Tales of Daring & Doing

Lachlan Fitzgerald (13-18) and Connor Fitzgerald (14-20) discuss life at Wesley and the privilege of being College Captain.

John Frederick Ward was born on 20 July 1883 at Newton, Lancashire, England, son of John Ward, master butcher, and his wife Mary Ann, née Russel. The family migrated to Adelaide in 1886.

In 1923, at just forty years old, he was appointed foundation Headmaster of Wesley College, Perth. Respected for his learning, he believed in a classical base for education and aimed to produce fine Methodist gentlemen.

Ward, his wife Winifred and their three children travelled to Perth by train from Adelaide. The Headmaster had been assured that his flat in the north wing of Wesley’s new building would be ready for immediate occupancy on arrival, but this was not to be. The carpenters had not completed their works and there was an absence of bedding and furniture.

Within the first few weeks, Ward got to work cleaning up the still unfinished campus, appointed numerous staff, sourced a delivery of sporting gear from Wesley Melbourne, and decided the first school colours – black and gold stripes on a green backing. The adoption of school colours was the first important step towards creating a distinctive College identity and culture.

Throughout Ward’s tenure as Headmaster, he taught every form in the school and tried his hand at almost every subject. In 1930, after 7 years as Headmaster of Wesley College, Ward secured the position as Headmaster of Prince Alfred College, and returned to Adelaide.

Ward’s two daughters felt that their father’s happiest and most fulfilling year were those spent at Wesley.

‘At around 9’o clock a hand bell was rung to call both boarders and day-boys to assembly in one of the two new classrooms. There the complement of thirty-eight were welcomed by a tall, upright, bespectacled man of authority who assured them that, though they might be meeting in less than ideal conditions, they and he were about to make history.

For on this first day of the 1923 school year in Western Australia, Wesley Boys’ College had begun its working life. The man of authority, John Frederick Ward, was probably more conscious than any of his young charges of the significance of their being ‘present at the creation’. He also proved to be an admirably suited headmaster to preside over it.’

Excerpt from Honest & Unsullied Days, A History of Wesley College, Perth by Peter John Boyce

Wesley College was always much more to me than just a good high school.

It has a number of amazing of students and many inspiring teachers. The Wesley ethos is one of building good citizens in an atmosphere of encouragement. I made some great friends there. Friendships that have lasted to this day.

For me, there is also the family connection. My aunt Mildred Manning taught Biology and Physiology at the College for 53 years and my mother, Thelse, taught Languages. I still remember quite a lot of my German! My son attended Wesley and his daughter has just started in Pre-Kindergarten. This is a long association!

My Aunt Millie drove her car, a 1929 Plymouth Chrysler, who she affectionately called Dudley, to the school every day until 1958, frequently giving lifts to staff and students. Mildred’s brother took Dudley to his farm in 1959 and in 1962 he was given to me as I have a passion for old cars. Now, 61 years on I am still caring for him which gives me a very close association with Wesley and to my family.

Narrow escapes tend to focus the mind on how precious life is.  On my last day at Wesley, a small group of my close friends and I drove around Perth to our favourite haunts.  We were celebrating in style, in the cramped confines of Matt Van Leeuwen’s 1956 Morris – a truly legendary first car – but one without seatbelts.

Gunning it through an amber light on St George’s and Barrack, another driver ran a red and the next thing I remembered I was sitting on the footpath, blood streaming from a nasty injury to the forehead.  Later as I had my head stitched by a young doctor in Royal Perth Emergency I realised that medicine was the career for me.

Since then, I’ve had transformational experiences working for Medecins Sans Frontières in the Congo and the Darfur region of Sudan.  I lived in Darwin with a young family, visiting indigenous communities and understanding just how wide the gap in health outcomes is for aboriginal Australians.   I led a team of Australian doctors and nurses to the Philippines to run a field hospital after one of the worst weather disasters of the 21^st century.

Apart from MSF, which I’d wanted to do since year 10 French class at Wesley, none of it has been particularly planned.  And without knowing it, my story has been crafted by the Wesley motto, by daring and by doing.  When one lives by that motto and the ethos of service to the community embodied by John Wesley, well, opportunities just tend to come your way.

A few years ago, I was honoured to speak with incoming scholarship students, as I too was a lucky recipient of a Wesley scholarship. My message to students was to not forget the experiences that Wesley teaches you – often they’ll come in useful down the track.

