Old Collegians

Hello all,

Vale Noel Bentley - Past student 1948-1949

Noel passed away on 9th May 2021, just 17 days short of his 88th birthday. His funeral was held in St Johns Anglican church in Capel, which I attended both as a friend and on behalf of the Old Collegians. Noel grew up in Capel where his parents had a dairy farm and he attended Capel State School, where he either walked barefoot or rode his horse about 6km each way. Noel was good at athletics and he finished his schooling at Denmark School of Agriculture in 1949. Noel returned to the farm before doing National Service training in Swanbourne and Northam, which he finished in 1955. I grew up with Noel, knocking around with others and playing football for Capel. He acquired the nickname ‘Dagwood’ because he was thought to resemble the comic strip character. 

Noel met Jan James, a local Capel girl, and married on 11 April 1959. They had four children – twin girls and two boys. They moved to Ludlow when they obtained a milk quota in 1970 and built a six a side herringbone dairy, which they handed over to their son Allan, when they retired in 1995. They enjoyed travelling until it was too difficult to get around and moved to a unit in Capel in 2015. Noel eventually moved into Tuia Lodge in Donnybrook, where he stayed until his passing.

We extend our sincere sympathy and condolences to Jan, Gordon, Leanne, Karen, Allan and families. May he rest in peace.

Vale David Squire - Past student 1951-1952

As mentioned previously, I have received David Squire’s story through the courtesy of his son, Stephen. David was born in 1935 to Margaret and Walter Squire who were storekeepers in Mt Barker. They had purchased their first farm in 1938, thinking it would be a safe place to hide if invaded by the Japanese and even buried stores in readiness. 

David attended Mt Barker Primary School before going to Wesley College in Perth. He didn’t enjoy the experience, mostly because he had no interest in sport. After completing Year 10 he decided to go to Denmark School of Agriculture in 1951. Here he was in his element, he was made a Prefect in 1952 and graduated with a diploma. He returned to the farm and took on the huge job of clearing trees, as only one quarter of the land was pasture. He joined Junior Farmers and the Agricultural Society to make friends and connect with the community...friendships that lasted a lifetime. 

He met Norma in 1955 and they married in 1958. After their honeymoon, he presented her with a freshly slaughtered lamb to be cut up which welcomed her to country life...but had not been part of her plan. They were married for 62 years and had two sons – Stephen and Shawn. 

David was president of the Mt Barker Agricultural Society for many years and was awarded Honorary Life Membership and Patron. He was a founding member of the Great Southern branch of the Stock Horse Society and was a Classifier for many years, as well as a member of the State Management Council. He was made a Life Member in recognition of his service and after 40 years of helping at the Perth Royal Show was awarded Volunteer of the Year. 

In 1998 David and Norma were approached to join a stock horse heritage ride around Australia to promote the Australian stock horse. It involved two teams leaving Broome, one travelling South and the other, North. They relayed the Australian flag and messages of goodwill along the way to the Lord Mayor of Sydney. David drove a truck, shifting and setting up camp along the way. Halfway into the trip, David and Norma went back to the farm to help put in  a crop. They returned to the ride and this time did some of the riding themselves. He believed it was one of the best things they ever did, had fond memories and made new friends.

David’s relaxation and sport was fishing, almost always with Norma, at Emu point, Albany, Exmouth and Denmark. He loved the farm, his home for over 60 years. His family and friends described him as a very kind and gentle man and set a great example in life, "never say a bad thing about anyone."

Once again, we appreciate the family for providing us with this history which I’m sure will be enjoyed by all reading it. A life well lived. 

Warrick Jones and Brian Greenslade attended the funeral in Albany representing the Old Collegians. We extend our deepest sympathy to Norma, Stephen. Shawn and their families. May he rest in peace.

Vale Trevor Badger 

Although Trevor didn’t attend Denmark, both his father and uncle did. Norm Badger (past student 1951-1952 and Prefect in 1952) and uncle Neville Badger (1944-1945) who was School Captain). As previously reported, Norm passed away in December 2020. We extend our sincere sympathy and condolences to Trevor’s wife Deborah, son Riaan and daughter Chelsea, his Mother, Mary and all the Badger family and the community of Pingrup on your sad loss. May he rest in peace. I will endeavour to get Norm’s story in due course.

Army Cadet Corps

Residential Manager, Kelli Gillies’ report – Lest We Forget – reported on the laying of the Anzac Day wreath by the College, maintaining a long tradition. It was also appreciated to read again about how the school began in 1942. It reminded me of the events that took place during my schooling there in 1953-1954. We had an Army Cadet Corps. A group of 8 cadets were selected plus the Under Officer and we trained for three months to provide a guard of honour for Anzac Day at the War Memorial. F C Smith, one of the finest and most prominent farmers in the district and a World War I veteran, trained us every Monday evening to drill perfection with commands and 303 rifles for the service. We received commands from the Under Officer with rifle positions and order stands, including Rest on Your Arms Reverse and Salute, to pay respects to our fallen servicemen and women. This was the School’s contribution to the RSL and district. 

In 1954, the school began to form a guard of honour for the Queen’s visit to Albany. We were to stand at the roundabout at the top of York Street but unfortunately our participation was cancelled due to a polio outbreak. 

Past Students

I recently had a call from Barry King (past student 1955-1956 ) advising that he was in Broken Hill on his travels and had looked up Ray Giblett (past student 1954-1955 ). He, along with partner Rita and Ray and Helen Giblett, went out for dinner. We have met Rita at reunions but not Helen so it was good to see them all together. 

I recently met Max Horn, and through him, his son Matthew (past student 1990-1991) and from him, contacts for past students 1989 -1991. They will be contacting their fellow students to promote the Old Collegians Association. It became evident that there are many past students who have no idea what is happening at the College or with the Old Collegians. We need email addresses and/or phone numbers so that we can send newsletters and, in particular, promote membership of the Old Collegians Association.

Our ‘Denmark girl’, Wendy Sutton collects and distributes 50 to 70 College newsletters to past town students and staff. She recently received a thank you letter from Margaret Waters of Kulin. Her deceased husband, Neville Davies, was a student in 1951-1952 and school captain. Thanks and well done Wendy who keeps up the good work of promoting the history and tradition of the School/College. 

Denmark Historical Society

Bev McGuiness has recently published a book called ‘A History of Aussie Rules in Denmark Western Australia’. 

Bev is very active in the Denmark Historical Society and has put together an amazing collection of photos and stories of the Denmark Walpole football club.  It is very interesting so I would encourage people to purchase a copy. Congratulations Bev on a job well done. 

Honour Wall

A reminder - Honour Wall names have slowed down. We need to get cracking to generate funds for infrastructure, the annual scholarship etc. to benefit College students. Your name plate recognises your attendance forever, so please contribute.  

Contacts are: Wendy Sutton 0419 048 694

Marjorie Morrison 9848 1633

Delys Ravenhill 0427 408 051 or 

Contact me direct on 0428 526 398, email: hisylvi@bigpond.com.

Last but not least – if you have any news to report, please advise me via the above contact. Remember, no news – no article. 

Until next time.