike shed. It was years before I got a bike peg.
Later in Matriculation year I was taught Pure Mathematics by Miss Ross,who was a fine teacher not much older than her pupils …. Miss Ross was the daughter of the author of the dastardly Wilson and Ross ; she knew only too well what reputation her father’s book had throughout the land. Not deterred she intended to write her own maths book one day
Just recently I was at a grand parents day at a grandaughter’s primary school . The grade 5 boy sitting beside her had his proud new maths book, the first chapter was x ,y , and simultaneous equations , he was very proud of his maths text book.
Bruce Hill
Form 2 1962
Memories and musings from Caroline Rasmussen [Robertson] 1961 to 1966
Also See 'Notable Students'
My life at CHS begins and ends with a very long, grey gabardine rain coat. Getting the uniform for school was very exciting - but expensive - and despite my height, my mother allowed for growth in all items. She was entitled, perhaps, to assume that I might grow as tall as my grandmother - but I didn't!
CLICK HERE FOR MORE Caroline [Robertson] Rasmussen
Also See 'Notable Students'
My life at CHS begins and ends with a very long, grey gabardine rain coat. Getting the uniform for school was very exciting - but expensive - and despite my height, my mother allowed for growth in all items. She was entitled, perhaps, to assume that I might grow as tall as my grandmother - but I didn't!
CLICK HERE FOR MORE Caroline [Robertson] Rasmussen
BOYS WILL BE BOYS
[John Bold 1955 stream]
John Bold [not quite as he looked then]
“Oh What a Beautiful Morning”
Frank Samblebe, who, as a senior member of staff, taught English, History and Latin during his time at CHS was well known for his role as one of the “enforcers” on staff. Frank was the son of a policeman, a fact of which he occasionally reminded us students when doling out punishments or just issuing warnings.
Frank also “enjoyed” his role as the “conductor” of the whole school community
hymn singing in the then Coburg Town Hall during the so-called “Scripture” session
attended by all the Protestant students during the first 40-45 minutes every Friday morning.
I say “enjoyed” because I’m sure that it was one of Frank’s greatest frustrations that he couldn’t inspire the boys, in particular, to sing the hymns on the CHS Hymn Sheet (a copy of which was always distributed to every student at the start of the service) with any sort of gusto during those Friday morning services.
I suspect that what made this all the more galling for him, was that, unsolicited, regularly, and on cue, ALL the boys in the Senior Locker Room (usually at morning recess, and no doubt on the odd Friday morning) could “lift the roof” of that pretty small acoustics-less enclosure with their rendition of “Oh What a Beautiful Morning”.
Also, on cue, very soon after the “singing” began, Frank would often appear at the door of the locker room, immediately bolt/lock the doors from the inside, thus trapping any would-be “escapees” and demand to know “Who started it?”
Would you believe, I can’t recall anyone “fessing up” - EVER?
Frank Samblebe, who, as a senior member of staff, taught English, History and Latin during his time at CHS was well known for his role as one of the “enforcers” on staff. Frank was the son of a policeman, a fact of which he occasionally reminded us students when doling out punishments or just issuing warnings.
Frank also “enjoyed” his role as the “conductor” of the whole school community
hymn singing in the then Coburg Town Hall during the so-called “Scripture” session
attended by all the Protestant students during the first 40-45 minutes every Friday morning.
I say “enjoyed” because I’m sure that it was one of Frank’s greatest frustrations that he couldn’t inspire the boys, in particular, to sing the hymns on the CHS Hymn Sheet (a copy of which was always distributed to every student at the start of the service) with any sort of gusto during those Friday morning services.
I suspect that what made this all the more galling for him, was that, unsolicited, regularly, and on cue, ALL the boys in the Senior Locker Room (usually at morning recess, and no doubt on the odd Friday morning) could “lift the roof” of that pretty small acoustics-less enclosure with their rendition of “Oh What a Beautiful Morning”.
Also, on cue, very soon after the “singing” began, Frank would often appear at the door of the locker room, immediately bolt/lock the doors from the inside, thus trapping any would-be “escapees” and demand to know “Who started it?”
Would you believe, I can’t recall anyone “fessing up” - EVER?
Ken Downes talks about his time at CHS and his work life.
