The Local Paper. Ivanhoe Grammar School Feature. Feb. 8, 2017

Page 12 - The Local Paper - Wednesday, Februray 8, 2017

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Local History: 75 Years Ago

School evacuates to Yea ■ In 1942, at the height of World War II, Ivanhoe Grammar School evacuated to Yea. John Brisbane Harper, author of the school’s history What Matter I, published in 1965, wrote: The recovery from the financial crises of the depression years which the Headmaster was able to report in 1938 gave a welcome promise of the School’s being able to look forward to a period of stability and normal development.

But the expected stability did not last for long.

Before the end of 1939, Hitler had invaded Portland and for the second time in its short career the School had to contend with the difficulties of war time conditions.

While the War was confined to Europe and the Middle East, its effect on the School was not serious.

Enrolments remained at a high level and, apart from the sadness of partings as old boys and staff enlisted in the armed services (by December 1941 over 250 of the School’s past pupils were serving in the three forces) there was no serious dislocation of the School’s activities.

But with the entry of Japan into the War in December 1941 and the rapid southward thrust of its armies the situation soon changed.

As the threat of invasion grew in Australia, it became apparent that wherever possible boarding schools should move away from the cities.

At this time in its history, Ivanhoe Grammar was so dependent financially on its boarders, of whom there were in 1942 some 127, that of they were to leave upon a threat of danger to the city, the School could not have survived.

And then, as the need to find more accommodation for the armed services and the various branches of the war establishment became more pressing, the Government itself began to force the position by compulsorily taking over school buildings.

Negotiations with the Army authorities for the taking over of Ivanhoe Grammar School began early in January 1942 and within a few days the Army had decided to move in and the Headmaster was obliged to make urgent plans to house the School during the period of crisis.

In its negotiations with the Army and subsquent planning of the move Harry Buckley again played an active and important part.

● 75 years ago: Ivanhoe Grammar School students at Beaufort Manor, Yea, about 1942 The main problem concerned the Beaufort House, became the and 1943 - and it was obviously an some miles of easy riding the hopeboarding school. Makeshift accom- School’s headquarters. experience which, in spit of difficul- fuls and probables were sorted out on the steep climb up Cotton’s modation was inevitable and after a A small cottage adjoining it ties, most of the boys enjoyed. survey of the possibilities it was de- served as the Headmaster’s resiThe following contemporary de- Pinch.

“On this hill the school’s finest cided to move the boarding school to dence and sometimes also as a hos- scription gives some idea of the daily athletes were reduced to a walk and the township of Yea in the valley of pital. round. the Goulburn River, some 70 miles Under the Show Grounds grand“Life has been a mixture of class- rank outsiders hit the front.

“From the top of the Pinch down from Melbourne. stand was a roomy bar. This was room work and out-of-door activities.

The day boys, it was arranged, equipped to become a science labo- Cleaning-up rosters, boiler atten- to Yea (about four miles) was a terriwould for the time being move bhack ratory. dance, wood supply and vegetable fying breakneck affair of spills, thrills to St James’s Parish Hall where the The town’s library was used for growing have added to the list of ser- and cheering girls. What more could School itself had begun 27 years be- junior classes. A large vacant shop vices, but the regularity of this work a boy want?

“The prize - a pair of school cufffore. became an assembly hall and a has brought an attitude of seriousThe Army moved wuickly. The house in the town was taken over for ness and increasing sense of respon- links. The winners - well Frank (Mex) Plummer won it one year but School had only a few weeks in members of the staff. sibility. which to pack up and leave.

Several additions had to be made “4pm to 6pm has become a regu- we always reckoned he knew a short All the School furniture for the to the new headquarters to house the lar item on our daily time-table. We cut across the course because noboarders section was shot, by light- school. The most important of these can get things done; perhaps the day- one could remember seeing him hearted soldiers, into railway trucks. were the great dormitory, larger than boys when we meet again will not during the race,” recounted Ian Penny.”

The Headmaster records that the main hall of the Heidelberg Town know us.

