AN ATHLETICS CARNIVAL TO REMEMBER Contributor Ron Clark (ex-Student and Old Boy) Circa 1958 [Introduction: We had no idea that there would be young ladies joining us at this particular Athletics Carnival, but they certainly added much interest, hilarity, and novelty on the day. The discomfort of their Headmistress in viewing all this, only added to the comedy. It was like being on the set of a comedy film. Bro. Leo's gallant efforts in dealing with our exuberance, and keeping a straight face himself, just added to a memorable day. Ron.] It was probably in 1958 and Katoomba Sports Ground was the venue for the Annual Blue Mountains Inter-Schools Athletic Carnival. Attending for the first time was Blue Mountains Ladies College (not absolutely sure if that was the right title, and after some investigations it appears it was most likely Stratford Girls’ School Lawson, see Editor’s note). I recall that their Principal was a very formidable woman who appeared to be uncomfortable at being there. Certainly the girls were not attending this college for its sporting focus. They selectively competed in events during this Carnival, and always came a distant last. Their "athletic attire" certainly did not help them at all ! They were outfitted in very generous layers of clothing...from ankles to chin! Complete with a mandatory bonnet! A Victorian era image. None of the girls from this school assumed the conventional athletic starting position, but stood upright...with both thumbs and index fingers touching, in the air...ready to go! In complete contrast to the other girls from the other schools. Of course, they were the absolute centre of attention, all day ! One girl, in particular, from the Ladies College, caught the attention of all the red-blooded boys from St. Bernard's, and the other schools. I remember her as an absolutely gorgeous looking girl - blonde, very buxom, very self-conscious and who blushed a vivid red as she competed. Bless her! We all loudly cheered her on! It didn't matter to us that she ran a distant last. She was a winner, a gorgeous winner to us. Katoomba Sports Ground came to life that day ! I also recall, that Bro. Leo, in particular, was nervous about all the attention paid to this girl, and did his best to rein in the boys from SBC…to no avail. The Ladies College never returned for another Athletics Carnival. What a shame ! Final word: At the end of the Carnival the "Scoreboard" showed something like this : 792 points - St. Bernard's College 742 points - Lithgow High School 668 points - Katoomba High School 604 points - Penrith High School 29 points - Ladies College We couldn't figure out how they got their 29 Points! Perhaps it was for their good manners, their dignity and courage, and putting up with "the boys" ! [Website Compiler’s Note: We are reasonably sure that the school in question was Stratford Ladies College as the prospectus at that time proclaimed "Keeping ladies as they were in years gone by" and that is just how Ron tried “…in my male ignorance, to describe them”.] Photos on this page are of the 1948 Athletics Team - courtesy of Terry Ibbott (ex-Student and Old Boy)