An International Career

by Jennifer Mills

When I graduated in 1982 with a Diploma of Teaching from Milperra CAE I never imagined the power I held in my hand! With a Diploma of Teaching that was recognised worldwide (for free, no student debt in those days!!) I set out to teach overseas. Initially I went to London to teach in 1985 but in 1986 I got a job teaching in Greece. I became hooked on the international lifestyle of teaching and travelling. Since then I have taught in Dublin, Manus Island, London (again), Qatar and now I’m in Beijing where I am the Curriculum Coordinator. In August 2017 I am moving to Seoul, South Korea to become Principal at an International School. I owe all my thanks to Milperra CAE who took a chance on me as I was a third round intake student! I can’t imagined how my life would have turned out if I hadn’t attended Milperra CAE. I had an amazing few years there. I was a Student Rep for Teacher Ed and have great memories of my years there. I played netball and basketball for the college and went to a few ‘intercols” which were crazy fun! I remember the concerts…even one with Ross Ryan who sang “I am Pegasus!” Lunchtime at the Viking were mandatory for a steak sandwich! The friends who I am still in contact with from those days are also successful in teaching careers with the NSW Dept of Ed. What a walk down memory lane this has been! Well done Milperra CAE!

Lunchtime parties

by Charlie Coorey

I was a student in Social Welfare 1980-81 and have many great memories of MCAE. This course was my second chance after dropping out of a science degree at Uni of Sydney. I have since been on the Field Education Committee in the 90s and even came back to UWS to fill in as a temp coordinator for the Professional Context of Youth work for a semester with Vaughan Bowie (one of my original mentors/lecturer/tutor back in 1980-81). I am still in the community sector and am still passionate and energetic as a local government youth strategic projects officer. Aside from the learning heaps about life and getting my ‘pieces of paper’ I was also the social coordinator of the Students association and used to organise the lunchtime concerts/parties with the wonderful support and friendship of Margaret Zito, our only paid staff support to the students association. By far the best gig was getting Dynamic Hipnotics to perform at our lunch gig. The beer and wine were overflowing and enjoyable lectures in the afternoon followed. After this gig Dynamic Hipnotics agreed to play at our end of year graduation party before they attracted a manager and became expensive. Aside from the great lectures from many inspiring lecturers and tutors student life and friendships made attendance attractive and enjoyable. Congrats on 35 years and thanks.

Fees protest

by Craig Pike

I recall lining up to enrol one semester in the early 80s. Tuition was free in those days, however, I remember the drama surrounding a petition to protest against the compulsory enrolment fee. It was $20. I recall friendly lectures with academics that knew how to inspire learning and students that I still bump into after all these years.

Those were the days!

by Nolene Walker (nee Syme)

I attended Milperra CAE from 1977-1979. One of the aspects I now appreciate about Milperra CAE is that it gave so many of us westy girls (yes mainly girls and mainly westies in primary education) the opportunity to get a first rate education specifically in teacher education. Most of us were on teacher scholarships which in many ways wooed us into teaching. There was a program called ISEP (interschool education program). Each Friday morning we would attend a different school and observe the teaching strategies that were used and then critique the lesson. It was understood that we would then use those strategies in our own lessons. We went to college 5 days a week and I remember comparing the hours that my friends did who attended country colleges (usually 3 days a week and lots of drinking, well I think we did our share of the latter too!) and now I look at my own children who seem to be able to cram their university timetables into 2-3 days per week. There were some terrific elective programs that I believe broadened us. Art for instance with David Baker and Ken Stone- we were required to critique obscure art exhibitions and grapple with art techniques and media; the sport and recreation program was so much fun (activities such as rowing up the Georges River, or overnight camping and coastal walks in the Royal National Park, ski weekends, intercols (colleges had sporting weekends) which were terrific fun. (Of course each one of these events have their own stories attached to them.) Richard Parker organised the most wonderful Central Australian trips and South East Asian trips made so affordable, yet we ate like kings. Probably the best aspects of attending Milperra CAE were the lifelong friendships developed. For many years (until our teenagers had their own agendas) a group of ex Milperra CAE students (77-79) met with our families and spent a week holidaying in a coastal spot. I have remained a teacher in the western suburbs and now work at UWS (yes the Milperra Campus) in the inclusion program (students with additional needs) and I have to say that my own education at Milperra has prepared me well for the work I now do with trainee teachers.

