It is with great sadness that we advise of the passing of a much-loved original Hillcrest Christian College Director of the Board, Beryl Warren. Beryl was a Director of the Board and also member of Reedy Creek Baptist Church for many years. Beryl was a tireless worker for God over the years and she enjoyed helping students with the reading program at the College.
In 2006, Beryl's reflections on her time in the College community were published in the 'Fruit of the Vine: Celebrating God's goodness over the past 25 years' book that was published for Hillcrest Christian College's Silver Jubilee, 1982-2006. Following is an extract.
REMINISCENCES OF THE "BEGINNING" OF HILLCREST CHRISTIAN COLLEGE
In 1978/1979 while Ellen and myself were living in Gympie, my parents (Allan & Edna Tudball) advised me there was going to be a Christian Primary School opened at Palm Beach Baptist Church. At that time my caravan park was on the market. Ellen's name was among the first to be recorded as a potential student.
We moved to the Gold Coast in 1981 when the envisaged school was much more of a reality than just a dream, and Rev John Colledge contacted me with an invitation to become involved on the Board of Directors who would be the guiding body of this school. This involvement serving the Lord on the Board lasted until Ellen left the school and commenced her High School education at Emmanuel College ‑ where again I was involved with the Parents & Friends Association until Ellen graduated in 1992.
These early days involved many folk and the main task in hand was the appointment of staff. Eventually Andrew Mackie and Linda Lawrence (Richmond) were the two staff members chosen. At that time Andrew was the Principal and teacher for the senior students of the school with Linda being the teacher for the junior grades. The enrolments fulfilled the necessary numbers for the commencement and included many of the families, whose youngsters are now parents themselves and are still involved with Reedy Creek Baptist Church. These included the Davidson, Deacon, Hardy, Salmon and Warren families and others involved at the time whose grandchildren now attend the College.
The school commenced in February 1982: what a day of rejoicing! Praise be to our Lord each student had a desk and chair, books, and all necessities like pencils, rulers etc. It was a great morning. Parents gathered outside the church (on the wooden forms) getting to know each other, children greeting friends from Sunday School, Church, etc.
With two on staff, I myself became involved as a "volunteer" office secretary. This involved typing of correspondence, exam papers: in fact anything that needed to be done. There was no tuckshop in those days, so after a short time, permission was given for the occasional visit to a sandwich shop in 8th Avenue. Of course the most important role was morning tea: cups of tea and coffee which only involved a kettle for the few involved. Many of the parents of the students were involved in voluntary assistance with reading, etc., just as they remain today at the enormous complex at Reedy Creek. At this time the "copy machine" was an old fashioned spirit machine, with purple carbon backed pages ‑ the world's most messy and smelly way to run off copies, believe me. The task I dreaded most was the typing of the Minutes of the Board meetings and distributing the copies to the various directors.
The next staff appointment was Judy Darby ‑ yes the same Judy who is working with the International Students today. As well as working in the classroom, Judy was also involved in coping with secretarial duties and stepping in for Andrew or Linda when necessary. With the appointment of Lyn Deacon in 1985 ‑ again another faithful worker who is involved in administration ‑ both Judy and I were able to finish with secretarial work and move on to other areas.
With the increase in enrolments, the school had to increase the number of classrooms ‑ the original extension was being used downstairs for Pre‑school/Kindy and upstairs for school classes. The back portion of the church was used for some of the older students. Then the smaller cottage on the church property was used, but this building was demolished when it was agreed the car parking facilities needed to be increased. Eventually the larger house on the corner of 10th Avenue and the Highway was purchased and used for classes. The last resort to expand was the erection (by many wonderful volunteer labourers) of the "demountable" which, up until the time Palm Beach Church was sold, was being used by various small groups.
The morning exercise for quite a few years was to run around the block from 9th Avenue-I0th Avenue-Cypress Terrace. The expansion of the grounds with the demolishing of the cottage meant there was sufficient room to play soccer, football, tag, and other games, but only after lunch was eaten in the shady areas inside the fenced area. Morning tea and lunch times were varied to fit in with the little ones in Kindy/Pre‑school.
The staff increased gradually to including Sue Pratten, Colleen Ferguson, Malcolm Pendergast and Lorelle Parnicott, initially as part time music teacher in 1984.
This is only a brief outline of the commencement of the buildings and the school. Others will be able to share with you about the tremendous move in 1986 to the much larger premises on Bridgman Drive, although, of course, it was a very small portion of the magnificent complex we see and use today.
These comments would not be complete without giving praise to our Lord for His continuing guidance over these past 25 years. Again the dedication of the original Foundation School Board and Staff can never be over emphasised.
God is so good.
Beryl Warren, June 2002