David Clarke Reflection: If we did a DNA test on Peninsula what would it reveal?

I turned 61 the other day and it’s not a remarkable number but to many 61 IS a significant number, as it was in this year, 1961, that a ‘baby’ was born. This child was nurtured and raised by many, strengthening the idea that it truly ‘takes a village to raise a child’. They named the child ‘The Peninsula School’.

If we took a DNA test on this ‘child’ in 1961 it might reveal the following;

-          An Old Melburnian Dinner, an accountant, an educator, a doctor, a vet, an aviator, a farmer, a soldier, a musician, a preacher, a parent, a sportsman, a stockbroker, a judge, a politician and a sprinkling of many other important traits so complex that we could not truly map them all.

Let’s now take this test in 1982, when I finished year 12 at Peninsula and what does it reveal to me?

-          A Stephen Brennan pottery lesson

-          An Ed Burston biology class

-          A Phil Chapple applied maths class

-          A ‘Rev Lev’ reflection on religion

-          A Hilary Abeyaratne class pondering ‘the sum of person’s ideas and beliefs concerning something’

-          A Doug Stainer concoction boiling in a test tube

-          A Ken Walding impressionist piece

-          A Kirkham madrigal choir

-          “GrimmoBall” ( or European handball when Grimmo Ball was banned)

-          Daryl Neal’s thoughts on Albert Camus

-          Richard Jackson’s dance interpretation of Henry IV, part one

-          Lance Hodgson’s sense of direction

-          Mr Mannes’ finessed drop kick

-          Richard Latchford’s good guyness (I’m sure it’s a word)

-          Squizzy Taylor

-          Dudley Clarke’s word of the day – “antidisestablishmentarianism”

-          Heather Riley’s kind words, warmth and boarding house food

-          Parents, carers, benefactors, mentors, and friends.

As you can see, the simplicity of conception around 1952 has matured into a complex and wonderful collective.  Peninsula’s genetics are unique, and as it passes its hereditary from generation to generation, we will know that one trait will remain strong; the torch of learning and discovery (in reference to the school badge) that will go on burning, brighter than ever, in all the years to come.

David Clarke ‘82

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