Classes of 1963 called on to celebrate 60-year milestone

STUDENTS and staff of Leongatha High School, now Leongatha Secondary College, who were at the school in 1963 are being called on to be part of the 60-year reunion event on October 7 at Leongatha RSL.

Former Meeniyan resident Barry Davies finished at the school that year, with the now house painter completing Form 3, or Year 9 for the younger brigade.

“I enjoyed geography,” he said of a subject in which he performed strongly, adding that despite going on to become a tradesman he discovered at school that carpentry wasn’t his calling.
Barry chuckled that he was roped into organising the 60-year reunion after enquiring whether someone was doing so.

It will be the first Leongatha High School reunion he has attended, although he has kept in touch with school friends, particularly those he played footy with at Meeniyan-Dumbalk United.

Barry contrasted his pen and paper-based school days with today’s computer-based learning.

He also remembered the different approach to discipline 60 years ago.

“You do the wrong thing and you’re off to the headmaster for the strap,” he said.

He also spoke of the physically active nature of students when he was at Leongatha High School.

“Everyone was into sport in those days,” Barry said.

While unsure how many people will attend the reunion he is encouraged by an enthusiastic response, saying he knows of one guy coming from Western Australia for the gathering.

Barry said it will be an opportunity for some to catch up with old girlfriends or boyfriends.

It’s sure to be a great day with entertaining banter and amusing tales.

1963 happenings at Leongatha High School:

Looking back 60 years reveals construction delays are nothing new.  

“A year ago, there seemed a reasonable possibility that our Assembly Hall would be completed by the end of 1963; now we know that it will not even be started,” Headmaster … Hurley wrote.

On the positive side, plans for the Mesley Memorial Assembly Hall had been completed and tenders called for, with the architect the son-in-law of the school’s first Headmaster Mr Arthur Mesley.

Just 18 years after the conclusion of WWII, Leongatha High School bid a fond farewell to its first Japanese student Takayuki Uno, sponsored by Leongatha Rotary Club, who was described as likeable and popular, being wished every success.