Fifty (Plus) Years On
by Charles Lewis
After accidentally discovering some Warragul High School memorabilia on the excellent CHESS website I was prompted to contact the editor as I have some material which should be of interest to Camberwell High students of the late 1940s.
My copy of the 1947 WHS magazine ('The Hill') reminded me of the inaugural visit by Camberwell to Warragul.
Camberwell teams came up by train and did not fare well. Warragul won the football, 15.9 to 6.3 and hockey 4-0. However, the two Camberwell girls basketball (now netball) teams crushed Warragul, 35-5 and 23-13.
I wonder if there are any ex-Camberwell students who recall that first visit to Warragul.
Memories of the reciprocal visit to Camberwell flood back as I have two photographs to help recall the wonderful hospitality given us by Camberwell.
This was an overnight visit and the attached extract from the 1948 WHS magazine sets the scene. I had long forgotten that I wrote this article for 'The Hill'.
Readers will note that 'pupils and teachers had a gay time' at the social in Wattle Park Chalet. In our innocence we were not to anticipate the hijacking of a certain word! Early rising, the lavish morning tea and of course, home ground advantage were our excuses for losing the football. Camberwell students, parents and teachers entertained us right royally. It was a novel experience for us to be billeted in the homes of suburban families and some friendships extending into university life were formed.
I can remember the names of only two Camberwell notables in the group photograph (above). Dave Satchell (Sportsmaster) and Alex McClellan (School Captain) are seated with the Warragul counterparts, Arch Gibson and myself. The four Warragul boys are Norman Henry, Reg Caudry, Irving Jones and Bruce Puncher. Does anyone recognize the remaining seven Camberwell boys? *
The photo from the balcony at Wattle Park Chalet will surely remind someone of that occasion. Several of the teaching staff of both schools are standing against the wall on the right side. I can well recall how nervous I was when facing the assembled multitude and responding to the welcome from our hosts.
Since those near forgotten days I have managed to keep in indirect contact with Camberwell High through various people.
Dave Satchell went on to work with trainee teachers at the University of Melbourne before becoming an Inspector of Secondary Schools. Cyril Hallett, who had taught me French at WHS later transferred to Camberwell High. David Collins, an ex-principal of CHS boarded with me for three years whilst a university student. He was a fine actor in several university dramatic productions. Alan Meiers and Neville Daynes, CHS students in the 1950s both became fellow High School principals. Alan was a science teacher with me at Leongatha in the 1960s. We regularly enjoy our attacks on golf balls. Another fellow teacher (at Maffra) was Geoff Sinclair who will be well remembered by more recent CHS students. Max Peter, now an octogenarian, lunches with me on a regular basis. After retirement, I hired CHS facilities for Board of Studies assessment programs - is that enough Camberwell connection over 50 plus years?
Debs - Anyone wishing to contact Charles, can email me at editor@chessmoves.com and I'll forward on emails to him.
*Debs - Had a phone call from a past student today, who was of great help:
Rear (from left to right) - Bryan Rowland, Graham "Skug" Fendley, the four Warragul High School students listed above, Lance Reader, Ron Oldfield (who came from India), an unknown CHS student who was a 1948 prefect, Ron Milne, Edgar Spencer.
Front (from left to right) - Dave Satchell, Warragul HS Sports Master (Arch Gibson), Charles Lewis, Alex McClellan.
©CHESS 2001