A piece of Tocal Agricultural College’s history has returned and was unveiled as part of Foundation Day celebrations.
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Guests milled around the 1970 V8 Rover’s open bonnet on Friday and listened to the engine, which runs surprisingly smoothly for a 42-year-old car.
It was the car owned by Marguerita and Myrtle Curtis – residents of Tocal Homestead from 1938 to 1985.
They were regularly seen driving it around the district until age caught up with them and they were driven by groundsman John Skinner.
It was sold after their deaths – just five days apart in 1985 – and donated back to the college this August.
Tocal principal Cameron Archer said the donors did not want any recognition or fuss.
But the Rover wasn’t the only surprise on Foundation Day.
Department of Primary Industries director general and CB Alexander chairman Richard Sheldrake, paid tribute to Dr Archer for 25 years’ service as Tocal principal, reading a letter from NSW Governor Marie Bashir.
“I have been privileged to work in the environment I get to work in,” Dr Archer said.
Friend of Tocal Ian Dunlop also launched his book The Years Between. The book fills a gap in the college’s history, between the death of CB Alexander, whose complex laid the foundation for the establishment of the college, and the decision in the equity court that enabled the Presbyterian Church to do so.