reflections A HISTORY OF MOOROOPNA HIGH SCHOOL & MOOROOPNA SECONDARY COLLEGE “ TWENTY FIVE YEARS ON “ A founding Principal ’ s recollections H aving taught in some five country high schools up to 1971, at the relatively tender age of 37, I was appointed as Principal to the non existant high school at Mooroopna. What a strange outcome! I had merely travelled occasionally through this modest hamlet when living at Numurkah. Eminently forgettable were the scrubby swamplands between Shepparton and Mooroopna with its architecturally barren main street and the tumbledown old stables of a former racetrack on the present Recreation Reserve site where I had once changed for a practice football match - no hot showers, needless to say. The proposed high school was the result of intense lob bying by a formidable committee of local men who had nearly driven the Director of Secondary Education to distraction. His file on this subject, it was rumoured, was full to overflowing. As a result of their efforts, it was ultimately agreed to purchase a suitable site upon which to establish a temporary relocatable complex for 1972 prior to the commencement of a permanent school to cater for up to 800 pupils. On my first visit to Mooroopna, late in 1971, the District Inspector and the Committee gave me the grand tour to see the 25 acre site of former farmland with the remnants of crop stubble and a marshy rivulet dividing it from east to west. The northwest corner had been chosen for the temporary complex. Some 100 plus students and about seven staff would occupy it in due course. Over a lunch at the Royal mail the Committee members grilled me mercilessly about my hopes and aspirations for the school. It was obvious they had high hopes for the future of the school which, they were sure, would be a major economic boost for the town. After this, I was thrust under the spotlight before parents and prospective Year Seven pupils at Mooroopna Primary School. Never did I feel so young and inadequate. Brandishing a copy of the plans for the Pembroke Courtyard 800 school I enthused about the unique opportunity we all had in this place. What I said, I now know not, but as I invited questions I was besieged by dozens of anxious parents who all had good reasons to doubt that a new millenium in secondary education was about to dawn. Exhausted, I returned to Alexandra to complete my last year there before uprooting my wife and three children for yet another time. Moving in to the new Emma St. Principal ’ s residence just before the 1972 school year, my high expectations were soon dashed when I saw, with dismay, that not one sod had been turned on the temporary site, and, not one portable was in view! Public Works Department officers viewed my consternation with looks of: "Don't call us, we'll call you" and: "Everything will be in place in good time". And believe it or not, by the date of commence ment, six classrooms were in place, including a wood work room, administration block, needlecraft and sci ence rooms. The list of prospective students comprised about 105 ex Year Six boys and girls from local and dis trict schools. The surnames seemed like a roll call of the United Nations with Italian and Turkish names figuring prominently. The small staff of six or seven teachers had gradually reported for duty and been promptly dra gooned into furniture and supplies unpacking. In typi cally hot summer weather this weary group performed exceptionally well and slept soundly at night. The PWD had provided a small basketball court with backboards for recreational purposes and linked all buildings with functional metal covered ways. We were ready for the first day. That first day stands out in my memory for ever. I con ducted my first full school assembly from the steps 6f the administration block flanked by the stern Mr. Wright (ex army sergeant major) who glared at the assembled students as if daring anyone to blink. With two walking sticks to mobilise his artificial hips, he had adapted hap pily to his special duties of senior master and sports mas ter. On several occasions he would stump into the long grass in pursuit of a recently sighted tiger snake when ever the panic stricken cry was raised by startled stu dents. Just three forms could be taught in 1972 - 3A, 3B, 3C - named with a certain flair, I thought. My first address centred upon the special nature of this first intake, the excitement of gradually occupying a brand new school with facilities of the highest quality etc. etc. By the time six years had elapsed, some of us regretted ever having used the term "unique" or "special" because youngsters naturally hear the best of what they want to hear. At the twenty year reunion of the selfsame group, I realised, with deep emotion, that it was indeed very special to most of us. We survived 1972, having marvellous moments of suc cess and experiencing an ever growing closer relation- ship between teachers and students. Who can ever for get the proud