Issue 1 2024 - Old Collegians
Old Collegians
Don McCausland
Hi all,
Hoping the New Year is fine with you and you’re keeping cool in all this hot weather. Please note my new email address: smaunder6@gmail.com.
This is the first article for the year and there have been a few losses in our community. Firstly, Vale Kathleen Ipsen, wife of 1952-1953 past student Don Ipsen, passed away on 23rd December 2023 at the age of 81 years. A private cremation was held, followed by a get together of Manjimup folk at the Country Club on 12 January 2024. On behalf of all Old Boys/Old Collegians, we extend our sympathy and condolences to Don, son Tony, daughters Gail and Belinda and all family members on your sad loss. May she Rest in Peace.
Vale Maurice Determes, 1951-1952 past student and Life Member who passed away on 22 December 2023, aged 89 years. Maurie was born in Rangoon, Burma and on arrival in Perth was a boarder at Aquinas College, while his parents lived in Darlington. From there he went to Denmark School of Agriculture, an experience he often remarked was some of the best years of his life. Having obtained a diploma, he worked on farms in the wheatbelt determined to one day have his own farm.
1952 DSA photo. Maurice is 4rd from right, 2nd row down.
In 1953, he met his future wife of 67 years, Beryl, at a dance in the Maylands town hall. Discontented with his farming prospects, he joined the RAAF for job security before transferring back to Perth and marrying Beryl. They both worked and on their 1st wedding anniversary bought a 17 acre block and lived on it in a caravan while Maurie built a 20ft x 40ft shed as their first home. Once a house had been built, Maurie revisited his farming dream and turned the shed over to poultry. Unfortunately, poultry disease ended that venture so they sold the property and moved to Narrikup.
In Narrikup he was a contractor mulesing sheep as well as managing a farm for a dentist. They bought a virgin lock and while Maurie worked 2 jobs, the grain and sheep farm was established. Maurie had achieved the three things he ever wanted – a loving close family, a successful farmer and friends. On behalf of the Old Boys/Old Collegians, as extend our sincere sympathy to Beryl, daughter Janine, son Leon and families on their sad loss. May he Rest in Peace.
Vale Kevin Green, 1947-1948 past student, prefect, Life Member and name on Honour Wall, passed away on 4th January. Kevin was born in Bunbury on 5th January 1932 so just missed his 92nd birthday. Mike Martin and I attended his funeral service on 1st February.
The family moved to Pinjarra where he went to school before going to Denmark School of Agriculture where he achieved a diploma and was a prefect. His first job was as office boy at Elders Pinjarra. From there he was transferred to Elders’ office in St Georges Terrace where he worked in the correspondence department, which included some days out at the Wubin sheep sale and cleaning the boots of the stud stock representatives! Times spent at the Midland saleyards unloading pigs often resulted in Kevin copping affluent at the bottom of a two tier truck.
Having served a varied ‘apprenticeship’, Kevin was transferred back to Pinjarra as Elders’ manager in 1956 at the age of 24. Eventually, he was given a stud stock position in the early 1960’s and it was at a beef breeders dinner at the Adelphi Hotel in Perth that he met Jill in 1962. They married in 1963 and had two children, Douglas and Simone.
In 1970, Kevin’s career took a very different direction. He obtained a real estate licence and opened Kevin Green and Associates in Mandurah. The first home he sold was a 3 bedroom brick and tile home near Mandurah Forum for $13,900. The firm became involved in the development of Dudley Park, the first canals, Melross, Pinjarra, Barragup and others. In 1980, the firm moved to Mandurah Terrace and is still there today.
All in all, Kevin was one of the most successful businessmen to come from the Denmark School of Agriculture.
Kevin and Jill holidayed in Bali, Greece, Nanga and Donnelly River. Kevin liked to go on fishing trips to Shark Bay and Exmouth in particular.
1948 Prefects – Kevin Green back left with Principal Charles Buckingham front middle.
His community contribution included being a Rotarian, Shire Councillor, Justice of the Peace, President of the Chamber of Commerce, member of the Peel Inlet Management Authority committee, founding member of Landlink Australia. He received the Australia Day medal for community achievement in 1986.
Kevin was a handy footballer, playing for Subiaco Football Club, Bridgetown Warriors, Deanmill, West Busselton and Pinjarra. He was also a keen boxer and polo player, loved sailing and was an accomplished horse-riding stockman. A keen golfer, he became President of the Mandurah Country Club in 1975. In quieter moments he liked to play the piano.
Kevin attended many school/college reunions over the years. On behalf of the Old Boys/Old Collegians we extend our sympathy and condolences to his wife Jill, Douglas, Simone and families. May he Rest in Peace.
Vale Brian Boardley who passed away recently. Brian was a Denmark town boy with a flair for sport. He played for the Denmark league team in the 1950’s as an onballer. We extend our sincere sympathy and condolences to all the Boardley family. May he Rest in Peace.
Vale Andrew Camden who passed away on 23rd February, two days short of 59 years of age with cancer. Andrew is the son of Ian and Ray-Chel. Ian, past student 1953-1954, Life Member, and whose name is also on the Honour Wall, was an Agricultural Training Officer at the college for 5 years from 1987 to 1991. His funeral was held on 1st March followed by a private cremation. On behalf of 1953-1954 past students, Old Boys/Old Collegians we extend our sincere sympathy to Ian, Ray-Chel. brother Steven, sister Cathryn and nephew Mathias and the Camden family. May he Rest in Peace.
Vale Gerry Atherden, husband of Wendy for 36 happy years. Wendy is the eldest daughter of Charles and Gladys Buckingham, foundation Principal of Denmark School of Agriculture from 1942-1952. Gerry passed away on 6 February aged 93 years. His funeral was held at Karrakatta cemetery on 19th February. Gerry was a stalwart of the Claremont Football Club for over 50 years, firstly as a junior player then captain of the reserves. He was a General Manager, committee member, Life Member and volunteer. He was in the North Cottesloe/Swanbourne Life Saving club and was part of the state team that won the national championship in Sydney. He was also in the state water polo team, and whilst at Christchurch Grammar School, he was part of the team that won the Commonwealth Cup in rifle shooting. On behalf of all Old Boys/Old Collegians, we extend our sincere sympathy and condolences to Wendy, Susan, Jenny, Debbie and families on your sad loss. May he Rest in Peace.
The Weekend West Australian ran a story on Vince Garreffa on 17th February. He was pictured holding portions of lamb. These grain fed lambs were the product of the breeding flock of Ian Wauchope, 1953-1954 past student, Life Member, and whose name is on Honour Wall. Ian supplies Vince’s Mondo Meats with 50 lambs a week.
The College is asking for stories from past students. These stories will be placed on the website as part of the history of the College. The form can be found on the website here. We encourage everyone to tell their own yarns.
As always, get your name on the honour wall - contact us to have your name added. Contacts are: Wendy Sutton 0419 048 694; Marjorie Morrison 9848 1633; Delys Ravenhill 0427 408 051 or myself 0428 526 398, email: smaunder6@gmail.com. News from all years of the School/College always welcome.
Cheers,
Don McCausland