Old Collegians

Hi everyone – welcome to a New Year unlike any we’ve ever seen before. The Covid mandates are going to make it a difficult year for everyone, I think.

Firstly, Vale Ethel Farley. I attended her funeral In Donnybrook on 12 January. Ethel was the wife of Lester Farley, past student 1942-1943, who passed away in 1995. The famiIy have subscribed to have Lester’s name placed on the Honour Wall. I attended for two reasons – to represent the Association and also as a former neighbour on the Capel River farm in the Goodwood district.

Lester and Ethel married in 1954 and had five children, Cheryl, Gordon, Ron, Gaye and Stephen. Also, there are 12 grandchildren and 19 great grandchildren. 

Ethel was a nurse whose life’s work was dedicated to caring for and helping others in the Donnybrook district. She was an active fundraiser over 35 years and a passionate contributor to the Community in the Tuia Lodge aged care facility, volunteer ambulance, teaching first aid. She was awarded the Order of Chivalry of the British Crown and Officer of St Johns. 

Ethel also found time for golf, bowls, tennis and badminton. She was bowls champion 14 times, Captain for 8 years later becoming Patroness. Ethel was Country Club President for 4 years, and was awarded Life Membership in 2009. 

On behalf of the Association, I extend our condolences to the family. May she rest in peace with Lester.

Kevin Green, past student 1947-1948, prefect, Life Member and with his name on the Honour Wall, turned 90 years on 6th January. He celebrated with family and friends. 

Warwick Jones, past student 1953-1954, prefect, Life Member and name on the Honour Wall, turned 84 years on 6th February. Congratulations to both from us all.

The bush fires in Denmark, Bridgetown and Shackleton-Corrigin must have been challenging to fight in extreme heat conditions – 44 degrees in Denmark. Many thanks go to the firefighters. The cool change and rain in the south must have provided welcome relief. We hope that Janice Axe’s property was saved from extreme damage and wish her well. We send our best wishes to all those whose property was impacted by the fires, especially those with connections to the college/school. 

I noticed in the agricultural magazines, the successful sales of cattle over the last month or two. Prices the like of which we have never seen before. Firstly, the college sold Inlet Views Reality R9(P)(AI), a Simmental bull, at the Great Southern Blue Ribbon female and bull sale in Mt Barker. The bull was 23 months old and weighed 910 kg making top price of $23,000. The photo showed that this was indeed a magnificent animal. This sale, together with the prime steer, shown at the last College Open Day, which collected a prize at the 

Perth Royal Show, shows that the College made the right decision in keeping the stud. 

Congratulations to Farm manager, Kevin Marshall, students and all concerned. Former 

principal, Kevin Beal, was at the same Mt Barker sale and made second top price of $14,500 for a Shannalea Limousin Stud bull. Other college connections were Linda Gray, former administration staff member, who sold AngusX steers for $2,304 and Jarrod Carroll (past student 2003-2004 and Captain) along with his father, Harry Carroll (trading as Rayview Park) sold Angus weaners at the Angus Weaner sale for excellent prices of $2,200 to $2,300. Harry Carroll is a member of the college advisory board and well known long time Nutrien Ag livestock agent.

NEW MEMBERS

Thank you and welcome 2021 College graduates Nell Bouffler, Hamish Bowie and Cara MacKenzie  who have recently joined our Association .  

The invitation to the 2021 graduates to take advantage of the one in ten free membership incentive for those taking out Life Membership and having their name added to the Honour Wall, was unfortunately not well subscribed. Only three new memberships were received out of the 48 graduating students. It’s a pity that so few took up our offer as the Association has contributed much to the college over 36 years with infrastructure and a scholarship each year. The funds are needed for the Association to continue. No funds = no scholarship, no bumper stickers and no more newsletter articles. It would be a shame for that to happen. 

The 80 year anniversary reunion is still proposed for later this year. However, we will have to wait and see whether it will be possible to hold the event under Covid rules.

Remember to contact us to have your name added to the Honour Wall. Contacts are: Wendy Sutton 0419 048 694; Marjorie Morrison 9848 1633; Delys Ravenhill 0427 408 051 or myself 0428 526 398, email: hisylvi@bigpond.com.

Please send your news to me at the above email address. No news – no article.

Feedback on the bumper stickers given to graduates in December would be appreciated.

Cheerio for now

Don McCausland

Chairperson