Roll Call - September 2010

Welcome to the September issue of Roll Call. In this issue we feature success stories of our Old Collegians. In particular, we talk to some who have made their careers on the golf circuit, and they assured me it is work. We also interview a young doctor who looks set to take on the world. And as the time draws closer to the College’s Centenary, which we celebrate in 2011, we feature news of the many and varied stories of our current students. I hope you enjoy.

Kerry Martin

Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor

I was especially interested in the two articles by Tom McIlroy in the last issue of Roll Call. My interest was particularly aroused by the reference to ‘The Black Madonna’ in Liesse, France.

In 2006, it was my good fortune to do an Ignatian pilgrimage to Spain, taking in Manresa, Loyola and Montserrat. At Montserrat, like many thousands of others, I visited the Black Madonna which is venerated at the Santa Maria de Montserrat monastery in the mountains in Catalonia. Its Catalonian name is ‘‘la Moreneta (The little dark-skinned one). In my research, I learnt that there are between 450 and 500 Black Madonnas in Europe.

Montserrat is a notable place in the life of Ignatius of Loyola who visited the Benedictine Monastery there on March 25, 1522, and where he hung his military accoutrements before the image of the Black Madonna, after which he went on to Manresa and founded the Society of Jesus (Jesuits).

In the plaza, outside the chapel (at Montserrat) there is an arc colonnade of many saints, including St John Baptist de la Salle. Seeing the statue, the question arose for me — “Did De La Salle visit Montserrat like Ignatius did; and if so, why so?” I was agreeably surprised to see the statue, because in my readings of his life story, I had no recollection of his visiting Montserrat. Ignatius’ biography suggests Montserrat as a place of pilgrimage, particularly for men of ‘nobility’ as were Ignatius and John Baptist de la Salle both.

Thank you for an always interesting publication John Jennings

Dear Editor

Congratulations on the latest Roll Call. I’ve been getting the magazine for a number of years and have tended to flip through them without paying much attention. I read this one from cover to cover. The profiles were excellent and cover a broad spectrum of Lasallian people over many years. The highlight, of course, is my photo from the 50+ reunion!

Garry Eastman Executive Chairman John Garratt Publishing

Dear Editor

I appreciate being on your mailing list for Lasallian Roll Call. Congratulations on the May edition. While always informative, this edition was particularly inspiring. Congratulations to you and all involved in the production.

David Hawke fsc Singapore

Socrates once wrote that “education is what is left after all that has been learned has been forgotten.”

Most students go forward from school with different things in the memory bank — their valuable teacher, their ‘best’ subject, their closest friend(s), their most daunting memories, their big success or ‘the lessons I learned’. Each person remembers what was significant for them.

Reunions are first and foremost an opportunity to relive the spirit that bound the class, or classes, friend or friends, together. Reunions are occasions for alumni who shared similar interests, knowledge and experience to come together and share some of the lived experience. And the glue that binds them together is not what they have shared so much as the spirit that has bound them together. School spirit is difficult to define, a non-tangible, but it is experienced in the heart of all whose passion for their former school days and their remembrance of all that was valuable is what has helped to make them who they are. Acknowledging that, it is easier to understand why all the stories are so important.

Each year the College organizes a number of reunions for different year groups - the year level that has just graduated one year, five years, ten years etc. The stories may vary but the spirit that excites has not. That is De La! How often do we hear groups of alumni recalling their school days and the special school events or successes that impacted them; the careers of the friends and where they may have gone to study or live; retelling the incidents which spiced their life with humour and a good laugh; or, remembering the personalities that were dotted across their school landscape.

We always pray that what is left for each alumnus after their education in De La is the ability to respect each other for who they are; the ability to never lose sight of the presence of God in their daily lives,

From the Principal

regardless of circumstance; and, the sense of camaraderie, friendship and community that are at the heart of our life as people in communion with others, Lasallians!

Currently, the College is treading new paths as we begin to re-focus on excellence for learning and reward students who achieve academic excellence at recognized points. De La Salle is also keen to move toward a student focused approach to learning so that students become more responsible for their learning. In line with the federal government’s Digital Education Revolution the College is now on track to introduce netbook computers to all students in 2011 that will bring us to a new ratio of 1:1 by November 2011. De La is a College that is focused on becoming a relevant and dynamic place of learning for the 21st century. Whilst doing well what we have always done, we are also keen to build the College to a level of competence that meets the needs of all who study here. Whilst the examples and names at a future alumni reunion may be different, the spirit and mission of De La Salle will always be the same. We aspire to help all our students to learn how to learn and to learn how to love so that their future will rest on the firmness of knowledge and faith, service and community — the true characteristics of De La Salle College.

Deo Duce!

Br Paul Rogers fsc

Awarding Excellence

The College recently held its Excellence Awards ceremony at the Tiverton Campus. Parents and family joined the College community to congratulate those students who had excelled in each of their respected subject areas. The Principal of the College, Br Paul Rogers fsc, addressed the assembly on the role of excellence in both education and broader circles. Below is an extract of his address.

