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OWCA
Golden Lions Lunch
Following the very successful Golden Lions Lunch held earlier this year, guest Stephen Chen Wing Dann (OW1949) shares these fond memories.‘It had been 73 years since I last stepped onto the Front Turf of Wesley College. This experience ignited fond memories of past friends and wonderful teachers, but more poignantly, it unearthed a deep appreciation for a College that accepted and celebrated Chinese Australians during the 1940s.
During this time, the White Australia Policy, combined with the nationalism of World War 2, authorised systematic racism of Chinese Australians. However, at no time did my brothers (Phillip 1941-47 and John 1944-50) and I experience racial discrimination at Wesley College.
In fact, it was the opposite. We were actively included into the Wesley community, and our Chinese heritage was celebrated. Most fondly, we played Aussie Rules Football and participated in the Cadets.
Moreover, my brother Phillip was a student leader, as Form Captain of 2B in 1942, 3C in 1943 and 4D in 1944.
The Chen family connection continued with John’s son, Simon Chen (OW1985) and his children, Campbell Chen (OW2018) and Ally Chen (OW2021) and Philip’s son, Philip Chen (OW1981).
While it was the inclusive nature of Wesley College that I admire now, it was also the fantastic teachers we had. I fondly remember Jack Kroger who connected with every boy and balanced instruction with warmth and kindness.'
I hope that my grandson, Rob White, who now teaches English at the St Kilda Road Campus, strives to do the same.