Meeting 14 May 2002
There is a hint that a drought is on the way. As weeks go by, New England (NSW) grazier's faces are wearing progressively more sombre expressions as they write up their rain-gauge logs and observe their grass now turning brown. Cattle prices are dropping as surplus stock from further inland are unloaded onto the market. However, when we met on Tuesday 14 May our thoughts were on happier things for we were joined by three recent OPs who are travelling and working in Sydney. Fortuitously, they found out about us from relatives. They are Ben Humphrey 1981 - 1995, Jessica Stodart 1989 - 1995 and John Forsey 1988 - 1995. Jessica, we learnt, was part of the school's first intake of girls. They bought us up to date with the various improvements the school has made in recent years. One thing that did cause a little sadness was the news that the staff no longer wear academic gowns when they are teaching - sic transit gloria mundi. It made us wonder, that if F.E Harrison were still with us, how on earth would he be able to clean the board without the aid of his gown?
Downer is shortly off to Nairobi to attend a reunion to commemorate the Kenya Regiment's 65th anniversary. He is hoping to meet a fellow regimental member, Colin Billowes, who is also an OP (1946 - 1949).
The next 4 meetings are on Tuesday 20 August, 26 November 2002, 18 February and 20 May 2003. Those of you with flexible travel plans please make a note; we would love to see you. Gap year students in Australia should not be deterred by the thought of an unsought expense; I am sure we can work something out. If any OP's plan to come to the World Rugby Cup next year please get in touch so that we can accordingly schedule our spring meeting so they can attend.
The next meeting is on Tuesday 20 August 2002
Details of meetings and OPs in Australia, please contact A Walker-Powell (1939 - 1950) via bandp@triode.net.au
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