FAILING MATRICULATION WAS NOT THE END
Coburg High School 1960 – 62
In compiling a record for a cricket team I had played for recently I summarised those events by concluding how influential the Coburg High School cricket and baseball teams of the 60 – 62 era were on that particular team and reflected on the friendships that were formed during that period that still hold today. I had transferred from a Technical School to Coburg High in 1960 and while I had some sporting success in those years (inaugural House Captain of Bayliss House in 1962) scholastically I was “so far behind the rest of the students I couldn’t hear the band playing”.
I met plenty of good people, both male and female and formed life-long friendships but academically I was a dud. I always tried to blame my first experience in a co-ed College as the excuse for my failure but I don’t think that even held up because I particularly enjoyed the expansion of personnel even if the yards were divided.
Parents of today place great faith in scholastic results but my personal view is that persistence is equally as important and I think my own history bears that out. I failed matriculation miserably but that certainly was not the end of the road for me.
My continued part-time studies after 1962 resulted in ultimately achieving an Associate Diploma of Mechanical Engineering and resulted in several company sponsored overseas trips to both UK and USA while working in Industry and finally a Dip Ed and B.Ed. after changing my profession to tertiary teaching at RMIT in 1974.
Those qualifications and a lucky encounter on a sponsored RMIT Study Tour to the USA in 1979 led to my being appointed the inaugural Victorian State-wide Co-ordinator of Engineering with the then recently created TAFE Services in 1982. From 1985 - 87 I was seconded from RMIT to BHP - Blue Scope Steel offering educational support to a tripartite project known as the Steel Industry Plan. This was driven by the Government of the day in order to retain an Australian Steel Industry. In 1988 I was awarded a Centenary Medallion from RMIT for development of the TAFE training programs for both the Refrigeration trade in Victoria and the successfully introduced BHP training programs at Hastings.
After leaving RMIT in 1994 I was employed by Transfield Shipbuilding as a consultant and worked on creating an accredited Shipbuilding TAFE Diploma and finally finished “practicing retirement” at the Australian Submarine Corporation in South Australia before retiring in 2006.
A great life – certainly not constrained by my early failures – but with vivid memories of the great times I had at Coburg High. I still laugh at John Bold and his quick witted “Assembly yard banter” with Tom Clancy concerning the “pigmy dunny diver” and others. I also thoroughly enjoyed the CHS re-union where I met Brian Lynch again as we relived our shared holiday experiences together at the Gold Coast in 1967 – as I said I made some great friends during the short time I had at CHS. Brian was the baseball coach in 1961 and we became good friends afterwards.
Addendum
After the successful implementation of the BHP training model in 1988 I spent a couple of months explaining what had occurred during 1985 – 87 at Lysaughts in a series of Industry driven information programs. I was quoted in the Geelong Advertiser as saying “During the past few years TAFE has serviced Industry in the same way as a bull services a cow” – didn’t go over big but it was true and I later summarised the work by saying TAFE would have to learn to cooperate with industry or they would evaporate. By 1994 I’d had it with education and was offered a job at Transfield Shipbuilding after targeting myself as HOD of the Refrigeration Department in the Jeff Kennett retirement packages available at the time. Who said Jeff didn’t do anything for education! Between Jeff selling Vic Rail, SEC and MMBW (companies that did the bulk of Government apprentice training at the time) and John Howard (who eliminated the Industry training levy in 1994 that was used to support the training of Australian tradespeople from 1985 onwards) it seemed fairly obvious to me it was a good time to get out of technical education. We are still feeling the effects of those decisions today with the demise of most of the meaningful TAFE programs.
I had been offered a job at Transfield in 1988 following the BHP program but I’d had it – at the interview the CEO said to me “This is a big project”. I’d just finished working on the $1.5 billion Steel Industry Plan and was not overly impressed by the statement. I think he read my body language appropriately and repeated “This is a big project – we’ll spend a $million a day every day for the next ten years.” Think about that! It was the ANZAC project that ultimately was worth over $5 billion. It was too big for me at the time but by 1994 I was ready for another change and joined a former RMIT colleague at Transfield Shipbuilding on a consulting basis (same salary as my HOD one working 3 days a week) – I refer to that period of my life as “practicing retirement”.