day we won our first inter school swim ming shield? - the principal cheered so loudly, his col leagues looked quite nonplussed. Parental support strengthened as the weeks went by. An ambitious perimeter scheme was implemented. The School Council lobbied hard to change the proposed permanent school site from the north eastern corner to the present site. As another year approached it became clear our school numbers would increase markedly, so Block C (Humanities) and the Amenities Block were finally begun. As bulldozers excavated the site in preparation, several wise old farmers said that the levels would be below the disastrous flood levels earlier in the century. Prophetic in retrospect! The occupation of Block C necessitated a split in staff and pupils. Until succeeding blocks were built, the need to operate in two sections was to make program ming and movement of pupils very difficult. My centre of operations was now the present English Staff Room. With in excess of 300 students in 1974 a crisis of major proportions occurred during the first term vacation. While I holidayed in Melbourne and Alexandra, huge flooding along the Goulburn innundated Shepparton and Mooroopna. Desperate to check on our home and the school, we drove through several feet of water all the way from Shepparton to Mooroopna. Watchful friends and school councillors had saved our home from the water, but all school buildings had suffered badly. Thousands of dollars worth of carpeting in Block C was ruined, but vital stores and equipment in the store room had been saved by our hardworking caretaker in the dead of night. The smell of rotting carpet underfelt per vaded everything. Dhurringile inmates worked for days to tear it all up and we girded our loins to work in a C Block with concrete floors until the costly recarpeting could take place. Meanwhile, the Council harassed the Ministry to construct a protective levee around the school, plus a pumping station which could automati cally activate should future floods occur. It's history now that all this came to pass. We survived the clatter of polypropelene chairs on concrete and Mrs Golding outlived the shock of finding a snake coiled in the ropes in the Admin, portable. That memorable flood level was immortalised by the red line on the white post planted in the shrubbery of the courtyard between Blocks J and C by Mr Adams. With the passing years, increasing demand for enrol ment at M.H.S. was such that the pressure to complete the total building program became intense. Staff num bers were also growing rapidly. Soon, we had gathered one of the finest groups of qualified and caring teachers possible. Teacher shortages bedevilled the system. We gained our share of American graduates in the process. Who will ever forget our great fete to raise funds in about 1975? Visits by Minister Dixon, the reigning Miss Australia and star of T.V.'s No. 96. Ken James (with police car escort) helped draw large crowds. A "Fete worse than death!" I was wont to say, as a huge thunderstorm struck and brought profitable evening sales to an end. By 1979 a major change in School leadership occurred when I was seconded to the Benalla Regional Office to take of the role of Assistant Regional Director. Mr Watson assumed my post and temporary promotions occurred right down the teaching line. For about 2 years I scarcely saw the school, except to help in the allocation of funds for grounds development and to pro mote the construction of the last block - the gymnasium, an Ecacentre, as Minister Lacey was pleased to call it. My experience in viewing schools over the whole region was to stand me in good stead later on. In 1982 I returned to M.H.S. and found it in excellent shape. Mr Watsons leadership had been outstanding. Staff now numbered in excess of 50 and we had close to six hundred students. The gardens and grounds were a picture of flourishing green and manicured mainte nance. Settling into the Principals office again was not easy, but leadership in curriculum, staff management and job satisfaction was clearly expected of me. As in the mid '70s, when the schools security systems 12 external sirens wailed out to keep local residents awake and cursing, now, the more sophisticated silent infra-red detection system resulted in me being called out at all times to switch it off and trudge carefully through the cold and creaking rooms until assured all was well. I counted some 60-70 false alarms and rude awakenings. Towards the end of 1982 I applied for and was appoint ed to the position of Assistant Regional Manager, Barwon South, Western Region, to be based in Warrnambool. The then Director General, Dr N. Curry rang one day to ask how I felt about shifting to the sea side, so another shift was afoot. The school afforded me a fine farewell gift by naming the Ecacentre the G. T. Coulsen Education Community Centre which was duly opened with some pomp and ceremony by Mr Peter Ross Edwards. The marvellous gymnasium was a