Clive Pullen (Class of 1957)

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Clive Pullen (Class of 1957)

THE BEST OF DAYS

Clive Pullen (Class of 1957)

Originally born in Sydney, Clive Pullen moved to Melbourne where he joined the local state school. “I didn’t like that and ran away, so my parents said they had better find me a school with a decent fence!”

He enrolled in 1952 joining Jones House and says it was the best thing that ever happened to him. “I enjoyed Mentone Grammar from day one and the next six years were truly some of the best days of my life.”

WHAT DID YOU ENJOY ABOUT SCHOOL?
I started in Remove B in a class of around 30 students and just embraced school life. I especially enjoyed sport and played cricket in the summer and football in winter. I also did athletics and cross country running. Academically, I was probably a little above average, but certainly not a genius. But cadets was undoubtedly one of the biggest features for me. I reckon I would have eaten a rifle to keep going!

DID YOU EVER GET INTO TROUBLE AT SCHOOL?
I did get into trouble now and again at school, I might have broken a couple of windows with balls. One of the most vivid memories was being caught smoking. I think it was Lionel Large who came over to me and said, “okay, when do you plan to give up smoking?” Now sir, I replied. “Well off you go then.” I have never been so relieved in my life.

WHAT DO YOU REMEMBER ABOUT YOUR TEACHERS?
Mr Richie was one of my first teachers and Karl Duldig was Art Master. Sibley was another one and Hagan. Lionel Large was teaching at some stage depending on his military duties. I particularly remember Mr Thrift and found him to be a very dedicated teacher and I really admired his work. Phil Kent was also a great sportsman and someone I looked up to.

WHAT WAS THE SCHOOL LIKE IN THOSE DAYS?
Nothing like it is today! There was very little heating with just a tiny heater in each room, and when 30 people tried to sit on them, the last person just froze. The classes were spartan, wooden floors, a large blackboard across the front, two to a desk in the younger years but later on you had a desk to yourself.

WHAT DID YOU DO AFTER SCHOOL?
My love of cadets led me to apply to be a cadet patrol officer in the last few months of Year 12. I was accepted into the program and went to Sydney for a couple of months for training. Then I flew to New Guinea as a Cadet Patrol Officer. Best job I’ve ever had, real schoolboy’s desire stuff.

HOW DID MENTONE GRAMMAR INFLUENCE YOUR LIFE?
I always felt incredibly fortunate to have been a pupil at Mentone Grammar and so appreciative of the teachers and the way in which they helped you develop as a person and to always do your best. They instilled a sense of good values and that if you worked hard, you could succeed. But also, if you missed something the first time, just to have another go. There was also an important message about the value of your own age group, and the need to respect your friends.

The best days of my life. It really was.