SENIOR SCHOOL
The generosity of
George Gordon Stewart
Henn’s House 1933.
Earlier this year the School received
notification of a significant bequest which
had come from George Gordon Stewart
(He 1932-1934), who was born on 30 May
1917 and came from Darkan.
His father first applied for his son to enter
Guildford Grammar School in April 1929.
The Headmaster, Rev’d Freeth, noted Gordon
(his preferred name) was “bright and diligent
and takes a keen interest in all his work”. He
also pointed out it was desirable that boys
should enter the School under the age of
fourteen so that they could take the Junior
Examination. It was recommended that
Gordon join the School for Term 1, 1930.
In 1931 Gordon’s father wrote to the
Headmaster explaining that the depression in
wool and sheep prices meant he was unable
to send his son to the School. His hope was
that Gordon would enter in February 1932.
Later in the year George senior wrote again
to Rev’d Freeth proposing a plan to pay half
his son’s fees each year.
The Council agreed and Gordon was enrolled
for Term 1, 1932. Interest on his account
was not demanded by the Council as long as
he remained at the School and the half fees
were to be paid in advance.
Gordon performed well at school but like
most boys had the occasional accident. In
April 1932 he had a bad fall and fractured
his wrist. He was given a general anaesthetic;
the bone was reset and he was back in class
the next day!
Gordon caught the train to and from Darkan
at term time. This was an all day journey.
Again in 1933 George’s father found it
impossible to pay the fees but hoped by
1934 to be able to pay off the debt. He also
requested Gordon discontinue Latin and
take up Bookkeeping. In September 1933
Mr Stewart wrote to the Headmaster giving
notice of his son’s leaving the School. Fees
were again a problem. Rev’d Freeth again
encouraged Gordon’s parents to try and keep
him at the School for a further two years.
Gordon was very keen to return to the
School. The Council offered a generous
deferred payment option until after he
completed his education. Gordon left
Guildford Grammar School at the end of
1934 aged eighteen.
He was offered a position at Elders Smiths
wool store.
His parents expressed their gratitude to the
Headmaster for all his kind efforts in keeping
their son at the School.
had experienced by writing in his will the
following:
As to the remaining one half thereof
UPON TRUST for the Guildford Grammar
School Foundation (Inc) of 11 Terrace Road,
Guildford, Western Australia to be held on
trust by the Foundation to invest the capital
thereof in Trustee authorised investments and
to use the annual income therefrom to fund
the implementation of modern educational
developments and advancements in
education in Guildford Grammar School.
Without limiting the generality of the
foregoing the use of the income for
these purposes may extend to cover in
service courses for teachers, attendance at
educational conferences for teachers and for
students including funding of attendance at,
for example, the National Science Olympiad
for Students, and the provision of teaching
aids of and funding for the School Library.
I make this bequest in recognition of
the years spent as a boarding student at
Guildford Grammar School”
This magnificent gift of $1,250,000 will
ensure Guildford Grammar School remains at
the leading edge of educational development
and thousands of boys will be the t