Welcome to the second of our special Centenary issues of Roll Call. We have held this issue back a week or two so we could bring you the photos of our Centenary Dinner which was the highlight of the year and I am sure you won’t be disappointed. See our four-page pictorial spread of the evening from page 12. Also in this issue is news of the other Centenary celebrations. And in the wake of the London Olympics we take a look at De La Salle’s Olympic heroes. We meet a Rhodes Scholar who has made his mark in the field of cellular immunology. And as in every issue we bring you stories of our graduates and their success. As our Centenary celebrations draw to a close I would like to thank all of Roll Call’s loyal readers for their letters and emails throughout the year. I hope we have responded to your requests for news of students and staff and their progress in this historic year.
Kerry Martin EditorLetters to the Editor
Dear Editor,
Thank you for your last issue of Roll Call. We attended the Founder’s Mass and Book Launch in May and were impressed by the fine record of the College’s 100 years in the book With Faith and Zeal Resplendent. More remarkably, we find three family members in some of these photographic memories.
“Midget Cricketers 1926” (page 18). My wife’s father Lionel Williams is the boy on the right sitting on the ground. He finished his education at De La Salle in 1937, taking up an Engineering position with Melbourne City Council Electric Supply. He completed a Mechanical Engineering Diploma at Melbourne Tech. In 1941 at the age of 19 he enlisted in the RAF and, after 13 weeks training, was commissioned to fly PBY Catalina Flying Boats around the world until 1945. When he returned to his position in Melbourne, he continued his post-graduate studies in Electrical Engineering. His whole working life was spent at Melbourne City Council Electric Supply, becoming power house Superintendent and finally retiring in 1980. In the photograph of the Choir (page 44), the 4th boy on the top row is me. The second boy in the second row from the bottom is John Coyne, my younger brother. Br Gerard Rummery is the choirmaster. This choir was one of the most successful to ever compete at The Dandenong Festival of Music. There were three Coyne boys educated at De La Salle: Anthony (Tony) (1960), John (1961) and Patrick (1964).
In 1949 our parents John and Breda Coyne deliberately moved our family from Collingwood to Malvern for one reason — to educate us at De La Salle. My brothers and I became mechanical engineers, specialising in production and manufacturing. Together we established a leading-edge metal stamping and specialised components business, Company Washers and Stamped Components, which is now in its 50th year of operation. We are in no doubt of the benefits we received from the De La Salle Brothers, lay teachers and Vincention Fathers. The stable environment they provided enabled us to build the foundation for our lives ahead.
Kind regards
Tony Coyne Wheelers Hill
Dear Editor,
Thanks for the extra effort being made with Roll Call — it is appreciated. It would be nice (and informative) to have some record of the people who made it happen — the brothers, lay teachers and staff. We might have turned up to school, but these were the people who created the world we inhabited.
Paul Blair
1948–1958
Canberra Editor’s Note. I hope you enjoy our article on page 10. Letters continue on page 18.
From the Superior General
On the occasion of the College’s Centenary Year, we feature a special message from the Superior General of the Brothers in Rome, Br Alvaro Rodriguez Echeverria. The message was broadcast via video at the Centenary Dinner.
It is a great pleasure to me to send some words for the centenary of De La Salle College, Malvern in Melbourne. My first words are of congratulations and encouragement for the Brothers, teachers, students, administrative people and alumni who have lived always enlightened and guided by the Lasallian values of faith, fraternity and service. These 100 years are an invitation, certainly to look back at the past and remember your roots, but it must also be a time to look ahead to the future and respond with new creativity to the needs of today’s youth.
The Lasallian philosophy of education and spirituality that today not only encourages the Brothers, but a growing number of associates and partners, should be for everyone a source of inspiration and dynamic energy. It is an education capable of humanizing and personalizing, participatory and fraternal, which makes the learner be the subject, not only of their own development, but also for the development of their community and their country.
De La Salle College not only provides an excellent education for its students, but also religious formation. It is the duty of the school from the days of St John Baptist De La Salle to provide a human and Christian education. By integrating these two great values, De La Salle hopes to present former students who are well-prepared for life as a contributor to family and society not only academically, but personally and spiritually. It is why there are religious classes, retreats, liturgies as well as classes, laboratories, sports programs and extra-curricular programs.