Social Welfare 1978

by Dawn J. Smith (Robertson)

I attended Milperra CAE in 1978-79 to complete the Associate Diploma in Social Welfare. I was 36, divorced with 2 young children and my Mum gave up work so I could attend College. I remember the Psychology Lecturer drawing the bell curve for stats and asking us if we all knew what it was. I nodded but had no idea! I had left school before I was fifteen due to ill health. I remember the Psych Lecturer saying in the last semester in 1979 that after our group “all others would be blancmange” because we were so diverse, with mature aged, school leavers, nuns, single mums, marrieds, lesbians, etc! Some that had gone through the rehab systems. We were very lucky to have had Dr Frank Hayes, Helen Boyle and last but not least our beloved Dr Margaret Sargent, who opened all our eyes with her Sociology lectures. Two main events stand out from that time, that we as the Welfare School overthrew the Teacher Ed students for control of the student union, (probably saving many Teacher Ed students from alcoholism because we stopped the Thursday swill.) Neville Wran came in July 1978(approx). Milperra was in flood so he came in a helicopter. We nearly lifted the roof off cheering when he was followed by Gough Whitlam. I will always remember Milperra CAE for the chance it gave me. I worked for DOCS from 1980 to 2002, 22 years in the Bankstown Office. I completed a Social Science Degree graduating in 1990 and returned again to do a Master In Counselling which I did not complete. I have been retired for just on eight years. I owe Milperra more than I could ever repay, and made several lifelong friends there. And yep, I can remember Vaughan Bowie!

Early memories of MCAE

by Gordon Treble

Some remaining memories * Seeing Gary Langford crash tackle Les Rory. Being a New Zealander, and in his first game of friendly” TOUCH ” rugby, we all understood Gary’s dilemma. When Les came-to we apologised on behalf of Gary. * The ability of Doug McNally to bring every staff meeting to a conclusion at 4.55 pm.for an adjournment and to meet in 10 minutes forthwith at the Bankstown Golf Club. * Our efficient and delightful “support” staff ; like Pat. Betty, Harry, Daph, Helen,Robyn, June,and Jan (who have I forgotten?…I know,that lady who I used to closely follow down the corridor with her captivating Rhumba hip walk Sophie! * Darrel Chapman’s innovative alternate name he coined for John Collerson’s Symbolic Committee; Darrel’s suggestion: “The Bollock’s Committee.” The latter was retained by most. * While on Darrel….The new secretary Ken Gee entered my office and I introduced them ….Ken said a few words and then Darrel chuckled and proceeded to tell, unknowingly, two stuttering jokes. That year our P.E. funding was reduced! * I recall our first few years of a super friendly times especially at morning teas etc. and the close liaison with administration. * As with the above, staff had close and meaningful relationships with beaut students and we had many Off-campus occasions promoted by Doug McNally and enjoyed by all. Such memories of Vision Valley and Barry Ridge’s organisation of our Alpine Exposures in the snow fields. * Ken Stone’s exuberant renditions of poetry. * Mike Koder sucking on his pipe. * Ron-the-mail-man; who knew more about the staff than Pat Cole. He was very helpful! * The contrast between Chris Stirling’s authoritative voice and melodic tones of Steve Watson. * A memory I’ve tried to forget were the sounds each November that penetrated the corridors….those student “musicians” practising on their recorders.

Working the grounds

by Ken Hardy – Gardener

I started work at Milperra CAE in August 1977. The oval and most of the main building had just been completed. The old primary school in the front of the grounds was still there and in fact, our old gardeners’ shed was one of the old buildings of the school. In the early stage there was only Neil Walker and me clearing the grounds. The ridges of the old market gardens were everywhere and they all had to be leveled. Also, either side of the oval, old foundations of houses and gardens etc. had to be dug up by the scoop of the old tractor, and made into heaps and taken away. There were also some blackberries near the main building. Bob Waugh liked mounds, which were everywhere and were quite hard to mow. The thing that upset me the most, was making the grounds nice, with trees, shrubs and flowers, then they would all be bulldozed down to make ready for a new building. Some of my extra jobs in the early years were controlling traffic on open days, guarding the student paintings in the main hall, cooking barbecue meat for staff, filling staff cars with petrol, and cleaning them. I also opened the campus in the mornings, as well as being on the switchboard once where there was a large flood in the area. In my retirement I believe that working for the University of Western Sydney, Milperra was all worth while.

