Big Ears
This is listed as Grade One, but it was actually called 'Bubs'. I had thought this photo long lost until I found it recently. First year of school and I had three friends, who I sat with all year: Colin Robson (top, second left), John McCall (standing, third right) and Anthony Van der Plug (standing, first right). For years I thought Anthony's surname was 'Bandapook'. I was so cut up when we split up the next year and stopped seeing each other. Teacher is Mrs Imrie, who's husband was later the school Principal. Vickie Harris (third row, fourth left) gets a mention in Favourite Women, and Angela Kutelux (third row, third right) gets mentioned below.
Grade One, and looking a lot like mum.
Grade one. The teacher's name was 'Mrs Lemon'. I like the shot of Mervyn Donaldson (top left). He looks like a scallywag. The girl with the white bonnet who looks pregnant (next to Mrs Lemon) is Rebecca Barnard. As far as I know she's the only one of us that ever went on to become kind of famous. She's a singer in the band 'Rebecca's Empire' (recently disbanded). She always was an exhibitionist... The very tall blonde girl in the middle is Debbie Bins. My brother Carl used to go out with her sister.
For some reason the school decided to have individual photos taken during grade two, thus no group shots. We look weird when we're kids, don't we? A very rare shot of me smiling showing my very crooked teeth - which is why I don't usually smile with my teeth showing. I'm really glad this is in colour. You know how colours are so vibrant and new when you're young? Well, that green top really takes me back.
Grade Three. Oh god I hate this photo of me. The things mum used to make me and Carl wear! That knitted cardigan was purple! And look who I'm standing next to! Her name was Belinda something. She was big and boisterous and weird. Notice how Rebecca Barnard (bottom, third left) has porked out here. Also, check out Andrew Tester (first row of boys, second right). Yes, that's right: he was a mental case. Note Stephen Cossey (first row of boys, third from left). He's got on the same jumper as he had in the grade 1 photo. No idea who the teacher was. We had a few different ones that year.
Wot me worry?
Grade Four. This is more like it. The teacher's name here is Mrs Walsh, I think. Angela Kutelux (front, fourth right) was a girl I asked to be my girlfriend back in 'bubs'. I told her I'd bash her up if she wouldn't. But by this stage I had a big crush on Deborah Log (the exotic creature front, second right), a new girl. Of course, I can see today that I should have gone for my teacher. She's hot!
Dandruff days.
Grade Five. I remember this as a year of upheaval. At least mum was finally dressing me in something cool. I loved that denim suit. Leslie Anne Beadle (seated, second left) and I became friends. She was pretty nice, but she was always talking about her boyfriend who went to another school. Notice how Deborah Log (seated, fourth left) started pigging out here. God she looks frumpy here. I don't know what I saw in her. My first friend and almost next door neighbour, Jeff Thurling, is here too (sitting, second right). Check out the girl seated on the left. Her name was Karen something. I bet she hates this photo. The teacher, Mr Harnetty, was a tough old bugger. I still see him around down Mooroolbark sometimes.
Cool dude.
Grade Six. They put us in with the Grade fives as a composite class this year. Stephen Cossey (next to me) and I sat together this year. It's a pity it took till my last year before I found out what a great guy he was. We used to have a blast. Note the field in the background on the right: all housing estates now.
Me and Coss'. We lost touch when we went to different High Schools. Coss wanted to be an architect. I'm sure he made it.