The college at Mount Lawley was not fully functional at the time of the first intake. Accordingly, they were temporarily housed in Bagot Road Subiaco at the Western Australian Education Department In-service Centre. They made do with a double-demountable classroom and any available resources available. It was not until 15th of September 1970, that students moved to Mt Lawley.
Bagot Rd
The first Mt Lawley College students enrolled for a three-year Diploma of Teaching course commencing in 1970, not at the proposed Mt Lawley site but temporally for the first year on a primary school campus at Bagot Road, Subiaco. College was five days per week, eight hours per day.
The first intake of 142 women and 51 men entered the temporary accommodation at the Western Australian Education Department In-service Centre. They used a double demountable classroom, as well as a nearby hall and playing fields. They used the Education Department Library as well as libraries of the other three colleges.
In the words of Sue Smith:
We were the inaugural students we didn’t have any older students to talk to for what to expect, we were naïve students straight out of high school, you lecturers were also new to this teaching diploma – so I think I was a happy guinea pig prepared to see what this 3-year course would involve. You were all very enthusiastic about your courses and I’m sure that enthusiasm flowed onto us. Everyone helped/supported each other.
The lectures at Bagot Road were all a very new way of learning, sitting at those chairs with a side flap to write on was novel, having to be out of the Centre by 4pm because of the after school courses for teachers were happening was what we did, the semester system was how we were going to learn and no exams – just a continuous assessment program – very different to what we’d had at high school.
Bagot Road also had some advantages as indicated by another student:
Being located in Subiaco we were able to shop, have lunch or wander around the town during breaks or free periods. I remember buying my first outfit with my own money from a small boutique in the main street of the shopping precinct.
The Bagot Road buildings were not very extensive, but were able to accommodate the first year intake of students and the foundation staff. For the time we used these premises, staff and students shared spaces and developed a very communal, friendly and relaxed atmosphere. Some lectures would take place in the gardens or in the little church within the grounds. Art theory tutorials frequently took place in the small church or in the outdoors if the weather permitted. This enabled a strong bond between the students and between students and staff to develop.
John Oliver began his teacher training in 1970, again, not at Mt Lawley but at the old Subiaco Primary School in Bagot Road. ‘I was allocated to Mt Lawley because my temporary home was in Bayswater. We had no information about the courses, though we knew we were enrolling for a 3- year education diploma compared with the 2-year certificate course at Graylands or Claremont. In that first year the lecturers did their best to overcome the constraints of the temporary site and we did things like a week’s camping on Rotto and excursions to the new building site at Bradford Street where we helped to establish the grounds and gardens. The temporary campus at Subiaco meant catching a couple of trains each day and a couple of kilometres of walking at either end till I managed to purchase my first motorbike, a Honda CD175.’ John took leave from teacher training in1971 and resumed in 1975, completing in 1978.
Ruth Collett recalls: those attending Mt Lawley met at an Education Department building in Bagot Road, Subiaco, a building used for other purposes in the evening. Our days started at 9.00 in the morning and finished about 4.00pm. Being located in Subiaco, we were able to shop, have lunch or wander around the town during breaks or free periods. (Meanwhile), the new Mt Lawley Campus was under construction on the corner of Alexander Drive and Bradford Street.
The Bagot Road buildings were not very extensive, but were able to accommodate the first year intake of students and the foundation staff. For the time we used these premises staff and students developed a very communal, friendly and relaxed atmosphere. Some lectures would take place in the gardens or in the little church within the grounds.
Marjorie Bly:
During the months at Subiaco I remembered not the classrooms but the little church hall with the most amazing atmosphere, down the long path, and the lovely lush council gardens surrounding the school. We shopped in Rokeby Rd during lunch times, when it was a fascinating street full of interesting boutiques and shops. We also enjoyed the early winter morning starts at Rosalie park for PT / sport.
MLTC
On the 15th of September 1970, the south wing of the main teaching and administration block of the new building was ready for accommodation. Spaces were cramped and staff had to share offices. Lectures were conducted in temporary locations and some lecture rooms were used for the College office, library, bookshop and student government.
As Terry Watt reminisces: “After six months at Bagot Road In Service Centre Mt Lawley Teachers College’s main building was complete and “in our hundreds we came”. We arrived in Minis, Morris Minors, Austin Lancers, Volkswagens and Holdens. None were in psychedelic colours, emblazoned with flowers. Some were equipped with surf board racks but generally our vehicles were conservative with small capacity engines that could run for a week on $2.
