Mrs Thompson's class at Scarborough Primary School in 1949

The below story was entered with this photograph into the 2018 History and Heritage Awards:

When searching through the school archives for this competition, this class photograph from 1949 was found. On the back was a name and local phone number. With limited hope, the number was called, and the phone was answered by none other than John, the name on the photograph. John told us of his memories of Scarborough Primary, which he attended from 1948 until 1953. He remembers fondly, his teacher, Mrs Thompson, who was a beautiful person and kind to the students (pictured front centre). He also remembers walking to and from school, bare-footed, through the paddocks. One vivid memory of Scarborough Primary was the day that the boys were all throwing rocks, trying to get them over the top of the trees at Deanmore Square. Unbeknownst to John, the principal had parked his car close by and his father, who had just returned from the war, was far from happy when faced with the bill for a new windscreen! John also recalled the day that his older cousin, Merv, saved him from a 'ratbag bully' who was strangling him. Merv, who was much bigger and stronger than John, pulled the bully off and proceeded to strangle him. Teachers and students had to intervene to stop him causing real damage. Faced with regular bullying, John's uncle, Steve, who was then the heavyweight champion of Australia, taught him how to box. Nobody bullied him after that! John was very pleased to be part of our heritage story. He still has the side parting, enforced by his mother back then, but now a part of who he is. However, he said that if any of those older boys are still out there, he is a lot fitter than he was back then so they won't be able to catch him!