Old Collegians

Old Collegians Association

Welcome to a new year everyone. Unfortunately, we start with news of the passing of one of our last three remaining past students from 1942-1943. Keith Jones passed away on the 14th February 2020 at 93 years of age. Keith was a Life Member of the Association.  He attended the 75th anniversary reunion in 2017 during which he was photographed along with Ron Wise at the unveiling of the commemorative plaque. The two remaining students from those years are Mal Ferguson and Ron Wise.

By the time you are reading this, Keith will have been farewelled by family and friends at his funeral on 25th February at Bethanie, Albany and afterwards at Le Grand Hotel. Members of the Old Collegians Association will also be attending. On behalf of the Association, we offer our condolences to all of his family. May he rest in peace.

In the next issue we will have a summary of Keith’s life achievements.

Ray Giblett (1954-1955 past student) turned 80 on 18th February.  Congratulations Ray. He was 13 going on 14 years of age when he enrolled in 1954, one of the youngest ever. He has been a committee member of the Association for some years. There was to be a big reunion for his birthday at the Broken Hill football club however, he fell ill whilst in Melbourne for Christmas and the party had to be postponed. He is recovering well and we look forward to joining him later in the year. In the next issue we will tell you more about Ray including his noteworthy football achievements.

The Old Collegians Association started life as The Denmark Old Boys Association and has been in existence in its various forms since at least 1948.  The aim was to provide funds for a prize/scholarship each year and to maintain friendships and history through reunions. To this end, the scholarship is continuing and there have been several milestone reunions in Denmark. Moves are afoot for a memorabilia room at the College and we have accumulated many items to put there.

Many of you will be aware that we have an Honour Wall in one of the College gazebos to keep the memory of those who attended as well as maintain funding for the scholarships. Whilst many of the earlier students have taken the opportunity to have their names included there seems to be a reluctance to do so amongst the more recent students. There are only 19 names up for the last 20 years. The cost is minimal - $100 for Life Membership including a name plaque, or $50 for the name plaque only. All in a good cause and for you and your families’ enjoyment so why not be part of it?

Your correspondent is getting a little old in the tooth and is ready to pass the baton to a younger person. There is much pleasure to be had in keeping the school history alive through past students and their stories as well as the milestone reunions at the College. If you would like to take a role in the Association please contact me on    0428 526 398 or email  hisylvi@bigpond.com.

Have your years had a reunion lately? Please let us have your news so that we can let others know what is happening among past students.

Cheers for now

Don McCausland

Chairperson

Vale Keith Jones

Student 1942-1943

Keith Jones (left) pictured with Ron Wise at the 75th Reunion.