They fished, they swam, they “School sport has become part of some of it arrived at Yea undamaged! Hall, since it had to accommodate killed snakes. They caught rabbits At Yea, the townspeople went out 127 boarders, and the Dining Room local sport. Cricket and fotball have traded in them with, to their mind, of their way to arrange the best ac- capable of seating all the boys and both acquired an inter-district pro- and gram and the school standard has high recompense. commodation possible for the boys’ staff.

They went for cross-country runs. teaching and sports.

In all the planning to fit the School been sufficiently high to hold a place They made friends with the farmers in localk adult competition.

The local Agricultural Show into the town, Bill Purcell, an old boy and their They won the re“A young but imporving Beaufort gard of thefamilies.

Ground had on its a cluster of rooms who was a resident of the district, townspeople and on their XVIII came ‘good towards the end for displaying exhibits. was to the fore. last speech night they and their people These were made available to the He had been one of the first to match the weight of their - now from the city were splendidly entertraditional and considerably older School and were quickly converted boarders at the School and as a leadtained at supper in the Council into temporary classrooms for the ing citizen of the Yea district he was rivals of Yea. Chamber by the residents they had “The Cricket Team - runners up lived among for the two years.

Senior boys. able to give the most valuable aid in The Yea Recreation Reserve was settling the School into its new quar- last year is again playing in the DisOf the regard in which the Headtrict Cricket competition, for the Yea master himself was held, the followturned over to the School for its sport- ters. ing needs.

The boarding school remained at Shield.” ing letter from the Trustees of the Yea lies in a lovely district of Yea Recreation Reserve gives some The town’s largest residence, Yea for two years of the war - 1942 Victoria and all told it held many indication charms for the boys.

Yea. 11th December, 1943 On their bicycles they explored “Dear Mr Buckley. the country side for 20 miles around “While expressing our sincere with great thoroughness. regret that you are leaving us, we Life in Yea was centred on the wish to say that we feel better for bike. Everyone had one and when it having known you, for in the past was worn out or broken down, the two years that we have been associremains were pooled with a friend ated with you, we have realised the to make one bike out of two. high principles that govern your life “The main work and past-time of in your honourable dealings with the senior boys was to go out riding your fellow citizens. with the local lasses, usually with a “The unfailing courtesy you have view to being invited to a meal after- extended to us, both as a Board of wards.

Trustees and individuals, has been “But the great event of the Yea deeply appreciated and we wish to year was the Bike Race. Nearly ev- say ‘Thank you, Mr Buckley’.

“In wishing both Mrs Buckley ery boy took part on a handicap basis. The week prior was one of the and yourself every good though tfor busy overhaul, oiling, replacement the coming Christmas and in hoping that the blessing of peace will and planning.

“Jackie Farrance arranged the soon be restored to us, we will wish handicaps (also hotly debated) and you both ‘God Speed’, and remain, groups of boys left the starter’s line yours very sincerely, Secretary, Yea Recreation at one minute interverals.

Reserve Trustees” “The route led out through bush ● 75 years ago: Ivanhoe Grammar School students at Beaufort Manor, Yea, about 1942 ● Turn To Page 13 roads near Murrindindi and after

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The Local Paper - Wednesday, February 8, 2017 - Page 13

Local History: 75 Years Ago ● From Page 12 The Army authorities occupied the (Ivanhoe) School premises for two years. During the first three months various troops used it for short periods.

Then the nucelus of the Second Australian Army was gathered together for a short time at the school.

Its Commander, Lieut.-General Ivan Mackay, was quartered, with the first members of his staff in the Headmaster’s House.

Soon, however, as its members grew, it was transferred to the Balcombe Camp at Mt Martha.

After that, the School and its grounds were occupied from time to time by various military units.

The longest and the last occupants were the Women’s Signalling School. During their occupancy the North Ground ceased to be a football field and became a collection of women’s dormitories.

They stayed until the end of 1943 when the Prime Minister announced that as the dangers appeared to be passed, the schools which had been evacuated should be allowed to return to their properties.

Some earlier notice of the Government’s intention in this regard had been given to the Headmaster and plans had been put in hand to close the temporary school at Yea and move back home.

A closing sale was held at Yea and the dormitory and other temporary buildings were sold at auction.

But, although a large number of people attended the sale, the difficulty of obtaining skilled labour for dismantling and re-erecting the building prevented any keen bidding.

