Doncaster Templestowe Historical Society: The Life and Times of Ron Douglas: Reminiscences of a Raconteur or The Ravings of a Ratbag

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Ravings immortalised: Author Kate Elliott and Ron Douglas at the BMI. Photos: EDWINA WILLIAMS

A NEW book based on the life of a local sporting personality has been published, with a copy submitted to the Ballaarat Mechanics Institute collection.

"The Life and Times of Ron Douglas: Reminiscences of a Raconteur or The Ravings of a Ratbag" follows Mr Douglas’ life as a rower, captain of the Ballarat Rowing Club (including in the the 1956 Olympic era), a Golden Point State School student, baseballer, Hollways worker, a ‘Nasho,’ and higher educator.

“It was quite interesting to go over all this stuff,” he said.“It started off as 40 pages and went to many more. I wonder how I had the time to do all this,” he laughed.“It’s great that people can read the story.

”Mr Douglas and the book’s author Kate Elliott – an historian, athlete and coach – recently donated a copy to the BMI collection via president Paula Nicholson and curator Ellen Becker.

Handing over the book in the Heritage Reading Room, Mr Douglas was accompanied by his sister, daughter and extended family.

Ron Douglas presents his book to BMI curator Ellen Becker.

“My task was to take his story and add the photographs and memorabilia and turn it into a narrative that could be published as a book,” said Elliott.

“Another really important chapter in Ron’s book was his return to Ballarat in the 1990’s with his wife Dot and his involvement in getting the Nasho’s Memorial erected in Sturt Street.”

Mr Douglas and Elliott said they developed a friendship while the book was being developed, which they will treasure and maintain for years to come.

His daughter Kerryn Douglas praised Elliott for her efforts, enthusiasm and kindness, having witnessed the book being developed over many cuppas and slices of cake.

“We are so happy and thankful to have met her,” she said.Ms Nicholson said Mr Douglas’ appreciation for higher education and access to information aligns with the mission of the BMI.

Source: Tales from a raconteur and ratbag Ballarat Times 5Jan2025 Jan2025

The Life and Times of Ron Douglas AKA Salguod Nor: Reminiscences of a Raconteur or The Ravings of a Ratbag

“Life Experiences”

This narrative is a condensation of my life experiences. To do justice to a lifetime of experiences is impossible in a given time frame. Daily experiences are the life blood of ones being and are to be enjoyed. This account highlights education, career changes and sporting endeavours. It is my long-held belief that we should all endeavour to improve our educational standards and almost everyone can do it if they nurture a goal.

Douglas Coat of Arms

Motto: Jamais Arriere (Never Backward)

Limited edition. Written by Ron Douglas. Edited by Kate Elliott First published 2024

Text by Ron Douglas and Kate Elliott

Design by Kate Elliott

Editing and formatting by Kate Elliott

Printed by Waller and Chester Printers, Ballarat, Victoria

All rights reserved. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study, research, criticism or review as permitted by the Copyright Act no part may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means electrical, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise without the written consent of the author.

Dedication

This narrative is dedicated to my family, friends and my mates from all the ages and stages of my life thus far. Thanks for the memories.

Ron Douglas AKA Salguod Nor

Preface

Everybody has a story. This started off as a rowing story. Ron had been trying to track down the history of Ballarat Rowing Club, and through a neighbour, who knew my interest in rowing history, he contacted me. The rest, as they say, is history, or to be precise a personal history of Ron Douglas AKA Salgoud Nor. For reason’s best known to himself, Ron’s alter ego “Salgoud” is just his name spelt backwards!

As I had a copy of the BRC history written by Tom Cotton, I made contact and to Ron’s great delight was able to give him a copy. On the first visit, I saw some of Ron’s extensive collection of memorabilia and was astonished to find someone else who had kept rowing programs and ephemera from the 1950’s. I also have a large collection of regatta programs and ephemera from the 1970’s when I started rowing. We instantly connected on our shared love of the sport and of the friendship and experiences rowing offered us.

I offered to write Ron’s rowing story. As time went on and I delved deeper into Ron’s archive and listened to his stories, it grew into something more. Ron had already written quite a bit about his life, growing up in Golden Point, going to Golden Point Primary School, rowing, playing baseball, working at Hollways and his time in Nasho’s which all offered a fascinating insight to growing up in Ballarat in the 1940’s and 50’s. My task was to take his story and add the photographs and memorabilia and turn it into a narrative that could be published as a book.

Another really important chapter in Ron’s book was his return to Ballarat in the 1990’s with his wife Dot and his involvement in getting the Nasho’s Memorial erected in Sturt Street. I am quite sure without Ron’s hard work and determination that would not have happened. He is justifiable proud of this achievement also.

Ron’s story is the story of an ordinary working-class lad growing up in Ballarat. What is extraordinary and worth preserving are his unique memories of many facets of daily life that now are things of the past. He volunteered his time and enthusiasm to so many facets of his life-his sport, his education, his employment, and most importantly his family. They don’t make them like this anymore.

As time went on, we also discovered many interesting coincidences and parallels. His mother worked at Morley’s Mills so did my father. He did Nasho’s in the RAAF and my Dad served in Nasho’s in the army. His uncles and his Dad had a goldmine at Blackhill and I have gold miners on both sides of my family, notably owning Corbett’s Goldmine at Gordon. His eldest daughter Kerryn was born in 1958, the same year as me. He played baseball as a teenager, I played softball. We were both teachers at one stage of our careers. Without a doubt the greatest interest we shared, was our passion for the sport of rowing and the great times and wonderful camaraderie, memories and friendships we both experienced albeit at different clubs, but the result was the same. Great times and great stories

It has been a privilege and a pleasure to work with Ron on his story and I hope his children and grandchildren appreciate the wonderful raconteur and storyteller Ron is, as well as his wonderful life. I hope anyone else reading enjoys the many adventures and misadventures Ron has had just as I did.

One of nature’s true gentlemen-well rowed Ron! (Kate Elliott June 2024)

Ron Douglas Family And School

Family tree

Magpie Street

Ned Williams connection

Golden Point Primary School Cricket

Ballarat Junior Technical School

Ronald George Douglas, 3/08/1934

Ron as a baby. Ron’s photograph won a prize in THE STAR CHILD BABY QUEST 1935. On the back of the photo is written Return to Matheson’s, Ballarat Baby Carriages PH.2377 Ronald George Douglas Age: 8 and 1/2 Months

Ron’s story should, like all good stories start at the very beginning. As Ron is fond of saying he was “…… born in Golden Point, at a very early age.” As he and his mother and the midwife were the only ones there, we will have to take his word for that! Ron Douglas was born on August 3, 1934. His entry to the world occurred at Peel Street South, Ballarat which was the home of Nurse Rose Black. Nurse Black was a local midwife of Scottish ancestry.

He was the first-born son of parents George and Mary Douglas. They lived at 2 Grant Street West for the first three years of Ron’s life. His sister Eva was born in 1936 and during 1937 the little family moved to 24 Magpie Street, Golden Point. Five more children followed Kevin, Graeme, Jeanette, Ian and Margaret. (Ian died aged 3 months from pneumonia.)

The midwife who delivered Ron was fondly referred to as “Narny” Black. She became Ron’s Godmother and was a friend of the family until she passed away at 80 years of age.

“I stayed in touch with “Narny” throughout my childhood and teens. I recall making her a tinware billy during my apprenticeship when I was about 16.”

Some of Ron’s earliest memories are of when the family lived at 2 Grant Street West.

There was a mixed business directly opposite the house. This business is still operating today. According to family history, Ron aged nearly three, decided to cross a very busy road to the shop to get a bottle of soft drink for his Dad when he came home from work! There was panic all round when Ron went missing. Fortunately, the shopkeeper returned the young adventurer to his home.

Ron in a more peaceful pose in his pram at Grant Street.

Ron also believes he can remember the commotion when the Coliseum Theatre, just two blocks away from their home, burnt down on March 12, 1936. It was a big event in Ballarat’s history and there would have been a lot of noise, smoke and activity making an impression on a not quite three-year-old.

When the family moved to 24 Magpie Street. Magpie Street was still under construction beyond William Street, adjacent to the Golden Point School Plantation. In those days many schools had a Plantation that the students and parents planted and maintained and then harvested as an investment. Mt. Pleasant Primary School also had a plantation further up Magpie Street. Both these areas became part of the Sovereign Hill Historical Museum.

Our block was on the corner of William Street. The land fell away sharply at the rear of the block and filling from the road construction work was used to level the block. Railway sleepers were used as posts and we could walk under the bottom rail. Ron remembers riding his trike down a very rough William Street hill, hitting a rock and being thrown over the handlebars. It was very traumatic for the three-year-old and he bore a scar on his forehead as a visible reminder of the accident for many years. He also remembers neighbours passing by on foot on bicycles as there were not many families owned cars in those days.

“I’ll never forget once being given a ride home from town in a 1938 Packard which was a luxury car in those days.”

Family Tree - Parents

Mary Elizabeth Smith Farnsworth 1906-1957

George Alfred Douglas 1902-1980

Ron’s parents were George Alfred Douglas and Mary Elizabeth Smith Farnsworth. They married in 1933 and had seven children, with eldest son Ron being born in 1934. George’s father was a miner, Charles Alfred Douglas and his mother, Janet Williams. With his father dying young from Miners Complaint or silicosis, young George became head of the family and breadwinner at age 15. His brother Fred was only 13 and Ted the baby was only 2 or 3 years old.

Ron’s mother, Mary Smith Farnsworth, was born about 1906 in England. She emigrated to Australia 1928. She married George Douglas on August 12, 1933. She died in 1957 just before Ron got married.

Mary, as well as her cousins, Herbert and Joe Meakin, were bought up by their grandmother Mary Farnsworth nee Flecher, in the village of Heanor, Derbyshire. Both Mary’s parents died when she was young. Her mother, Elizabeth Clues, possibly died in childbirth in 1908 when Mary was 2 and her father, Joseph Smith Farnsworth, was killed in a mining accident in 1917 when she was about 12 or 13. Her father had remarried after Elizabeth died, so when he died, Mary was sent to live with her grandmother rather than with her stepmother.

Mary with her father Joseph circa 1917, in Heanor.

Mary Elizabeth trained as a knitting machinist with I and R Morely in England and was one of 30 machinists bought out to work in the new Morley Factory, Ballarat that opened in 1928. They were bought out to Australia under contract for 2 years.

She sailed to Australia on the steamship the “Orviento” departing England from the Port of London on April 20, 1928. She was one of three girls from Heanor sailing to a new job in a new country. The other two were Miss D.L.Allen and Miss E.M.Meakin. It would have been a huge adventure for them. Also sailing was Mr.Ted Hall and his wife Winnie and child. They remained friends with Mary. They arrived in Melbourne in June after six weeks at sea.

E.M.Meakin was probably also Mary’s cousin as her two cousins that she grew up with, Joe and Herbert, also had the surname Meakin. Mr. Ted Hall and his wife Winnie were possibly related to Mary’s stepmother, Leah Farnsworth, whose maiden name was Hall. Winnie was referred to as “aunty” and she made the knitted suit that baby Ron is pictured in on at the

start of the story.

Mary pictured with possibly her grandmother and her cousin E.M.Meakin before her departure to Australia, about 1927. Mary is in the middle of the picture.

Mary and her cousin E.M.Meakin possibly just before they embarked for Australia.

Pictures of Mary on board the ship the Orviento on her way to Australia in 1928. She originally came out on a two-year contract but obviously decided to stay on. She continued to work at Morley’s until her marriage in 1933. The steamship ORVIENTO

I and R Morley Factory, Doveton Street North, Ballarat, 1928. Pictured at right Ron’s mum Mary and other Morley machinists, demonstrating their skills in Buckley and Nunn store in Melbourne circa 1929/30. Mary is the machinist on the far right. I and R Morley staff. Mary Farnsworth is in the front row at the extreme right.

Pictured above Morley staff in about 1928. Mary Farnsworth is second row, 2nd from right. Morley staff in June 1929. The staff trebled in the first year, from about 30 in 1928 to approximately 90 in 1929.

Paternal Grandparents

Jeanette (Janet) Williams 1880-1951

Charles Alfred Douglas 1878-1917

Ron remembers his grandmother Janet Williams and also his great grandmother Williams who was Ned Williams sister. Ned is mentioned later in this narrative. Ron’s Grandmother lived in Williams Street just around from where Ron lived in Magpie Street. His uncles Fred and Ted also lived there. He can remember that they had a gold mine and battery somewhere in the bush just outside of Ballarat that he visited when he was very young.

Maternal Grandparents

Joseph Smith Farnsworth 1882-1917. Photo of Joseph circa 1904 aged 21

Elizabeth Farnsworth (nee Clues)1882-1908.

Joseph Farnsworth and Elizabeth Clues married in 1904 and lived in Heanor, Derbyshire. Ron’s mother Mary was only very young when Elizabeth died in April 1908. A brother Joseph was born and died in March 1908. It is not known if Elizabeth died of complications because of his birth. Joseph remarried sometime in 1910 to Leah Brookes (maiden name Hall). Leah was a widow and about 10 years older than Joseph. Joseph was killed in the Summit, Kirby Coal Mine when he was crushed by a fall of coal, in 1917 aged 36. Leah died in 1920.

Joseph Smith Farnsworth circa 1910. As Joseph is dressed in a suit, this is possibly a photo of him on his wedding day when he married Leah (Hall) Brookes.

This is the extract from the Mansfield Reporter newspaper detailing the tragic accident that occurred. Joseph was only 36 when he died:

Mansfield Reporter Friday July 6th 1917.
Colliery Fatality at Kirkby

An inquest was held on Friday afternoon in the Primitive Methodist School, East Kirkby on the death of Joseph S Farnsworth, aged 36, of Forest Street East Kirkby, who was injured in a fall of coal at the Kirkby Colliery, on Monday the 25 ult, and who died the Wednesday following. Mr. R S Richardson, manager and Mr. Ellis Fermor attended on behalf of the Butterley Company. Mr. C. Bunfield and Mr. F Rawson were present for the Nott’s Miners Association, and Mr. Fraser H M Inspector of Mines.
Leah Farnsworth, widow of the deceased gave evidence of identification. Her husband remarked that when he got home “he was done for” she attached no blame to anyone. Henry Dodsley, of Derby Road, East Kirkby, said he was working with Farnsworth in the stall. They were both filling tubs. Witness heard the fall of coal and called out to ask if the deceased was all right, the only answer he heard was “Oh dear” he went round to where the deceased was working and found him pinned by “the fall” with his back to a prop. Assistance was secured and the deceased extricated and conveyed home. The police reported that Farnsworth was badly crushed in the chest and back. He had three ribs broken and one lung was penetrated. He was attended up to his death by Drs. Walker and Nisbet. A verdict of “Accidently killed by a fall of coal” was returned. The sympathy of the colliery company with the widow was expressed by Mr. Fermor and Richardson.

Golden Point Primary School

At 4.5 years of age Ron commenced his education at Golden Point Primary School, No.1493 in 1939. He attended until 1945. He recalls the day he started school, a young neighbour who was an older student, took him to his Prep teacher, Miss Crimmins. There were about 50 or 60 children starting with the younger ones, like Ron who were only 4.5 years old placed in the Prep Grade and those older ones that were 5 went into Grade 1. Golden Point Primary School was established in the 1870’s and when Ron started there it was still not connected to the town sewerage system and so the children had to endure the smell of the “dunnies” which had cans in them that were only emptied once a week.

World War 2 broke out the same year Ron started at school there was also considerable earthworks in the school yard for air raid shelter. These trenches were 5-6 feet deep and were in a zig zag pattern in the school grounds. The school held regular Air Raid Drills were the children all filed out of class and into the trenches practicing for the real thing.Thankfully this did not eventuate.

After Golden Point PS, he attended Ballarat Junior Technical School for three years. There was a competitive entry with all students having to pass an entrance Examination to attend. It was the only Technical School in Ballarat at that time. He says, “We were fortunate to have a good educational grounding at Golden Point which I believe was invaluable when I returned to study in later life.”

Some of the Pointies, as those hailing from the suburb of Golden Point were called, that he went to school with were Vic Dubberly, Frank Atkinson and Bill Elliott who became a good mates and crew members later during Ron’s rowing career. Others he recalls were Ron Plover, Ron Walters, Keith (Micky) Harris, Bob Drake, Jack Andrewartha, Graeme Stevens, Les New, Ken Smith, Micky Way and Ian Clark who later served as Mayor of Ballarat. In the school photos of Prep, Grade 1 and 2, Ron and Les figure prominently! They were, as Ron said, “a pair of little ravers.”

Golden Point Primary School, 1939. Grade Prep. Ron is fourth from right in the front row with Les Glover next to him fifth from right. Keith (Micky) Harris is third from right

Grade 1, Golden Point Primary School, 1940.

Grade 2, Golden Point Primary School, 1941.

Miss Fanny Mitten taught Ron in Grade one and his Grade 2 teacher was Miss Costello. Miss Crimmins, his Prep teacher also taught him in Grade 3 and Mr. Ted Crimmins, her brother, was Ron’s teacher from Grade 4 and Grade 6. Mr. Callahan was his Grade 5 teacher. The fact that Ron clearly remembers their names some 89 years later is testament to the impact they had on him at the time.

Ron’s recollections of his primary schooling were mainly positive, especially of his teachers and the valuable learning they imparted. Although it was wartime, life did go on and Primary school days are fondly remembered. Ron believes his education at Golden Point was of a very high standard, with dedicated teachers who were able to instil in their students a real interest in learning. The sound grounding in General Knowledge, basic Grammar and arithmetic learned at primary school was invaluable in Ron’s later studies.

When in Grade 5 and 6, the children were all rostered into groups of 4 to 6 and pushed or pulled a rather large handcart around the rather hilly Golden Point neighbourhood collecting recyclables. Ron’s family also billeted two American soldiers, John and Harold, who sadly were both killed at the battle of Guandal Canal. Ron has a letter from a Mrs. Fitzgerald from the USA who he believes to be the mother of John.

The district of Golden Point during this time and later was a vibrant community. The school was attended by children whose families had attended for several generations and still lived locally giving a real sense of community. Important in the community at this time were neighbours, friends, churches and the local Golden Point football team, known as the Rice Eaters. This was a reference to the many people of Chinese heritage who were a vibrant and much valued part of the community dating from the 1850’s goldrush immigration.

The area now encompassed by the Sovereign Hill Historical Park, was another community hub in those days. There was a swimming pool built by voluntary labour and the Post Office Dam, or “Posties” which were hubs of activity swimming and fishing. The Postie’s Dam, circa 1950, is pictured below.

Also vivid in Ron’s memory, are the Chinese market gardeners selling their produce from handcarts in Mt. Pleasant. He remembers them walking single file from Main Road, along Barkly Street to the Chinese Presbyterian church in Young Street. They walked in single file as was the custom then. One of the Golden Point school “gang”, Micky Way, lived at the church, as his grandfather was the minister there. Micky’s grandfather was the Rev. John Tong Way, head of a very prominent Chinese family who made a great contribution to Ballarat.

Golden Point pool built by the community. The Posties Dam was downhill from this.

The Chinese Presbyterian Mission Church and Manse with members of the Tong Way family in the foreground, March 1906

Pictures and text from the sign outside the house in Young Street where the Chinese Church and Manse stood. Ron’s friend Micky Way lived there with his grandfather, Rev. Tong Way

A building erected on this land c. 1880 was the Presbyterian Manse for Reverend John Tong Way,
the last Superintendent Missioner responsible for the welfare of the Chinese population of Ballarat and other gold-mining districts throughout Victoria. The Mission Church next door was built and opened in May 1885 and removed in 1949. It was described in the Chinese Mission Report of 19 October 1885 as "a neat structure, seated for 120, and stands on a little hill overlooking the Chinese Camp".
Reverend Tong Way, his wife Mary and their large family resided here between 1903 and 1949, when he retired after having devoted his working life to the pastoral cares and spiritual guidance of his Chinese countrymen for over 60 years.
Reverend Tong Way was ordained at St Andrew's Kirk,, Ballarat, in May 1905, and continued his life's work until his retirement at the venerable age of 88 years. He died in 1960 aged 99, and is buried in the Presbyterian section at the New Ballarat Cemetery. His epitaph reads:

L to R: George Alfred Douglas, Ron’s father aged about 15, his brother Fred aged 13 and their father Charles Alfred Douglas. This photograph was taken not long before Charles Alfred died in 1917. He is seen holding the family dog. Charles Alfred was only about 40, but the hard life of a miner obviously made him look much older. Fred (Fredrick James) was born 1904.Youngest brother Ted (Edwin) was born in 1915.He was just 2 when his father died.

Janet Douglas, Ron’s maternal grandmother nursing him as a baby. She lived in Williams Street which ran off Magpie Street and as she died in 1951. Ron has memories of Grandma Douglas.

Ron’s father, George Alfred Douglas. He was a plumber by trade.

Mother of George Alfred Douglas, Mary Elizabeth in the backyard at 24 Magpie Street. The school pine plantation can be seen in the background. Behind her is the fence and you can see the yet unsealed Williams Street and a house on the corner. Photographs are circa 1950.

Ron, Kevin- holding the cat, Graeme and Eva sitting on a seat in the backyard.

Family in the backyard at Magpie Street. From left to right: George holding Jeanette, Mary, Kevin, Graeme and Eva.

Left: Ron, his mum Mary and sister Eva, shopping on a Saturday morning at Pattersons

Department Store in Sturt Street, Ballarat.

24 Magpie St. pictured about 2018.

Ron’s father George and his uncle’s Fred and Ted, outside their goldmine which was somewhere in Blackhill, Ballarat, circa 1940. Ron remembers visiting the mine when he was very young and that it had poppet legs, so was a reasonably substantial mine. This was the basis of Ron’s interest in mining. From left to right: Fred Douglas, unknown, George Douglas and Ted Douglas.

George Douglas working on a new house with other men in the company he worked for. George Douglas, Ron’s father, is left front holding the pipe.

Ballarat Junior Technical School 1946-1948

In 1946 Ron commenced Form 1 (Year 7) at Ballarat Junior Technical School, which was attached to the Ballarat School of Mines (SMB). In those days the admittance was by entrance exam, and he was fortunate to be recommended without having to sit the exam.

The advantages of a Junior Technical school working within the School of Mines structure, were numerous. Some of the Trade Classes were conducted in the SMB workshops by fully trained Trade Teachers. In Ron’s case, at least initially, the same teacher took night classes in plumbing and Sheetmetal. Ron’s first teacher was Mr. Danny Mullins, who retired during

Ron’s first year. He was replaced by Mr. Ken Scull. At that time lead work was a major component of the plumbing trade and Ken made a scull in beaten lead for a Trade Exhibition which was a real work of art.

Ken was a great teacher and very supportive when Ron returned to school many years later. Another teacher Ron remembers well was Mr. Jim McCulloch who joined the teaching staff after his retirement from the RAAF.

“Jim was a great teacher and under his tutoring, my instrumental drawing knowledge and skills increased greatly. This stood me in good stead throughout my teaching career.”

Ron recalls that apart from his solid grounding in his trade:

“My attendance at Junior Tech was fairly mundane-my only sporting achievement was a third placing in Under 13 freestyle event, swimming for Green House! I did also manage to break my arm playing Dodge Ball, a game that involved two teams throwing a small basketball at each other. Unfortunately, my arm came between the ball and a brick wall.”

This stellar performance in swimming made Ron eligible to be an “emergency” at the Victorian Technical Schools Swimming Carnival held in Maryborough in 1947. They travelled by bus to Maryborough and Ron had an enjoyable day out even though he wasn’t called on to swim.

“Another trip I remember was to Glenferrie Oval in Hawthorn for an Athletics meeting. This was the first time Ron had been to a proper VFL ground and was taken up into the grandstand. It was very modern compared to the historic grandstands at the City and Eastern Ovals in Ballarat.”

He also remembers having for lunch, one of the best hot dogs he’d ever had, which were called Sav and Rolls at this time.

Other sporting activities included playing in a junior cricket team. They played mainly on Llanberris Reserve which is now an athletics reserve after the site was reclaimed to some extent from the tailings of a gold processing plant. Ron remembers when this plant was still fully operational and the tailings from plant were transported by a small train and dumped to form the present flat area. This area was referred to as the “The Slum” that being the name of the tailings left after processing.

The cricket team came into being on a Christmas morning with a “Dads versus Lads” friendly match organised in the neighbourhood. This was the catalyst for a community event which grew to include athletics and involved the local community with stalls and raffles and the like. In later years there was even a PA system to make announcements.

“The concepts associated with all aspects of education are ever changing. Some are good changes but not all changes are for the better. When I completed my secondary education the school leaving age was 14 and the Junior Technical Certificate awarded in Form 3 (Year 9) was a a very good level of education to achieve. The Merit Certificate was a widely respected qualification that was awarded at the end of Form 2 (Year8) but this was discontinnued when I was in Form 2 in 1947. Students were able to be awarded their Merit Certificate this year if they required it to obtain employment.

I always intended progressing to Form 3 as I did not turn 14 until 1948. In those days Technical Schools only went as high as Form 4, with some students continnuing to study at Diploma level. The Intermediate Certificate was issued on the completion of Form 4 with some occupations and employers requiring this level of education.”

During Ron’s years at Technical School he had a paper round delivering the Ballarat Courier from Monday to Saturday. He was hardworking and enterprising from a very young age!

At 120 papers my round was one of the largest, and I was paid 10s 6d (10 shillings, sixpence) per week. Paper Boys, there were no Paper Girls in those days, were required to be at the Courier Office before 6am to roll our papers and be on our way. I usually finished my round about 7am, unless there was a printing press breakdown. Monday and Fridays were good days (small papers), Saturday was a large edition, difficult to roll and carry. I had a bag over each shoulder, sewn together from Hessian Sugar bags, and also a wooden box made to fit on the bike handlebars.

