Old Haleian, David Irvine (1956-64), is in charge of the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation. No wonder his ‘Seize the Day’ breakfast presentation this week was full of eager boys, and parents wanting to know just what his job entailed.

He of course couldn’t tell us! It’s all secret.

Nevertheless, you could have heard a pin drop as he quietly went about regaling the audience with his story – the bits he could tell us about.

He began by pointing out that he didn’t feel as though he had ‘Seized the Day’, but rather that the Day had Seized him! He had a thoroughly undistinguished time at Hale School both academically and on the sporting field. He did play 1st XI cricket but again, he was quick to add that his younger brother, who also played 1sts - managed to score more runs in one innings than he had during his whole career!

He made all the boys in the room feel that a career such as his was well within reach – for anyone. “You do need to be a bit brave,” he said, “and be a ‘Can Do’ person - able to think for yourself.” He also emphasised that personality and moral and intellectual character were sometimes just as important as academic achievement. You really needed to be the sort of person that people would like to meet up with again - after that first meeting. There’s more to it than that of course: at least one university degree and these days preferably two would be a definite asset!

“You are going to be doing things that you can’t talk about,” he said “to anyone! No matter how much you want to. You will in fact,” he added, “have to live a lie for the rest of your life. No-one will ever know what you have done.”

If David’s presentation had been a recruitment drive, he’d still be there taking applications!