Issue 5 2024 - Old Collegians
Old Collegians
Don McCausland
Hi Everyone,
Only last month I wrote of the attendance at Open Day of the oldest surviving past student – Ron Wise. Unfortunately, I now have to let you know that Ron passed away on 23rd August, aged 96 years. Warwick Jones, Mel Thomas, Clarrie Simkin and Bruce Quicke attended the funeral in Albany on 9th September as representatives of the Association. Ron was a Life Member of the Association, with his name on the Honour Wall. He attended milestone reunions including unveiling both the 75th and 80th Anniversary Plaques at the College.
Ron was born in Katanning on 11th January 1928 and initially attended school at Glencoe, 25 kms north east of Katanning, where the family farm “Wayville” was located. When he was 8 yrs old, the family sold up and moved to a farm in Gnowangerup called “Clear Valley”. Cropping was much more productive there than at Glencoe – 2.5 t/ha compared to .83 t/ha.
Each morning, Ron got up at 6am to feed and harness the horse and cart for all the kids to ride to school – there were only 15 students. He grew up tough – sleeping on the house verandah in all weathers. His father gradually bought out neighbouring farms to build up their property.
Ron originally commenced Ag School at Narrogin in 1942 but when the Army took over the school for convalescing soldiers, he and 45 others were transferred to Denmark – thus the beginning of Agricultural education in Denmark. They boarded in the town and built the workshops on Scotsdale Road, restructured the cement yards, repaired the run down State Farm (later known as the Research Station), painting walls with whitewash etc. Ron was equal Dux in 1943.
After Denmark, Ron returned to the family farm and joined Junior Farmers, attending conferences both state and interstate which helped him become a progressive farmer with new techniques of modern farming.
Ron was a good footballer but he couldn’t train during the week with the rest of the team because of cost and time to travel. So he kept fit and skilled by kicking a football and retrieving it every day – even getting the sheep into the yards on foot. If they moved in the wrong direction he would kick a football to turn them and then collect the ball. The team travelled together by truck on game days. At the age of 20, he was approached by Claremont Football Club but his passion for farming took precedence and he felt he couldn’t do justice to both. He also loved tennis, helping his dad build a court on the family farm. He played at the Gnowangerup tennis club, winning many competitions including club champion. He also competed at country week in Perth where he and his sister, Dulcie, took out a doubles championship.
Ron met his wife, Dorothy, in Tasmania at a Christian endeavour convention. Dorothy was from Sydney so the transition to WA on a steamship to be his bride was quite a challenge. They married in 1954 and had two sons and three daughters. His father sold him the farm which Ron ran as a mixed operation of 60% livestock and 40% cropping. He later invested in larger machinery and changed to 35% livestock and 65% cropping. The livestock consisted of some Hereford cattle but mostly merino sheep, adapting to poll merino. He bought his first Collinsville Stud ram at the Perth Royal Show, buying further sires from eastern states studs through Perth Royal Show auctions. Later, he bred his own rams, selling around 40 a year.
In the 1980’s, having now grown his property to a total of 1975 ha, he purchased more land including at Nanarup and north Many Peaks, to provide options for his sons, Graeme and Kevin. In later years, Graeme took over these two properties while Kevin worked with Ron at Gnowangerup.
Ron worked hard but always made time for family, sports and leisure. At the local district high school, he was president of the P&C for 3 yrs and treasurer for 11 years. He was also an active member of the Agricultural Society, serving as president, treasurer and produce section steward. He exhibited his own farm produce and won many ribbons, prizes and trophies at the local show and for merino fleeces at the Perth Royal Show.
He experienced farming from the days of horses to modern machinery. The machinery was always kept up to date – deemed far cheaper than paying for repairs.
He spent many hours as fire control officer which included checking the weather forecast every morning between 6 am and 7 am during the summer months. He hosted prisoners and ag school students for work experience.
In retirement, Dorothy and Ron moved to Albany. He gave up tennis in favour of table tennis and croquet – he was president of the Gomm Park club for a number of years and was made a Life Member in 2012. He joined Dorothy in water aerobics and swam laps, also diving into the pool and travelling long distances under water. Dorothy and Ron travelled the world – visiting 45 countries, mainly on cruise ships and travelled around Australia in a caravan.
At the age of 96, Ron went to water aerobics twice a week, laps once a week and croquet twice a week. He still had his drivers licence.
There are 17 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren. Three of the grandchildren attended Denmark Ag College between 2009 and 2010, which drew Ron back to reunions, open days and graduations. At this year’s open day he was publicly acknowledged as the last surviving student from 1942. He was an inspiration to all of us and his death marks the end of an era. He will be sadly missed.
On behalf of past students, Old Collegians Association, wives, partners and families, we extend our deepest sympathy and condolences to his sons and daughters and their families. May he rest in peace.
Mike Martin and I visited Narrogin College open day on 13th September. It is 70 years since we took part in a student exchange between Denmark and Narrogin. We recognised the dining room though now it is called ‘The Club’ and houses memorabilia and artefacts from 1906 onwards. We were in awe and envious of their enthusiasm for history and tradition. How we would like to be able to do something similar!
Once again, the Association will be presenting the George Elliott Memorial scholarship at this year’s graduation. It will be presented by Melanie Constable (McCarthy).
Calling all past students…..Reminder that the college is asking for input to their storyboard questionnaire. The information that you provide will be used to co-ordinate with year photos and your individual achievements as a history of the college. There is some on the website already. Your participation and contribution would be very much appreciated. Get the form at:
https://www.denmarkag.wa.edu.au/alumni via the storyboard form link.
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 is always welcome.
Cheers,
Don McCausland