A Lasallian School shares in the work of salvation of young people and becomes not only a preparation to live a productive life, but is a way for a young person to develop faith in a medium suited to his or her age. A Lasallian school is a community, not only an institution, and it is a community permeated by faith. It is a school that is marked by individual care of the student so that it is not only the mind and body that is developed, but also the heart that is touched.
We celebrate with thanks to God and to all those who over the years helped De La Salle College to keep the best of the old in its traditions, to embrace with confidence the best of the new to prepare young people for the world of tomorrow, and to renew and refresh its Lasallian identity so that the tradition can be made alive in the second century of De La Salle College’s service to the young people in Malvern, Melbourne. Congratulations on your centenary!
Br Alvaro at De La Salle Malvern during a trip to Australia last year.
Centenary Golf Day
After waiting nearly 100 years for this Golf Day to arrive, the gods appeared in no mood for frivolity as black clouds gathered and rumblings could be heard above as the guests set off with the task of mastering the 18 holes at Huntingdale Golf Club, for many years the home of the Australian Masters.
And the black clouds did not disappoint as a fierce storm erupted thirty minutes into play sending the field scurrying to shelter amidst lightning, thunder and great confusion. The event organiser Mr Bernie Dunn (1970) said the field showed remarkable resilience in the face of the storm. “The De La Salle spirit came to the fore and it was drinks all round until the storm passed and then we were back into it!” he said.
The weather did clear and the 80 golfers were treated to near perfect conditions for the rest of the day and some good scores were registered. The playing group extended back to football club stalwarts Peter Giles and Peter Kelly bringing some maturity to the field along with some local flavour from Club members. Tony Hunt (1969) and Greg Drew (1968) were set against the longhitting youngsters from the College’s current team — Doug Loton, Sean Delgorge, Charles Stewart and Joshua Vitacca.
The eventual winners with 47 points were Frank Dunn Jnr (1972) and Terry Dorizzi, best known for his football exploits with the Old Collegians.
The women of the College were well represented by Mrs Robyn Brasher and Mrs Pauline Caven (partner of football club coaching legend coach Bernie Sheehy) who took out the Women’s event.
Dinner followed in the Clubhouse and guests were treated to Huntingdale’s fine hospitality at the hands of De La Salle identity Margaret Purcell. The delicious meal was followed by the regaling of some wonderful stories by a range of people with links to the College’s history. These included Jennie Ball (daughter of Felix Russo, College Captain 1944), and father and son team John Kennedy Snr and John Kennedy Jnr, who entertained the 120 dinner guests with stories of goings on at school interwoven with some tantalising insights into both their football careers.
We also had the pleasure of hearing some very interesting stories from Kevin and Peter Horrigan, one of four families to attend the College over four generations. Kevin’s father was a member of the first class back in 1912 and Peter’s son is currently in Year 10. So 100 years on we didn’t let a bit of rain dampen the De La spirit.
De La Salle Centenary
Founder’s Mass
More than 200 Old Collegians filled St Joseph’s Church in Malvern for the Founder’s Day Centenary Mass in May. In honour of the College’s 100th year, the Mass was co-celebrated by twelve former old Collegians led by the Principal Celebrant Bishop Ron Mulkearns (1947). The co-celebrants included Mons Stuart Hall — Principal Chaplain of the Australian Navy (1980), Mons William Mullins, (formerly Br Frederick, a teaching brother at the College from 1947–1957), Fr Laurie McNamara, CM PP,
Fr Edward Teal (1959), Fr Robert Carden OFM (1945), Fr Brendan Dillon (1958), Fr Peter Conroy (1959), Fr Brendan Donohue (1950), Fr Tony Kerin — Episcopal Vicar (1970), Fr Peter Robinson (1949), Fr John Baron OP (1962) and Fr Peter Matheson (1960). The Founder’s Day Mass, which is an annual event, provides an opportunity for Old Collegians to gather to celebrate Mass together and this year’s Mass was a very special event.
Far right: Br Julian Watson. Right and above co-celebrants at the Centennary Founder’s Mass.
Olympic Blue and
Australia can be proud of its sporting achievements at the 2012 London Olympics bagging 35 medals. Former Collegians have represented Australia at the Olympic Games on seven different occasions, Jack Hoobin at the 1948 London Olympics, Trevor Vincent OAM (1955) at the Tokyo Olympics, Patrick Leane (1948) at the Helsinki and Melbourne Olympics, and Damien Brown (1979) represented Australia in Atlanta, Barcelona and Sydney.