“What is excellence all about? What is an excellent footballer? Musician? Mathematician? How do we define excellence for ourselves? I would hope that all of you would have a reference point for yourselves that spells excellence for you. It may not be academic — it could be in a range of endeavours. We all have talents and our personal challenge is to find something in which we excel. Today we acknowledge and commend those students who have not only done well, but excelled in every subject or Year level in the Semester One exams. For just as we honoured our cricketers who won the premiership earlier this year, so too do we honour those who have won the race for academic excellence.

When you want to do well, there is only one thing that gets in the way — you! How many of you are training hard for

Cross Country? How many of you have in the back of your mind that you could win if you keep training hard?

The College’s margin for academic excellence for Years 7 –10 (pictured below) is above 90%. For Unit 1 and 2, that margin is above 85%, acknowledging that the work gets much harder in Year 12 (pictured above) and the standards are much stricter.

I congratulate our top achievers: Year 4 Trevor Yao and Gianluca Intemerato, Year 5 Oliver Lindsay and Roscoe Tsiavis, Year 6 William Wright and Michael Panozzo, Year 7 Liam Gava, Year 8 Thomas Brasher, Year 9 Alexander Di Medio, Year 10 Matthew Taylor, Year 11 Calvin Wu and Year 12 Luke Frazzetto. I congratulate all awardees and encourage all those who almost made it to make sure to do better next time. For those who are not mentioned in the Principal’s Honour List, don’t be disheartened. As long as you can say, “I did my best.”

Br Paul with Senior Level Award winners, Luke Frazzetto, Matthew Taylor and Calvin Wu

Esteemed award goes to De la Salle alumnus

Winning an award is a feather in anyone’s cap but when it is an award conferred by one’s peers, it earns a special place, one that Sam Merriel (2003) earned as a student at Monash Medical School when he graduated with Honours in both Medicine and Surgery last year. Sam was awarded the Monash University Medical Alumni Award after being judged by his peers to have contributed the most to the cohort throughout his studies — a worthy feather indeed.

At Monash, Sam was very involved in medico-politics as a member of the Monash University Medical Undergraduates’ Society (MUMUS) committee for four years, including a year as President in 2009. He said he was particularly proud of his achievements during that time.

“I established a community and well-being portfolio and special medical interest groups within MUMUS, increasing Monash medical student participation in local, state and national medico-politics, and convening the annual AMSA National Convention in Melbourne in 2008”.

As a student at De La Salle, he was also involved in a range of endeavours, representing the College in ACC Cricket, Basketball and Cross country, and was captain of the 2nd XI Cricket team.

He said his strongest memories of life at De La Salle, were the level of camaraderie amongst the students and the overwhelming generosity that was always evident in community and charity activities.

These days, Sam is pursuing his own plans to help the community, and when Roll Call spoke to Sam, he was applying to volunteer as a doctor in the Pacific next year when he completes his Internship at Southern Health.

He said he was looking forward to combining clinical practise with teaching medical students, research and medical volunteering overseas.

“I believe that Australians are very fortunate to live in such a wealthy, stable country with a high standard of medical care. Many countries around the world, including our regional neighbours in the Pacific, don’t even have the medical personnel or the resources to provide basic medical care for their people.”

“I have met Australian doctors and surgeons who regularly travel to countries like East Timor and Papua New Guinea with AusAid to volunteer their services, and I would like to make medical volunteering in the Pacific region a regular part of my future career.”

While Sam was at De La Salle he became involved in the Reach Foundation when he attended a leadership workshop with about ten other students and from there he was invited to join Reach’s youth leader-training program.

“I took up this opportunity because Reach’s core message of supporting and inspiring young people to achieve their dreams in life, no matter what their circumstances resonated strongly with me.”

And it seems as if Sam Merriel is certainly living by those rules by supporting and inspiring others around him.

Kerry Martin

Professor Steven Wesselingh, Monash Dean of Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Services (left) congratulates Sam Merriel.

Sacramental Program

De La Salle College has offered a Sacrament preparation program since 2003. Since then, nearly 300 students and their families have celebrated the Sacraments of Baptism, Reconciliation, First Eucharist and Confirmation. This year, 22 students made their Confirmation.

Students from Year 4 through to Year 11, and sometimes staff members, participate in the Sacrament program. A significant number of students come from the new intake in Year 7, which is indicative of the latent desire many have held to either start or complete their initiation into the Catholic Church, but who for one reason or another have not connected with a parish support network. In more recent years, students who have not previously been Baptized have also requested assistance to do so.

In our modern world, where parents may elect to allow their sons to choose for themselves, we recognise that De La Salle is called to answer the desire of students as a Catholic

students to reflect, discuss openly and seek answers to questions that they have sometimes been reluctant to express in front of the class. More and more young people are displaying a strong, innate spiritual awareness of God in their lives. The completion of the Sacraments is an assured way to assist them on that journey.

journey and minimises academic disruption. The program of preparation encourages parent participation and has proven to be a means of renewal and reunification within families and within the Church.

In the past two years, each student who enters the College at Year 7, in addition to the established Religious Education program, also engages in a one-off five week course, ‘Celebrating Catholic Life’, where their Religious Education classes are held in small groups in the Chapel. This allows

Joan Ferguson College Chaplain

Bishop Elliott Confirms Jacob Cobucci

First Reconciliation in the College Chapel with Joan Ferguson and Fr Brendan Dillon

De La Salle students lead the Prayers of the Faithful during Confirmation Mass

All that glitters is blue and gold

This year, 45 young couples were presented at the glittering Blue & Gold Presentation Ball before 550 guests and friends of the College.

