Ray Westwood (Class of 1952) – Why I Donate to The Friends’ School
Posted on July 2, 2025
Why I Donate to the Friends’ School
by Ray Westwood
I attended The Friends’ School from 1948 until 1952. Yes, that was a long time ago.
At that time, Australia was still recovering from the debilitating effects of WW2. I arrived in Hobart at age 12 after obtaining my early education under the Queensland education system. At that time Friends’ had a long-standing reputation for educational achievement which was enhanced post-war under innovative headmaster W N Oats. I found, however, that transition to the new school environment was very difficult. My problem was not with the school which I enjoyed as a student. At first, I could not understand why one of my preferred subjects, Geography, was not on the Schools’ Board Syllabus. There was instead a strange subject called Social Studies. A foreign language, either Latin or French was compulsory and in addition to my other favourite subjects, English Expression and English Literature.
This situation was however turned around by two brilliant teachers in Wilfred Asten and Jean Yeates. Deputy Headmaster Wilf Asten of the Lancashire accent was a harsh but fair disciplinarian and a brilliant and highly respected teacher. Long serving and much-loved Miss Yeates had the common touch and ability to communicate and get her message across to even the most recalcitrant of students.
I consider that under the example set by the school staff, I obtained important character, career and social values that far outweighed the academic achievements. I am quite convinced that these things, learned at a very impressionable age stay with one throughout life’s journey.
In the post war environment, Friends’ was not the broad educational establishment that it is today. Past students of my vintage could not help but envy the facilities and scope of studies and activities available under the current school curriculum. It is apparent, however, that ever-increasing academic standards bring with them very considerable financial outlays in providing education at an independent school.
It is important in my opinion, that past students recognise the influence that the school has had on their lives by contribution to annual giving programs.
As a postscript, after leaving school I attended classes in economics by Wilf Asten at Hobart Technical College. On one occasion I had obtained a high mark in the economics subject which was part of qualification for the Institute of Valuers and Land Economists throughout Australia. I rang Wilf to thank him for his instruction. His reply was -“Ah yes Ray, but remember that you have had a better education than most”.
Ray Westwood is a past Valuer-General for the State of Tasmania and a consultant to the International Valuation Standards Board.
