Alumni from the archives

Douglas McKirdy (Class of 1959)

Did you know that CBC Fremantle had a Junior School? Located on Tuckfield Street overlooking the river, the campus housed Years 5 to 8, with students transferring to Ellen Street to finish their senior years at the College.

The site was purchased in 1981 when Our Lady of the Missions High School for girls closed its doors due to low enrolments and CBC Old Boy Mr Doug McKirdy was appointed Deputy Principal of the Junior School to ensure a smooth introduction for the initiative.

The Music programme owes a lot to Mr McKirdy’s enthusiasm for liberating education, but first there was the matter of the cohort of Year 12 students from the recently closed school who were welcomed into the CBC Leavers’ class to finish their high school studies. Eighteen girls graduated from CBC in 1982, joining the ranks of the Old Boys and remaining stalwart supporters of our Alumni Association to this day.

After negotiating this unique arrangement, Mr McKirdy then dusted off his hands to address the limitations of the Tuckfield Street site. The campus consisted of a two-story federation building that had originally been a girls’ boarding school, along with two large classroom blocks, built in 1969 and 1975. There was limited space for the young boys to burn off their excess energy, so Mr McKirdy struck a deal to lease the oval next door for the sum of one shilling a year. In return, the College fenced and reticulated the adopted playground to provide security and comfort for the students.

But it was the Music programme initiatives that is the legacy of the enterprising Deputy Principal. Although there were no funds for a Music teacher, Mr McKirdy consulted with parents who were willing to pay a small fee, resulting in the appointment of Mr Uwe Stengel. The highly respected WA jazz musician commenced at the Junior campus in 1982 and taught many talented CBC boys, including international trumpeter, composer and vocalist, Adam Hall, and current Head of the Arts and saxophone maestro, Shane Mancuso.

With limited funds, in 1985 Mr McKirdy approached Eileen Bond for financial assistance. With the promise that the CBC musicians would perform outside

Mr McKirdy is third from the left in the front row.

St Patrick’s Basilica for her daughter’s wedding, the band was issued with new jumpers and music stands. Their performance of New York, New York at Perth’s social event of the year was televised, sealing their growing reputation as a school jazz ensemble to be reckoned with. Mr Stengel’s talent as a teacher and conductor continue to live on in the College’s current Music department. The enterprising duo of Stengel and McKirdy went on to introduce many Music programme initiatives that remain with the College today, including the annual camp, opportunities to travel and performances at respected venues.

In 1986 Mr McKirdy went on to become Principal at Our Lady of Assumption in Dianella. As a result of his initial direction, the Tuckfield Street Junior School continued to thrive for 11 years.

In 1997, the Junior Campus was closed and the land was sold to contribute to building the Bob Rose’Meyer Gymnasium at the main campus on Ellen Street. Consolidating CBC into a high school was a strategic move to improve financial stability during a rocky period of the College’s history, with low enrolments a feature with all local schools as the demographic of Fremantle subtly shifted.

After a long and diverse career following his time in education, Doug McKirdy is reitred and lives in Brentwood.

With thanks to Mrs Fay Peterson, secretary at Tuckfield Street campus.