Mrs Beverley Taylor OAM

Retired teacher and musician

Mrs Beverley Taylor (nee Ferguson) graduated from State High in 1956.  In her own words:

"The years at Brisbane State High included some very special experiences and events. In our sub-yunior year, 1953, we girls prepared to be part of the tableau planned for the first royal visit by Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip in 1954. In our sub-senior year, we presented The Pirates of Penzance (Gilbert and Sullivan), which brought to light the depth of musical and dramatic talent amongst us, both girls and boys. The annual operetta, all G & S in our era, has blossomed into the State High musical with all the qualities and scope of modern theatre in every aspect of the production.

Our religious education wasn't neglected. Each Monday morning after the girls' and boys' parades, we'd walk to the nearby churches of our respective denominations such as St Andrew's Church of England, Park Presbyterian, West End Methodist or the classrooms for Baptist, other Christian churches and for those not claiming any Christian faith. At West End Methodist we sang hymns, accompanied by pipe organ or piano and Reverend Arthur Preston was our minister. Times have changed, where numbers of students and a diversity of faiths have increased almost six-fold.

We had many fine teachers. Some were even authors of the textbooks we used! For me and many others of my peers, Miss Dorothy McCorkell was a true inspiration and mentor, particularly in our last two years. Many students of S6 and some of S5 aspired to become teachers. Through Miss McCorkell's help and example we learned so much more about effective teaching and attitudes than we found in the curriculum of the Teachers' Training College course in 1957.

During those last two years at State High I was the accompanist of the Brisbane Eisteddfod Junior Choir. I was also the organist at my local church. It became practical for me to learn to play a pipe organ since many of the choir's performances were in churches that had such an organ. When I entered Queensland Teachers College the choir's solid program made participation in extra-curricular interests at college impossible until graduation when I was the pianist in the chamber ensemble for that occasion.

My first school appointment was at Stafford Heights State School. Midway through my second year there I was transferred unexpectedly to Nundah State School. Upon meeting the Headmaster (this was1959), I learned I was to be the school's music specialist. The only music specialist I knew was Mr Moxey who came one day each week to take about 100 of us at a time for "singing" at my primary school. I would take one draft of each year level at a time at Nundah for 30 minutes each week, grades 3-8 inclusive (6 drafts of each grade), train the fife band, the junior and senior choirs and oversee all the student teachers at Nundah and Nundah Infants for their class music assessments. After the initial shock I enjoyed nearly 5 years in this position.

Upon marriage in 1963 I resigned, moved into our home and became the full-time organist at our local church within a few weeks. I served in that role for 26 years thanks to my husband's support and the cooperation of our two musically-gifted children. In due course, Catherine enrolled at BSHS in 1978 and Rodney in 1980. My husband Neville and I were members of the music sub-committee from 1978-1984 and enjoyed our association with the music staff, students and their parents at that time.

Meanwhile I had returned to teaching in 1973, but elected to be a classroom teacher prepared to support the music specialist. Several of my East Brisbane State School "children" have become BSHS students. In 1982 I transferred to Norman Park State School, again playing a supportive role in the rich musical life there. Many of those students have also become BSHS assets.

My retirement in 1998 led to my becoming president of the Norman Park SS Centenary Committee in preparation for celebrations in 2000. This was very busy and most interesting! With the final event over, retirement really began and we enjoyed many years of shared interests. I was called upon to fill a number of temporary vacancies at the organ in churches throughout Brisbane. One of these became the permanent appointment I'm enjoying to this day.

At the 50th reunion of our class of 1956 we held a service of thanksgiving in St Andrew's Church South Brisbane. From our own ranks we were able to provide the minister, preacher, organist and a large congregation. That's a very special memory.

Music, with its many facets is truly a lifelong involvement. Our roles can change – composer, performer and audience – but the joy and satisfaction it offers, enriches our lives at a deep level. Share in it at every opportunity".