The Roar Newsletter Issue 31 Term 4 2022

A conversation with the Head of College

Mr Richard Ford

At assembly this week, I shared that as I have been learning about the College and meeting people, one of the things which has caught my attention is the College crest every student wears on their uniform and the symbols within it.

We live in a world full of symbolism. Red roses symbolise love and romance. Thumbs up symbolises all is good. When it comes to animals, owls are a symbol of wisdom, and white doves are a symbol of peace.

The Scots All Saints crest is made up of different symbols, one of the most striking of which is the lion. While I am no lion expert, I have watched enough David Attenborough documentaries to know the lion is one of the most powerful land-based animals. A good deal of their power in the wild comes from the fact that they do not live or hunt alone, as tigers or leopards do, instead, they live together in their pride or family group, and they are fiercely protective of one another. Throughout history, lions have predominantly been a symbol of strength and courage.

Throughout a student’s time at school, one of my hopes, and no doubt yours as well, is that students will grow to be people of strength and courage.

My hope is that they will find at Scots All Saints a community where they develop their many strengths to help others.

My hope is that they will learn to step in and protect

each other from being hurt, and like a pride of lions, they will closely guard the smallest and youngest of lions in the family.

Recently, I read some research which indicated that, tragically, in Australian schools, somewhere between a third and a quarter of students report being bullied every few weeks. In most of these interactions, other students were present just watching the action.

While that number of students being regularly attacked was tragic to read about, one good bit of news was that when students who see bullying behaviour intervene, in almost six out of ten cases, the bullying stops in under ten seconds.

If every student had the courage to step in and use their voice and influence for good, we could more than halve incidents of bullying in Australian schools overnight.

Who of us would not want that for our College? Who of us would not want that for our friends? Who of us would not want to be part of a community where this was the norm?

At assembly, I asked students to consider the following options if they saw bullying behaviour occurring:

Question the behaviour;

Shut down the behaviour;

Change the subject;

Be kind;

Remind each other difference is good for our community;

Report what is going on; and

Look for ways to be inclusive.

Taking these types of actions is one way our students exhibit what it means to be a strong and courageous student at Scots All Saints.

Looking out beyond school, in too many workplaces and local communities, there is bullying behaviour evident among adults. Young people are watching our words and actions far more closely than we sometimes realise.

For all of us, there is an opportunity to step up and model to our children what it looks like to be strong and courageous.

From the Chaplain

Rev. Michael Bennett Chaplain

Psalm 41:1 Blessed is the one who considers the poor!

In the day of trouble the Lord will deliever them. This week, I just wanted to celebrate the efforts of one our students, Elizabeth Walsh, in Year 10.

Since the middle of last term, Elizabeth has been advertising through Chapel and The Roar, encouraging students and their families to give to the poor through Samaritan’s Purse. She organised for boxes to be distributed to Junior classes and to many Senior School students. Many of you, then filled these boxes with small gifts and presents, so that poor overseas children shall receive gifts on Christmas Day.

I just wanted to say thank you to Elizabeth, as well as Mr and Mrs Walsh, and Mrs White for getting behind the project. Thank you also to those who so graciously gave gifts. Together as a community we put together 124 boxes. These boxes were dropped off to Hope Church in Kelso – this is where the Senior School cooks and services food for the poor on Tuesdays and the Junior School packs emergency hampers on Fridays. Amen.

I love that at Scots All Saints, we have the symbol of the lion on the crest. In fact, just the other day I was spit balling with students as to whether next year we should have made a lion mascot for a student to wear on the sidelines as we cheer on together the Scots All Saints College teams. That could be fun.

But before we do that, and throughout this term, my hope is that we can focus on ensuring that together each day we cheer each other on in only the most positive of ways. Together, students and adults alike, let’s reflect on the strength and courage symbolised in the Scots All Saints’ lion.

