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BONG the many events of interest that transpired at Coqualeetza during the

school year of 1928-29, the one most outstanding in our minds and memories is
the visit of the Young Australians, on the 24th of May. This party, a hundred and
sixty strong, under the supervision of Major J. J. Simons, was a representative
group of Australian Schoolboys, between the ages of fourteen and nineteen, “just
boys,” chosen without reference to any particular qualifications other than average
good health and intelligence, to travel for six months under the auspices of the Young
Australia League, in the interests of the broadening of the Australian national out-
look and the promotion of goodwill between Australia and the other nations. The
boys were nearing the last lap of their journey when they reached here, having landed
at San Francisco some months ago and toured the southern and eastern states and
eastern Canada, but they seemed to maintain a fresh and lively interest in each new
scene, and they quite won our hearts by the enthusiasm with which they seemed to
enjoy our reception.

Their party arrived at the B. C. Electric station at Sardis at 6:00 p.m., where
they were met by our Boy Scout Troop and Band, forming a Guard of Honour which
escorted them from the station to the School. Here the Girl Guides and Brownies, in
formation, took the salute, and a formal welcome was tendered by Principal Raley
on behalf of the School and Mrs. Raley on behalf of the I.O.D.E., who were joint
hostesses. Supper was then served in the Assembly Hall, the Boy Scouts and Girl
Guides acting as serviteurs. Guests at the Head Table included: Principal and Mrs.
Raley and Miss Raley, Major Simons, Mayor and Mrs. C. A. Barber, Reeve J. A. Mac-
Leod, Squadron-Leader Earl L. MacLeod, Mr. Ray MacLeod, Adjutant McGowan, Me.
E. W. Butler, Mr. and Mrs. E. Stuart Davidson, Miss French and Lieut. Pirie.

Supper over, Principal Raley tendered a brief address to the guests which was
replied to by Ray Robertson on behalf of the Boys, and Major Simons, for the Officers,
following which the Boys’ Band kindly rendered several solos, which were very en-
thusiastically received by our students, and Miss Raley sang. The Boys then treated
us to several of their famous “yells”, a “Skyrocket” for Principal and Mrs. Raley,
“Boomerang” for the I.O.D.E., “Australia” for Mayor and Mrs. Barber, and “Ecole”
for the Boys and Girls of Coqualeetza. It is of interest to note that the last, a very
attractive “yell”, was picked up by the Boys on a former tour in Brussels, Belgium.
Then, after a short look about, they lined up again and marched off to entrain for
Chilliwack, to fulfill the next engagement in their very crowded calendar.

This is the second time Coqualeetza has been honoured by a visit from “Young
Australia,” a contingent of Cadets having been here in 1916, that time also under the
escort of Major Simons. Visits such as these make a wonderful contribution to our
school life. In bringing us into tangible contact with boys from a country situated
quite on the other side of the earth, they broaden our horizon, enlarge our sympathies,
and add zest to our interests. Further, they do service to our Empire in strengthening
the tie which binds together the two young sister dominions, Australia and Canada.

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