Here is the pamphlet covering the Honoured Years Luncheon.

TOAST TO VICTORIA COLLEGE

May 31, 2019

(Doug thanked Vic President Will Robins for his introduction.)

The occupations we had following graduation brought new friends and colleagues with new traditions. Very early in our careers, a colleague and I each decided to invest in a quart sealer and fill it with colourful marbles. We stored mine in a desk drawer. Whenever we had a dreadfully unsuccessful day, we would remove a marble from the jar and toss it away. As soon as we lost all of our marbles, we knew it was time to retire. I retired in 1987, and my wife and I travelled to China. (Looking around at the groups in Alumni Hall, Doug remarked that his retirement was probably much earlier than most of those who were present at this event.)

We have many memories from our time at Old Vic. The 5T4 group will recall UofT President Sidney Smith wagging a finger in the air and calling upon all students to DISSENT! If you go over to the Isabel Bader Theatre, next door, at seat 11 on Row E you may read a wee plaque with a typical Vic freshman giving a salute and answering, YES SIR! Personally, I doubt that any Students at Old Vic required any instruction on how to dissent. I do believe that the topic of DISSENSION was added to the course in Political Science shortly thereafter.

Traditions are an important part of the Old Vic experience. Do you recall the collections of paintings which used to adorn both sides of Alumni Hall? Vic President, The Very Reverend Arthur Bruce Barbour Moore, was standing at the back left-hand corner (Doug pointed to the back) with a gentleman whom I assume was an artist of the collection of MODERN ART paintings on display, and he asked me what my opinion of the work was. I admitted that these paintings did not communicate any particular message to me. Perhaps the fault is mine . . . for not trying to learn the language of the artist. One thing is certain; I had been exposed to the experience.
Here's another example. Many of you remember the novel, Maria Chapdelaine, from your French courses. A photo display of pictures and paintings was also exhibited in Alumni Hall. For me, it produced an immediate clash between reality and imagination . . . the actuality of life then in Northern Quebec and the mind's interpretation of the story. Once again, I had been exposed to a new experience here at Old Vic.

Robert Beare, Vic caretaker back in 1901 stated," You can't equip a college with college spirit. It's a slow growth and must be achieved by keeping up the old tradition." Consequently, the Bob Apple Battle and the Bob Review grew as traditions at Old Vic in his memory.

In 1953-1954, the Student Union Council appointed Phil Cooke to produce a weekly news pamphlet on an old Gestetner machine. He persuaded me to take over when his course load became too heavy. As of the very first issue, it was called the VIC STRANDS. The title seemed natural due to the two locations of Victoria University - its origins in Cobourg and its relocation to Toronto. Old Vic proved better than any fraternity or sorority when it came to support, and the VIC STRANDS thrived as a tradition.
Speaking of support, I'm sure that you'll agree your best support is generated by the very people of Old Vic with whom you are sitting in Alumni Hall. Please join me now in a toast - to Old Vic. TO OLD VIC!