Marist Brothers High School Darlinghurst

Old Boys' Union

 

  Blue & Blue                            

           

10th. December 2015 

eMail: darlo@6mins.com

Gentlemen,                               

         Merry Christmas

   to each of you and to your respective families. Let’s hope that 2016 brings health and happiness to you all, in abundance.

 2015 sees the end of a chaotic year with suffering on a scale as humankind has rarely seen it. The Christian ethos of opening our hearts to all mankind comes at a cost. Hope springs eternal and each of us has opportunities to express that ethos, in hope that it may promulgate such values further among other cultures.

 As the warmer weather settles in, we have some golfers ready for another challenge. Jay Robertson [LC’59] stands ready to be involved in a game, even it means playing in his underwear during a hailstorm at midnight. Oleh Butchaski [HSC’68] stands ready to defend his hole-in-one from the last Chippendale Cup challenge. We have video evidence of a tongue-in-cheek challenge by Robert Brassil [LC’63], joint claimant, as to who did sink that hole-in-one. So golfers, the challenges are there.

Norm Fraser [LC’62] finished trekking the Kakoda Trail earlier this year, just before his 70th birthday; an inspiration to all.

We heard from Ted Hamilton, O.A.M. [LC’54] who played for NSW and Australia in the world’s best squash teams throughout the sixties -and had an international career in the Arts as an actor, composer/singer. Ted fondly remembers “ Bill Slapp (deceased),  Bernie Cannon (Alzheimer patient), and Sidney Davies,(deceased) who were class mates and Brothers Dunstan, Honorius, and Syrillus.”

 We’d like to thank Larry Hensby [LC’48] for his donations of Blue & Blue magazines to the OBU library this year. It certainly assists in contacting others and is greatly appreciated. Anybody who has editions to donate, please just contact the OBU and we’ll arrange a pick up. Other serious efforts to support the OBU library need to be acknowledged: Tony Morrissey [LC’65] and Philip Hogan [LC’60] both mounted a huge effort to digitise copies of the B&B.

 

The Class of 1965 are nearing the end of their half-century anniversary. Those who have photos and wish them uploaded to the web, please send them across. Technical issues prevented Bernard Doyle [LC’65] from exercising his kind offer to improve the Darlo website and perhaps we may be able to get the photos available to all in January. Michael Howard [LC’65] kindly sent across some of his photos. Have you ever seen 2 white eyes peering out of a black hole? Mr. Howard’s revolutionary technique of snaring an almost all-black photo with just a smidgen of content, defies the imagination of the most ardent of the photographic industry. Also capturing, not the obvious facial expressions, but backs of heads is so provocative! It leaves the viewer to ponder what’s being contemplated inside that amalgam of bald and semi-bald cerebella. ‘Something not even expected from a blend of Andy Warhol and Salvador Dali.

 

Peter Clarke [LC’65] was among the fortunate ones who managed a trip overseas recently. Also, he and Tony Britton [LC’65] were among the rare few being identifable among Mr. Howard’s photographic collection. As Pete reflects, “Tony is one of our Kings Cross group who left Darlo to become a Marist Brother. Stayed in the 'industry' for about 10 years then left to be a private school teacher. Stays fit through tennis and golf and is a 'rabid' Easts supporter like quite a few of us Kings Cross Darlo boys. He is a terrific bloke but the b****** has never put on any weight and hasn't changed in all this time.” It leads one to think that Tony was the most wrinkled kid in primary who possibly suffers from anorexia nervosa.

 

Tony Smith [LC’64] is also among the fortunate overseas adventurers. Tony Smith took a break from the pressures of the insurance industry with a leisurely 3 months trip o/seas. The rumour that insurance guys like to take extended holidays when their clients’ claims are due is totally unfounded. The B& B isn’t getting out there as much as it should so please advise if you’d like to be editor of a given month’s edition of the B&B. Time has Man of the Month. Playboy has Playboy of the Month. We now have Publisher-of-the-Month. ‘Happy to include a semi-nude calendar photo – or other photo, if more appropriate. Tony Smith has volunteered to do the first edition for 2016. We’re working on Tony coming into the studio for a top-half photo shoot with the base being that of the statue of David.

 While on photography, in response to comments on his photographic prowess, Michael Howard writes, “Your review of my artistic efforts took me back to 1959 when I was one of the first boys hoiked from the class choir (I had stationed myself next to my cousin Rodney Marshall who didn’t have a bad voice; I was miming but when the choirmaster cocked an ear close to my mouth, the game was up).”

 

Br. Paul Murphy is heading for Philippines in February to visit Kuya Center, investigating possibilities of a community project using solar power and and visiting Bangkok to see progress on the Living Water project. For more info on Br. Paul’s efforts to advance the situation of disadvantaged children please see http://kuyacenter.org/PDF/2015-12.pdf

Lost & Found

It’s reassuring to see how the B&B reaches various people and into many parts of the globe, maintaining and reinvigorate our fraternity. Mickey Parker [LC’64] now resident in Canada, contacted the OBU to reach old school mates from Bondi and Paddo, after decades of no contact. He also fondly remembers Gary Stanmore [LC’64] who recently passed on.

