A newspaper article - '50 Years Ago', 7 March 1957, reported that the Governor-General, Sir William Slim, described a gentleman as 'one who pays up, owns up and shuts up'.

'Sir William was speaking at the Sydney town Hall to hundreds of schoolboys at the centenary celebrations of Sydney Grammar School. He said the boys owed a great debt to God, their parents, society and their country for their lives and education. Sir William stressed the need for "educated Christian gentlemen". "If you are saying your prayers in a barracks and some oaf laughs at you, finish your prayers and then walk across and punch him in the nose," he said.'

Tony May ('57) was reminded when reading the above in The Canberra Times that Sir William Slim had given a similar address to senior boys at Canberra Grammar School on 25 July, 1957 (page 5, 1957 'The Canberran').

Tony remembers when closing his address, Sir William offered three pieces of advice to boys: 'Own up, pay up and shut up'.

His address was given in the School library situated where the Gallery is located today.