dream fulfilled and the last block in the jigsaw. I even let myself in one night to play a sole game of badminton with my neighbour and have regretted since my inabili ty to further exploit its delights. "Twenty Five Years On, When Afar and Asunder." This paraphrase of a grand old Public School song well befits the feelings I have today. Just four years after I left Mooroopna ahead of our removalists van, I took three months long service leave for an overseas trip with my wife. While in beautiful Copenhagen, my career in education was brought to a sudden halt by a massive stroke which paralysed my left limbs. I now lead a somewhat sedentary existance, relying heavily on the support of my loyal family and the numerous therapists who attend me from time to time. Still, occasional memories of those halcyon '70s days still flood into my mind and I look keenly forward to renewing acquain tanceships at the 25th Reunuion. Thankyou for the request and opportunity to pen these few lines. GRAEME COULSON HISTORY OF THE START OF MOOROOPNA HIGH SCHOOL “ Mooroopna had been dormant/regressing for forty years ” ... Sir Ian McLennan in 1962. This stagnation resulted in minimum population growth, minimum changes to buildings, main street profile and generally not a preferred town to live in. The 1956 local rains/floods resulted in peach trees dying as a result of the flooding. Pear and apple orchards were established where peaches once grew. 1960. Mooroopna begins to see changes. As Shepparton was expanding, Mooroopna begins to change, being geographicaly and economically part of Shepparton. 1962. The Ardmona cannery fruit intake increased and the first of production shifts commenced. The first service club was formed - Apex club of Mooroopna, duplication of the highway on Main St (nowMcLennan St ) was being planned. 1964/65 Concern over why Mooroopna was not consid ered as a suitable site for a secondary school (South Shepparton Technical School decision to build). The Rotary club of Mooroopna was formed, another strong group to influence Mooroopna's directions. Subdivisions were indentified, houses were being built, young people with families demanded Kindergartens, better schools, football clubs rooms, sporting and recre ational facilities etc. 1968 The Shire of Rodney had arranged for a visit by the Minister of Education to visit Tatura, to meet with a committee who had been agitating for thirty years for Secondary education in Tatura. Mooroopna people began to hear about this visit by the Minister of Education and demanded to know why the Mooroopna Riding Councillors had not been advised of this impending visit. PUBLIC MEETING JULY 1968 A public meeting was called to discuss Mooroopna's future in Educational Developments. At this meeting many ideas were explained and aspects discussed. A committee was formed to investigate the matter further. The Mooroopna Post Primary School Investigations Committee was formed. This committee established: 1. The summary of all Primary school students in Feeder schools, by grade on the western side of the Goulburn River. 2. The number of students on buses travelling from and through Mooroopna to secondary education in Shepparton Schools. 3. Defined geographically, the sixteen bus routes col lecting secondary students west of the Goulburn River. These bus routes would continue, even if a High School was established in Mooroopna to take students to the Technical and Private Schools in Shepparton. 4. The special features for selecting Mooroopna as a future site for a secondary education facility. MAY 1969 The Education Department advises the Rodney Shire Council, that its sites committee had recommended the reservation of 20 acres of land in Mooroopna for a future primary and also a future post primary school. The Mooroopna and District Post Primary School Investigational Committee relentlessly, wrote letters to the Minister of Education on every possible aspect of what was changing on the western side of the Goulburn River. In November 1969, Members of this committee organ ised a deputation to present to the Minister of Education why Mooroopna is to be considered as the site for the next Post Primary School in the Goulburn Valley. This deputation was arranged through our local Member of Parliament, and advised the Secretary that he would also have to allow the Tatura Committe to present a dep utation also. 1970 A record fruit harvest, a record canning season ( and employment) increased tomato and other crops in this area, characterised action in Mooroopna. A decision by Ardmona Cannery to build and develop a juice plant, to expand production and many other changes in build ings, population growth were all aspects in correspon dences, to the Minister of Education, advising him that Mooroopna and the Western side of the Goulburn Valley was on the move. 1971 Mooroopna was the fastest growing town in Victoria with a 38% population increase for the five years to 1971. In May 1971, the Education