Recently added

John Lewis YHS 1954 wrote: “Richard wrote that Headmaster "...Ellis didn't administer corporal punishments himself...", and then goes on to say how his deputy Ernie Herman [sic] acted for him in this regard. Well, I am sorry to have to destroy Richard's benign image of the Headmaster. I copped six from Ellis [three on each hand] after being sent to him by Mrs McLaren for not enjoying one of her music classes enough, or maybe for enjoying it too much. I forget which. Also, I think 'Underpants' Ernie's surname was Homan [not Herman].

John Goold YHS 1954 wrote: “As usual, reading the latest YOGA Newsletter brought back my school days at Yallourn, in the 40s and 50s of the last century. I note that so far none of the contributors has reminisced on how we were taught to express nationalistic patriotism. Well let me bring back some memories.

Judy Vise (Leech) YHS 1952 asked a simple question in our last newsletter - could anyone enlighten her on the reason for the iodine tablets administered each Friday by the Form Captains back in the 50s. This has sparked a lot of different responses:-

Henry Winters YHS 1954 wrote: “Just read Jan 07 YOGA newsletter and the Beanland family was very interesting - I worked with Graham's section at Yallourn Power Station early 60s.

The Richard Bush memories were good ones, but it was Ernie Homan (not Herman) who was vice principal in my era 1954 on. (Henry...this could well have been a typo on my part...Editor)

Colin Nash YHS 1956 wrote:

Winton McColl YHS 1959 - My sincere thanks for a job well done. Mary & I arrived home on Sunday after a week on the Gold Coast - exhausted, but couldn't put the book down. You have bought back many good memories of the old town and its people. Again, sincere thanks. Can I tell you a little story regarding the South Camp. There don't seem to be many photos of the South Camp, which is not surprising considering its role in the early history of the town.

Steve Gray YHS 1971 - wrote: Billy Carts As a kid, my brothers (Colin and Peter) who are that bit older than me, soon grew out of their beloved pedal cars and went on to make billy carts (Colin, especially).

Stan Smith YHES 1928 - apologised for not being able to attend the reunion in March due to ill health. Stan first arrived at Yallourn in 1924, not long after his 8th birthday. The township was in its infancy then. School was in the cottages until shifting over the road to the newly built brick school 4085, then known as a primary school, in 1925. Ultimately worked for the SEC in the Main Office before being transferred to the Head Office in Melbourne in 1938.

Shirley Marshall YHS 1950 - wrote: I would like to say how appreciative I am for receiving the "Back to Yallourn" book so soon after the reunion. It is a great publication and one which must have entailed a large amount of work.

Peggy Steffen YHS 1947 - born in Morwell in 1935 to Snow & Joyce, who moved to a new house at 58 Fairfield Ave in 1936. Dad rode his bike from Morwell to Yallourn Briquette Factory each day - remember that hill! Number 58 was a lovely home to we three kids throughout our childhood.

Olga Dunn (Tabaczynski) YHS 1958 - wrote: Did I ever dream we'd leave the Latrobe Valley? NEVER ! Barry had just retired for the 3rd time! We had done ballroom dancing, 10 years of tenpin bowling, clubs & pubs, fishing etc. Being home "together" every day all of a sudden was too much to bear for both of us, kids were doing their own things. (Greg was in Churchill & Julia in Cairns.) Time for a change - but what ? Our friends, Rod & Jan Farmer, had moved 3 years prior from Willow Grove to Clermont in Queensland & always said "come on up & visit us in the Outback" So we did.

Lynette Bellamy (Mulgrew) YHS 1955 - wrote: I am an old girl of Yallourn High School having been a student there from 1955 (Form 2) to 1958. I lived out of the township at the Hospital, where my father was the manager. I have only just found out about your association and am thrilled that such a group exists. I was at a meeting in Warragul recently and by way of conversation, I said that I had completed my memoirs (for want of a better word) and did anyone know where I could get them sorted out for printing.

Keith Fletcher YHS 1938 - passed away peacefully at home on 7.7.2005 and is survived by his loving wife Shirley, 4 children, 3 stepchildren, 18 grandchildren, 3 great-grandchildren and sister Joyce Wardley (YHS 1944).

Judy Vise (Leech) YHS 1952 sent a photo of the 1955 YHS Marching Team:

(Photo attached)

Remember Mr Cass training the team in military fashion? It was an honour to be selected but, boy!!, did we train hard!! (I later learnt that Wally Cass suffered traumatic experience in the North African desert during WW2.)

Irving Stephens YHS 1945 - wrote seeking information about Geoff Maddern, Coral Clarke and Gloria Farmer. These were his findings and if anyone can add to these, please contact Julie - “Geoff Maddern lived opposite the high school in Latrobe Avenue. I went to YTS with him and we both completed diplomas in mechanical engineering. My last knowledge of him was that he was employed with a tractor manufacturer in Tottenham.

I have located Coral Clarke (now Gibson) and have written to her but understand that she has not been well.

Helga & Horst Berg - have been members of our Assoc for several years now just to keep up with snippets of Yallourn in our newsletters - now Helga writes: "I want to congratulate the committee for their work in keeping the spirit of Yallourn and the school alive. All of us who have lived in that wonderful town, although we grizzled about the coal dust, can never forget our years there. For us, the Berg family, it meant an easy integration into Australian life (from Germany), we came to the town as raw immigrants, having been in the country for all of 4 years.

Dorothy Taylor (Squires) YHS 1935 wrote "I was thrilled to read Richard Sullivan's letter in the Jan 06 Newsletter. Richard's mother, Ivy, was a great friend of mine and, of course, I saw Richard grow up. Ivy and I visited each other on a Monday afternoon, after spending Monday morning doing our washing (rain or shine!!) and then if the clothes were dry, the ironing was done in the afternoon. During these afternoon visits, whichever one visited would take their knitting (perhaps) and chat while the hostess ironed. When this chore was finished, we enjoyed a home-cooked afternoon tea.

David Grant YHS 1957 emailed - Our little group had the best turn up ever and we are going to make sure a lot more turn up next time.

(Photo attached) L-R: Jimmy Demetrious, Keith Grant, Zenon Miltiadius

Bill Ebbott YHS 1954 wrote: I was introduced to the Yallourn Old Girls/Guys Association by one of my four daughters. Later I became a Julie Francis "victim" and overcome, by her enthusiasm I have responded to her request for the "Bill Ebbott" story.

Brown Fuel - A poem by Barbara Ellen Cranwell (circa 1926) It lies at the foot of a haunted range Where a stream goes winding through It's a secret hoard that the old earth stored In the place where a forest grew. Centuries long it has lain 'neath the sod And no mortal its presence guessed But the river knew and the dark range too What lay hid in the earth's broad breast. But now all uncovered the treasure lies And the place shows a magic change For a modern town - a place of renown Now stands at the foot of the range.