Guests were treated to the talents of the College’s String Ensemble, led by Mr Matt Lewin. Members of the Ensemble included George Banks, Shehan Boteju, Jordan Dalgliesh, Luka Dujic, Julian Esposito, Darcy Kinna and Joshua Renjen.

College Chaplain, Mrs Joan Ferguson, was the MC for the evening and Assistant Principal, Mr Stephen Young, welcomed guests and said Grace.

The night started with the gorgeous, albeit a little nervous, Junior Attendants (Georgia McAlroy and Ruby Ford) walking down the length of the Hall to present official guests — Mrs Trish Woodman and Mr Peter Riordan — with gifts to show appreciation of their receiving the 2010 Blue & Gold Presentation Set.

Throughout the evening, College Leaders, Alex Hay, David De Fazio, Garrett McDonough, Michael Badrock, Jack Jopling, Simon Woodcock and Jacob Gooden acted as waiters.

This year’s Presentation Ball was the fourteenth for Mrs Joy Bew, who makes the evening a success every year. Congratulations to Joy and her team and, of course, the members of the 2010 Blue and Gold Presentation Set.

Staff member Clare Kennedy with her son Jacob Curtis

Performing arts GETTING DOWN AT THE HOUSE GIG

The Third Annual House Gig Night was once again a raging success. After rehearsing at lunch times for many weeks, all Houses managed a fine effort in playing the set song Wanna by the All American Rejects as well as at least two other musical offerings. In addition, all Houses were asked this year to take part in the comedy side of the competition with stand-up or skit comedy. Two Houses managed this

DE LA COMIC A NATIONAL CLOWN

(pictured left) doesn’t mind being called a class clown — in fact he is a pretty good one. Haydn has not only taken out the top comedy award in the Annual De La Salle Class Clown Competition but he has gone on to win the State finals and is now into the national finals at the Malthouse Theatre in Melbourne next week. Haydn was one of three De La Salle College students invited to join in the annual Class Clown Competition which is run as an adjunct to the International Comedy Festival. Will Borschman and Harry Saltis made up the comedy trio. Keep an eye out for Haydn’s

MUSIC NIGHT

This year’s Music Concert was a fun night of diverse music ably hosted by Simon Windley (Music Captain) and Michael Higginbotham (Music Vice Captain). The night featured a range of ensembles including the new Junior Flute Ensemble led by Kelly Williams and the revived Saxophone ensemble led by Melanie Finney. Kelly Williams and Jaymee Lee successfully commanded the baton in their new roles as leaders of the Concert and Stage Bands respectively and the audience applauded the performances of the current VCE students as they performed their group repertoire. The Choir, Guitar Ensemble and Intermediate Band also featured. One of the highlights of this concert was seeing real strength in our Year 7 and 8 musicians and

Australian jazz great Don Burrows dropped in on the De La Salle music camp held recently in Bairnsdale. The annual music camp takes our aspiring musicians on tour to share their talents with other students from around Victoria. On the last day of the camp Don Burrows, ran a session for our boys. Later that evening Mr Burrows led the combined schools orchestra in a concert perform ance for the local community.

hearing the success of last year’s Intermediate Band members taking up their new positions in Senior ensembles. The final item of the evening was Man in the Mirror, made famous by Michael Jackson. With over 50 students performing and singing in this piece, it was hard to not feel the energy!

Kelly Williams directs ‘Man in the Mirror’

Patrick Cotter sings “Minnie the Moocher”

Don Burrows rehearses with the combined schools’ orchestra in Bairnsdale.

A hole in one for old collegians

By Kerry Martin

This year, De La Salle took out the ACC Golf title for the first time in the Tournament’s history. The long-awaited Golf victory is the icing the on the cake for Mr Norm Stewart, the College’s ever-enthusiastic Golf Coach, who in his 25 years at the College, has nurtured an emerging lineage of Old Collegians currently making their mark on the golf circuit. In this issue of Roll Call we meet four of our Old Collegians who have turned their passion for golf into a successful profession.

Darius Oliver

Darius Oliver is one of the world’s most celebrated golf writers. His latest book, Planet Golf USA, was voted the best golf book for 2009 by Golf Magazine and these days, his talents are much sought after by golf courses around the world. After graduating from De La Salle in 1992, Darius first studied film and television in Melbourne and later at Montana State University. He returned to Australia disillusioned with the film industry. Combining his media skills with a life-long passion for golf, Darius set up a golf web portal called ausgolf. com.

Darius said his love of golf was nurtured during his years at De la Salle. “I was part of the golf team for several years and learnt plenty from our ever-enthusiastic coach, Mr Norm Stewart.”

“Growing up as a kid I would play golf on the weekends with my grandmother who was a keen golfer. Caddying at Royal Melbourne in Year 7 and 8 hooked me completely, as I had the chance to play Australia’s best courses,” he said.

at major championships. “Making my way to school blearyeyed on the Monday of a major tournament was always hard work, and I admit that I was often late as I waited at home to see how the Shark, would do.” he said.