A nice little money earner was selling excess newspapers to the Local Fish & Chips Shop for 2d (pennies) a pound (16 oz per pound).

When I started my apprenticeship on January 3, 1949, I gave up my paper round as my hours of work were 7-30 am to 4-30 pm, Monday to Friday. Overtime was often worked on Saturday mornings, 7-30 to 11-30 am.

My pay as an apprentice was 30 shillings per week with another 5 shillings for Saturday overtime, paid at time & a half.

In 1948 as wartime rationing was still in place, Ron had a clothing ration card when he was at Junior Tech. This would have been used to purchase his uniform so he could attend school.

(Note: Papers were sold for the equivalent of 2 cents for about 1 kilogram of papers with 1 kilogram being 2.2 pounds.

30 shillings per week, his first wage, would be equivalent to $100 today. The 2024 apprenticeship minimum wage is about $900 per week. Ron started his apprenticeship at 14 while today the legal age in order to leave school and start work is 16.)

Ron’s report book from Junior Tech, 1946.

Certificates from Ron’s years at Junior Tech. 1946, 1947 and 1948.

Cricket

The Golden Point PS Cricket team. Possibly the same boys who pushed the handcart around the neighbourhood collecting recyclables. Back row from left: Frank Andrewartha, Ron Walters, Frank Atkinson, Micky Way, Jack Andrewartha, Ron Douglas, Bob Gluyas, Ivan McConchie. Front row from Left: James Matheson, Schulz brothers (holding bats) Kevin Rouse.

My late brother Kevin was also in this team, a much better cricketer than I. One game comes to mind was played against a team of Base Hospital nurses! I made two runs and Kev made two not out. We were keen on cricket and Kev and I met with the visiting English Cricket Team post World War 11. More great memories.

During 1947 the touring English Cricket eleven visited Ballarat to play the Victorian Country eleven at the Eastern Oval on Tuesday and Wednesday the 11th and 12th of February. My mum came from Derbyshire, as did slow bowler Hardstaff, a member of the touring side. His father, Joe Hardstaff Senior also played for England. Mum’s family, the Farnsworths and the Hardstaff family were neighbours in England. A further connection with the English Cricket Team was a slow bowler named Mitchell who toured Australia in the late 1920’s. He was Mum’s cousin.

This was well before I was born of course but I recall my dad speaking of him and apparently, they downed a few ales together when he was in Ballarat.

When the English team arrived in 1947, Ron’s mum took his brother Kev and him along to Craig’s Hotel where the team were staying. They met Joe Hardstaff, the Bedser twins Alec and Eric and Godfrey Evans the wicket keeper. They also saw some of the other players including Voce, Edrich, Denis Compton and the Captain Wally Hammond.

Ron was about thirteen at the time and remembers the day well. On the day of the match at the Eastern Oval a large crowd gathered to watch the proceedings. The Victorian Country team batted first and gave a great exhibition of cricket. There was never a dull moment with the “lads” belting the English bowling whenever they had an opportunity. Numerous fours hit kept the scoring rate up to a run a minute.

Winning the toss, the country team batted first and made 268 runs in 267 minutes. The country team’s innings finished late in the day and the English opening batsmen entered the field at 5.35 pm. It seemed that they would spend the remaining 25 minutes establishing themselves for the second days play.

However, Bob Macarthur, a fast bowler from Wallace just outside Ballarat, had other ideas. He caused a sensation when he took the first English wickets in his opening over and almost completed a hat trick. He had the new ball swinging as much as two feet with a speed that baffled the opening batsmen. Macarthur was cheered by the crowd at the end of his over. The batsmen were extremely careful in the closing overs and at stumps, England were two for 22 and faced a deficit of 248 runs.

On day two, the Country bowlers were more than a match for many of the English batsmen however good scores by Gibbs, Compton and Evans enabled then to achieve a winning score of 288 runs. For the record, Joe Hardstaff scored 17 dismissed LBW by Plummer. Joe Hardstaff Junior is pictured below circa 1936.

A large, new scoreboard was built at the Eastern Oval for the occasion and was used for many years for local cricket and football matches held at the oval. A feature of the board, and a great innovation at the time, was a list of the names of the English players on one side and a yellow disk that was pulled up or down to indicate the player batting, bowling or fielding.

The cover of the program which Ron still has in his extensive collection of memorabilia. It is in excellent condition and preserves the details of the match from nearly 70 years ago. He has written his name and address on the cover. List of players: English team: W.R. Hammond, N.W.D.Yardley, L. Hutton, J. Hardstaff, L.B. Fishlock, P. Gibb, W. Voce, T.G. Evans. Ballarat Team: J. Plummer, K.Brown, S.Stephens, C.Hopper, V.Cahill, R.McArthur, D.Brown, A.Meiklejohn, A.Simons, A.Brown, J.McIver, F.Howard.

Advertising from the back cover of the program from Ballarat Bertie, a famous Ballarat based brand of beer. An interesting example of advertising of that time. From the Ron Douglas memorabilia collection.

Family Photographs

Ron’s family at Magpie Street. From left to right: George nursing Jeanette, with Ron, Eva, Graeme and Kevin standing.

“Being a teenager in the late 1940’s and early 1950’s was great. The scars of the Second World War were ‘Healing” and employment opportunities were good. Factories were switching production from War effort to consumer goods. Wages had increased and the forty hour week introduced just before I started work in 1949.”

Transport once he finished primary school, like most young people was a push bike. Most boys his age rode to work and sport. Ron got his first bike for his eighth birthday. It had 24- inch wheels and was green in color. If you know Golden Point and how hilly it is then you will appreciate just how fit Ron must have been, riding to work which was pretty much downhill and then riding home which is nearly all uphill! When he was in Form 2 (Year 8) the first bike was traded in to purchase a bike for his sister Margaret (Toots) and Ron graduated to his second bike, a full size 28-inch roaster bike.

Riding bikes was also very dangerous even then. As part of his apprenticeship, Ron attended Night School at the Ballarat School of Mines in Lydiard Street. One night while riding to night school, he was hit by a car turning in front of him at the corner of Grant and Bond Street. He

was uninjured-not so the bike. He purchased the new bike, his third bike, as a replacement. When he started rowing, he would have ridden to Lake Wendouree and then home again. Ron remembers from his teenage years at the Ballarat Rowing Club:

“We were envious of Bob Lemke as he drove an MG. John Wotherspoon often turned up in a modified Rolls Royce!”

Ron pictured on his third bike in the backyard at his home in Magpie Street circa 1949. Ron bought his Leech bicycle from Leeches in Bridge Street when he started work at Hollways.

The Sheet Metal Apprentice Course I had to attend was conducted at Ballarat SMB on Tuesday and Thursday evenings, 7pm to 9pm.

Of course, almost everyone rode push bikes and I recall being hit by a car one evening on my way to Night School, a rather traumatic experience, but fortunately I was not injured.

My bike however did not fare as well with the back wheel badly buckled and rear forks bent. Even after repairs, the bike was never the same, so it was time to trade up to a new Semi – Racer with two hand brakes and 3 speed Sturmey Archer gears.

I remember vividly the day that I picked- up my new bike on September 1st. 1949. My mates and I rode everywhere and regularly travelled to Mt. Buninyong, Lake Burrumbeet, indeed wherever the mood took us. One long weekend a few of us rode to Geelong and camped overnight on the beach at Eastern Beach.

Another incident I recall when riding the bike out to Canadian to the Rifle Range where I had another job putting up targets for the rifle shooters practice. One of the men from Hollways teed up me and a couple of the other apprentices to do this. Our job was to stand behind the targets while the shooters had their turn and then dash out, count up the shots and glue paper over the holes to make the target ready for the next shooter! One day riding my new bike over, I had trouble with the gears. They would stick a bit and this day they locked up and I was thrown over the handlebars.

I rode that bike for decades, my only means of transport, as we didn't own a car until I was 27 years of age. I still had this bike when my son Ian was a teenager and he made "modifications", not all of which enhanced the aesthetics of the machine!

What remained of this bike was discarded when we were packing to move back to Ballarat in 1995.

After gaining his Junior Technical Certificate (Higher Standard) in Form 3, at age 14, he obtained an apprenticeship at John Hollway and Sons, a long-established sheet metal manufacturing firm at 40 Armstrong Street North, Ballarat. He started work on January 3, 1949, working in the sheet metal workshop at the original Holloway’s business which had been established in the 1856, just two years after the Eureka Stockade Rebellion.

“I attended night classes at SMB to undertake the required study for Sheetmetal Apprentice (Theory and Practice). There was no day release for apprentices to do their schooling and we also paid our own fees- a ridiculous situation by later standards.”

The duration of the course was four years, Grades 1, 2, 3 and 4. Ron only completed three years but was awarded a certificate for each of these years. The workshop had many employees and all of them were involved in one sport or another, including football, baseball and rowing. Ron, being small and light as a teenager, took on rowing and baseball. He also played badminton as the Ballarat Rowing Club fielded badminton teams during the winter in all grades. Badminton was played upstairs at the rowing club.

Eric Laughton was foreman at the Tank factory at Hollways, where rainwater tanks and grain silos were made. Eric or “Darky” as he was nicknamed, was also a well-respected coach and Life member of Ballarat Rowing Club and encouraged many of the young apprentices to give rowing a go.

As well as the influence of Eric Laughton, Ron also had real rowing “Pedigree” as his maternal great, great uncle was the legendary Edward “Ned” Williams. Ned’s legacy to rowing in Ballarat is commemorated with a marble drinking fountain opposite the Lake View Hotel on Wendouree Parade, Ballarat.

Ned Williams in 1897 and his niece Jeanette (Janet) Williams. Janet Williams was Ron’s grandmother.

EDWARD “NED” WILIAMS. Ron’s grandmother on his father’s side of the family was Jeanette (Janet) Williams (1880-1951). Ned William’s was her uncle, and Ron’s great, great uncle. It was only fitting then that Ron should gravitate towards the Ballarat Rowing Club. Ned Williams was Captain of Ballarat Rowing Club from 1862 to 1884 when he “retired” from the Captaincy but remained involved with the club until his death in 1900. He was made a Life Member of the club in 1875, only the third Life Membership granted. The first Life Memberships were awarded to Robinson McLaren and William Clarke in 1867.

Ned won many races in the 1860’s and 70’s often in company of the Cazaly brothers James, Owen, John and Peter. He won his first race at the very first Ballarat and District Regatta held at Lake Burrumbeet on January 31,1862 with partner Henry Golightly. They won the Amateur Pairs race. They won this race and received a silver oar as a trophy. Ned along with Peter, James and John Cazaly won first Senior four race held on Lake Wendouree in 1865. His last recorded win was in 1873 at Barwon Regatta in the Senior fours. Sadly, most of Ned’s trophies “disappeared” with the one pictured, being dug up in a backyard in Adelaide in the 1980’s and returned to Wendouree Ballarat Rowing Club where it is on display today. Ned never married and had no children, so the William’s rowing heritage was passed down through his sister’s family. Ned was Captain of the Ballarat Rowing Club for 22 years and was instrumental in many of the club’s successes.

NED WILLIAMS MEMORIAL FOUNTAIN, View Point, Lake Wendouree, Ballarat.

Erected after his death in 1900 by his friends and the Ballarat Rowing Club. Article from the Ballarat Courier (date unknown) of Ned Williams on his retirement from racing and the Captaincy of the club in 1884. He had been Captain for 20 years. Most of his racing occurred from 1862-1873. He continued to be involved with Ballarat Rowing club until his death in 1900.

Note: Ned’s sojourn in Adelaide was in the late 1890’s. He went to Adelaide to live with his sister Mary and his brother-in -law Professor Ralph Tate (1840-1901.) This is probably how his trophy ended up in a backyard in Adelaide. He returned to Ballarat and lived with his nephew Edward Robert King Williams (1862-1926) who lived in Howitt Street. Ned remained with him until he died on September 7, 1900, aged 74. There are photographs of his sister, brother-in-law and nephew in Appendix 3.

Article about Ned’s retirement from the Ballarat Courier from Kate Elliott’s Collection.

Ned’s tombstone Ballarat Old Cemetery - HIS HEART WAS KIND AND TRUE

Probably from the 1867 winning Senior four oared gig race at Learmonth Regatta. Back left is John Cazaly and seated in front of him is brother James. Ned Williams is standing at the back right and H. Pascoe seated at the front. The coxswain in the middle is probably S.A. Edwards. Picture from Jennifer Burrell family history. Article about Ned Williams from the Kate Elliott memorabilia collection.

Illuminated address presented to Ned Williams by the Ballarat Rowing Club in 1884, at a dinner tendered to him by the club in appreciation of his contribution to the club. It was presented at a banquet held for Ned on the October 24, 1884.

Brief History Of The Ballarat Rowing Club

The Ballarat Rowing Club was established in November 1861 when Robinson McLaren, who had rowed in England, hosted a meeting at his hotel to see if a Ballarat and District Regatta could be held at Burrumbeet. The Ballarat Regatta Committee was formed, and they held their first regatta on January 31st, 1862. In February 1862 the Regatta Club was officially constituted, drawing up rules and accepting nominations of 22 members, of which Ned was elected Captain. The club was based at Burrumbeet which made training nearly a whole day effort as the members would have had to ride from Ballarat to Burrumbeet, row and then ride home. Boats were stored in a small boatshed near the Picnic Hotel!

In early 1864, the Regatta Club moved to the shores of Lake Wendouree and changed their name to the Ballarat Rowing Club and building a small shed on the site that Ballarat Clarendon College occupy today. Ned Williams captained the Ballarat Rowing Club from 1862 to 1884. In 1956 his great, great nephew Ron Douglas, would also lead the club as club Captain, in a very significant year for Ballarat when the rowing for the Melbourne Olympic Games was held on Lake Wendouree.

In 1973 the Ballarat Rowing Club amalgamated with the Wendouree Rowing Club forming the Wendouree Ballarat Rowing Club. It was sad that the first club formed in Ballarat, with so much history behind it was in effect taken over by the Wendouree Club and much of the history lost. Past President and Life Member of Ballarat Rowing Club had written a history of the Ballarat Rowing Club, but this was never published and very few copies survived. Today however a scanned copy of the history exists on the Wendouree Ballarat RC webpage.

The Ballarat boatshed was purchased in 1980 by Ballarat Clarendon College and was extensively renovated.

Postcard from 1895 of the boatshed. (Kate Elliott)

Ron’s Own Words On His Schooling

I even now recall certain “learning's” in Grammar, Arithmetic and General Knowledge, that I learned from Mr. Ted (Bulla) Crimmins. He was an excellent Teacher!

There are some memories that stand out for me from my childhood. I remember receiving my first 24" two-wheel bike for my Eighth Birthday, it was green in colour, which I was still riding when I went to Technical School. A full size (28") bike was purchased whilst I was in Form 2.

Prior to the introduction of The Begonia Festival, the Ballarat Travellers Gala Day was celebrated. A procession, Decorated Floats, Brass and Highland Bands and School Children, marched up and down Sturt Street. There were stalls, Merry Go Round, Chair O' Plane, Dodgem Cars, Housie Housie (Bingo) and Clowns were among the attractions. Members of Ballarat Commercial Travellers Club conducted a Car Raffle and people attended in large numbers.

One year I rode in the Decorated Bike section of the procession. Thanks to Mums' creative genius, I won First Prize. Another year I helped to carry the Bass Drum in the Golden Point School Band.

The Ballarat Agriculture Show was another event that always attracted a large crowd.

The other popular annual event was New Years Day Motorcycle Races held around Victoria Park. For many years Gillies Street was used as the main" Straight ", can you imagine this being allowed today? In later years racing was confined within the boundaries of the park.

In those days of course we all attended Sunday School and a highlight was the annual Picnic at Lake Wendouree. Travelling across the Lake on the Golden City Steamer, hiring Rowing Boats from Gill & Taylor's Boat Sheds were always popular activities. Other attractions at the Lake were the "Swinging Boats", large swings shaped like a boat which could accommodate 6 to 8 passengers, also a "Penny Arcade", Pinball type machines and coin in the slot machine. We always looked forward to these outings.

Another regular event was attending "Sunday School of the Air" at Radio Station 3BA. Churches and Sunday Schools of many denominations took turns to be involved. The program was conducted by Big Brother, Mr. Albert Graham. Albert is still going strong at 90 years of age. (Note: Ron wrote this in 2004.)

Albert is a great man. A Christian with down to earth values and a marvellous sense of humour. I have mentioned to Albert that he is one of the few Real Christians that I know – and that, indeed, he may be the only one! We often enjoy each other’s sense of humour.

Another annual event was the Sunday School Anniversary. A multi tier temporary stage was erected in the church and we, children and adults, "performed" for the congregation at morning, afternoon and evening sessions. Each session was conducted by a visiting " M.C."

One year I remember the "Preacher" had marvellous Teaching Aids, in the form of Electric Trains and Aeroplanes whizzing around. It certainly got the audience in.

I suspect that I was always somewhat of a radical / black sheep. I left the Methodist Sunday School and went to the Church of Christ. Many of my mates attended there and I tell people that they had better prizes, so that’s why I made the move.

This was Albert Graham's Church and I remember some of the concerts when he was compere. Albert was always a performer, a comedian of note. I still remember some of his jokes – A couple come to mind.

One was where a visiting Preacher was railing against the evils of strong drink. He said that all the alcohol in the world should be poured into the river, after which the Choir sang "Shall We Gather at the River".

Then there was the picnic at which the main guest was to give a Boomerang Throwing Demonstration. However, during practice, the boomerang came back O.K. hit him in the head and killed him. The Punch Line – Instead of a Boomerang Throwing Exhibition, We will all now go Black berrying (Burying)-not politically correct by today's standards!

Albert still retained his sense of humour and was quite remarkable for his age. He was a Funeral Celebrant and well respected by the industry and general public. On the occasions that we have met over the years we tend to "Bounce off" each other with constant repartee.

Albert sadly passed away May 12, 2010 aged 96 Years.

I, along with many will remember Albert Graham, a Genuine Christian, a Great Man and a good friend to all.

Albert Graham served the Peel Street Church and Ballarat and the wider community for over fifty years. He was not an ordinary Pastor, he was a most entrepreneurial one, not with gimmicks but with his great gift of winsomeness in engaging people. He was Student weekend Minister at Peel Street while attending College of the Bible between 1943 and 1947 and interim Minister a number of times; responsible for coordinating many Church programmes, especially with youth; and in effect Church Administrator before the word was in vogue. Albert’s most extensive and far-reaching work undoubtedly was his radio work. He was ‘Big Brother’ for Sunday School of the Air on 3BA for an incredible 18 years until 1964. Then for a further 10 years with Frank Clark he conducted the Happiness Session on 3BA also. No wonder that the Ballarat City Council honoured him by naming the Park at the Eastwood Street Leisure Centre near the Church after him.

(From HUMAN GOLD By Bill Sutcliffe, CELEBRATING THE 150TH ANNIVERSARY OF PEEL STREET / BALLARAT CENTRAL CHURCH OF CHRIST 27/10/2019)

Rowing - Ballarat Rowing Club 1950-1956

My Sporting Life

From the age of 15- 16 years I became involved with the sports of Baseball, Rowing and Badminton, being fortunate to be a member of a couple of Baseball Premiership teams in B Grade and C Grade with the Wendouree Baseball Club.

I joined the Ballarat Rowing Club, initially as a Coxswain. I also became involved in badminton at the club as members of the Rowing Club also competed in several grades of the Ballarat Badminton Association competition.

Membership of The Ballarat Rowing Club provided me with not only sporting opportunities but access to the benefits of being part of a great traditional club and lifelong friendships. The benefits can never be underestimated in terms of life experiences and values. Competing in Regattas throughout the State were wonderful experiences, and we were successful on many occasions. I still have Regatta Programs and Competitors Passes amongst my sporting treasures.

I was a Member and Committee Member for many years and at one stage I had the honour of being Club Captain during 1956 when Lake Wendouree hosted the Olympic rowing.

Ron’s treasured Ballarat singlet still in as new condition. This is possibly the only surviving example of a Ballarat Rowing Club singlet. Even though it is over 70 years old and worn many times “in battle”, it is perfectly preserved and still in pristine condition. When Ballarat Rowing Club amalgamated with Wendouree Rowing Club in 1973, they kept two white bars under the white star of Wendouree’s colors to signify the Ballarat white stripes. (From the Ron Douglas memorabilia collection.)

Ron joined the Ballarat Rowing Club in late 1950 as a “skinny”15-year-old as a coxswain. Many of his workmates were already members. The Ballarat Rowing Club was a great environment for young rowers. It provided a great social as well as sporting outlet. Everyone in the club contributed to the club and were proud to wear the red and white stripes of Ballarat Rowing Club. They rowed alongside their workmates and bosses and members from all different backgrounds. Public school boy or apprentice, it didn’t matter. It was very equalitarian and supportive of anyone no matter where you came from.

Other than steering some intra club races, the first “big” regatta he attended was probably the Ballarat Regatta on February 24, 1951. He was probably not experienced enough to cox at the regatta but faced his first real test a month later at the Bairnsdale Easter Regatta on March 24, 1951.

Ballarat Regatta Program, February 24, 1951. Ron Douglas memorabilia collection.

The Ballarat Regatta was a big affair for all three of the Ballarat clubs as they did not have to travel, and they got to race on their home course. It was also an opportunity for fund-raising with the clubs taking in turns to supply afternoon teas to the visiting oarsmen and spectators.

The Ballarat Regatta of 1951 was also the very first time the “new” 2000metre Olympic course was used. This meant that races finished in the south-west or Convent corner near Mary’s Mount (Loreto) and only six crews could row abreast. Previously races had started at Mary’s Mount corner and finished in front of the three rowing sheds with the capacity to race 20 crews abreast. Ballarat Rowing Club won three races at the regatta, most notably the Lightweight eights in which they fielded a crew that was one of the best in the state.

Cover and entries for Bairnsdale Regatta, March 24, 1951, with R. Douglas listed as the cox of the Ballarat No.2 Maiden eight. This was his first race for the club. From Ron Douglas memorabilia collection.

Ron must have developed quickly as reasonable coxswain, as he steered the Ballarat No 2 Maiden eight in a first and final against the Ballarat No. 1 eight and a Bairnsdale eight at Bairnsdale Regatta on March 24. The legendary Teddy Jones was also steering Ballarat City Rowing Club crews at the regatta and Ron can remember being somewhat intimidated by him. Ron was just a young lad beginning his rowing journey and Teddy had been coxing all his adult life from the mid 1920’s.

Ron enjoyed being a coxswain, and being one of the youngest club members, the cost of going to regattas was subsidised by the club. The whole club would pack up, with tents for accommodation and food to cook while they were away and head off with boats often precariously tied to the top of someone’s car! Bob Morris, who was club secretary, organised these trips away and everyone from cox to coach was allocated jobs on these rowing trips and so the cooking, cleaning, and washing up was taken care of without the responsibility being given to one person. Bairnsdale Regatta would have been his first trip away with the club which as a sixteen-year-old must have been a big adventure.

On Easter Monday, March 26, Ron steered the No.2 Maiden eight at the Sale Rowing Club, Jubilee Regatta. This was a first and final between themselves and No.1 crew with the No.1 crew taking the honours. The Sale Regatta is no longer run but it was a great opportunity for country crews to compete. Ron steered many Ballarat crews for one season 1950-51.

By the start of the next season 1951-52 he had stepped up to rowing and as his first official race was in November 1951, he would have had to earn his place in a regatta crew by having trial races, with club selectors looking on and selecting the best crews to represent the clubs.

Sale Regatta program 1951 and the listing for the First and Final of the Maiden eights with R. Douglas listed as cox of the Number 2 crew From Ron Douglas memorabilia collection.

Ron steered a few crews to victory mainly at inter club races against the two other clubs Ballarat City and Wendouree. There was also a strong intra club competition, and coxswains would be in high demand steering in pairs and fours.

Summary of 1950/51 Season from the unpublished history of Ballarat Rowing Club by Tom Cotton.

"For the second year in succession,the Club won the Light Champion Eight of Victoria and the Light Weight Premiership of Victoria. The Club also broke the previous years record in Regatta successes by registering in Open Regattas, twenty two winning crews.

The Club won also the Ballarat Rowing Association Novice Premiership and Interclub Pennant and ran second in the Victorian Junior Premiership. The Nost Successful Oarsman for the Season in Interclub races was Mr. G. Wallis of the Ballarat Club.

During this rear it was announced that Lake Wendouree had been selected as the Venue for the Rowing Section of the 1956 Olympic Games. Ballarat City Rowing Club suffered a severe loss this year when fire completely destroyed its Clubhouse and fleet.

The Light Weight Champion Eight, in registering the Club's successive win, broke the Race record established by the Ballarat Crew the previous year. The time taken was 6 mins. 48 2/5 secs being 28 1/5 secs. faster than the previous year."

The highlight of Ron’s coxing career was steering a Ballarat crew to third place in the Victorian Sprint Pair-oared Championship held on Lake Weeroona, Bendigo on March 31, 1951. Ron recalls his crew of G.Vawdrey and R. Irvine won their heat and semi-final and were happy to make the final. Eighteen crews vied for the honour with the Melbourne crew of N.Wills and M.Christie winning the event. This was only the second time the Championship had been held.

Program cover for the Bendigo Rowing, Club Championship Regatta March 31,1951, and entries for the Victorian Pair Oared Sprint Championship. Ron placed a red tick beside his crew which won their heat and beside the crew which won the final. The Ballarat Rowing Club had six crews entered with a crew in every one of the six heats. Eric Laughton coached two crews. From Ron Douglas memorabilia collection.

We travelled to regattas on a covered truck. The truck was enclosed with tarpaulins which was very cosy. This was an important consideration particularly on the longer trips to Mildura, Sale and Bairnsdale. Bob Doote owned a transport company, Doote’s Transport Co., and owned several trucks. He was also a Ballarat Rowing Club member and drove us to all the regattas.