As a result, buildings which had been erected at a time of crisis at a cost of over £4000 brought less than a quarter of that sum when sold.

The task of moving the School back to Ivanhoe was a considerable one and so was that of re-establishing it in its old home.

Much furniture and equipment had, in the course of the two moves, became damaged beyond repair.

The rest needed reconditioning.

The whole of the interior of the School buildings at Ivanhoe had to be repainted, and fences and paths had to be restored and Army huts removed.

Altogther, this cost about £2000 of which the Army met the greater part. In all this the Headmaster was greatly helped by one of the best of friends of the School - Alec Terdich.

By the beginning of the first term of 1944, the School was able to reopen at its own property.

And although much remained to be done and the old fatigues, which had been such a conspicuous part of the school boys’ lives in the early years of Ivanhoe House, had to be resumed on their former scale, it was again possible to look forward to a period of consolidation and re-building.

early days at Yea was the swimmining ‘hole’ in the Yea River.

Some of the local lads told us of an excellent spot a little way out of the Tallarook road.

The water was cool, the mud underneath soft, and a great day was had by all.

However the next day we were told that this particular spot was a dumping area for local night soil.

We never did fund out if this was true, but we certainly did not swim there again. The moral: “City Slickers Beware”.

Spider Coles had an uncle on a Soldier Settlement Farm at Killingworth. Through him I met Mona Clark, whose husband was a P.O.W. She and the Bett family were very kind to a lonely City lad.

Early Days

● Ivanhoe Grammar’s ‘Big Dormitory’ at Beaufort House, Yea, 1942.

The Council of the School, on my recommendation, has decieded to move the School for 1942 to the township of Yea. This decision has been arrived at after very careful thought because it is felt that the administration of the School can only be carried out satisfactorily if its location for the year could be settled now.

The provision of complete accommodation for its various activities is a big task, and one, we believe, which could not be effected if a move had to be made later, owing to danger becoming imminent in the city.

We have secured the lease of a large house as boarding headquarters and are immediately beginning constriction of a dining hall adjacent to it. There is a splendid provision in ● Press clipping, Yea local newspaper, 75 years ago this house for Matron’s and Nurse’s quarters, a sick room and a smaller boys’ dormitory and dining room. oratory. Our furniture is being are in the danger area. Fees will be The main dormitory we shall erect. moved up to Yea now, and we shall the same as would have been There is a resident doctor in the be ready for the boarders to return charged had the school remained at to us on the normal day, Monday, 9th Ivanhoe. township.

It is imperative, so that we may We shall have sole use of a sports February.

The train leaves Melbourne daily know what further temporary buildground, with grandstand, as good as our own, and there is in the grounds at 7.10am, arriving at Yea at 10.15am. ings, class rooms, etc., to erect that a large building which we shall adapt Parents accompanying boys can re- the enclosed renewed applicationm as a gymnasium and sports dressing turn to the city the same evening. By for your boys should be sent to us room. We have the use of four tennis the Whittlesea road, the distance by forthwith.

We cannot guarantee accommocourts, and there is good provision car to Yea is 60 miles.

If any crisis should eventuate in dation for anyone not definitely enfor swimming.

We are leasing some class rooms, Melbourne before February 9th, we rolled by Monday next, December and building others, and have se- should be ready to accommodate 29th.

My main recollection of the very cured the use of a local science lab- immediately boarders whose homes

The Beginning

By Bill Crombie ■ Speech Night, December 1941 at the Heidelberg Town Hall. The School Play, I think, The Pied Piper of Hamlyn, with Harry Hawke as the paper.

The Headmaster’s address - and a statement that the Boarding House was to be evacuated to a town called Yea. That was my beginning.

Ivanhoe Grammar School Ivanhoe, N.21 23rd December 1941 MEMO FROM THE HEADMASTER TO PARENTS OF BOARDERS

● Ivanhoe Grammar School at Beaufort House, Yea, 1942.

By Geoff Howsam ■ I was sent to the Yea brach of Ivanhoe Grammar School in 1942 in the company of Geoffrey Mason, as we lived in Wonthaggi.

I am unsure as to why I was sent to Ivanhoe Grammar School, for my father attended Geelong College and my brother Scotch College.

