NEWS FROM GRAMMAR 2015

BHOGA
report
Writer in
residence-
Chris Haslam
Dear Broadland friends,
It has been a privilege to have been shown a number of scrap books
over the past few months, some of which have been returned after
copying and some donated to the Memorabilia Room collection.
There are two albums, where photos and stories have been passed
down through the family of Louisa Fitzpatrick, and another compiled
whilst at school by Liz Colman (Henderson). These contain recipes,
invitations, letters, and newspaper cuttings. Old, musty, moth and
rodent riddled pages, but such a joy to hold in your hand.
The discovery of the ‘Broadland House folder’ at the Launceston Library
uncovered a collection that Mary Dent (Wilson) had researched and
collated whilst working at the library in the 60’s.
The collection of newspaper cuttings, tells the history of Broadland from
the earliest report of the Manley family in 1833 on the Patterson Plains
property, the Heads of ‘Ladies Schools’ in Launceston to Broadland’s
close in 1983. Mary’s personal story of the war years whilst a boarder at
Broadland, is also included.
We are certainly indebted to Mary who without the aid of a computer
took it upon herself to compile another little piece of Broadland history.
So in this vein I ask you to think about your time at school, we all have
a story – and without you ‘STORIES FROM THE PAST’ – memories of
Broadland cannot be written. The closing date is the 17th December
2015 and we look to a small publication in 2016.
BENEFACTOR
Thank you Mrs Ann Fysh (Sherwin) for your recent contribution towards
the Broadland Old Girls Association, significantly boosting our account,
helping towards ongoing LCGS School scholarships.
Details of reunion events and Memorabilia Open Days are contained in
the Alumni section on the school website and in the LCGS E-Newsletter.
Dona Bradley (Drake)
President BHOGA
Phone 03 6334 7263
email: kevendona@bigpond.com
An English teacher in both origin and profession, writer in
residence Chris Haslam’s sunny smile and positive energy have
stimulated students’ literary thinking and output at Grammar.
Here for a month, Chris worked with students in the English
Literature class, extension students and a Grade 10 English
class who are studying the poetry of World War 1. A prolific
writer and publisher of seven books including five volumes of
poetry, Chris felt very welcome at Grammar and is impressed
by the students’ creativity. He has visited Australia thirty five
times, with seven crossings of the Tasman to visit the Norris
family- a link from his teaching time at Stowe with Stephen
Norris. Discovering more of Tasmania and its literature, not least
its colourful spectrum of poets has been a particular joy to him.
He has been much cheered by the warmth of his students’
responses here- a feature that has also applied to his work in
the Junior School. Chris has now returned to England to write
something new gleaned from his merry sojourn in Launceston.
“For the rest of my Life”
– a poem by Chris Haslam
From a new international
An old hockey stick,
Once destined for an African township,
but missing the plane.
So, with Tom’s warm approval,
I gave it to Alfie,
On February half term day
Under English grey cloud.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS FOR 2015
Memorabilia Open Days Omagh
Broadland Campus - 4 August, 1 September and 3 November -
Tuesday 11.30am to 2.30pm
BHOGA Luncheon – Melbourne Branch
Saturday, 28 November, Venue to be advised
Broadland Annual Service of Holy Communion and Breakfast
Thursday, 10 December LCGS Chapel 7.30am
We’d been playing back-garden football,
Alfie in goal,
grass scudded on its journey to mud.
I held the stick to him:
He paused,
reached out his hand
For a moment to take it,
fixed me with treasure-blue eyes,
‘For the rest of my life?” he asked.
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