Our boats and oars were carried on top of the truck, and we sat in the back on whatever was available for comfort on the long trips. I am sure such practices would not be permitted today, but of course this was over 50 years ago.

Melbourne, Bendigo and Geelong were all day trips with everyone leaving early and arriving home late. The Christmas and Easter Regattas required us to arrange accommodation. We did on one occasion stay at a hotel, the Leura Hotel in Camperdown, but mostly we stayed at camping grounds. The club purchased two, 12 foot by 12 foot marquee tents and everyone slept in them. We catered for ourselves, and a roster was organised for cooking, washing up etc. We became very self-reliant.

But despite all the hard work of getting to regattas, Ron said “We still found time to compete and

quaff copious ales!”

Young Ron is pictured right with two “ales” in hand and cigarette in mouth! As Ron said, this was 50 years ago and the quaffing of ales when competing, would probably not be approved of today! The tents used by the club were purchased from Bob Lemke’s father George, who ran a canvas good business. The Lemke’s were well known in Ballarat and Bob (Robert). Lemke was a very well-known baritone singer competing at Eisteddfods around Victoria.

Pictured above is the Leura Hotel, Camperdown, from an old Railways publication. The Leura was built in 1857 and this photo taken about 1950.

Ron’s first race as an oarsman, was in the Open Novice fours at the 67th Dimboola Regatta in November 1951. He rowed in the No.2 crew, in bow seat. Other members of the crew were G. Townsend, R. Giles and I. Tonkin with I. Godfrey the cox. They raced against a Mildura crew but were not successful on this occasion.

Program cover and entries for the Novice fours at the 67th Dimboola Regatta and Sports carnival. The program included running races, bike races and an Ideal Regatta Girl competition. Program from the Ron Douglas Memorabilia Collection.

The Ballarat Rowing Club only attended 5 or 6 regattas a year and the Christmas Regattas and Easter Regattas were regularly attended, with often the majority of the club competing. Dimboola regatta was held on the Wimmera River at Dimboola at the start of the season, usually in early November. The Christmas Regattas traditionally started with Warrnambool Regatta on the Hopkins River on Boxing Day, Camperdown Regatta on Lake Bullen Merri on December 27, followed by Lake Colac Rowing Club Regatta on Lake Colac on New Year’s Day. This was a “treble” and if you were good enough you could win three races in the one class of boat at the Christmas Regattas.

As Ron said, the regatta venues were many and varied and took him all over the state. Henley and Upper Yarra were a “double” held on the Yarra River again prior to Christmas. After Christmas, other “doubles” were Ballarat Regatta on Lake Wendouree and Barwon Regatta on the Barwon River usually held in late February. These were two of the oldest regattas outside of Melbourne starting in the 1860’s-70’s. After that came Bairnsdale and Sale Regattas, both held on the Mitchell River and finally Mildura and Wentworth Regatta on the Murray River. These two regattas were usually held at Easter. Albert Park Lake was also a popular venue.

Ron competed in a Novice four at the 8th Colac Regatta held on Lake Colac on January 1, 1952. The crew were Ron Douglas (bow), G.Townsend (2), Ian Mann (3), l.Spencer (stroke).

On April 12, 1952 at the Bairnsdale Easter Regatta, Ron was elevated to stroke seat when he stroked a Lightweight four of W.Elliott (bow), Ian Mann (2), and E.Dubberly (3). The crew entered in the Lightweight Four as there was no Novice four on the program.

Summary of the 1951/52 season from the unpublished history of BRC by Tom Cotton:

1951/52: By winning the Light Weight Champion Eight of Victoria this season, the Club again established a record for the race as being the first Club to win the race three time in succession.

To celebrate the victories in this race for the past three years, the Club entertained the members of the three crews at a dinner at the George Hotel.

In March 1952 the Ballarat Rowing Club won the Lightweight eight-oared Championship of Victoria on the Lower Yarra course. This was the third year in succession they had taken out the title becoming the first club to do so. Ron missed a seat in one of the eights crew on the

toss of a coin. Two rowers were vying for the one seat and Ron missed out as he lost the toss. He felt sympathy ever since for sportsmen who miss out on team selection after training and competing all year.

To celebrate the victories in the Champion Lightweight Eights for the past three years, the club entertained the members and the three crews to dinner at the George Hotel. Ron kept the program and autographs of many of the club members.

By December 1952, Ron was rowing with a new line up in the Novice four. He had been promoted from bow to two seat and K. Canny was listed in the program as the bow seat. However, for some reason, K.Canny was unable to compete and so Neville Foyster rowed in bow seat with Vic Dubberly in three and Frank Atkinson stroking the crew. The coxswain was B. Hawkes and the coach C. Beeston. The crew competed at the Warrnambool Boxing Day Regatta which was run as a treble with Camperdown Regatta on December 27 and Lake Colac Regatta on New Year’s Day, 1953.

At Warrnambool Regatta there were 12 crews competing in three heats of four. The lads of the Ballarat Rowing Club No. 1 novice four won their first race, winning their heat and then the final. At Camperdown on December 27 there were four heats of three, so the Ballarat crew faced the same crews from the previous day and again won their heat and final. Then at Colac Regatta they won their third novice four, thus taking out the coveted treble. This was the only “treble” that the Ballarat Rowing Club won in its 110-year history!

In Tom Cotton’s unpublished history of Ballarat Rowing Club, he recorded the treble :-

“For the first time in the history of the club a “Treble” was won. This “Treble” being wins by a Novice four (Ron’s four) at the Warrnambool, Camperdown and Colac regatta.”

Ron remembers, “I was fortunate enough to be a crew member in the only treble won by the Ballarat Rowing Club albeit a Novice four at Warrnambool 26/12/1952, Camperdown 27/12/1952 and Colac 1/1/1953.”

Left to right:- The treble boys Ron Douglas, Vic Dubberley, Frank Atkinson, Neville Foyster. The car they are sitting on is a 1927 Chrysler, number 252567, owned by Vic Dubberley. He was a motor mechanic and the only one of the crew old enough to have his licence.

In January 2007, when Ron first sat down to record his memories, he and his wife Dot had dinner with an old crew mate from this crew, Frank Atkinson. At this time one crew member had already passed away and one crew member was “whereabouts unknown” so there were only two of the crew left. Sadly, Frank passed away in 2010 leaving Ron the sole survivor of the “treble” four.

Ron Douglas looking very like a young “James Dean” sitting on the fender of the Chrysler. He is wearing his club blazer!

Summary of the 1952/53 season from the unpublished history of BRC by Tom Cotton, mentioning the history making treble:

During this year the Club had a slightly better year in Regatta racing than the previous season. For the first time in the history of the Club a " Treble i was woh. Thig " Treble " being wins by a Novice Four at the Warrnambool Camperdown and Colac Regattas. The Club this year very nearly won the Champion Light Weight Eight-Oared Championship of Victoria for the fourth Successive year• When holding a comnanding lead within a & Mile of the finish one of the Crew lost his seat which caused the boat to lose several lengths, a handicap which was too difficult to make up.

Ron has kept nearly all the programs from his rowing days along with competitors passes, so along with his memories of the “treble”, excerpts from the programs and photographs are pictured in the order of the three regattas.

The first leg of the treble was at Warrnambool Regatta, the second leg at Camperdown Regatta and the third leg at Colac Regatta. He is justifiably proud of winning a treble because so few oarsmen did win three consecutive races in those days. It was only when regattas were grouped together, like the “Christmas Regattas”, that the opportunity to win three races in a row was even possible.

First leg of the treble-Warrnambool Regatta, Hopkins River, Warrnambool, Boxing Day 1952. Note: K.Canny is listed in the program as bow but Ron remembers it being Neville Foyster.

Ballarat boys enjoying a drink and a smoke at a regatta. From left to right:-Johnny Firth, Bob Morris (with hat on and club secretary), Ron Douglas and Frank Atkinson.

Second leg of the treble: Camperdown Regatta, Lake Bullen Merri, December 27, 1952.

Third leg of the treble: Colac Regatta raced on Lake Colac, New Year’s Day, 1953.

Program for Mildura’s Henley on the Murray 1953 and entries for the Maiden

pairs.

Ron raced at the Easter Regatta at Mildura in 1953 competing in a Maiden pair with W. Elliott. He was just 17, and underage for being on a licensed premises, but he obtained an Honorary membership of the Mildura Working Man’s Club so he could join his club mates for a beer. Probably quite a few underage rowers were also accorded this “privilege” over the years, as it would have been a rite of passage for many of the oarsmen attending Mildura regatta to have a beer in the legendary Working Man’s Club. Once again, the club travelled in the back of a truck with the boats on top and camped up at Mildura. They then travelled on to Wentworth Regatta on Easter Monday. This was to be the last regatta Ron competed in for six months as, like all young men at this time, was conscripted into the RAAF for his National Service.

He served from June to December 1953 at RAAF Laverton. Most men did their service with the Army, but Ron managed to spend his time at the Laverton Base Workshops working alongside the permanent RAAF tradesmen on a variety of project. Ron’s six months serving in the Nasho’s is detailed in the next section.

Ron had a very successful season and for his enthusiasm and hard work in the boat, Ron was awarded the Ballarat Rowing Club’s inaugural “Most Improved Oarsman” trophy. His crewmate from the four, Vic Dubberly, was the Most Successful Oarsman.

Summary of the 1952/53 season from the unpublished history of BRC by Tom Cotton, with Ron Douglas winner of the “Most Improved Oarsman” award:

1952/ 53 Contd. For the first time in the Clubs' history the Committee introduced competitions for the Clubs “Most Successful Oarsman" and “Most Improved Oarsman", “Most Successful 1st Year Oarsman” and "Most Attentive Coxswain”

The winners in these being :-

Most Successful Oarsman - Mr Vic DUBBERLEY.

Most Improved Oarsman - Mr Ron DOUGLAS

Most Successful 1st Year Oarsman - Mr Dan FLETCHER

Most Attentive Coxswain - Master Ian GODFREY

Photograph from the Ron Douglas memorabilia collection.

Circa 1954:- Ron Douglas with the new racing pair that Ballarat Rowing Club bought. Ron was sent down with a pocket full of cash, to pay for the boat. He remembers being handed the money and taking it home with him. He wasn’t sure what he should do with it to keep it safe. It would have been couple of hundred pounds. Imagine giving any of the 18 or 19 year old members in any club today, a pocketful of cash to take to buy a boat. After research, this would probably have been an Alan Sykes pair. Alan started building boats in Geelong in 1950 and was the only boat-builder that was “local” enough for the club to have driven down and picked up the new boat. Once again, the FX Holden did good service carrying the boat safely back to the club.

After his return from National Service in December 1953, Ron continued his rowing success winning a Maiden eight double at Colac Regatta, January 1, 1954, and then the following day at Camperdown Regatta.

The Ballarat Maiden eight was G.Wallis (bow), R.Douglas (2), R.Leigh (3), M.Haymes (4), W.Elliott (5), Ian Mann (6),Vic Dubberly (7), Frank Atkinson (stroke), I.Godfrey (cox) and Frank Roberts (coach). The eight is pictured below and it is an interesting historical photograph that shows the empty space next to Wendouree Rowing Club’s shed where the Ballarat City shed used to be. It burnt down in 1950 and was rebuilt in 1956.

Photograph, program and entries for the Maiden eights from Colac Regatta, January 1, 1954 . From the Ron Douglas Memorabilia Collection.

Program and entries for Camperdown Regatta January 2,1954. From the Ron Douglas Memorabilia Collection.

In 1954 Ron also rowed in a Lightweight four. The crew was comprised of Peter Stacey (bow), P.Montgomery (2), G.Wallis (3), Ron Douglas (stroke), J.Brayshaw (cox) and Eric Laughton, coach.

Albert Park Regatta, February 1, 1954; Ballarat Regatta, March 6, 1954; Barwon Regatta, March 27,1954. Ron reckons that this lightweight four was the best crew he ever rowed in. Unfortunately, they never won a race, but they went close. At Albert Park Regatta they were beaten by a canvas in the first and final. As they had already raced a heat of the Maiden fours an hour and a half before, they possibly would have won had they been fresher. At Ballarat Regatta they were beaten a by a quarter of a length behind the winners Yarra Yarra Rowing Club.

Officials for the Albert Park Lake, Australia Day regatta, 1954.

At Barwon Regatta they beat home all the Victorian crews but lost their heat to by a foot to a South Australian crew. This South Australian crew went on to win the final by a large margin.

Entry lists for Albert Park Regatta, February 1,1954. Interesting to note that at this Albert Park Regatta there were also two women’s races, a Maiden four and an Open four. There were entries from Albert Park Ladies, Essendon Ladies and Dimboola Rowing Club.

Albert Park Lightweight fours entries from program. Ron Douglas memorabilia collection.

Ballarat Regatta entries for the lightweight fours. Ron Douglas memorabilia collection.

Ballarat Regatta in 1954 coincided with a Royal Visit, and Queen Elizabeth attended the regatta. The faithful monarchists of Ballarat, which was nearly every man, woman and child, lined Sturt Street to catch a glimpse of her. Ron declined to go with his family to see her much to their chagrin.

“It had nought to do with my, even then, republican sentiments, but to my desire to be rested and ready for the upcoming event.”

That “upcoming event” being his race in the lightweight four. Despite being well rested and only rowing the one race, Ron’s crew came second by a quarter of a length.

Excerpt from The History of Ballarat Regatta 1862-2002, Kate Elliott:
The Ballarat Regatta coincided with the royal visit of Queen Elizabeth 11 and the Duke of Edinburgh to Ballarat. It had been over 100 years since royalty had attended a Ballarat Regatta. It also coincided with the Begonia Festival and in fact was called the Ballarat Begonia Festival Regatta. As was usual, the organizing committee sought to engage as many of the general public as possible and by aligning the regatta with other social events gained an advantage. Despite the influx of visitors for the Queen’s visit, attendances at the regatta were down. The Begonia Festival with its many other attractions around the Lake probably contributed to this as did conducting the regatta on the new 2000-meter course again. People were more spread out and their interest was taken by other things. So, the hoped for benefits did not arrive. The conditions were ideal for the regatta, fine and sunny, with the wind freshening later in the afternoon creating a headwind and choppy waves at the finish of the later races. Metropolitan clubs again dominated the finals with Mercantile winning the blue ribband Senior eights. The local clubs enjoyed their biggest number of entries since before World War II. Ballarat City and Wendouree both had five crews entered, while Ballarat had seven including three eights- a Maiden, Junior and Lightweight eight. Ballarat had had a successful early start to the season but today couldn’t finish among the winners at this regatta. Wendouree and City both scored a win apiece in the Junior fours and Lightweight pairs.”

Barwon Regatta, Barwon River, 27 February,1954 The program cover and entries for the Lightweight fours at Barwon Regatta.

An article from the Port Adelaide Messenger, Thursday, March

4, 1954.

The Port Adelaide crew were a very good crew who had only been

beaten once in their home state of South Australia. They were the

first South Australian crew in 80 years to attend the Barwon Regatta.

The margin at this regatta was one foot. This is a very difficult

margin to call without a photo finish and would require the relevant

official to be standing right on the accurately surveyed finish line,

have 20/20 vision and be very experienced at calling close races!

Summary of the 1953/54 season from the unpublished history of BRC by Tom Cotton.

Ballarat Rowing Club were very strong in lightweight rowing in the 1950’s winning multiple state championships. This lightweight pair was coached by Eric Laughton who was also Ron Douglas first coach. The stroke of the crew was W.C. Tainsh or “Billy” Tainsh. He was an outstanding lightweight for the club for over a decade.

Victorian Lightweight Pair-Oared Championship 1953 (1 mile)

Time - Not recorded. Margins: 3/4 length

1st Ballarat - Bow: R Kirsopp, Str: W C Tainsh, Cox: I Godfrey, Coach: E Laughton 2nd Banks

3rd Yarra Yarra

Other competing crews: Mercantile, South Melbourne, Ballarat City

Holders - Banks Rowing Club. Rowed on Lake Nagambie. Course one mile. 26th December, 1953. Won by Ballarat Rowing Club by three-quarters of a length from Banks, second. No time was taken.

Information from Andrew Guerin’s Australian Rowing History website.

1955 Lightweight pairs, Camperdown Regatta, January 3, 1955

T.Twite (bow), R.Douglas (stroke), V.Whykes (cox) and F.Roberts (coach).

Program cover and crews for Camperdown

Annual Regatta, January 3, 1955. . Ron

Douglas memorabilia collection.

At the 1954-55 season Annual Meeting Ron received the Most Improved Oarsman award for the second time, having also received it in 1952-53.

1955/56 Season. This season Ron put his

hand up and was elected Captain of Ballarat

Rowing Club. This was at a time when the

membership was numerous, and the

election of a Captain was an indication of

the esteem in which his clubmates held

him. Tom Cotton was elected as President

for the ninth year.

Pictured left is Ron’s club blazer bought in

1955. It is still in pristine condition some 70

years later although Ron seems to think it is

a lot smaller than it used to be as it doesn’t

fit him any more! It was bought at

Patterson and Powell’s Department store in

Ballarat (now the Myers store.)

This is probably the only surviving example

of the Ballarat Rowing Club blazer and is an

important piece of Ballarat’s rowing history.

From Ron Douglas memorabilia collection.

One of the first regattas of the year would have been the Ballarat Regatta held on February 25, 1956. This would have been the first time that a Ballarat Regatta had no Senior events. Also for the first time on the program was a Beginners four. Ron did not race at the ’56 regatta but had lots of organising to do as Captain.

1956 Ballarat Regatta

“1956 was, of course, the defining year for Ballarat rowing when we hosted the rowing and kayaking competition for the Melbourne Olympic Games on our beautiful Lake. Suddenly what had been our local pride and joy became famous on the world stage. For the very first time in our Nation’s sporting history, athletes and spectators travelled from all over the globe to see the very first international event of this kind ever to be held in Australia. Robinson McLaren who had first proved that the Swamp could be a Lake and those who followed him and added to the transformation would have indeed been proud to see what their efforts had achieved.

Ballarat Regatta was an ideal opportunity for the selected Australian crews to train and race on the new Olympic course. In order to allow these crews to race as a crew the Ballarat Rowing Association added Open events to the program instead of the usual Senior events. The reason they could not hold Senior events was because to race in this, all crew members had to belong to the same club. Because the Australian crews were selected from many clubs and there had not been a composite rule introduced to allow clubs to combine the Open events catered for this.

The weather was cool with a southerly breeze blowing that made the water choppy at times. But mostly the conditions were ideal for racing and ideal for testing the running of races on the course.

Local crews performed well this year with Ballarat winning three finals and Wendouree one. (From the History of Ballarat Regatta 1962-2002, Kate Elliott)

The next big event was the holding of the very first Australian Rowing and Sculling Championships and King’s Cup Regatta in Ballarat in May. The many interstate rowers and their boats would have been billeted at the three rowing clubs. It would have been a very busy time at all the boatsheds. Interestingly The Head of the Lake was also held at this time in conjunction with the King’s Cup on May 4 and 5, 1956.

Cover of the Program for the

first King’s Cup held in

Ballarat May 4 and 5,

1956.From the Kate Elliott

memorabilia collection.

The Olympic Trial pairs was held on Lake

Wendouree in October 1956, to allow

selection of the Australian Olympic crews and

also to trial racing on the Olympic course.

Officials from the Victorian Rowing

Association, Ballarat Rowing Association and

Australian Amateur Rowing Council (now

Rowing Australia) combined to ensure that all

was in readiness for the main event.

In November 1956, the biggest rowing event

held in Australia to date, the Olympic Games

was held in Ballarat. The Ballarat Rowing Club

billeted the crews from Brazil, Canada,

Denmark, France, Romania, Russia and

Germany. According to Tom Cotton’s History

of Ballarat Rowing Club,

“The oarsmen of these nations were loud in

their praise of the Lake, the clubhouse and

the facilities.”

Owing to the running of the Olympic Games, the boathouse was closed to members for a period of two months. This was at the start of the 1956-57 season and impacted the training for regattas. As a result, only one win was recorded by the club this season. The annual Ballarat Rowing Association Novice Regatta was also not held.

Ballarat Rowing Club Junior eight pictured in The Courier, Monday March 2, 1953

Olympic programs from the Kate Elliott

memorabilia collection.

As Ron married his wife Dot in February 1957, Ron’s rowing career came to an end, but the memories remain strong even after 70 years.

Ron’s final words on his rowing career.

I cannot emphasise the importance that I place on my involvement at the Rowing club. Membership was representative of the social strata of Ballarat Society, successful businessmen, present and former, Private School Students through to many Apprentices and Tradesmen all joined together to continue the successes of this great Club. It is sad that amalgamation was necessary, but at least the Club still survives. Badminton was also an important component of Club activities that kept Members involved and we had some very successful teams.

Friendships made during these years are still strong today, unfortunately quite a number have passed on and we may never hold another Reunion, as we did during the 70’s and 80’s, but memories are forever.”

Club members travelling to a country regatta with boat loaded on a frame attached to an FX Holden.

From left to right: Frank Roberts, Ern Whykes and Peter Montgomery

SNAPSHOTS OF ROWING FROM THE PAST

FX Holden and club members on the way home from Geelong after picking up the new pair.

On the way to a regatta with a pair and a four loaded on top!!79

1961 Centenary Dinner

BASEBALL

Back to my introduction to Rowing and Baseball! It seemed natural that I become involved in these sports as the majority of the Firm’s employees (Hollway’s) were or had been participants in one or both of these activities.

I played Baseball for several years with the Wendouree Baseball Club, mostly in B and C Grades and a few games in A Grade. I was fortunate to be a Member of Premiership Teams, although one year I nearly missed a C Grade Premiership because I had played a few games in A Grade. From memory, I believe it was permissible to play five games at a higher level and still be eligible to play Finals at the lower level. There was some doubt how many A Grade games I had played due to discrepancies with Team Sheets. However, application to the Ballarat Baseball Association resulted in permission being given for me to play in the Grand Final.

I still have a few Trophies: A Mounted Baseball inscribed with my name, presented in Season 1952 for Outstanding Batting. Another is a Miniature Bat inscribed: -

WENDOUREE

Winners Aiken Cup 1955

R. DOUGLAS

This was the year that we

won both B and C Grade

Premierships and The

Association Points Aggregate.

I also have another, an

almost full-size bat, which

was a match day award.

EMPLOYMENT And further education

Hollways workshop circa 1910

These are Ron’s memories of his working days at Hollways as he wrote them.

It is perhaps appropriate that I take a closer look at my years working in the trade. At the end of Form 3 (Year9) I left school a few weeks before the official end of the school year with the principal’s permission. I then spent several weeks working with Dad, who was a plumber with the firm of Fargher and Roff. They were a long established and well respected firm. Mr. Bill Roff was a Ballarat City Councillor who served at least one term as Mayor. He was also Chairman of the Ballarat Water Commission (now Central Highlands Water) and President of the Ballarat RSL. Mr. Roff provided me with an excellent reference when I later applied to join the Education Department, stating he had known our family for over 30 years.

During this time, I worked on several jobs with Dad mainly doing spouting and roofing, both new spouting and roofs and repairs to these. The biggest job was at Dana Street Primary School in Doveton Street. This involved replacing a gutter between two gable slate roofs and replacing most of the slates. This roof has long been refurbished and when we pass the school, I still reminisce. It was hard work and quite exciting, working some thirty feet up, access by ladder only and no lifting machinery or safety equipment available on this job. I recall “knocking off” early one day to attend an interview with the Foreman at John Holloway and Sons, Mr. Harold Pearson. I must have impressed him enough that I was told to report for work on January 3rd, 1949. My wages were 30 shillings a week with an extra 5 shillings overtime for Saturday mornings.

The trade certainly changed over the years, the firm was established in 1856, which was two years after the Eureka Stockade Rebellion, and originally catered for the requirements of miners and the mining industry. It would be fair to say the firm did everything from tin-smithing to air-conditioning. We apprentices learned to be experts at soldering, as literally thousands of milk billies and buckets were manufactured, and the Crown Brand tinware was

dispatched and sold far and wide. Those days the milkman delivered milk to homes, not in bottles or cartons, but scooped out of large milk cans carried on his horse-drawn cart. Households would leave a billy out overnight, usually with the money in it. It was the milkman’s job to stop at each house and fetch the billy, collect the money then ladle the required amount into it and return it to the doorstep.

The manufacture of billies and buckets was largely done by machines whereas the milk strainers and scoops were largely handmade. This was good work with skill and accuracy required. Milk scoops were made to different measures. Imperial measures were used as it was before the use of metric measures. There was a half pint scoop, pint, quart etc. These were all individually tested and stamped by the weights and measures Department at the Town Hall.

Spirit measures of varying sizes were also tested and stamped as accurate. Brass Fireman’s torches were another example of the intricate and skilled work we did. These torches were carried by fireman in torchlight processions that were regularly held. These torches still survive today and are used on special occasions such as the 150th Anniversary of the Ballarat Fire Brigade which was held in 2006.

As juniors at Holloways, we were required to clean the factory each Friday afternoon, including the toilets. There were no cleaners employed to do it in those days! Friday was also the main day that farmers came to town, to repair milk cans and have name plates fixed to new ones. Names and addresses were stamped on tinplate and soldered to the can and the lid. Each farmer had his name plate on his cans of milk so that when they were sent to the dairy, the dairy would know how much to pay him for. We were often very busy with customers waiting until their name plates could be affixed.

