Forward December 2014 | Page 50

OLD GUILDFORDIANS News In year order Barry Ninham (St 1945-1952) was awarded an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) for distinguished service to physical sciences through landmark theoretical and practical advances in colloids and surfaces, and as an academic, educator and mentor. Michael Steele (St/He 1946-1953) travelled from the United Kingdom to Perth in October 2014. While he was in Perth, he and Alexander ‘Jim’ Magnus (SG 1944-1954) visited the School for a nostalgic tour of the grounds and a visit to the archives, followed by morning tea and some time spent in the museum. Gilbert “Gil” James (SG 1954-1955) sadly died on 21 July 2013. Gil had the privilege of only spending two years at Guildford, but he always maintained that his education gave him a solid grounding for his future. He gave many hours of voluntary work, both in sport and business, to the Hyden and Karlgarin communities, and he could draw on the confidence learnt at the School. Farming was his life and he, as a pioneer, built up a legacy of which his wife, Ann, and family are proud to continue into the future. Gil went to Guildford along with his brothers Francis ‘Frank’ James (SG 19531955), Barry James (Sc 1958-1959), Lindsay James (SG 1966-1968) and Murray James (SG 1968-1970). His son Christopher James (Raynor) (SG 1987-1990) also attend the School. Gil’s nephews Stephen James (SG 1980-1984) and Jeremy James (SG 1984-1987) have decided to educate their sons at Guildford and continue the family tradition started by Gil’s father Stephano James (Boarder 1917-1918). While Gil was satisfied to know the family tradition has been continued, he was also very proud of his grandsons receiving an education at Wesley. Old Guildfordian Memorabilia Alan ‘Jughead’ Rossiter (Sc 1960-1963) recalls a time in 1961 when he had a nosebleed outside the School House recreation room. There was a toilet nearby so Alan went inside to use one of the hand washing basins to try and stop the bleeding. He was not having much success, but then Francis ‘Paul’ Magnus (St/Sc 57-62) walked in. Paul asked Alan if he was okay and as Alan looked up from the wash basin to respond, he saw a look of real compassion on Paul’s face. Paul then handed Alan a freshly laundered handkerchief (probably with “P.M.” embroidered on it) and instructed Alan in the best way to staunch the flow. Then Paul, as he left, asked Alan to drop the handkerchief in the laundry basket, which Alan duly did. The whole event lasted minutes, and although it took place 53 years ago, and Paul will have likely forgotten it, that one kind act has stayed in Alan’s mind ever since. Years later, when Alan saw Paul on television as ‘Doctor Magnus’, it seemed a natural progression for Paul. For coming to his aid all those years ago, Alan says, “thank you Paul Magnus”! Some other outstanding people come to mind that Alan says he had the pleasure of knowing Reverend William ‘Harry’ Hyde (Staff 1954-1962), the circumstances of whose tragic passing still reminds Alan of the man he was – a Christian. The second on the list of gentlemen masters is Mr Lindsay Hillbrick (Staff 19621966), who never gave up on Alan as far as academic studies were concerned. Likewise Mr Richard Honter (Staff 1957-1973) who offered Alan many words of encouragement. If those men weren’t enough to show Alan how decent people can be, he has many tender memories of Mr Ronald Flett (Staff 1960-1961), one of his housemasters, who still remains in his memory as one of the most caring men he has ever known, at Guildford and beyond. In closing, Alan wishes to pass on his fond regards to some of his mates, they are Arnold ‘Stick’ Green (Sc 1955-1963), Alan ‘Frog’ Riley (Sc/Wb 1961-1965), Angus Richardson (Sc 1960-1962), Andrew ‘Andy’ Waylen (St/Wb 1962-1964) and Raymond ‘Ray’ Shenton (Sc 1959-1962). He sends his apologies to any that he has missed naming. Alan couldn’t make the 50 Plus Reunion Day, but he hopes everyone had a happy reunion. George Cheng Yeoh (Ha 1961-1964) has been selected as the 2014 Old Guildfordian of the Year. See the article on George in this publication. Robin Long (SG 62-67) having spent most of his life since leaving the School working in banking, finance and commerce in Perth, Melbourne, Sydney and Asia, he has now retired to a 5 acre property in Bridgetown where he was born. Geoffrey Davis (Ha 1962-1968), at the Annual General meeting on 15 October 2014, was elected as an Honorary Life Member of The Old Guildfordians Association for his exceptional service to the Association and the School. See the article on Geoff in this publication. Carl Vine (Wb 1967-1971) was awarded an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) for distinguished service to the performing arts as a composer, conductor, academic and artistic director, and to the support and mentoring of emerging performers. Edward ‘Michael’ Doncaster (Ha 19711977) is a Lieutenant Commander in the Royal Australian Navy. He assumed his current appointment, as Executive Officer of the Darwin shore establishment HMAS Coonawarra, on 8 July 2013. After service of more than 30 years in Navy, Michael was honoured in the 2010 Queen’s Birthday List and awarded a Conspicuous Service Medal (CSM). Ashley ‘Graham’ Castledine (St 1977-1981) is a lawyer, mediator and principal in his own firm called “Castledine Gregory, Law and Mediation”. He is married with 2 children. Old Guildfordian memorabilia can be now be purchased online. To view all the items available go to www.oldguildfordians.com.au/#h_Memorabilia otherwise you can contact David Williams on [email protected] or (+61 8) 9377 8522. Postage and packaging fees are applicable for all mail orders. (items marked * available to members only) $25 hardcover $20 softcover $