I will be eternally grateful for the education that I received at EHS, which enabled me to pursue a profession that enabled me to provide for my family. I remember how lucky I was to attend the school that had a dedicated group of teachers and how basic were the facilities we had to work with. 

I remember sitting for examinations, commencing with intermediate certificate, at the Exhibition Buildings and trying to find a desk that was level, without being propped up with blotting paper. I remember the excellent academic achievements of my fellow students, many of whom were from Europe, which provided the foundations for the excellent scholastic record the school enjoys today.

I remember the little trams that traversed Glenhuntly Road and the SEC tram that ran to St Kilda station. There were two different trams. The one I am referring to, ran down Glenhuntly Road from Elsternwick Station to Point Ormond. The driver of  the tram also accepted the fares. There was no conductor. The tram had the same configuration at the front and rear, so when the tram reached the end of its journey, the driver simply moved to the opposite end. The tram did not turn around. The year would have been approx 1962. On one occasion, a student had copied the handle that drove the tram and attempted to drive the tram from the opposite end to the driver/conductor. This almost broke the tram in two.

The second tram ran from St Kilda station to Brighton Road. These trams were operated by the State Electricity Commission. Their depot was located at the end of the journey, in a large park opposite the Elsternwick Golf Course. The two large sheds that housed the trams were only removed in recent years. Originally the trams ran along Brighton Road and terminated opposite Milanos Hotel.

I loved the school so much that when my parents moved to Mordialloc, I remained at EHS, travelling by train to Glenhuntly station and catching the tram down Glenhuntly Road. In the evenings I would hitch hike home along Nepean Highway, something I wouldn’t attempt today. How times have changed!

I remember getting caught smoking on the train at StKilda station. Six cuts with the strap from Mr Lester followed.

I remember some of the past students, who are no longer with us: Janey Aarons, Robert Matchliss, Malcolm Scoullar, Terry Billows, Trevor Truscott, Con Tsicaderis, Roger Collier and Graham Holmes to name a few.

To all my fellow students I wish you good health and hope to see you again at our next reunion.

John Macnaughtan