Wool and potato farmers would often require stencils to brand their

bales and bags. These were usually cut in zinc sheet. The stencil would be placed on the bale or bag and black stencil ink applied. Wool bags had a 4-inch stencil, and the smaller potato bags had a 2-inch stencil. (2 inches is approximately 5 centimetres)

Other items produced in my time were galvanised baths and bath heaters (chip heaters). I also remember making old fashioned meat safes which were made with perforated metal sides and a door and a hook for hanging at the top. Jobbing work for builders and plumbers included canopies, flues, gutters. Indeed, we made almost anything in metal from tinplate to 10-gauge metal (1/8th of an inch thick.) Metals used included mild steel sheet (black iron), copper, brass, aluminium, stainless steel and of course galvanised iron. Rods, angles and flat sections were the types of profiles used depending on the job requirements. Duct work of all shapes and sizes for air-conditioning and exhaust systems were made and installed. Often control cabinets and cyclone separators of various sizes were made as part of these systems as well.

The largest job undertaken at the time was at Selkirk Bricks, another large and well-known Ballarat business. A major change in their production methods was the installation of a “Tunnel kiln”. This was a building inside a building, where pallets of formed bricks travelled through the kiln on rail trucks to be fired and emerge as the finished product. The work took many months with teams working in the factory and on site. This must have been about 1960, as I remember having to take a day off to take my daughter Kerryn to Melbourne for one of our regular trips to Mr. Brotchie for treatment.

Unfortunately, on this occasion I was replaced as Leading Hand on site and returned to the factory to continue manufacturing components for the job. This was unfortunate at the time as it meant I also missed out on the “Site Allowance”, the princely sum of sixpence and hour! It certainly indicates how much tradesmen’s wages have changed over the years.

Rainwater tanks and silos were also manufactured by Hollways at another factory they had in Ballarat. In fact, if a job could be made in metal, it could be made by Holloways.

It is a truism to say that if you learnt your trade at John Holloway and Sons you could rightly claim to be well trained, experienced, and versatile. I am sure that my 20 years with the firm enabled me to be successful in teaching trade subjects to both apprentices and secondary students.

Ron also worked a second part time job at Franklin Caravans from 1959. He worked at Franklins full time for six months before joining the Education Department Technical Schools Division in 1969. The skills he gained at Hollways and Franklins over 20 years were invaluable when teaching both Metal and Woodworking skills.

In his time at Hollways, Ron remembers this model of a poppet head being made by Harold Pearson who was foreman at Hollways in the 1950’s. It was made of sheet copper and Ron can remember watching him make it and thinking what a great job he was doing. It is mounted on top of the Discovery of Gold Memorial erected in Sturt Street at the end of Albert Street, in 1951. It is a fine example of the skilled craftsmen and artisans who worked for Hollways over many years. It can still be seen on there to this day and although his name does not appear on the monument it is a testament to the skilled artisan who produced it.

When I commenced employment at Hollwyas, my Employer had discontinued the signing of Apprenticeship Indentures, and we were employed as "Improvers"

Despite our best endeavours, I was unable to be signed as up as an Apprentice although I attended all classes and completed the same training as those employed by rival firms, who were able to sign up as Apprentices.

The lack of Indentures was not a problem when joining the Education Department Technical Division, a Statutory Declaration was sufficient; but I experienced some problems years later when I applied for Secondary as well as Technical Registration. The problem was the academic snobbery (for want of a better term) of the Secondary Registration Board. Those days High Schools and Tech. Schools had separate Associations / Unions and my case became somewhat of a 'Cause Celebre'.

Countless letters, phone calls and meetings between all parties finally resolved the issue. The Principal of the School of Mines was particularly helpful and one of his letters to the Secondary Board was particularly scathing, citing my academic records and the fact that I had been accepted as qualified by my current employer, who was after all, the same Education Department.

The final outcome was that I was interviewed by a Local Trades Committee and was issued a "Tradesman's Certificate" by the Commonwealth of Australia under the Tradesman's Rights Regulation. The wording –“This Certificate was Granted to Ronald George Douglas on the Classification of Sheet Metal Worker First Class, 7th. December, 1984.”

So, thirty-Five Years after I started my Apprenticeship, I was officially recognised as a First Class Sheet Metal Worker.

Now days there are no Technical or High Schools just Secondary Colleges, although as many of us predicted, Technical Education is

making a comeback because there is a shortage of skilled tradesmen. New Technical Colleges are being built and Tech. wings are being added to Secondary schools. The adding of Tech. Wings to High Schools was Government Policy in the 1960s. As the saying goes "The more things change the more they stay the same".

Below is the letter of recommendation written by Hollways in 1967 when Ron started his further education and began the move to a second career in teaching.

HOLLWAYS-SOME HISTORY

John Hollway and Sons established 1859 at 40 Armstrong Street North, Ballarat. The second building they built is still there today and occupied by a law firm.

Cover and excerpts from a 1910 Hollways price list and pictures of some of the products made by Hollways. The buckets and dippers were still manufactured by Hollways when Ron started there. From the online archive collection of Sydney Living Museums.

NASHOS

Ron Douglas pictured at far left.

Ron was enlisted for National Service on the 15th of June 1953 for five months National Service Training.

Ron recalled,

“During 1953 I was called up or “conscripted” for National Service Training and served at RAAF Laverton from June until December of that year. I was then posted to RAAF Reserve until 1960.

National Service was a great experience and would be valuable for young people today. Having registered, I was keen to start training. The greater number of trainees were inducted into the Army, and I recall many of my acquaintances being called whilst I waited for my call-up.

I even made enquires as to the delay but was assured that my turn would come! I did feel good about being selected for the Airforce.”

Eventually Ron’s call-up did come and from the considerable eligible population of young men in Ballarat only 12 were called up by the RAAF. Six of these went to Point Cook RAAF base and six, including Ron, went to Laverton. The group travelled by train to Melbourne and were formally organised at Footscray Drill Hall, then travelled by truck to Laverton.

There was an initial welcome and issue of uniform and gear and allocation of quarters. Ron was allocated to Flight 3 and assigned to a Nissan hut in which recruits were housed. He and seven others shared the hut and Ron was the only recruit from Ballarat. Four recruits came from Melbourne, one from Adelaide, one from Euroa and one from Hamilton. There were a large number of South Australians and Tasmanians in Ron’s Flight.

The lads from interstate revelled in their newfound freedoms. In all states except Victoria, the legal drinking age, the age at which you could be served a beer in a pub, was 21. In Victoria the legal age was 18! So, these young recruits, away from home with newfound buddies exercised their drinking rights diligently. It is ironic that they could legally drink, drive, be conscripted and sent to war but they could not vote, as the legal voting age was 21. Another point of interest was that they were still regarded as British subjects.

Training started immediately, marching, and physical training exercises were a daily occurrence. Later in the first week, they were issued with rifles with bayonets and training continued with the use of weapons added in. Most recruits were fairly fit having been involved in sporting activities, but some of the “City boys” did it hard for a little while.

Ron said the recruits referred to them as “getting rid of their bar-room pallor,” but they all learned to look after each other. The Airforce call-up time was six months, as opposed to just three months in the Army. The time was divided up with “Army” type training and time spent in the RAAF workshops alongside permanent personnel.

“The time spent in the workshops was great and I gained experience that helped me in the trade later. We had lectures and theory classes as well as practical training. At these times we felt like permanent members, not just Nasho’s. The jobs we worked on were many and varied.

The one I remember very well was manufacturing new window frames for the aircraft to be used by Queen Elizabeth 2nd when she visited Australia during 1954. Records subsequently obtained showed this job to be Order No.97.

This was exacting, high quality work and as is the case with all aircraft sheet metal work, the degree of accuracy is critical.”

As was mentioned in Ron’s rowing story, he competed at the Ballarat Regatta held during the Queen’s visit to Ballarat so there is a nice synchronicity that he helped her get here safely by contributing in a small but significant way to making part of the royal aircraft!

One of the Officers in Charge (a warrant officer) was a great help to the young Nasho’s, as he was to all the personnel under him. He almost convinced Ron to join up permanently. However, Ron did not feel ready to take what would have been a very big step at that time of his life.

GUARD DUTY

Guard Duty included overnight patrols of the Workshop Area (3AD) and the area adjacent to the airstrip. We spent the night in the Service Police Headquarters until our allocated patrol time. Bundy clocks were installed at intervals throughout the patrol area, and we had to “Punch the Bundy” each within an allocated time. If the signals were not received back at base in the reasonable time, then the Guard was called out.

“It was a little eerie wandering, on your own, around the workshops and parked planes at 0300 hours with rifle and fixed bayonet. We had been given a cursory tour to pinpoint the location of each Bundy in daylight, so there was a worry that we may miss one and cause the Guard to be called out. However, all went well and we able to have a leisurely breakfast and excused from duties until after lunch.”

PARADE AND SOCIAL OCCASSIONS

Every Tuesday morning was the CO’s Parade when the whole base, Regulars and NASHOS, paraded on the main Parade Ground. We marched to the accompaniment of the RAAF Central Band which was based at Laverton and directed by Squadron leader Hicks, a musician of renown. Besides being a Military Band, members also played in dance bands and various ensembles. These parades were a lead up to our passing out Parade, a most memorable occasion.

Each month a Station Dance was held and to ensure there was adequate female representation, RAAF buses were stationed in Swanston Street in the City to transport any ladies who wished to attend. An interesting array of talent took up this opportunity.

I remember celebrating my 19th birthday at a dance in a small hall in Laverton.

Melbourne Cup Day 1953 was declared a holiday and many of us attended the cup, in uniform of course. A horse called WODALLA ridden by Jack Purtell won. I still have the Official program. There was a large crowd in attendance. The American fleet was docked in Melbourne and I can recall viewing the race alongside some American sailers.

That evening, I went ice-skating at the old Glacierium Rink, located where the Arts Centre is today in St. Kilda Road.

KITCHEN DUTY

All the recruits had a turn working in the Airman’s Mess and a few worked in the Officers or Sargeant’s Mess. Duty commenced immediately after breakfast when all breakfast dishes were washed and placed in drying racks, and they helped the cooks prepare lunch. Lunch dishes were washed, and tables cleaned, and the evening meal prepared. After tea/dinner, it was dishwashing time again and a general clean-up for the next day.

The Airmen’s Mess was for all enlisted personnel, Nasho’s and permanent Airforce members including the WAAF’s, so it was a busy place. The food was good, and they all ate well, probably due to the constant daily activity. Often, after hours, some of us would “sneak out” to the Drome Café just outside the main gate for a late-night feed. I recall purchasing a tin milk Billy, from Hollways while on leave, which we would fill with milkshakes and malt shakes and take them back to our Nissan Hut.

ENTERTAINMENT

On several occasions Ron and his fellow recruits were able to “escape” from camp and ventured a couple of times to Luna Park and several times to Werribee. Werribee was a very different suburb in those days, much quieter and semi-rural, rather than the urban jungle it is today. They referred to their visits as the “The Bitter and Bloody Battle of Werribee” with the Bitter being Melbourne Bitter beer which was consumed by the recruits on these visits! Our mode of transport to the “Battle” which catered for eight hut members was a Morris Minor and a BSA Bantam motorbike. Ron recalled despite the somewhat dodgy and overcrowded transport, “We had some great outings!”

BIVOUAC

“The only time I volunteered for a job was to be part of an advance party to set-up camp for a two-week Bivouac at Point Addis, near Anglesea. This was a large RAAF controlled area with a permanent Obstacle course and a Firing Range and was sometimes used as a bombing range. We travelled to Point Addis in two trucks and stopped at Geelong for “Refreshments”. Fortuitously we pulled up outside two hotels situated opposite one another on either side of the road. The Officers and NCOs in charge informed us that Nasho’s were not permitted to drink while on duty, but they were going for a drink at the hotel opposite, and we were to report back to the truck in 45 minutes. We took the hint and spent an enjoyable 45 minutes

in the other pub. We then continued to our destination where we set up camp in preparation for the arrival of the remainder of the squadron.

I remember marches along the beach and through the town. The Obstacle Course was quite demanding and one of our group broke his leg and subsequently missed our Passing Out Parade. While at Pt. Addis, we trained with Bren Guns, handguns, Hand Grenades and of course Bayonet practice.

The only bad memory I have is having to shave with cold water! I did grow a moustache during this time to reduce the amount of shaving required. The only time we had access to the luxury of hot water was if we scored Mess duty.”

Besides the arms training on Bivouac the recruits also spent time at the Rifle Range located at Laverton RAAF Base and on occasion travelled by truck to the renowned Williamstown Riffle Range for further training. It was a great experience for them to shoot at such an elite venue which hosted the Queen’s Cup. The Williamstown Range no longer exists having been replace by “up-market” housing development.

RAAF National Service 8th Intake, 1953. Bivouac Point Addis. Ron second from left, standing.

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FLYING

One of our hut members worked in Aircraft Research and Development Unit (ARDU) and was able to get us on a flight to Ballarat RAAF Base on a Douglas DC3. This was the first time I had ever flown! The interior of the plane was set up with wooden benches! It was a very basic configuration that added to the experience. We circled Ballarat and flew over landmarks including my home in Magpie Street, Golden Point.

On our arrival at the Ballarat airfield, as we were on our landing approach, the Pilot suddenly put the plane into a steep climb, circled and then lined up to land again. On this second approach, again the landing was aborted, and the pilot circled around for a third approach. It was then that we learned the pilot was practising instrument landings. Quite an exciting experience on a first flight!

We spent the day touring the base and then returned to Laverton in time for tea.

HITCH-HIKING

Another memory Ron has is hitch-hiking home on leave from Laverton.

This involved travelling from Laverton by bus or train to Footscray Station, then by tram to the tram terminus on the corner of Rosamond and Ballarat Roads, Footscray. Then we had to catch another bus or walk to the Albion railway gates on Ballarat Road. There was no difficulty hitching a ride from the Albion gates as cars banked up when the gates were closed to allow the trains through. Dozens of servicemen in uniform would be waiting for a ride at any one time.

On one occasion Ron was given a lift home on a motor bike by a regular RAAF member with whom he worked in the trade section. Travel back to camp from Ballarat was either by train or again hitch a ride. The gates at the Albion rail crossing were replaced by an over-pass many years ago and the tram service was also replaced by a bus service.

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NATIONAL SERVICE RECORD & FLAG

Name: Ronald George Douglas

Number: A35464

Rank: Aircraftman-recruit

Enlisted: 15th June 1953 for a

period of five months of

National Training

Transferred to RAAF Reserve:

9th December 1953 (Under the

provisions of the National

Service Act 1951) Section 33/4

“Having completed the

prescribed period of

continuous training.”

Honours and Awards -

Anniversary of National Service

1951-1972 Medal

Australian Defence Medal

Discharged with effect 30th June 1960. National Service (Discharge of Trainees Act 1960.) Pictured is a Douglas DC3 from the 1960’s. This is similar to the plane that flew Ron and his mates to Ballarat.

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SUMMARY OF MY NASHOS SERVICE

There is no doubt many more interesting aspects of National Service which have faded from memory, but all experiences were positive.

I do believe the aims of National Service were, and still are important in terms of defence preparedness and physical fitness. This is not only for males but females too. The results of the training are as visible today, as they were then, in terms of developing the whole person.

A form of National Service, not necessarily military, would be valuable today to both the participants and the country as well. The fact that the National Servicemen’s Association of Australia was formed was due to former NASHOS wishing to keep alive many of the ideals and the notion of “Esprit de Corps” that was developed during their service and show that we are proud to be NASHOS.

The Ballarat Sub-branch of NSAA was formed in 1996, just after we returned to Ballarat, and I was one of 140 former NASHOS who came together to form the sub-branch. Dot was an Associate member as were many of the wives. I served as Sub-Branch Welfare Officer and later Secretary. It was a demanding job but one that provided great satisfaction.

NATIONAL SERVICE OVERVIEW

The First Scheme 1951-1959

In the first National Service scheme between 1951 and 1959, all young men in Australia aged 18 were called up for training in the Navy, Army and Air Force. A total of 227,000 served in 52 intakes.

Air Force: About 23,500 National Servicemen undertook their training in National Service Training Units and were allocated to Flights, corresponding to platoons, at the major air bases and depots throughout Australia including Laverton, Victoria.

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Above left: Ron’s

pennant from

NASHO’s and the

names of his intake.

Above right: Poem

Frank Gartland

Ballarat NSAA.

Right: Ron’s

certificate of National

Service,1951-72.

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LIFE AFTER NASHO’S

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After National Service I returned to Civvy Life, perhaps reluctantly because the incentive and opportunity to join up was very strong. How different my life would have been can only be imagined. However, I returned to Ballarat and my place of employment. Social and sporting activities soon overtook any thoughts of “What might have been.” As previously mentioned, Baseball, Rowing and Badminton took up a great amount of time. And what great times they were.

In my early twenties I met Dot. And after going together for some 12 months, we became engaged and about 8 months later were married at St. Paul’s Cathedral, Ballarat, on March 2 ,1957 with the Rev. George Mutton officiating.

The Wedding was unfortunately not the happy occasion it should have been. Mum passed away three weeks before on February 20. We considered postponing the wedding but after discussion with Dad, logic dictated that we should continue with our plans.

Our first home was in Landsborough Street, Ballarat North, but the house was not completed on schedule, we lived for several months with Dot’s parents, Dorrie and Roy (later known as Nan and Pop). They were always great to us and adored each of the children. Unfortunately, Mum’s passing left a large gap in all our lives and our kids never got to develop the same rapport with Grandpa as they did with Nan and Pop.

Kerryn was born June 19, 1958, and we moved into our new home soon after. Lindy was born October 23, 1961.We lived in Landsborough Street for many years. We sold this home and built another in Magpie Street, Golden Point, and Ian was born February 28, 1965, completing our family.

For several years, as well as working at John Hollway and Sons, I worked part time at Franklin Caravans. This was a cash payment arrangement with the owner Mr. Geoff. Robbie who was a very good

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employer and I valued his friendship. Without appearing to be pretentious, I claim to have become a very good Tradesman.

The Sheet Metal Trade, like most trades, underwent considerable changes during my Apprenticeship and Journeyman periods. Perhaps I mentioned elsewhere in this narrative that John Hollway and Sons was established in 1856 specialising in requirements of the Gold Mining Industry and later developing a reputation as Tinsmiths. Crown Brand Tinware was well known and widely distributed. Over the years an ever-increasing range of Sheet metal products was produced for Home and Industry. Because of this wide range of metal products our training and skills were of a high calibre. For a number of years, I was employed as a Leading Hand and on occasion Acting Forman.

My employment (part- time) at Franklin Caravans commenced about 1959. At Hollways we manufactured Caravan components for Franklins such as Water Tanks, Mudguards, Roof –Hatches, Ice Chest Linings (this was before caravan refrigerators) and various beadings used inside and outside the caravans.

As the demand for caravans grew, Geoff Robertson set up a Sheetmetal section and employed a longtime Hollways employee to manufacture his requirements on site. Business boomed and I was offered a job part-time. I worked evenings and weekends and was on several occasions asked to become a full- time employee but was reluctant to leave my position at Hollways. Although Franklins was a thriving business, ingrained attitudes to employment prevailed, and so out of loyalty to Hollways, I remained a part-time employee at Franklins.

That is until 1968, when a recession caused Hollways to cut back on staff and a couple of us were asked to take Long-service leave to ease the situation. This did not suit me as I had already taken one

month’s leave to work on our Coffield Street home. So, I finally accepted the offer of Geoff Robinson to join his firm.

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Geoff was aware of my aim to join the Education Department but was happy to employ me on above award wages and also offer a Superannuation package. As mentioned elsewhere, Geoff was a good boss, and we shared a mutual respect.

It was quite a decision to leave Hollways, but I was intending to leave anyway subject of course to being accepted by the Education Department. Also of course, I had to pass the various courses in which I enrolled.

Returning to Night School in 1966, I enrolled at Ballarat S.M.B. to complete my formal apprenticeship qualifications, Practice, Theory and Drawing. My aim was to become a Trade Teacher with the Technical Schools Division of the Victorian Education Department.

I undertook Grades 1,2,3 and 4; also Trade Maths Grade 4. Examinations were externally set, 3 hours Theory / Drawing and 6 hours Practical. Although successfully completing each subject, I could not apply for a position until the following year. I also enrolled in an Intermediate English class (Form 4 / Year 10) as previously I had only completed Form 3 / Year 9 Junior Technical Certificate.

Ballarat North Technical School, Norman Street, Ballarat, 1967, where Ron attended night school.

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Franklin Caravans factory in the 1960’s. This is where Ron worked part-time and then full time after he finished at Hollways in 1968. In the 1960s the company had great success with simple and affordable lightweight aluminium caravans.

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TEACHING

A CAREER CHANGE SUNSHINE NORTH FOOTSCRAY TECH

TEMPLESTOWE TECH

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It was about the time of my re-enrolment in further education towards my goal of becoming a Trade teacher, that things got a bit tricky. Unfortunately, at this time I entered hospital for surgery, a haemorrhoidectomy which is quite literally a pain in the arse and was laid up for a while. Running out of Sick Leave and with no pay coming in, we decided to sell our house to clear debts and build again. We moved to Coffield St. Brown Hill.

Once again Nan and Pop came to our rescue. We stayed with them for a short time whilst the house was completed. As with all our homes to this time, we did a good deal of the construction from plumbing, painting, staining floors and of course landscaping and the building of garages and sheds. This was a traumatic time for us all as I was still recovering from my operation, and it was difficult for Dot. The children were a bit cramped for room at Nan and Pop’s. Kerryn and Lindy also transferred Schools at this time and to add to the trauma I chose this time to quit smoking!

I had enrolled in the Intermediate English Night Class at Ballarat North Technical School, as mentioned previously I had only completed Junior Tech. (Form 3/ Year 9). The Principal was Mr. Bobby Watson who had taught me English and Social Studies at Junior Technical School from 1946 to 1948. He remembered me and provided an excellent reference to add to my Resume.

Quitting smoking is of course difficult and was made more so by the decision of the class teacher to allow smoking in class, remember this was 1967! Many of my classmates were 16-year-olds who were repeating. Imagine sitting at a desk with a smoker whilst quitting – however I did win out and I am quite proud of my achievement. (Note: Imagine also a class of 16- and 17-year-olds being permitted to smoke! As Ron said, it certainly was a very different time and Ron was ahead of his time in making the decision to quit smoking.)

On successful completion of Intermediate English, an application was lodged with the Education Department, and I gained an

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interview at Collingwood Technical School. I was not successful but was placed on a reserve list.

The following year I enrolled in a Leaving English class, completing it successfully in 1968 and lodged another application with the Department. This time I was successful and was appointed to Sunshine North Technical School, commencing February 1969. This was the year Man landed on the Moon – The whole School stopped and crowded in classrooms to watch the event on Television.

So as not to disrupt schooling too much, especially the older two children, Kerryn and Lindy, the decision was made for me to board in Melbourne for 12 months, returning home at weekends and holidays. Dot did a marvellous job at this time managing as she did.

During the May School Holidays at the end of Term 1 (the school year had 3 Terms at that time) I also returned to work at Franklin Caravans to oversee the Sheetmetal section while Ken Pattie took holidays. It was Ken who asked me to join him at Franklins when he left Hollways, we always got on well together, I believe I learned more from Ken, trade wise, than any other single person.

Teacher Training, at that time in the Technical Division, consisted of 3 days teaching in school and 2 days per week at Teachers College over 2 years. Teachers College was 2 houses in Toorak, Melbourne, one in Glenbervie Road and the other in Lansell Road,Toorak. Hawthorn Teachers College, Stage One, was completed late 1970. Our group spent only a month or so in these magnificent facilities. However, I did study there later. Subjects included General and Special Teaching Methods, English, Maths, Psychology and Instrumental Drawing (Solid Geometry).

A great learning experience albeit somewhat of a culture shock! I went from working as a Tradesman one day to standing in front of a class teaching the next. The second year of Teacher Training included similar subjects and we graduated with a Trained Trade Instructors Certificate or T.Tr.I.C.

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After the first year of teaching I was appointed to Footscray Technical School, or Footscray Tech. as it was known, before it became a Tertiary Institution. We sold our home in Brown Hill and moved to a rented house in Footscray. Kerryn commenced High School at Maribyrnong High School. Lindy attended Rosamond Road Primary School, and Ian also started his schooling there.

At Footscray Tech. I taught both secondary students and apprentices in Third year Sheetmetal work. This was 1970, the year the Westgate Bridge collapsed, I remember the day well with all the emergency vehicle traffic that was on the roads around Footscray heading to the bridge site in Williamstown. Unfortunately, the father of one of my year 9 students was killed.

When we moved from Ballarat to Footscray. I contacted the local Electoral Office to enrol. When the officer saw “Teacher” on my employment description, he offered me a job at the upcoming election. The fact that I had no experience was irrelevant as he was short staffed. This was another valuable learning experience and the money I was paid for working for the election was good too. Later when we moved to Templestowe I was again contacted by the Electoral Office and worked at many State and Federal elections. When the polls closed at each election, we also counted the first preference votes at the Polling venue. This was to predict early trends, I suppose.

I did feel guilty about moving Dot and the kids from a new house in Coffield Street, Brown Hill, which was only 3 years old, to the cramped and rather primitive living conditions at Footscray. They left behind friends and family of course, especially Nan and Pop, and had to change schools again. Our home in Coffield Street was a rather complete house – a good design with more than adequate cupboard space.

A highlight was a large Drying Cabinet built above a Slow Combustion Space Heater. We had the space constructed by the

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builder and I lined it with galvanised iron and made wire mesh shelves. The flue was encased in perforated metal. It looked good and worked to perfection. I am sure Dot missed the convenience the set up provided.

We built a garage, woodshed, and Kids Playhouse, which was large and set up with benches, sliding window and well ventilated. I made table and chairs to a similar pattern to our kitchen setting. This was later refurbished and as far as I know Ian still has them along with the swing that I made for Kerryn when she was about two years of age. Also built was a dog shed, and run, built for Terry, our Aussie Terrier. Terry stayed with Nan and Pop when we moved to Footscray and lived for many years with them.