Wesley has changed a lot and for the better in its 100 years.  Last year I saw the year 8’s walking along the Esplanade and I asked one of the teacher’s what they were up to – they were out of the classroom for a whole term, learning more about who they are, and critically, learning the importance of service. When I recently learned that the Wesley community is daring to complete 100 acts of community service during 2023, the College’s Centenary, I thought – now that’s a school I’d like to go to.

LIFELONG MEMORIES OF WESLEY COLLEGE

100 years, this wonderful College has remained an “Icon” on the same site in South Perth, albeit the Campus has grown considerably.

When I reflect on my memories of Wesley it takes me back to my childhood.

My childhood and early adult years were spent living in Norfolk Street only a few houses from the Angelo Street entrance which was, in the early days, a bitumen driveway lined on each side by majestic old Pine trees. These trees were a favoured nesting place for the magpies who carefully nurtured their babies each year.

The kindergarten I attended was held in the Swan Street Hall, on a suburban street which in those days was not part of the Wesley Campus. Our quickest route to Kindy was via Wesley College and I have very vivid memories of on many occasions, being “swooped” by the magpies as they endeavoured to protect their young and it instilled in me a fear of magpies, to this day.

Thinking back, Wesley College was on my radar most days of my early life, be it going to any of the shops in Angelo Street, attending the local dentist, riding my bike or walking to South Perth Primary School, to catching the bus to the city to work and, of course attending the old Gaiety Picture Theatre which was as much of an Icon as Wesley. I even remember very well, when employed at Southern Clinic, many a Boarder sitting in the waiting room with a teacher waiting to be attended to by one of our doctors, who had a close association with the College.

It really was a “faint accompli” that on our return from years living in the country, our son attended Wesley for his secondary education.

From the day our son commenced his education at Wesley I felt a strong attachment. It was a wonderful environment for him to learn and it was also very easy for me to form a connection with the College through the various support groups.

The Ladies Auxiliary was thriving with a strong membership and we held many memorable events. These events were well supported and enjoyed by all in attendance.  They consisted of a yearly Welcome Luncheon for mothers of new students, Year Group Mothers Morning/Afternoon Teas, Fashion Parades, film mornings at The Cygnet Theatre and a yearly Chapel Service. Who would forget the bi- annual Wesley College Fete when the entire College community came together to work and raise funds for the College.

The P& Association members also worked diligently to benefit the College.

The Canteen relied on volunteers and fun and friendship was nurtured whilst preparing and serving lunch to the boys.

Through these connections lifelong friendships were made and are still lasting today.

This brings me to Wesleyana Club that originated with a group of mothers of Old Collegians who wished to keep a connection with the College, whilst fostering friendships, both old and new.

Many of these ladies remained involved in Wesleyana for many years and have been integral in keeping Wesleyana a part of the College since inception. Wesleyana proudly celebrates its 60^th Anniversary in 2023 as the College celebrates 100 years,

My involvement with Wesleyana Club, in latter years as President, has been most rewarding as we watch our Club increase in membership. The current Head of College Mr Ross Barron and the Community Relations team, led by Community Relations Director Ms Mary Henry, have been instrumental in the growth of the Wesleyana Club. Their generous support of our meetings and events has been integral in our success.

I feel confident that our “unique” Club will thrive in future years, as students complete their Wesley education and their mothers take the opportunity to remain connected to the College through Wesleyana.

Wesley College remains a very important part of South Perth’s history, has always been there and will remain so into the future.

I find it difficult to ever imagine walking down Angelo Street and not looking upon the beautiful façade that makes up this grand old school.

Congratulations Wesley, you certainly have been responsible for the wonderful education and enrichment of so many lives over these 100 years.

Recognising her contributions to the College, Patsy was awarded one of two inaugural John Wesley Medals in 2023.

Traditionally, most boys’ schools from the 1900s would point to a male benefactor as a key figure in their foundation. But Wesley has never been traditional.

In fact, the College owes much to the generosity of Miss Sarah Hardey, who put forward a substantial amount of the money needed to buy the land on which Wesley now stands.

To give a little context, the Methodists of South Perth had been talking about establishing a school for over 60 years. However, every time the idea gained a little traction a new problem arose.

In 1918 an area of land had been identified – but a public appeal for donations had received a limited response. The opportunity to make progress was slipping away again, until Miss Hardey donated £200 – much more than any other individual.

Her generosity didn’t stop there.

