The 1940 School Magazine

War! War! War! Daily the newspapers bring tidings of bloodshed, slaughter, and destruction. From all corners of the earth sounds the hideous clangour of the war machine, relentlessly crushing life after life in its powerful cogs. What man has taken years, perhaps centuries, to build and perfect, in the twinkling of a second is annihilated. Such are the tribulations which the civilisation of to-day is suffering.

We in Australia were slow to realise that the British Empire was at war; but during its first few months we awoke to the fact that the world was, for the second time in 25 years, plunged into a conflict of right against might. A challenge was issued which, had it not been accepted, would have meant the ruination of British integrity. Australia has responded nobly to the call to arms, and as "it is an ill wind that blows nobody any good," so this second trial in one generation will enhance the honour won by the Australians in the last war.

The young men of to-day are confronted by this problem of war; and they must prepare themselves for that great moment when the fight is passed on from the shoulders of their fathers — shoulders soon to become too weak and weary for such a burden. It is the law of life that they should carry on the battle, and it is the law of life that they will accept the task.

This excerpt from the School song — "Should we hear the country's call, / May we muster, one and all —" could not be better applied than here in the School itself. The spirit of Anzac in his forefathers has inspired the character of the youth approaching manhood, who, in order to be able "to do his bit," has become a cadet in the B.G.S. Rifles. This is the typical Australian spirit, and the spirit that exists in a great Public School.

Our glorious record of 1,000 Old Boys who served in the last war may perhaps be equalled by another magnificent effort in this one. Time will tell; but at present we see the foundation of this hope in the high appointments of two Old Boys — Lieut.-General J. D. Lavarack, commanding the 7th Division of the A.I.F., and Major-General R. E. Jackson, General Officer commanding the Northern Command.

The position of the war at present does not tend to a speedy cessation of hostilities. Rather does it seem that the struggle will be a long one, for this time we will not have a patched up peace. To permit such an occurrence would mean the re-opening of the old wound in days to come, when the enemy might have become more powerful and more belligerent. But whatever the hardships to be endured, whatever the sacrifices to be met, whether by those at home or abroad, Australia will be there!

(The "Events and Achievements" notes confirm the transition: "With Mr. Stephenson's retirement the position of Head Master of the B.G.S. became vacant … We were delighted to hear that Mr. G. Carson-Cooling, our previous Second Master and present Acting Head Master, had been appointed Head Master. … He is the first Old Boy to fill the position of Head Master." Mr. S. Stephenson, M.A., had been Head Master from 1928 after ~30 years' service; Mr. H. V. Byth became Second Master.)

The 42nd Annual General Meeting (November 1940). The retiring President, Mr. George Seaman, nominated Dr. E. S. Meyers as President for 1940–41 (Dr. Meyers having "proved himself as Vice-President a keen and enthusiastic member of the Council"); seconded by Mr. Carson-Cooling, Dr. Meyers was elected by acclamation. Mr. Seaman continued, under Rule 5, as one of the two Vice-Presidents. Mr. E. Griffith Oxley was elected the new Vice-President (proposed by Mr. Nowlan for "long and loyal service"). Mr. J. G. Nowlan was re-elected Hon. Secretary "for the thirty-first year in succession."