This song was written for the 1973 Annual Teachers Dinner in Gympie. At that time, Arch Guymer, previously Director of Primary Education and Public Service Commissioner, was Director-General [1971-1976]. Joh Bjelke Petersen was the controversial Premier of Queensland [1968-1987].The first welcome is to 203s. Class 2, Division 3 was a salary classification that indicates that the teacher was a young person, probably studying to gain rights to higher classifications.
It is a song that, with a little alteration to some lines, can still be sung with a caution added that one should travel home by taxi or have a designated driver if the words are taken seriously. Things have changed on the highway since 1973.
Drinking Song
[Tune: "Men of Harlech"]
Schoolies, dominies and teachers,
All of us are fellow creatures,
How can discord ever reach us
In this festival hall?
Welcome all the 203s here,
Welcome all with two degrees here,
Welcome Uncle Arch if he’s here
Brothers one and all!
Who’s a Subject Master?
Who’s a sheer disaster?
We don’t care,
Let down your hair,
And we will get to know each other faster!
Join us, Regional Director,
Join us, friendly School Inspector,
Pour yourself some amber nectar -
Have yourself a ball!
Here there is no drought of Fourex -
To sound mind it will restore wrecks,
Do not offer any poor ex-
Cuse for drinking tea!
If your poison’s dry martini,
Fine, but do not be a meanie -
ONE martinus is an eeny-
Weeny quantity!
Be a wee bit wicked:
Have your glass reliquored;
Once a year,
Just while you’re here,
You can’t be shober when your mates are shickered!
Shout yourself a double whisky,
Soon you will be feeling frisky -
Though for Bjelke it’s too risky,
Not for you and me!
