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Eric Wood (1912-2005) - Teacher, Cessnock Technical College. Recorded 10 June 1981. Part 2/3.
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Summary315B Eric Wood
Recorded 10 June 1981.
Part 2 of 3.
0:07
Recollection of problems with mining - depth of the shaft to the depth of the water - sometimes it was 8 - 900 ft of water in Aberdare mine.
Stowage never quite got off because of bad mining methods.
0:44
By-products associated with coal such as fuel oils. Germany was already doing this on a small scale but the cost could be $80 million.
The problem then was that one would take an enormous amount of coal to produce a small amount of fuel and the question of dealing with the wastage. Eric suggests there are about 60 by-products that can come from coal used in the chemical field and the building trades. The by-products became uneconomical without the support of the chemical industries.
3:39
Athol Lightfoot at Richmond Main made a useable petrol with "homemade equipment" - it was half way between alcohol and petrol.
5:38
Bobby Smith.
5:60
Neil Wood - Eric's younger son had joined the air force but got perforated ear drums. Denis - Eric's son, had fractured his thigh which broke again in traction and also got appendicitis. Eric rejected a number of job offers.
He also had a daughter who married a Newcastle man.
9:15
Cessnock Trade School, c. 1933.
10:01
Development of District Committees, 1936. This occurred right throughout NSW.
Retired in 1972.
10:
Powers of the District Chairman.
11:13
Ralph Basden.
11:22
Functions of the District Committee to make decisions on required courses, especially on mining.
12:30
Norm Perkiss - a qualified surveyor as well as mine surveyor. A part time teacher with the Tech College for many years.
13:36
Recalls appointment of specialist full-time teachers from Newcastle, from Sydney in a range of subjects.
13:57
Part-time teachers selected by committee of 3 men.
14:00
Composition of selection committee which meant little chance of personal biases or preferences happening.
14:50
Cec Turnbull represented the building trades.
14:52
Ralph Scobie represented the automotive trade.
15:12
Bill Leckie - represented the government when the Clerk of Petty Sessions was not available.
The demands of each community differed so it became needs based with a minimum number of students before a part time teacher was found.
17:45
Recollection of diploma course, 1945-50 - equivalent to the 3 year Degree Course.
18:56
Problems relating to apprenticeship scheme.
22:10
Recalls having to teach basic mathematics - "out of 32 apprentices 24 would be given the simplest of arithmetic, addition, multiplication, subtraction and they could not get a 50% pass on that." The class was compulsory, one night a week. After 12 months, 25% could handle mathematics.
25:21
Bobby Olsen was amongst some who had a natural ability in engineering who came to the Tech College.
26:35
Recalls advances in modern technology - the cream of Cessnock's students moves out of Cessnock. Those who stay get offered the management jobs.
28:41
Description of modern on-the-job training and the travelling involved.
30:35
Bob Olsen and Mr Wuthersberg.
31:34
David Clark.
32:24
Availability of Technical College records - prior to 1965 the records are unable to be found.
33:03
Bob White was working as a clerk in one of the collieries. Commerce and accountancy certificates began from a prompting from members of the business community. Mr Watson who was appointed Head Teacher at Newcastle and became the Director of Technical Education in Sydney.
Bob White completed his Accountancy Certificate. He was later brought in to teach the Commerce Certificate course part time.
35:50
Qualifications of technical education teachers – it’s an ongoing thing to keep you up to date.
37:16
Major Reid - Percy Reid, his son - was trained in mine management and chemical engineering. They were in fields of their own and they made great demands on their time and they volunteered to come in as part time teachers. They stayed for years. They were civic minded.
37:50
Dr Dick Britton - taught Trade Science, Mathematics.
40:26
Recalls different classes available at Cessnock.
41:38
Paul Beedle - he studied in France with a reputation as a sculptor. He became the Head of Art Technical College. He went on to Head the Art Gallery Of South Australia.
43:07
Recollection of 1950s floods effect on CTC.
44:02
Bill Seaward - he was appointed to coordinate a group to help out in the early stages of the Singleton/Maitland floods.
44:27
Ron Turner, the chemist, in Singleton and a Methodist Minister - Eric heads the group going in to Singleton to mop up the flood.
45:27
Recalls making "squeegees" in flood times - they went to see Toby Kempe.
46:33
End (Tape 315/Side B) Part 2 of 3
SubjectWood, Eric Wilfred, 1912-2005Vocational education -- New South Wales -- CessnockCessnock Technical College (N.S.W.)Cessnock TAFE (N.S.W.)PersonJack DelaneyDepicts or Relates ToBob WhitePercy ReidCreatorWood, Eric Wilfred, 1912-2005Delaney, Jack, 1919-2010CollectionVoices of the HunterPlaceCessnock, NSWDate Created10th June 1981Location[1] Cessnock TAFE CollegeIdentifier315B
Recorded 10 June 1981.
Part 2 of 3.
