LAST MEETING
Guest speaker Kevin Clifton was inspired early in life by the adage that one needed to learn something new every day.
Following Kevin’s early years in the Hunter Valley, he witnessed the huge shift from bullock teams and horse power to the excitement of seeing his first motor machines.
The start of Kevin’s long career, with the education department, was similarly quite basic with very few books and a blackboard and chalk. He recalled there was only one syllabus available and that was for physical training! He remembered it was 1952 when a syllabus for each subject was finally distributed.
Following three schools in nine years, Kevin was offered Emmaville Central School. Despite being on the record of one week jthere, he has never been to the town. Another offer from Head Office was an acting position in Tottenham. After the assurance his wage would increase, in answer to his question as to the location of the town, he was told to look it up on a map! He told us it was the closest town to being the geographical centre of NSW.
After the lack of cricket during the Second World War, Kevin still remembered the privilege of watching Sir Don Bradman play in Sydney in 1946. In fact, he was reminded, in question time, of his long association with bowling. Only some troublesome legs have prevented him from bowling. He has been a long-time certified bowls coach.
Kevin, now in his tenth decade, remarked he has really enjoyed his long life.
Of course, Kevin was asked his views on the present state of education. He first stated that this was a microcosm of a larger macrocosm (society). There was definitely a lack of discipline in schools as in our society. Male teachers had outnumbered women teachers in the past. This has reversed. He also thought the trend of teachers to push their activist views should not be allowed in the classroom.
Thanks to Brian Chapman for the notes.