Department Gazette had advertised vacancies for forty principals and Mooroopna is mentioned, but under a special notation. Quote: "This vacancy is subject to the opening of a new High School in the area indicated and may be withdrawn later if it becomes definite that the building will not be ready or that temporary accomodation will not be available. This then was the first glimmer of hope of the High School coming to fruition. JULY 5,1971 The Minister of Education, Mr Thompson has advised Mr P Ross-Edwards, MLA, that "a new High School will be established at Mooroopna in February 1972." Mr. G Coulson, announced as Principal fpr 1972. The Mooroopna and District Post Primary School Investigations continued its activities. - Raised the question of a Technical wing compo nent to be included in the development and plan ning of the High School. - Met with the new Principal and offered support in any aspect Mr G Coulson requested; as he was still teaching at Alexandra. Frequent communications occured. accomodation for JIM DOUGLASS to decide _. o .x, mid m Davis from the DECEMBER 22,1971 Received communication from the Minister of Education that portable buildings would be moved onto the site dur ing the Christmas holidays. Teachers appointed to the new High School visited Mooroopna to view their next School appointment and only found a sign "Mooroopna High School" and then made enquiries at the police station. In December 1971, the Department chose the Maclsaac Road frontage for the school. JANUARY 1972 The local Public Works Department had organised the delivery of portable classrooms, connected power, water, sewerage. Maclsaac Rd fenced/ gates and gravelled paths and quadrangle. In essence by the time the school opened on the first day of term everyone associated with this project were truely proud of the facilities established for a great school. - Assisted with arranging a Mother's club to decide on an uniform, type, colour, material, design, find pattern. The efforts by Mrs. Dawn Davis from the initial formation of a parents advisory group from November 1971 to assist Principal Graeme Coulson with uniforms etc., and as chairperson of the Mothers Club from February 1972, must be clearly recorded for her wonderful committments and contribution to the formative years of the school. - Persued the department for teachers. - Persued the department for the provision of non teaching staff, whom department policy was that the new school was not entitled. The district Inspector of Schools, H V Sloane was busy organising and communication with the schools exit grade 6 students etc. There was apprehension with Grade 6 students choosing which High/Technical they wished to attend in 1972 - On this proposed High School site was a sign only "Mooroopna High School" site. Orientation Day for prospective students was held at the Mooroopna Primary School in early December 1971. "THOSE WERE THE DAYS". I Still, on With the show, and everyone enjoyed being part of it. Tuesday night was pretty quiet with the Elderly Citizens, except for the inteijectors (Kent and Shane Muir), whom they thought were rowdy intruders. ’ Everyone was a bit shaky but we got through O.K. and Pughy told us all not to worry "'cause the dress rehearsal is always a bloody shambles". Wednesday was our big opening night and we were all nervous. Our voices were a bit soft and everyone was tense. I had butterflies in my stomach when I came through the curtains for the first time and bid the audience "Welcome I to our event of theatrical delights" - dead silence as I made my way to the pulpit and tried to recall that first typed line at the top of page one upon which my entire confidence hung. I'll tell you now if ever you get landed with an M.C. ’ s job, insist on a mallet. It saved my life; whenever I couldn't remember what came next, I'd simply give the pulpit another bash with the mallet. Those of you who saw the show know how many times I got stuck. Most frustrating of all was the continuing sketch between me and Pughy (who ’ s the delivery man, Henry Perkins with "a dozen bottles for Mr. Alsop" while his wife waits in the cart outside). The first part consisted of about fif teen exchanges between us, but Pughby never ever got them in the right order: instoad of going through the sequence we zig-zagged around it! On the Thursday night the first line he said was second last on the Script! (I think I bashed the pulpit several times about then!) All in all it was good fun even 'watching the different acts for four nights was not boring because each performance was different and each audience was different. One night the audience would laugh at a line and the next night, dead silence would follow the same line! (Just ask any of the actors in the Melodrama or the Pantomime). I think we've got some great talent there. Mandy LeSueur (the wicked queen) could get a Job any day reading the News for GMV6 with that delicate accent. Stephen McCracken could appear in the