With Wesley officially on the road to its foundation, Miss Hardey went a step further. She promised the College £800 (an amount in excess of $70,000 today) to establish two scholarships.

One scholarship was designed to assist the sons of Methodist ministers. The other was open to any Methodist boy.

Although the criteria of Wesley’s scholarships have evolved with time, the generosity of our donors has remained consistent with the kindness of the woman who started it all – the incomparable Sarah Hardey.

My journey to Wesley was something of a mystery to me. My parents told me that I had been awarded a scholarship made available by the Methodist church. My recollection was that I simply got lucky, as the boy who had originally received it had to move away and I was next in line in the list of applicants.

I spent three years at Wesley, it felt like a short and long time all at once. What I enjoyed the most was the comradery with my friends. I really benefited from the diverse breadth of activities on offer at the school.

Hockey was my favourite sport and Wesley teams were generally pretty strong across all year levels, frequently giving our rivals a hard time!

Glen Hitchcock, was my fantastic drama teacher and he had a big influence on me. He put on very high-level productions, which we all learned and grew from. When I look back, all of those opportunities – the stage time, the discovering and delving into character, the performance –really accentuated my career as a dancer.

My first ‘real’ job after leaving school was with The Australian Ballet in 1983 after completing two years full-time training at The Australian Ballet School. Little did I know I would still be dancing 25 years later, then add on another nine years as a member of the artistic coaching staff.

In 2021, I was honoured to speak to the incoming scholarship students and share my Wesley experience. I reflected to the students that if I had asked more questions whilst at school, I probably would have had an easier time academically and would have got more out of my Wesley experience.

You don’t have to know all the answers but asking the right questions can help get you there.

I encourage Wesley students to be curious, ask many, many questions and take hold of the wide variety of opportunities available. You never know which of them will serve to inform what you do in the future.

Happy 100 Wesley!

Many of the philosophies and practices of mathematics education at Wesley, developed by gifted educators such as Wally Green and Olive Mason in the 1960s and 1970s, remain current and valuable today. Although the context and the tools of the trade have evolved, the fundamental skills of good teaching and learning and the importance of constructive and respectful relationships have not altered.

These relationships are the core of working with students in and out of the classroom, of working with other staff, both teaching and administrative, and the myriad of opportunities a teacher has to learn, to grow and to influence others – often in ways and circumstances unknown.

I was part of the transition from blackboard, via whiteboard and overhead projector, to digitally projected computer images, from slide rules and tables of logarithms and trigonometric values to scientific, graphic and ultimately algebraic calculators. Technology in mathematics, when it serves to make the content more accessible to students, is invariably beneficial because it leads to higher levels of mathematical thinking.

My long Wesley career included diverse fields of engagement and contribution: sports’ coaching (mainly cricket and hockey), in chess, in student and pastoral welfare, in curriculum development, timetabling, general school administration and management, employment and industrial relations and in superannuation trusteeship. Along the way, I witnessed some outstanding Wesley Speech Night musical performances in the Perth Concert Hall, delivered the shortest ever Headmaster’s address, shared the most applauded Grace at a rugby dinner and enjoyed teaching numerous father-son combinations, with mothers’ influence often ensuring a more studious son.

More recently, my Wesley time has been built around tutoring boarders, meeting past and current staff, contacts with ex-students near and far, year group reunions and golfing events. Now, with a daughter on staff and a grandson in Year 2, I can enjoy yet another perspective of this great community.

Wesley made me think out of the box – by daring and by doing is exactly what I did, I thought of something new and changed my future around it.

My time began at Wesley in Year 3. I was the one who loved nature – the kid who was always sleeping outside in one of many self-built cubbies, building new designs on my work bench and caring for my many pets.

My bee interest began when I was given a small hive for my 14th birthday, I was different – nobody I knew was a beekeeper, no friends or family. With the WA Apiary Society and a new mentor and friend Roy – my bee knowledge thrived. This is what kickstarted my bee obsession, I turned this weird birthday present into my future and my career!

With an oversupply of honey and requests to speak to children about my passion I set up my business, Luke’s Bees. This allowed me to sell honey and present “Bee Incursions” to schools, festivals and community groups. Wesley allowed me to run my business in Year 8, I was allowed to leave one day a week to teach in schools around Perth. Without this flexibility my business and where I am today would have never happened.