Big changes over the years

by Deirdre Russell-Bowie

I have been working at MCAE / MIHE / UWSM / UWS for over 30 years now. The main change I have seen since starting work here in 1980 when it was called Milperra College of Advanced Education is the size of the institution. In the early 1980s all the staff and students knew each other by name and the staff had morning and afternoon tea as well as lunch all together every day. We would have had less than 1000 students on campus and now we have over 36,000 students across six UWS campuses. Another major change was in technology. In the 1980s academics each had access to a secretary who typed up anything they required on their electric typewriters! It was very exciting when the introduction of the golf ball typewriters as these could change fonts AND white out a mistake without the need for Tippex! In the mid-1980s our forward looking Dean bought some Apple Macintosh computers and this revolutionised the way we created documents and resources for the students. Despite only having 512k hard disk memory these original computers worked very well!

Foundation student memories

by Robyn Hardina (nee Hayes)

The first intake of students at the Milperra College of Advanced Education was in July 1975 of which I was one of the foundation members. The only course available was a Diploma in Education. Our first introduction to tertiary education was in a very old abandoned primary classrooms at Milperra as the building was not finished for our intake. If my memory is correct our science class had a tutorial outside under the trees. Being part of the Christian Fellowship we were used to meeting under the trees which we enjoyed. When the main building was completed we thought my its canary yellow. Our course was pretty tough and it separated the sheep from the goats. During the first year many sheep left. Looking forward to catching up with past students of my year and others. Hopefully these 35 years have been kind to us all in our teaching careers.

Neville Wran visits Macarthur

by Kevin Warrington

Around 1986 or 1987 before we moved Student Administration to Campbelltown, I was Academic registrar of Macarthur Institute of Higher Education
The annual open day was held on a Saturday and we were lucky enough to have Premier Neville Wran as our official guest.
We were told by the Premiers office that his official car would arrive at 1.00pm and come to the Principals (Dr David Barr) front door. The entire Executive was standing out the front of Dr Barr’s office when all of a sudden the Premier walked up behind us and asked something like “are you expecting me”?.
You see Premier Wran had been there before and instructed his drive to park around the back and totally surprised and embarrassed us all by coming through the back of the building totally unannounced. But the day turned out well any way.

Silence of egg cartons

by John Fletcher

Chris Sterling was the head of the Music Department – a lady who had a wonderful sense of humour with a sharp and firm mind in achieving what she wanted. During the early stages of construction of the main building Chris submitted her needs for music recital rooms; all was noted to be included in the design. When the building reached lock up stage and the interior sections were well established an inspection of the recital rooms had Chris steaming into Bob Waugh’s office the Properties Manager “Not Happy! The acoustics are terrible, the walls transmit sound, they don’t absorb sound” Bob explains budget cuts had to be made and required the wall materials to be downgraded. Chris, still not happy, instigated a request for egg cartons to be collected. She made it known that the purpose was to have them glued to the recital room walls to improve the acoustics and deaden the instrument sounds. Quite a collection of egg cartons were received and Chris was stacking them up in her lobby. Bob had to give in and he found funds to upgrade the room materials to an acceptable compromise with Chris. Most of the staff were disappointed as they wanted Chris to enforce her bluff or was she bluffing? Bob wasn’t game to call her on it!

