Docco's Diary | St Peter's College in 1975

Those who left St Peter’s College in 1975 will be invited to the Milestone Reunion Evening on Saturday 1st November 2025 at the School. We decided to look back 50 years and remember the successful 1975 year at St Peter’s College.

In 1975 Dr Keith Rayner became Archbishop of Adelaide. Dr Rayner made his first official visit to St Peter’s College when he preached the Founders’ Day sermon on 15th July. On Speech Day, as Visitor of the School and Chairman of the Board of Governors, he spoke about the marks of a Church School. He said that he would like to think that in a Church School the aim of education is not to provide a highway to privilege, but to discover the royal road of service to others.

All of us who heard Dr Rayner speak at St Peter’s College in the period 1975-1990 know how great a man he was. He died at the age of 95 this year, 2025, on 12th January. The Cathedral was packed for his funeral on 3rd February.

The Captain of the School, P. R. Rischbieth, with the Archbishop of Adelaide, The Most Reverend K. Rayner, on Founders’ Day

Reverend AW Stringer was ordained to the Priesthood on 2nd February in the Cathedral. He became one of three Chaplains at St Peter’s College in 1975.

The 1973-1975 economic recession led to a fall in boarding numbers in 1975. We only had 150 boarders in 1975 and the numbers of boys in the School (986) fell below the 1000 figure which had been exceeded in the period 1965-1971. In 1975, the Australian economy was experiencing a significant downturn, marked by high inflation (around 17%), rising unemployment, largely due to the global oil crisis which caused major instability in the economy. It was a period of "stagflation" with both high inflation and unemployment occurring simultaneously.

In 1975 Mr Tom Lewis (an old scholar, who was at St Peter’s College 1931-1940) became the 33rd Premier of New South Wales. He was one of ten old scholars who have become State Premiers. When at St Peter’s College he was a boarder, Captain of School House and a School Prefect. He rowed in the First VIII in 1939 and 1940.

Old scholars here in 1975 will remember two loyal staff members who retired in 1975. Mr Horace Matters retired after 29 years’ service. Mr Ken Peake-Jones retired after 25 years’ service.

As Headmaster, Mr JSC Miller, said on Speech Day, "Mr. Matters was known to many generations at this School for his firm handling of Mathematics and Science and for the way in which he has helped less able boys, many of whom owe their examination passes and future success to him. He was Housemaster of Woodcock House for 16 years and he initiated House Dinners, holding them in the basement of Athelney House. It was as a Scoutmaster for 14 years that he made his most significant contribution — the Scouts were then over 230 in number and he imparted his own enthusiasm to everyone associated with the group. In the year before he took over, two boys hiked for the Rymill Shield. Under his leadership, the Rymill Hike became a main feature in the school year until at one time about 140 boys entered. He was one of the first to organise hikes in the Flinders Ranges. In his final years here, he was Careers Master and many boys benefited from the advice he gave".

Mr Miller also said: "Mr. Peake-Jones has brought distinction to our Classics Department by being also President of the Classical Association of South Australia for three years. He was Housemaster of Da Costa for 8 years and since 1962, he was responsible for the publication of the School Magazine, which he has successfully developed into a most interesting record of the year’s events by its new presentation and judiciously placed photographs. Recently he has prepared a Handbook of the School. Mr. Peake-Jones will long be remembered for his organisation of the annual cross country runs. In his early days here he was responsible for starting the Exploration Society. Since he has been on the staff he has himself been on expedition to Lake Eyre and to Antarctica. He has been President of the Royal Geographical Society of South Australia. In 1975 he edited Daniel Brock’s diaries (an account of Sturt’s 1844 expedition) with the title “To the Desert with Sturt”."

1975 was the year that Mr Andrew McKenzie joined the staff to take charge of the French Department. Mr Jeff Chittleborough returned from a year at Bedford School. He became Housemaster of Wyatt and Allen boarding house in Term 2. Mr FH Schubert returned from a year studying successfully for his Master of Arts degree in Linguistics at Reading University to resume his position as Second Master.

A feature of 1975 were the excellent “Matriculation Results” (the older equivalent of “Year 12 results”). 83.1% of those eligible gained a full matriculation. Of all subjects attempted, 554 were passed (88.2%), of which 109 (17.4%) were Grade A. These were distributed over 16 different subjects, including 17 in Physics, 16 in Mathematics II, 12 in each of Mathematics I and Chemistry, 10 in Biology, and 9 in English.