Following the success of ausgolf.com, in 2002 Darius took a leap of faith and published his first book, Australia’s Finest Golf Courses.

His next goal was to produce a book on the world’s greatest golf courses outside America. Planet Golf allowed him to travel to the best courses across the planet. “I left America out because every other golf book at the time was Americacentric and I wanted to uncover the hidden golf gems in other parts of the world.” His follow-up book, Planet Golf USA, was published last year and includes reviews of every single Top 100 golf courses in the country. “I believe that I’m the only non-American to have made it to all Top 100 courses there.”

Planet Golf and Planet Golf USA, features golf courses in 45 countries, and is a best seller all over the world. Greg Norman, who wrote the forward for the book, described Planet Golf as the finest, and most comprehensive directory of golf courses he had ever seen.

Among his career highlights, Darius cites playing at Crystal Downs with Tom Doak (golf’s hottest modern architect),

meeting Ben Crenshaw at Augusta National this year, interviewing Greg Norman and having lunch with Pete Dye at Crooked Stick. “Dye is a rolled gold original and golf’s maddest course designer”.

“The absolute highlight, however, has been playing and visiting the greatest golf courses in the world. There are others as well. I’m so passionate about quality golf courses that I’d take a round on any one of these over, say, meeting Tiger Woods.”

Darius is currently the Architecture Editor for Australian Golf Digest magazine and works closely with golf developers in Asia to improve golf course design. He has also recently started writing for golf magazines in China.

Julian Gibson

Julian Gibson is the Food and Beverage Manager at the Royal Melbourne Golf Club and is preparing to host the operations for the President’s Cup in 2011. He started at De La in Year 4 in 1993, and has fond memories of Mr Terry Atkins and the De La Cheer Squad. After Year 12, Julian pursued

De La Salle’s Senior Golf Team has taken out the ACC Golf Premiership for the first time in the competition’s 23-year history. The historic win, by the eight-member team at Kingswood Golf Club, ended St Bede’s 23 year winning streak.

With some solid performances under their belts and recording good performances in the VGA Junior Tournaments, the De La Team was deservedly optimistic going into the final. In the past, the hopes of De La Salle, as well as all other competitors, were dashed by the skill of St Bede’s teams. The tables were turned in 2010, and De la Salle outplayed St Bede’s to win their first ever ACC Golf flag. The win is a credit to De La Salle’s Golf Coach, Mr Norm Stewart, who nurtured the team to victory. Mr Stewart thanked the players and caddies, congratulating them on the efforts over the lead-up competitions, and their tournament success.

a career in Hospitality and has worked for the Sofitel, Hilton and Hyatt Hotels and the RACV Club. He is married and has a son, Ethan, and expecting another baby in November this year.

He admits that working as the Food and Beverage Manager at Royal Melbourne is an enviable position in the industry and he is very privileged to be able to work there. “I am very lucky to be working at one of the most beautiful locations in the world with people who are passionate about what they do.”

“The ‘home away from home’ atmosphere at the ‘Club’ is what I believe to be the most rewarding element of working at Royal Melbourne. Strong relationships are made with members and their families who frequent the dining facilities. Our members celebrate their birthdays and their children’s weddings at the Club — it really does feel like a big family sometimes,” he said.

“At the same time, my job can be challenging. Members — like all people, have particular likes and dislikes of how they like their food prepared, so finding and maintaining that happy medium is the key.”

Julian said he gets to meet many celebrities and international visitors as part of his job, although he wouldn’t say who. As well as managing a busy work schedule, especially in the lead-up to next year’s President’s Cup, Julian likes to keep fit and takes every opportunity to play golf himself, having one of the world’s best golf courses on his doorstep to indulge his passion.

ACC VICTORY FOR DE LA SALLE GOLFERS

Chris Mierzwa

Chris Mierzwa graduated from De La in 2004 and is now a professional golf trainee at the Kooringal Golf Club under Marty Walsh.

Like his other De La Salle peers, Chris was very excited to share his experiences of life at the College.

“I really enjoyed my time at De La and my involvement in the golf team was one of my favourite times at school. We had a very committed and passionate team and it was a pleasure to captain the team to second place in the ACC competition in 2003 and 2004. My fondest memory was probably taking out the individual winner at the ACC schoolboy’s golf tournament in 2004.”

After Year 12, Chris won a golfing scholarship to Valdosta State University in South Georgia, USA, where he finished in the top five. “I enjoyed every minute of my two and a half years in the States.” When he returned to Australia he moved to the Gold Coast and worked for a couple of years in the golf industry to get his handicap to a level where he could try out for a professional position. During those years, he earned a reputation as a tough competitor and was three times junior champion at the Riversdale Golf Club. Not surprisingly, he was eventually accepted by the Professional Golf Association (PGA) of Australia to commence a PGA traineeship at the start of this year.”

Chris said being a trainee professional is one of the hardest things he has ever done but at the same time it is one of the most rewarding. “I do 38 hours a week working at the Course, studying long hours and still having to maintain my handicap on the golf course. I need to play a minimum of 30 tournaments a year and maintain an average of +3 and under in order to pass the program.”

“While this is only my first year of my PGA traineeship I love it — the people, the atmosphere and the opportunity to play competitive professional golf. Sometimes I have to pinch myself.”

