The idea was proposed by Pastor Elmore Leske, a former headmaster, and although it was endorsed by the College Board of Management, there was one interesting proviso. The board believed that it would ‘not be a good move to conduct stalls for that day. This is a very controversial matter in our circles and to engage in such an activity at the central College would set the standard for the whole church.’
The first Gift and Visiting Day was organised by both the Old Boys and the Old Girls Associations and held on 20th September 1958. Events included football and basketball competitions, organised tours of the college and a concert. There was just one stall, for refreshments only.
In the following years there were further developments, with stalls offering plants, cakes, sweets and even a lucky dip. In 1968 there was a cabaret on the Saturday evening and a special church service on Sunday morning. The art exhibition in 1969 featured work by prominent Adelaide artists, and a piece of sculpture, ‘Born to Destroy’ (see photo), was bought for the college and displayed in the office foyer.
Major projects which benefited from the money raised on Gift and Visiting Days were the canteen and its equipment (1960-1962), basketball/tennis courts (1965), the kitchen and dining room complex (1964), the library, the college bus service (1966) and the former chapel pipe organ (1968-70).
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