1969, 1970 and 1971 Industrial Relations and Other Things
February 10, 2013Staffing was a constant source of trouble for the school in 1969/70/71. I remember how industrial action by the staff occasionally resulted in a half or even a full day off school for the students. The letter to parents below gives you an idea of the troubles faced by Mr Powell and how it was managed (to think that I went on to tackle a Bachelor of Applied Science in Applied Geography!). I don’t recall why it was so difficult to retain staff at EHS, I suppose it was lack of appropriate remuneration (as ever for teachers)
When we got to school on the morning of 21 July 1969, we were told, a little
belatedly, that we could have time off from class to go back home and
watch Neil Armstrong step onto the Moon.
We were also told that we had to come back to school afterwards!
Oh yeah … like WHO did that???
A few in the Admin building classrooms when I returned, but otherwise,
the school was deserted
I’m not completely sure if it was 1969, but the school had a visit from
Doug Parkinson and his band (Doug Parkinson in Focus). They played outdoors,
near the southern side of the school. It was loud! Amazing to
think that Doug has been playing gigs ever since.
Favourite lunchtime activity at school in 1969 – playing “4-square” on
the marked courts on the asphalt.
The only example of any work I retain from my days at EHS is a carving I
did in one of Mr G. Jones’ Woodwork classes in 1969. We were given
a flat slab of pine, various chisels and a mallet then told
to carve a fish.
I remember feeling a bit ripped off – "gee Jonesy ... my slab of pine
has a
small knot in it with a hole running through from one side to the other".
However, I quickly saw an opportunity an
and it became the eye of my fish.
On the back I scratched my name and the year.
Mark Rowland
Posted In : 1960s and 1970s
