Old Collegians

Hello all,

It is with much sadness and grief that I write this story. Trevor McDonald (past student, 1953-1954) and life member of the association with his name on the Honour Wall, went missing on Saturday 14 August. He was a loyal school mate of mine and our fellow students. 

Trev is the 83 year old prospector who went missing 15km south of Meekatharra on the ‘Bluebird’ mine site. He was prospecting with his partner of 38 years, Barbara. They searched for gold in opposite directions, but had a golden rule not to be out of one another’s sight and were to report back to their vehicle after two hours. When he didn’t return, Barbara sought the help of the ‘Norie’ station manager, adjacent to the mine. On not locating Trev, they reported to the police. On the following day, police, SES volunteers, planes, helicopters and drones searched for five days without finding any sign of him. The station staff and families have continued the search but to date have found no sign of Trev. 

I had visited Trev in Donnybrook just before they left to go as ‘grey nomads’ to the place they went every year for twelve years, and this particular site for five years., so they knew the area well. It was a trip to get away from the cold weather into some warmth for their arthritic aches and pains as well as their much loved prospecting. 

With no closure, we extend our love and care to Barbara, Danielle and Charmaine, and their families with sympathy and condolences.  May God bless and keep him safe. May he Rest in Peace. At our 1953-1956  year reunion in Pemberton in October, we will have a ceremony with Barb and family to say goodbye with memories, respect and recognition. 

Vale Trevor McDonald (Student 1953-1954)

I wish to mention Trev’s life history and achievements. He was born on 6 March 1938 at the Warren District Hospital and attended Greenbushes Primary School. He joined 21 of us at Denmark Agricultural School in 1953 to commence a two year course. He was there to learn all he could about agriculture and was an excellent student, striving to achieve as per the school motto. He was disappointed when runner-up for Dux as his goal was to be the best. His nickname was ‘Mouse’. 

While most of us spent our free time riding our pushbikes into the town, having a milkshake or ice cream, socialising with the town girls, Trev would either be studying or attending to his garden plot of fodder crop, different varieties of clover, rye grass and vegetables. He kept it neat and tidy – and boarded up – and was always top of the class for Botany. 

Pictured: Cricket team...Trevor McDonald in front 2nd from right

When he finished his course, he went to the family farm east of Greenbushes. After his father passed away in 1979, he bought a farm next door, which he named ‘Avalon’ whilst still farming with his mother. He developed a dairy herd of AIS cows, ran an orchard, plus pigs and sheep. Trev was a perfectionist with everything. After finishing milking he started a Hereford X Shorthorn beef herd of 80 breeders. He obtained top prices for the progeny at sale yards and abattoirs, buying the Poll Hereford bulls from his classmate, Roy and Betty Decke of Mistletoe Stud. He and Roy were the best of mates despite Roy pipping him at the post for Dux. He bought another property, a tree farm, further east which they still own.

In the early 2000’s a fire burnt through Avalon. Though the house and sheds were saved, the pastures and fences were destroyed, demoralising Trev to such an extent that he wanted to sell out, which they did in 2004. They moved to Busselton but when that got too much for them, they moved again to Donnybrook, where they have lived for the last five years. 

Barbara’s daughters, Danielle and Charmaine, grew up with Trev and called him ‘Dad’. He loved watching football, his favourite team being the West Coast Eagles. He had firm opinions on all matters, which he debated with persons in public life, politicians etc with this point of view. 

Vale Neville Badger (Student 1944-1945)

It’s been a terrible year for the Badger families. Vale Neville Badger who passed away on 10 August aged 92. Neville was born at Katanning Hospital on the 6th September, 1928. He was the 3rd child to Clyde and Maudie Badger. His older brother Bill and sister Bet. Maudie unfortunately died when Neville was just 6 months old. His father had migrated from England to WA in the early 1920’s and selected a virgin bush property, “Sunnyview”, 25kms SE of Pingrup. When Maudie died, Neville went to live in Katanning with his grandparents, Bill and Rose Treloar. 