Perhaps my father had an ecumenical spirit ahead of his times, or more likely felt that Yea was sufficiently isolated in those vulnerable times as to be safe from disaster.

I do not remember going to Melbourne to obtain the uniforms, etc. from The Mutual Store, though I suppose that I did because they seemed to fit.

I do remember my excitement at putting on the brown cap, the coat with the emblem on the pocket and, of course, the boots - lace up and black.

I do not remember the first journey to Yea, though I suppose that my mother would have taken me to Melbourne the previous day in order to join the train to Tallarook.

Times must have been constrained for my memory of the first term 1942 is of the comment caused by my dressing gown, a most important part of a boarder’s accroutrement.

It was glorious in technicolour, vertical stripes of red, yellow and blue, the colours of Scotch College.

I have no memories of persecution for such a solecism and I feel that people were tolerant then; we had to be.

Highlights

By Barry Johnson ■ A comment that the passage of time may have coloured the memories of the Yea years helped me to send these recollections: ■ Of someone having to climb the tower in winter to break the ice on top of the 44-gallon drumk that provided the water pressure for the compulsory shower.

■ Learning to stand behind the cold shower, splashing madly without getting a drop on our bodies.

■ Learning to enter and leave a well ticked in bed so it would pass inspection each morning but only had to be remade when new linen was issued.

■ Learning to remove and put on singlet, shirt and pullover in one “skin”.

■ These last two skills allowed a few extra minutes in bed each morning and to my wife’s amazement or amusement, I’m not sure which, have stayed with me to this day.

■ How was it possible to leave so many lumps in porridge?

■ Were the powdered eggs supposed to scrambled or egg custard? ● Turn To Page 22

Page 14 - The Local Paper - Wednesday, February 8, 2017

Local History: 75 Years Ago ● From Page 13 ■ As a special treat in those days of food rationing - being served locally acquired hard boiled eggs - the occasional fully formed chick made them much more interesting.

■ Serving a 14-slice loaf of bread on a table to 12 hungry boys taught me how to eat very quickly and develop a long fast reach for ‘seconds’.

Of bikes: ■ Riding to the classrooms at the showgrounds, socks for mittens, ice covered puddles cracking instead of splashing.

■ In summer riding straight off the cliff into the swimming hole at the bend in the Yea River.

■ The long ride to jump off the bridge into the Goulburn - you were much hotter when you got back to Beaufort than you were out when you set out.

■ Learning that jamming a foot on the tyre against the back forks was far more effective than any brake system ever invented.

■ Learning to rear up and ride on the rear wheel.

■ Of competitions to see who could carry the most people on one bike (at least eight people, I remember).

■ Riding over the cattle grids on the railway line - some no-hands, some dinking.

■ Cotton’s Pinch was a similar challenge to a bike rider as Pretty Sally was to an early model car.

■ How I envied those who had horses instead of bikes.

■ The ‘Yanks’ on leave who would give us chewy, badges, coins, but insisted on autographing cigarettes so they were full of holes and hard to smoke.

■ Of being allowed to keep ferrets mine became pets and travelled doiwn my jumper with their heads poking out.

■ The rumpus and anguish when escaped ferrets fought a broom wielding Mrs Samson for access to her fowl pen.

■ Thinking I’d get rich when the fish and chip shop man agreed to pay me 1/6d per pair for cleaned rabbits.

■ Once “on fatigue” having to sweep out the dressing room. Doing it thoroughly p;aid off in loose change swept from under the lockers - nearly 4/- in the days of 2/- per week pocket money.

■ Older (and/or braver) boys going ‘floodhunting’ for rabbits and/or snakes - and leaving snake rails protruding out of ventilators, or from under the kneeling cushions at the church or similat well thought out locations.

Funnily enough I have no recollections of ever doing any school work with the one exception, of reading comics or playing noughts and crosses once Mr Samson dozed off while taking prep at the library.

And how one night a train blasted its whistle right alongside the room and he jerked awake with “What boy made that noise?”

From Ivanhoe to Yea From The Ivanarian, 1942 ■ Among the many weird and wonderful things War has been as important as the fact that in the surge of this War’s progress, half Ivanhoe Grammar School has been carried about 72 miles inland from Melbourne to a little country town called Yea - blistering hot in Summer and chill-blaining cold in Winter.

