Staff, 1957-92

R. S. (Bob) Calwell devoted 27 years of service to Carey, with his tenure interrupted by a year’s absence for research. He was known for his Christian standards, unswerving devotion to duty and strong sense of team spirit. His self-effacing manner and sensitivity to the needs of others contributed to the high regard in which he was held by the Carey community.

Originally from Northern Ireland, Calwell brought to Carey an impressive range of skills and interests. Trained in science, he was also an accomplished participant in outdoor and sporting activities. After migrating to Australia, he learnt to fly light aircraft, played for the Harlequin Rugby team and represented Victoria on three occasions in Rugby Union. A keen yachtsman, he also built his own sailing dinghy.

Calwell joined Carey as a Senior Biology teacher and remained in charge of the Biology Department until 1978. From the beginning of his time at Carey, he was actively involved in the House system and was associated with three Houses over the course of his career.

In 1958, he produced the Sutton House play for the House Drama Festival, Hewers of Coal, a story about a group of trapped miners. Demonstrating his characteristic thoroughness, he borrowed outfits from the Latrobe Valley mines for the players.

When the Senior School had four Houses, Calwell was associated with Tranter House. In 1964, his service at Carey was interrupted by a year of research on Macquarie Island, where he undertook four detailed studies into the life of elephant seals. His research took place in extremely harsh Antarctic conditions, including bitterly cold winds exceeding 160 kilometres per hour. He returned to Carey in 1965 and resumed his association with Tranter House.

When the Senior School House system expanded in 1967, Calwell became the founding Housemaster of Gadsden House, a position he held until 1982.

Calwell made a long and varied contribution to Carey sport. He coached teams in soccer, rugby, Australian Rules football, table tennis and volleyball, and at different times coached the Second XVIII and Third XVIII football teams. His volleyball teams also achieved considerable success, including sharing a premiership with Scotch College.

Calwell was a devoted family man. His three sons attended Carey, and he also had a daughter. As a teacher, he specialised in science at eighth-form level and played an important role in the introduction of co-education at this level.

His qualities were reflected in the high regard in which he was held by Carey staff. For two years, he represented the Senior Common Room Association on the Old Carey Grammarians' Association (O.C.G.A.), carrying out this role with care and thoroughness and responding attentively to the needs of individual staff members and the Association.

The affection and esteem in which Calwell was held by his colleagues was demonstrated in many ways. In earlier years, staff members willingly helped to build an extension to his house, while more than sixty members of staff later gathered for a lunchtime celebration of his 60th birthday.

Calwell's 27 years at Carey encompassed teaching, science, research, House leadership, sport and service to the wider school community. His contribution reflected the Christian ideals and strong sense of community that were central to Carey during his years of service.

Source: Carey Chronicle, 1983.