Farnworth Grammar School
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Last updated 9.June.2004
Farnworth Grammar School
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The late Sydney Beech attended FGS from 1928 to 1931. 
Sydney Beech can certainly be numbered among the FGS alumni who made an impact in places far from home. Here's the tribute paid by the Tasmanian newspaper "The Advocate" to mark the appearance of his last feature column in 1986: The Editor Writes…….. An old friend bows outReaders who turn to this page each Saturday for Sirius' "Under the Stars column are in for a shock.After 29 years, Sirius has retired. In typical fashion, he went quietly; no fuss, no bother, no goodbyes. Last Saturday's was just one more in the 1500 or so columns he's produced. He brought to life the day-to-day happenings of his and our lives, related them often to events of earlier times, particularly in his own eventful life, and always spiced them with a gentle humour. He frequently wrote about the North West Coast, and about the land of his birth, England. His writing stirred many a memory, particularly among those who had migrated. Memories of his childhood, of his early working life and of World War 2 provided a fascinating insight into another period. Who is this Sirius? Many have asked that question over the years. Some found out for themselves; most were told he was a staff journalist, for that was his wish. "There's no need for people to know who I am," he would say. Now it can be revealed that "Sirius" - and assorted other pen-names - were used by Sydney Beech, one of the most talented journalists to have worked with The Advocate. Syd is a man of very special qualities - and not only as a journalist. He, his wife Eileen (more familiar to most as Mrs. Sirius) and daughter Margaret came out from England in 1950. They arrived on Tasmania's North West Coast after a short stay on the mainland, and it's been a much-loved home for them ever since. Syd joined The Advocate as a sub-editor, but his real love was writing, and a few years later he was appointed leader writer, a position he maintained till he retired from full-time work nearly 10 years ago. While his title may have been leader writer, he performed a host of other innovative tasks. Among them he had a leading role in launching The Advocate's major annual Impact feature; he introduced the TV guide and book reviews, and broadened the Saturday magazine section. He introduced "Between You and Me and the Gatepost" and wrote it daily until his retirement. He wrote North West Window, a weekly look at the Coast in verse, and kept it going for more than 20 years. Above all he brought to The Advocate that most distinguished of features, the Saturday editorial, with a moral or religious theme. Nothing we publish is commented on so often and so favourably as Syd's Saturday editorials, which have been appearing for more than 25 years. They cross all the lines that divide the various Christian denominations, and it's not unusual to find people in other parts of the State who buy The Advocate specifically to read them. Comments come from the mainland and overseas, from people who have been sent cuttings or copies of the editorials. Thankfully Syd's continued to write those and other features in retirement. He estimates he's written about 5 million words for The Advocate in the past 35 or so years. May he long be able to continue writing! Many of the Coast's aspiring authors have been helped by this gifted writer, this most modest of men, and many more have been helped by words of hope and encouragement in times of difficulty. We'll all miss Sirius, but at least we can say a heartfelt "Thanks" for all that Syd Beech has shared with us in this column over so many years. David Cherry. |
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