Stories

Alison Kennedy (Kelly) YHS 1936 "Firstly - who am I? Alison Kelly - I'm sure I started in YHS 1936 sub-intermediate, when I would have turned 12 in April - I have been searching unsuccessfully to find my school report book to confirm this - however, due to a "strained heart", I missed several months and consequently seem to recall girls in various year groups. I worked in my brothers' businesses (they became garage proprietors - Kelly Bros Motors) for 11 years before marrying in August 1950. My husband, Kevin, is the most splendid husband, dad and friend. His work (a geophysicist looking… more

Who WAS responsible for the great stinkout of the new high school wing in 1967:

In 1965 there was a major announcement from the Boss (the generally loved Mr Coulson) that the existing Rooms 18 & 19 (yes those same two rooms we had occupied in 1958 and had unfortunately had to reoccupy from time to time since starting officially at YHS, and, yes, they were still dreadful) as well as the existing shelter sheds and toilet blocks, were to be demolished and replaced with a brand new classroom wing and toilets/change facilities. His plea that we cooperate with the builders was taken… more

Paul Vincent YHS 1962 Yallourn Fountain - “enclosed a photograph to jog a few memories - no prizes for it, but I was driving to Glenmaggie Weir last week and, lo and behold, a Yallourn fountain was spotted, sitting in a private garden in Heyfield! Yes, it even works and has the original copper lights still mounted inside (although the centre pole is now painted white). Was unable to speak to the property owner, as they were out, but will be returning to find out how the hell it was transported there!” Paul lives in Sale with wife, Freda, and they enjoy a relaxing life together. His mother… more

Marj Brogan was born in Box Hill, moved to Yallourn when she was 2 and moved to Newborough when they dug up Yallourn in 1976. She met her husband in Yallourn and was married in 1946 (57 years). She has two children - Kevin 55 and Suzanne 51. Marj worked in the library at the SEC before starting work at the mill in 1942, where she would ride her pushbike to work. She has been a member of the Yallourn Golf Club since 1956 and has played golf almost every day from when her kids started high school. Marj has a keen interest in theatre, having performed in and produced many plays, both drama… more

Malcolm Gibson YHS 1962 - “the photograph certainly brings back memories. I would like a look at the fountain. I don't recall specific dates, circumstances etc but I recall two occasions when detergent was used in the fountain, one of these occasions also involved a quantity of potassium permanganate (Condies crystals) which turned the frothy water purple. As to who the perpetrators were is anyone's guess, but I would say that the list of suspects would be fairly large and would probably not hold any surprises to those of us from that era. Good harmless fun eh? Wouldn't happen these days,… more

Lachlan McPherson YHS 1962 - Loved the photo of ONE of the Centre square fountains (where's the other?)….and I certainly did not have anything to do with foaming up the fountains, more's the pity! What a prank! Condies crystals is VERY impressive. Did you know that the fountains were constructed for the Queen's Visit of 1954? I shall be there for roll call in 2004...cheers.

Helene Warner (Wall) YHS 1962 wrote of the Yallourn Fountain - I vaguely remember all the adults being outraged at the detergent in the fountains saying how it would wreck the pumps and stuff, but my siblings and I thought it was hysterical. I've no idea who was responsible but they were so clever. Some-one also used to put bubbles in the fountain in Morwell, the one on the side of the building of the Water Board offices, and as some-one said pretty harmless. The fountain still looks pretty good in the photo. I had my wedding photos taken in those gardens in Yallourn. I wonder what… more

Anonymous - this article was shoved under my door by person(s) unknown! and relates to a famous episode that occurred towards the end of 1967 in the new classroom wing at YHS. I note with disappointment that another famous episode that of Don Chalmers 'woody' MiniMinor, somehow finding its way into the corridor and surrounding itself with lockers, did not get a mention. Perhaps the incidents are not connected. Preface: We Liked High School So Much, We Went Twice! In 1958 (building) things were happening at Yallourn Primary, so the powers that be didn't want to distract the young things of… more

Margaret Huther (Jenkins) YHS 1953 Sent some photos and wrote: I have been receiving the YOGA newsletter for many years and enjoy reading about people I went to school with. I have been to many reunions but don't always meet many mates of my era. I attended the reunion at Moe 5 years ago. My sister, Kath Peruzzi (Jenkins) and I lived in Morwell and travelled on the bus to YHS along with many others. I really enjoyed my 5 years at YHS playing sport, flirting with the boys, and having mostly great teachers. Kath still lives in Morwell. I went to Burwood Teachers College in '1958 & 1959… more

Ted Ebsworth YTS 1942 read The death notice of Charles Howard Beanland in July 2001 and it brought back a lot of memories, as Charles was the Principal of Yallourn Tech School and his son, Graham, was in Ted's class. In 1939, Ted and family moved from the settlement called the South Camp to Newborough (Moe East). Riding our bikes to school was more fun than hard yakka. There were always chases through the bush tracks and animals to chase, especially the wild sheep, One hot summer morning, someone suggested we go for a skinny dip down the Latrobe River, which we often did. I can remember… more