AFTER a chance meeting between Mr Graeme Kearns and Mr Neville Castle (who was Graeme's teacher in the late 1970s) an excursion was organised for students to Sydney’s Lyric Theatre where Mr Kearns is the CEO.
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The students learned much on the excursion as well as from Mr Kearns.
Mr Kearns attended Portland Central from Kindgerten through to 1981 and finished his education - Years 11 and 12 – at Lithgow High School as Portland Central did not yet have the facilities.
He went on to be an accountant and moved to Sydney.
Later Mr Kearns was involved in a stage lighting company and through this he was offered the job to be the Manager of both the Lyric and Capital Theatres.
He took over this role about eight years ago and he and his business partner are now looking to build their own theatre in Brisbane.
It was great to catch up with Graeme and good to see students talking with a very successful ex-student.
Tyson Smith, a Year 11 student at Portland Central School, had this to say about the trip: “Recently students from Years 11 and 12 went to The Sydney Lyric Theatre and the NSW Supreme Court.
“The students were able to watch one of the most talked about murder trials.
“Our day started with a long train ride to Sydney but quickly got interesting after arriving at the Sydney Lyric Theatre. Mr Graeme Kearns, CEO of the Lyric Theatre, and former student of Portland Central School gave us a tour of the theatre.
“We were able to go backstage, where they do the hair and makeup and also the prop room.
“We stopped for a short lunch break at Darling Harbour and then continued on our trip to the NSW Supreme Court to watch the Lin Family murder trial.
“Everyone found it very interesting and Judge very intimidating.
“After an interesting day we began our long trek back to the train station and an even longer train ride home”.