next ad. for White King or Fab. Warren Cross looks like excellent teacher material. I'm not sure whether Andrew Long is a good actor or perhaps just that way inclined. As for Julie Gale, I think that if the price of a nip of whisky rose to $10-00 she could still sell them like hot cakes. Overall I think it ’ s the tremendous enjoyment that everyone who is part of a show like that gets from being in it. Well done Pughy, you've stirred us all up and made us get something out of it! I still have nightmares about Sweeny Todd. MOOROOPNA SECONDARY COLLEGE CO-OP LTD In the early years in establishing the new High school, there were many details to attend to, to ensure a satisfac tory first year. As the beginning of the permanent build ings came to fruition, the surrounding facilities and developments of the grounds began to take prominence in the overall picture. Attempts were made to raise funds which could attract subsidies to develop and improve the Education depart ment land. This fund raising placed a burden on the fam ilies in these formative years to develop the many acres etc., but would begin to benefit future students and not the current students. To this end, the Mooroopna High School Co-operative Co. Ltd. (a community service Co-op) was formed on the 13th October 1975. Dr. B Cockroft Chairman J Douglass Secretary P. Banfield Director A Trotter Director K Smith Director ORIGINAL SHAREHOLDERS Phillip Banfield, Barry Campbell, Barbara Charmain, Dr. Bruce Cockroft, Graeme Coulson, Stuart Davidson, Edward Davis, James Douglass, Frank Faulkner, John Gray, Eric Jacobson, Dr. John Mackellar, Geoffrey Martin, Stuart Mock, Keith Smith, Alexander Trotter, Kevin Trudgen, Bas Van Den Ende, Stanley Watt, Peter Willoughby. Each shareholder allocated 1500 shares of $1 each, nom inal capital of $30,000. Phillip Banfield was elected chairman of the Board of Directors in November 1976; The MHS Co-op Ltd was registered on 12th December 1975 with the registrar of co-operatives. 20 shareholders, each with 1500 shares (10%) called up cap ital- (MHS Council provided this initial called up capital of $3,000 on behalf of share holders. Nominal Capital $30,000 Called up Capital $3,000 Security for loans $27,000 with a Government guarantee to the bank, to improve Education Department facilities. This $30,000 now available, together with subsidies of $1 to $1 from the Education Department together with support from the shire of Rodney, gave the M.H.S. Council some teeth to develop the grounds projects. 1. Watering scheme / not oval 1976/77 2. ^ The Shed- Mechanics 3. Tennis Courts 4* Practice Cricket wickets Considerable volunteer parental input to these projects was forth coming. Phil Banfield ploughing and levelling the grounds in readiness for the watering systems etc. Alex Trotter , John Campbell engineer, Edward Davis, James Forsyth, Andrew Forsyth plumbing, Graeme Lea- Whyte, W. Hatton electrician, Ron Maude and Stuart Davidson (staff) with trenching equipment from Dundas Simson and David Pullar and J. Douglass to name a few. 5. No. 2 and 3 ovals 1977/78 6. Shower change block ($52,000) 1978/79 Those loans were paid off over 10 years and in 1988, with new Principal John Schreenan, it was suggested that we keep the M.S.C. Co-operative alive, by raising a loan of $5,000 for various minor projects (now no subsidies available ). The secretary was diverted by all types of obstacles and we were not achieving the objective. It was then pro posed that we consider increasing the number of share holders to 41 raising $50,000. The M.S.C. Council agreed and numorous projects were 1 Inground watering system upgrade 2 Technology development and Building modifica tion 3 Computer developments and modifications to power 4 Home economics room modification 5 Library security development and building modifi cation etc The shareholders of the M.S.C. Co-op ltd in guarantee ing these loans, are truely proud in the results in provid ing a great facility for the students of the western side of the Goulbum River. In 1995 the number of share holders was increased to 181 shareholders , with nominal capital of $271,500 to provide $200,000 towards the Performing Arts Centre- this loan is over 15 years, (to year 2011) In 1996 the original shareholders, who were still share holders, continued to support the development of M.S.C., were presented with a certificate of appreciation. P. Banfield, B. Campbell, S. Davidson, E. Davis, J. Douglass, F. Faulkner, J.Gray, J. Jacobson, S. Moch, A.Trotter, S.Watt. QUOTABLE quotes Q be absolutely no more Mr Snow - ‘ ‘ The procedure must 4-5 lines, but 10 at the most. ’ first day I was pretty ... orienteering day so I wasn't nervous. 1 alone. JIM DOUGLASS enrolment J °hn 2nd. First day of school Graeme Coulson Principal Sports day .. Shepparton South Tech, visited. 13th. Mothers Club fashion parade. 