Adventures outside RGS gates

Henry Norman Armstrong (RGS 1924) followed education pursuits to the Torres Strait Islands after leaving school

Researching the School’s past student records for family enquiries can lead to some fascinating stories.

Simply finding a record of a name and date of enrolment can lead to a treasure of photographic memories and fascinating stories from family members, both from that past student’s school days and their life beyond the gates of The Rockhampton Grammar School.

Henry “Norm” Norman Armstrong

is one such past student.

A boarder from “Targinnie” Station, near Yarwun, Norm arrived at RGS on 19 July 1920 and finished school in December 1924.

Norm’s family had long connections to the Rockhampton region. His father, Henry Armstrong was head stockman on the station which was owned then by the Archer brothers from Gracemere. His grandfather, James Armstrong arrived in Rockhampton in 1864 on the “Bayswater” and worked for the Archer family for 44 years. He ran their dairy farm, “Matcham Farm”, for 28 years out of his 44 years service.

At School, Norm performed strongly both academically and in sport.

A School Prefect, Norm was also on the School Magazine committee and was captain of the Football Committee. In the sporting arena he was the stroke in rowing, captained the football team, was in cadets and the Rockhampton Miniature Rifle Club.

In 1923 Norm Armstrong was presented with the “Kingel Memorial Prize”. An article from The Morning Bulletin Friday 14 December 1923 explains the awards: “1923 will be remembered as the year in which two permanent prizes were established; one by Mrs Kingel as a memorial of her son Eric who gave his live in the Great War at Messines, France 1916 and the other by Old Boys, contemporary with John Denis Fryer, who died at Springsure early in this year as a result of gas poisoning during his war service the Fryer Prize.”

Norm was a member of the 42nd Battalion “11th Mixed Brigade” from 1924, as a Cadet, and then resigned in 1929 as a Lieutenant. Competing in the Rockhampton Miniature Rifle Club, his men’s team won the championship in 1927, his future wife won the ladies championship in 1929 and 1930.

Life after Rockhampton would lead Norm to the Torres Strait Islands.

He went to Saibai Island to work at the end of 1928, where he was the only white person on the island at the time, where Norm was an administrator/ teacher for the “Department of Native Affairs”.

During the Christmas break he would return to Rockhampton and catch up with friends and family. In July 1930 he moved from Saibai Island to Mua Island and worked at an old settlement called Poid (no longer there). He was again in charge of the school and administration.

He married Edna Dunning, from a Yarwun and Rockhampton family, on Thursday Island in September 1930. The family grew with three children being born in the Torres Straits. In 1936 the family moved to Brisbane.

Norm submitted an article to the RGS Capricornus Yearbook in 1929 outlining his experiences in the Torres Strait.

For years after attending The Rockhampton Grammar School he was still involved with the “Old Grammarians” when his family visited Rockhampton, he would attend luncheons held at Kirby’s Café. Henry “Norm” Norman Armstrong passed away on 26 June 1957 leaving behind a family of two boys and two girls.

Thank you to Michelle Wheeler, one of “Norm’s” granddaughters’, for providing this historical background on Henry Norman Armstrong.

Claire Mactaggart (nee Wyland, RGS 1992) talks about her passion for the land and the opportunities it has provided.

“I never take for granted where we live.” That outlook on life continues to take Claire Mactaggart (nee Wyland, RGS 1992) towards new opportunities, her most recent being on the Board of Directors for Beef Australia 2021 (2 – 8 May). Claire and her husband Andrew oversee beef properties in Central Queensland, along with their four daughters. Claire also continues on a 14-year journey as the Queensland contributing writer for Country Style magazine. “You always make time for the things you love,’’ she said. Claire was one of five children growing up at “Mona Vale”, north of Yaamba. “I was a hands-on child. I grew up mustering, helping with any jobs on the property,’’ Claire adds. She now calls “Balcomba” home, a cattle property 43km north of Duaringa which Andrew oversees along with their other breeding and backgrounding properties, “Angle Creek” which is north of “Balcomba” and “Wirranda”, over two-hours south of the family home. The RGS connections are also close at hand. Past student Alistair Corr (RGS 1995) manages “Wirranda” while Emmeline Elder (RGS 2014) is a governess to Andrew and Claire’s youngest daughters, Sarah and Grace, who learn via distance education. From her rural location, 150kms west of Rockhampton, Claire is able to contribute to the editorial team at Country Style, as well as other publications. “It’s important to me to share with people all the great things about living in the country. I feel so lucky to have this off-farm job where I meet people from all over Australia. It’s about celebrating the diversity of regional life.” Being part of Beef Australia is a chance for Claire to learn new skills and contribute to showcasing the wider beef industry. “Everyone at Beef Australia has been very supportive and I am enjoying the process of working together in the lead-up to the ’21 event. It’s a big collaboration, made possible by the time and dedication of all those involved.” Beef Australia events are always massive to organise, let alone having to deal with worldwide COVID-19

challenges. Claire said despite the challenges they are “proceeding with confidence”. “The event is on track. As always, there’s a lot of good will and a big desire to make it a success. A lot of people come together and feel ownership of being a part of the Beef Australia celebration.” Claire has attended the events since its inception in 1988 and in 2018 joined the Property Tours committee, headed by another RGS past student Scott McCartney (RGS 1979). “They are a popular part of the Beef Australia programme and sell out quite quickly. I gained an insight at 2018 how that all worked,’’ said Claire, who is still involved in the 2021 property tours, working alongside various committee members including Rockhampton Regional Council Tourism Co-ordinator Zac Garven (RGS 2001). “People generously host the property tours, allowing others to visit and ask questions about their business, land and management. It’s a great way to learn from others and experience another production system.”

“Even if you’re not directly associated with the beef industry you can come along to the event in Rockhampton, learn about the industry and make a connection with the people who help grow our food. We want the local community to be involved and for people to come to Rockhampton and have a great experience.” Being a part of Beef Australia has also allowed Claire, who studied Agribusiness at the University of Queensland’s Gatton campus, then later post graduate studies in business administration, to continue her learning journey of life on the land. “I’ve learnt so much being a part of this family beef business. We have a great team and are using regenerative grazing principles to improve our land and beef enterprise,’’ Claire said. “I never take for granted where we live. Every time when I’m out in the paddock I think wow this is our home. Everything about it is beautiful. You can see change and be part of it, which is really wonderful.”