And what of the Spring? Last of the seasons we are witnessing it is certainly not the least.

Now that I have finished discussing the weather, truly a safe topic for

● The Rev. Sydney Buckley, Headmaster, who brought Ivanhoe Grammar School to Yea any essayist, I will recall an amaz- fields and hills, dotted with sheep and theoiries have been put forward by frisking lambs; while in near pools, others! ing record.

About the middle of second term Early in January I visited Ivanhoe still full with early spring rains, there and saw a school in a process of dis- is a background noise of croaking we were pleased to see a stranger ruption, while tons of equipment frogs, interrupted occasionally by the among us. On closer examination, the aforesaid proved to be were being packed and sent to Yea. distant bellow of a cow.

Mentioning cows remind me of ‘Buffhead’ Kent minus the treasured In something like two months Ivanhoe Grammar School had what good milk we are supplied with curls. Never mind ‘Buff’ they’ll shifted its headquarters and was al- here; on the whole I think the food is grown again.

1942 has been a good year for us most ready to carry on as usual, and better at Yea than at Ivanhoe, and at the same time accommodate and there is hardly anyone here who has all, and it is with some regret that cater for twice the number of board- not put on an unusual amount of many of us have to say ‘goodbye’ to our educational career. weight (fatigues notwithstanding). ers at Ivanhoe.

When the used crowd of boys When we first came to Yea most of us wondered what on earth we leaves the school at the end of this were going to do in our spare time in year, they will be able to keep in their such a sleepy old town. We moped memories a time no other I.G.S. boy around for the first few week-ends, has experienced; a time when the From The IGS Spectator, 1950 waiting for the problem to solve it- school prepared itself against possible attack by a deadly enemy, and the ■ Bombs - Pearl Harbour and Yea! self.

Then, one fine Saturday evening, host of strange and novel happenings How is it possible that such a small a handful of dust-streaked explorers this preparation brought in its train. country town could be affected by Let us hope this time will come the happenings in such a remote but arrived back at school, with mysterious grins on sunburnt faces, and when our sons, perhaps, will hear how important defensive stronghold?

Almost as quickly as the bombs murmurs of “What a beaut day we their fathers helped to make history in the annals of the Ivanhoe Gram- had descended on Pearl Harbour so had.” did the boys of Ivanhoe Grammar Eventually the secret leaked out mar School.

School take up residence in Yea. - they had taken their lunches and To many of them the life was not spent the day exploring some fornew, but to others, myself included, gotten gold mines out of Yea. Next morning an excited queue ■ Our old school is now in military it was a complete change for I had waited to fill in the leave book and hands. Khaki is now within the bounds never been a boarder before nor had of Sherwood and Locksley, instead I lived in the country. have their lunches cut.

Somehow the experience seemed The spell of idle hours had been of the blue shirts to which it has been exciting and really I had been countbroken! Now on week-ends there is accustomed for so many years.

Our north ground (as many of us ing the days before our late starting hardly a road round Yea which does not bear a party of I.G.S. boys - on have seen) is now covered with three date in February, 1942. inches of solid concerete, the lawns The school had taken over a large pleasure bent.

Under strange circumstances and around Sherwood contain trenches. residence - quite the largest in Yea In fact, the whole place has been and surrounded with spacious in stranger surroundings, we all took a while to settle down to school work, through a reformation, and has grounds, called Beaufort House.

In the spacious gardens were built and before we knew where we were emerged armed with a sword in place a huge “L”-shaped dormitory (quite First Term Exams had pounced of the book.

Although we miss the old place, as large in floor space as the Upper upon us - these fortunately had the psychological effect of a “kick in the Yea is treating us well, and I think the Heidelberg Town Hall) and a dining pants”, which sent us whirling into few things we miss from our city life room one-third of that size.

In the rush to get the dormitory Second Term with initiative for some are balanced one way or another by hard work, with the result that we the advantages we have found this built there was not enough time to connect the showers and as a result were better prepared for the end-of- locality to possess.

We are exceedingly glad to see our lack of baths in the first week term exams.

We did remarkably well in sport, the last of our ‘fatigues’ at Sherwood. was compensated by frequent visits especially in football ,where the We older fellows were looking ahead to the Yea River.