School Campus

Boarding (Years 7-12)

Junior School

Mr Chris Jackman Head of Junior School

2022 Junior School Musical - The Lion King

The anticipation and excitement are building for, what will be, one of the highlights of the school year for many of our Junior School students. Next Thursday 27, and Friday 28,, the Bickerdike Centre will come alive with animals from the African savannah in the Junior School Production of The Lion King Jnr

Students need to arrive at 5:00 pm, and the show starts at 6:00 pm. Parents and friends are most welcome to stay after they drop off their children, and the P and F will host a canteen beforehand.

There will also be a canteen run by students during the intermission.

All students from Kinder to Year 6 will be required to attend on both nights. Students need to be collected at 7:30 pm.

Assemblies this term

All parents are welcome to attend our Junior School Assemblies every Week B at 9:00 am in the Kemmis Building. These assemblies provide the opportunity to celebrate the achievements of our students. Please check the College Calendar to determine which are Weeks A and B.

Orientation Day – Kindergarten to Year 6 2022

On Tuesday, 8, November all Junior School students will be participating in an Orientation Day for 2022. We will have all of our new students in, as well as current students, who will be stepping up a class for the day to give them an insight into what they have to look forward to next year. All students are required to wear their sports uniform on this day.

Our current Year 6 students will be spending the day on the Senior School campus participating in an Orientation for Year 7 next year.

Junior School Campus Preparatory School, Junior (Years K 6) 70 Eglinton Road

NSW 2795

Sausage sizzle and snack bar at musical performances

Families can purchase a Sausage sizzle on the night of the Musicals (Thursday and Friday) from 5pm

There will also be a snack bar before the performance and at intermission in the Bickerdike Hall

Mrs Jo Nicholls

Pastoral Care and Wellbeing Co-ordinator

Senior School Campus Senior, Boarding (Years 7-12) 4173 O’Connell Road BATHURST NSW 2795

In our whole school wellbeing program, Bounce Back, this term we are concentrating on facing our fears and working out exactly what courage means. It is important to help students understand that everyone has different fears and things that make them feel anxious; we are all different. It is important that your fears do not stop you from trying something new, or sticking up for someone who needs your help or speaking out about something that is wrong. In our classrooms, we are giving the students an opportunity to explore these ideas with their peer group and learn about each other and the ways we can support those around us to be courageous when facing our fears in a safe way.

A common fear among many adults is performing or speaking publicly, and next week, Junior School students will face this fear when they perform ‘The Lion King Jnr’. The students and staff are putting an amazing effort into rehearsals, and I know they will be rewarded for being courageous and facing their fears next week when their families and friends come to watch them perform.

Term 4 always means warmer days and a chance to spend more time outside on the beautiful grounds of the Junior School. This week Year 6 took their literacy groups outside to enjoy the spring weather, and use Watson Oval to play the grade favourite, bull rush.

News from the Parents and Friends

The P & F would like to invite all visitors to please stay at the Pridelands (Pool Side at the Bickerdike) for refreshments and a social chit chat at 4.45pm after dropping off your cubs and prior to the commencement of the Lion King Jr on both Thursday, 27th and Friday, 28th October.

Fresh zebra (sausage sandwiches) will be available to purchase from 4.45pm for any hungry lion cubs as they arrive.

EFTPOS accepted

Rustle up some Grub

Donations of cakes and slices for Pridelands refreshments, can be delivered to Belinda Boshier's office or the Bickerdike canteen during Thursday and Friday.

Volunteer gazelles and antelopes (parents) are invited to sms their availability to Lorna on 0434 296 555.

Junior School Campus Preparatory School, Junior (Years K 6)

Eglinton Road

NSW

Senior School Campus Senior, Boarding (Years 7-12) 4173 O’Connell Road BATHURST NSW 2795

scotsallsaints.nsw.edu.au

Careers Advice

Mrs Helen Jones

UOW | Yr 12 Parent Information Webinar

Tuesday 22 November 2022, 6:00 pm Online

During this Live Chat, you will receive information on:

What’s next for your child

How to accept (or change) UAC offers and preferences

How much does uni costs

Financial support available at UOW

Accommodation options at UOW

The ATAR

Key dates for your calendar

What to do if you’re concerned your child won’t get the ATAR they need to get into uni Find out more: https://uow-au.zoom.us/webinar/ register/WN_n5wpiI8oToef9gHWXSxesg

TAFE Launch Your Career in Big Data

Launch your career aims to facilitate a broad range of opportunities for students to engage with industry across NSW. Increased exposure to employers and the world of employment leads to better outcomes for students when selecting a sustainable career pathway. It’s also been shown to increase student engagement at school.

