The 1943 School Magazine

This year more than ever before, the dark shadow of war is dimming the horizon of the future. The youth of to-day is bewildered by the complex state of world affairs and wonders what is to be his place in this turmoil.

The war situation is at its turning point; the next few months are to decide just how long and how arduous the struggle will be. A feeling of vague unrest is noticeable in the schools to-day. The pupils feel that there are so many things beyond understanding nowadays that they hesitate to decide just how they are to be fitted into the pattern of world events.

It is evident that if we are to avoid the disasters that attended peace after the last war, we must set about establishing reconstruction plans and training young men to fill key positions now. Modern life is so progressive, so fast-moving, that specialised training is demanded in every profession. The secondary schools have the task of supplying boys and girls mentally capable of undertaking this task.

But it is natural for a boy, on reaching the required age, to join one of the services. He cannot bear the thought of being "out of it," and he wishes to avoid being thought lacking in his duty. This feeling is natural and commendable.

The Government realises the wisdom of having young men continue their university studies and has made a move in the right direction by granting financial aid to promising students, at the same time restricting the numbers by a quota system. Such an arrangement has its advantages, but it also has many anomalies. Consider the case of a boy whose one ambition is to enter a certain faculty and take a degree. This boy, however keen he may be, could be excluded if his results in the Senior were not up to standard. His past record and general personality are not considered.

Therefore it would seem a good plan if every boy leaving secondary school was interviewed by a competent officer and was placed in the position most suited to his capabilities. This would result in an equitable distribution of students in all branches of national service.

The Old Boys of the School have set a magnificent example to the youth of Australia in their response to the call to arms. The number of Old Boys enlisted now numbers well over 1,450, and every day increases the list. Their patriotism is especially commendable since many of them are abandoning their hopes of a successful career in order to serve their country. The casualty lists contain the names of all too many Old Boys. May the end of this conflict be at hand, and may the peace which follows be worthy of the men who have laid down their lives to secure it.

(Elsewhere the issue records the School's war service: well over 1,450 Old Boys enlisted; 19 decorations and 16 Mentioned in Despatches; casualties of 278 — 75 killed, 117 missing, 86 wounded. The Head Master noted an Old Boy who, after distinguished work in the Syrian campaign, "now holds the highest military appointment in the Commonwealth — G.O.C. in Chief of the First Australian Army" — General Sir John Lavarack.)

The 45th Annual General Meeting (November 1943). The meeting elected Mr. D. F. Robertson as President for 1943–44 — Hon. Secretary J. G. Nowlan paying tribute to his "long and valuable services in the management and upkeep of the Old Boys' Rowing Club," and noting he would be "the youngest President ever elected by the Association." Robertson said he thought the War Honour Board should be limited to volunteers and welcomed the growing popularity of Life Membership.

For Vice-President, Mr. Carson-Cooling proposed Dr. Charles M. Lilley — "no name was more closely associated with the Grammar School than the name of the Lilley family": his grandfather, Sir Charles Lilley, was one of the first Trustees and Chairman of the Board 1877–87, and not fewer than twelve of the clan had attended the School; Dr. Lilley himself was in the Empire Shooting Team (1907) and Champion Rifle Shot of the School (1908).