Year 11 and 12 were busy, still teaching about bees during term and completing VET pathway to obtain a Certificate III in Beekeeping, Certificate III in Business, Certificate II in Visual Arts and a Certificate II in Information, Digital Media and Technology. In the holidays I worked with a commercial beekeeper to gain more industry experience and enrolling in as many out of school machinery tickets and bee courses I could find. I was extremely lucky to leave Wesley in 2020 receiving the Beazley Medal VET and the overall winner of the Australian Meeting of Young Beekeepers.

After finishing Year 12 on a Friday, I started full time work on the Monday with a commercial beekeeper, Red Earth Honey. I negotiated with my employer in the quieter winter months of beekeeping to have time off to continue teaching. I really wanted to continue to share my knowledge and inspire others about bees and promote the Primary Industries as a future pathway to senior school students. I relaunched my business as Buzz Ed Australia.

By daring and by doing I have a clear vision for the future. In the peak of summer and when the bees are at their busiest I’m usually somewhere peaceful, deep in a forest or a National Park – working with 350 hives collecting honey and looking after the bees. As the cooler months set in the bees are moved north, I’m working bees surrounded by beautiful wild flowers and camping in a swag overnight. I challenge all VET students at Wesley to find what they love, explore the idea and make it their future career.

Just before I arrived at Wesley, I told a trusted circle of friends that I’d got the role of Head of College. To a person, they mentioned the warmth of the community I’d find here.

In fairness, having spent many afternoons at shared sporting events with Wesleyans within the PSA community, I knew that the College had a special kind of spirit. So, in some ways, it was no surprise to me when I was welcomed with open arms.

It was also no surprise to find that same kindness extended to my wife, Narelle. She was inundated with offers of friendship and help as she found her feet in a new location.

What was a surprise, was that a passing comment I made to the team here ended up reuniting me with one of the influential people in my life. Someone I had been trying to reconnect with for nearly two decades.

I’d been talking, just casually, about a teacher I had as a young boy. I mentioned that, at 10 years old and full of misplaced anger at my father’s death and lack of sense of what my potential was, her guidance stopped me from veering onto the wrong track. I thought she’d be pleased to see how her positive influence so long ago had such a profound impact on me.

Most listeners would have nodded sagely and moved on.

But things aren’t like that at Wesley. The teacher’s name, Mrs Aurora Stefani, was quietly noted down. Wheels began to turn. Contacts were called. And quietly, without me knowing, the community worked together to find my teacher and offer her an invite to my Commissioning.

I can offer a thousand more stories of what makes the Wesley community unlike any other – but the moment when the teacher who changed my life walked onto the Commissioning stage and hugged me, will live in my memory forever.

Born into a family that founded zoos in Sydney, Melbourne and Perth, Mrs Mildred Manning was no stranger to wildlife – whether it be tigers or teenagers.

Mildred Manning or ‘Our Millie’ is remembered by three generations of Wesley College students as a teacher of biology and physiology. She demanded respect but was beloved by all who enjoyed her lessons.

As Tony Devitt of the class of 1961 remembers: “Millie never missed an opportunity to educate her students. On reflection many of us can credit Millie with having a significant impact on our future studies, careers, and lives. She was a very caring and a wonderful educator.”

That’s not to say she wasn’t without her quirks, as Tony recalls: “Occasionally, Millie was involved in supervising the boys doing cross country running. This meant she would drive out to the Collier Pine Plantation and, once the boys had set off on their run, Millie would scout the surrounding area for specimens that she could collect and take back to the College.

“This included roadkill and Millie always carried a small spade and some bags in the tiny boot of her car. Various misshaped reptiles, birds etc. would be scraped off the road and be displayed for all to see once we were back at the Laboratory.”

Doing the unexpected was something of a trademark move for Mrs Manning. In the early 1900s, when she was still Mildred Le Souef, Millie became one of the first women in Australia to go against societal expectations and achieve a science degree.

She pushed boundaries at Wesley too, giving the College 54 dedicated years of service, earning her an MBE in 1964 for her commitment to education in Western Australia.

Millie died in 1990, so she never got to see her name applied to the front of the Mildred Manning Science Centre. However, she knew, in her lifetime, what an icon she was at our College. Her character will always be a part of our fabric.

In 2006, I was invited to support a small group of six Indigenous boarding students who had just started at Wesley. We used to meet Sunday nights for an hour.

One evening, I asked the group what they wanted to be called. Gavin Mallard, a Nhanda Yamatji man, said: “What about Moorditj Mob, because we are moordtij – strong, black and deadly students!”