Data is the driving force for almost all aspects of our daily lives. Huge amounts of data generated by largescale enterprises or even individual data will only add value if we are able to interpret the story behind the information. This event is the perfect taster to explore the industry and pursue your career in data analytics.

https://www.tafenswevents.com.au/event/launchyour-career-in-big-data

TAFE 2023 Degrees Guide now available

TAFE NSW offers a range of degrees that are taught by industry professionals in state-of-the-art facilities. Download the 2023 Degrees Guide to learn more.

https://www.tafensw.edu.au/degrees

General

Camp America Info Session for 2022

Summer Camps are looking for you! Teach your skills all summer, make a difference and meet great mates on your next adventure. Stop dreaming and start your next adventure from home.

We’re dreaming of our next adventure! Join us for an ONLINE information session from the comfort of your home!

We’ve got heaps of tips and tricks to make your dreams a reality and make applications stand out. Get a full rundown of what your Camp America Experience could look like.

https://www.campamerica.com.au/events/campamerica-online-3

Work Experience with the Australian Academy of Beauty Dermal and Laser

Work Experience is available for all aspiring Beauty Therapists at our three Sydney Beauty colleges. Offering students the opportunity to get hands on and enjoy a week of learning about what it is like being a beauty therapist, makeup artist, laser and dermal specialist.

Contact: amy@aabt.com.au or phone 0493 450 900.

Learn more

Here are 7 Australian Entrepreneurs who’ve made it

If you’re looking for inspiration and motivation, or you just need some reassurance to help you make the leap into your first venture, have a read of these inspiring stories to help boost your entrepreneurial mindset.

1: Melanie Perkins the Founder and CEO of Canva Melanie’s company, Canva, is a ‘unicorn’ (valued at over $1 billion), and around 75 million people use her product. She started her first business at 14 while still at Sacred Heart College in WA. After dropping out of the University of Western Australia at 19, Melanie started Fusion Books, the predecessor of Canva.

Junior School Campus Preparatory School, Junior (Years K 6) 70 Eglinton Road

NSW

Senior School Campus Senior, Boarding (Years 7-12) 4173 O’Connell Road BATHURST NSW 2795

scotsallsaints.nsw.edu.au

ROAR

She was rejected by hundreds of Venture Capital funds before she found the right people to grow her business, and she continues to innovate – Canva has just launched a productivity suite to rival Microsoft.

2. Scott Farquhar co-Founder and co-CEO of Atlassian

Scott grew up in Western Sydney. After leaving James Ruse High School, he met co-founder Mike CannonBrookes at university, where the pair came up with the idea for an IT Support business. That didn’t work, so they decided to sell the software they had been developing to run the IT support service, and the rest is history.

Twenty years down the track, Atlassian is one of the world’s largest tech platforms and employs almost 9,000 people.

3. Kayla Itsines co-Founder of Sweat

After starting work as a personal trainer at 18, Kayla started posting workout routines and her client's transformations on Instagram. She quickly gained a huge following and started selling her workout guides as e-books. Her career boomed and she went on to launch Sweat a platform for her followers to connect on, which she sold in 2021 for $400 million with over a million followers.

4. Eric Peck CEO and co-Founder of Swoop Aero

Eric graduated from uni with a degree in technology majoring in aerospace. He went on to complete his MBA, and was a Royal Australian Air Force Hercules pilot before launching Swoop, a drone delivery service, and he’s still only 30!

5. James and Adam Gilmour Founders of Gilmour Space Technologies

Brothers James and Adam started their venturebacked Australian company back in 2013. Their Queensland based start-up is now one of the leading space companies pioneering new and innovative hybrid propulsion technologies designed to offer lower cost access to space. They’ve received over $26 million in backing to date.

