Marist Brothers High School Darlinghurst
Blue & Blue
"Eddie" edition 11th. July, 2014
Gentlemen,
The 2014 May
reunion and celebration of Marist Brothers Darlinghurst Old Boys’ Union
into a second century of existence was (oxymorons notwithstanding)
nothing other than what it always is: extraordinary; an
absolutely extraordinary event! It’s an exercise in enjoyment of
life. Much later, the laughter still can be heard, as memories linger
and linger. Reminiscences and old friendships are rekindled.
As you’re aware,
July 11 is the anniversary of the opening of the school in 1911. Fr.
John Doherty [LC’63] celebrated Mass at St. Patrick’s Church which,
as always, was well-attended by Old Boys prior to the Rugby Club
luncheon & celebrations. It was an historic Mass. Fr. Paul Nulley, an
Old Boy of Darlinghurst House, Marist College Canberra, also celebrated
Mass for “The Children’s
Manifesto”. TCM is an historic statement of rights by children. This
edition is dedicated to Eddie, a little tyke, the grandson of one of our
Old Boys. Eddie has been battling an incredible run of diseases in his
few years of life, with the latest being Leukemia. His fighting spirit
is inspiring and personifies everything that The Children’s Manifesto is
about.
The absence of
“Murf”, Br. Paul Murphy, (Kuya
Center) away fighting rattlesnakes in the desert and others (not
fighting rattlesnakes in the desert) from whom advices of inability to
attend were also received, was graciously noted. We were just short of a
half-century confirmed for attendance but several were unable to attend
on the day.
The omnipresence of “Norm”, Br. Norman Hart was a pleasure to share, with his enduring challenges. “Norm” rarely departs without others thinking of the philosophies, still floating.
At the luncheon,
we were also privileged to receive as a guest, Gary Goodman,
representing Marist College Canberra. Bill Duncan [LC’64 }
advised that Gary “was a lad I taught in the early seventies when I was
a teacher and he a student at Hurstville Boys High“. It makes one wonder
about the 6 degrees of separation theory. A bus trip, provided by Marist
College Canberra, is being arranged for those wishing to attend the
Marist College Canberra Foundation Lunch on 17 October that will have a
Darlinghurst Old Boys focus.
For an insight
into the passion Bill Duncan experienced while there,
please
click here. To register your interest, please contact Bill Halcro,
OBU Secretary.
A motion was put
forward at the Annual Meeting to address the possibility of eventual
demise of the Old Boys’ Union. The presence of Chris Scott, son
of Reg (RIP 2011), was the personification of the continuity of the OBU
and put a nail in the coffin of any further suggestion about any
imminent demise of the OBU.
The three
men responsible for the continuity of the Old Boys’ Union, Larry
Hensby, Mark Sinclair and Bill Halcro, were duly
honoured at the reunion. Mark Sinclair did not stand again as Vice
President, ending a remarkable period on the OBU Board spanning over a
decade and being officially acknowledged as an OBU Legend.
Tony Morrissey
[LC’65] kindly accepted to
fill the vacancy of Vice President. He is currently holidaying in his
caravan at Shoal Bay, enjoying the serenity.
Jay Robertson
[LC’59] was again elected to
the Sports portfolio - keep watching for advice of the next Golf Day
(The Chippendale Cup).
Our most senior
members, Alan Willoughby (LC’37) and Geoff Burfoot (LC’38)
again helped to make up the senior ranks, each providing plenty of
humour for the banquet. B&B isn’t advised how fast Alan Willoughby was
on the track at Darlo but, following the Mass at St. Pats, the remainder
of the field were left behind as Alan exited the Church doors, heading
for the Rugby Club. He sets a fast pace.
The OBU is
pleased to announce that the Chippendale draft, with update amendments,
will remain as the constitution of the OBU. Again, there had been an
overwhelming, almost unanimous support with proxies, apart from 2
abstentions (one religious) to retain the existing constitution.
Any
recommendations for updates will be heard at subsequent Annual Meetings.
Apologies, not
previously noted, were from Ted Leach [LC’59], Hugh Thompson
[LC’63], Frank O’Young [LC’62], Des O’Connor [LC’44], John Kennedy
[LC’64] of Wagga and Ron Brayan [LC’51] who was also heading
overseas. More apologies not noted:
John Reed
[LC’59] who was away in
Turkey with his wife, Diane, reminisces about times with Jay
Robertson [LC’59], “we were the only two in the class lessons had to
be before school. Our speaking and listening lessons were at Fort
St Girls High, when it was near the south end of the harbour bridge.