Very few were new and most had been purchased as a result of part time employment through our high school years or very recently from a solid two months of work post our TEEs on CBHs wheat bins, teaching swimming attending service stations or working as retail assistants. Some were provided by parents to assist in the process of get through three years of academic commitment. Most of these cars had a value of under $1,000.
There was however, a sparkling new purple GTR XU1 Torana that was the property of a country student from an exclusive livestock breeding farm south of Margaret River that stood out from all other vehicles including those owned by staff members. One of these staff vehicles that one never parked too close to was a classic Jaguar owned by a member of the Drama department”.
Initially, the campus was a barren, sandy area with very few trees for shade and little vegetation, as gardens had yet to be established. However, the buildings looked amazing and impressive. They stood out among the traditional architecture of the Mount Lawley community. By 1971 the College population comprised first and second year students only.
According to Neil (Robert) Kidd (now an environmental artist): The site had been a swamp, a rubbish tip and a Scadden pine plantation; so many lecturers had interesting collections of artifacts such as ceramic containers, dolls and glass bottles.
Sue Smith:
When staff and students initially moved in, the building was still largely under construction and the eastern end of the ground floor was completely open. The section being used was painted, carpeted and furnished. Rich purple carpet and modern tables and purple and chrome chairs. However, we all returned one Monday morning to discover that over the weekend someone had taken advantage of the open construction site and had carefully removed the wide purple carpet for the passageway by cutting it at each doorway and rolling it up and removing it, along with a selection of comfy chairs and tables! Someone now had a uniquely styled home!
Ian Francis said: It proved to be a great three years with a structured timetable and strong prac expectations, in all enabling us to grow up a bit – fantastic fun too with a great group of people, many of whom have remained lifelong friends and colleagues. As I look back, none of us had a lot of money so we were all in the same boat. Campus life evolved, sports and other clubs, for me particularly hockey – I was captain and coach of our hockey team for two years and sports president in my final year. In that same year, 1974, we won the 1D premiership, beating Curtin University. Campus life improved in my final year when the Ref and Gym were finished.
Ruth Shean:
In the first few days, we were sorted into class groups, ours being primarily students who had matriculated in maths and science. I think that the intent behind this was to offer us a place at STC/UWA to convert to high school maths and science teachers. I recall that at least one of our classmates did this — Clive Choate.
I was happy to keep going on the MLTC pathway. I was really enjoying the course, and liked the fact that I could work flat out while I was there but do my extra curricular activity such as music and yachting during other times. Looking back, I think we were well taught for a whole range of classes and circumstances, down to Jean Farrant who taught us how to conduct a choir with either a tennis ball or darts action! This came in handy when I later became a music teacher.
The bonding arrangements suited me, because I felt that I would need to teach for at least three years to earn some money and gain experience. And I loved kids, and believe in the teaching profession. I had some excellent teachers of my own at primary and high school. These teachers were great role models for this profession and my own teaching career.
Neil (Robert) Kidd:
We didn’t know that M.L.T.C. was different from other teacher’s colleges as it was the only one we knew. Having been in contact with this project team I can now appreciate that it was different. More than just air conditioning, continuous assessment and a new building!
We had a G.L.O. for each ‘class’ – Group Liason Officer. Ours was Margie Tyrer and she was good-natured and very reliable.
Photo-copying was a big expense on our $18/19 dollar/week student allowance! My first school didn’t have one … but we fund-raised for it!
I was overwhelmed by the ratio of girls to boys, something in the vicinity of 7 to 1. I made some amazing friendships at MLTC and have a couple of my former peers, who I still keep in contact with. I enjoyed the ‘get together’ organized by the alumni over a decade ago where I caught up with Marg Harris [nee Saunders] and some of those who had gone on to alternative career pathways; like Bill McKenzie of Kalgoorlie.
Looking back to 1972, Colleen Hayward recalls:
Up to my third year we had barely adequate student amenities – in Building 3 – but in
1975 the Ref was up and running – till then, just one sandwich machine for the College, filled once a day. I absolutely loved my time at Mount Lawley in every regard. There was never a day when I doubted what I was doing or why I was there. The student bond was really strong. Importantly, there was a confidence about our futures because everyone knew they’d have a job at the end of their studies.
Environment and facilities
Initially, the campus was a barren, sandy area and the new campus was somewhat primitive. Looking back on it, the only functional building was Building 3, which came to an abrupt end, like a gaping sore. Beyond this were weeds, which students laboured to remove; and sand in which they planted shrubs and trees, which are here to this day. There was a food dispenser, which produced somewhat stale sandwiches, crisps and confectionary as well as a drink dispensing machine.
