STORIES FROM THE ARCHIVES

The Archivists, Nola and Ross Squire, thank the Old Grammarians, friends and community members who have donated items to the School’s historical collection in recent months. Their thoughtfulness and generosity are very much appreciated.

Information provided by Ashlyn: “The tops came from my bus driver Brian. I’m not sure of his last name. He drives the country bus from Grammar to the interchange and then from the interchange to Ballan and has been doing so for some time now. Over this time, he has collected a lot of items that kids left behind, these tops included. He was cleaning up of his collection and found these tops. He gave them to me as spares as he knew I was in Manifold and my brothers in Smith, however they are an older style. Brian thought it was one of the first Smith House tops designs, but he’s not sure.”

Leon Johnson (1971), David Cook (1972) and Julian Kaye (1973) met for lunch during the summer. Safely kept for more than 50 years, Leon has given to the School the two Football jumpers, pictured. They were worn by Leon himself, and Peter McIver dec. (1971). Both were members of the 1969 First XVIII Premiership team. Note the signature of staff member and football coach Geoff Tunbridge (1950), and his Melbourne Football Club number, 23, on the autographed McIver jumper. Julian kindly delivered the jumpers to the Butler Archives.

John Jones was the Art Teacher at the Boys’ School from 1963 to 1969. He has donated a tooled leather prayer book cover, probably made by Michael Lindsay (1967). It has IHS, a Christian symbol and monogram for Jesus, embossed most beautifully on the front. John thinks that the late Reverend Rodney Oliver, School Chaplain 1958-69, was the leatherwork teacher. John also gave a pair of enamelled metal Boys’ School Crest cufflinks, pictured on top of the book.

Bob Northey (1957), past School Captain, an outstanding sportsman, past member of staff and school parent, and author, has donated a copy of his most recent work of fiction and history, An Ordinary Township, which is based on his “Life in Derrinallum as a kid in the 1940s.”

Susan Patterson (Taylor, 1957), Co-Captain of Queen’s House and a Prefect in 1957 and, with Alan (deceased) past staff members and parents of four OGs, and Past President of the BQOGA, Sue delivered an unusual Queen’s CEGGS hatband, pre-1950, with a white stripe, which has been added to the collection along with a copy of Sovereign City, from George Patterson (1989) who was at BQAGS from 1978 to 1988. It was the Leaving Book presented to him.

Ross Runnalls (1972) was able to experience the first year of the new Co-educational School in his final year. The younger brother of John (1967) and Malcolm (1971), Ross donated ten documents and his Boys’ School Bag, seen in the accompanying photographs.

Of interest to all will be two photos of members of staff from the Girls’ School from a Summer’s day outing, likely between 1932 and 1934. The pencilled information on the back of the group photo states: “at the Gong, from L, Nancy Wright, W. Woodbridge, Miss Hodgson (sic), Mona Montgomery.”

However, we believe Miss Susan Hodson, the Headmistress, is the lady on the right wearing the scarf, appointed in Term 3, 1932. Very sadly, Miss Hodson, died unexpectedly in May, 1934. Old Girls remember her as ‘a lady of quality’.

(See page 111 of Mainly About Girls by Susanne L. White.)

Julian Kaye (1973), also donated close to forty items himself, comprising photographs, documents and trophies. Some date from 1939 to 1943 when John G. Kaye, known as Geoff, Julian’s father, was a boarder. See above a photograph of the letter Geoff wrote to his mother in February, 1939.

The tall handsome trophy was awarded to Julian's father J. G. Kaye (1943) – “Most Outstanding Cricket Player and Senior Tennis Championship”.

Julian's six trophies pictured are the BGS General Sports Award J. A. Kaye 1968, BGS Under 16 Championship J. A. Kaye 1970, BGS Most Improved Cricketer J. A. Kaye 1971, BGS First XVII (sic!!) Best Player J. A. Kaye 1972, BQGS First XVIII Best Player J. A. Kaye 1973, and the BQGS Roly Gregson Memorial Trophy J. A. Kaye 1973, for all-round excellence and sportsmanship.