Seven boys gained straight A’s and seven were placed on the General Honours list: M. J. H. Elliott, J. I. Cochius, S. J. Rogerson, J. M. King, C. J. D. Reid, C. N. Brown and L. P. Fuller. In the Special Honours lists were the names of S. J. Rogerson, who was second in Mathematics I, and C. N. Brown, who was first in Medieval History.

The Dux of the School in 1975 was Stephen Rogerson (Hawkes House).

Graham Possingham at the Leaving level (the equivalent of Year 11 today) was chosen to be one of the six mathematicians in the State to represent South Australia at the 1975 National Mathematics Summer School in Canberra. In the 1975 Australian Music Examination Awards, there were 29 boys from this School — Christopher Menz on the piano and Craig Tidswell on the flute both distinguished themselves.

The School Play for 1975 was “THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST", written by Oscar Wilde. It captivated the audience. The report in the school magazine of 1975 recorded: “A critic would find it very difficult to find a weakness in this production, and it could be rated as the best school performance for twenty years. The sets were first rate, and costumes and properties reached a high standard. One finds it difficult to differentiate between the players as this was such a successful and well-cast production. Every performer rose to the occasion, and the play had an aesthetic Oscarian touch which must have emanated from Mr. Stringer. Nevertheless, one must say how brilliant the Abbotts were in their feminine roles, whilst the charming performance of Josephine Peters and Judy Griggs matched the mature masculine portrayals by Forbes and Tucker. Miller, Rischbieth and Mayo were all more than earnest performers. This was indeed a memorable production”.

In music, there were a wide range of recitals and concerts across the year.  In the Instrumental Competitions held on Open Day, Saturday, 21st June in the Memorial Hall, the following won prizes:

“A” AWARDS
M. H. Beare                Clarinet (Intermediate Division)
P. Hampton-Smith       Horn (Senior)
S. L. Fitridge               Trumpet (Intermediate)
W. J. S. Nettle             Piano (Intermediate)
C. J. Menz                   Piano (Senior)
A. Brown                     Piano (Senior)
M. A. Leslie                 Piano (Senior)
J. C. Miller                   Violin (Senior)
S. Selva-Nayagam      Violin (Senior)

“B” AWARDS

A. Teusner                 Bagpipes (Elementary)
D. T. Moodie              Piano (Elementary)
C. N. Brown               Flute (Senior)
M. H. Deare               Piano (Senior)
W. K. Lottos               Ocarina (Elementary)
C. J. Menz                 Recorder (Intermediate)
F. Greenslade            Recorder (Intermediate)
C. Wangel                  Violin (Senior)

In the September/October A.M.E.B. exams in music, 38 Senior School boys sat for theoretical and practical exams. Some notable results included:

D. J. Pennington                    Violin (Grade VI)      A
S. J. Selva-Nayagam             Violin (Grade VII)     A +
C. M. Tidswell                         Flute (Grade VII)     B
C. M. Tidswell                        Theory (Grade IV)    100 %
M. H. Beare                            Piano (Grade V)       A
A. B. Fagan                            Piano (Grade V)       A
C. J. Menz                              Piano (Grade VII)     A +

Cartoon by Nigel Abbott in the 1975 Magazine

The School Missioner, GR Jackson, reported: “One of the greatest joys which I have as Missioner comes from being able to be involved in other people’s giving, and to see the spirit of Christianity at work in all manner of people who have made the effort to give of themselves and of their goods to the Mission. One small example of this is shown by a boy of ten years who goes through his toy box every year at about this time and gives some of his best toys to the Mission for distribution at Christmas time. The spirit of this boy’s offering is the real stuff of which the Mission is made, and at this critical time in the history of social agencies when volunteers are becoming harder and harder to obtain because of extreme emphasis on materialism, it is instances such as these which give the Mission heart to carry on with the work which it has begun”.

There were a wide range of clubs and societies for boys to join. These included: Chess Club, Debating Society, Literary Society, Deutsche Gesellschaft, Historical Wargaming Society, Electronics Club, Photographic Society, Film Society, Chemistry Club, Computing Society, Medical Society and Rural Youth Club.