As recalled by Ruth Collett:
The community feel and spirit was maintained by that initial intake of students throughout the years of our course. Events such as the landscaping of the front street verge and surrounding areas of the new buildings built strong bonds. All students and staff spent a complete day planting, digging, mulching etc to establish the initial gardens, which are still seen today. Len McKenna organised choosing, purchasing and planning this venture. I now tell my grandchildren as we pass the Bradford Street corner that my friends and I helped plant the huge trees and bushes back in the early 1970s.
Camps at Rottnest and other venues further fostered our bonds, friendships and collegiality throughout our teacher training.
Gail Gadeke Martin 1971-73, (with input from Susan Batten Dalby 1971-73, and Helen Gaye HSsell??? Moses 1970-72).
There was a tip cleaning area between the College and Mt Lawley High School and we collected and sorted bottles for recycling. There was a massive tree planting in the College grounds as there was no oval and this was Sports activity. Purple Carpet. When the 1970 cohort moved in, in September, the whole college’s purple carpet had been stolen. Friday lunch was at Dianella Tavern, as there was no canteen. We often never went back for afternoon lectures.
Bobbie Kidd (Smith):
I helped plant the initial trees on the site.
Ruth Shean:
Of the standout events at MLTC, I am almost ashamed to say that the one thing that sprang to mind was the establishment of the coffee shop! When we came back from long-term prac in 1973, there was a coffee shop on campus. We all quickly became coffee junkies. Because we were all doing different things course-wise, we would meet in the coffee shop daily and exchange news. But there were other similarly important developments. The new lecture theatre was a huge attribute to the college although by the time that was built we were mainly into small group lectures and learning. I certainly appreciated it when studying for my BEd. When we started at MLTC, the Bradford Street building was by no means complete. Indeed, the only playing fields were in the park over the road. I remember us all planting trees early on. I am delighted to see that these are still standing — around the car park off Bradford Street.
Rivka Niesten (Finley):
When I got to MLTC, there was a single building (building 3), with an open-ended quadrangle. I remember weeding that open end and wondering why they didn’t employ someone to do this. In retrospect, this was a bonding exercise, as you get closer sharing the misery of it all. Did I mention that I detested weeding? We also planted the trees and shrubs, now in existence, on Arbor Day, under the auspices of Len McKenna (naturalist and science teacher).
In 1971, there were no real facilities. There was a drink/food dispenser in the foyer, where you could buy a stale egg and lettuce sandwich, or a packet of crisps, if you didn’t bring lunch or drive. Those fortunates with a car could go to Canella’s on Walter Rd or the Dianella Plaza for a more substantial lunch.
Physical education took place across the road at a small park (now called Ron Stone Park), with a lake. We used the outside changerooms, that butted onto the front carpark. I had to resist the urge to change on the way to the park, to save time. For swimming, we went to the Inglewood (Terry Tyzack) pool. I was not greatly into some of the Phys Ed requirements. I was particularly useless at duck diving and diving from a diving board. Thankfully, my good friend Robert (Neil) Kidd had a car and the ability to talk my shaky legs into walking the plank, as it were. I did manage to attempt dives from this board, but remembered some spectacular belly flops. I am not sure that I ever managed a proper dive, like Robert, but thankfully my duck diving and diving skills, allowed me to scrape a pass for Phys Ed.
Marjorie Bly:
The college was the quintessential building site during those early years. I remember becoming a labourer and helping to fill the garden beds with compost and plants under Len McKenna’s watchful eye. The mystery of the missing carpet, as has already been noted by several students. The thieves must have been wearing sunglasses when they took it.
Teaching practice
Demonstration lessons
Rivka Niesten (Finley):
Every week or second week, we would go to a nearby school and watch a teacher. We dissected this on our return. I remember one morning, after I had recently received my drivers’ licence. I had gone across the Freeway around 7ish in the morning, as I was not confident of my driving. I waited in the MLTC carpark, but it was virtually empty. Then, I remembered that we had a demo that morning. I tried for ages to cross the road from Bradford St hill to Alexander Drive, despite the lights. When I finally achieved the required result, and went to put the car into second gear, I found that it was in second gear.
Micro teaching
This was to be an identifying feature of Mount Lawley Teachers College that differed from Graylands, Claremont and Secondary Teachers Colleges. In fact the architecture of the college was built around it.