THIS week a stalwart in the Rosewood education and community sector was lauded as a building was named in his honour.
On Wednesday morning, the Clyde Nicoll Building was officially declared open during a ceremony at Rosewood State High School.
School staff, dignitaries, students past and present attended to show their appreciation of his work in education and to the school.
The former teacher worked at the school from 1986 until his retirement in 1999.
Twelve of those years were as school Principal.
“In 1986, I came on transfer from Dysart High School where I was Principal,” he said.
“My office at Rosewood was in A Block until the administration building was built.”
Rosewood State High School looked very different in its early years but as the town grew, so did the school.
In 2023, Education Queensland announced that a new $16 million learning centre at the school would be named after Mr Nicoll.
“I was blown away when I was told the news,” he said.
After retiring from his teaching career, Mr Nicoll continued working with young people through a Leo Club.
“I started up the Leo Club which is like a junior Lions Club, at the school but that folded about three years after I retired due to lack of numbers…children found other things to do,” he said.
“I have always stayed connected with the school and I help through chaplaincy in Rosewood and I am secretary treasurer of that.
“I also help the chaplain at Rosewood High when there is a barbeque; the Baptist minister Phil and I do the cooking.
“I am still sort of connected with the school but just not as much as when I was working.”
The honour was well deserved but a tongue in cheek quip by his wife made him chuckle.
“My wife keeps telling me that normally they name things after people once they’ve died, I hope that doesn’t mean it’s going to happen soon.”