Mention of the Table and Swing etc. reminds me of the Rocking horse that dad bought for Kerryn at Christmas the same year she got the Swing and a trike from Nan and Pop. We still have that horse, named Madge, in as new condition – we have always looked after things. When you consider that Kerryn’s horse is approximately 50 years old, we have done a good job of preserving it.

The swing Ron made for Kerryn when she was two years old. Still swinging many years on!

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The table and chairs that Ron made for his children are still in service today. Wooden seats and backs have been replaced but the metal frames are as sturdy as the day he made them.

LIVING IN FOOTSCRAY

The Footscray house was in the school grounds of Rosamond Road Primary School and was formerly the Caretaker’s Residence. The Caretaker / Cleaner when we lived there was Mr. Claude Wilson

who lived next to the school. Claude and his family made us most welcome.

Some refurbishments had taken place, new hot water service, etc. but heating consisted of a very ancient wood heater. We purchased a couple of kerosene heaters to keep the place warm. They were effective but prolonged use would not be advisable. We lived with bare boards throughout much of the house for quite some time, eventually having Linoleum laid in some rooms. The house was quite small, only two bedrooms, therefore Kerryn, Lindy and Ian had to share a room. However, it was only for 10 – 11 months and I guess it was a learning experience for us all!

As with all busy times in a life, a couple of additional traumas occurred while we were there. I burnt my arm rather badly when

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extinguishing burning fat on the gas cooker, requiring several visits to Footscray Hospital just down the road. Lindy broke her arm on the school monkey bars and also attended the hospital.

As I mentioned previously there was a feeling of guilt about disrupting our lives, but I do believe that "the end justified the means."

TEMPLESTOWE TECH 1971-1991

Whilst at Footscray Tech. I took the advantage of studying a couple of levels of Instrumental Drawing (Descriptive Geometry) at Technician and Intermediate levels. These courses added to my drawing knowledge and improved my ability to communicate with my apprenticeship group, and secondary students. Finishing the course our group members were appointed to schools throughout Victoria.

I was sent to Templestowe Technical School in 1971, which was a brand-new school then. It was so new in fact, that the buildings had not been commenced at that time. My appointment notice read – “Appointed to Templestowe Technical School C /- The Vice Principal, Altona North Tech.” Dave Donaldson was the newly appointed first Principal of Templestowe Technical School.

We commenced operation in February 1971 in temporary accommodation with building works taking place around us and with an enrolment of 80 students- boys only. We became Co- Ed. Some 3 years later. I taught Sheetmetal, Solid Geometry, and Woodwork, due to the unfortunate passing of our Woodwork teacher. Being the only "Tradie" on staff was a challenging but rewarding time.

We rented a house in Rosanna, Kerryn transferred to Banyule High School Lindy and Ian to Banyule Primary School and Dot accepted a position at the Austin Hospital. We rented for 3 years and then built a home in Templestowe. Lindy and Ian transferred to

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Templestowe Heights P.S., which was adjacent to Templestowe Tech. Kerryn later transferred to Whitehorse Technical College, Box Hill, completing a Business Course. Lindy and Ian both moved to Templestowe High School on completion of Year 6.

Setting up the combined Sheetmetal / Woodwork room was both demanding and rewarding. Planning was required for the next few years when a new Trade Block was built. Solid Geometry was taught and my two assistants, Rosemary and Dale who were Art Students and who required some instruction to keep them in front of their students! These were interesting times. Dale Marsh went on to become a well-known Artist.

During 1971-72, I studied my H.S.C. and a Student Instructor was appointed. I was responsible for Training and Crit. Lessons. Crit. Lessons were required of us all whilst training. This was about 30- 32 lessons per year. For Crit. lessons we were required to prepare a lesson plan with drawings, etc. These lessons were supervised, either by staff colleagues or visiting college Lecturers who made comments on a Green Sheet for assessment purposes. I still have my Crit. Lessons assessments. Too much work went into them for me to part with them.

The school population grew rapidly, student and staff numbers increased as did parental involvement, these were great times and many parents, and students, became friends. Many students were friends of Kerryn, Lindy, and Ian. By this time permanent buildings, as opposed to portable classrooms, were completed and the school became Co- Ed., catering for some 1200 students.

For several years I worked in the Trade Block teaching mainly Junior Sheet metal. Technical Schools operated in a very business like manner. This meant the Education Department, Technical Schools Division, allocated a budget to each school based on the planning, and budget, presented by the individual school. Each Department within the school was required to submit to School

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Administration a budget for the following financial year. Expected expenditure was itemised and considerable time and expertise was required.

Whilst working in the Trade required certain planning skills, the actual pricing etc. was the responsibility of Foremen and Managers, therefore I had little experience in actually running a Section or Department. Until that is, I was on the Staff of Sunshine North Technical School which was my first School as a qualified Trade Teacher.

The Junior Sheetmetal section was a two-man Department, Ivan Gellie was Head of Department and I was a first Year Student Instructor. Ivan was good to work with, he was most supportive, and I learned a lot from him. When Ivan unfortunately became quite seriously ill and was off work for some time, I needed to take over many of his duties, quite often running two classes at a time, and also some administrative duties. Whilst being very demanding, I was attending Teachers College two days each week, the experience gained was invaluable.

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ADDENDUM: December 2008.

Reading the December Issue of the Wanganalla Banner, the official Newsletter of the Wangaratta – Benalla Sub-Branch of The National Servicemen's Association of Australia; I read "Sick Bay" report and saw the name, Ivan Gellie and reckoned that there could be only one Ivan Gellie.

I worked with Ivan at Sunshine North Technical School in 1969, my first year in teaching. Ivan and his wife Bev, also on staff as a Librarian, were very supportive of me and Ivan in particular, was great to work teach with and a help with College requirements.

After a few phone calls to Wanganalla Branch Executives, I obtain

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Ivan's Phone number and called him. It was indeed the Ivan Gellie I knew, and I spoke to both he and Bev for some time. They had both been seriously unwell and were looking forward to better times. They had settled in Bright after extensive travels and hope to resume some travel in the near future. Ivan's sister Judy was married to John Mead who was on course with me, and we were both on the Staff of Templestowe Technical School at one stage.

Sadly, Judy passed away in the early 90's and whilst attending her funeral, was the last time I had spoken to Ivan and Bev, until our phone conversation. Hopefully we can catch up in the near future.

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

At Footscray Tech. responsibility was required of course, but to a lesser degree. Perhaps my experiences contributed to my appointment to Templestowe Tech. A number of experienced Trade Teachers were a little "Put- out" at the time. However, all were supportive when required.

As mentioned elsewhere, there were originally two Trade Teachers appointed to Templestowe Tech., me and Harold Jones. Harold was a Woodwork Teacher of many years’ experience, he was appointed as Senior Master being second in command to the Principal, Dave Donaldson. Early in the school year Harold was taken seriously ill and unfortunately passed away. This resulted in a re-shuffling of his duties. As well as Sheetmetal, I also taught Woodwork classes and Solid Geometry.

I was the only Tradie, and assumed practical person, on staff now. I also became responsible for setting up a Student Locker system. This was very demanding, students being students. Initially, I was able to get Locker keys, and others, cut at the local Hardware store which was owned by a parent of the school. It soon became obvious that to purchase our own Key Cutting Machine was the more practical option. Therefore, I gained another worthwhile experience / skill

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that of key cutting and I was able to pass on the job after three years to another Tradie.

About this time, I remember breaking my arm one Saturday morning, an altercation with a motor mower which I had repaired the starter winder to save money. Unfortunately, the lever caught and struck my wrist. The pain was bloody excruciating! X-rays at the local clinic were inconclusive and I had to wait until Monday for results. I remember receiving a phone call from the doctor, at school, asking me to call in as soon as possible to have the arm put in a cast.

This was not the only trauma I experienced over a period of several years at Tempy. Tech. I seemed to attract injury!

Over time I had a few knee operations resulting in two cartilages being removed which led to heel problems and having spurs removed from each heel. Another time I received an electric shock from a faulty urn whilst fitting a metal tray that I had made. This was quite serious as our doctor indicated that a shock of this nature affected the nervous system and sometimes takes up to a couple of years to get back to normal. It did take some time as I remember.

Perhaps the most alarming incident occurred at school, when a fitting on an oxygen cylinder malfunctioned. The design of the new Trade Block included a "Manifold System" to deliver Acetylene and Oxygen to several Trade Rooms. Instead of having cylinders in each room, they were grouped in a "Manifold Room" which was accessed externally. This was the latest technology, cylinders were grouped with Oxygen on one wall and Acetylene on another, connected to the main line by short leads made from a new woven material. Usually either Laurie or I, whoever was in first, opened up and turned on the system ready for the start of lessons.

This particular morning, I turned on all cylinders and was about to leave when there was a loud "Bang”. My initial thought was that a cylinder had exploded, and I had better get out. Not sure how I did

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get out but the next thing I knew, I was lying on the concrete pathway somewhat dazed. I got to my feet and could hear a loud hissing sound, my next thought was, “I had better turn off the cylinders”. I went back into the room and did so. On inspection, it was ascertained that one of the new leads, on an oxygen cylinder, had given way under pressure. A medical examination of myself, revealed a couple of cracked ribs and shock, I was perhaps a little fortunate there were no other injuries.

Of course, there was a Departmental enquiry which resulted in specification changes for all installations. The woven fittings were replaced with a copper "Pig – Tail" fitting. The heavy wooden door was replaced by an open mesh roller door, I often wondered at the outcome if the door had been closed at the time. Concrete garden edging was removed and replaced with a concrete apron; this edging was what I landed on and had caused the rib fractures. Not a lot of publicity was given to the incident. I was asked to write an account for “The Ventilator" our subject Association Newsletter, the Plumbing, Sheetmetal & Coppersmiths Association (PSCIA). From all accounts the powers that be were not too pleased but at least many necessary changes were made in future constructions / installations.

The PSCIA was a strong association and I served on the committee for several years. The committee reflected the Member numbers of the Association. There were more Plumbers than Sheetmetal Workers or Coppersmiths in the Association. Therefore, Committee membership was pro rata. Because of the many changes associated with the demise of the Technical Schools Division and the move to Secondary Colleges, the PSCIA was eventually replaced by the Technology Association.

Later TAFE members also formed their own Association and other subjects became attached to "Technology". It was no longer a group of Tradies and it became, I believe, somewhat irrelevant.

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The mention of injury / traumas brings other incidents to mind. Lindy attended a gym group, I’m not sure if she was at Primary or Secondary School, at a local hall. One evening we received a phone call alerting us that she had been injured. When we got to the hall Lindy was lying on the floor with bindings around her arms, shoulder and upper body. The situation looked very serious indeed, very worrying. After a while it was decided to move her and transport her to hospital for X-rays etc. which showed a badly dislocated shoulder and bruising.

Much later, both Lindy and Kerryn have had knee operations. The standing joke in our family is that the kids inherited their mother’s brains and my knees.

I guess though the greatest trauma that we, as a family experienced was when Ian had his Motor Bike accident. He was seriously injured and there were times when the outcome was uncertain. Initially in intensive care, he spent several months in hospital. After a long convalescence, he recovered sufficiently to return to school. We were quite proud of his decision to repeat Year 10 rather than simply be promoted to be with his mates. I must admit that I have had a love / hate relationship with motor bikes since that time.

But let me return to the narrative.

During this time work was quite demanding but I still found time to study my HSC, over two years, and set up the new Trade Block at Templestowe Tech. These were productive years and marvellous experience. After two years the school had grown quickly and several positions were upgraded to Senior Teacher and Head of Departments, including my role in Sheetmetal and Drawing. I of course applied for the position but was unsuccessful and a senior / experienced teacher was appointed. Lawrie Safstrom commenced duties at the start of the school year.

As imagined it could have been a difficult time, but Lawrie and I got on very well and the Trade areas continued to prosper under our

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combined efforts. When I later moved into Career Education, Laurie's support was invaluable and contributed to the success of the Program.

When I was appointed to Templestowe Tech. we rented a house in Rosanna – a three-bedroom new home which we enquired about buying. However, the owner, a bank clerk, was transferring back from Bendigo, and did not want to sell. After three years we built at Templestowe and made up for the previously cramped living, moving in during 1974.

We altered the house plan eliminating the ensuite to enable the addition of another bedroom, so that each of the kids had their own room, something neither Dot nor I had when growing up. Therefore, each of the kids had their own room complete with desk / table that I made, thus providing private study conditions. Hopefully these conditions that we provided made up for the inconveniences experienced during the preceding years.

1970’s CAREER EDUCATION

During the mid-1970's the concept of Career Education and Work Experience was recognised by the Government and Education Department. Technical Schools had traditionally, if informally, offered Work Experience to some students over several years; and we at Templestowe Technical School were among the first schools to introduce an official program. I was appointed Careers Officer.

We were very innovative. With the involvement of a couple of staff a professional looking Work Experience Arrangement form was developed. Printed in triplicate, different colours, one each for, Employer, School and Student/ Parent. This system was later copied and issued to all schools by the Education Dept. as the official format.

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The Education Department arranged short courses in Career Education and then a Graduate Diploma in Career Education was introduced at R.M.I.T. I applied and after interviews was offered a place. The course of 2 years duration with lecture / class time about 8 hours per week (2 x 4 hours at night). I was able to gain a place in the course because of my involvement in the field. All the other participants were graduates and for a while I felt I may have been out of my depth. However, by applying myself to the task, I coped quite well while some of the other younger graduates dropped out.

During the second year, Study Leave was available, and my application was successful. Whist time off from school certainly eased the workload it was difficult to juggle study and work. However, I was able to graduate and was awarded The Graduate Diploma in Careers Education. (Grad. Dip. Ca. Ed.). At this time the Education Department decided to make Teaching Qualifications comply with National U 2 Diplomas. We former Tradies were required to undertake further training to upgrade to this level. Credits were given for existing subjects, but another 2 years part time study was required, and we Graduated with a Diploma of Technical Teaching. (Dip. Tech. Teach.).

During this time our Work Experience Program grew and we at Templestowe Technical School were in the forefront of innovation and called upon by the Education Department to assist other schools with their Programs.

I became full- time in Careers Education / Work Experience moving from the Trade / Drawing areas to administration to Coordinate the Program. Due to the support of Administration and Staff, our Work Experience Program, and therefore Templestowe Tech. became well regarded throughout the State. Many employers both Government and Private, became involved and our reputation grew. Several companies very often contacted the school directly, seeking prospective employees.

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Because the program ran for many years, several students who gained their start through the program in turn became employers themselves and relied on our judgement when recruiting. My involvement in the Program, particularly the Work Experience / Job Placement component, was a very rewarding period of my Teaching career.

Templestowe Technical School from the outset developed a practical partnership with the local and wider Community long before the Government introduced the concept of School Councils at Primary and Secondary levels. Councils had long been part of the old School of Mines structures at Ballarat and Bendigo and no doubt RMIT. Templestowe Tech. in many ways pioneered the structure which was to become the norm.

Parent involvement, not just the formation of a Mothers Club, was necessary, as the school commenced operation in unfinished buildings consisting of a "Terrapin" Building and one Portable classroom, later called relocatable classrooms. The Terrapin was a modern structure with 3 classrooms, Humanities / Science room, Art and a combined Sheetmetal / Woodwork room, and also the Principal’s Office, General Office and Staffroom. The portable was used mainly for Instrumental drawing (Solid Geometry) and Music. During the second and subsequent years, room usage changed, and some 25 Portable occupied the site.

Construction of permanent School buildings commenced, the first being the Trade Block for Plumbing / Sheetmetal, Woodwork, Electrical & Automotive and there was also a Gymnasium. This was closely followed by Business Studies, Maths / Science, Instrumental Drawing, Humanities, Art and Library, Staffroom and Offices, Administration and Conference Room. The majority of the buildings were connected by corridors or walkways, except -wouldn't you know - the Trade Block. However, the whole complex was a great educational facility.

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The Library which was a School and Community Library, set the tone, with Doncaster and Templestowe Council and School Library staff working side by side. It was great to see the interaction of students and general public. Other community use saw a local church, Templestowe Church of Christ, use a large open area for Church Services until the building of their permanent Church. The Gymnasium / Basketball Courts were also used by the public. Community Open Days were conducted on a regular basis and various groups were encouraged use School buildings to hold meetings. Night Classes, in Academic, Art and Trade / Hobby Classes were conducted, and all were well attended particularly in the early years.

Because of my involvement in Career Education, it was considered that I should be responsible for the co-ordination of these activities: Therefore I gained another guernsey, that of Community Education Co-ordinator, which was a very time consuming but immensely interesting and rewarding.

This was also the era of the "Life Be In It" Campaign of the Victorian Government and considerable monies were available to Schools to be involved. Templestowe Tech. had a Regional Co-ordinator based at the school. Robyn Ellis shared my Careers Office for quite some time, and we worked together on many community projects.

The Third International Community Conference was held in Melbourne, August 19 and 20, 1972. Culminating in a lavish Dinner at a City Hotel. I still have a couple of Conference Satchels. Ian remembers Robyn, as she taught him at Templestowe Heights Primary School. Also, she was the producer of "Oliver" in which Ian had a role, the production was held in the theatre at LaTrobe University.

At about this time the Music Department, under the direction of Mike Hughes, developed an outstanding reputation and an instrumental section of renown. Discussions with local Council led

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to the formation of the Doncaster and Templestowe Municipal Band. Because Mike was held in such high esteem by the Staff, many of us joined him to establish the Band. Until we met at Templestowe Tech.

I did not know Mike; however, I did know his family as the Hughes family were old “Pointies”. Also interesting to note, is that Mike also had Chinese heritage, yet another Chinese descendant from Golden Point who made a great contribution to Aussie community and culture.

Dot also knew some of his sisters and a brother. Coincidently our current postman, Peter Hughes, is a nephew of Mike. Mike and Dawn (Doreen) moved to Queensland when they retired. Mike passed away some years ago, Dawn and I kept in touch at Christmas time for many years.

I was Treasurer of the band for a couple of years, which was another learning experience, during which time we received grants from the Council Doncaster and Templestowe, later renamed Manningham Council. The delivery of our telephone books recently reminded me that one year, to enable the purchase of new Band Uniforms, we successfully tendered to win the contract to deliver Phone Books throughout the Municipality. I cannot remember the number of books involved but it was a worthwhile exercise and boosted our bank balance.

The Band performed at many civic functions and helped to further the reputation of Templestowe Technical School. It was unfortunate that when Mike retired as Bandmaster, and the Registrar of Templestowe Tech., Elaine Carter, Band Secretary, also resigned to accept an administrative position at Latrobe University. At about this time I also resigned as Treasurer, as I had gained a place in the recently established “Graduate Diploma in Careers” Education Course at R.M.I.T.

Other staff members who also gave support to Mike and the Band were: from the Music Department, Julia Hayes, Frank Robertson –

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Smith and Derrick Link. Derrick was a Former British Army Music Apprentice (Bugle / Trumpet) short of stature with Military bearing. Also about this time Julia left to get married and Derrick transferred to another school which required an instrumental teacher.

Another staff member very much involved was Kathryn Reiter, Head of Business Studies. Kathy took on the role of Band Publicity Officer and between us all we developed valuable contacts in the Media. Those days there were two Community Newspapers plus a Community Newsletter. They all gave the Band and the School generally, great coverage. All were more than happy to cover the Careers / Work Experience Program and regularly published stories, photos and statistics.

All publications, Doncaster Mirror, Doncaster News and Templestowe Newsletter no longer exist. This is a great pity as they were all a valuable part of the close – knit community that existed in those days.

At about this time, Kathy also left Templestowe Tech. to work in the Computer Industry on a School / Industry exchange scheme. She later returned to teaching at a new College in the South Eastern suburbs. So, with all these "defections" there was little incentive for the band to remain at the school.

The band moved from the school and the structure changed, which was most unfortunate for both the school and the community, as potential Student recruits were lost to the band, and probably to music as well.

The band continued to be an asset to the community for many years several members formed individual groups that performed and recorded one Jazz Band "The All Stars" was very successful. I don't know if the Municipal Band is still a viable concern, but I do hope so, not only as an asset to the City of Manningham, but also as a

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Legacy to the memory of Lawrence Michael Hughes, a Good man, a Great Musician and a Good Friend.

Article regarding the formation of the band with Ron and Michael Hughes both pictured.

NOTE: Templestowe Technical School (1971) later merged with Templestowe High School. Today it is known as Templestowe College. In 1994, a decline in enrolments led to the ‘merging’ of Templestowe High School with Templestowe Technical to form the new Templestowe College. Templestowe High School was closed and the site was sold to make way for the David Road housing estate. Ron’s tenure at Tempy Tech. lasted until 1991 just 3 years before the amalgamation.

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MINING MATTERS

During the 1970’s several mining companies offered the opportunity to be part of a promotional exercise to publicise the importance of mining to Australia’s economy called “Mining Matters”. When the advertising material came to Templestowe Tech, I was immediately interested. The planned itinerary was to reside in the student accommodation at Ballarat University (now Federation University) attend lectures on mining and then fly to Tasmania and visit working mines including underground tours. Sovereign Hill also figured prominently, as a home base.

I applied for and was accepted for the Mining experience. Unfortunately, an industrial dispute at the time, meant our flights to tassie were cancelled. To compensate we were provided with underground tours of Sovereign Hill and Stawell mines and the Maldon processing plant. Whilst not on the original itinerary, the food and the company was good and the curriculum interesting.

The following year the invitation was extended, and I again applied and was accepted. I have misplaced my notes from the time so I may not recall accurately the timing of events. However, this time we did

fly to Tassie. We took off from Essendon and landed in Burnie and then were bussed to our motel accommodation. I can ‘t remember the mine we visited this year but I also went the following year and toured mines at Roseberry and Hellyer. The Beaconsfield Mine is nearby and there were three miners trapped underground with two being rescued after more than a week. It would be a terrifying experience.

The mine at Hellyer was one that tunnelled into the mountain I think and had a narrow-gauge rail track that ran a quarter mile to the bank of elevators which descended to several levels. The area underground was cavernous, with excavating machinery working on two levels.

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During the tour, I got stuck in the mud and walked out of my gumboot, but quickly retrieved the situation and caught back up with the group. As the narrow-gauge train was not available, we walked out on the track. After a physically demanding day we were all quite exhausted when we emerged. We saw a fair bit of Tassie including the Zeehan Mining Museum which was very interesting. We also spent time in Launceston and my wife Dot and I visited many times after this.

My reference to gumboots reminded me of the miner’s safety gear we were required to wear-helmets, overalls, boots etc. We were required to strip off to our underwear and put on combination overalls. My issued overalls were a slightly tight fit and unfortunately a couple of press studs snapped open revealing a “tantalising” glimpse of the aforementioned underwear.

A couple of members of the group designed a Merit Award which was presented to me at a formal dinner. Since that time I have always purchased clothes one size larger to avoid a recurrence of that particular mining disaster!

Ron second from left, looking resplendent in his red overalls, outside the mine.

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Ron’s certificate for his unique

personal mining “disaster”, the

ultimate failure of safety overalls.

Ron has always been interested in

his mining heritage with both

grandfathers involved in mining in

England and Australia. The Mining

Matters program allowed him to

explore some of this heritage.

Group photo of Mining Matters

study group. Ron is in the second

back row, third from left.

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I seem to have devoted more words to my years with the Education Department than time spent working in the trade. Indeed, I was with the Department 24 years and 20 years in the trade. However, without my Trade experience I would not have had the option to change direction. My change of employment provided Career opportunities and an improved lifestyle for us all.

The desire to “Improve one’s lot” was the catalyst and I believe we all gained from the decisions made in the 1960’s. Although I did feel guilty initially that I had taken Dot and the kids away from family and friends, moving from a new house and changing schools must have been upsetting.

Of course, our improved lifestyle would not have been possible if Dot had not gone back to work. It was probably difficult for her at first, being out of the workforce for so long. Because we were a two-income family, it was easier to provide the means whereby Kerryn, Lindy and Ian were able to experience stability both Educationally and Socially.

The time that I spent with the Education Department particularly the 22 years at Templestowe Tech., was the most rewarding of my working life. As previously mentioned, the 1970’s ushered in many changes to education. Community / School initiatives, Library and Band, along with many Sporting and social activities.

To facilitate these activities, it was of course crucial that we tapped into all community resources, individuals, local government, sporting and Service Clubs such as Rotary, etc and also Educational Institutions both public and private. The people that I met during this whole time and the experiences would not have been available to me in the trade as they were in a profession.

During Teacher Training the lecturers were “Academics”, many of them Tradies and a different perspective of life was gained. There was also contact with parents from widely diverse backgrounds. Also, at this time Dot. was working fulltime, either in “The Rag – Trade”

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or Aged Care and we both enjoyed a variety of social contacts, particularly with one of her employers, Jack and Connie Piero. They certainly enjoyed a party. When Templestowe Technical School commenced operation the whole Municipality was experiencing a dramatic expansion.

The City of Doncaster and Templestowe was long established, having been settled in the early to mid-1800’s Doncaster and Templestowe Primary Schools were established about the same time as Golden Point Primary School. The area was famous for its Orchards, many of which were operating during our residency. The land on which we built our home, corner of James and Mahoney Streets, was formally Mahoney’s Orchard.

Doncaster and Templestowe Historical Society celebrated “Hundred Years of Music” in the mid 1970’s. The Doncaster and Templestowe Municipal Band played at the concert. Mike Hughes was Musical Director; Convenor was Cr. Muriel Green. I think Muriel was later Mayor. Bruce Mansfield, of Radio and T.V. fame, was Compere. Tickets, which I still have, featured the Tram which ran from Box Hill to Doncaster from 1888 to 1896. The terminus was the corner of Tram Road and Doncaster Road known as White’s Corner. This now the site of Doncaster shopping Town.

