Kenneth Charles GILLAM

Biography

Kenneth Charles Gillam was Headmaster of Rockhampton Boys Grammar School, Queensland, Australia. He was the first student enrolled at The Scots College in Warwick, Queensland. The following Obituary was extracted from their records: The first student at The Scots College - Roll No. (1)

PROFILE 0F OUR VERY FIRST STUDENT AT SCOTS COLLEGE NO. (1) ON THE ROLL KENNETH CHARLES GILLAM (1919 - 24)

Ken was the eldest of four children to Andrew and Blanche Gillam and was born on the 2nd. December 1906. He had one brother, Noel, and twin sisters, Margaret and Betty, who by the way all went to either Scots or PGC. He spent his early childhood at Warwick where his father had an apricot orchard at Mill Hill and bee hives scattered around the Darling downs near Allora. He received his primary education at Warwick Central State School and his secondary education at The Scots College, Warwick. He won an Open Scholarship to the University of Queensland and lived at Emmanuel College on Wickham Terrace. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in 1928 and his Master of Science in 1929, specializing in Physics. He married Mary Aitken and in 1930 they went to live in Rockhampton where Ken obtained a teaching job at the Rockhampton Boys Grammar School on the recommendation of his Physics teacher Professor Priestly. During the difficult depression years of the early thirties, the pay of all the staff was cut, but they did not lose their jobs. By 1938 Ken and Mary had saved sufficient money to by a house of their own in Bishop Street, Rockhampton. "Casey", as he was known to his many Old Boys, taught at the RBGS from 1928 until 1972, except for his three and a half years in the RAAF during WWII. Besides teaching Maths. and Physics, he coached the cricket teams and was an Officer in the Cadet Corps. He had a special affection for his Old Boys, many of whom did not return from the war, so that later in life when he was asked to call the Roll of Honour at the annual Anzac Day service at the school, he became very emotional. He was honoured to be made a Life Member of the RBGS Old Boys Asociation. In the early days of the war he was asked to conduct classes for Air Force reservists so it seemed natural that when he enlisted on the 4th. May 1942 he became an RAAF Education Officer. As a result of his training in navigation he became interested in meteorology. He was posted to a wide variety of RAAF bases throughout Australia: Ballarat, Point Cook, Victor Harbour, Mt.Martha, Somers and Temora but spent most of his time at Kingaroy 3ITS. He enjoyed teaching a Squadron of Dutch aircrew who had escaped from Europe. Travelling home on leave often took several days and nights, sitting up in slow trains, but he and his family looked forward to not having to write letters for a few days. He was discharged on the 17th. October 1945. Back in civilian life he continued his hobby of gardening and grew most of the family vegetables and regularly won prizes for his flowers at the annual St. Andrew's Rose Show. He had a long association with the Presbyterian Church being Secretary of St. Andrew's Committee of Management for many years, then as an Elder and finally as Chairman of St. Andrew's Hospital Board as it was developing the old Hillcrest Hospital. In retirement, he played bowls, using his father's bowls with their distinctive bee insignia. He and his wife Mary enjoyed travelling by car to many parts of Australia and toured Tasmania and New Zealand. The Rockhampton Historical Society was one of his many community interests and he proof read Lorna McDonald's "History of Rockhampton". Writing letters to the Editor of the local paper was another hobby as he never lost interest in educational matters. He spent many years privately coaching pupils in Maths. and Physics in his spare time, thus helping local boys and girls to pass their exams necessary for matriculation. After his wife died of breast cancer in 1985 he continued to live alone at Bishop Street and helped as a volunteer at the cancer section of St. Andrew's Hospital but he was very lonely. When a vacancy became available at the Blue Nursing Centre at Gracemere Gardens he spent six months, happy in the company of men of his own age and interests. His job was to enter the news of the day's activities, birthdays, etc. on a communal notice board, so once again he was a "Chalk and Talk" man. Ken died suddenly of a heart attack on the 11th. July 1988 and his funeral service at St. Andrew's was attended by family, representatives of RBGS and many Rockhampton friends. He was survived by three daughters and their families.

Spouse

Children

• Judith Ann GILLAM (1932 - 12 Jul 2006)
• Living Person (Unknown - Unknown)
• Living Person (Unknown - Unknown)

Parents