The school was divided into three members from each branch of the to a fatigueless, comfortable final school showed extraordinary co-op- year at Yea, the poor privates having sections. And old house opposite eration in the team, and in every now all the Saturday morning fa- Beaufort (appropriately called the match gave our rivals a hard game. tigues we used to do so thoroughly! flats) was used for a short period as However, all hopes were dashed classrooms for the seniors until the We finished the season in equal fourth position, with Caulfield when the task of a huge vegetable regular ones were completed. garden was thrust upon us.

Junior House used the rooms in Grammar, The task was completed, and the the public library and the Seniors’ When discussing athletics, we naturally think of light apparel, green vegetables sprouting, when another permanent rooms were the tea roms running tracks, and clear warm days was proposed. It was decided to in the Yea Recreation Reserve.

Our chemistry and physics labo- or in other words, Spring weather. make this one in the centre of an exThis is the most beautiful Spring ceptionally fine crop of Scotch ratory was contained in the bar of the grandstand not far from the tea I have ever seen - so contrary to the Thistles!

More fatigues were organised, and rooms at the opposite end of the footimpression some people have in other countries of Australia as a wild the garden took shape as we worked ball ground.

The first thing we had to do was young continent on which the desert like serfs! It was fun to see a ‘super’ struggles with luxuriant bush for su- crop of stinging nettles spring up af- to divide the school into three houses ter F.J. had planted and carefully for sporting and other activities. premacy.

Three names of areas surroundWhen walking out of Yea, on any watered his prize parsnips.

He has been unable to explain the ing Yea were chosen - Killingworth, of the many roads for it, the effect is that of stepping into a picture: green phenomenon yet, although several Goulburn and Murrindindi.

The I.G.S. Story, Yea

Reflections

John McLeish, who happened to live in Killingworth, was captain of that house. John played football was Essendon last season, but returned to Yea where he coached the team to the premiership.

Sandy North (brother of Peter) was captain of Goulburn and Ron James, now an accountant with his father’s firm, captained Murrindindi.

Fatigues - these were days for real fatigues - the first football match against the locals, the swimming sports at Alexandra, the midnight journeys in the traiun to play football on the Saturday.

The great bike races, the ferrets (which incidentally were responsible for the death of more local chooks than rabbits) - all these things and many other of interest in the next instalment.

The Second Instalment There is always some delay in getting a place of this nature into swing and as I think back now, I wonder almost in amazement how a school could be set going as quickly as we were able to settle into Yea. Certainly we did not have the conveniences of Sherwood, but in a short space of 10 weeks a small community had sprung up.

A task of this nature could only have been accomplished by people with determination to succeed and an abundance of enthusiastic energy.

Work, I believe, went on until midnight or longer on many a day and the result of this, of course, was that many suffered from overwork.

Among those whom we have to thank for the Yea venture were Mr Buckley (our headmaster at the time), Mr Jepson, now housemaster at Longeronong Agricultural College, and a lady of whom we are all very fond - Matron Beasey.

There were many others, too numerous to mention, but I dare say that the boys themselves played a big part too.

Fatigues were the order of the day. Furniture was shifted from one place to another until it found its permanent resting place.

Firewod was about the district in plenty, but labour was scarce and the boys then had the job of collecting it.

Two badminton courts were built and as workmen were not plentiful, the boys built those for themselves.

The dormitory and dining room has to be swept and cleaned each day and this too fell on the shoulders on the boys.

Dozens of other tasks too numerous to mention were carried out and became part of the daily routine. The boys certainly played their part - it was good to be among them.

About a month after our arrival we had our house swimming sports.

Trails were held in the Yea River and the sports themselves were held about 20 miles away at Alexandra where there was a 25 metre pool.

Murrindindi were successful and some very fine swimming was recorded by John Marsh, now a bank employee somewhere in Tasmania.

Second term brought with it many interesting features. First in importance was the first of many football matches against the locals. There were a sturdy team, much older than we schoolboys were.

The match was played on a Saturday afternoon and I’m sure the whole town turned out.

Most of us had an added incentive to play well because on the following Friday nine boys were to be chosen to come to the city to join forces with the Ivanhoe branch in our inter-school matches. ● To Be Continued