Holiday activities included an Indonesian Study Tour, a trip to Tasmania, and an excursion to the Flinders Ranges.

1975 was a good year for sport.  In winter games, 95% of the boys in the Senior School took part in six competitive sports and two other activities: there were 13 Football teams, 14 Basketball teams, 3 Rugby teams, 5 Squash teams, 4 Soccer teams and 1 Winter Running team. In addition, there was winter Rowing and an Umpiring squad. Altogether, 38 coaches looked after the winter sports programme. As Headmaster, Mr JSC Miller commented, it would be hard to equal such a record of involvement in sport at a school.

It was an outstanding year for Tennis. For the third year in succession the First VI finished at the top of the SALTA Students’ Competition (open to all schools in the State, both state and independent), again won the Metropolitan LTA A4 Final, and defeated P.A.C. twice, once in the Intercollegiate match by the narrowest of margins, and again in third term by five rubbers to four.

In rowing, the First VIII crew had a successful season winning the Advertiser Shield, the Cornell Shield and the Gosse Shield and Blackmore Shield at the Head-of-the-River Regatta.

In rugby, Stephen Westwood was selected as the Captain of the State Under 16 Team. Dick McKinnon and Chris Lawrence were selected in the State Under 18 Schoolboys’ team. Our First XV had a number victories but lost a tight Intercollegiate game 7-10 to PAC.

In squash, our A team won the Grand Final of its grade.

In AFL football, the First XVIII had an enjoyable season but were defeated by a powerful PAC team in the Intercollegiate Match.

The Under 13A Football Team, coached by Mr Dick Potter, (Captain: RM Neagle), shared the McLachlan Cup (for the best team performance other than a first team) with the Under 15A Cricket Team.

Basketball became the winter sport of choice for many boys. We fielded 14 teams.

1975 saw the first year of Open Soccer in the School, and we competed as founder-members of the newly-formed Independent Schools’ Soccer League. Our team was placed half-way in the table.

It was a successful athletics season in 1975. In the School Sports the Open Age group was won by M. B. Frayne who equalled the existing 400 metres time of 51.0 seconds and won all his other events including a good 100 metres sprint of 11.1 sec. on a heavy track. Runner-up was Athletics Captain, J. I. Cochius, who took out three of the field events. The Junior House Competition was won by Da Costa House with 225 points. Woodcock won the Senior House Competition with a record 222 points. Hawkes, its nearest rival, scored 149.

We won the Achilles Cup competition convincingly.

These were some of the records at the Achilles Cup:

OPEN:
M. B. Frayne     100m. 10.7 sec
M. B. Frayne     200m.  22.2 sec.
M. B. Frayne     Long Jump. 6.73m .

UNDER 17:
I. D. Clayfield   400m. 52.6 sec.
C. W. Morgan  Shot Put. 12.52m .
J. F. Garrett      Triple Jump, 12.42m .

UNDER 16:
S. W. Hall         Javelin

UNDER 15:
C. S. Vine         90m Hurdles

FINAL POINTS:
SPSC                858
PGS                  663
SC                    495
WS                   477
SIC                   459

In cricket, the First XI won seven of its eleven matches. The Intercollegiate match was drawn.

Surely Mr Miller’s final comments in his Speech Day report are as relevant in 2025 as they were fifty years ago in 1975? He said: “In a rapidly changing world where there are uncertain standards, a School community with Christian foundations and well-tried traditions can give direction and a purpose in life to its members and those associated with it. And we must hope and pray that this will be so in the future”.

We hope that many of those who left in 1975 will return for their 50-year milestone reunion on Saturday November 1st 2025. They will enjoy the reunion. They will meet friends they have not seen for a long period of time (in some cases, 50 years). If they have not been back for a few years, they will find a school experiencing record enrolments, with many new facilities, which they may like to see, and with the grounds looking more beautiful than ever.

Researched and written by David Docwra
David Docwra retired from St Peter’s College in December 2015 after 37 years’ service and is fondly remembered by many as a dedicated teacher, a committed coach of squash, cricket and soccer, and most especially as a passionate Head of Hawkes House for 21 years. David remains connected to St Peter’s College and regularly provides historical articles for the St Peter’s Old Collegians’ newsletters. In 2023 David was made an Honorary Member of the St Peter’s Old Collegians’ Association.