28th. 352 native trees painted around the perimeter of the school. Each student planted 3 trees. School Fete. Uniform sold through the school due to the closure of Dal ’ s Drapery in Mooroopna. Speech Night Play: “ Christmas at Boggy Creek ” Some students reported on the highlights of the year. -Ruth Stewart & Simon Banfield gave their impressions of the first year. -Shelley Bullen: school trips. -Liz Baumber: special 3 week program. -Gavin Le Sueur: science -Michelle Nightingale: library. -Martin Baumber. PUBLIC WORKS VICTORIA NOTIFICATION OF ACCEPTANCE OF TENDER You are advised that a tender by- ANNUAL MEETING GF MOTHERS* CLUB HELD CN 23/3/73* Con SECOND YEAR SNOW TRIP STAFF - Back row : Mr Fawcett, Mr Parker, Mr Collins. Centre row : Mrs Pickworth, Mrs Cockcroft, Mrs Anselmi, Miss Campbell, Miss Gardiner, Miss Vincent, Mrs North. Front row :Mr Wright, Miss Holt, Mr Coulson (Principal), Mr Pugh, Mrs Gray, Mrs Rowe. Absent : Mr Adams, MrsCharman, Mrs Hansford Baumber R. Warland G. Adame D. Davie E. Spowart Location High School, MOOROOPNA Work Erection of blocks E G & J MOOROCPNA HIGH SCHOOL ^co Rooms for Demonstration Basketball court. re flood prevention works, court by Junior boys team, use of H.Eoo rooms f Or'Cooking MINUTES OF MEETING HELD Al MOOROOTNA HIGH SCHOOL QI MONDAY, 14th OCTOBER 1974 PRESENT : Mr. J. Douglass, Mr.A.Trotter, Mr.S.Watt,Mr. G. Coulson, Cr.J. Gray Mrs.J.Baumber, Mrs.E.Lowe, Mr.B.Campbell, Dr.B.Cockcroft,E.Davis, Dr.J.Mackellar APOLOGIES : Mr I.MacDonald,Mr.K.Trudgen,Mr,G.McLean,Mr.P.Banfield MINUTES : As circulated received on. motion of Mr.A.Trotter and Mrs.J.Baumber CORRESPQIDENCE : Outwards : 1. To E.Bumess (p.W.D.)-re construction and siting of storage shed 2. To Sec.Rotoract Club-re permission to use H. 3. Mrs.V. McNabb- interim permission for use of Inwards : from 1. M t A- Clarke(MLC) - Copy of Minister ’ s letter 2. Mrs. V.McNab - Request for use of basketball 3. P.Chuck, Mooroopna Rotoract Club-Request for Demonstration. 4. Jiutherglen High Advisory Council-seeking support in expressing concern*over industrial action on H.S.C. and Principal ’ s role 5* Buildings Branch - no new Teoh Components for 1975• 6. Dr. Shears (Diroctor General)-re reorganization of School Councils 7. Buildings Branch - Blocks B,D,H to be included in Stage III 8. Lions Club of Mooroopir ’ -Notification of intention to organize 3 activities for fete. 9. P. Chuck - Cooking Demonstration to be held at South Tech. 10. M. Clarke - copy of Minister ’ s reply about Stage III - starting time unknown. 11. P. Ross-Edwards - copy of Minister ’ s reply about Stage Ill-starting time unknown 12. V.I.C.S.O. - (a) Annual Conference material -(b) Aocident Insuranoe for Voltuitary Workers Moved by Mr. Campbell and Cr, Gray that the outwards correspondence be*apprpved and the inwards correspondence reoeived. BUSINESS ARISING 1. Flood Situation - Cr. Gray and Mr, Campbel} moved that in view of the recent critical river level the P.W.D. be contacted, as a matter of urgenoy to take action on the matter of flood valve and landsoape levee protection for the School. 2. Use of Basketball Court by Junior team for praotioe. That the Principal ’ s action of granting interim approval be endorsed - Cr. Gray and Mr. Watt. 3. Rutherglen Advisory Counoil request - Considerable discussion but no resolution. Members agreed that the need to be informed on current issues was paramount. Contact with Staff on informal basis is encouraged. 4. School Councils (Dr. Shear ’ s letter). All members should note Public Meeting at Shepparton High School Assembly Hall on 29th October at 8.00pm. Staff , parents and interested Community members are all urged to attend. 5. Lions.Club : S. Watt and E. Davis moved that the Advisory Council not give its approval for the sale of Lions Club Xmas Cakes at the fete. Cr. Gray and Dr. Cookcroft moved an amendment That the Advisory Council accept the Lions Club offer to conduct 3 activities,thanking them for same, and that they be further informed of Council ’ s preference that the Xmas cakes should not be sold. While such is Council ’ s opinion the Lions Club certainly would have permission should they wish to do so. The amendment was passed, beoame the motion and was subsequently passed unanimously. 6. V.I.C.S.O. Voluntary Workers Insurance - Mr. Watt(Insurance advisor) recommended that the Insurance through V.I.C.S.O. be taken up in view of the lower premium rates. Cr. Gray and Mrs. Baumber moved that Mr. Watt ’ s recommendation be followed, subject to immediate enquiries as to rebate on current policy and appropriate commencement date. Mr. Watt also undertook to provide a resume of all policies held in the name of the Advisory Counoil. FINANCIAL STATEMENT :- Accredit balance of $2044*32 as at 1/10/74 was reported by the Secretary. Mr. Watt and Dr. Mackellar moved that the report be received. Mr. Campbell and Dr. Cockoroft moved that the Secretary make enquiries as to the possibility of investing Direct Grant money at higher interest rates and that he be given power to act to this end if position seems favourable. ...... 