0:07
Recollection of problems with mining - depth of the shaft to the depth of the water - sometimes it was 8 - 900 ft of water in Aberdare mine.
Stowage never quite got off because of bad mining methods.
0:44
By-products associated with coal such as fuel oils. Germany was already doing this on a small scale but the cost could be $80 million.
The problem then was that one would take an enormous amount of coal to produce a small amount of fuel and the question of dealing with the wastage. Eric suggests there are about 60 by-products that can come from coal used in the chemical field and the building trades. The by-products became uneconomical without the support of the chemical industries.
3:39
Athol Lightfoot at Richmond Main made a useable petrol with "homemade equipment" - it was half way between alcohol and petrol.
5:38
Bobby Smith.
5:60
Neil Wood - Eric's younger son had joined the air force but got perforated ear drums. Denis - Eric's son, had fractured his thigh which broke again in traction and also got appendicitis. Eric rejected a number of job offers.
He also had a daughter who married a Newcastle man.
9:15
Cessnock Trade School, c. 1933.
10:01
Development of District Committees, 1936. This occurred right throughout NSW.
Retired in 1972.
10:
Powers of the District Chairman.
11:13
Ralph Basden.
11:22
Functions of the District Committee to make decisions on required courses, especially on mining.
12:30
Norm Perkiss - a qualified surveyor as well as mine surveyor. A part time teacher with the Tech College for many years.
13:36
Recalls appointment of specialist full-time teachers from Newcastle, from Sydney in a range of subjects.
13:57
Part-time teachers selected by committee of 3 men.
14:00
Composition of selection committee which meant little chance of personal biases or preferences happening.
14:50
Cec Turnbull represented the building trades.
14:52
Ralph Scobie represented the automotive trade.
15:12
Bill Leckie - represented the government when the Clerk of Petty Sessions was not available.
The demands of each community differed so it became needs based with a minimum number of students before a part time teacher was found.
17:45
Recollection of diploma course, 1945-50 - equivalent to the 3 year Degree Course.
18:56
Problems relating to apprenticeship scheme.
22:10
Recalls having to teach basic mathematics - "out of 32 apprentices 24 would be given the simplest of arithmetic, addition, multiplication, subtraction and they could not get a 50% pass on that." The class was compulsory, one night a week. After 12 months, 25% could handle mathematics.
25:21
Bobby Olsen was amongst some who had a natural ability in engineering who came to the Tech College.
26:35
Recalls advances in modern technology - the cream of Cessnock's students moves out of Cessnock. Those who stay get offered the management jobs.
28:41
Description of modern on-the-job training and the travelling involved.
30:35
Bob Olsen and Mr Wuthersberg.
31:34
David Clark.
32:24
Availability of Technical College records - prior to 1965 the records are unable to be found.
33:03
Bob White was working as a clerk in one of the collieries. Commerce and accountancy certificates began from a prompting from members of the business community. Mr Watson who was appointed Head Teacher at Newcastle and became the Director of Technical Education in Sydney.
Bob White completed his Accountancy Certificate. He was later brought in to teach the Commerce Certificate course part time.
35:50
Qualifications of technical education teachers – it’s an ongoing thing to keep you up to date.
37:16
Major Reid - Percy Reid, his son - was trained in mine management and chemical engineering. They were in fields of their own and they made great demands on their time and they volunteered to come in as part time teachers. They stayed for years. They were civic minded.
37:50
Dr Dick Britton - taught Trade Science, Mathematics.
40:26
Recalls different classes available at Cessnock.
41:38
Paul Beedle - he studied in France with a reputation as a sculptor. He became the Head of Art Technical College. He went on to Head the Art Gallery Of South Australia.
43:07
Recollection of 1950s floods effect on CTC.
44:02
Bill Seaward - he was appointed to coordinate a group to help out in the early stages of the Singleton/Maitland floods.
44:27
Ron Turner, the chemist, in Singleton and a Methodist Minister - Eric heads the group going in to Singleton to mop up the flood.
45:27
Recalls making "squeegees" in flood times - they went to see Toby Kempe.
46:33
End (Tape 315/Side B) Part 2 of 3
SubjectWood, Eric Wilfred, 1912-2005Vocational education -- New South Wales -- CessnockCessnock Technical College (N.S.W.)Cessnock TAFE (N.S.W.)PersonJack DelaneyDepicts or Relates ToBob WhitePercy ReidCreatorWood, Eric Wilfred, 1912-2005Delaney, Jack, 1919-2010CollectionVoices of the HunterPlaceCessnock, NSWDate Created10th June 1981Location[1] Cessnock TAFE CollegeIdentifier315Bloading google map....
Delaney, Jack, 1919-2010, Eric Wood (1912-2005) - Teacher, Cessnock Technical College. Recorded 10 June 1981. Part 2/3., [315B]. Living Histories, accessed 01/12/2023, https://livinghistories.newcastle.edu.au/nodes/view/87339