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Almost all of Bruce's life has been closely related to education. It began in a very small one-teacher school, at Bailieston, in northern Victoria, from which his grandfather had retired a number of years previously, and at which all of his four brothers had attended.
From there, he went to the Rushworth Higher Elementary School, and finally, for only one year, to Melbourne High School.
After a very unsuccessful experience of banking for a year or so, he commenced teacher training at the Melbourne Teachers' College.
At the end of a year, in which he seemed to learn remarkably little, although he did learn a little about acting (in the College Play for the year) he was despatched to yet another one-teacher school! He would tell you now that if any of his pupils learned anything at that time, it was accidental! For at least eight years, this pattern continued, though Bruce must have learned a little along the way. He then he graduated to schools with more than one teacher, moving to several places in Gippsland, to Inglewood Higher Elementary School, and then to Colac. Laver's Hill, Geelong, Echuca, and, finally Cohuna. All this occupied about forty years, during which time he must surely have learned a little more! For most of the time, he really enjoyed his life, partially due, no doubt, to the fact that he was always the person in charge! He never had a boss! Of course, there were some who did not see that as a good thing. (Editors note , check with Diana)
Retirement brought Bruce to Castlemaine, and, eventually, to the U3A. After a spell of duty on the Committee, and in office, he has claimed the privileges of age, and now restricts himself to running the Music Appreciation group, and trying to satisfy his loyal and faithful listeners, some of whom have 'stuck' for the whole fourteen years.
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