A funny side of all this was revisited at the original CHS re-union – I met John Brumley who was an outstanding athlete at CHS in the early 60’s (Prefect and House Captain as well I think) and he reminisced about a baseball game he had played with me at CHS. In conversation we realised we had had worked at RMIT at the same time and on introducing my wife (who was Admin Officer of the Vice-Chancellor of RMIT at the time) he said – “You are that Sue Downes”. We had a good laugh because irrespective my successes at RMIT, Centenary Medal and all, I ultimately was remembered as “Sue Downes’s husband.”
They were the best times – I hope to make it to the next re-union for more memories and laughs – I should put it on my Bucket List.
Coburg High School 1960 – 62
In compiling a record for a cricket team I had played for recently I summarised those events by concluding how influential the Coburg High School cricket and baseball teams of the 60 – 62 era were on that particular team and reflected on the friendships that were formed during that period that still hold today. I had transferred from a Technical School to Coburg High in 1960 and while I had some sporting success in those years (inaugural House Captain of Bayliss House in 1962) scholastically I was “so far behind the rest of the students I couldn’t hear the band playing”.
I met plenty of good people, both male and female and formed life-long friendships but academically I was a dud. I always tried to blame my first experience in a co-ed College as the excuse for my failure but I don’t think that even held up because I particularly enjoyed the expansion of personnel even if the yards were divided.
Parents of today place great faith in scholastic results but my personal view is that persistence is equally as important and I think my own history bears that out. I failed matriculation miserably but that certainly was not the end of the road for me.
My continued part-time studies after 1962 resulted in ultimately achieving an Associate Diploma of Mechanical Engineering and resulted in several company sponsored overseas trips to both UK and USA while working in Industry and finally a Dip Ed and B.Ed. after changing my profession to tertiary teaching at RMIT in 1974.
Those qualifications and a lucky encounter on a sponsored RMIT Study Tour to the USA in 1979 led to my being appointed the inaugural Victorian State-wide Co-ordinator of Engineering with the then recently created TAFE Services in 1982. From 1985 - 87 I was seconded from RMIT to BHP - Blue Scope Steel offering educational support to a tripartite project known as the Steel Industry Plan. This was driven by the Government of the day in order to retain an Australian Steel Industry. In 1988 I was awarded a Centenary Medallion from RMIT for development of the TAFE training programs for both the Refrigeration trade in Victoria and the successfully introduced BHP training programs at Hastings.
After leaving RMIT in 1994 I was employed by Transfield Shipbuilding as a consultant and worked on creating an accredited Shipbuilding TAFE Diploma and finally finished “practicing retirement” at the Australian Submarine Corporation in South Australia before retiring in 2006.
A great life – certainly not constrained by my early failures – but with vivid memories of the great times I had at Coburg High. I still laugh at John Bold and his quick witted “Assembly yard banter” with Tom Clancy concerning the “pigmy dunny diver” and others. I also thoroughly enjoyed the CHS re-union where I met Brian Lynch again as we relived our shared holiday experiences together at the Gold Coast in 1967 – as I said I made some great friends during the short time I had at CHS. Brian was the baseball coach in 1961 and we became good friends afterwards.
Addendum
After the successful implementation of the BHP training model in 1988 I spent a couple of months explaining what had occurred during 1985 – 87 at Lysaughts in a series of Industry driven information programs. I was quoted in the Geelong Advertiser as saying “During the past few years TAFE has serviced Industry in the same way as a bull services a cow” – didn’t go over big but it was true and I later summarised the work by saying TAFE would have to learn to cooperate with industry or they would evaporate. By 1994 I’d had it with education and was offered a job at Transfield Shipbuilding after targeting myself as HOD of the Refrigeration Department in the Jeff Kennett retirement packages available at the time. Who said Jeff didn’t do anything for education! Between Jeff selling Vic Rail, SEC and MMBW (companies that did the bulk of Government apprentice training at the time) and John Howard (who eliminated the Industry training levy in 1994 that was used to support the training of Australian tradespeople from 1985 onwards) it seemed fairly obvious to me it was a good time to get out of technical education. We are still feeling the effects of those decisions today with the demise of most of the meaningful TAFE programs.
