Jim Hazen (ex-teacher YHS 1963-1966) Jim wrote "It is now 40+ years since I first taught at Yallourn High School. It was the second High School I taught at after completing my university studies. My first was Drouin High School from 1961-1962. Yallourn has remained very fondly in my memory as I found the town, staff and students there very friendly, open and welcoming. Drouin had been much less so, especially the town and staff. The students at Drouin were great however. The four years I spent at Yallourn were very special. Two years in, I married Lorna, who also has very fond memories of her time at the school and in the town. She has never forgotten the hockey "All Star" team she played with and helped transport to matches. Our first child, Ian (now deceased - brain tumour) was born at Yallourn in 1966. The stories from Ian Pringle, Lachlan McPherson and String" Morgan in the June newsletter all brought back some great images. I guess students are pretty unaware of how much staff are aware of what goes on and, similarly, the staff re how students view them. Thought you may be interested in the story of what happened to a fellow staff member of ours from the 60s - Arthur Lucas. Arthur began his teaching career at YHS in 1964 and was there for just 2 years, 1964-65, before getting a promotion and moving on to Newborough HS in 1966. Arthur taught Biology and Science whilst at YHS. He was an extremely talented teacher who liked to improve his qualifications through further study. He left Newborough after 1966 and took up a lecturing position at Adelaide's Flinders University in 1967. To cut a long story short, he continued to study and advance via Columbus University in Ohio, USA; Warrnambool CAE in Victoria; posts at Chelsea and Kings Colleges - each linked to London University. Doctor Lucas (PhD variety) as he had become by this stage, was offered a Professorship at Kings College, London in 1985 - it was linked to Science Education & Research. By 1993, he had become so highly regarded that he was made Principal of London University's Kings College. (This is equivalent of what we call the ViceChancellor at our Australian Universities.) He remained in that position until his retirement in 2003. Arthur, his wife Paula, Lorna and I have remained close friends over the past 40 years. Arthur still has family in Victoria and we meet when he comes to 'Oz' to visit them. In 2002, he was made a CBE (Commander of the British Empire) - equivalent to a knighthood - for his services to Tertiary Education in the UK. What an amazing story! Yallourn High started the careers of many students and staff and some have reached pretty 'dizzy' heights! Despite his achievements, Arthur remains the same down-to-earth, friendly, cheerful, generous person he was when he began his teaching career 40 years ago at YHS. Regards & best wishes to you and the committee, and to all the YHS and Yallourn folk we were privileged to meet and know.
