Reverend Bill Pugh (staff 1975-94) came to Carey from Haileybury in 1975 and quickly established a pattern of behaviour that has become a hallmark of the man: a quiet, dignified demeanour; a trenchant yet self-deprecating wit; an utter sincerity of purpose; and a deep-seated concern for his fellows.

He drew his inspiration from his Christian faith and his commitment to his Saviour and has always remained steadfast in the proclamation of the Gospel.

He brought to his classrooms a profound love of learning: a love engendered by long years of classical study. Bill would concur wholeheartedly with the proposition that true humanity is developed and enhanced by a study of the great writers, and that the fabric of civilisation itself is woven from their insights. Indeed, this very theme was the burden of his address when he delivered the annual Peter Stockman Lecture on 15th November, 1994.

It seems almost pedestrian to list the lexicon of Bill's contribution to Carey. It constitutes a formidable achievement over many years, but the man is greater than the sum of his parts, and his involvement records only part of the story.

He served, variously, as Year 8 Coordinator, Year 9 Co-ordinator, Assistant to the Head of Tranter House, Head of Newnham House, Secretary to the Common Room Association and, for the past two years, as Senior Chaplain.

He taught a plethora of subjects (he would prefer the word 'discipline' with its connotations of discipleship).

Consider this: English, General Studies, History, Latin and Religious Education at Year 8; English, History, Religious Education and Social Studies at Year 9; History and Religious Education at Year 10; History and Religion and Society at Year 11; and Biblical Studies, Classical Civilizations, Eighteenth Century History and History of Revolutions at Year 12. What a tour de force!

In his spare time he has been involved with Junior Rowing as Co-ordinator (with the honour of having a boat named after him), Debating, Tournament of Minds, Junior Cricket and Basketball. He has shown a vital interest in Outdoor Education and has been to Hattah Lakes camps a record 18 times!

Bill's major contribution has been pastoral in nature. He has been meticulous in visiting those who need encouragement and support. As a natural corollary of his concern, he has inspired a deep respect which is manifested in the myriad requests for conduct of the most significant occasions in people's lives.

He has conducted countless wedding and funeral services with dignity, with grace and with a rare panache. In all his time at Carey, Bill has never had a cross word for anyone. He is the embodiment of the Scriptural injunction that 'a soft answer turneth away wrath.'

In 1990 Bill was awarded the Staff Travel Scholarship. It is a measure of his commitment that he used this grant to conduct a missionary endeavour in Fiji. In company with his charming wife, Lesley, whose inspiration and support Bill would be the first to acknowledge, he preached, taught and assisted the people of the Methodist persuasion. He loved them as well, and they loved him.

Robert Bolt, in his play A Man for all Seasons, had Sir Thomas More advise a young man: 'Be a teacher; you'd be a good teacher—perhaps a great one.' The young man responded: 'If I were to be a great teacher, who would know it?' More declared: 'You would know it, your students, your friends, God. Not a bad public that. 'Well, Bill has that public.

We all feel grateful for having known this man. He has enriched our lives and now goes to a well-earned retirement. Retirement? Bill and Lesley go to take up duties in the Uniting Church parish at Apollo Bay. Yet another group of people will have the inestimable benefit of their ministry.

Source: The Reverend Ivan Poole and David Morgan, Carey Chronicle 1994