I had been offered a job at Transfield in 1988 following the BHP program but I’d had it – at the interview the CEO said to me “This is a big project”. I’d just finished working on the $1.5 billion Steel Industry Plan and was not overly impressed by the statement. I think he read my body language appropriately and repeated “This is a big project – we’ll spend a $million a day every day for the next ten years.” Think about that! It was the ANZAC project that ultimately was worth over $5 billion. It was too big for me at the time but by 1994 I was ready for another change and joined a former RMIT colleague at Transfield Shipbuilding on a consulting basis (same salary as my HOD one working 3 days a week) – I refer to that period of my life as “practicing retirement”.
A funny side of all this was revisited at the original CHS re-union – I met John Brumley who was an outstanding athlete at CHS in the early 60’s (Prefect and House Captain as well I think) and he reminisced about a baseball game he had played with me at CHS. In conversation we realised we had had worked at RMIT at the same time and on introducing my wife (who was Admin Officer of the Vice-Chancellor of RMIT at the time) he said – “You are that Sue Downes”. We had a good laugh because irrespective my successes at RMIT, Centenary Medal and all, I ultimately was remembered as “Sue Downes’s husband.”
They were the best times – I hope to make it to the next re-union for more memories and laughs – I should put it on my Bucket List.
MOT'S ARMY
[A memory from Martin Clements 1960/65]
Tom Clancy "MOT"
In the 1960's, the Senior Master in charge of the boys was Tom Clancy.
As a teacher he was fairly innocuous, but he took his role as the school's chief disciplinarian very seriously. He patrolled the yard and came down heavily on any trouble makers. This of course was an open invitation for most of us to give him as hard a time as we could get away with. Our nick-name for him was 'Mot' and it was not unusual to see signs stuck to walls with stupid slogans like
'JOIN MOT'S ARMY'
He would rip them down of course, but to my knowledge he never managed to catch the perpetrators. It was all good fun and only what you would expect of teenage boys, but one afternoon, from memory in 1964, it went a bit too far:
We 'went on strike'.
There was no reason, no grievance and no demands. Someone came up with the idea and by the end of lunchtime the word had passed around that when the bell went we would all sit down in the yard and not go in to class. Although none of us had any idea why we were doing it, more than half of the boys of all ages joined in.
Mot was furious and was out into the yard within minutes. He yelled and threatened all sorts of punishments, so it wasn't long before most of the boys decided it wasn't fun any more and headed off to class with their tails between their legs. In no time the yard was cleared, order was restored and Mot was back in charge.
The next day at assembly we were all given a lecture on the sort of behaviour the School expected of it's boys. But as I walked back into the quadrangle I was pleased to see a new sign, hastily stuck to the door of the boys' locker room.
'JOIN MOT'S NEW ARMY'
The battle wasn't over!
JUDY CHAPMAN [NEE PAGE] RECALLS HER ONE YEAR AT CHS
Most students joined the school in form 1 [year 7] and spent any where up to six, or sometimes seven, years at the school; developing friendship groups and feeling like they were part of the furniture.
It is interesting to get the perspective of one of the many students who came in form six, from other schools, in order to do their matriculation. Judy was one of these.
She tells it this way.
I attended Coburg High School for only one year in 1967 to complete form 6 Matriculation which was at that time not available at my previous school, Pascoe Vale Girls Secondary College.
Their were six of us who came over from that school. They were Diane Morgan, Joy Watson, Linda Johnson, Rosemary Smith, Frederica Kauder and myself.
Switching from an all-girl school to co-ed was intimidating with all the six foot tall, hormonal boys around. It was also confusing to learn a new school layout, new teachers, new subjects, etc.
The regular students were all nice, but they already had their own friendship groups and networks.
It wasn't easy to knuckle down to pass Matric.
It helped that we senior girls had our own locker room, shelter shed, changeroom, study or lunchroom where we could bond withother girls. This was where Linda Johnson and I met Glenys Ballard who was a 'refugee' from another school [Lakeside High, like us.Glenys has become a lifelong friend.
Lunchtimes also helped me to settle into the Coburg High routine. It was lovely to sit in the park next door to eat lunch.Because I had my own tennis gear, I was immediately grabbed for the school tennis team.
