The Opening of the Ron Horan Museum

The opening of the Ron Horan Museum was a huge success last week and a wonderful event for the school. Please see below for a letter from Michael Kirby about the day.

We’ve also included some great additional photos sent to us from former Fort Street students Greg Reading (1955 – 1959).

“Dear Fellow Fortians,

I duly attended at the School on Friday, 29 April to participate in the opening of the Ron Horan Museum.

I was welcomed by the Principal, Ms Juliette McMurray and by the former Principal Ms Ros Moxham.

With my brother, David Kirby (FSBHS 1956-60) we deposited our shared crimson robe from the time of our separate service in the Court of Criminal Appeal of New South Wales. We were welcomed to the Museum by the Archivist, Iain Wallace and his support staff. I attach some photos showing preparation of a model being dressed in the CCA robe. It is very nicely presented in a well-lit cabinet. Amongst the onlookers were the captains of the new Kirby House at the School. I felt that this was a mistake as I was never good at sport. But my brother David had been Captain of Mearns House in 1960. The other male Fortian whose name was borrowed was Sir Douglas Mawson.

The Museum contains tributes to Ron Horan and Fortiana going back to the early 20^th century (a letter from HRH Prince of Wales 1919). We then had morning tea in the courtyard followed by a school assembly in the School Memorial Hall. The courtyard was the place where Mr Westlake, on 7 February 1952 (70 years ago) announced the death of the King and the ascension to the throne of Queen Elizabeth II.

Ms McMurray paid a tributed to the “Fortians of 1955” who have contributed to the Museum project. The two principals were praised for their support. I spoke in praise of the school and public education. The Fort Street High school choir and orchestra were in fine form. I attach to this email photographs from the occasion. There was good roll up of alumni.

The Museum is definitely worth a visit. It is housed in what used to be Room 8 (where Mr Jim Coroneous taught general mathematics) that room was opened up to the former headmaster’s office where the cane was administered by Mr Mearns to John Singleton AM but fortunately not to me.

The Principal and the Ron Horan Museum Archivist, Iain Wallace, also expressed thanks to the year of 1955.

I thought you would like to see these photos.

Michael Kirby

FSBHS 1955