Marist Brothers High School Darlinghurst
Blue & Blue
19th. June 2016
eMail:
darlo@6mins.com
Gentlemen,
Welcome to the
2016 winter edition of the B&B. In 1966 (see
B&B), the Lord Mayor of Sydney, John Armstrong, President of the
OBU, welcomed dignitaries and guests to the annual OBU reunion. Over
eighty were present. It is a glowing reflection upon the dedication to
the fraternity that over fifty attended last year’s reunion, almost half
a century after the school closed. Congratulations! You are a very
special breed of men.
Only a
few weeks to go and we’re filling up fast, so for anybody dragging the
chain, now is the last opportunity to book a seat at this
reunion. This year’s reunion promises to be an EPIC. Anecdotes are
the order of the day. It will be hilarious!
Br. Joe
McCabe (Br. Bonaventure) is
attending in response to numerous requests and, after a contingent of
Old Boys visited Br. Lionel Charlton several months ago, we’re in
hope that he may be attending also, although health is a consideration.
Several Old Boys of LC 1965 made the pilgrimage to visit Br
Lionel Charlton (Darlo 1960-’66) at Campbelltown, Michael
Howard, Tom Pinzone, Luigi Genua and Michael O’Leary. Michael wrote
an engaging recount of the trip, while reminiscing about “chalk
flying off the blackboard, as he drove us through maths and physics
concepts and equations.”
Click here to access the trip.
Without question, this edition is about a journey of
courage. Much has been made of the issue of paedophilia in recent times.
The ability to confront demons of the past and bring them into the
public arena requires absolutely enormous courage. Enclosed is one such
journey by one of our own at age 12, Philip Hogan (LC 1960). “I’m at the
beach with my brother and mother. Mum is reading a book and my
brother has gone to find his mates, who congregate at the northern end
of the beach. I’m strolling along the waterline, looking out for
anyone that I might know and I’m approached by this bloke in navy blue
shorts, a blue work singlet, sandals and a straw hat with the Randwick
municipal crest on it, with the words “Beach Inspector”. Read on with
“What
the Wild Waves are Saying”
Br. Paul Murphy is in Lourdes but will be back for the reunion.
He feels fortunate to be working with thousands of the sick, learning
from them through Faith. We received word from Kyran O’Donnell [LC
‘54], who has just arrived back from England with his wife,
Rosemary. Many would have left their wife there. Tony Morrissey
[LC’65] has gone on the campaign trail, assailing politicians {Baird,
Turnbull, Shorten & others] in his efforts to save TAFE and with
perfectly valid but apocalyptic warnings of the effects of substitution
of their highly-qualified TAFE graduates by graduates from private
providers. We heard from Grahame Howe [LC’63] working diligently
at law in his office across the road from the Downing Centre. Grahame
often gets together with Gary Singleton [LC’63] and
Peter Dawson [LC’63], with no suggestion that either are seen in any
way but social, although I’m sure that either would look equally
impressive in stripes and chains.
A special dedication will be made this year to members of the medical
profession. Gavan Young [LC’49], has been a stalwart OBU
supporter and regular attendee of reunions but may not be attending this
year due to health issues. We will be having Honorable Mentions, with
toasts, to Gavan and other members of the medical fraternity to honour
their work in the profession. Others included will be Mario Adamo
[LC’57], Paul Crea [LC'59], Grayson Geary [LC’61], Luigi Genua [LC’65],
John Grygiel [LC’62], Philip Jones [HSC ’70 Marist Pagewood], Peter
Langdon, [LC’65], Brian Pollard, Robert Schiavuzzi [HSC ’70 Marist
Pagewood], Robert Woog [HSC'67], Ronald Young [LC’49] and Anthony Zahra [LC’60].
By the time we finish those toasts, there shall be toasts to anybody left standing, to be made by anybody still capable of making toasts.
Bill Sheehy [LC’65] is off overseas with his wife, celebrating his retirement. Col Jenkins [LC 1962], living in Walcha, will also be away as he and his wife head for Europe and the States. They will be seeing their two daughters in Norway and Germany, as each gives birth. Col will now be in the position of looking at a Darlo record for international grandchildren with numbers six and seven. Then it’s onto the States to visit a son in San Diego, smiling all the way, spending the kids’ inheritance.