Very soon after this, these six students demonstrated just how moorditj they were through their artworks, didgeridoo playing, dancing and being the first group of Moorditj Mob students to graduate.

My favourite memory was their first public dance in front of the whole Junior School. They were nervous and very unsure, but pride in their identity and culture dominated. By daring and doing, they paved a strong foundation for future dances.

What I discovered in my seven years leading the Moorditj Mob from 6 to 45 boys, was that through these founding students saying yes to being moorditj, they changed the future course of this program. By upholding education and culture as pinnacles of the program, they opened the door for many, many others to experience both cultural learning and success in education.

As the College Captain for 2023, I have inherited the unique privilege of leading the student body through the College’s centenary celebrations.

Being a Wesley boy isn’t about grand gestures or achieving the highest, its about an attitude of serving others, of believing in principles and standing by them, and daring to do; being willing to push the boundaries in an ever-changing world and leaving your mark. Wesley is a college that prides itself on celebrating achievements we wish to emulate; achievements in effort and service as well as academic and sporting success.

As the Captain for 2023, I hope to instil a sense of pride and opportunity in each and every boy and girl at Wesley. To Enable them to realise that their Wesley journey is just the start of their lives and that the friends they make, the opportunities they take and the successes and failures they will see through last a lifetime and that our college provides the perfect place to make them. I hope the prefect group and I can foster a culture in which Wesley students find inspiration from the person who is overcoming a fear of doing something and succeeding, not always the person who is excellent at it.

I have always found that my favourite moments at Wesley have come when seeing my mates succeed when I’m standing with them or right beside them cheering. Athletics last year, the World’s Greatest Shaves, and Darlot cricket in summer have all been highlights from the past year and meeting Dr Wally Green (38-43) was a great culmination of all these experiences. As the man who lead Wesley’s first Athletics team to win in 1953 and taught maths to a generation of Wesleyans, it was a great reminder that memories of Wesley last a lifetime, and that our community will always have a place for you. His stories, his gentleness and his genuinely witty sense of humour will stick with me.

In the next 100 years of Wesley, I hope the college still prides itself on pushing the boundaries of its young men and women and strives to foster generations of young people ready to take on the world.

For almost as long as I can remember it seems, Wesley College has been a part of our immediate family.

My father, Robert Blanckensee, spent his high school years at Wesley, as did my Godfather. My brother Ian was educated there too of course, whilst I went to M.L.C.

I recall some of Ian’s country school friends spent a number of ‘Boarders Weekends’ at our home.

I recall going to dancing classes with the Wesley boys at the YMCA Hall in Irwin Street Perth on a Saturday afternoon!

After the war, at the suggestion of my maternal grandfather, Dad became interested in the Old Wesley Collegians’ Association. This later led to him becoming Secretary of the OWCA and then the OWCA representative on the College Council. Dad eventually went on to become Chair of the College Council. Dad took up the dare of my grandfather and look where it led!

What a special occasion it was when the Physical Education Centre was named after dad, the Blanckensee Physical Education Centre. I remember him saying in his speech, ‘My school has done me proud.’

A highlight of my recent years was getting married in the Old Wesley Collegians’ Association Memorial Chapel. It was so nice, at start of Wesley College’s Centenary year, to be present at the Thanksgiving Chapel Service. A very fitting start to a year of celebration.

You can find out more about the construction of the Blanckensee Physical Education Centre in 1986 in our timeline here.

Sometimes it’s not the loudest voices that make the biggest impression. Mr Edwin Stanley (Stan) Craft joined the College in 1923 to teach music and book-keeping. It was the start of an association with Wesley that would run through to 1947.

Fastidious by nature, he paid attention to details – most famously arriving at a College Committee meeting in January 1923 with a sample of ribbon suggesting a colour combination for our newly-founded school.

The ribbon, while sadly lost to time, had black and gold stripes on a green backing. It was the first step to adopting the colours that have become a vital part of our shared Wesley identity.

Mr Craft’s contribution didn’t stop there. As well as teaching hundreds of boys how to play the piano and the organ, Mr Craft also composed the music to Wesley’s first College hymn, entitled ‘God Make Us Men’.

The inspiring words, written by the then Headmaster, Mr Rossiter, include the line: “By selfless word and thought and deed, we witness forth a living creed.”

As lyrics go, they seem to sum up Mr Craft’s contribution to our history rather well.