Treasure in them hills!

by John Fletcher

David Baker was one of the original lectures who worked in the Visual Arts Department under David Harris. Mr Baker was a jovial person and did not let problems worry him, in some administrators eyes he was slack. He owned a Fiat 500; (commonly known as the Fiat Bambino) the car was his mode of transport, a very small car for one who was above average in size and weight. The car was also not very reliable mainly because of David’s attitude towards preventative maintenance. One day it stopped never to go again and it was left within college grounds about where the oval is today. Weeks turned months no action taken to requests to move it. Work started on the oval a front end loader moved it to one side during construction; more requests were ignored for its removal. A final ultimatum was issued move or it will be buried, David said “good saves me the trouble”. Now today the original Fiat 500 is worth a bit of money as it’s a collectable classic car. So if you’re keen there is a classic car buried under one of the mounds that landscape the back entrance to the main building. That’s assuming they are still there I have not been on the Milperra Campus for a number of years and I’m not up to date on building and ground changes.

Urgent Supply Attention

by John Fletcher

Ken Gee the college secretary rang on a Thursday afternoon “John I want you to purchase me a fax machine and I want it supplied and installed in my office by tomorrow.” So I checked out which machines were available on government contract and made a few phone calls, explaining the conditions of supply. Canon Australia was able to guarantee supply and installation before knock off time the next day and did so. I was pleased that all went well and Ken Gee was happy. On Monday morning my phone rang about two minutes after Ken arrived at work, the fax machine was not working and he demanded a service person to come and have it fixed or replace it by that morning. A phone call to the Canon sales representative, the request was not an easy one but he said he will see what could be done and call me back. Ten minutes later the call came in “good news John we have a service technician on his way to Liverpool and I have arranged for him to call in on his way”. About an hour later he arrived I escorted him to Ken’s office and within two minutes the machine was fixed. A cleaner had pulled the power cord out of its socket when vacuuming his office early in the morning and did not replace it. Red faced Ken offered the technician early morning tea and cake. All future calls from the Principals Unit for equipment maintenance, the power to the machine was check before a service a call was made and cleaners were advised from that day to replace any power cords after cleaning activities.

Meeting the Premier of NSW

by Des Crawley

I was the academic staff representative on the foundation council of the Milperra CAE. We were gathered together as a ‘special’ group for the formal opening of the college in the new building. It was and had been raining for days. The country was awash – floods in Milperra and surrounding suburbs. The premier flew into the campus via helicopter and said conveyance landed on oval. As staff representative I had the critical task (and booby prize) of heading out into the rain to give Neville Wran an umbrella. I met him at the back of what was the central quadrangle and the then mound of buried dreams. His first words to me ( I was dressed in academic gown and full of self importance) were, “I need a piss!”. I took him to the staff toilet and so added further to the delayed opening as the guest of honour relieved himself. Ever since I have always thought it a good plan when required to make a decision to go and do a premier! It helps focus the mind. Ha!

Face the future – I would but what direction is it?

by Des Crawley

My strongest recurring memory was of an institution that from its very inception faced various attempts to close it down. We confronted successive stages and federal policy settings that involved: establishment, threatened abandonment/closure, amalgamation, take over, consolidation, incorporation, expansion and diversification, merger, federation and ultimately rationalisation….aaaargh. I was privileged to represent the academic staff on various committees that were established to defend the Milperra CAE from the vagaries of politicians and bureaucrats. it was here that I received my first lesson in what was to prove to be a career long truth – that the fierce corporate loyalty of the pioneer years of Milperra CAE was the unique bond  of a “can do” pioneer group that quickly became devalued and diminished as growth, conflicting loyalties and competing priorities gave us ‘collegiality’ as a substitute for unity. The period 1975 – 1978 was a special time in my career. The pioneer students put up with much as we often were required to write policy for such matters as admissions, assessment and evaluation, practice teaching on ‘the run’. I attended many meetings of staff and of the Milperra CAE as we faced being a one intake college.  It was a recurring message from the NSW Higher Education Board and Canberra that the name Milperra CAE had to disappear because the then federal Treasurer (with the apt name of Lynch) had listed us as a centre to close as part of his ‘razor gang’ review of higher education.  I can recall vividly the laughter and the snide reactions when I suggested that, if all we had to do was to disappear off his list was to change our name then we could amalgamate with ourselves and form something new called Macarthur something or another.  Soon, my comment, made in jest, became policy (ie Macarthur Institute of Higher Education). Bizarre outcome for a bizarre time. We had become incestuous and amalgamated with ourselves.