6. Vu Tran and Andrew Barnes co-Founders of GO1

Childhood best mates Vu and Andrew started their first business Busy Links when they were just 16. Vu the son of Vietnamese refugees is also a qualified Doctor and still works one day a week in that role.

They went on to start GO1 in a garage in Brisbane in 2015, helping businesses and individuals to find the training that they need. There are already over one million users on the website and GO1 is now valued at over $1 billion.

7. Angus Goldman and Alex Harper co-Founders of Swyftx

Angus and Alex started their crypto exchange business Swyftx in 2018 after meeting at school science camp at the University of Sydney. By 2021 their trade volumes were reaching over $3 billion a month and they have no plans of stopping there.

Sporting Moments with Bonjour Bathurst

Salut!

What are French people’s secrets to staying healthy?

In diet and nutrition, there’s something called the French Paradox: French people seem to eat a lot of butter, oil and fat, drink wine and beers, yet manage to stay thin.

Or, as we say in French: Garder la ligne “Guard the line / Keep the line” = Stay thin Être en forme To be in shape / To feel well

Le bien-être Well-being

Junior School Campus Preparatory School, Junior (Years K 6) 70 Eglinton Road

So what’s the secret?

Well, nobody knows, really. Perhaps it’s about their special lifestyle or culture.

What we can tell you, however, is that:

French people do have a close relationship with food and exercise, and that is something we discussed this week in “Bonjour Bathurst” with members of the school cohort.

Bonne semaine!

Click HERE to watch the video.

scotsallsaints.nsw.edu.au

NSW 2795 02 6331

Senior School Campus Senior, Boarding (Years 7-12) 4173 O’Connell Road BATHURST NSW 2795

connect@scotsallsaints.nsw.edu.au

Tamworth Interschools Horse Extravaganza (ISHE) 2022

Ten Scots All Saints equestrian riders, ranging from Year 7 to Year 11, competed at the Tamworth Interschools Horse Extravaganza. The team consisted of Victoria Monk, Molly Corbett, Amelie Johnson, Victoria Wythes, Lottie Telford, Gracie Morse, Matilda Brady, George Morse, Minna Poole and Victoria Webb.

ISHE 2022 was filled with many firsts, laughs and great achievements. Talking with the team members, everyone said that they had achieved something at the event. Whether it be taking a young horse out for its first outing or jumping a new height, everyone had fun regardless of the results.

Some of the achievements within the team included:

• Victoria Webb- 2nd 1* eventing, 2nd and 6th in the two 1 metre show jumping rounds, highest overall sporting point score for 16 years and above.

• Minna Poole- 6th and 8th in 1 metre show jumping

• Victoria Monk- 4th 95cm Show jumping and 10th 80cm eventing

• Molly Corbett- 4th 1* eventing, 7th in both of her 1 metre showjumping rounds

• Amelie Johnson- 6th 95cm show jumping

• Lottie Telford- 7th in 45cm combined training, 8th in dressage, 4th in show jumping

• Gracie Morse- 5th 65cm eventing and 16th out of 96 in her Working Horse Pattern

• George Morse- 3rd in Working Horse time trial, 4th in four sporting events

• Victoria Wythe – exceptional results in elementary dressage, Working Horse Challenge and Combined Training

Thanks to the College for allowing us the opportunity to represent the College at this event. Our results are due to the Equestrian program run by Mrs Dawes, consistent coaching from Mrs Jennifer Wood (showjumping) and Dressage with Sarah Farraway & Jana Poppe.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all members of the team for not only doing themselves proud but also taking the time to watch other members compete and support each other. Finally, a huge thanks to all parents for giving the Equestrian Team this opportunity and also helping the ISHE Committee by doing volunteering duties to help the event run.

Victoria Webb

Wonderful team spirit

I would like to congratulate and say how proud I am of all our students who represented the College at ISHE 22 in Tamworth over the past week. Victoria Webb, Victoria Wythes, Victoria Monk, Molly Corbett, Minna Poole, Amelie Johnson, Matilda Brady, Gracie Morse, George Morse and Lottie Telford - your dedication and enthusiasm are inspirational. Your team spirit gives me goose bumps!

