“It is indeed the loss of one of our most important ‘older statesmen’, who carried his faith and zeal through many different challenges in life.” Br Gerard Rummery f.s.c.
Br Damien’s fondness for De La Salle College, Malvern, has been well documented. Over the past four years he particularly enjoyed his involvement with Lasallian Roll Call. A week prior to his passing, he provided us with his usual copious amounts of notes on the whereabouts of Old Boys for this edition. As we celebrate and give thanks for a life that has touched the hearts of thousands of people, we are proud to dedicate this issue of our magazine in honour of his contribution to Malvern. As the Superior General of the Brothers, Br John Johnston, wrote from Rome, “….may he continue to be a source of inspiration for all who knew and loved him”. The following is a summary adapted from the obituary written by his good friend, Br Finian Allman f.s.c., which appeared in many sections of the media: Raymond Hamilton Harvey was born in March 1916, the only son and eldest of five children. Educated at De La Salle College, Malvern, he decided, after a short period in the workforce, to enter the order of De La Salle Brothers. Br Damien, as he was to be called, began his religious teacher-training studies at Cootamundra, N.S.W., in 1933 and began his teaching career at Marrickville, N.S.W. There followed a series of appointments to De La Salle schools in Armidale (N.S.W.), Malvern and Mentone (Vic.) and Castle Hill (N.S.W.). In all these places his impact was inspirational. Boarding schools, where he was often in charge of resident students, profited by his determined and fraternal encouragement. In the days before sports psychologists, Br Damien was able to motivate students to rise above themselves. It was inevitable that a man of Br Damien’s calibre would one day assume the role of principal. In 1950 he was appointed Director of Juniors (young men preparing to be teaching brothers) and in 1957, after studies in Rome, he became Headmaster at Oakhill, Malvern (1971–77) and St John’s College, Dandenong. Held in high esteem, he was called upon by the Catholic Education authorities of N.S.W. in 1980 to establish a new college, Gilroy, in Sydney. In 1986–88 he returned to Malvern as Deputy Headmaster, and in May of 1988 was appointed Auxiliary Visitor of the Brothers, with the special portfolio of looking after the interests of aged and retired Brothers. Eventually retiring to East Bentleigh in 1995, he enjoyed an active involvement with the St Vincent de Paul Society and taught history, French and English at the University of the Third Age. His death came suddenly on 31st May 1999 after surgery on his carotid artery. He is survived by two sisters, Mrs Marjorie Coleridge and Mrs Patricia Adams, who were at his bedside when he peacefully passed away. De La Salle College was special to him. There he had been educated, there he had been Headmaster and there he had established a very close rapport with the College community and the Old Collegians’ Association. No matter where his teaching duties took him, he was always keen to hear or read about his old school. At the Requiem Mass held at St Peter’s Church, East Bentleigh on 3rd June, the Eulogy was given by Br James Taylor, together with other outstanding tributes. In Sydney on 5th June, Fr Les Troy CM, former Chaplain at Malvern, celebrated the life of this extraordinary man in the chapel of St John Baptist de La Salle. He was interred that day at the Brothers Cemetery at Oakhill.