Byron Reynolds

Like Chris, Byron Reynolds is also a trainee golf professional, based at Royal Melbourne. He started at De La Salle in Year 4, and during his time at the College was involved in basketball and swimming and, of course, golf. He said he particularly remembers Year 12 being a special year for him. “I had a large group of friends who made school life very enjoyable and am still very grateful to the College and

the teachers for the numerous opportunities made available to me.”

When he graduated in 2004 he worked for a while as a manager for a surf shop. “I still enjoyed playing golf and kept that interest up and eventually got a job at the Melbourne Golf Academy where I spent four years playing amateur tournaments around Australia.”

In 2009, he enrolled in the PGA Traineeship system and this year won a position at the Royal Melbourne Golf Club as a trainee professional.

“I have experienced highlights in terms of playing well in tournaments but the biggest highlight for me has been playing golf with elite sports people many of whom are my heroes and play on the PGA tour around the world. I hope that one day I can mirror their success.”

Byron agrees with Chris that the life of a trainee pro is a busy one.

“There are academic, hands on and sporting requirements that must be met in order to pass the threeyear course. The course consists of club technology, coaching, retail business management and professional skills. Assignments are due every fortnight. There is also a playing criterion. Byron said he sometimes works up to 50 hours a week in the Pro Shop while still having to juggle all the other requirements. “Time management is a valuable skill and makes a trainee life much easier. It is also important to have a well balanced social life and a fitness regime.”

Although the schedule sounds gruelling, Byron said it is well worth it. “I get to work with all sorts of people at the Club — Prime Ministers, businessmen, sport stars and international celebrities. He even gave us some names —Billy Crystal, Andy Roddick and Brian Lara.

Foreign affairs

Viva Italia

This year’s Italian Cultural Exchange provided 21 students with the opportunity to experience the ‘real’ Italy — staying with Italian families and soaking up the culture, cuisine and artistic wonders of Venice, Rome, Siena, Assisi and Florence.

The nineteen-day tour took in visits to the Uffizi Gallery in Florence, the Basilica of St Francis of Assisi and St Peter’s in Rome.

A French Exchange

The De La Salle French exchange, led by French teacher Mr Thierry Moran, has returned from an enriching and memorable three-week trip to Paris and the north-west of France.

Students were overcome by the splendours of Paris, which included a climb up the Eiffel Tower, a boat ride down the Seine, visits to the Louvre and the Royal Palace at Versailles and its gardens on an mild and sunny spring day.

From the initial gondola ride in Venice, the visits to museums and awe-inspiring churches, bargaining with shopkeepers when purchasing the best fashion items in the world, through to a Papal Benediction on Palm Sunday in St Peter’s Square, the tour was inspiring.

Visual Arts teacher and tour leader, Mr David Happ, said the highlight of the tour was discussing Michelangelo’s ‘Holy family’ in front of the original work in the Uffizi Galley in Florence. “Undoubtedly, the highlight for the students was their home stay with their ‘families’ in Siena,” he said. Eleven days of going to school and experiencing the best of Tuscany with their peers was an opportunity that they all appreciated. As one student said “You are actually aware of how special this is, how lucky you are, and how happy you are…while you are doing it.”

After only three short days in Paris, the group departed for Rennes in Brittany, their main destination in northern France, where they stayed for two weeks. There, students experienced life with an ordinary French family. They observed and took part in school life at the Lycee De La Salle in Rennes (founded and run by De La Salle brothers and is now a very successful professional educational establishment that prepares young men and women between the ages of 15 and 25 for administrative and technical careers).

In Rennes, the boys furthered their knowledge of cultural life and explored the north coast of Brittany, including the enclosed ‘Corsaire’ city of St Malo and the Mont St Michel and, southward, travelled to Nantes, the other capital city of Brittany. Finally, the group made its way back to Paris and took the opportunity to visit the ‘Butte Montmartre’ and its souvenir shops. And then it was back on a plane back to Australia. It was an educational adventure for one and all.

Primaries

On the ball

Recently, some of the stars of the Collingwood Football Club conducted a clinic for De La Salle Primary students. The boys were treated to a hands-on session led by Josh Fraser, Dale Thomas and John (“Hurricane”) Carter who, after a number of warm-up activities, took the boys through a series of skill-development activities in kicking and marking.

After the training session, students were treated to a question/answer session where they found out about the background of each player and how they had made their way to an AFL club. The boys were surprised to learn that Dale Thomas was a Gippsland boy who was playing TAC

Under 18 football in the country and working at a local

Pizza heaven

Who doesn’t like eating pizza? Recently, the Year 4 class at De La Salle led by their enthusiastic classroom teacher, Mr Atkins, showed their culinary skills in the classroom and made pizzas which they shared with their classmates and some special guests, Br Paul Rogers and Mr Peter Riordan. They boys prepared and arranged the ingredients and cooked the pizzas on an improvised pizza oven much to the delight to those in surrounding classrooms who were treated to the smells of cooking pizza.

supermarket prior to being drafted into the AFL. He told the boys he goes home every year to see his mates play country football and more recently he has bought a house in Glen Iris. It was a fun session and we thank the AFL for their support.

