Born in 1911, Cecil Alan Sonsee lived at Springmount near Creswick, and taught natural history at the Ballarat Teachers' College for 30 years. His teaching career stretched over a 48 year period. He spent six years as a student teacher before reaching the position of first class teacher. He had the distinction of never attending a teachers' college, but spending half his teaching career training students to become teachers. At the time of his retirement Mr Sonsee said during his years at the college, "the training had changed from a one year course to a two year course, followed by a three year course, and now a four year course was offered." He recalled "in the early days all country schools had eight grades and a child finished with a merit certificate. Today [1976], children went to high schools from sixth grade and most of the country schools had disappeared.' Alan Sonsee spent 10 years on a television program on BTV6 answering questions sent by viewers regarding aspects of plant and animal live. Mr Sonsee was a life member of both Creswick and Ballarat Field naturalists Clubs. Alan Sonsee died in 1985.1) Foolscap Department of Victoria Ballarat newsletter titled Education 'Regional Views'. The newsletter depicts an image of Alan Sonsee and outlines his career at the time of his retirement on 20 July 1976. The author of the newsletter is unknown. .2) newspaper article on the retirement of Alan Sonsee dated 25 August 1976 (probably from the Ballarat Courier).1) Mr "Nature Man" Retires After a quiet celebration, Mr C.A. Sonsee, a well-known staff member at Ballarat State College, retired from the Victorian Education Department on 20th July, 1976. Alan was the longest serving primary teacher seconded to the State College (Formerly the Ballarat teachers' College), probably the best known and certainly one of the most highly respected educationalists in this region. Leaving Ballarat high School in 1927, he spent the following years teaching at Smeaton, Willowvale, Lawrence (originally called Jerusalem) and Kooroocheang primary schools. However, during the last twenty-nine years, his fame and his influence spread further and further afield. From 1947 to 1976, under a number of principals, Alan endeared himself to thousands of students undergoing their tertiary preparation for teaching. And thousands is the word! Hundreds and hundreds of practising teachers of all ages came to this great teacher again and again for assistance in understanding natural phenomena, a broad field in which he is an acknowledged expert. What undoubtedly made him so accessible to the young and the no-so-young alike was his ready willingness to share with them is rich experience. The warmth of his nature, his kindliness, his dry humour enriched and enlivened the gifts he lavished liberally on all who needed help. Nor did he spare himself in the process. During his ling period of service to teachers, students and some two generations or so of school children, Field Naturalists also, within and well beyond Ballarat, profited from his participation and guidance. A car trip from Ballarat to Lancefield was made unforgettable by Alan's running and lively commentary; the time spent with him viewing and fossicking in an aboriginal flint area is still vivid, thouhg many moons have waxed and waned since then. And who can ever forget his palcid, home;y handling of "Mr nature Man" programmes on BTV 6 for over ten years? his name became a hose-hold word over an existence viewing area in Western Victoria - as his mail bag showed. Mr T. Turner was closely associated with C.A.S. for some twenty-three years as colleague and college principal. Recently tome said, "Alan was highly esteemed by staff and students, When I saw him lecturing I would be struck by the depth and breadth of his knowledge, and by the smooth, almost deceptively simple way he shared what he knew with others. I remember, too, his consideration for the views and the feelings of others; for the tolerance and range of his understanding of human nature. But, above all else, I remember him as a friend." All who know him in any way at all will want to say, "Thanks you, Alan, for everything you did for us. Thank you, Alan for what you are."alan sonsee, ballarat teachers' college, ballarat state college, education, teaching, ballarat field naturalists, creswick field naturalists, aborigines, lancefield flint, smeaton primary school, willowvale primary school, lawrence primary school, jerusalum primary school, kooroocheang primary school, nature studies, mr nature man

These homes were built in 1981. One of the first objectives of the Association was "to provide the shelter of a hose for those Pioneers of the Goldfields whom the reverses of fortune have deprived of the means of procuring the comforts of life in their declining years." The first home at Charles Anderson Grove was built in 1925. Before that time the Association provided relief for needy pioneers. relief included monthly monetary payments, loads of firewood, medical assistance and distribution of Christmas bosed of groceries to deserving pensioners, and in some cases payment of burial costs. ::a) The dominant purpose of the Association is to give public benevolent relief as a charity, but providing independent living accommodation in our Retirement Village for person in need who are over 65. ::b) To raise funds by membership subscription, commercial and residential rents, donations, gifts and voluntary work, for the purpose of providing direct relief of poverty, distress, misfortune or helplessness. ::c) To maintain the important heritage and ongoing viability of the Old Colonists' Association. (Revised Rules of the Old Colonists' Association of Ballarat Inc., 2016) Black and white photograph of the Ian Rollo Currie Foundation Cottage at The Old Colonists' Assiation of Ballarat Inc retirement village at Charles Anderson Grove, Ballarat.old colonists' association, ballarat, ian rollo currie foundation, charles anderson grove, ian rollo currie homes, old colonists' association retirement village