Damien Brown has competed in the Olympics on three occasions. This year he made a fourth appearance at the London Olympics, but as a commentator for Fox Sports, not a competitor. His previous appearances at the Olympic and Commonwealth Games have won him a clutch of medals for weightlifting. He is Australia’s representative in the 77 kg class and is also a world record holder, holding the record for the greatest number of consecutive World Championship appearances at 11.
While his best lifts put him outside the top 15 in the world, at Commonwealth Games level Brown has enjoyed considerable success. The Kuala Lumpur Games saw him win two Gold and one Bronze. Four years earlier in Victoria British Columbia, he won the full set: Gold, Silver and Bronze. And in 1990 he won a Bronze medal in Auckland.
Brown is not just a committed athlete but he is also committed to the Olympic program. He has chaired the Australian Olympic Committee Athletes’ Commission and was the Australian Team Flag Bearer for the Opening Ceremony of the 2002 Commonwealth Games.
These days Damien combines his sporting success with his business acumen as the head of Katapult, a promotions company he started nine years ago.
Long before Damien was born, two other Old Collegians, Trevor Vincent and Pat Leane were breaking records for Australia in Track and Field.
Even though Trevor and Pat attended the College more than a decade apart, their paths crossed at a
very young age. Trevor well remembers a talk he attended one day when he was in Year 8. “In 1952 an ‘old’ De La Salle boy who had been selected for the Australian Team for the Helsinki Olympics came to talk to our class. It turned out to be Pat Leane and his talk had a profound effect on me at the time,” Trevor said.
“It sparked my interest in athletics,” he said. “In 1954, my last year at DLS, ‘out of the blue’, I won the 800 yards and One Mile events — it was then that I found I could run a bit.”
Ten years after Pat Leane’s pep talk to his Year 8 class, Trevor was chosen to represent Australia at the 1962 Commonwealth Games and ultimately won the Gold Medal in the 3000m steeplechase event. “It was a very exciting time,” Trevor said.
“In 1964 I was selected to represent Australia at the Tokyo Olympic Games in the steeplechase event. I was one of the highly fancied international competitors in the event. Injury, however, intervened and I was unable to produce
“They say when you’re an Olympian you don’t say ‘were’. You ‘are’ an Olympian — it stays with you forever..”
Trevor VincentGoldBy Kerry Martin
my best in Tokyo and was eliminated in my heat. Nevertheless Trevor said it was a tremendous and unforgettable experience. “The thing I remember most about the Games was meeting so many great people and participating in the opening and closing ceremonies.”
In 1966 Trevor suffered a serious injury (a ruptured Achilles tendon) which sadly put him out of action at the time of the Commonwealth Games in Jamaica and forced him to curtail his involvement in the Steeplechase event. He continued running, however, and was most successful in later years in events ranging from the 1500m to the Marathon.
Years before Trevor was running the Mile at De La Salle, Pat Leane was finding his legs as a pole vaulter. “My training started at an early age when I learnt to pole vault over the clothes line in the backyard at home.”
“As a student at De La Salle I was very involved in the sporting life and took every opportunity to be outside playing football, cricket or handball,” Pat said. “I was in the College football team and also participated in the House and Combined Catholic school sports.”
“If you asked me at the time I would have said that my only interest in those days was sport, but on reflection the education I received, particularly in the languages of French and Latin would plant a seed of interest in languages that would last a lifetime,” Pat said. “I thank the Brothers for the way in which they balanced my education. I always remember the time when, after being unable to answer a question during a chemistry lesson, Br Jerome, for whom I had great respect, gave me his steely gaze and said in his strong Irish brogue, ‘Leane, you will be sadly mistaken if you think you can jump your way through life’.”
“At the time I never dreamed that one day I would represent Australia in the Olympics. In those days there was no funding or sponsorship money for Olympians. I worked during the day and went to training at night.” Pat, like many others at the time, had to rely on family and friends to raise money to pay for airfares and expenses.
“Travelling to Helsinki for the 1952 Olympics was an amazing experience. I qualified for the High Jump and Decathlon,” he said. “Before leaving I injured my heel on a long jump board but it didn’t heal and after jumping 6ft in the High Jump and landing on firm sand I was unable to continue.”
