On Friday 20 March 1987, The Gerard Cramer Physical Education Centre was opened at the Bulleen campus. It was named in honour of then Headmaster, Gerard L. Cramer who himself was a champion schoolboy athlete and sportsman at Christ Church Grammar School, Perth.

Mr Cramer always took the keenest of interest in all Carey sporting and physical education activities; and, before his arrival at Carey in 1965, he coached cricket and football teams at St. Peter's College, Adelaide, and also played A Grade hockey.

The opening ceremony was performed by the noted Olympic athlete and world record holder, Mr John Landy, who in 1954 was the man in the world to run the mile in less than four minutes. As an athlete with the highest reputation for sportsmanship, he was an admirable choice for the role, especially as he also has a son, Matthew, at Carey in Year 10.

In his address Mr Landy congratulated the School on its provision of a facility which covered such a wide range of activities for both girls and boys. He commented on 'the richness of the Australian sporting scene' which produces 'a diverse range of sportsmen'. In conclusion his advice to students was that 'we cannot all be winners. Learn to compete as hard as you can and accept losing gracefully'.

As Carey's Chaplain, the Rev. Peter Stockman, was currently President of the Baptist Union of Victoria, it was fitting that the dedication of the new building should be performed by him.

Other speakers at the opening were the President of the School Council, Mr Arnold Wilcox, the Chairman of the Carey Foundation, Mr Geoffrey Stevens, the Captain of the School, Sally Edmonds and the Headmaster, whose speech placed the new Centre in historical perspective and expressed appreciation of the very generous financial support that had made its erection possible.

The Gerard Cramer Physical Education Centre provides Carey with its first major venue for indoor sports and replaces the old senior school gymnasium for physical education.

It provides an indoor venue for basketball, netball, badminton, volleyball, indoor tennis and weight training. It also provides an undercover area for various aspects of football, cricket, hockey and athletics training as well as an additional basketball court. A staff office, a first aid room, public toilets, a spectator gallery, student classroom and store rooms occupy the remainder of the building.

After the opening ceremony, those attending were able to inspect the new facility, which literally drew gasps of wonder from many. Admiration was expressed for the remarkable beauty of the interior, with its rich brown parquet flooring, soft blue walls, silver-and- oyster overhead tracery of lights, spars and fittings, and splendidly balanced and airy interior space. A number of students were engaged in various demonstration activities under the supervision of physical education staff.

Architect for the Centre was Daryl Jackson Pty Ltd; the builder was McCorkell Construction Company; consulting engineers were Ove Arup and Partners; and the landscape architect was Ross Perrett Pty Ltd.

During his opening speech Mr Landy stated that the new sports hall is one of the finest in Victoria, possibly in the country. Many features support this claim.

The Centre is used exclusively for sport and physical education, whereas many other schools use similar facilities for examinations, assemblies, productions and dances. The 'Air thrust' floor system is regarded as the finest type of flooring available for sports use; its underlay and supporting structure give spring, which is helpful when playing most sports and reduces the number of stress related injuries. The high roof allows rhythmic gymnastics, badminton and volleyball to be conducted at a championship level, and the spectator gallery seats 200.

Aerobics plays a major role when students are warming up in physical education classes. There are five effective work areas for wet weather training. The dividing curtain in the sports hall can be lowered or raised electrically in a matter of seconds, allowing two groups to operate effectively, each in an area at least twice the size of the old Kew gymnasium.

The weight-training room is well-equipped and has a ten-station Universal machine. A theory and audio-visual classroom can accommodate 30 students. Two electronic scoreboards can be used for netball or basketball and can operate independently or simultaneously, and the basketball courts have Perspex backboards.

The sound system, installed by Mr Rob Gardiner, a Carey parent, services both the athletic track and the sports hall. The system uses wireless microphones that enable staff to spend less time setting up leads and speakers for major events.

There is also a large projection television with a one-metre screen.

The Centre is in very great use by students; and it is hoped that parents and Old Carey Grammarians will soon be able to participate, if they wish, in evening fitness-activity programs.

Since being set up in 1983 the Carey Foundation, by late 1987, had raised $1.3 million in cash pledges and bequests, and, of this promised total, had received nearly $600,000. These funds are being used principally to amortise the loan that was required to build the Centre. A new capital funds appeal was launched in 1986 and nearly $1 million has been raised in pledges from 450 donors. The next building target is a new swimming pool.

Carey is indeed justly proud of the new Gerard Cramer Physical Education Centre.

Source : Carey Chronicle (1987)