1 MOTHERS CLUB REPQ1T - Mrs. J. Baumber. Two meetings held to plan for Dinner/Fashion/: Parade on 2nd October. Purchase of material for Sports uniforms to be finalised once '7/ receipts from this function are complete. Domestic Account $835«l2(approx $300 // profit from Fashion Parade to be added. Uniform Account Deb.Dalance $784.21 7 • ’ General Account $44.14 /2.../W, books in Yours faithfully School Library and the donar by 15th October, 1975 '. Coulson. Secretary , Advisory The Council wishes to advise your Club that the money will be used to provide a special reference section for the new Commonwealth that the Rotapr club will be recognised as the installation of a small plaque. -* On behalf of .-.the. Mooroopna High School Advisory Council I wish to acknowledge and express appreciation of the generous donation of $540.00 to this School. M'PNA CLEANS UP IN SPORia ALVIN Mooroopna High School student's “ cleaned the pool" when they took off eight of the 14 aggregate trophies at the Shepparton and District Secondary school's two-day swimming carnival. at 1 'L Mooroopna Moort)opha High Sch<? nd district I “ LONG MEMORIES ” Bruce Williams looks back W hen I joined the staff of Mooroopna High School at the start of 1974 it was just begin ning it's third year of life, and it's first year in the new buildings. And what smart buildings they were; such a change from the set of portables that had been the school for it's first two years. And, the new buildings were entered from Echuca Road, and not Maclsaac Road. "C" Block was the centre of school life, because it con tained the School office, the Principal's office, another office for three senior staff(Jean Gardiner, Laurie Fagan and myself) the staffroom, the library. Oh yes, and six classrooms! C!, C2, C3, C4, C5, C7; C6 was the library, presided over by Lorraine Rowe. We still needed those portables though, some at the back of the still unbuilt J Block (science, home economics), and others on the old site off Maclsaac Road. These were the art and craft rooms, so that meant that students and teachers had to traipse across the intervening countryside for various classes. In wet weather this was a real nuisance. It also made life hard for Graham Pugh organising the timetable. FLOOD On the last Friday of the May holidays(there were only three terms in a school year then), disaster! The great flood of '74 swept through C Block to a depth of about 15cm. The next day, I waded through the waters up towards the school, to look at the spectacle. The sun was shining, the air was mild; everything looked fine except for all that pale brown water. Students were given an extra day's holiday, not having to turn up until the Tuesday, but staff were there on Monday to see what needed to be done. The PWD (Public Works Department, who looked after Government buildings in those days) had brought in a team of prisoners from Dhurringile to shift furniture and pull up the sodden, stinking carpet. For the whole of second term (the winter term) in C Block we had to put up with bare cement floors in the classrooms. The noise! Just imagine 30 chairs being pushed back at the end of a lesson! This created a fine cement dust which got into everything, including our throats. The new carpet was laid in the September holi days, and life was back to normal. But not in the Home Eco portable, out behind J Block. Soon after the flood the teacher opened a cupboards and < was met by a large tiger snake that had sneaked in there away from the rising waters! The ground between the main school and the portables was still flooded, so we had an emergency timetable to minimise movement between the two centres; the stu dents were scheduled for half day blocks in one area or the other, with the teachers driving from one to the other between classes. Students though had to walk outside the fence and around the Maclsaac Road corner; a real drag. And the mud! We tried having students take off their shoes at the entrances to C Block, but that was not entire ly successful; we even tried having students put plastic bags over their muddy shoes before entering. That didn't work well either! However, one good consequence was the flood proofing of the school. The levy bank was built (barely noticeable now, as you go over its gentle slope at the front of the school), and when the sprinkler system was put into the ovals, a reversible cycle was built in so that water could be pumped out if necessary. LIFE AT THE CENTRE OF THINGS Being in an office which opened off the verandah and also from the school office put us right at the centre of life in the school. A wall separated us from the Principal's office- and its incumbent, the school's found ing principal Graeme Coulson; and from the school office, presided over by the indomitable Kerri Anselmi; and from the staff room. From this vantage point we could see the rapid growth of the other buildings and of the courtyards. I can remem ber when the contractors were laying the