Don
Ferguson [LC’49]
has
made a special request to those of his era to attend, bringing the
memories made for sharing, that shatter silence with laughter. Although
he strenuously denies it, with some encouragement, he may present some
of his now world-famous impersonations of less-famous, world
celebrities. There was some suggestion to support Don’s act, if it
eventuates, insofar as to beseech the St Vincent’s Girl’s College, LC
1949, to provide a contingent to sing and dance but the proposal was
voted down.
Lost & Found:
Among the many others who will be attending are the brothers Grygiel,
John [LC’61] and Chris [LC’62]. After many years, we received
word from Affred Doyle [LC’59], who had been listed as lost. Also
found are the brothers Brennan, Les [LC’47] and Bill [LC’46],
deemed lost due to errors in the OBU records. Les went on to play first
grade for Souths.
We have lost contacts for Don Simpson [LC’46] of Hornsby and
Bob Wright [LC’51] of Sunnybank Hills Qld. Anybody who can help with
information, it would be most appreciated.
While still in the
mention of Souths, Reg Richardson [LC’’53] was at Darlo in the
late 40s onwards and, like most, idolising Clive Churchill. Reg writes,
“I have followed the team ever
since , but never met Clive . Imagine my surprise when , about 6 weeks
ago , I received an email from the Souths executive office that his
widow , Joyce would like to meet me as she has heard that I am an ardent
Souths supporter and get involved in a few things that are a little
different.
I subsequently met Joyce in Coogee and she is a
charming and switched on person . Her and Clive's son,
Rod, was there too .
The purpose of my meeting her was to see if I could
place Clive's memorabilia in a museum somewhere . There are over 800
pieces and they are in good nick. I am on the case and if I need help
from other Old Boys on where such a museum could be located , I'll let
you know .
Bill Halcro mentioned Clive's 1948 tour to England .
Well, Joyce showed me the very letter, in good condition, from
the rugby league hierarchy telling the great man
that he had been selected for the 1948 tour. She had even kept the trunk
that the league provided for the boat trip, which was about 6 weeks
long.
So I spent a few hours with Joyce and Rod and it
took me back to the great times of our lives: our youth.”
Paul
Finnane [LC1949]
kindly responded to a query regarding pastoral work in penal
institutions. It doing so, it shed light on the selfless work he has
undertaken for many years, least of all deserving of acknowledgement in
the B&B.
Paul
writes, “I got a note from Bill Halcro the same day and it was
good to read how many Darlo OBs have sent Bill emails, offering their
support and prayers.
I do enjoy
getting the Blue and Blue news by the way, thanks very much. Even if it
does remind me that I am indeed very bloody old!”
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
R.I.P.
Brian Fraser [LC’46]
passed on peacefully in March 2016. He is survived by his wife Devona,
married 60 years.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
For those of you
who’d like to get lost in reflections of yesteryear, we’ve been
digitising the B&Bs. While several years are still to be done, please
visit the
Archives to find your photos. We’re all most grateful to exhaustive
work in the compilation of OBU data by Terry Malone [LC’63], Philip
Hogan [LC’60], Tony Smith [LC’64] and Tony Morrissey [LC’65].
Fact: People with hyperthymesia can remember
nearly every detail about their lives. They can even recall things like
the colour of their sox that they were wearing on any given day.
A
Boss Asks his Employee: “Do you believe that there is Life After Death?”
Employee: “Certainly not, there’s no proof of it”.
Boss: “Well, there is.... After you left early yesterday to go to your
cousin’s funeral, he came here looking
for you.”
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This video is too funny -
dog
The reality is that it represents each one of us, in different ways at
different times.
For those
attending the reunion, please be sure to bring your best anecdote of
yesteryear. See you there.
Servo fidem,
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
Tony Smith
Board Member
John Barclay
Board Member
Sports Portfolio
Jay Robertson
All mail to:
The Secretary,
MBHSD_OBU
20 Paterson St
Matraville 2036
eMail:
Old Boys' Union