Sunday, November 22, 2009

MIKE RANN , A HERO AND ERROL FLYNN

An alleged attack using a rolled up magazine on SA Premier Mike Rann at the National Wine Centre in Adelaide has placed him in an embarrassing situation. Little Darwin has a New Zealand publication which reveals he was a studious and honourable young man aware of the swashbuckling Aussie film star, Errol Flynn .

It is a special 1977 effort by the Northcote College, Auckland, to mark its centenary in which Rann , a student, played a major part in its production , being on the editorial panel and Centennial Committee .

In an article headed DON STOTT : WAR HERO , Michael Rann wrote about a former mild mannered Northcote student who became one of Britain’s most distinguished secret agents. His “Errol-Flynn like exploits” had earned him the rare distinction of twice being awarded the DSO for gallantry.

Stott had parachuted into Greece and worked with the resistance which blew up the strongly guarded Aesopsos viaduct. For his part in the mission Stott was awarded the DSO, though recommended for a Victoria Cross. Major Stott disappeared in March 1945 when setting out for shore in a rubber dinghy from an American submarine in Japanese occupied Borneo.

There is an interesting photograph of a 1969 Staff versus Pupils debate in which Rann , his distinctive curl hanging over his forehead, in tie and jacket , is seen taking notes. Even now, Rann is frequently seen brushing that stray lock back into place. He received the Hardwick Trophy for debating in 1969 and was a prefect in 1970 .