Ensuring you all watched, supported, and encouraged each other was beautiful to hear about.

Many thanks must go to all of the equestrian students and their families who support this program and the commitment they show each week. Many of these students have their horses at the College Equestrian Centre and attend lessons each week with our wonderful and highly qualified instructors. This commitment has enabled outstanding results – we are blessed to have access to such amazing instructors, and it is obvious the benefits of their instruction.

Equestrian Student Highlight

I would like to highlight one of our students as an example of the results of our Equestrian program run at the College –Victoria Webb has been a member of the team since Year 7. She has agisted her horse here during this time. She has produced her horse, Napoleon, from the very beginning herself under the guidance of our College showjumping instructor, Jennifer Wood and our College dressage instructors, Sarah Farraway and Jana Poppe. It has been a privilege to watch Victoria and Napoleon's journey over the years – she is such a dedicated rider, and the benefits of her commitment are evident. Victoria’s result at ISHE – 2nd place in the 1* eventing is fabulous, but not only does she excel in this area, she also excelled in Showjumping and Sporting, and this partnership is also extremely competitive on the polocrosse field!

Victoria then had a go at campdrafting – showing what an amazing all-rounder horse women she is!!!!

Congratulations Victoria, we are all so proud of your achievements!

Mrs Libby Dawes

scotsallsaints.nsw.edu.au

ROAR

Emily wins a prize in Tell Your Story competition

At the end of the last term, The Neighbourhood Centre held a writing competition, Tell Your Story, where partici pants had to write or draw a story based on their own experiences. The competition was open to 8-12 year olds, 13-16 year olds and 17-24 year olds.

Emily Bennett, Year 9, was selected as one of the winners and here is her story below. Congratulations Emily.

Trust

By Emily Bennett

My stomach felt like it was about to drop out of my body. The butterflies in there were sure get ting some exercise. All I could do was shake out my legs and focus on breathing. This was it. This was the moment. I had done everything I could. All the years of practice and hard work and here I was.

The girls around me looked just as nervous. There heads were down and doing their last few warmups before we started… the 800m race.

There was a sudden shout for us to line up, and I followed the other girls to the start line. I tucked a few strands of hair behind my ears and sucked in a breath, filling my lungs with cool oxygen. I closed my eyes for what felt like minutes but was probably only seconds and visualised myself run ning the race. I could see it happen. It was going to happen.

When I opened my eyes I saw my family, cheering me on. All the sacrifices they had made to lead up to this point. I was going to do it for me, and my family. Confidence struck me and I felt a sudden surge of energy. All the training I had done. It was going to pay off. I could do this.

“On your marks!” a loud voice yelled. I crouched into position; watch on my wrist ready to go. “BANG!” the loud fire of the gun signalled to go, and I raced off the start line, girls around me com petitively pushing to the front. We raced around

the 400m track and I peeked at my stopwatch. 1:10. Perfect. I was in second position with 400m to go. We went round the bend, and my body was begging me to stop, but I pushed on. 200m to go. The girl in front was edging further away and I fought through the pain to push harder. My leg spin increased, and I could see the finish line. We were neck and neck. Fighting for first place. I had to trust my endurance. Trust my training. Trust myself. With a final surge, I launched ahead and crossed the line. My heart was hammering, and I gratefully breathed in the air, chest heaving. I didn’t know what to think. Had I given enough? I looked towards the results board. Blackness stared back, and then… a name came up it bold white.

1. EMILY - 2:25

I couldn’t believe my eyes as my name flashed on the screen. I had done it! So overwhelmed, I col lapsed on the ground and laughed. I wiped sweat off my brow, looked to my family and saw them just as emotional. After everything... all those days training in rain, surviving Covid and sleepless nights stressing over the race. I had won with a three-second personal best. If there was one thing, I learnt it was: to trust. Trust the process. Trust your training and above all... Trust yourself.