The Federal Seat of Templestowe was newly created, and the first Member for Templestowe was Neil Brown. Neil displayed a “certain ambiguity” but was a great supporter of an also newly created Templestowe Technical School. Neil was a Liberal and lost and reclaimed the seat from Labor politician, David Mc Kenzie, who also gave great support. Templestowe Tech’s Work Experience Program was supported by Neil Brown and his Secretary was always helpful in placing students. Other politicians (State) both Liberal of course given the conservative nature of the populace, were also valuable contacts. Morrie Williams (Doncaster) and David Perrin (Bulleen)

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were able to assist on many occasions. David was a Parent of a Tempy. Tech. Student and was of particular help.

I was a member of a couple of Committees with David, and he was also with our Neighbourhood Watch group which we formed in the area. I did serve on the committee for some time and was involved with the Monthly Newsletter which was often printed at David’s Electoral Office. While I think of it, David Perrin officiated at the burying of a Time Capsule at Tempy. Tech., sometime in the mid 80’s. All staff were asked to contribute material to be included in the capsule. I submitted material re the history and development of the school. I am not sure how much was actually included with the claim that I would be present at the exhumation to answer any queries, after all I will only about 100 years of age.

David was a “Good Member of Parliament” but was unfortunately (allegedly) shafted by The Premier at the time, Jeff. Kennett during a Branch stacking exercise within the Greek Community. Contact with Council was always possible to some extent as three Staff Members were Councillors, and all served terms as Mayor. Because of the Work Experience Program and Community activities, liaison with Council was on- going.

There was constant contact with Mayor and Councillors but also with Council Officers, City Engineer (student parent), Depot Manager, Electricity Dept. Manager – Council was the Electricity supplier. Coincidently, our previous residences, Footscray & Heidelberg, Councils were also suppliers. This system resulted in better service and when necessary, speedy repairs. Many Council employees were either parents of students or acquaintances; several were members of Templestowe RSL.

Over the years a large number of Students were employed in Council Departments, several as a direct result of participation in the Work Experience Program.

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Ron’s 1985 contribution to the Time capsule. The exhumation of the capsule will be in 2035! 137

I should mention that for many years the Templestowe Hotel was like a Club, a great meeting place, but a change of management resulted in many patrons joining the RSL. Up until this time I had not considered joining although as NASHOS, several of us were entitled to do so. Templestowe in particular was close knit Community. Many families had lived in the area for generations, descendants of early orchardists. Many streets bore the names of these early settlers. There are too many to list but Fitzsimmons Lane, a major thoroughfare, is worth a mention.

The late Brendan Fitzsimmon was active in the community, and we met on many occasions, often at The Pub or RSL, also at his workplace at the Doncaster and Templestowe Electricity Supply and Templestowe Football Club. The Templestowe Football Club who was part of the Diamond Valley League at that time, was very strong. Ian played in successful junior teams.

Cricket, Tennis and Basketball were also popular sports which enjoyed success. The recent anniversary of the hanging of Ronald Ryan, a criminal convicted of the shooting of Prison Warder, George Hodgson whilst escaping from Pentridge Prison, brought to mind my meeting with Phillip Opas who defended Ryan. Phillip was for a time the CEO of Doncaster and Templestowe and I met with him in his office on several occasions.

He spoke of his feelings of disappointment over the hanging and his inability to prevent it. Phillip was a keen horseman, and he had a large photo on the office wall of him mounted on his quite large horse. Also, I remember his office (desk) chair, a large uncomfortable looking wooden one which came from some Law Institute or other, but like the man himself had an interesting persona.

Templestowe and Doncaster Rotary Clubs both offered invaluable support to the School’s Career and Work Experience Programs. At some stage a Principal and a Vice- Principal were members of each club as were some Parents and Local Businessmen. Through these

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contacts many Students were placed in various work situations, some in regional areas through reciprocal arrangements between Rotary Clubs. Of course, many were placed in State and Local government Departments and with a wide range of Trade, Commerce and Retail Employers.

Career Information Days and Evenings were arranged each year. Guest Speakers from all relevant Careers options attended and provided the students with up to the minute information. The Armed Services, the Army, Navy and Airforce, were always ready to be involved as were Victoria Police. Students of course were given advice on job applications, Letter and Resume writing, and Interview Techniques. Practice Interview Evenings were one of our success stories. Initially a Templestowe Tech. innovation, the concept broadened to include other Schools in the district. Templestowe Technical School at various times combined with: Templestowe, Doncaster and Doncaster East High schools as well as Marcellin College to conduct these evenings.

Organisation and administration of these evenings was a very demanding task. Students were surveyed to ascertain their interests and a timetable was prepared for each to enable them to experience interviews in their areas of interest. Experienced Interviewers, many of them Rotarians, conducted the interview and completed a comment sheet that I had prepared. Students were then Counselled individually on the Report and advised on strategies etc.

Another one of our success stories was our involvement with Bulleen Special School. Both Schools benefited with Tempy Tech. Students on Work Experience as Teacher Aides learning a degree of tolerance and

an appreciation of the difficulties experienced by people less fortunate than themselves. This concept was further enhanced when Students from Bulleen attended classes, mainly in the Trade Work Shops and Art rooms. Three or four students at a time integrated into “normal” classes and were accepted and readily given assistance by

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our students. The students from Bulleen were wonderfully well mannered and a pleasure to have in class.

Probably our biggest venture was the organisation of a Careers Expo at Doncaster Shopping Town. All the previously mentioned Schools were involved, and the support of Centre Management and Retailers was magnificent. The Expo ran from Monday to Friday and required a great deal of organisation. A floor plan of the Shopping Centre was drawn up and the Sunday prior was spent setting up the exhibits. Students from each School displayed their skills, Templestowe Tech. Students demonstrated their skills in several areas: especially trade, Sheetmetal, Woodwork, Engineering, Electrical and Automotive, Maths / Science, Humanities and Business

Studies classes were also involved. I of course made sure that our very successful Work Experience Program was publicised. We were able to recruit several Celebrities: Jennifer Kyte and Glen Taylor from Channel 7 News and a couple of young Actresses from the T V Series Home and Away. Can’t remember their names but Fans of the early episodes will recall one of them who played the part of “Bobby”.

The whole week ran according to plan and was well received by the Community and Educational Authorities. A Showcase of the Schools, Students, Teachers and the opportunities that were available in the Region.

I have mentioned the school’s involvement with the Life Be In It Program: We were always seeking avenues to enhance the profile, involvement and contribution of the School to Education and the Community. Funding became available for innovative Programs in the Eastern Region (Education Dept.) and after considerable discussion I was given the task of writing a Submission for funds to enable the employment of a person, based at Templestowe Tech., to liaise with local Schools both Primary and Secondary and including Catholic and Private schools. The aim was to develop Programs that would allow a greater understanding the Educational

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Philosophies of each School and encourage co-operation in areas of Curriculum, Cross age Tutoring, Resource Sharing and a more co ordinated approach with Work Experience Placements. A Regional Committee was formed to evaluate the many Submissions received from Schools across the Region.

I was appointed to this Committee and many hours were spent sifting through and evaluating the various ideas. Some were rejected as impractical while others were returned with suggestions and an invitation to re - submit. Committee Members visited each of the Applicant Schools to discuss and explain criteria and assist in improving their Submissions.

The Submission from Templestowe Technical School was approved along with several others. From memory we allocated almost $ 40,000. A lot of public money and we were conscious of our responsibilities. Having gained funding, the next step was to advertise the position and interview the Applicants. A Committee was formed and after much deliberation an appointment was made.

A lady named Margaret James was the successful applicant and we shared my Careers Office for the two years duration of the contract. The whole exercise proved successful and was of immense value to the both the school and broader communities, indeed all who participated gained an appreciation of many life issues that were generally outside their level of experience and expertise.

Much of the material prepared for classroom use was integrated with the existing Careers Ed. Program and complemented the Work Experience Program. I realise that our Work Experience Program has been well covered but it bears repeating that a well-planned, co ordinated Program supported by dedicated staff can be what makes a School stand out from the pack.

Templestowe Technical School had all of these qualities in abundance for many Graduate Diploma, Educational Administration.

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A collage of photographs of

Ron’s office at Templestowe

Tech.

From the Ron Douglas

memorabilia collection.

Ron’s desk and computer at Templestowe Tech.

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GRADUATE DIPLOMA EDUCATIONAL ADMINISTRATION

I have made mention of my pursuit of academic qualifications and suggested that I may revisit the time studying the Graduate Diploma in Educational Administration. I was completing the Diploma of Technical Teaching when the Grad. Dip. Ed. Admin. was offered, and it was a natural progression to enrol in the course. I recall that the majority of lecture times were evening but in a couple of instances lectures and tutorials were timetabled during the afternoon.

Fortunately, I was able to arrange time off to attend the sessions, -- School Administration supported staff who undertook professional development, and my role of Careers Officer required many hours outside normal school hours. The course was interesting and

informative and did indeed offer content and values that were most helpful in fulfilling the aims and requirements of my administrative role.

However, the people, staff and students involved in the course were perhaps more interesting than course content and some 27 years later I have fond memories of the two years spent in their company. A more diverse group would perhaps be difficult to find in terms of background and beliefs, religious and otherwise. Staff were of course well-educated people and able to impart their general knowledge and subject matter in an articulate manner. As with most of my work, be it Drawings or Assignments, I have retained them and it is interesting to read the comments of many lecturers, which causes some recall of events.

One of the most interesting people on the course was M.H. M.H was a Catholic Nun who was having “Time off” from her calling and also from her position as Principal of a Collingwood Primary School. Our group (Lecturers and Students) were of course aware of her

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situation which she referred to as being in mufti. At this time, she was teaching at St. Johns Secondary College, Dandenong where only the Principal was aware of her identity. M.H., as I am sure I have often remarked, is one of the most interesting people I have ever met. We had many conversations covering almost any conceivable subject.

Our group would on occasion adjourn, for the purpose of academic discussion of course, to the Riversdale Hotel where M.H. demonstrated her knowledge of a good Port and being fast learners, we all became connoisseurs. The course was of two years duration and M.H. arranged the Christmas break – up at a Hotel in Richmond where she had contacts. A great time was had by all. M.H. originally had one year off to decide her future, extended to two years and then left the course prior to graduation. M.H. graduated in absentia and we sadly lost contact.

Some twenty-five years later I happened to notice an obituary in a newspaper and the information detailed led me to believe she was a relative of M.H. I phoned the Funeral Director, who was a friend of the family, and he agreed to follow up for me. After a few calls back and forth M.H. phoned me and we had quite a discussion, which after twenty-five years was rather nostalgic. M.H. had indeed left her Order and had continued teaching, including time spent in Papua New Guinea, establishing new Schools. She already had my phone number of course but declined to share hers, which was disappointing, but I respect her desire for privacy. Maybe one day our paths will again cross, and we can renew our association.

Another interesting character was R.B. He and I were teamed together on a Major Assignment, which was a core component of the course. R.B was employed as an Electronic Technician and as a supervisor he was encouraged by his employer to enrol in the course. Melbourne’s Underground Rail Loop was under construction and R.B. was involved in the construction.

Our choice of subject matter was:

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“PLANNING, FORECASTING AND POLICY FORMATION “

Many hours of research and planning went into this assignment, and our efforts were rewarded when our presentation was assessed. It is worthwhile to reflect on the hours that R.B and I spent in each other’s company, studying but also socially, particularly at the football. R.B. was a Member at North Melbourne, and he did play a few games with the Kangaroos, also with Templestowe in the Diamond Valley League. At this time, North were tenants at the MCG, which therefore was their home ground. North had a good following and I attended a few games, along with R.B and my brother Bert (Graeme).

On game day North Members had access to the MCG Members Stand and there was much passing back and forth of Membership Medallions. R.B. didn’t mind a beer (or 2 or 10) and before quarter, half time and three quarter time breaks, R.B. would move with great speed and when the rest of our party reached the Mezzanine Bar a line of drinks were set up for us. I recall Bert being amazed by the speed and planning of the exercise.

As mentioned, our group attended “Tutorials” at the Riversdale Hotel. One such gathering took place after classes the night before R.B. and I were to present our Major Assignment. R.B.’s immediate superior, Alan Carey Diploma Electrical Engineering, M.I.R.E.E. Communication Maintenance Engineer, Victorian Railways; was to attend the presentation to enhance the presentation. At the “Tutorial” we did quaff copious ales. I left to go home, but not R.B. He and a few other group members went on to the nearby home of one of the group.

After a few nightcaps, the party broke up. Unfortunately, on the way home, whilst stationary at traffic lights in East St. Kilda, R.B. dozed off and was approached by members of the local Constabulary, breath tested and taken to the lock – up, where further tests were conducted. At this time R.B. noted some discrepancies with the test

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equipment and therefore the readings, which was to prove vital at the subsequent Court hearing. The female Police Officer alleged that she was verbally abused, and several charges were laid.

I learned of the situation next day when the group gathered at College for our presentation. The whole group, and Alan particularly, were very concerned by the possible ramifications of the incident. However, it was important that the presentation take place as scheduled. Our efforts paid off – the research, the written and verbal presentation, along with Alan Carrey’s expert comments was appreciated by all and we gained a grading of B+.

The next hurdle of course was to support R.B. in his effort to win the case against him. Having played with North he was a former teammate of Bill Serong, a lawyer. Part of the defence was concerned with the amount of alcohol consumed on the night. This required more research at the Hotel, specifically the volume of beer jugs, considered crucial, as at that time, two sizes of jug were available. The other aspect of defence was R.B.’s knowledge of the testing equipment and the perceived discrepancy of the readings.

Our day at Prahran Court was an interesting experience, another time at court for me where I was a character witness for someone. I vividly recall the attitude of the Prosecutor, a uniformed Police Officer, and his aggressive questioning technique. I answered all questions truthfully, as one would, but I felt he was attempting to browbeat and tended to misinterpret my answers, which of course I resented. I did say” I believe I have answered your question and am not sure what you want me to say”. The Magistrate intervened saying, “We just want the truth of course” and suggested the Prosecutor move on. One of the course Lecturers /Tutors attended Court as he was also present at the Hotel Tutorial Session prior to the alleged crime.

This bloke was very intelligent, a former private (Church) School Teacher and also a former Lay Preacher. We referred to him as “A

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Defrocked Psychotic”. He settled into the Witness Box and proceeded to confuse and confound the prosecutor, referring to the session at the hotel “Collegiate Discussion” and a vital component of our presentation preparation. Testimony of R.B., the accused, and his supervisor, casting doubt on the accuracy of the Testing Equipment and the expertise of our Barrister, resulted in all charges being dropped. The Police officers present were visibly angry with the outcome, so we all vacated the Court building as quickly as possible. We didn’t celebrate the victory, deciding it was wise to not visit a hotel in the vicinity. However, R.B. did show his appreciation at our next Lecture giving me a large bottle of Johnny Walker, Black Label.

There are many interesting memories of the two years duration of the course, too many to put to paper, but sometimes out of the blue something will trigger a recollection. So, if you sometimes observe a “whimsical smile” on my dial, I may be recalling another enjoyable memory.

INCIDENTS AND ACCIDENTS

When I was at Sunshine North Tech. there was a bomb scare. The school received a phone call saying there was a bomb on the premises and parts of school were evacuated. The Police were called. It turned out to be a hoax.

The other incident occurred when the Art teacher fired up an outside kiln resulting in a minor explosion. He was slightly injured and the ambulance called. The area looked like a bomb site with flashing lights, smoke etc. Among the gathering crowd an ex-student who had come along to view his handy work and was apprehended.

TEMPLESTOWE BOMB HOAX

The school received a Phone call detailing a small area located in the student lockers area. As I was charge of lockers, I was asked to

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open one bank of lockers with my master key. It was all Clear and a another hoax diffused with no lives lost!

TEMPLESTOWE GANG INVASION

Also at Templestowe Tech. we experienced a School Invasion. A Gang of youths who called themselves the “Euro Boys” came to the school en masse. They were apparently seeking a student who had wronged

them. After some time, they dispersed but Police patrolled streets in the area for some time.

ARMED BANK HOLD-UP

While at Templestowe Tech. I was “involved” in an Armed Bank Holdup. This was at the school Bank where a few of us were rostered to take the daily banking. However, on this day, I went to the bank at lunch time on personal business. As I stepped into the Bank I noticed the customers kneeling and lying on the floor. And as I later related, I thought I had stumbled on a lunch time revivalist Meeting. Slowly squatting down, I saw a person on the staff side of the counter, waning a gun in the faces of the tellers. One girl was screaming. I later learned that she had been in three holdups, the bank had moved her to other branches to protect her. Obviously didn’t Work! I felt so sorry for her and often wonder how she faired after this third time unlucky.

Meanwhile the robber was yelling – “Fill the (expletive deleted) bag”. He then jumped the counter as there were no pop up screens protecting tellers then and raced out the door. A customer close to that door looked after him.

I poked my head out the other door to see the get-away car disappearing at speed. Soon Police cars with lights and sirens going appeared and separated us customers to get individual statements. A uniformed Officer asked me if I knew the difference between a revolver and an Automatic, I assured him I did - A Revolver just

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like yours I told him. He then asked how old the robber was, I told him he looked similar to my 19-year-old Son.

The bank Manager called me over, handed me his phone and said I had better call the School. The School Registrar answered, I told her I would be a little late getting back.

She asked,” Have you been held up,”

I answered, “Yes Literally.”

Quite a reception committee awaited me on arrival back at School.

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1990 ‘s RETIREMENT (sort of!) MOVE BACK TO BALLARAT151

At this time, whilst completing the Diploma of Technical Teaching, at Hawthorn State College, a Graduate Diploma in Educational Administration, was introduced. It is Interesting to note that the College changed names over the years. The Initial qualification, (T.Tr.I.C.) was issued by the Technical Teachers College. Diploma of Technical Teaching (Dip.Tech.Teach.) by State College at Hawthorn, and Graduate Diploma in Educational Administration ( Grad.Dip.Ed.Admin.) by Hawthorn Institute of Education.

These name changes reflected the changing pattern of education and the emphasis on the educational requirements for employment and promotion. After two years of part time study, I graduated with the Graduate Diploma of Education Admininistration. As with all study endeavours, many interesting people and situations are encountered, probably more so during the Ed.Admin. course – perhaps more of this later. The Careers Ed. Work Experience Program continued to prosper, as did the fortunes of the School and Students.

The late 1980's ushered in a period of uncertainty with cut- backs to staff and resources. These cut- backs forced a slowdown of the Program, particularly the Work Experience component, because constant and continuing contact with employers is vital. Also, with insufficient time to counsel students, successful placement was difficult. Because of staff shortages I was required to again take some Practical Classes and It became increasingly difficult to do justice to the Program. This led therefore to the curtailment of services.

After a couple of years operating thus, I decided to retire in 1991. “It was time". I did take some classes as an emergency Teacher during 1992. Ironic that staff shortages resulted in the partial, perhaps total demise, of the Programs when two staff members were appointed. One for Careers Ed. and one for Work Experience.

About this time Dot's health required her to give up work also. She had been employed in the Textile Industry, the Rag Trade, at a variety of Clothing firms manufacturing a wide range of Fashion

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Garments. Because of her original training and expertise, she was always a well-regarded and valued employee. Our double income over many years enabled us pay off our mortgage and provide our children with social and educational opportunities that may not

otherwise have been possible.

Retirement afforded the opportunity to travel a little, which we did in our newly purchased Caravan. Caravanning is a great way to see the country. Unfortunately, we did not do the " Around Australia " option but we had some good times.

Ron and Dot’s immaculately kept caravan in the backyard at Hampton Street.

We decided to sell our home in Templestowe and move back to Ballarat. After a couple of false starts, lack of buyers / unsuccessful auction, we sold within a week of appointing another Real Estate Agent. After looking at many options in Ballarat we bought our home, off the plan, and moved in on November 28, 1995.

THE MOVE BACK TO BALLARAT

We soon settled in at 2a Hampton Street and the work began again to transform bare front and back yards into what we wanted. For many

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years, at both Ballarat and Templestowe, we have had back yards of which we were quite proud, pleasant places to be and relax. Being a small area, our new back yard was easier to design. Then of course we change plans, but “finished” state is very good. We have carports, front and rear, and covered walkways around all sides of the house. The developments have been extensive and on-going. It was easy to “pick-up the threads” and renew old acquaintances and make new ones.

Father’s Day 1996 saw the formation of the Ballarat Sub-Branch of The National Serviceman’s Association of Australia. After a couple of years, I was elected to the Committee and appointed Welfare Officer. This position requires me to send Get Well cards and visit ill Members. Unfortunately, some don’t make it and the Cards change from Get Well to Sympathy.

A more positive aspect of Membership (Dot is an Associate Member) was meeting up with old School Mates both, Primary and Secondary. The sub-branch was endeavouring at this time to have a Memorial erected for Ballarat and District National Servicemen.

Plans and Submission went before Council for many months with the delays being most frustrating. The problem appeared to be within the Planning and Heritage Dept. of Council. Although we had a high-level support, I feared that we were caught in a power struggle.

Because of the delays, we missed out on a community Grant for which we applied to Council. We also had a submission prepared for a Veterans Affairs Department Grant but could not submit it until we were given approval to proceed. However, we pressed on and hoped to unveil our Memorial, in the Sturt Street.

Dot and I have both met up with several School / Work mates and renewed contact with many former Sporting teammates. We have made friends with our neighbours in the area, a great bunch of people.

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Ron’s membership cards for the RSL; National Servicemen’s Association of Australia, Victorian Branch; Veteran’s card and Airforce Association card and a Certificate commemorating the Korean War. From the Ron Douglas memorabilia collection

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50 Year Commerative Plaque of National Service issued in 2001

Airforce badge with motto PER ARDUA-AD ASTRA-Through adversity to the stars. Ron Douglas memorabilia collection.

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Ron’s Australian Defence Medal 2006 and Anniversary of National Service medal, 2001. The larger set for wearing at military functions and the miniature set for wearing at evening/dinner functions. Medal descriptions from Australian Government Honours and Medals website.

The Australian Defence Medal was established on 20 March 2006. It recognises qualifying efficient service of current and former Australian Defence Force (ADF) Regular and Reserve personnel, including National Servicemen, who have served since the end of World War II.

The Australian Defence Medal is a circular medal comprised of cupronickel. The obverse features the Commonwealth Coat of Arms with a sprig of wattle with the top outer edge inscribed with the words ‘The Australian Defence Medal’. The reverse is ensigned with the Crown of St Edward and includes the words ‘For Service’, surrounded by two sprays of wattle in blossom.

The Prime Minister, the Hon John Howard MP, announced the medal on 26 April 2001. __________________________________________________________________________________

The Anniversary of National Service 1951-1972 Medal is a bronze medal ensigned with the Crown of St Edward.

The obverse depicts an Australian Defence Force emblem with the crossed swords of the Army taking precedence. The Federation Star surmounts the emblem. The words 'Anniversary of National Service' are on the perimeter of the medal and the years 1951-1972 are on the central bottom edge.

The reverse shows the Southern Cross overlaid on spreading rays and surrounded by a cog: a traditional symbol for the spirit of co-operation between the Australian Defence Force and the community.

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1996 NATIONAL SERVICEMAN’S ASSOCIATION

The National Serviceman’s Association was formed due to former members wishing to keep alive the many ideals and the “esprit de Corps” of the original Nasho’s. It allowed members to come together again and demonstrate the pride they felt in serving their country in this way.

The Ballarat sub-branch of the NSA was formed in 1996 and had some 140 members and Associate members. Ron was elected sub-branch Secretary in 2008 which he said was demanding but ultimately satisfying job. He served also as Sub-Branch Welfare Officer and his late wife Dot was an Associate member.

He was involved many volunteer capacities with Veteran Affairs also. He did a couple of T.I.P. courses, which stands for Training in Pensions, so he could qualify as a Welfare and Pension Officer. He was then able to volunteer at the Veteran’s Support Centre which was based at the RSL in Lyons Street North, at the time. He recalled,

“It was a rewarding exercise as I was able to assist Veterans with advice and gained a pension for a few.”

In late 2005 it was suggested that a Memorial to honour National Servicemen should be added to the Memorial precinct in Sturt Street to honour all the Nasho’s from Ballarat and surrounding districts who served their country from 1951 to 1972.

A committee was formed including all ex-service organisation; National Serviceman’s Association, Returned Servicemen’s League, RAAF Association, Vietnam Veterans Association and Legion of Ex-servicemen. The Ballarat City council were represented by the Councillor for the City Ward and the Departmental Manager of the City of Ballarat.

Support was enlisted from local Members of Parliament and Service Clubs such as Rotary and Apex and the like. Several people devoted countless hours of work to the cause writing and presenting submission to Council. This was initially well received until some members of the Council Planning and Heritage Departments objected to and then rejected the proposal.

Thus began a long and difficult journey to achieve the aim of building the memorial. Thanks to the perseverance and support of members, council staff, City Councillors, sponsors and professional people that had been employed on the team, the dream came to fruition.

On February 3, 2008, the Memorial was unveiled and dedicated in a moving ceremony attended by many dignitaries, Nasho's and ex-service organisation members from all over Victoria. On July 10th several members interred a Time capsule onsite which is to be opened in 2030. Documentation will be forwarded to several relevant organisations.

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Ron’s nomination for secretary of Ballarat Sub-Branch NSAA which provides a pretty comprehensive summary of his achievements over 60 years.

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Ballarat NASHOS Memorial in Sturt Street on the corner of Dawson Street, 2008.

Ron and Dot Douglas and Ern and Mary Dexter at the dedication of the Memorial.

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Former NASHOs at Ballarat Memorial Service

Ron presenting local MP Catherine King a Certificate of Appreciation from the Ballarat.

Ron and Dot at the medal presentation with Catherine King. All photographs from the Ron Douglas memorabilia collection.