Many lunchtimes were taken up with tennis practice on the school courts with my doubles partner, Joan Miller. The courts fronted on to busy Bell St. Any stray balls had to be rescued by ourselves or any spectators, dodging cars. Yet other lunchtimes were spent working on my art folios, which had to be submitted as part of our art exams.Mr Homewood was always around to let us in, supervise and help out.
Marlene Vickery was the Senior Mistress and also took took a Latin Class. Interestingly she went from Coburg to be Vice Principal at my old school. We remain in contact to this day.
Mr McKenna was Senior Master. Every now and then his son, Peter, who was the star full-forward for
AFL Club, Collingwood, would visit his dad and cause quite a stir amongst the students. We also had some talented and soon to be famous students at the time.
Robert Walls was only about 16 when he was signed by Carlton. The whole school walked to Coburg Oval to watch him play in an inter-school match.
Also at only 16, Leigh Pascoe was the current Australian Open Table Tennis Champion.
My first introduction to Raelene boyle was while running the annual Coburg High cross-country race.
Of course she won the girls section and then went on to become an Olympic Champion.
Sadly I failed my Matric by one mark [49% in English] which seemed to have ended my hope of becoming an Art teacher. Luckily another art student, Robert Mercer, suggested I go to Preston Institute of Technology, where I could study the Certificate of Art which included Matriculation English.
I went on to teach Art, Craft and Ceramics at Glenroy Tech, Colac Tech and Bairnsdale Tech as well as Adult Education classes in Melbourne and various country towns. I taught until marrying and raising a family.
Always when you leave a school you wonder where your other classmates went.
When I started at Coburg High, there were two classmates from Pascoe Vale Primary School [Robin Wise and Ian Veal] also in the Matric class. Over the years I've also reunited with Primary School classmates [Brian Reynolds, Beverley Dennison and Ray Linsell] at Coburg reunions. Many from the Matric class also have small reunions and one classmate, Jules Contento, is still a friend today.
In 2010, when I attended the funeral of my Aunt Dorothy Buckingham, I found out I had another connection to Coburg High, as Aunty Dot had also been a student there , a generation earlier
All in all my year at Coburg High was an interesting and enduring experience.
It is interesting to get the perspective of one of the many students who came in form six, from other schools, in order to do their matriculation. Judy was one of these.
She tells it this way.
I attended Coburg High School for only one year in 1967 to complete form 6 Matriculation which was at that time not available at my previous school, Pascoe Vale Girls Secondary College.
Their were six of us who came over from that school. They were Diane Morgan, Joy Watson, Linda Johnson, Rosemary Smith, Frederica Kauder and myself.
Switching from an all-girl school to co-ed was intimidating with all the six foot tall, hormonal boys around. It was also confusing to learn a new school layout, new teachers, new subjects, etc.
The regular students were all nice, but they already had their own friendship groups and networks.
It wasn't easy to knuckle down to pass Matric.
It helped that we senior girls had our own locker room, shelter shed, changeroom, study or lunchroom where we could bond withother girls. This was where Linda Johnson and I met Glenys Ballard who was a 'refugee' from another school [Lakeside High, like us.Glenys has become a lifelong friend.
Lunchtimes also helped me to settle into the Coburg High routine. It was lovely to sit in the park next door to eat lunch.Because I had my own tennis gear, I was immediately grabbed for the school tennis team.
Many lunchtimes were taken up with tennis practice on the school courts with my doubles partner, Joan Miller. The courts fronted on to busy Bell St. Any stray balls had to be rescued by ourselves or any spectators, dodging cars. Yet other lunchtimes were spent working on my art folios, which had to be submitted as part of our art exams.Mr Homewood was always around to let us in, supervise and help out.
Marlene Vickery was the Senior Mistress and also took took a Latin Class. Interestingly she went from Coburg to be Vice Principal at my old school. We remain in contact to this day.
Mr McKenna was Senior Master. Every now and then his son, Peter, who was the star full-forward for
AFL Club, Collingwood, would visit his dad and cause quite a stir amongst the students. We also had some talented and soon to be famous students at the time.
Robert Walls was only about 16 when he was signed by Carlton. The whole school walked to Coburg Oval to watch him play in an inter-school match.
Also at only 16, Leigh Pascoe was the current Australian Open Table Tennis Champion.
My first introduction to Raelene boyle was while running the annual Coburg High cross-country race.
Of course she won the girls section and then went on to become an Olympic Champion.