Junior School Campus Preparatory School, Junior (Years K 6)

Eglinton Road

Senior School Campus Senior, Boarding (Years 7-12) 4173 O’Connell Road BATHURST NSW

scotsallsaints.nsw.edu.au

02

Mathematics Competition

Year 10 Proficiency

Back Row: Cooper Tribolet, Bohdi Hellyer, Jai Valabjee, Brooke Davies, Gabriela Rodriguez-Hannouf, Laura Scott, Luke Burgess, Chelsea Stocks, Sarah Edwards.

Front Row: Hannah Jonker, Scarlett Poll, Eva Green, Alejandra Rodriguez-Hannouf, Harriet Collins, Meike Willis, Jake Henry.

Year 10 Credits

Year 7 Proficiency

Credit

Emma Reid and Isabella Owen.

Best in School Samuel Lau.

Year

Distinction Samuel Lau.

Year 8 Credit Thomas Lenehan, Jake Robinson, Patrick Wells.

Year 7 Distinction Joseph Baraz, Matthew Slater, Samuel Lau.

Year

Imogen Matheson-Clark, Annabelle Webb, Erin Taylor, Sebastion King, Charles Croaker, Ben Anderson, Andrew Sarah. Absent: Matilda Penfold.

Lachlan Garcia-Hennessy, Lachlan Shoemark, Archie Klein scafer, Callum Munns, William Wilson, Henry Davis, Owen Hooper, Scarlett Fox, Zoe-Grayce Boss-Walker, Neel Shah, Charlotte Bateman, Astrid Gavey, Nick Goddard, Abbey Wilkens. Absent: Margo Sawell, Henry Willis.

Mathematics Competition

Year 8 Proficiency

Bryce Host, Henry McRae, Banjo Goodlet, Zac Sweetnam, Stone Ricketts, Grayson Jacobson, Stirling Miller, Hamish O’Brien, Albert Telford, Suhaila Murshed, Abi Smith, Eliza Rennie, Lyla Hellyer, Calla McCabe, Emily Tallentire. Absent: Arissa Yee.

Year 9 Distinction Cameron Bogle.

Year 9 Credit Angus Dowton.

Year 9 Proficiency

Back Row: Baxter Killiby, Claire Thomas, Miranda Wilesmith, Chidochashe Mutyiri, Jack Power, Henry Cornally, Angus Argent-Smith, Ryan Taylor, Rudi Schwartz.

Front Row: Charlotte Mitchell, Kate Proctor, Lincoln Craft, Rohan Lesh, Sritha Atluri, Kate Bartlett, Zephir Valsain. Absent: Sophia Burke, Deliah Wu. Absent: Isabella Irvine.

Year 11 Distinction

Amber Guy,

Schoenmaker,

Year 11 Proficiency

Foran,

Meacham,

Year 11 Participation

Upston.

Roberts,

Siede.

Megan Cooke, Lisa Edwards, Charlotte Bertwistle

Scots Branch School 80 Years Reunion

One of the privileges of this College is that a number of members of one of our foundation institutions, the Scots College Branch School, are still able to visit us. The history of the Branch School has been the subject of a number of articles this year in the The Roar. It is the 80th anniversary this year of its inception. To commemorate the anniversary, during this week, the College has hosted a reunion of members of the Branch School. Old Boys Colin Davidson, Tim Hector, Bill Morton, Hedley Taylor and Jeremy Trevor-Jones all attended on Tuesday and Wednesday. Apologies were received from Hugh Ralston, who was unable to attend because of the illness of a member of his family.

The visit began with the Old Boys recording interviews with the Year 10 Elective History students. This was the first time an exercise like this had been tried with former students. The visitors were most impressed with their interviewers, and the interviewees were quite excited at what they had learned. This was followed by afternoon tea, then some to reminisce and dine out in Bathurst. They also met the Head of College, Mr Richard Ford.

The following morning, the group visited the Junior School Campus. The main task of the visit was to announce the donation of the Karralee Old Boys 19421945 Prize For the Dux Of Year 6. A number of the Branch School Old Boys have contributed to the cost of a shield and endowing a prize. Many of the Old Boys from 1942 were in Year 6 when they arrived in Bathurst. This was followed by a tour of the campus led by Mr Chris Jackman. The Old Boys had memories of playing Cricket and Rugby at All Saints during their time at the Branch School but had not seen much more of the campus and were impressed with what they saw. A visit to the National Motor Racing Museum filled in the rest of the morning. It can be reported that the Great Grandfathers of the College related several exploits from their younger days of tearing about the countryside in Morris Minors and Austin A Series cars. The visitors lunched together, and then went on their way.

