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Jim was a teacher that was part of my life at school, mathematics, hockey and athletics. We met up with him last year for a class (50th) reunion. He passed away 19 Mar 2009.
Asked last year to write a couple of hundred words about himself, Jim wrote;
I started at Cairns High School in 1949 and continued my normal teaching duties and extra curricula pursuits until the end of 1960. In the last few years I became involved with the students Naturalist Group which contributed a snake pit to school fetes as well as help me become more comfortable with non-venomous snakes.
I was promoted to the position of deputy principal at Townsville High and Technical College in 1961 and from there I was moved to become the first deputy principal at Trinity Bay High, Cairns. (1963-1964). I moved as principal to other schools, (first principal at Gordonvale), but ended up back at Trinity Bay High School where I stayed as principal till I retired in 1988
I have had little spare time since I retired, my life is fully occupied with many plant interests. In the years that I taught you, my consuming interest was orchids. I am still involved there as the Vice president of the Atherton Tableland Orchid Society. I also have an extensive collection of bromeliads; grow lots of fruit and vegetables; and am very involved in environmental matters. Last year I was awarded life membership of T.R.E.A.T (Trees for the Evelyn and Atherton Tablelands). This group is involved in planting 22,000 rainforest trees at various locations on the tablelands in the present planting season.
As one of the members of the Atherton singers, I have regular weekly practices and perform normally twice a month for senior citizens as well as for other special functions.
We are kept busy also in contact with our 5 children and the doings of their families which include 9 grandchildren.
