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LATE MR. R. STEPHENS
Memorial PhotogiapK
High School Function
A very Impressive ceremony took place
in the lecture hall of (lie Hobart State
High School last night, when a photograph
of the late Mr. Roland Stephens, an
ex-senior master of the Academy, was
unveiled by Miss E. Quarmby, a member
of the teaching staff. A small tablet^
bearing the words: "In memory of the
late Roland Chalmers Stephens, B.A., born
August 1SS7, died January 20. 1322, to
commemorate his excellent work from
the foundation of the school' as senior
maste r and sports master, and vice-president
of the Old Hobartians" Association,"
was also unveiled.
The amount required to defray tbo
cost of the photograph and the tablet
was subscribed by the teacbers present,
ana ex-scholars of the school.
There was a large attendance, whidi
included the deceased's mother (Mrs.
Stephens), and ilr. W. Pierce. £ather of
Sire. Stephens, who was unable to attend
owing to ill-health.
Mr. p. H. Mitchell, head master ot the
High School, presided. Before the unveiling
ceremony took place he delivered
the following address:—
"As head master of the Hobart High
School, on the staff of which the late,
Roland Chalmers Stephens completes Ms
life's work, it Is fitting that I should
sav a few word E this evening to appreciation
of the work of our late colleague
and friend. Mr. Stephens was born on
August 8, 18S7. so that at the time of
his -death, in January ot this year, he
was si years of age, a time in a man's
life when his physical powers should
be at the best and his greatest usefulness
owing to experience and mental development
should just be beginning. Mr.
Stephens was born at Beulah, and received"
Ms early education at the West-'
bury State Sehool. A brilliant scholastic
career was entered upon by his
winning at this school under Mr. Ford, a
scholarship, which enabled him to continue
h! s studies at the Launceston
Grammar School: Here he continued
liis success by winning a University exhibition
at the Junior Public examination,
and a literary scholarship in the
Senior Public. He completed his B.A.
degree in 1310, with five credits and six
passes. Mr. Stephens taught for a time
at the Hobart Scotch College and Leslie
House School, ana later at the Hobart
Hi£h School, from Its Inception nino
years ago.
"The first occasion of my meeting Mr.
Stephens was in the education office,
when the teachers appointed to open
the two newly-established State High
Schools were called together to discuss
the various problems that had to be
faced. Mr. Stephens was the only one
of the six appointed" to the Hobart
High School, who had had any previous
experience in secondat? work. As we
were all young for the position -we knew
that a great amount of work lay before
us, and also that we would have to
solve for ourselves the many difficult
problems that would arise. In common
with the other members, Mr. Stephens
put bis very best efforts -into the task
and was a yery valuable assistant to me.
"On one occasion I heard the text, "If
a man would compel thee to go with
him one mile go -with him twain,' explained
in the following manner. lu Palestine
if a stranger bad lost hig way,
aud required guidance, the law compelled
the person appealed to, to go a certain
distance. No credit was due to the
person helping in this way, as he was
only doing his duty, but it of his own
free will he accompanied the stranger a
further distance, such action on his part
deserved special commendation. Whilst
Mr. Stephens carried out his work efficiently,
and to the best of his ability,
still St is not that that h«s endeared him
to so many, and for which we esteem him
so highly. It is ralher that he "was
ever ready to go the extra mile to assist
anyone in need, or to help to lay the
foundations of this particular institution
as thoroughly as possible. When t'je
time come s for any .individual to pass
from this life, there is always someone
to fill the gap, and the work goes on.
but the niche filled by a good man is
never quite filled by anyone else; a certain
loss is always sustained. So, although
I have a most excellent staff, at
the present time, Mr. Stephens' place
has not been filled more particularly in
the work outside the immediate school
work.
Probably one of the outstanding traits
in his character was Ms absolute unselfishness.
He seemed always to be
thinking of some means for giving pleasure
ti» others. Ho organised several
very pleasant outings for the staff, and
was the first one to organise a trip for
the senior cadets of the city. From this
grew the Cadet Association. Mr. Stephens
was an ardent supporter of the
theory of a sound mind in a sound body,
and consequently was particularly keen iu
his endeavours to further the sports
of the school. He gave up practically
every Saturday, both morning and afternoon,
to encourage and assist the boys
in their various sports. His efforts
in. this direction were by no means
confined to the school, but were directed
to benefit the young men of the city
aud he held the position of Chairman
of the Junior Football Association,
committeeman of the Swimming Association,
ana \ ice-i'resiaent of me
Old -Hobartian Swimmius Club.
our nrst sports meeting was organised
by Mr. Stephens, and for years
he was mainly responsible for tlie
success of this annual event. His efforts.
liowver, were not onlv directed to
rurrner cue pnysicai acveiopment ot
the growing youth. He did not wish
to assist in the building up of healthy
youn^ animals alone, hut wished to
cultivate a keen appreciation of the
best and noblest in our literature. He
gave up one evening a week regularly
to help those of the old scholars who
were anxious to further their studies
In a literary direction, and was the
prime mover iu foundinp; and furthcr-
Inr the success of the Old Holmrtion
•uiterary Association; now called in
his honor the Stephens Literary Society.
,
"War.—At. the outbreak of the Groat
War i u lf)l4 ilr. Stenhens felt it his
duly to offer for active service. After
two or three unsuccessful attempts to
enlist, he was finally accepted ip the
A.M.C. in 1H1S. He had several
months' traiitinir at Clearmont and in
Melbourne, and was awaiting embarkation
orders at the lime of the armistice.
To commemorate the ffood wort (lint
Air. Stephens has performed j n this
school, and to show their appreciation
of his splendid character, some of the
old scholars wet and aeierminfd to
matte an eltorf towards establishing
something permanent that would benefit
the sehool. Several schemes were
proposed and the mainrity derided to
endeavour to raise sufficient funds (l)
to place a portrait of Mr. Stephens
and a tablet to his memorv on the
wall <2> lo build a frymnasinm.
"The latter seliome is perhaps raflier
ambitious for sn young a seliool. partieularlv
as building is sn expensive. If
we fail to raise euonrh a ineoHn? of
those who have subscribed tvill l>e called
to see what is the next best form
the memorial onn take.
-At present the sum of £l7C/S/- Is
In hand.
"I mleht sum up Mr. Stephens'
character in a f^w -^-ov^s by savins
he was an nffectinnalo son and husband.
a firm anfl fal'hful friend. nti«Plfisli
and renermiR almost to a fault-,
a rood citizen, and one whose 'infliienm
WBB exerted to try and uoWt thn
general character of the community
in which he lived. His ideals were
high and noble, so that we have all sustained
a great less liy his early demise.
We express our most heartfelt sympathy
to the members of his family,
and we hope that they will have some
comfort In -toe knowledge that his
work in this school has not been forgotten."
Mr. Mas Moore, an old scholar of the
scnooi. aiso spoKe or tne sterling
qualities of the dead master, and said |
that nature might very well rise up
and say: "This was a man."
Miss Quarmby then drew aside the
Union Jack, with which the photograph
and tablet was draped, after which a
few moments was spent in deep silence.
3Ir. Mitchell then said: 'Our sympathy
goes out. to those whom the late
Mr. Stephens luved. and we trust that
the photograph and tablet will be a
reminder and of same comfort to them
to know that his work has not been
forgotten."
The school song was then sunp, after
which the gathering- dispersed.
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