1997 - What's On at Hutchins...

Obituarygold bars. He looked after footballs much as he lookedafter locker keys, like a lioness with cubs.The following eulogywas delivered by theRev'd Dr DudleyClarke at the memorialservice held for CramWood in the Chapel ofSt Thomas on 28thFebruary 1997.He thoroughly enjoyed his own sport: hockey withOHA, bowls with Sandy Bay and squash with anyonebrave enough to venture into an enclosed space witha bustling, ambidextrous, never-say-die wild one.For many years Crom was Co=anding Officer of theCadet Unit. His great efforts in this area were rewardedwith the Cadet Service Medal. Many former cadetsreminisce about the Crom tuckshop. They also recallhow hard it was to smuggle grog or smokes into camp.Kitbags were thrown off the truck from a great heightso that any hidden bottles were likely to break. Thenof course there would be a contraband inspection.What happened to any confiscated goods is a questionof history. I've been told they went to a local charity.Mr John OvertonMr Michael CalderMrs Alison SmithiesIt's a great honourfor me to havebeen asked tospeak at this celebratory service for Crom. However,I feel the close presence of a pair of critics. Ted Heywardwill be critical of my composition and Crom himselfwill be critical of the content.First, let me say to Bronwen, Rosemary, Miranda,Michael, Emma and James that the Hutchinscommunity gives you its love and support and shareswith you many good memories.Crom first came to Hutchins when he was five. Hewas a Hutchins boy from that day until the day he died.He did well at school and in 1947 he was made a prefectand received an honour badge with colours in rowing,cross country and athletics.He did a Science degree at the old University ofTasmania and then taught with the Department atSmithton. After three years teaching at Cranbrook,Crom joined the staff at Hutchins in 1956, one yearbefore John Millington. He was lured away by Cadbury'sfor twelve months but he decided that teaching was hisbag and returned to Macquarie Street.Crom taught Maths and Science in the Secondary Schooland was instrumental in developing Biology at Matriclevel. He ran a tight ship and his classroom was a placeto be respected - or else.It is somehow fitting that Crom was the last Cadet C.O.in a hundred years of tradition.He loved travel. He not only involved his family in thishobby but also his students. There were many schooltrips to the North Island and to Asia. His interest andskill in philately was perhaps an offshoot of the travelbug. Maybe this also explains Crom's obsession with hisspecial uniform of shorts and long socks. This rain-orshineuniform did not please everybody but that ofcourse would make him all the more determined.Crom was a waste-not-want-not specialist. There werevery lean pickings for the garbage man outside the Woodhouse. And his fruit and vegetables benefited. If youfound a bus ticket in your pigeon hole you had to makesure there wasn't an important message on it. And itwas disaster to leave any papers lying around in thecommon room. If you weren't quick, you'd probablyfind Crom preparing his lessons on the backs of yourphotocopies.His bees and his goldfish have already gone through thepain of separation. They, like us, will have warm andoften funny memories.He was one of the first people in Hobart to offerfriendship to a bewildered Pommy migrant. I remembervividly my trip out to Jennings Street. Many others havesimilar experiences of Crom as a colleague. Who elsewould greet a visitor to the Whittle Ward with 'Whatare you doing here, you old B?' and promptly fall asleep.Dr Jim LudwigMr Christopher HallMr Tony HerbertI guess you could say he was an unusual disciplinarian,even eccentric. Woe betide the student who failed topay attention. Even staff were not immune from thefamous 'cromknock.'He was a Bucks boy and a Bucks House Master. He caredabout the boys much more than his relaxed approachmight have suggested. He just had the extraordinarygift of concealing the hassles and difficulties whichaccompanied the many tasks he undertook.In sport he was a jack-of-all-trades. He coached rowingin his own inimitable way and had a shell named afterhim. He coached Australian Rules and managed theFootball Club, doling out footballs as though they wereNotwithstanding Crom's casual and sometimes sharpdemeanour, he was a reliable and caring school masterwithout pretension and without pretence. If Crom saidthat he would do something, he would do it. And hewould do it without fuss, without display. None of us isindispensable but he will be missed more than most.Wherever Hutchins Old Boys gather and rememberCrom there will be talk of sore ears and sore fingers,but there will also be talk of empty heads being filledand fearful hearts being comforted. Thank God for theteachers whom we remember. Thank God for Crom.Rev'd Dr D.B. Clarke-10-11