Both All Saints’ College and Marsden School for Girls have had some high-achieving alumni in their histories. The OBU museum has a collection of photos and details of many of these people, some dating back to the very beginning of the school’s foundation.
One of the first notables we have a record of is the Hon. Sir Charles Gregory Wade, who was one of the first three boys of All Saints’ opening day, 27th January 1874. Wade, from his first entrance until his departure in 1876, ‘displayed a faculty of leadership.’ After graduating from Oxford University, he returned to Sydney to the local Bar, was the Crown Prosecutor from 1891 to 1902 and entered politics in 1903. He became Premier of NSW in 1907 until his party was defeated in 1910.
As Premier, his Cabinet was responsible for the inauguration of the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Scheme, amendments to the Neglected Children’s Act, the Betting and Gaming Laws and several other social reforms. His courage, high aims, and the outstanding cleanness of his politics earned the respect of all parties. He remained leader of the Opposition until 1916, was appointed Agent General in London in 1917, then returned to NSW to become a judge of the Supreme Court.
In addition to his political, judicial and scholastic achievements, he was an outstanding athlete, excelling in many branches of sport. As a rugby footballer, he shone, and as a schoolboy, he played with the famous Wallaroo team. He also won great distinction while at Oxford University and in England, playing for both University and the English Team. He excelled in other sports, cricket, tennis and was an expert rifleman.
In 1918, he was created a Knight Bachelor, and in 1920, he was made K.C.M.G. In recognition of his services to Belgian refugees, he was invested personally by the King of Belgium with the Cross Commander of the Belgian Order of the Crown and received an Italian decoration.
He died suddenly September 1922 and was accorded a State funeral at which the Archbishop of Sydney delivered the oration and Chief Justice Sir William Cullen bore testimony to his merits in these words, “never was there a more loyal colleague he was far more than a lawyer and a judge; he was one who sincerely devoted himself to accomplishing the best work of which he is capable of for his native country.”
In the first official History of All Saints’ College, Bathurst 1873-1963, Chapter 111, The First Headmaster- Henry Kemmis 1874-1877, the first of the seven boys to present themselves to the gates and be enrolled were two Wade brothers and Sloman. It is recorded in the same chapter that public examinations in those days were conducted under the authority of the University of Sydney, and the first All Saints’ boys to pass were T.B.U. Sloman, A. Tanner and C.G. Wade.
Mrs Memory Sanders
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