Sunshine Technical School

Appointed Harold Blair To Staff in 1967

Sunshine Technical School

In the late 1960s, Harold Blair taught at Sunshine Technical School for 2½ years until he moved to Ringwood Technical School in 1970.

“I had made many wonderful friends…and at the finish the Sunshine children were so proud of their choir and so keen that we were able to hold rehearsals on a Saturday morning! Now, that’s keenness for you, isn’t it?” (Harold Blair quoted in Kenneth Harrison’s Dark Man, White World).

From 1967 onwards, Sunshine Tech’s School Council Minutes & Principal’s Report includes snippets of Harold’s work which really indicate the far reaching effects of his teaching there.

  • "on the 4th August…the school choir under the baton of Mr Blair sang last Monday morning at school assembly"
  • "An article on the aboriginal singer H Blair appeared in the Melbourne Age of 3rd August, also shots of the choir on GTV9 on 6.30pm news…"
  • “The Sunshine Technical School Choir under the baton of Mr Harold Blair and accompanied on the piano by Miss Amy Yu rendered items at the PSA Methodist Service last Sunday, broadcast over 3DB. They were extremely well received…”
  • “The school choir trained and conducted by Mr Blair with Miss Yu as pianist competed in the Dandenong Festival on Thursday evening, 17th April. We obtained an Honourable Mention which is very satisfactory for our first appearance”. From the School Council Minutes & Principal’s Report.
Program for the School Awards night
The Program for the School Awards night shows that Harold conducted his choir to sing “Count Your Blessings”, “Just a Wearying for You” and “Heigh Ho, Heigh Ho”.
Harold’s appointment to the school made headlines
Harold’s appointment to the school made headlines in The Age (3/8/67).

Additional Resources

Aunty Sally Russell Cooper

Further Reading

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Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people should be aware that these pages may contain the names, images and voices of people who have passed away.
©Copyright 2014 Bonmarart Leewik. All Rights Reserved.
Victoria University - Moondani Balluk.

Cultural Warning
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people should be aware that these pages contain the
names, images and voices of people who have passed away.

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