Marist Brothers Darlinghurst Old Boys Union

Blue & Blue August 2004
Welcome to the third edition of your B & B for 2004.
From the executive:

Many thanks to those who attended the annual luncheon. It was great to see Br Michael Naughton, Br Lucius Burnheim, Br Michael Curnow and Br Charlie Acqualina along with a surprise visitor, former OBU President, Don Dudgeon. We had a good lunch and numbers give hope for the future holding of this event.
We have completed the purchase of a chainsaw and blower for use by Br Charlie at Mittagong. He is now resident Gardener-In-Chief at the Brothers property and wishes to thank all OBU members for their generosity. Word is the grounds look great and Br Charlie would welcome anyone passing by for a chat or overnight visit.
The Br John Murphy perpetual trophy for the highest achiever in Yr 11 at Marist Canberra will be presented for the first time later in the year. This will be a fitting memory of Darlo and Br John – again thanks to your generosity.
The executive has reviewed finances and agreed to make a donation to Marist Missions. More on this at the dinner.

OBU Dinner:

The OBU Annual Mass and Dinner will be held on Thursday 4 November. Please let us know if you are attending by filling out the attached form. Mass will commence at 6pm at St Patrick’s followed by dinner at the Bowlers Club. Remember all old boy Brothers and Priests are welcome, at no cost, thanks to members who are very generous in their sponsorship for the dinner (but we must know you are attending – please also fill out a form). Uncertainty of numbers last year bordered on near panic for the committee on the night.

From the Editor:

I do appreciate the advice you members provide regarding the deaths of OBU members and other Darlo notables. However, due to the number of advices and dangers of getting details wrong, I have decided not to mention the majority of these in the B&B. Keep the info coming as it enables update of Larry’s membership records.

From the members:

Don Dudgeon (LC 39) tells us his son Bill (HSC 68) is Deputy Principal at Broken Hill and enjoying life there. Don’s eyesight is not the best and he gets around with the help of a frame but he clearly showed again that where there is a will there is a way and we very much appreciated his effort in getting to the luncheon.
Tony Cunningham (LC 45) sends his regards to classmates and I note his letterhead has a sketch of him done by Tony Rafty (can’t make out the inscription). Perhaps Tony may like to tell us more about how this association came about.
Dr Gavan Young (LC 43) recently entertained Br Fabian (Geoff Hynes?) also LC 43. Br run the Papal Pharmacy and could tell a few interesting after dinner stories no doubt. They shared a couple of cold ones and relived good times at Darlo.
Pat Boyd (LC 41) remembers John O’Connor from his time at the Rural Bank at Bega many years ago. He suspects John has passed away but others may know more.

Blue & Blue cont

Mons Vincent Marley (LC 41) sends his regards and tells us he is now in an aged care facility at Erina. He has celebrated over 56 years as a priest. He remembers teachers Brs Ervan, Ethelred, Egbert, Norbert, Daniel, Linus and Quentin. He also remembers a Br John? who taught his class for some months in 3rd yr and then went off to the Solomons where it is believed he was later beheaded by the Japanese invaders. Br also says many of his class did not come home from the War.
The above brings back memories of the Memorial at Darlo to those who fell in the two World Wars. I believe this is now at Marist Canberra. Did you know many Darlo boys served in Vietnam? I know of some (John Kerwick, Peter Mangioni, Warren Bowen and myself) but perhaps we could come up with a complete list from those of you who know of more.
Des Donovan (LC 50) sees classmate Allan Musgrave in Qld regularly. Allan wishes to be remembered to classmates at Darlo. He welcomed his first grandchild recently (never too late) and also sold his chain of shops in Qld (Robins Kitchens) to move into semi-retirement.
I have not had room in previous editions to tell of the attendance of Fr John Andersen (LC 63) at last year’s dinner. There is a great full page story about him in the Catholic Weekly (Oct 12 2003 Ed). Fr John has been PP at Dulwich Hill, Avalon, Penshurst and Earlwood but has spent most of the last 20 years as a PP in Peru. There are many experiences to tell and some of these were shared with those he met at the dinner. Fr John has given us his e-mail address. Anyone who wants a copy of the article or Fr John’s address can contact me (phone no opposite).

Did you know?
The spiral staircase was multi-functional. Apparently it was used to determine marks in exams. Papers were thrown from the top and those that reached the ground got an “A”; those half-way a “B”. Steps in between were used to sort out individual marks. This did not apply though to History – these were weighed!
(Courtesy of Kyran O’Donnell who attributes the story to Br Wilbred – also know as Charlie)
Reunion Corner:

1944 – 60 years. 1954 - 50 years. 1964 - 40 years. Have you arranged anything yet? Please use the next B&B to publicize. Next year 1945/55/65.
Opening of the school at Darlo 9 July 1911. Let’s hope we can all celebrate this Centenary.
First OBU Dinner - 1912. First issue of the B&B – 31 July 1911.

Hope to see you at the Annual Dinner. Mark your diaries – 7 pm Thursday 4 November at the Bowlers Club of NSW, York St…………….WT