Foundation Day Celebration and Giving Thanks. Remarks of John H A Lang OAM, JP, KLJ,PDG. July 1990

Matters of record: John H A Lang OAM: (rough) notes for remarks 1990 Founders’ Day Dinner.

Friends – Dear hearts and gentle people.

Thank you for joining us this evening at this celebratory dinner – the function we have established as a remembrance occasion of our Founders’ Day.

I am especially pleased that Mr and Mrs Machtar are our guests tonight – for in this past year Mr Machtar has been a most supportive partner – in the development of yet another milestone in the history of the school, and so his presence here tonight adds to the enjoyment of the evening.

Many years ago Lewis Carroll offered an “overwhelmingly” honest and modern thrust – in his Alice in Wonderland story when he cleverly had Alice – upon reaching the junctio0n at the end of the road and finding a further series of pathways – say – “which way shall I go?” – and the response she received was “whichever way you choose”.

That comment must always be our guide for to choose not to proceed along any particular direction may well hurt the scholastic pursuits of the school – an even reduce the management choices in 2090.

We chose in 1990 to pursue a certain path and tonight – we can look back with pride on the last few months – and the success of those months – as well we can now look forward to the success of the next half year – knowing we have built another foundation and direction for the school to follow through into the next century.

This Board of Directors can rightly be proud of their introduction of many things for the school – not the least of which was the introduction of Foundation Day. It is a festival day on which we thank God for His Blessings on us – and in particular on our school, our Founders and for all those who have faithfully served the student entrusted to their care.

Some 100 years ago when the Misses Arnold and Liggins opened up their institution of learning I am sure they did it because they recognised a community need in this new country – and in the municipal area of North Sydney. I am sure that although they conceived a need – little did they realise - their action would play a most important role in the educational establishment of Sydney, one century (and more) later. They set out to educate their neighbours – and the gentle people of our community.

We have much to thank our Founders for – we have mush to thank those of the stewards of the school – during this past century, and I hope we will always revere their memories – emulate their deeds – and to reach out to our students – just as they did.

How differently were their good old days – and how difficult it must have been for such gentle ladies to undertake such a challenge and succeed in their endeavours.

Let me suggest a scenario0 of those days in which they set out on these endeavours.

I am suggesting that the forces of that time expected to be automatically and promptly obeyed – whether they were our empirical rulers of the day – the business tycoons of the turn of the century – or the church hierarchy. Their commands were law and their dictates were to be obeyed without question – and so I imagine – our Founders’ tasks were not easy – and I am sure they also had difficult times as well as pleasurable times whenever they cold visualise their achievements and successes.

As an aside – Perhaps times have not changed if we note the petty tyrannies of North Sydney Municipality – and the civil (or less than civil) servants of the Commonwealth Department of Education today.

It is interesting to observe the changes that have occurred over this century – since our Founders ‘opened up shop” so to speak.

The forces that have prevailed over this past century have been levelling forces – for they have lessened the dominance of our earlier leaders – they have lessened their power and control – and they have exalted the position and importance of the “individual”. Today people are led by their own consent - they are guided by their own opinions and by the groups to whom they belong. And having reached this level of comfort – I can see more changes coming – and so we must be ready to be instep with the tide as it ebbs and flows, remembering always we are the stewards providing an academic programme / and resource areas – working in a Christian environment. I guess we must also be missionaries if we are to pursue the mission of our school in the interests of the children of Sydney.

Founders’ Day needs to be expanded – if we are to develop a further vision for the future. We are and will shortly expand the financial “Governors of the School”; we are about to embark upon a Presentee Programme – and that will set up another peer group of the school, hopefully we can find some other “esteemed” body – perhaps “friends of the school” – upon whom are conferred a specific honour.

With these groups I envisage on one day per year in which all of these august persons would be welcomed into the school – to witness some classes in progress – to observe some cultural activities of the school – and to be briefed upon “potential developments” of the school.

This type of activity/ programme is yet to be developed and submitted to the Board – but I’m sure it is the type of thinking we need to do – and implement in order to develop greater historical rapport and to provide stimuli for the school in the future.

Some of you will have heard me say “Redlands will win the Head of the River – one day – and possibly with an all-girl crew” – it’s hard to contemplate at this time – but all things are possible. Just imagine for example the possibility of hearing the following remarks - Q: Why did you go to Knox – or PLC?” A: Because my parents could not get me into Redlands”.

I want you to recognise – if we put our minds to it – all things are possible – but we must set the scene for such a position and goal. We need to be positive players – and not just leaving it to God to make it happen.

My feelings about the future – are based on my observations of the acts of our Founders – and in subsequent leaders of the school, and in today’s climate we must never for one moment forget the parent power we have – which has been most diligently cultivated by Peter Cornish – our executive Headmaster – through whose added support – helped us – the Board of Directors – bring our recent acquisition on stream.

A friend of mine recently stated in respect of Rotary - “today we stand on the pinnacles of the past – but really we are in the foothills of the future”.

I believe this is very true of SCECGS Redlands – and certainly we can “let our light shine brightly” as we think back on the past of such people – as Miss Arnold, Miss Liggins, Miss Roseby and Mrs. Humphery. I know Peter and his team draw great strength from their endeavours – for I know they stand very tall in our picture of the pinnacles of the past.

Friends will you be upstanding, with your glasses charged – and join me in toasting our Founders and Leaders of the past.

John H A Lang OAM

(Probable date: June/July 1990 after acquisition of The Cremorne Campus 1989/90.)