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Ron being presented

with a Life

Membership of the

National Servicemen’s

Association of

Australia, Ballarat and

District Sub-Branch.

Presented September

15, 2011, by Lt.Col.

Ted Lyons, Patron of

the Association.

This is one of only three Life

Membership granted by the

NSAA, Ballarat and District Sub

branch and Ron is rightly very

proud of the honour. He was

awarded a Life Membership in

recognition of the sterling work

he did over years for the Sub

branch and especially his effort to

bring the memorial project to

reality. He is the sole surviving

Life member.

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Ron’s Nomination for Life membership Ballarat Districts Sub- Branch, National Servicemen Association of Australia from 2010, which provides an excellent summary of all the work Ron did over the 20 years he was a member.

Dear Messrs and Mesdames,

It is with pleasure that I/we write regarding the Nomination of Ron Douglas for a Life Membership of the Ballarat and Districts Sub- Branch of the National Servicemen’s Association of Australia.

I / We believe that Ron qualifies for Life Membership of the Sub – Branch under Rule 31.3 (e) as he has undertaken duties within the Sub- Branch for a period in excess of the requirements, and his efforts on behalf of the Sub- Branch must be considered as “Meritorious”

Ron is a founding Member, attending the first Meeting on Father’s Day 1996. Ron was elected to the Committee and has served for some 12 years, or so.

During this time Ron has undertaken the role of Welfare Officer administering to the needs of unwell Members, and Families, mailing Get Well Cards, visiting Homes and Hospitals (including ICU and Hospice visits); as well as attending bi- monthly Welfare Officers Meetings.

To qualify for the role Ron successfully undertook T.I.P Training Courses i.e. MCRS Claims Officer, Basic Pension Officer and Basic Welfare Officer Courses.

Whilst obtaining these qualifications Ron worked for some time at the Veterans Support Centre to further his knowledge and gain expertise.

Ron has also represented the Sub – Branch, since its inception, at Quarterly Meetings of the Council of Ex-Service Organisations Committee.

Since being elected Secretary, he has been a Delegate at State Council Meetings.

When the concept of a Memorial (Monument) to Ballarat and Districts National Servicemen who Served 1951 to 1972, was envisaged,Ron along with a number of dedicated people; worked tirelessly to bring the dream to fruition. Ron wrote the initial Submission to City Council requesting Planning approval and also collaborated in writing a successful Submission for funds from Veterans Affairs.

Ron also contributed, with others to the planning and internment of the Time Capsule especially in contacting, with Plans of location, many organisations requesting that they record and comply with our exhumation requests.

A submission to The Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs was also successful in gaining funding for our Volunteer Projects and the purchase of equipment.

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Ron aims to be aware of any Grants that may be available and is always ready to seek new Sponsors. Also, Ron has been involved for many years in the distribution of Sub – Branch Monthly Newsletter.

Elected Sub - Branch Secretary in 2008, and currently occupying the position, he has continued to liaise and develop a rapport with other Ex Service, and Community Service organisations, including

Newspapers and Community Radio, thus further enhancing the reputation of National Servicemen, in general and Ballarat Sub – Branch, in particular.

Other contributions include Introduction of Business Cards and Official Letterheads which enable a professional, business-like approach to all communications. Another involvement is the time-consuming project involving Local Politicians enabling Nashos to obtain the Medals to which they are entitled. Hopefully this project may assist in gaining New Members.

Ron has endeavoured to engender a sense of Camaraderie and Esprit de Corps within the Sub – Branch.”

INSCRIPTION:

This memorial commemorates the sacrifice and service of those men from Ballarat and District conscripted for National Service during the years 1951 and 1959, and 1965 and 1972.

Unveiled by the Hon Tony Robinson MP Minister assisting the Premier on Veterans` Affairs 3 February 2008.

Erected by the Ballarat and Districts sub-branch of the National Servicemen`s Association of Australia.

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This is Dot’s nomination for the Committee of the NSAA Ballarat Sub-branch. As can be seen she supported Ron in everything he did for the Sub-Branch from visiting members to selling raffle tickets- a lot of raffle tickets. It takes very dedicated volunteers to sell raffle tickets, speaking from experience and Ron and Dot were certainly the best kind of volunteers.

BALLARAT & DISTRICTS SUB – BRANCH N.S.A.A.

NOMINATION for the Position of COMMITTEE.

Dot Douglas – Member No. BAL 104.

Brief Statement of Relevant Experience:

Associate Member several years and Committee (Full) Member 2010 /11/12/13/14

Assisted / Supported Ron in his role of Welfare Officer for some 10 – 12 years,

Selecting Gifts & Visiting Members at Home, Hospital and in Palliative Care.

Involved in distribution of Monthly Newsletter for several years.

Involved in approaches to potential Sponsors.

Participated in most Sub – Branch activities over this period including fundraising and donation of monthly prizes.

Over the last few years Ron & I have sold up to 70 Raffle Books (each year).

This is one third of Sub – Branch total allocation.

Statement of Intent: Will continue to work with and support Ron in his roll of Secretary, should he continue in the office, and assist other Members where appropriate to enhance the operation of the Sub – Branch.

DOT DOUGLAS

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NASHO’s MEMORIAL CANBERRA 2010

In 2010 Ron attended the unveiling and dedication of the NASHO’s Memorial Fountain, at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra. It was officially unveiled by Her Excellency Quentin Bryce AC, Governor General of the Commonwealth of Australia on September 8, Year level of call-up 1951 to 1972.

2010. The NASHO’s attended and marched past the assembled dignitaries. They marched in

The War Memorial press release, 12 September 2010, stated in part:

“Thousands of former National Servicemen and their families came together in Canberra last week to take part in the official dedication by the Governor- General on 8 September of their new memorial fountain located in the Eastern Precinct of the Australian War Memorial.

Beneath sunny skies old mates gathered together to laugh and shed a few tears, swap yarns and remember absent friends in what was one of the largest reunions of former 'Nashos'.

Ron later attended the reception at Parliament House and was fortunate to have his photograph taken with Air Marshall Angus Houston. It was fitting that Ron be afforded the opportunity to have this memento to add to his collection because of all the work he did for the NASHO’s over many years. As Ron said:

“Not many people get to have their photograph taken with the chief of the RAAF.”

Ron pictured with Air Marshall Angus Houston at Parliament House, 2010

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Photographs supplied by Russell Byers / Howard Mitchell

The National Service Memorial Fountain commemorates those who served as national servicemen under the two schemes created under the National Service Act 1951 (1951 - 1959) and the National Service Act 1964 (1965 - 1972).

The memorial is dedicated to the 290,000 young men who were called up for National Service and honours the 212 National Servicemen who died in action. 210 servicemen died in Vietnam and 2 died in Borneo.

The memorial fountain features a sandstone plinth (matching the colour of the Australian War Memorial itself) which symbolises the Army; the reflection of the sky in the black polished granite represents the Royal Australian Air Force and the water in the bronze bowl represents the Royal Australian Navy.

Front Inscription

Dedicated to all Australian National Servicemen and in memory of all who died. Plaque : National Service Memorial

Officially unveiled by Her Excellency Quentin Bryce AC Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia

8 September 2010

Between 1951 and 1972, over 290,000 young men were called up for National Service.

Approximately 227,000 18-year-old Australian men underwent compulsory training in the Navy, Army and Air Force between 1951 and 1959, at a time of escalating international tension during the Cold War.

Almost 64,000 20-year-old men served in the Australian Army as National Servicemen between 1964 and 1972. They served in Borneo, Vietnam, Malaysia, Papua New-Guinea and Australia, and constituted 40 per cent of those who died on active service.

This memorial was designed by Johnson Pilton & Walker.

REFERENCE PAGE MONUMENT AUSTRALIA-www.monumentaustralia.org.au

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From the Ron Douglas memorabilia collection. Ballarat Courier, Saturday October 2, 2010.

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In 2011 Ron was also inducted into the Australasian Order of Old Bastards and has been a card-carrying member ever since!

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NATIONAL SERVICEMANS

ASSOCIATION SUB BRANCH

TO FOLD

After 20 years of volunteering and

working for the sub-branch the

Ballarat National Servicemen’s

Association folded in 2015. Ron had

been there at the beginning as a

founding member and saw it achieve

a remarkable event in the building of

the NASHO’s memorial in Ballarat.

With declining membership as

members got older it became

unsustainable and so the difficult

decision was made to close the sub

branch.

From the Ron Douglas

memorabilia collection.

Ballarat Courier April 8,

2015.

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RON’S INTEREST IN AVIATION FROM A VERY YOUNG AGE.

I just always liked reading about planes and sent away many times for literature from Commercial Airlines: Trans Australia Airlines (TAA) and Australian National Air Lines (ANA). Even at some stage Kellogg produced cut out models on the packets of cornflakes to assemble.

Then of course as a RAAF Nasho, I was near planes, and I had my first flight from Laverton to Ballarat.

Much later when I was working as a Trade teacher, I had the opportunity to try a Flight simulator. Being a member of a teacher’s Technology group enabled us access to a flight in a simulator at Melbourne Airport.

From memory 5 or 6 of us boarded – I didn’t get in the pilot’s seat, but it was a memorable experience. I could not have done worse than the “Pilot”. He almost clipped the Rialto Building in Melbourne. Just as well it was only a Training Flight! After a couple of sweeps of the Bay, We landed back at base. We were only on board for less than an hour, whereas an airlines crew boarded the other simulator for a 13-hour flight.

Again, I was very fortunate to have this experience and have recorded it in my “Reminiscences” as a stand out experience.

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TRIP OF A LIFETIME 2008

By Ron Douglas (aka Salguod Nor) October 2008.

Travelling Companions – Kerryn, (aka Nyrrek Salguod) and Ken and Jack McKenzie.

A long held ambition came to fruition when Kerryn convinced me to join her, along with Ken and Jack on a trip to Scotland, taking in Singapore, England and Wales. Kerryn made all the arrangements with the assistance of her Travel Agent in Bendigo. The attention to detail was marvellous and helped make the trip so successful.

The pre – booking of many of the extras, including Train Travel and Hire Car to visit Mum’s Birthplace, Heanor, Derbyshire, was organisation at its best and provided me with the opportunity to

actually enter the home where mum grew up and talk to the current occupant and neighbours.

Having never held a Passport this was one of the first tasks, the organisation of finances and luggage followed whilst studying maps of our proposed itinerary and then we were off.

We all rendezvoused at Kerryn’s place, Dot Drove me over very early in the morning. We set off from Kerryn’s and drove to the Parking Venue and then by mini – bus to Melbourne Airport (Tullamarine).

After check-in we boarded Our Singapore Airlines flight, first stop Singapore. Kerryn had been advised to book a couple wheelchairs for Jack and myself, not because we are infirm, but to expedite our

passage through customs and it worked a treat throughout our travels.

10 – 15 AM Depart Melbourne Airport on Singapore Airlines (Boeing 747- 400) Flying Time 7 hours 45 minutes

4 – 00 PM Arrive Singapore Airport. Saturday 04 Oct Coach transfer to Hotel.

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Sunday 05 Oct Accommodation one night – Hotel Miramar Singapore

9-05 AM Depart Singapore Airport Flying Time 13 Hours 25 Minutes

3- 30 PM Arrive London - Heathrow Airport

Sunday 5 Oct Accommodation two nights Ibis Earls Court, Earls Court

Monday 6 Oct. Kerryn and I walked from Hotel to Earls Court Station through to Kings Cross

Station (St. Pancross) Train to

Nottingham, picked up Hire Car

and drove to No. 3 Caxton Street

Heanor, Derbyshire.

Ron and Kerryn outside Ron’s mother’s childhood home, 3 Caxton Street, Heanor.

This is the house where Mum grew up. She along with two cousins was raised by their Granny. Mum’s mother died when mum was only a baby and her dad was killed in a coal Mine accident. I am not sure of the cousin’s circumstances. Mum lived here until she migrated to Australia (Ballarat) under Contract to Knitting firm R Morley to train Machinists. I have Photos of her, and others,

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demonstrating their Machining Skills in the windows of “Buckley and Nunns Department Store, Melbourne Circa 1928.

In Heanor we spoke to the lady who occupies the house, and her neighbours, who remembered the Meakins, Mum’s Cousins, from whom she purchased the residence some 45 years ago.

We spoke to the owner ,Violet, and several of her neighbours and were given a tour. The stairs to the upstairs bedrooms were very steep, perhaps 45 degrees. Violet insisted that I look at her new bathroom. It would have been logical to have bedroom and bathroom downstairs. However I followed her up the stairs, she said, “I don’t get many gentlemen callers these days.” I replied, “Violet, it’s those bloody stairs! they would be exhausted by the time they Climbed up them.”

However, a gentleman did call for her driving a large Yank Tank (large American car). He was impatient to get going, we wished each other well and said goodbye. As it was lunch time we called at the closest Pub, I think the “Jolly Colliers.” We entered the Pub and said G’day (as one does in a foreign land) to the Barman and he responded with “Bloody Australians.” I replied, “We Aussies don’t have an accent, anyway, I have come to see where me Moom Coom Froom.”

He said, “You better have a beer.”

I noticed the lunch Special, Steak and Kidney Pudding (Pie)and Chips. It was wonderful, just like my mum made!

We drove back to Nottingham and then took the train to Kings Cross and caught the Tube back to Earls Court. We walked back to Earls Court Hotel. What a wonderful Day!

Day 3 – Plymouth. We went on a boat trip around harbour, where Pilgrim Fathers embarked on the Mayflower, as did Sir Francis Drake to attack the Spanish Armada. Charels Darwin also sailed from here in HMS Beagle.

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Nuclear Subs laid up (Reactors removed) Portuguese and German ships in harbour.

I have reluctantly come to the conclusion that to detail every City, Village, Landmark, would result in a tome to rival War and Peace therefore I will list highlights visited and add comments to some. I trust dear reader that you may wish to research further points of

interest.

HIGHLIGHTS:

Salisbury-View the Cathedral

Stonehenge- Ancient stone circle

Plymouth-see previous entry above

Cornwell Penzance- Sunny day seaside eating a real Cornish pasty, doesn’t get any better than that.

Bath-renowned ancient spa town

Stratford Upon Avon-Shakespeare’s Birthplace

Cardiff-Capital of Wales, Cardiff Castle

Chester / Tintern Village shopping

Lake District- Lake Windermere

Gretna Green- Witnessed Marriage Ceremony

Glasgow Drive around City – History enthralling - Private Club for Dinner

Lock Ness- Cruise on Lock Lomond

Ben Nevis Britain’s Highest Mountain – Chairlift to summit Aviemore -Scottish Ski Resort

Scottish Highlands-Drive to Culloden (Famous Battlefield)

Perth and Dundee and on to old University Town St. Andrews which is the Home of Golf.

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Edinburgh- Scottish Capital. Tour shows us the Royal Mile, Princes Street and views of the famous Castle.

Rosslyn Chapel- Knights Templar. Magnificent Chapel being restored. Incredible!

History. Worth following up. Refer” The DaVinci Code” Novel and Film.

Stirling Stirling Town similar to many others, stopped at Castle, took photos of William Wallace statue. Castle is where Mary Queen of Scots was Crowned Queen at 6 months of age.

Bannockburn Village to King Robert Hotel where we experienced a

Piper piping in the Haggis in procession, we Toasted the Haggis and partook of this Scottish delicacy washed down with a few drams of “The Water of Life”

Piper played, young girl danced Highland fling and Sword Dance.

Comedians kept all involved, we were singing Yankee Doodle Dandy and Waltzing Matilda, accompanied by the Bagpipes. We were still singing 0n the bus back to the hotel.

The Borders on to Hadrian’s Wall, once defending England from the Picts and the Scots.

Durham- Explore cobbled streets, Norman Cathedral and Castle on Palace Green.

York- Reputedly the most haunted City in England Walled Town. (Romans)

Leeds- Dinner and overnight stay

Cambridge- Famous University, dates to 12 th Century. I can say I attended Cambridge. Well, I have trod the hallowed grounds!

London- Many of our party left us to take other tours. A few tears. Back to Ibis Hotel where we started in Earls Court.

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Droved past houses of Parliament and Tower of London.

Next day walked a couple of blocks and caught a double decker bus No.74. Great view from open top deck. Bought ticket for City Tour, Including River cruise.

Visit Tower of London, incredible history – River cruise was exciting. Then Bus to Buckingham Palace – walked all around – striking building, Gates and monuments. Hoped to see Changing of Guard, but not on Sunday. Walked further round Palace to Souvenir Shop. Everyone is making a Quid. Had lunch then caught bus to Trafalgar Square (Nelsons Column.) and other Statues/

Monuments, including Queen Victoria and King George 1V.An Indian Festival had taken over, a lot of noise.

Almost forgot - Had a ride on Scenic Wheel (London Eye) Built on the Thames River by British Airways. Big Sunday crowd, incredible views.

Went to a pub which advertised 3 foe 1 Pints, but this was next week, wouldn’t bring the offer forward. Spoke to a Scotsman (Piper in Queens own Regiment.). Also spoke to character named Bob Barker, a Pom with a sense of humour. Not sure if he was fair dinkum, but an interesting local. We walked around the corner with him to “The Sherlock Holmes Pub.” An interesting place full of memorabilia and showing the film “Hounds of the Baskerville.”

Had a beer, then caught a bus to Westminster Station, Train to Earls Court, changed trains and got off at South Brougham, short walk to our hotel. Must pack for tomorrow’s flight to Singapore.

Breakfast at IBIS Hotel then walk around Earls Court, lunched at a little café (small shops of every description everywhere including a fruit market.

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Then Shuttle Bus to Heathrow Airport., cue up to verify tickets then Kerry n’s organisation kicked in. Wheelchairs for Jack and I at every Airport to get through Customs without any hassles.

Eleven-hour flight (Time Zones) left London 8pm arrived Singapore 2pm next day.

Drive from Changi Airport to Hotel Miramar Hotel where we stayed on outward trip

16 th floor, wonderful rooms and facilities. Service throughout Singapore was great.

After breakfast we were accosted by Taxi driver “Ricky” outside hotel, offered his services, $25 for an hour tour. He took us to a large jewellery complex where some manufacturing took place. Large number of staff all trying to sell to no avail. Then on to China Town, Ricky would get a commission for any sales at some shops.

Kerryn bought a camera (not a Ricky’s store) all stall holders on the make, I bought some cheap caps to take home.

Joined tour after lunch at 1pm. First stop museum of early Singapore then on to Raffles Hotel which was a wonderful experience. Had coffee and cake in Raffles Long Bar. The only place in Singapore where you can litter. In the early days there was a peanut plantation and Tradition decreed that you drop shells on the floor which was awash with shells. Rather dangerous if you had a pint or two.

Then visit to a “Pewter Shop” excellent demonstration and quality goods for sale.

Back to hotel at 6-30 pm. after another hectic day.

A memorable visit to Changi Museum, one cannot fail to be moved by the history of this place. I personally knew a former prisoner of War 2 who spent several years in this hell hole. He became a good friend, and I was able to do the odd job for him.

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Also in Singapore is the Kranji Memorial /Cemetery the final resting place for Allied soldiers who perished during the battle for Singapore. Dedicated to the men and women from the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada,

Sri Lanka, India, Malaya, New Zealand and the Netherlands.

Within the Cemetery the Memorial bears the names of over 24,000 casualties of the Commonwealth land and Air Forces who fought to defend Singapore. Like all War Graves the whole area is immaculately maintained. A striking feature is the young age of the majority of those who are interred here.

“Lest We Forget”

Last night in Singapore, great entertainment by a Singing group from the Philippines.

Depart Singapore Airport 9.00 am. Flying time 7 hours 10minutes

Arrive Melbourne Airport 7:10 am. Collect Car from parking area and home to good old Ballarat, exhausted but elated, and as stated in the opening statement A TRIP OF A LIFETIME. Not the Finis.

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Tea and cake at Raffles. Ron on the right with Kerryn next to him.

Laird of Glencoe. This card shows Ron’s entitlement to use the title Laird as he is the owner of an estate in Scotland. The fact that the land concerned is just one foot square doesn’t matter at all to Ron.

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APPENDICES

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APPENDIX 1

THE WILLIAMS FAMILY

Robert Noakes Williams (1801-1882)

Ned William’s father. He married Sarah Ann

Elizabeth Crowden (1801-1854)

Robert Thomas Williams (1823-1905)

Ned Williams older brother who lived and died in

England.

Mary (Williams) Tate. 1840-1916.

Ned Williams’s sister. She married Professor

Ralph Tate.

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Professor Ralph Tate, 1840-1901. Ned’s brother

in-law. This photograph was taken in Sydney in

1882. Ralph and Mary later lived in Adelaide.

Ned moved there and lived with them for a few

years in the late 1890’s. He left Ballarat in about

1898 returned a couple of years later.

Edward Robert King Williams,1862-1926. Ned’s nephew. He

married Louisa Bartlett (1863-1941). They live in Howitt

Street Ballarat and looked after Ned when he returned from

Adelaide. He lived with his nephew in Howitt Street until he

died in 1901.

Edward was the son of James Alfred Williams (1831-1896)

and Mary Anne Yeo (1831-1883)

NOTE: re Ned’s sojourn in Adelaide. In about 1995, I received

an email from a gentleman in Adelaide. As small boy he had

been digging in the back yard and found a silver trophy

inscribed to Ned Williams. He managed to have the trophy

returned to Ballarat and it is on display at Wendouree Ballarat

Rowing Club. He contacted me to see if I could supply a picture

of it. This I did and he was happy to see again the trophy that

he had discovered all those years ago. It is likely the backyard

was of the house Mary and Ralph Tate lived in. It would be

interesting to know how it came to be buried. (also pictured on

page 43.) Information from Kate Elliott

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Copy of the Niven illuminated address presented to Ned Williams in 1884 by Ballarat Rowing Club.

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APPENDIX 2

ICONIC BALLARAT BUILDINGS

THE ALFRED HALL

The Alfred Hall, 1950’s as Ron remembers it. Photo from his collection.

A recent edition of the Ballarat Courier March 31, 2007, published an article regarding the Alfred Hall, which was situated on the site of the present-day Big W store on the corner of Curtis and Grenville Streets, Ballarat. The Alfred Hall was built in six weeks in 1867 and straddled the Yarrowee Creek, with half the Hall in Ballarat East half in Ballarat West as the creek formed the boundary between the two municipalities.

There was great rivalry between the two halves of Ballarat, and for many years after the amalgamation, some bitterness as many residents believed, with some justification, that the “Top End of Town” received preferential treatment. We all know where the seat of Local Government (City Council) is today: The present City Hall was the Ballarat West ‘Headquarters ‘ whilst Ballarat East Town Hall was in Barkly Street opposite the Ballarat East Fire Station and the area was known as The Town Hall Gardens.

Over time the site has seen many uses including the Ballarat East Library and the Ballarat Girls Secondary School. The clothing manufacturing firm C.J. Wilson also occupied the site for a number of years. In recent times the site has been redeveloped by The Victorian Education Department and is now the Senior Campus of Ballarat Secondary College.

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As a matter of interest, Dot. worked for C.J. Wilson P/L. from the age of 15 years on this site and later in the purpose-built factory in Scott Parade until the firm closed its Ballarat operation in 1957, the year we were married.

She subsequently gained immediate employment with Paddle Shoes and remained with this firm until Kerryn was born. Several years later when we moved to Melbourne Dot Again worked for C.J.Wilson in Fitzroy and renewed acquaintances with her old bosses. The Scott Parade factory has for many years been occupied by Waller and Chester Printers and Dot has several times had a conducted tour of the premises by Clark Chester when we have visited on NASHO business. Clark is a Sub – Branch Member and sponsors the printing of our Monthly Newsletter.

Now back to The Alfred Hall, built of wood it was not supposed to be a permanent construction. However, it lasted almost 100 years, only being demolished in 1956. During our formative years, from Primary School, Technical School and teen -age years prior to its demolition, we often visited the Hall for a variety of functions.

The Blind Institute of Victoria conducted concerts; many of the performers were blind and were remarkably talented. We attended in School groups and also to regular performances of The Victorian Symphony Orchestra conducted by Bernard Heinz (I think now Sir Bernard). The Hall also hosted School Speech Nights – a copy of Junior Technical School Program is included in Volume 1 of this increasingly weighty tome. The Ballarat Motor Show, Trade and Home displays and exhibitions were held at the venue; indeed the location and size of the Alfred Hall was a wonderful venue for almost any important function.

The Civic Hall in Mair Street replaced The Alfred Hall and now it is to be, at least partly, also demolished, the price of progress I suppose.

The Alfred Hall. Occasion of the first motorcycle race, September 12, 1905. From Ballarat Historical Society Collection.

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THE TOWN HALL

Whilst reminiscing about Ballarat icons, I recalled an early association with our City Hall. When I was, probably 10 or 11 years old I had the opportunity to climb the bell tower. Those days the Bells were rung on Sunday mornings and special occasions in the actual Bell / Clock Tower. In later years a Carillon was installed adjacent to City Hall on the corner of Armstrong Street and Bath Lane. This now provides the melodious sounds that were previously obtained by Bell Ringers who climbed the Town Hall Tower to manually create the music we all enjoy.

I remember climbing the Tower one Sunday morning with Dad and I think from memory, my brother Kev. on the invitation and guidance of Mr. Bill Collie who was a relative. Bill Collie was a Bell Ringer with a long association with City Hall, he may have been a Caretaker at some stage.

The climb up the Tower was an arduous one, the staircase needed repairs and at the top of the tower it was open to the elements. I recall it was quite windy that day. The Belfry was the home to countless pigeons and their droppings were everywhere. These conditions no longer exist as several renovations over the years have restored the City Hall to its former glory.

There have been several changes to the many rooms, mainly to accommodate the numerous staff now employed by The City of Ballarat. The large Ballroom upstairs, which was used for weekly dances and official functions, has been converted to offices and Conference Rooms. Readers will recall that the Ballarat Rowing Club Centenary Celebrations were held at this venue in 1961.

