The class of '53

While the careers of all of the top ten of '53 would meet any standard of success, none is a public figure in the usual sense and only one is listed in the Who's Who of Australia. Fame and fortune belong to those further down the list of academic achievement, it would seem.

Back in 1953, employers used the exam results pages in the Herald to drum up interest in careers. The Australia and New Zealand Bank Limited advertised "opportunity with security" for "young men leaving school who desire to secure an occupation offering the maximum of opportunity with the maximum of security". Girls need not apply.

At first sight, the State Public Service seemed more egalitarian in its approach to recruitment. Its offer to both Boys and Girls promised "a professional career with free training and an assured future". But the attached list of traineeships available was not quite so inclusive – science, applied chemistry, architecture, agriculture, statistics and engineering for boys, just home science and arts and social studies for girls.

The school leavers of 2023 have a much greater range of options for their tertiary courses. There is a mountain of readily accessible information to guide them towards careers not directly connected with their school subjects or outside their immediate family experience. All the indications from my own year are that examination success is a good omen for the future. Congratulations and good luck to the top students of 2023!

*Since the earlier draft I have found that, at least as far as females and private schools were concerned, 1953 may not have been a typical year. I was told by a colleague who went back to the 1952 results to compare them with some of my conclusions that in 1952 a girl came top, three girls were in the top 10 and seven of the top ten came from selective State High Schools. Clearly, as research scientists like to say, more work is needed. But not by me.