The Wilson homes were completed in 1966. One of the first objectives of the Association was "to provide the shelter of a hose for those Pioneers of the Goldfields whom the reverses of fortune have deprived of the means of procuring the comforts of life in their declining years." The first home at Charles Anderson Grove was built in 1925. Before that time the Association provided relief for needy pioneers. relief included monthly monetary payments, loads of firewood, medical assistance and distribution of Christmas bosed of groceries to deserving pensioners, and in some cases payment of burial costs. ::a) The dominant purpose of the Association is to give public benevolent relief as a charity, but providing independent living accommodation in our Retirement Village for person in need who are over 65. ::b) To raise funds by membership subscription, commercial and residential rents, donations, gifts and voluntary work, for the purpose of providing direct relief of poverty, distress, misfortune or helplessness. ::c) To maintain the important heritage and ongoing viability of the Old Colonists' Association. (Revised Rules of the Old Colonists' Association of Ballarat Inc., 2016) Black and white photograph pf a cream brick building known as the Wilson Homes. They are a part of the Old Colonists' Association, Ballarat Retirement Village at Charles Anderson Grove. old colonists' association, ballarat, ballarat old colonists' club, charles anderson grove, wilson, wilson homes

Brick cottages at the Ballarat Old Colonists' Association Retirement Village.old colonists' association ballarat, charles anderson grove, retirement village

Brick cottages at the Ballarat Old Colonists' Association Retirement Village.old colonists' association ballarat, charles anderson grove, retirement village

The Old Colonists' Association of Ballarat retirement village at Charles Anderson Grove. old colonists' association ballarat, charles anderson grove, retirement village

The Farrer Cottage was built in 1956.Colour photograph of the Farrier Cottage at the Old Colonists' Association of Ballarat retirement village. charles anderson grove, ballarat, ballarat old colonists' club, farrer cottage, old colonists' association, ballarat

Drone footage of Charles Anderson Grove Retirement Village off Gillies Street, Ballarat.charles anderson grove, old colonists' association, ballarat, drone footage, aerial, ballarat, retirement village

Permewen Cottage at the Ballarat Old Colonists' Association Retirement Village, Charles Anderson Grove.charles anderson grove, ballarat, ballarat old colonists' club, old colonists' association, ballarat, permewen cottage

Black and white photograph"Written on back of photograph" Opening of Lionswood Retirement Village, Kirk Street, Ringwood. May 1963.

Brick cottage known as the Mitchell Cottage at the Old Colonists' Association Retirement Village at Charles Anderson Grove. mitchell cottage, charles anderson grove, old colonists' association ballarat

Brick cottage known as the Mitchell Cottage at the Old Colonists' Association Retirement Village at Charles Anderson Grove. mitchell cottage, charles anderson grove, old colonists' association ballarat

Colour photographs of the opening of the new 15 units at the Old Colonists' Association Charles Anderson Grove Retirement Village.old colonists' association ballarat, retirement village, charles anderson grove, community centre, opening

Colour photographs of newly completed cottages at the Ballarat Old Colonists' Assoication retirement village at Charles Anderson Grove.charles anderson grove, retirement village, old colonists' association ballarat

Colour photographs 15 new units under construction at the Old Colonists' Association Charles Anderson Grove Retirement Village.charles anderson grove, old colonists' association ballarat, community centre, retirement village, opening

Colour phootgraphs of the ribbon cutting to name a new cottage at the Charles Anderson Grove retirement Village the Hilton White Cottage. charles anderson grove, retirement village, hilton white cottage, old colonists' association of ballarat inc.

Colour phootgraphs of the ribbon cutting to name a new cottage at the Charles Anderson Grove retirement Village the Joe White Cottage. charles anderson grove, retirement village, joe white cottage, andrew tweedie

Gus Gervasoni shakes hands upon his retirement. Standing left to right is Alma Roberts, Chloe Roberts (Evans), Gus Gervasoni and {? Nicholson?)gus gervasoni, grocers, daylesford, chloe roberts, alma roberts

Digital Image of a letter to Oscar Turner following his retirement from The Australian Tramway and Motor Omnibus Employees Association Vic Branch, signed by Clarrie O'Shea as Secretary, dated 18/12/1953 accepting his resignation from the Association. Gives address and telephone numbers. See htd1930i for Certificate of Service - gives retirement date of 8/8/1953, i2 - tiff filetrams, tramways, retirements, conductors, unions, atmoea, letters

Digital Image of a photograph of Oscar Turner adjusting a trolley rope - probably of the same tram as in Reg Item 1925. See htd1930i for Certificate of Service - gives retirement date of 8/8/1953, i2 - tiff filetrams, tramways, retirements, conductors, mmtb, camberwell depot, tram 636

Digital Image of a photograph of Oscar Turner standing in front of W2 636 - see also Reg Item 1925. See htd1930i for Certificate of Service - gives retirement date of 8/8/1953, i2 - tiff filetrams, tramways, retirements, conductors, mmtb, camberwell depot, tram 636

Vince Braybrook was a member of the Old Colonists' Association Council and was actively involved with the building of 15 new cottages at Charles Anderson Grove. Colour phootgraphs of the ribbon cutting to name a new cottage at the Charles Anderson Grove retirement Village the Braybrook Cottage. Left to Right: Vince Braybrook, Glynis Braybrook, Jamie Sleep (OCA President), Jo Barber (OCA Vice President).charles anderson grove, retirement village, vince braybrook, jamie sleep, jo barber, old colonists' association of ballarat inc