Collingwood footballers Dale Thomas, Josh Fraser and John Carter

De la salle cricket success

The 2010 ACC cricket season was an impressive and highly successful one for De La Salle’s First XI, with De La winning their first Senior Cricket premiership in 17 years.

After a lacklustre round one opener against Parade College, De La Salle’s First XI finished the season undefeated to beat long-time rivals St Bede’s in the final match. During the year, De La also put in impressive run rates against St Bernard’s, Salesian, Mazenod, St Joseph’s and Whitefriars.

The Final against St Bede’s at Whitefriars College saw De La Salle win the toss and elect to bat. After a positive start and a small middle order collapse, Hugh Nicholson (41) and Bryce Jansz (20), got together in the middle of the innings to steady the ship. Ashton Agar finished off the innings with two 6’s, and his quick fire 17 which helped set a competitive total of 138.

Defending this total, David Simon took the new ball and was the first to break through with a brilliant out-swinger, getting the St Bede’s opener out, caught behind, first ball of the second over. Setting the De La fielders alight, Mitch Allamby took the third over, which proved to be another successful one for De La, St Bede’s other opening batsman spooning a catch to Jansz, setting the score at 2/6. It was a great start for De La Salle. But a brilliant partnership from St Bede’s third and fifth order batsmen saw them back in the match.

The partnership batted for 17 overs adding 50 runs to the total before Ashton Agar, in an amazing spell of bowling, got the breakthrough wicket. St Bede’s next two wickets added another 40 runs to take their score to 6/110 after 31 overs. It was looking like a very tight finish. With the score at the end of the 34th over 7/129, St Bede’s needed 10 off the last over to win the final. Captain Jarryd Lyons took the ball. The first three balls resulted in singles to take the score to 7/132 with three balls remaining. Everyone was extremely nervous, sweating on every delivery.

Lyon’s next two balls were attacked ferociously by the St Bede’s batsman, resulting in two 2’s, taking the score to 7/136, which meant the St Bede’s batsman had to hit the next ball for at least three runs to get his team over the line. Lyon’s last ball was a short one which caught the batsman off guard, sending the ball directly into the capable hands of Mitchell Allamby to win the match.

Alexander Hay

Premiership Team (in Batting Order)

Simon Hearn, Alexander Hay, Jarryd Lyons (Captain), Bradford Wilson, Bryce Jansz, Hugh Nicholson, Ashton Agar, Harry Haley, Jake Curtis, Mitchell Allamby, Josh Fisher, David Simon.

Mr Marty Rhoden (Coach)

Ms Liz Turner (Coach)

Br Gabriel (Scorer)

ACC 1st XI Cricket Premiers jubilant after their win

ACC Football Premiership

This year, De La Salle’s Year 10 ACC Football team stormed home to win the grand final after an almost unblemished season. Coaches Mr Paul Harrup and Mr Peter Harte said the win was a credit to a very determined and hard working side who “did the College proud”.

The final round between De La Salle and Emmanuel College was touch and go in the first half and, at quarter-time the scoreboard showed Emmanuel 1 goal, 1 point to De La Salle, 4 goals 4 points. The second quarter however, saw Emmanuel come back early, but De La fought back and went to the half-time break with a 36 point lead.

The third quarter ignited the premiership flame for the Blue and Gold that had not burned for three years. And, with the engraver preparing the trophy for its new Malvern home, De La turned on a real premiership third-quarter. At the end

of the term De La Salle led by 46 points. Despite a slow fourth quarter, De La recorded a very convincing and muchdeserved victory by 39 points. The final scores were De La Salle 14 goals 8 points to Emmanuel College, 8 goals 5 points.

Trish Woodman

Sacré Coeur and De La Salle present

In August, the De la Salle class of ’09 was reunited in their beloved Peppercorn Cafe. As we walked around Malvern Oval on Friday night to the Kinnoull back entrance we felt as if we had never left. We thought we should be worrying about unfinished essays, and if Mr Madigan was about to catch us with our shirts not tucked in. There was quite a large turnout, no doubt due to promised beer, old friends, and the traditional De La sausage sizzle.

To our surprise, not much had changed around our old stamping ground, and it was good to come back to something so familiar, something all our boys had in common. However, all were disappointed by the drastic changes implemented by the new canteen. There was sombre talk of the new menu and how the chip rolls with gravy would be missed.

Year 12 Revisited

It was odd calling teachers by their first name (and not having to talk about the symbolism of ‘Look Both Ways’). Although our relationships had changed, Mr Ford was still wearing his skins and ‘Hewie’ still had that camera grafted to his right hand.

Having an opportunity to reconnect with peers made us realise the distinct kinship we have as De La boys, and the importance of our shared memories. The reunion allowed us to remember that we were part of the highly exclusive Blue and Gold army. We can take pride in being part of something worth supporting, an institution that we have been part of, and will continue to support.

Dean Dragonetti and Macauley Hughes

5 Year Reunion

Upon receiving our invitations in the mail for the five-year reunion, there was a common reaction amongst the class of ’05 — “Five years?” Had it really been so long since that night?

After all, the time that had supposedly passed was practically the same amount we had spent with each other at De La. But, back then, those days took an eternity

Hewett in our new incarnations as fully-fledged members of society. The boys were back — but this time as men, adulthood having smiled upon us favourably.