Ted Leach [LC’59] has a cousin, Sid, an Old Boy of M.B. Bondi Beach, who contacted the OBU and they subsequently renewed the long-lost contact.

We received a letter back marked RTS addressed to Jeff Fallon [LC’63] and Michael Attard [LC’64] kindly followed up with a missive to Murwillumbah seeking to re-establish contact, which was unsuccessful, so if anyone has a contact for Jeff, please contact the OBU. Similarly, we received an RTS on the letter to Col Jenkins [LC’62] of Walcha. Again, if anyone has a contact for Col, please contact the OBU.

  R.I.P.

Neil McKenna [LC’60] passed away- Neil was a good cricketer and footballer. He had worked in the ACT for decades. He is fondly remembered by his family and friends. The funeral service for Neil was held at the Gold Creek Chapel, O'Hanlon Place, Nicholls, ACT on FRIDAY 27 November 2015.

Vale Neil.

 

REFLECTIONS:

Karam Ramrakha [LC’49] writes, “There was a Darlo Old Boy of 1933 who became a district court judge in 1953-4 he had a esoteric sounding name and I recall how he addressed an accused young man who had stolen and frittered away his loot at the races.

The Judge said in effect " There are hundred of people, owners, trainers, jockeys and other people in the racing industry who make a living out of the Game. But they do not make it off each but from mugs like you and me "

It is amazing how Darlo a small school which performed above its weight should have produced such a happy band of scholars.. it was my first school in Sydney and I was 17 having come fresh from Fiji.

I really enjoyed although I used to travel from Croydon to Darlinghurst .. train to Central and bus to Darlo

I recall how much support there was in the school for Souths.. I made good friends and was amused when the little ones used to call me " Son" .. it was their early attempt as masculinity and I enjoyed pitting my head against theirs..

We all adored John Bolster a fine stamp of a man who excelled in cricket.. and the school tennis court  where the boys trained at cricket with a baseball bat.. I recall one day .. I did little exercise and lived very much on a starch diet .. bread galore.. and the Brother said we want a runner for the championship at St Joseph's college.. so the Brother .. he was one of the older one said to me.. you look nice and thin and I am sure you can run.. I did not have running shoes so I wore some old sandshoes after I gave them a coat of white .. as I ran I was hopelessly puffed out and there were five runners and the boy running fourth dropped out but I continued ​and the games people waited for me to finish.. Of course I gained one point for the school and one of my little admirers decided to cheer and as she clapped and cheered the older boys felt I did not deserve it.. But to run on the hallowed grounds of St Joey's .. that was something..

Thanks let's keep in touch. Karam”

 

 

 

  Humour:

The Irish contributions have been plentiful but space limits the sharing.

Paddy says to Mick,"I'm getting circumcised tomorrow."

Mick says, "I had that done when I was a few days old."

Paddy asks,  "Does it Hurt?"

Mick says, " Well I couldn't walk for 12 months."

______________________________________________

 

When Insults Had Class

 

These glorious insults are from an era before the English language became boiled down to 4-letter words.

 A member of Parliament to Disraeli: "Sir, you will either die on the gallows or of some unspeakable disease."

"That depends, Sir," said Disraeli, "whether I embrace your policies or your mistress."
 
"He had delusions of adequacy." - Walter Kerr
 
"He has all the virtues I dislike and none of the vices I admire." - Winston Churchill
 
"I have never killed a man, but I have read many obituaries with great pleasure." - Clarence Darrow.
 
"He has never been known to use a word that might send a reader to the dictionary." - William Faulkner (about Ernest Hemingway).
 
"Thank you for sending me a copy of your book; I'll waste no time reading it." - Moses Hadas.
 
"I didn't attend the funeral, but I sent a nice letter saying I approved of it." - Mark Twain.
 
"He has no enemies, but is intensely disliked by his friends.." - Oscar Wilde.
 
"I am enclosing two tickets to the first night of my new play; bring a friend, if you have one." - George Bernard Shaw to Winston Churchill.


"Cannot possibly attend first night, will attend second, if there is one." - Winston Churchill, in response.
 
"I feel so miserable without you; it's almost like having you here." - Stephen Bishop.
 
"He is a self-made man and worships his creator" - John Bright.
 
"I've just learned about his illness. Let's hope it's nothing trivial." - Irvin S. Cobb.
 
"In order to avoid being called a flirt, she always yielded easily." - Charles, Count Talleyrand.
 
"He loves nature in spite of what it did to him" - Forrest Tucker.
 
"His mother should have thrown him away and kept the stork.." - Mae West.
 
"Some cause happiness wherever they go; others, whenever they go." - Oscar Wilde.
 
"He has Van Gogh's ear for music." - Billy Wilder.
 
"I've had a perfectly wonderful evening. But this wasn't it." - Groucho

_________________________________________________________________

 

Be sure to keep your anecdotes and reflections rolling in and enjoy the Season.


>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 

 Beyond Blue continues to provide support for anxiety and depression, providing resources for recovery, management and resilience. 

 www.beyondblue.org.au

 

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 

Servo fidem,

 Kym Derriman

Gatekeeper

Marist Brothers Darlinghurst Old Boys’ Union

 www.mbhsdarlinghurst.org

 eMail: darlo@6mins.com

 

 

*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:

darlo@6mins.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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