To have a group meeting again after 80 years was considered such a remarkable achievement that there were two distinguished guests. Federal Member of the House of Representatives Andrew Gee joined met the group at the Tuesday afternoon tea, and the Mayor of Bathurst, Mr Robert Taylor, joined them for the inspection of the Motor Racing Museum.

Mr Andrew Maher

ROAR

From the All Saints' College archives A STORY OF CROOKED CORNER

The bend on the road opposite the All Saints Chapel once bore the name of Crooked Corner and was the scene of much activity in the early life of the district, the surrounding area known as Esrom.

Since Australia was first settled, transportation has been one of the greatest factors influencing the country's development and setting the pattern of our Australian way of life. The difficulties and inadequacy of transport created many situations and conditions which still have their effect on us today. Bathurst has many villages and communities close by, for instance, Kelso, O’Connell, Evans Plains, Eglinton, Mt Rankin and Esrom, just to name a few. Transport limitations were originally responsible for these communities being established; people could not readily move about, and the only means of making a journey was by horse-drawn vehicle or on foot until the advent of the motor car in the 1920s.

Wide roads suitable for the bullock teams and horse wagons and the need for the roads and streets wide enough to turn the teams around anywhere connected these outposts of the city. In the period of 1830 and during the gold rush days at Ophir, Hill End, Sofala, and Tambaroora, the Crooked Corner in the village of Esrom came into prominence. A Post Office was established, also a pub, the Esrom Hotel, later named ’The Traveller’s Rest’, which usually follows where business and trading are conducted.

In those early days, a centre such as Esrom became trading posts where goods were brought to the centres for both bartering and other less respectable media of trade. The teams bringing the gold into Bathurst had inadequate facilities in the town to unhook, feed and spell the bullocks and horses. This required some space, so the practice of moving out to Esrom after unloading was established and then loaded up for the return to the gold fields with provisions took place - thus, Crooked Corner at Esrom became a trading post.

Junior School Campus Preparatory School, Junior (Years K 6) 70 Eglinton Road

NSW

A number of houses were built in proximity to Esrom, and prominent among these were Esrom House, now All Saints’ main building, built by Alexander Watt in 1833-34, and Excelsior House, adjoining the All Saints’ campus, built by Thomas Jarman Hawkins, now known as Ermington Park. Other houses have long since disappeared. Where the Junior School Headmaster’s residence now stands was the site of the old hotel “The Traveller’s Rest”, where many a doubtful grog was dispensed! A favourite trick to make a profit was to nail plugs of tobacco to the bottom of empty rum casks and half fill them with water, this became “one for the road”. The timber in the old rum casks becoming saturated with rum, with the addition of water, would leave the casks’ timber and mix with the water and the plugs of tobacco having a most devastating effect on the departing travellers. It either sobered them up or knocked them rotten!

Another outstanding practice that took place at the Esrom trading post was that of ‘gold combing’. The yield of this was a bonus for the wagon drivers and teamsters for their hard work. The gold was usually packaged in green hide plaited gunnysacks for transportation to the banks in Bathurst and during the long journey over the rough roads, the gold would get such a shaking that fine particles would sift through the plaited bags onto the wagon trays and work down between the gaps in the wagons and be lost. The teamsters soon noticed this and lined the wagons the bottoms of the wagons with bullock hides with the fur up. Later they would comb the fine gold particles out of the fur on the return to Crooked Corner. The owners considered this a hazard of their operation and at one time, the teamsters refused to cart the gold unless it was in plaited gunnysacks!

It may be considered that many such events of somewhat doubtful character and many others that have originated at Esrom were the reasons why this part of the Ophir Road was named “Crooked Corner”!

Senior School Campus Senior, Boarding (Years 7-12) 4173 O’Connell Road BATHURST NSW 2795