In an age where internet social networking is the norm, the majority of us are mostly in touch with each others’ daily goings-on anyway. But for De La boys to catch-up in the

to pass — not like these post-school years. Our time at Kinnoull was still so fresh and vivid in our minds, that it seemed impossible for anything overly earth-shattering to have been accomplished in what felt to be a short time. We half-expected to see everyone in blue-and-gold blazers, stifling the room with the scents of excessively-applied hair gel and Lynx body-spray.

On the night, however, these notions were obliterated by the reality before us. Not only was it obvious that five years had passed, but also that they had been filled with five years’ worth of achievements and maturation. Finding myself bouncing from group to group, success stories were the order of the day — and no-one seemed to be without. It was also fantastic to interact with our old teachers — Mr Riordan, Mr Komiazyk, Br Gabriel, Mr Walmsley, and Mr

new building face to face — there’s something unmistakably Blue-and-Gold about the experience that can’t be simulated.

Daniel Lombardo

It’s hard to believe that it has been 10 years since the Class of 2000 graduated. For many of us, it feels like only yesterday! The 10 Year Reunion was very well attended and thoroughly enjoyed by all. Although social networking websites have made it much easier to keep in touch with old school mates, there’s nothing like catching up face-toface and reminiscing about the ‘good ol’ days’ at De La. The Malvern Vale Hotel played host to the night’s festivities with Maria Giacomantonio, Doug Esler and Br Tim moving through the crowded upstairs function room with snacks and chatting to everyone. Br Anthony was in top form, with anecdotes and jokes flying at all and sundry. It was

10 Year Reunion

Many of our Old Collegians who have attended College reunions over the years would have fond memories of Mrs Trish Woodman. Trish organizes and attends all of the College reunions and recently she was joined by her son Andrew (pictured extreme left) who graduated from De La Salle in 2000.

inspiring to hear about his work with the Lasallian Brothers internationally.

Jonathan Hewett was snapping photos and capturing memories that will no doubt resonate with us for the next 10 years. What was most evident from the night was the strong bond between the boys — a lifelong bond that was forged during our time at De La Salle. The Class of 2000 would like to thank all of the staff who came along to catch up and share their memories of us in class, and we extend a very special thank you to Trish Woodman at De La Salle Malvern for organising such a hugely successful event!

Tim Mithen

20 Year Reunion

So many faces, so many years, twenty in fact, but no ice to break, just a smile, a laugh, and time to chat about the good old days and great adventures. Fantastic memories of De La Salle make it seem like yesterday, yet on occasions, the memory proved itself a little worse for wear. The Class of 1990 reunion provided a unique insight into many stories, wonderful people with great achievements and plenty of happiness.

A special mention to Mick Hill, who is making great progress on his long road to recovery.

Nic Hope

Past Players and Friends Association

The De La Salle Old Collegians Football Club has been in existence since 1955 and in that time 2,293 players have played for the Club.

If you are a supporter or former player we want your support. The Club is experiencing magnificent times with all teams high on their respective ladders.

If you are a former player or supporter please send your contact details to: tony@premiumpeople.com.au

Old Collegians Report

At the mid-point of the 2010 VAFA ‘A’ grade season, De La Salle Old Collegians Amateur Football Club sit atop of the table with eight wins, one loss and a percentage just big enough to shadow Collegians, who sit a handsome second with the same number of wins.

De La started the season strongly with two good wins against a good Old Melbournian’s side, fresh from success in 2009 in B grade, and Old Scotch, who had a lot of publicity, seeming to suggest that the boys from Camberwell were real September contenders. Things were looking good, with new recruits, Michael Stinear and Justin Baxter, hitting their straps early with excellent early games. In Round 3, however, De La stumbled against an excellent Collegians outfit. Collegians were too big, too strong and too good on the day, and took home the four points, casting doubt over whether De La could pull off another winning season like last year. After this close loss, De La had a good chance to redeem themselves the very next week, against a team they last faced on the last day of September last year, Old Xaverians. In an intriguing and close contest, De La made it over the line in front of a huge crowd. Positives continued to flow, with Sam Pickett showing why he is a genuine superstar. Both Moloney boys, Tom and

them by more than 100 points.

The next two weeks that followed brought challenges, with both St Bede’s and Uni Blues featuring in September last year, and looking good again to push for finals action. In two close games, De La were again able to get over the line. Most impressively was the way that it was done, with two four-quarter efforts.

The following two weeks before the break were intriguing, with both Old Brighton and Old Trinity enjoying not the best starts to the season, but both looming as threats. After leading by six goals at half-time, De La decided to take the foot off the accelerator and paid the price, watching as their lead disintegrated to nothing, and then a negative, as Old Brighton hit the front with five minutes left in the last. It took the hard-running Sam Williams to kick the winner to get De La across the line in what was a massive scare. Old Trinity in the wet was a formality after half time, with neither team able to use the ball cleanly in the wet conditions, and the Dee’s able to hold the lead long enough to get the four points. As Roll Call goes to print, the Old Coll’s Football Club is sitting nicely at 12 wins, 3 losses and 3rd on the ladder. Since the mid-year break, De La have had 4 good wins against Collegians, Marcellin, St Bede’s and old Scotch; while going down to two other flag hopefuls, Old Xaverians and University Blues.

