In memory: Kenneth Alexander Lyall, OAM (1927–2022)

David Morgan OAM (1961) and Bruce Murray (1960)

Ken Lyall – known affectionately as ‘Rocky’ after Mount Lyall in Victoria– is a name that resonates deeply in Carey’s history. In his book, 'By Courage and Faith', Stuart Sayers named Ken as ‘among the legendary figures of Carey’, due to his notable contribution while a student and later as a teacher and Junior School Headmaster.

Ken attended Carey as a student from 1933 to 1945. He had a distinguished academic and sporting career as a prefect (1944–45), School Vice-Captain (1945) and Senior Meeks Gold Medallist (1944); a member of the First XVIII Football Team (1941–45), First XI Cricket Team (1945), Athletics Team (1945) and Scout Troop (1939–49); and as Leader o fboth the Crusaders (1944–45) and the Cadet Corps (1944–45).

He enjoyed his time at Carey so much that he asked then Headmaster, Vivian FO Francis, if he could return in 1946 as a teacher-in-training. He was ‘distressed’ when the Headmaster said, ‘No, I don’t want you near the place for 10 years’.

Ken accepted this as a challenge and gained degrees in science and education, diplomas in teaching and invaluable teaching experience in government schools. He joined the staff of Carey in 1957 as a teacher of science and mathematics and as form master.

Just two years later, Ken was appointed first Headmaster of the Junior School and was responsible for a number of initiatives that have made an indelible impact on the School to this day.

Ken with Alan Smith, then Deputy Principal and past Carey parent.

One such example is through his advocacy for Outdoor Education. Ken saw it as ‘a rich experience for all students’ and urged the School Council to acquire the Toonallook property. Many years later, when bushfires ravaged East Gippsland, Ken stood valiantly defending the site. The main hall was subsequently named in his honour, as was Lyall House in Carey’s Junior School Donvale.

In 1969, he became chairman of the Junior School Headmasters’ Association of Australia and, in 1971, became a fellow of the Australian College of Education ‘in recognition of his service to Junior School education throughout Australia and his involvement in the development of primary science teaching’.

When offered the position of Principal of Strathcona Baptist Girls Grammar School in 1972, Ken left Carey, although his connection with the School endured up to his final days. He was a collector of Carey records and memorabilia and donated a vast amount of valuable material to the School archives.

Ken was motivated throughout his life by his steadfast and uncompromising Christian faith. He was active within the Baptist denomination, serving as President of the Baptist Union of Victoria from 1989 to 1990, and as a deacon at Kew Baptist Church for many years. He was awarded an OAM in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List,2004, ‘for services to education and the community, particularly through the Baptist Union of Victoria’.

A great encourager of others, Ken's mantra was always ‘keep going’. His legacy at Carey will certainly do so, and his memory will live on in our community and through his family. Ken‘s son Peter passed away only three months after Ken, and our thoughts are with Ken's wife, Edith, and their family.