Prior to the Centenary Reunion of '07, I wrote to the Core Committee with an idea:
It seems to me that the reunion is a great opportunity for us 'old boys' to pass something on to the current generation of Goethalites. I have visualised this idea as passing a baton in a relay. For me, a relay is a good metaphor for a reunion - it illustrates that we are all recipients of benefits from the school community passed on to us by the School, the Christian Brothers, teachers, other students etc. But the relay metaphor also gives us the responsibility to be prepared to pass something on to the current generation of students.
Basant Lama told me that Dorje Dadul (GMS '63) also had a similar idea and that we could have some time to run such an activity. We did and I believe it was well attended and very successful. Brother Michael Beddoe gave it his full support and opened the session. You will see a few clips of that session on the Centenary Video I posted on 'YouTube' (http://youtube.com/watch?v=oAES0nVBrsc). Matthew Lobo has referred to this session in a previous Blog entry and requested a follow-up.
o My suggestion is that we write a book together called 'Passing the Baton: messages from 'old boys'Š'. Let's not worry about the title, we can change that if we wish.
o The invitation is to anyone who is an ex-student of GMS to contribute.
o Here is an initial attempt to outline the process: (1) Let's take time to discuss the idea on the Blog or via any other meansŠ (2) Send me an email to let me know if you would to contribute individually or in a small group - I will ask you for a brief outline by the end of JUNE; (3) I will ask you to submit a short biography of yourself (50 words) with a picture. When did you attend GMS? By the end of JULY (4) Next I will request (by this time we should have a panel together) you to submit your contribution: What is the message (lesson/advice) that you would like to pass on? Express that clearly and we will mark that with a symbol of a baton (see picture above) - then describe the context of that message - where did that message/piece of advice come from? The story or experience(s) whence it came. A few months should be allowed to get the last part of the process together. We may have to 'to and fro' a bit online. It will not be a matter of rejecting any ones contribution, it will be a matter of compiling it in a form and format to publish.
o Your contribution could be a page or several pages. Remember the readers for whom it is meant - students (specifically current students of GMS but it could be read by other young people wishing to learn from 'old boys') within the age group 10 to 18 years - the language must be accessible to this age group and it must be presented in a form that could be engaging - it could be humorous - with pictures/graphics - illustratedŠ - or it could be serious 'pearls of wisdom'Š
o It would be unfortunate if we believe that the only experiences worth passing on are success stories - stories of the 'great old goats' who played in Olympic teams and excelled through peak performances. They are important and their successes should be celebrated. But we should acknowledge that everyone has something worth passing on - experiences/lessons/wisdom/faith/survival/healing/family Š
o This is only an idea. It is being floated in this arena to see if there is support for it. If there is no support for it won't go ahead. If there is limited support we may be able to put together a small pamphlet; if there is a lot of support and contributions, we could have a book (that's what I am aiming for), it could even be translated into several appropriated languages - if there is call for that. Please consider the richness of the potential contributions - we are reaching out to a huge group of ex-Goethalites - all over the world and representing a multicultural mix that we can only be proud of and the glue that binds us together is that we all spent a significant part of our lives at Goethals Memorial School in the somewhat remote Hill Station of Kurseong!
o I anticipate my role to be that of the convenor/the 'Anchor Man' (I now have the girth for it - can't help remembering Gordon Storey being a successful Anchor Man in a memorable Tug-O-War) - I will start by gauging if there is enough support for the idea by calling for those who would even consider contributing their story to let me know - via email, on this Blog, by post of by telephone. I will let people know what's going on in a regular report on this Blog. If I get a sufficient response to aim for a book, I will openly, in this Blog call for a team to be formed to be the 'reference group' - either in reps for eras of attendance at GMS: Before 60's - 1960 to 1970; 1970 to 1980; 1980 to 1990; 1990 to 2000; 2000 to 2007 OR we could have reps for regions - Sikkim, Nepal, Kolkata, Delhi, Mumbai, Australia, USA, Canada - I have left several out, but you know what I meanŠ We'll invite Matthew Lobo to be on the reference group.
o If the idea gets off the ground, we will need : sponsors to publish the book, at least one graphic artist, volunteers to help with editing, translators if we want to go down that track Š We can fill this section in as we goŠ
o There should be no 'ownership' of this project - all contributors will be acknowledged by name - if any money is made through sales (if that's what we decide) the money should go to the appropriate Christian Brothers' Authority to sponsor 'students in need' to study at GMS.
This project could be a great opportunity for the various 'GMS old boys groups' (I think they are called 'Chapters') to get together with one focus. The thing I like about this Blog is that I don't feel aligned to any group - Radheshyam has done a great job, in keeping it neutral - let's keep it that way. I would make a special plea to all GMS 'Old Boys' to get on board and contribute to: Passing the Baton: messages from 'old boys'Š
Contact Details:
Dr Richard Johnson
Faculty of Arts and Education
Deakin University
221 Burwood Highway
Burwood 3125
Victoria, Australia
Phone: +61 3 92446438
Email: rjj@deakin.edu.au
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