Preliminary Final: 12/09 — Sportscover Arena (Elsternwick) Grand Final: 19/09 — Sportscover Arena (Elsternwick)

Alexander Hay

Where Are They Now? Vale Peter Strickland

Nathan Roberts (2006) has been awarded the Holmesglen TAFE Top Apprentice of the Year Award.

David Heaney (1964) former College captain has been living in Boston, for more then 30 years and has two children Christian and Gabriella.

Peter Heaney (1959) is a De la Salle Brother and has moved around various locations all over Australia in this time.

Peter Chandra (1980) has lived in Indonesia for the past 21 years.

Paul Ryan (1979) (pictured left) former nurse turned computer technician, has three sons and a daughter. Chris Ryan (1973) (pictured centre) former microbiologist and house husband, now teaches at Nazareth College. Sean Ryan (1977) (pictured right) is a manager at Woolworths and the father of two boys Patrick and Jack.

Trevor Hilton (1964) is living in Tura Beach, far south coast of NSW, having finished his working career as the Director of Research & Development with KPMG. He now runs a tennis academy in semi-retirement.

Nicholas Kyriazis (2008) is doing an accounting cadetship with PKF. Chartered Accountants in Melbourne.

Lindsay Ong (1989) works in Human Resources for Laminex, (visiting Sacré-Coeur in Paris)

Laurie Hilton (1960) is living in Aspendale and works in aged care.

Ray Leetham (1971) is currently the Year 6 class teacher and Primary Co-ordinator at De La Salle.

John Collins (1973) is currently working for the Australian Catholic Bishops’ Conference at the Catholic Enquiry Centre-National Office for Evangelisation and lecturing in theology at Australian Catholic University.

Peter Frank Strickland arrived at his home in Nairn St, Glen Iris to begin his 84 yearold journey with his parents Frank and Athenie, or “Binnie” to all who loved her. His early life was full of achievement and adventure. After learning the meaning of life in the mean streets of Glen Iris, the precocious fiveyear-old decided he should impart some of this wisdom on to others, and enrolled in St Mary’s Primary School, East Malvern. He always knew that this was just a stepping stone to his true calling, and a few years later he moved a few miles up High St to De La Salle College, Malvern. This school became a major part of his life, and he spent over 70 years of it involved in the College in some way. Peter contributed to the College throughout his tenure there, including his starring performances in both the football and cricket teams. The one thing he didn’t do was become Captain of the college, but in his typical magnanimous way, he sacrificed his own chances to pave the way for his little brother, John, to become captain in 1946. These two brothers became legends of the College for decades after, and made it pretty impossible for any grandson to leave an indelible mark there.

After finishing his studies, it was off to war and the perilous trenches in the Brisbane Morse code office. In Brisbane, he represented his country with distinction and following an honourable discharge he started at one of his other great loves, the Sigma Company, where he worked as an overseas representative. In 1951, he married Ellen Ely at St Augustine’s Church, and soon after they moved into their new home in Railway Parade, Murrumbeena, where they remained for 50 years. No good house was complete without a few children and on June 6 1952, my mother, Mary Ellen, was born. She was soon followed by Catherine Margaret and Anne Louise, which meant Peter was the proud father of three lovely girls.

In 1960, he became president of the Old Collegians football club in a bloodless coup. That year, he secured for the club an honour which they had never achieved before

— promotion to A Grade. In ’61, he decided to continue his reign and guaranteed a life free of speeding fines by appointing future Supreme Court Justice Bernie Teague to the position of captain.

The last 23 years of Peter’s life have been in blissful retirement, after he finally hung up the boots at Sigma in 1987. The first decade he dedicated to his sporting loves, De La Football and Golf.

Peter also used his retirement to help those who were not as well off as himself, and was an active part of the De La Salle delegation at Sacred Heart Mission in St Kilda. This was something he was very passionate about, and most Sundays he could be found in St Kilda helping those who did not have the means to help themselves. This shows the man he will be remembered for, a bit cheeky, but always putting others first.

Over the last few years, the highlight of his week was heading down to the football club to watch his beloved De La. He was thinking of the club to the end, and the last smile I saw on him was when I let him know De La had won yet

another game in A Grade. It gave him pure joy and I would like to thank the club for wearing black arm bands and their minutes’ silence for Peter in their great victory at the game after his funeral.

I would like to leave you with a quote from John Hickey that was forwarded to me by John Bolt.

“Peter was a wonderful man, who epitomised the spirit of De La. The Brothers always say that their successes are best seen in those who make a positive difference in the life of others. Stricko was a success in any measure”.

Thank you.

An extract from the Eulogy delivered by his grandson Simon Alder (1999) at the funeral of Peter Strickland.

Rest in Peace

Pancakes make a difference for one young boy

Earlier this year, De la Salle VCAL students hosted a pancake stall on Shrove Tuesday. They lost count of how many pancakes they cooked, but by the end of the day they had raised enough money to pay the school fees of a group of young Sudanese boys, including Augusto (pictured left). Br Bill Firman recently wrote from Sudan that Augusto is doing well at school but is still very thin. “The money the boys raised is making a huge difference to his life,” Br Bill Firman said.

LasaLLian

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Peter Strickland, left, with Br Kevin Moloney