Pickering College - Voyageur Yearbook (Newmarket, Ontario Canada)

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Centennial Dinner Address An address given by John W. Holmes, Director-General of the Canadian Institute of International Affairs, at the official opening of the new Dining Hall of Pickering College on March llth, 1967, in honourof the one hundred and twenty- fifth anniversary of the founding of Pickering College and the one hundredth birthday of Confederation. Mr. Holmes is a former member of our staff. Ladies, students of Pickering College and other gentlemen. If I tell you it is an honour and privilege to be here, you will assume that is the first line I use on every speech day. You would be wrong. This is an occasion like no other. For one thing, it is the first timel have ever been asked to open a dining hall, blessing its rafters and christening its china. I am more often asked to talk about recognizing China. The last time I opened my mouth here at lunch was in com- pany with Nobby Wirkowski, a very nice guy who was then coach of the Argos. But on this double anniversary I am not associated with a lost cause. It is a special joy for me also to give my first lecture to the wise man who taught me to want to be a historian, Dr. Arthur Dorland, and to whom I owe an early inculcation of the principles of generosity and tolerance in looking at man's history. I profited from the Quakers even before I came here. In such company I am unwisely going to be a bit historical this afternoon. My subject on the programme seems to be, O Canada , but whether it should be spelled this way or OH, Canada! I am not sure. Ten

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Editorial An experience often does not take on any vital meaning until viewed in retrospect. This may be true of our lives at Pickering College during its 125th anniversary. Many, if not most, of us may have been too deeply involved in daily routine to be fully aware of what our being here on the Hilltop was all about. It seems that it is only by looking back that our perceptions are made more acute in observing the values derived from being a part of the brotherhood that is Pickering. It is then that we realize more completely that we have achieved greater respect for learning, greater respect for athletics, greater respect for our- selves. I like to think that The Voyageur is a vessel by which our memories may make the return journey to those formative years of our lives we spent at Pickering. - Paul Maurice School Committee The work of the School Committee during Centennial Year continued to reflect the spirit of mutual trust and cooperation which has always characterized this unique aspect of life at Pickering College. The Committee was inaugurated to safeguard student morale. It is elected by the student body to promote a closer understanding between staff and students, and has been instrumental in developing harmony and helpfulness. The work of the School Committee varies greatly. It organizes school dances and social functions, but its most important aspect has traditionally been to assist both students and Headmaster to overcome the problems which inevitably arise in any community. It has often been asked to counsel boys who had problems or were in some difficulty. It, too, is often consulted regarding the rules and regula- tions which school life requires. This has been a good year for Pickering College and the School Committee. Cooperation and mutual understanding between staff and student have made our work easier, and our role in student government more rewarding. -David Crook Nine

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This is the unique occasion also because it is the only chance any of us will have to hold our 100th and 125th birthdays at once - or even separately. This is also the unique school. For me it still recalls the happiest and perhaps even the most profitable days of my life. When I finally tore myself away, I made sure of a permanent connexion and free meals by picking out the man most. likely to succeed and introducing my sister to him. As Mr. Rogers talked about the history of this, one of the oldest schools of Canada, I know we all felt happy to be part of that distinguished tradition. I 'think we are all aware further- more, much more aware than they are themselves, of what we all owe to the remarkable Rogers family - and I am not just thinking of the fact that Sam Rogers used to sign the first pay-cheques I ever got. There are so many old friends and worthy people here that I shall be in trouble if I start mentioning them. If I miss any of you I shall pick you up at the next centennial. However, I cannot refrain from noting with respect the great Headmaster who brought me here and put up with me. The McCulley impact on Canadian education was a remarkable one. I find myself remembering him today, however, less as the great educator he was and more as the towering figure who had almost as much vitality in his thirties as he has now. When we used to try to play tennis where these floors now rest, we could always hear Joe rendering for us from his bath the entire choral movement of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony. This year, 1967, is being proclaimed a year to look forward, a time to con- template our second century or, in the case of this College, the last three quarters of our second century. I am all in favour of the forward look, but on this occasion I would like to defy the fashion and direct your attention backwards. Sometimes, like hockey players, we have to turn backwards to see our own goal. Put this down to my extreme old age if you like. I don't pretend to be the voice of youth, I am getting ready for my own personal second century, and I feel like it. I promise, however, to end up on the note you have every right to expect - that young people of today are a very good thing and on the right 4 V .lflrf--,.T 'P I '3 f ' 'TCE' 5 XB'- gg :- '. 1----'T' gqs-:lf-5'-4 Q.. Centennial Dinner Speaker, John W. Holmes, with Eric Ferguson, Edmund Ryncrd, The Headmaster, and Clark Lockley. Eleven