In recent times I have attended meetings at City Hall in connection with the planning of the Proposed Memorial to National Servicemen to be erected in Sturt Street. The whole place has changed and it is difficult to visualise the configuration exactly as it once was.

However, the building is maintained, and the internal and external appearance is quite grand and is a significant reminder, along with many other preserved buildings in the City, of the proud history of Ballarat.

NOTE: Both the Alfred Hall and the interior of the Town were designed by noted Ballarat architect Henry Richards Caselli. He also designed Bailey’s Mansion, now St. John of God Hospital and multiple churches and buildings around Ballarat in the boom building period of the 1870’s. He served as President of the Ballarat City Rowing Club from 1874 until his death 1884.

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Ballarat Town Hall circa 1950’s with view of the clock tower.

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APPENDIX 3

RON, FOOTBALL AND ESSENDON FOOTBALL CLUB

ESSENDON Football Club — As indicated previously I have followed The Mighty Bombers since an early age. It was of course my duty to encourage (brain wash) my children and grandchildren to also barrack for the team in Black and Red. Supporters have been known for years as the Black and Red Horde and for the last twenty years as Sheedy’s Army.

When I began to support Essendon, they were referred to as Essendon or The Dons. I believe my early fascination with aircraft lead me to follow Essendon rather than any of the other eleven teams in the VFL. The association being of course Essendon Airport. As for the Brain Washing: two out of three children and five out of seven grandchildren, follow the Bombers, not a bad strike rate. Not sure if a couple of the grand - kids are as committed as the others but I like to think so.

When we were young most of us followed several teams. In my case it was: Golden Point (Ballarat League) Williamstown, Vic. Football Assoc. (VFA) and of course Essendon (VFL). Although supporting the Dons from an early age I think the first game I attended was the 1951 Grand Final. I went with Golden Point Football Club, Seniors, Reserves, Under 18, Under 16 and Under 14 teams all attended. No reserved seats those days but we all had a seat. It was a packed house though, from memory this was the year that spectators were directed to sit around the boundary, a very dangerous situation as the ball and players were continually forced over the boundary line into the crowd. It was just good luck that no one was seriously injured, it is perhaps difficult for many to imagine the scene given the stringent rules that apply today.

1951 was the year that Essendon was denied its third consecutive Premiership, having won in 1949 and 1950.

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Geelong were Premiers in 1951 simply because the Great John Coleman was out of the Essendon Team having been suspended for striking a few weeks previous. He copped four weeks. As is often the case, he was reported for retaliating. He had been subjected to a

battering all day and of course he eventually reacted. The offender was Harry Casper of Carlton; conspiracy theories abounded at the time, and it was alleged that Collingwood paid money to have Coleman out of the Finals. Apparently, they (Collingwood) thought they were in with a chance, as you can see dear reader, little has changed in their thought processes in the last 5 or 6 decades.

It is somewhat ironic that Harry’s son played for Essendon Reserves many years later. John Coleman is considered the greatest Full Forward ever; the Coleman Medal is awarded each year to the player who scores the greatest number of goals in a season in the VFL / AFL.

I have been known to state that I have hated Carlton since 1951 because they cost us a Premiership. Only joking; Well almost only joking. For many years attendance at VFL games was limited to games played at Geelong involving several teams, not only Essendon.

However, the move to Melbourne by the family provided the opportunity to regularly attend games.

I should mention at this point Dot’s one and only attendance at a VFL /AFL game. The year was 1954 or 55, the Grand Final, Melbourne vs. Collingwood, almost a record crowd. Melbourne won by a very large margin. We had standing room only in front of the old score- board, it was difficult for Dot to see the game and she has had no desire to attend another game-ever!

Another highlight was the Final Series in 1970. Pop and I had Series Tickets (Final Four those days) and I still have memories the great games. South Melbourne played in this Final Series, and it was

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Bobby Skilton’s last game. Skilton won three Brownlow Medals, a great player he unfortunately never played in a Premiership.

The other highlight was of course Carlton victory over Collingwood. After being outplayed by a far superior team in the first half (Collingwood led by an unbeatable margin. Ron Barassi, Carlton ‘s Coach told his team to handball at all costs. This order led to Collingwood Coach, Bob Rose, being over – run. Really Collingwood was by far the superior team, and one could not help but feel sorry for Bob Rose, who should have won several Premierships. But of course, Collingwood was just being Collingwood; Suffering Delusions of Grandeur.

I have programs for this Final Series among my Collectables. From 1970 I attended matches each week as it was my outlet from work and study which at times was fairly intense. Those days Windy Hill was the place to be, the home crowd was incredible, the place

really rocked. Usually, I stood in the enclosure in front of the Reynolds Stand. Ian often came to the footy with me, during the early 70’s. In 1971 he would have been 7 or 8 years of age.

During the 1972 Season I joined “The Essendon Club” an affiliated Club which covered Members of Essendon Football, Cricket, Bowls and Baseball Clubs. A recruiting drive was being conducted at the time and my 1 st . Year Student Instructor, Morrie Klavins, was a Baseball Club Member and convinced me to join.

I have most of the yearly Medallions from the 1970s. to the 1990s. Membership initially entitled me to a seat in the Showers Stand but the Club later made these reserved seats, at an added cost of course. However, admittance to the enclosure was still available and several rows of seats on the boundary were available to early birds. Early birds we had in our Football Friends Dawn and George who always kept a seat for us. No matter which ground we went to we were assured of a seat, usually on the boundary.

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Kerryn and I were regular attendees at games at many League Grounds along with her friend Chris. and often other workmates. These were lean years but as true supporters we were ever hopeful of success. The years of the Baby Bombers began during the Coaching years of Bill Stephen and Des. Tuddenham; it was most fitting that when success was achieved under Kevin Sheedy; recognition was given by Sheeds to his predecessors.

Sheedy became coach in 1981 and I attended his welcome function at Windy Hill and of course was impressed by his enthusiasm and commitment. In 1983 we reached the Grand Final, unfortunately we were soundly beaten, this was the game in which Timmy Watson was flattened, unfairly I still believe, by Colin Robertson of Hawthorn. Hawthorn won by 90 odd points, disappointing in the extreme. I remember calling into the Templestowe Hotel after the match to the unkind comments of fellow patrons. Many of them remarked that they did not expect to see me after such a defeat. I assured them that I would Return Victorious in 1984. This I did and also in 1985.

How well I remember the last quarter in 1984 when we were behind and Kerryn saying, the same as last year, going home. I was able to convince her that all would be well and that we would win. Many times, over the years, if we are not doing well during a game Kerryn will phone and ask “Will I go home yet?” Of course, I again advise her to “Hang in There!”

The teams of 1984 and 1985 were great teams and really should have won more Premierships. 1986 was a real disappointment for supporters. Naturally it was assumed that Essendon would continue on from 1985 and take all before them. Unfortunately, this was not the case and we supporters felt let down.

Mike Neill, a friend on the staff at Templestowe High School, and I journeyed by bus to Sydney during 1986 for the match against the Swans. We left Windy Hill at 8.30 pm on Friday Night July 11, the

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game being scheduled for Sunday afternoon. A most eventful trip; our bus was the oldest of the fleet and we experienced mechanical problems not long into the journey. The worst of which was a problem with the head lights meaning Tom, our driver had to drive with them on high beam – which was O.K. until he dipped the lights, and then we had no lights at all until he was able to switch back to high beam. Temporary repairs were made, at Goulburn I think, and we arrived in Sydney none the worse for wear.Permanent repairs to the lights were carried out under the supervision of our driver Tom, an Irishman, who was a good bloke and great company.

We were booked into a Hotel in Kings Cross and after a day of sight seeing, The Opera House and a Ferry Ride across Sydney Harbour we had a good night in the Hotel Piano Bar; well lubricated and in good voice. On Sunday after Brunch beside the swimming pool we were taken by bus to the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) where we had reserved seats in the Brewongle Stand which was quite new at the time.

This was the era of Dr. Geoffrey Edelstone the flamboyant owner of the Swans, pink car, pink helicopter and of course Leanne the glamorous young wife.

Sydney won the match easily which was bad enough but the excessively loud Music which accompanied each Swans goal was annoying to say the least. This Yankee Style was concentrated on the old Hill Area of the SCG where the Swans Cheer Squad was located. However, you win some and loose some and it was quite an experience to visit the SCG, the reserved seats and amenities in the new stand were first class. Shortly after the game we began our journey home expecting to be able to get to work on time on Monday morning as our ETA was 6.30 am.

Alas this was not to be. Not long into the journey the wheels literally fell off the bus. We were travelling downhill on a divided highway; traffic was heavy including semi–trailers, when disaster struck.

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I was seated at the rear over the dual wheels on the left side and my first indication that something was amiss was a loud noise and a bump beneath my seat. The next instant we were swerving down the road with our driver Tom trying to maintain control with the rear of the bus leaning at an acute angle because the dual wheels had indeed fell off.

When we finally came to a halt the rear of the bus was resting on its axel and the wheels not to be seen. A search recovered both wheels, one several hundred yards down the road, the other down the embankment to the left of the road. Thankfully our driver was able to prevent the bus joining this wheel otherwise I may not be relating this tale. Another bus load of supporters in a bus belonging to the same bus company, which was following us, stopped and after much discussion we all boarded this bus and went on to, I think, Goulburn. We crowded into the Bus Depot while contact was made with the Bus Co. Office in Melbourne. After what seemed like several hours, cold, weary and hungry we set off for Albury. Passengers from the two buses packed into one with standing room only.

Tom our driver, good Captain that he was, stayed with his bus and we did not expect to see him again. As can be imagined it was uncomfortable travelling, a long way to travel standing, and few if any offered to share the seating. I remember Mike saying that he had to sit on the floor of course, I told him he may be trampled and never get up. He did sit and he did survive.

I stood all the way to Albury and I am sure that I could not repeat the exercise today. At Albury we boarded another bus that had travelled from Melbourne and commenced the journey home, in comfort but a little the worse for wear. We arrived back at Windy Hill about lunch time and took a Taxi home, too late and too exhausted to go to work. I remember Noel Henry (Vice – Principal and Wordsmith of note) writing up an absence report with very clever comments, I have a copy among my collectables.

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Some considerable time later I received an unexpected phone call from Tom our bus driver asking if I remembered him and requesting help. It appeared that a few passengers had reported to the Police that Tom had driven dangerously and that they had feared for their safety. Their motives, it has been alleged, were questionable.

Subsequent Police enquiries resulted in Tom being charged with several offences, the most serious being dangerous driving. Naturally Tom was most concerned and asked if I would attend Court and provide evidence in his favour. I assured him I would certainly do so as I firmly believe that Tom driving skills averted a disaster and possibly saved our lives. An aside, the complainants in the case were from Geelong, perhaps they should have followed that team and not Essendon.

However, we attended Broadmeadows Court to contest the case and after much legal argument and cross examination of witnesses, Tom was cleared of all charges except a couple of minor Logbook infringements. When I was giving evidence, the Prosecutor questioned Tom driving skill and suggested that rather than having confidence in him we were just hoping for the best. I strongly reiterated my belief that Tom driving skills averted a tragedy and saved our lives. The result was greeted with joy by Tom and the Bus Company owner, and I was glad I was able to help out.

Needless to say, the complainants were not as happy with the result.

While I am on Football I should mention the almost constant contact with football experienced at Templestowe Technical School and in the General Community. One of our first students (remember, new school, 80 students, all boys) was Glen Arndt, a couple of brothers attended in later years. Their father, Lance, was a Senior Trainer at Essendon so there was always plenty of discussion about the game.

Other parents over the years were – Colin Hooper who was the Team Runner for Bill Stephen and also Kevin Sheedy, and later Inter – change Steward, Colin is still part of the Club Football Department.

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Also a parent was Bob Syme; Bob was a Former Player and Assistant Couch to Des Tuddenham .Bob (Nick – Name Swampy) also coached at Horsham and Templestowe in The Diamond Valley League. I recall Bob phoning me one evening (his son Gary had mentioned that he would do so) to ask for my vote in the up- coming elections. Another parent was Ray (Slug) Jordan whose son was also named Gary. Ray Jordan was an outstanding Junior (u 18) Coach at several Clubs including

Essendon and very highly respected in footy circles. Another contact was Ken Fraser, Principal of Templestowe High School for several years, and the first Principal of Templestowe Secondary College, which came into being with the amalgamation of the High School with Templestowe Technical School.

The creation of the College took place after I retired so I did not work directly with Ken as Principal but did liaise closely in my role of Careers Officer of Templestowe Technical School. As mentioned previously many joint Careers Education / Work Experience / Community Projects were organised between the two Schools. For the record Ken Fraser was a Star Centre Half Forward (No.23) with Essendon, Premiership Captain in 1965 and represented Victoria on several occasions. Doncaster and Templestowe those days seemed to be the home of League Footballers.

The area was zoned to Fitzroy, but many Collingwood Players lived in the district. A few that come to mind: Colin Tulley, Barry Price, at least one of the Richardson brothers Max or Wayne. Murray Weidemann was another; his son who attended Templestowe H.S. with Lindy was also a good player. Thorold Merrett and Ray Gablich were patrons of Templestowe Hotel. Ray (Gabbo) was a regular and a good bloke, well respected by all and sundry. I can picture him now, his large frame almost completely enveloping an under – sized bar stool and laughing and joking.

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Being in Fitzroy Zone meant that the club had regular contact; and the school benefited from the association with footballs and player visits. A few students went on to play VFL football. One of our first students, Grant Lawrie, played with Fitzroy and Victoria, and later with Box Hill in the VFA. He was a good all-round student and became a successful Electrical Draftsman, I would like to think that my early tuition in Practical Classes and Solid Geometry were instrumental in his success.

Grant was good enough to be Guest Speaker at a School Careers Day that I organised many years later. The Osborne brothers, Richard and Graham also played for Fitzroy. Graham moved to Tasmania and Richard went on to play with Footscray, Collingwood and Sydney.

Other students played with Fitzroy Juniors and one (Ricky Delmarta) with Collingwood U 18 and later won a Best and Fairest in the VAFA. Also, residents of Doncaster were Paul Roos and Gary Pert, both great players; Paul of course is Coach of the Sydney Swans.

Another notable resident of Templestowe at that time was David Parkin, Coach of Carlton Football Club, and often seen shopping in Templestowe Village. Also regularly sighted shopping with his young family at Bulleen Village Shopping Centre was David Cloke. David, his Wife and three young sons, in Pram or Pusher at that time were regulars; must have lived nearby. Not sure if David was playing with Richmond or Collingwood at this stage.

Time does move on, these three young kids all went on to play AFL: all three initially with Collingwood, later two of them transferring to other teams.

When appointed to Templestowe Technical School we rented a house in Rosanna, Halifax Avenue on the Banyule Estate. Our next-door neighbour was Cec Rheinberger and his family. Cec was playing for Fitzroy at the time and later played for Port Melbourne in the VFA.

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Lindy was often called upon to be Baby Sitter to young Brett and thought the world of him; she apparently liked the name also, naming her son Brett many years later.

In the early years the School banked with NAB, Doncaster Branch, which later changed to ANZ Lower Templestowe. The Manager and School Council President was a Member of Hawthorn Football Club. He arranged for Peter Knights (Star Forward) to be Guest Speaker at a Sports Seminar. I had a yarn with him and got his autograph.

Another Guest Speaker I remember was Robert Walls, at that time Coach of Carlton Football Club. He also coached Fitzroy and Brisbane Bears. I remember that Essendon was drawn to play Carlton the next Saturday and discussing the likely outcome. Robert said, “Well one of us will be happy after the game.” It was me as I happily recall.

The recent untimely passing of Ron Evans reminded me of another milestone for the Essendon Football Club. Ron was a legend at Essendon, a Star Forward, Committeeman and Club President; he was also an AFL Commissioner and respected widely for his commitment to the Essendon Football Club, the AFL and football in general. He was a very successful businessman, and again respected by his peers and all with whom he came in contact. The milestone referred to was the decision to Leave Windy Hill for the MCG. That is to say, keep and develop our traditional home as a community asset and training base and play Home Games at the MCG. Emotions were running high amongst members with arguments for and against earnestly debated.

A meeting of Members was called to vote on the proposal, my neighbour, Malcolm and I attended to cast our vote. It was originally intended that the Official Party would sit in the stand and Members would assemble on the oval; it would have been standing room only. However, due to the large attendance the situation was reversed with

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the Official Table on the oval and Members seated in the Reynolds and Hird Stands.

Ron Evans spoke passionately in favour of the move as did Alec Epis (Kookaburra was most impressive). Ken Fraser also spoke in favour. A couple of Committee Members spoke against the move as did Essendon Council Representatives who lacked credibility as it was generally believed that Council could have done more for the Club over a long period. Quite a few members were not in favour of change, but by far a majority realised that to remain viable the Essendon Football Club had to move. I hadn’t sat in the Reynolds stand for a long time and my view of the Terraces was disturbing; they were a sorry sight with grass (weeds) growing and I was reminded of Fitzroy Brunswick Street ground and South Melbourne’s Lake Oval.

This only increased my resolve to vote in favour of the move to the MCG. The move, in 1991 was soon vindicated with success on and off the field. The Bombers later made Telstra Dome their Home Ground. Windy Hill has been successfully developed into a Modern Training Facility and a Community Centre. I would like to pay a visit to Windy Hill, to take in the changes and to reminisce. It would be a nostalgic journey.

Another enjoyable memory is the Chairman Dinner, Round 18, Essendon v Brisbane on Saturday August 3 ,2002, held in the Limelight Room, Docklands Stadium, as it was then known. I attended with Kerryn as guests of a sponsor. The menu and beverages were magnificent and plentiful. It was the first time that I have had a Scotch at half time! As always, I have kept the relevant menu, etc. among my collectibles.

As this was my birthday I just had to relate the experience as part of my Welfare Report in the August Edition of NASHO NEWS. As follows:

“I must relate to Members the celebration of my recent birthday.

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There were 336 guests in the LIMELIGHT ROOM at DOCKLANDS STADIUM—an old acquaintance Tony Charlton was MC. I had met Tony on several occasions at Templestowe RSL. I went on to say: - “Actually my daughter Kerryn and I were guests of a sponsor at the ESSENDON FOOTBALL CLUB Chairman’s Dinner. The Décor and ambience was incredible - BLACK AND RED everywhere. Football Junkies Heaven – only a philistine would fail to be impressed. Our Federal Treasurer was in attendance – I kept myself nice and conversed cordially with him.

The only disappointment was the final result. However, nothing could detract from the great experience, which I just had to share with you all. Next month’s report will be back to the more mundane, till then good health and fortune.”

There were many memorable moments following the Bombers, I am sure there will be many more in the future. A recent Newspaper story in the Sunday Herald Sun, Dec. 14, 2008, reminded me of another Football Identity with whom I had contact on a number of occasions. John Kennedy, Hawthorn F.C. Coach at the time, was also Principal of Swinburne Technical School 1969 or 1970.

This was the first time I met John then a couple of other occasions when he was chairman of the Teachers Tribunal, during a Review of salary and Conditions. One meeting was at either at Treasury Place or Nauru House, not sure which venue. Another time he and a panel visited Templestowe Technical School as part of another survey regarding the changing profile of Technical Teaching.

I was interviewed and required to submit a paper because of my involvement in Careers Education and Work Experience Programs. I always found John Kennedy to be pleasant and courteous person to meet, a gentleman who put you at ease and was interested in your point of view.

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A couple of times since returning to Ballarat I have had the opportunity of speaking to John when he has visited; only a brief Hello but a pleasure to again make his acquaintance.

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ACKNOWLEGEMENTS

My thanks go to my little sister Toots who first set out to try and find a copy of the Ballarat Rowing Club history. She then mentioned it to friend who thought that her neighbour might be able to help.

The neighbour with an interest in rowing history was Kate Elliott.

Kate responded to the call, made contact with me and the rest, as they say is history!

I have had several attempts to put in words my appreciation of her involvement in the project.

We met for the first time just over a year ago in May 2023 and what followed was many visits, usually on a Thursday after work.

What started out as Rowing Club History (post Olympics) as detailed in my Memoirs, became and increasingly weighty Tome covering most of my life.

Your undoubted knowledge and expertise in writing and all things rowing and the fact the fact that we “Hit it off” straight away was made this such an enjoyable experience.

I appreciated our shared interest and values and your leadership in the project and your dedication to the task.

It is a great pleasure to work with someone with so many shared interests, values, and respect, which has developed into a Friendship that is valued.

Many thanks to Kerryn who also joined many of the Thursday meetings and bought cake and co-ordinated meetings.

Many thanks to all my family and friends who contributed in so many ways to my story. There would be no story without you.

Best Regards and thanks,

Ron.

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RANDOM THOUGHTS AND MEMORIES

I have taken the liberty of including this section for Ron and his family to jot down memories and thoughts regarding this memoir and maybe adding other stories that may come to light. While this memoir is extensive there are still additions to be made and other memorabilia added.

This is not the conclusion but the just the beginning and Ron’s story is TO BE CONTINNUED!

KERRYN (daughter)

My father has always been my number 1 mate, he has always been there for me no matter what I have wanted to do or have achieved in my life.

A very supportive, kind man with a sharp wit and extremely smart and always quick with the perfect joke or saying just at the appropriate time.

Dad was always the one in the family that was patient, understanding, compassionate and calm. Always looking for the logic behind everything that was said and done.

I remember him dinking me on his bike to school, this was Magpie St. Primary, then he would ride onto work at John Hollway and Sons. One memory was dad writing a book report for me in about grade 5, the book was “The BlackTulip” and dad/I got a B+ for it! When the decision was made to move to Melbourne as Dad had secured a teaching position at Templestowe Tech which was still being built but had many portables that was being used as classrooms, I asked mum and dad if I could stay in Ballarat and live with nan and pop but the answer was NO. It was worth a try I thought. Dad was funny and he always said that we were moving to Melbourne to expand the gene pool.☹ After moving to Melbourne dad and I and 3 of my girlfriends always went to the footy. Busy Saturday morning getting ready with the mandatory ham and cheese, vegemite and cheese sandwiches etc then the thermoses of coffee and tea. As soon as we walked in the gate dad always use to turn to me and Chris, my girlfriend and say “How many bags of donuts today girls?” “Enough for you too dad.”

Another thing at the footy was if the Bombers were ever loosing I would turn to dad and say “Can we go home now “and he would say “ Just stick it out, they’ll come good.” Well, I still text him now with that same saying and he texts me back either “OK” or “Me too.” These are just a few things that I love, adore, appreciate about dad there are a million other things but I think that you would have the idea by now xx

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TOOTS (little sister Margaret)

So proud of my eldest brother Ron for all of his achievements.

Thank you for gathering all this information on his life, many things I don’t know of as there is 11 yrs between us.

Congratulations Ron on having your book published Fond memories

Little sister Margaret (Toots)

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BROOKE (Granddaughter) Ronald Douglas, or to me its pa.

Pa is a strong, gentle, kind, witty, smart and funny man. Always has the perfect joke at the right time. Always quick to notice, understand and react to things around him. When I first moved to Ballarat in 2007, I was 17 years old. My two main people that took me under their wings were pa and nana. My highlights of my weeks were our Tuesday night dinners at pa and nanas house. Every week there would be a home cooked meal ready when I arrived, conversations about our week and a warm welcome. Pa would without question drive me to and from work or appointments before I got my car license. Along the way he would always have a story about most buildings, shops or people from his many ventures around Ballarat. His generosity was always there. When I became a qualified hairdresser, pa became a regular at the salon, with fortnightly haircuts. 10am Friday mornings becoming one of my favourite times of the week. He has always supported and followed my hairdressing career around Ballarat.

I now continue his haircuts at home. My children Sophie and Lincoln come with me for visits, which they now relate pa for his unlimited amount of chocolate frogs and his high fives. Phrases that will always stay with me and pa now continues with my children, “give us a wink” and “pet”. Pa has accomplished a lot of things in his life so far and I have loved being a part of and hearing about all of it. I love being his granddaughter.

Brooke

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JORDY (Granddaughter)

Pa, you’re a man of wisdom and inspiration. You’ve always encouraged us to be the best version of ourselves and you’ve taught us many life skills over the years. Your intelligence and achievements are incredible, and something to be proud of.

Our beer drinking days, building in the shed days, kicking the football days and enjoying each other’s company whist given history lessons are very fond memories that will be cherished forever.

You’re still kicking goals!

We are so proud of you and blessed to call you Pa / Great-Pa.

Your guiding hand on my shoulder will always remain and lead me and my children through life.

Love you always, your favourite little girl.

Jordy xo

Ian (Son)

Dad

I am forever grateful for being the father you are. During my early years of being bought up to my adulthood you have taught me many skills. Your knowledge, intelligence and achievements are incredible. I am so proud to call you my Dad.

I have great memories of going to the football games with you. You would stand on 4 large VB cans and I would be up on your shoulders so we could get good view from the people in front.

I can remember at times going to the Tempy pub with you at a young age sitting up at the bar having a raspberry and lemonade.

Thanks Dad you’re the best.

Cheers to you from Ian

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Pages

The Life and Times of Ron Douglas: Reminiscences of a Raconteur or The Ravings of a Ratbag

The Life and Times of Ron Douglas AKA Salguod Nor: Reminiscences of a Raconteur or The Ravings of a Ratbag

“Life Experiences”

Douglas Coat of Arms

Dedication

Contents:

Preface

Ron Douglas Family And School

Family Tree - Parents

Paternal Grandparents

Maternal Grandparents

Golden Point Primary School

Ballarat Junior Technical School 1946-1948

Cricket

Family Photographs

Brief History Of The Ballarat Rowing Club

Ron’s Own Words On His Schooling

Rowing - Ballarat Rowing Club 1950-1956

My Sporting Life

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