Sadly I failed my Matric by one mark [49% in English] which seemed to have ended my hope of becoming an Art teacher. Luckily another art student, Robert Mercer, suggested I go to Preston Institute of Technology, where I could study the Certificate of Art which included Matriculation English.
I went on to teach Art, Craft and Ceramics at Glenroy Tech, Colac Tech and Bairnsdale Tech as well as Adult Education classes in Melbourne and various country towns. I taught until marrying and raising a family.
Always when you leave a school you wonder where your other classmates went.
When I started at Coburg High, there were two classmates from Pascoe Vale Primary School [Robin Wise and Ian Veal] also in the Matric class. Over the years I've also reunited with Primary School classmates [Brian Reynolds, Beverley Dennison and Ray Linsell] at Coburg reunions. Many from the Matric class also have small reunions and one classmate, Jules Contento, is still a friend today.
In 2010, when I attended the funeral of my Aunt Dorothy Buckingham, I found out I had another connection to Coburg High, as Aunty Dot had also been a student there , a generation earlier
All in all my year at Coburg High was an interesting and enduring experience.
Memories of house choirs
BOYS WANTED by Martin Clements [1960 to 65]
Sometime in the early 1960's it was decided to set up house choirs and have them compete against each other.
Practice was during lunch time and although most of the girls were keen, the boys were not. Very few attended at the start and it dropped off from there.
It got to the stage where the choir leaders spent more time out in the yard trying to round up a reluctant band of baritones than in the rehearsal room practicing with their predominantly female choirs.
My house was lead by the indomitable Sue Fiddes, who had us singing an old Negro spiritual, which required the male voices to sing a slightly different version, in harmony with the girls. Considering I am tone deaf and unable to hold a tune, this was far too complicated for me. The only reason I went to choir in the first place was because I was trying to be a good school citizen and also it seemed a good place to meet girls.
It didn't take Sue long to work out where the discordant note in the boys section was coming from and that no amount of coaching was going to fix it. With great tact and no doubt some reluctance, she advised me to find something else to do at lunchtime. My aspirations to become a chorister were dashed. It was back to playing down-ball and mucking around in the yard.
Every now and then the first line of that song comes back to me.
“Nobody knows the trouble I've seen, nobody knows my sorrow”.
How appropriate. Seared deep into my psyche must be the bitter knowledge that even when boys were desperately needed, I was rejected. I know how that poor salmon must have felt when John West said “Sorry mate, you are not good enough”.
Our house didn't win the choir competition that year. But who knows; perhaps my flat, tuneless version could have added the X factor that would have got us over the line.... Perhaps not!
Sue went on to become an opera singer in London and apart from some robust efforts in the shower, my singing voice has never been heard since.
Sometime in the early 1960's it was decided to set up house choirs and have them compete against each other.
Practice was during lunch time and although most of the girls were keen, the boys were not. Very few attended at the start and it dropped off from there.
It got to the stage where the choir leaders spent more time out in the yard trying to round up a reluctant band of baritones than in the rehearsal room practicing with their predominantly female choirs.
My house was lead by the indomitable Sue Fiddes, who had us singing an old Negro spiritual, which required the male voices to sing a slightly different version, in harmony with the girls. Considering I am tone deaf and unable to hold a tune, this was far too complicated for me. The only reason I went to choir in the first place was because I was trying to be a good school citizen and also it seemed a good place to meet girls.
It didn't take Sue long to work out where the discordant note in the boys section was coming from and that no amount of coaching was going to fix it. With great tact and no doubt some reluctance, she advised me to find something else to do at lunchtime. My aspirations to become a chorister were dashed. It was back to playing down-ball and mucking around in the yard.
Every now and then the first line of that song comes back to me.
“Nobody knows the trouble I've seen, nobody knows my sorrow”.
How appropriate. Seared deep into my psyche must be the bitter knowledge that even when boys were desperately needed, I was rejected. I know how that poor salmon must have felt when John West said “Sorry mate, you are not good enough”.
Our house didn't win the choir competition that year. But who knows; perhaps my flat, tuneless version could have added the X factor that would have got us over the line.... Perhaps not!
Sue went on to become an opera singer in London and apart from some robust efforts in the shower, my singing voice has never been heard since.