The Watts boys…….a remarkable family. (Br Kenneth Preston nee Br Baylon)

Think of the Watts family and it invariably conjures up memories of spectacular Open A footballers during the 20 year span that the boys were at Red Bend. But these eight boys had other talents and qualities besides football.

Jimmy first came to the college in 1955 from Rostella Station, Bourke, and there have been members of this remarkable family at Red Bend ever since. Peter, John, Patrick, Michael, Chris, Tony and Greg followed Jimmy, and all these boys distinguished themselves in many facets of college life. Pick up a school magazine for any year to see their achievements, not only in sport, but in Leadership (John and Tony were Vice Captains of the College, and there were House Captains among them), Cadets (Peter, Patrick, John, Mick, Chris and Tony were Cadet Under Officers), Eisteddfod, Public Speaking etc. On the academic side most boys secured solid passes in the L.C. or H.S.C.

Over the years they collected awards for football, cricket, hockey, tennis, athletics, and the pennants they won would cover the walls of many rooms. The first few boys were boarders, and then Mrs Mary Watts decided to move to Forbes to save so much travelling and to provide home life, and the boys commuted daily from Hill St, where Mrs Watts still resides.

Jimmy had left the college a few years when I arrived, but the other seven boys were at school during my stint at Red Bend. The Marist brothers are justifiably proud of this family, especially for the contribution they made to the life of the college. They didn’t seek fame or glory, but it came to them through their modesty and the wholehearted effort which characterised their participation in all college activities. It was always a case of what could be put into college life, rather than what could be got from it, and the contribution they made will be remembered by all the Brothers on the staff over this long period.

The three girls in the family were educated by the Sisters of Mercy at Bourke, Wellington and Forbes.

And now a generation is passing through the college. Jimmy’s sons, Stephen and Tim, have already spent their six years of secondary schooling here, and moved on. Ian and Liza finish this year.

Eight boys from one family must surely be a record, but because this family happens to be the Watts, they hold a special well-merited place in the history of Red Bend Catholic College.

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