He returned to the Pingrup farm at the age of 6. He spent some years doing correspondence and then attended Pingrup school, where they boarded during the week. Later Katanning High School, then Denmark Agricultural School in 1944. He became School Captain in 1945. He excelled in sports and farm work. At the time he considered these to be the best years of his life. He was a life member of the Old Collegians Association and his name is on the Honour Wall. He attended many reunions over the years.

I946 was Neville’s first year back to work at Pingrup, Sunnyview. He started playing football with his older brother Bill. Because of zones in the country they had to travel 125kms, usually by motorbike ( 2 big blokes on 1 bike) , to Katanning. The roads were all gravel, pot holes, slippery and wet. Neville played for Katanning Imperials who were very successful. They were Premiers in 1949 and 1952. Runners up in 1951. Neville was awarded best player in the 1951 Grand Final. He also played in football carnivals. He then played for Kent Districts in 1954 as Captain. Then later in life coached Juniors for Kent in the mid 1970’s, then became President of the football club and subsequently, Life Member of the Kent Districts Football Club. 

1952 Neville married Mary Coutts from Pingrup and purchased a farm at Nyabing called “Durrunnook”. Neville became a very good axeman, because Durrunnook had a lot of jam trees suitable for fence posts, which he sold to pay for stores. Neville and Mary had six children. Lindsay, Gail, Robert, Bevan, Sharon and Ken. Sadly the eldest son Lindsay passed away at the age of 6.

Neville purchased more land and when the two sons Robert and Bevan came home to work on the farm, he then purchased the Pingrup property “Sunnyview” in 1979. In the same year he registered a Poll Merino Stud called “Sunny View”. He always had a great passion for breeding good merinos. Bevan continued breeding stud sheep until 2008. 

During his time at Nyabing he was actively involved in football, golf, bowls as well as sports gymkhanas and shows. He was one of the founding members of the golf club who helped build the current golf course in Nyabing. He was golf Captain 1968—71 and became Life Member. He also along with others helped to develop the Nyabing Bowling Club. First Captain in 1977-78. President from 1981—83. Later when he moved to Albany, he played for Emu Point Bowling Club for many years, with a lot of success in Pennant Winners, pairs, triples, fours and even a singles championship.

By 1983 Neville had fulfilled some of his goals in life. They were to own his own land, breed sheep, educate his children and to be part of his community. He semi-retired to Albany and would travel back to the farms during weekdays, but as time moved on these trips became less frequent. Neville and Mary spent more time travelling, visiting their son Ken and family in America, travelling the world and Australia and heading north during the winter. They spent a lot of time in Carnarvon playing bowls and fishing.  

Neville saw massive changes in the agricultural industry in his lifetime and has left behind 5 children, 14 grandchildren and 18 great grandchildren. Neville’s funeral was held in Albany on Thursday 19 August with Warrick Jones attending on the association’s behalf. I watched it on live stream. 

We extend our sincere sympathy and condolences to his wife, Mary, sons and daughters and all the Badger families. May he Rest in Peace. 

Vale Jim Taylor (Student 1946-1947)

Vale Jim Taylor – past student 1946-1947, school captain, Dux, life member of the Association and his name on the Honour Wall. I had received an email advising of Jim’s death. He passed away on 25 August. I attended his funeral in Bridgetown on 7 September, representing the association. May he rest in peace. I hope to have Jim’s life story for you in the next edition. 

College Open Day

A group of us manned an Old Collegians display at the College Open Day on 4 September. We displayed historical photos and books as well as old blazers and information about the Association. I’m pleased to report that there was a lot of interest in what we are doing. 

On behalf of the Old Collegians Association, committee, wives and partners, I extend kindest regards and best wishes to Steve Swallow, his wife and family. We thank him for his interest and support for our endeavours and objectives. 

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.

Send your news to me at the above email address.

Until next time.