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Mr Forster and Mr Johnson
Rydalmere Mental Hospital Playing Fields 1960
As Parramatta Pool was not built until 1960, the Swimming Carnivals were held at Granville Pool, which had NO shelter from the sun.
The Athletics Carnivals commenced at Cumberland Oval, on the site of Parramatta Stadium, and some were continued at Rydalmere Mental Hospital.
The Athletics Carnival took a day and a half. On the first afternoon, there was The March from the School, behind the School flag and our House flags, through the streets of Parramatta. I don't remember the exact route, but we certainly passed the Town Hall, and I remember that we also marched over the causeway in Marsden Street, near the present Riverside Theatre. Several practices were held at Jones Park in the weeks leading up to the big day.
The band of the Royal Australian Engineers led us, and it was a proud day when we presented them with a new bass drum, as a "Thank You." I recall the cost of the drum was a mighty forty pounds!
It was compulsory for each student to enter one event with a maximum of three events. As there were age races, and "games" races such as the orange race, and three-legged race, (wading races at the Swimming Carnival), it was possible to enter without too much trauma. A House point was awarded for each entry, so that team spirit was squeezed out of even the slowest and most reluctant.
Until today, I thought I had forgotten the trauma and embarrassment of being the weakest link in the House Captains' and Vice-captains' relay at Cumberland Oval. It was the final event of the first afternoon: I fancy it was only 75 yards, and we didn't come last! Then it was home to clean the sandshoes for the next day. A couple of the "Finals" days were held at Rydalmere Mental Hospital, a more satisfactory site, although it boasted only a tiny grandstand.
Lunchtime was marked with the Class Picnic. The Class Captains were formally to invite the Class Teacher to our picnic. Our Class Teachers, in the three junior years, were Miss Butler, Mr Quinn, and Mrs Blackshield. Miss Butler told us what to bring for lunch, a barefoot Mr Quinn joined in the long-jump fun with us, and Mrs Blackshield was a gracious guest, with perfect manners. Quite a mixture.
After lunch on the second day, it was time for the "big" events: the Warcry competition, and the House Relays. Each of these events, along with the Marching Competition of the previous afternoon, was worth 16 House Points to the winner, and 12, 8 and 4 for the other three Houses.
Much preparation went into the Warcry. Signs were painted, balloons and streamers purchased, and lunchtime practices held in the Park for weeks before. It always seemed to me that the Marsden's red colour gave them a great advantage, while Batman's brown must have been a constant challenge. Brisbane's yellow was a pretty good, and Fitzroy's green blended a little too well with our royal blue uniforms, but we all did our fervent best. At the appointed time, each House performed before the judges, who then made the usual remarks as to the difficulty of choice etc, before announcing the places.
After that, if we had any voices left, it was time to encourage the elite athletes in the House Relays, before wending our exhausted way home.
were casually dressed for the athletics carnival.
Yarrawee, yarrawee, yah, yah, yah.
Fitzroy, Fitzroy, here we are!
Chillawarra, chillawarra, we can beat
Anyone we chance to meet.
Bamwarra, bamwarra, yarrawee guy,
Fitzroy, Fitzroy, do or die!
F-I-T-Z-R-O-Y
FITZROY!
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