pebble paving of the north courtyard. One student, Geoff Thompson, now one of Tuckerbag's staff, "rearranged" some darker pebbles just near the edge of the veranda by Cl, to form his initials GT. They are (as far as I know) still there and may be seen best when wet! One warm day, we were in our office when the most appalling stink drifted in. We went out to look and there was Graeme Coulson busy spreading blood and bone manure on the plots where the bushes were to be plant ed. Somehow, he was not aware of the chaos he was cre ating. But the bushes grew beautifully. So too did all the other trees and bushes that were plant ed in that first year. I had to liaise with the PWD and a nursery to buy many shrubs and trees. These include the gum trees at the entrance, the trees in the front lawn and the original shrubs in the south courtyard. The ash trees in the north courtyard came from my own garden as self- sown seedlings there. The place soon lost that raw look of a building site as the greenery spread. The school council was very active in improving the look of the school in this and many other ways. Speaking of Graeme Coulson, I remember one time when he had to discipline a student; (does the name Langman spring to mind? Perhaps not). The offence must have been pretty bad, because Graeme was very, very irate, and very, very audible. Remember, his office was right at the centre of C Block. At the peak of his rep rimand, I reckon about 200 lower jaws had just dropped and stayed open, and there was not another untoward sound from the whole of C Block for the rest of the day! That's effective discipline! LIBARY The library had to squeeze into C6 until the new building (the present library) was finished, with Commonwealth support (remember the days of generous governments?), and what a relief it was to Lorraine Rowe, the librarian, to move into more spacious quarters. Library lessons became much more manageable. the grounds beautified, and the results of their support and hard work were enjoyed for many years. Much of that original planting work has been changed with the expansion of the school, but I especially remember how attractive the south courtyard was, with its varying levels and flower beds and shrubs. It was once the setting for a remarkable dance troup from Mornington Island who took us out of the 1 980's back to their Aboriginal roots with their wonderful music and dance. Perhaps the most enduring memory is of that special group of students - the pioneers: those who opened the school as Form 1 (as we .then called Year 7). For all of their school life these students were the leaders: there were no older students ahead of them. This gave them a unique quality of responsibility and action, which I had never seen elsewhere. Because they and their first teach ers grew together, daily facing the battles with mud, building projects, inconvenience, there was a strong bond of shared endurance, of having faced hardship together and of having come through triumphant. This seemed to imbue in them a friendliness and respect both for us and each other that set a wonderful example for the later gen erations to follow in the making of a great school. want. creatures are spying on I OTHER MEMORIES The School Council and parents were very keen to see ... - Oh, I don't know! in the possibility but I haven't seen anything myself. U.F.O.s Student opinion on this important subject is more in depth than the staff opinion - as you might expect. Asked Robvn and she said, ''They're queer and I don't believe in them. Other people can believe what they If I saw a U.F.O. land in my backyard I would scream I suppose!" Sevgi believes in them but doesn't think there are many around. "If I saw one I'd faint first then call the newspaper reporters". Sue says "It's a lot of cr-p! Pinno believes in ’ em. Judy doesn't. Deidree thinks they're dumm. Roslyn doesn't know. Trish says they're dink. Angela and friend believe in them because if there's life on thisplanet there must be elsewhere. Toni says "It's possible but I've not seen any around here yet." Fiona - "It proves we have another dimension in the universe. It's scary to think that other us ". Form6 student with Teacher - Can't you see we're discussing my future Get lost please! Mr. Lucas - Ye-es about 5% of them all. Ye-es, I imagine I do. Mrs. Hansford - Yes, I do - very much so. Mr. Parker - Oh - 1 suppose I do. Miss Cameron - No, you don ’ t believe everything you read. Mrs. Savage - Of course I do! !! Mrs. Cockroft - No. I don ’ t as a matter of fact. Mr. Redman - Don't believe in anything until you see it for yourself. Mrs. Nicholl - Oh G-d no! Miss McLean - Um, no. All right I do. I don't know. Mr. Pleydell - Yes. Mrs. Rowe - "Nah" - with sideways shake of head. Mr. Collins - Ohhhh yeahhh! Mrs. I. Young -(Mother in Canteen)- No! Peter - (Working in the garden)- Yes, I do. Miss Horwood - Oh yes! Sort of. Do i? Yes then Mr. Savage - 1 believe ii ------ Mr. Alsop-Yep! Miss Cheryl