Modern Education

Neil Marks | March 07, 2023

Modern Education

Wesley College in Perth is a lovely school, set on a delightful campus. The school has great facilities, a caring faculty and a decent group of kids who seem happy in their pleasant environment.

In March 1992 I was appointed manager of the New South Wales team to play Western Australia the Sheffield Shield Final. The trip lasted about 10 days and the game turned out to be one of the best games ever played at the W.A.C.A. (Terry Alderman rated it as the best game he ever played, anywhere.) The fortunes of both teams ebbed and flowed until finally the home team won the elusive trophy – but that’s another story.

Soon after our arrival in Perth, the team received a visit from a former Blues player, John Roger, who was a teacher at Wesley College and a good friend to many of us. John offered the NSW team the use of the school’s ground and net facilities. Wanting to escape from the somewhat parochial atmosphere of the W.A.C.A I readily accepted his offer.

The team bus arrived at the school and we were shown the change rooms. As I walked into the room I saw a familiar face, that of the headmaster, Rod Keffotrd, whom I had known in the days when he was teaching at Barker College in Sydney. We greeted each other warmly, I thanked his for his hospitality to the team and asked if we could reciprocate in any way.

“Well, we have a school assembly in half an hour, which Geoff Lawson has consented to address and I was hoping you would be able to attend yourself and, if possible, arrange for a couple of other players to join you, “Rod responded.

Like all good headmasters, Kefford never misses out on a chance to obtain a “quid pro quo”. Nevertheless, Rod had been extremely kind to us, is a good bloke and despite his time in W.A is still a true “Blue” at heart, so I was more than happy to agree to his request.

Half an hour later, “Henry” Lawson, the brothers Waugh, Mike Whitney and myself walked up onto the stage at the Wesley College school assembly. Lawson addressed the boys in his usual thoughtful and eloquent manner and the boys loved it.

After the assembly had finished, Rod Kefford and John Rogers took the five of us on a guided tour of the school. We walked around for some time then, by popular request, we ended our sojourn in one of the school bathrooms.

“Well, what do you think of Wesley?” asked Rod Kefford.

“It is a most impressive school Rod, you must be very proud, “I said – and I meant it. Three of the others endorsed my sentiments.

“Well, I don’t think much of it!”

Everyone turned to look at Mike Whitney.

“I beg your pardon?” said Kefford.

“It’s nothing like my old school, South Sydney Boy’s High,” replied Whitney.

I remember at the time exchanging glances with Steve Waugh; this attitude was so out of character for Whit, who could lay claim to being Australia sport’s nicest man.

“No, this is not a real school – not like South Sydney Boys,” Whit reiterated.

Kelford then asked the obvious question, “Why is that?”

We all glanced around the hygienically safe and spotless bathroom.

Whitney began to laugh. “Call yourselves a school, what a load of crap. Just look at this bathroom – there is no graffiti on the walls and not one cigarette but in the urinals.”

Then Whit winked at Rod, slapped him on the shoulder and walked out to practice.