Marist Brothers Darlinghurst Old Boys Union

Blue & Blue - April 2008

Welcome to the first edition of your B & B for 2008.
From the executive:

For those of you who could not make it to the 2007 Mass & dinner, I can report it was a great success with around 55 in attendance. During the get together we conducted the 2007 AGM. Members present re-elected the existing executive save for appointment of Mark Sinclair to replace the retiring Bill Cramsie. My many thanks go to these friends who continue to assist in the running of your OBU and particularly to Bill who has been there since the reformation of the OBU in 2003.

Our Mass was again celebrated by Fr Ron Harden who was assisted by another old boy priest, Fr John Worthington SM. Fr John attended Darlo until 1963 and went on to become a Marist Priest. He has had a distinguished vocation including more than one term as Principal of Woodlawn College at Lismore and time as a Marist missionary in aboriginal communities in Qld. More recently he has been recovering from a stroke suffered in 2006 and has been on “light” priestly duties. I am pleased to report he is in fine fettle now and has been appointed to a parish in suburban Brisbane. Fr John shared a few memories of his time at Darlo over dinner with Br Norman and yours truly. He wanted his best wishes passed on to classmates from his time at Darlo.

During the AGM, it was agreed to continue our association with the Berne Education Centre and donate $2,000 to that Marist cause. More on this later. Unfortunately we have lost contact with Fr John Andersen and support for his mission in Peru is suspended for the time being.

We remain in a healthy financial position with a reserve being built up towards our Centenary celebration. All accounts and end of year statement are audited. Thanks to your continued support we remain ready and able to again assist Marist causes in 2008.

It is not too early to begin thinking of how we might celebrate the Darlo Centenary in 2011. The executive would like to form a sub-committee towards the end of this year to begin planning the event. Very few suggestions have come forward in response to our request last year. Your opinion is sought on all aspects of the celebration including – who should be the guest/s of honour; what form should it take? (procession in Darley/Liverpool sts); lunch or dinner? How should we advertise? Etc, etc, etc….

Please give us your feedback.

Membership Subscriptions – now due for 2008. Please complete the attached form and send it back to Larry.

Blue & Blue – Apr 2008 (cont)

From the executive (cont):

Annual Luncheon – mark your diary now. This function will be held on Thursday, July 3rd, 2008. For the last two years we have held a very successful lunch at City Tattersalls Club, enjoying ‘fine dining’ in the Esperanto Room. The OBU Luncheon is becoming increasingly popular and early bookings are essential, so I would encourage you to send in the attached form now – if only to try it for the first time.
Annual Mass & Dinner – mark your diary now. This function will be held on Thursday, Nov 6th 2008. Details later in the year. For those who attended last year at the Bavarian Beer Café in Harrington St, we would appreciate any feedback on the suitability of the venue for a repeat this year. It was a tad noisy but they tried very hard to look after our every need. It certainly was convenient for those attending Mass to turn the corner and come to dinner.

From the members:

Br Tony Butler (‘56) celebrated his Golden Jubilee as a Marist Brother last year and was most pleased to be with family from far and wide for the event. Congratulations from all OBU members Tone (also my cousin – Ed).
Whilst speaking about Br Tony, he has completed a history of the Marist Novitiate at Mittagong and this was published with due fanfare last year. He had previously written the history of Marist Brothers Penshurst for their 50th anniversary celebrations. Tony is working on a history of Marist Brothers Kogarah (Darlo mortal enemies aside) and hopes to finish it soon. Well done Tony.
Paul Imbre (LC ’47) writes of Tom Mullins of the same year who has had some health problems but hopes to attend the World Hammer Throw titles in Sydney in 2009. There is a Masters category for ages up to 95 years old! Tom’s brother Peter (LC ’45) lives in Canada and has had his hip replaced. We’re told Dr Gavin Young (LC ’44) can testify to the athletic abilities of Peter Mullins as they both starred at MCC Carnivals at the SCG. Tom, as you might have gathered was our MCC shot put contender but his fame rests with his 3 goals in Darlo’s MCC final win 6-5 over St Pat Strathfield. Something to tell the grandkids about.
Bob Wilson (LC ’61) tells us from Woy Woy that he has been teaching for 42 years (35 in Catholic schools) during part of which time Br Norman was his boss in the Diocese of Broken Bay. Br Norman also taught Bob at Darlo.
Recently renewed member, Bryan (Smokie) Dawson (LC ’50) was recruited back by Kyran O’Donnell – both of whom live on the south coast of NSW. Welcome back Bryan.
Kyran also reminds us that old boy priest, Fr Pat McAuliffe (IC ’47) is PP at Cabramatta. Pat married Kyran and Rosemary at Greenwich when he was at St Michaels Lane Cove.
Mike O’Leary (LC ’65) says he has returned to Sydney in retirement with wife Anne after 21 years in Newcastle working for Esso and Comsteel (now Smorgon Steel). Hope to see you at some functions Mike.
Attached are two eulogies given on the occasion of the death of long time OBU servant and great Darlo old boy, Don Dudgeon. One was given by his son, Paul and the other by David Wilson, the President of the Balmain District Referees Association. These have been provided by Don’s brother-in-law, Bill Brennan.
Bill also tells us he and wife Joan celebrated their 56th wedding anniversary last Sep. Congratulations Bill and Joan.

That’s it for now – keep the news coming in. Hope to see many of you at the July lunch.
Warren Thomas