Needless to say , it was a bit daunting coming from an all boys school,
especially as the girls were much better than we were. I still do some
french at Macquarie Community College”; Terry Malone [LC’63] who
was in Copenhagen and looking forward to a cruise around the Baltic Sea;
Scott Coleman Marist College Canberra who was recently
presented to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge; John Gallagher
[HSC’67] who was unable to join us advises that he and Paul Rix
[HSC’67], who was able to join us, were altar boys together at St.
Anne’s Bondi Beach; Neil Hamilton [LC’65] away in Noosa,
reminisces, “I still remember cricket in the nets using Pick Handles for
bats. I get reminded every afternoon in Summer when walking my dog past
the cricket nets in Birchgrove Oval. The kids these days from 8 years of
age have full kit including helmets , thigh pads, leg pads etc.
... How things have changed. Then of course there was those
Chemistry Labs on the top floor. I hated Chemistry , can't understand
why I went on to become a Chemical Engineer. And yes I still hate
Chemistry. And now I remember , Brother Norman never did teach me to
spell, maybe that’s why I became an Engineer.”
Maintenance & Repairs:
Prayers are requested for Sr. Jill Kennedy, Hon. Director of
Marscom Television, who is undergoing chemo-therapy. Sr. Jill is with
the Order of Presentation Sisters and in whose tenure as Honorary
Director of Marscom Television,
The Children’s Manifesto
has come to fruition. Marscom
Television was created by Br. Oswin McKinney 25 years ago and
continues to maintain the MBHS Darlinghurst website.
Linton Griffin
[LC’65] who is in ill-health,
unable to attend the reunion.
Gordon Fetterplace’s passing
was noted in the B&B recently and Warren Eggins [LC’55] writes,
“As promised...just
an update on Gordon Fetterplace, Gordon was Mayor of Campbelltown at
the same time I was Mayor of Camden, in the mid 1980's, we both had
spent many years in Local Government. The various political parties had
tried to get him to stand for State election, but he declined. He had
friends in high places, and a political career would have been a natural
for him. Who knows where it would have led.? He did a huge amount of
work for local charities, and when one would need to raise money, they
would call on him to chair the fund raising unit.
We had been friends for years, because of Darlo. At one time Gordon had
a Pharmacy in Camden, the same time I had my Pharmacy. He
provided tough competition. One of his great skills was with his
veterinary knowledge. In those times, country pharmacists sold huge
amounts of veterinary medicine. His friendly personality drew many
customers to his shop. We shared much information when we were Mayors,
and I would like to think it was to the benefit of all the ratepayers.
We were a good team. We jointly hosted many visiting groups from
overseas, especially from Asia. He was a natural entertainer, and
visitors always felt very welcome. His premature death was a
great loss to the Community, Local Government and Retail Pharmacy. I
felt his loss deeply.” Regards Warren Eggins
Bill
Morgan’s passing on Anzac day
2013 was previously noted and his wife, Jenny, wrote to advise that
“Bill had suffered from Parkinson's Disease for many years, but it
really only slowed him down significantly in his last few years and he
enjoyed hearing what was going on at his old school”.
Beyond Blue
continues to provide support for anxiety and depression, providing
resources for recovery, management and resilience.
www.beyondblue.org.au
A date is still to
be set for the last luncheon of 2014. The 2015 luncheon will be
dedicated to Br. Charlie Aquilina, who has forged a path across
Millennia with his dedication to Marist Brothers Darlinghurst and the
Old Boys.
Servo fidem,
Kym Derriman
Marist Brothers Darlinghurst Old Boys’ Union
*LC Year refers to those who sat the LC or HSC in that year and also to their classmates who left school in earlier years.
President, OBU
Kym Derriman
9311 3344
Vice President
Tony Morrissey
9311 4598
Secretary/Treasurer
Bill Halcro
9661 7710
Marist Executive
Br. Paul Murphy
0449 640540
Social Media Portfolio
Tim Martin
Sports Portfolio
Jay Robertson
All mail to:
The Secretary,
MBHSD_OBU
20 Paterson St
Matraville 2036
eMail:
Old Boys' Union
Old Boys' Union