Four years later in 1956 at the Melbourne Olympics, Pat represented Australia again. “I was happy to be able to break the British Empire Record in the Decathlon after two days of tough competition.” The Melbourne Olympics was a time of mixed emotions for Pat who learnt of his mother’s terminal illness just before the Games began. Many years later during the Sydney Olympics Pat, was honoured to carry the torch through his local community. “It was a time of great celebration,” he said.
Our first Olympian, Jack Hoobin, was a student at the Junior school at De La Salle in the 1930s. After only two years at the College he and his family left to live in Western Australia. Jack represented Australia in the cycling at the 1948 London Olympics. After wins in the 125 mile Sun Classic (Victorian) and the Victorian championship he was also placed second over ten miles in the 1948 Australian Amateur Track Championships and third in the five mile event. Despite a series of punctures, he finished sixth (the first Australian) in the 124 mile Olympic event at London’s Great Windsor Park. Hoobin returned to Europe in 1949 and 1950 to contest the world amateur road title but was plagued with illness and injuries. He did well to finish seventh in 1949. In 1950 he tried again, under the coaching of Alf Strom, and performed the near impossible when he took out the title and beat the best amateurs in the gruelling 175km race at Moorslede near Ypres, becoming the first Australian to win the world amateur road cycling championship. Cadel Evans attributes Jack as his inspiration. Jack was asked to open the Sydney Olympics but sadly passed away before the Games.
Facing page: Damien Brown carrying the flag and claiming victory at the Commonwealth Games
Above left: Trevor Vincent today.
Above Centre: Jack Hoobin
Above Right: Pat Leane carries the Olympic torch prior to the 2000 Sydney Olympics
The Class of 1912 lives on in 2012
One hundred years ago two young boys, Leo Morgan and Joseph Horrigan started school together at the newly opened De La Salle College in Stanhope Street, Malvern. Today, one hundred years later, their dynasties live on at the College. Joseph’s great grandson Matthew is in Year 10 and Leo’s great grandson Ben is in Year 8. At the time neither Leo or Joseph could have dreamt their family names would live on to become such an important part of the College’s rich history 100 years later.
From the humble beginnings of the first modest hessian classroom in 1912 to the extensive facilities of the College’s two campuses today, the Horrigan and the Morgan families have been continuously represented at the College through their offspring. Following in Leo and Joseph’s footsteps, their sons Ray Morgan and Kevin Horrigan were students at the College during World War II.
For four generations, the Morgans and the Horrigans have been part of the College. Ray Morgan’s son John attended in the 1970s, his grandson Leo graduated in 2010 and another grandson Ben is currently in Year 8.
Ray Morgan remembers when he was at school in the 1940s. “Students were required to learn a lot of French and Latin words by rote,” he said. “You would stay in after school and one after the other you would go up the front and answer the questions on your French and Latin words.”
When he was at De La Salle, the Principal was Br Jerome Foley who, with his thick Irish brogue was one of the founding Irish Brothers. At the time, Br Jerome taught Physics, Chemistry and
Right: Third and fourth generation students currently at the College.
Back: Nicholas Barnard, Nick Catrice, Jack Reeve, Matthew Horrigan,Matthew Gleeson, Liam O’Callaghan,Tom Connolly, Harry Bowen, Patrick McCaffrey.
Middle: Sam Harrington, Sean O’Callaghan
Front: Liam McCaffrey, Billy Cooke, Ben O’Shea, Liam Farrell, Ben Morgan, James Mulally, Travis Fiddock, Matthew Mulally.
Absent : Kieren Farrell and Lewie Holmstrom
Mathematics and he was fondly remembered by many of Ray’s generation for his strengths as a teacher. Ray attended school with Hawthorn legend John Kennedy Snr and Pat Cash, another Hawthorn player and father of Wimbledon Champion Pat Cash.
Joseph Horrigan’s son Kevin started at the College in Year 4 in 1946. Both his sons, Nathan and Peter, graduated from the College in the 1980s and his grandson, Matthew is currently enrolled at the College in Year 10.
Kevin Horrigan says his time at the College was very enjoyable. “Br Jerome was Principal when I was at school and he taught my father. “At the time he would say to me, ‘I taught your father so you had better behave’,” Kevin said. “It was a small College then and I almost knew everyone in the school.” Kevin has lived in Malvern all his life and he says he has always felt very much a part of the Brothers’ community.
“The highlight of my time at De La Salle was being taught by the Brothers.” Kevin says he is very proud of the way his grandson Matthew has really embraced the school. “Matthew loves the College and I enjoy hearing the stories of what the College is like now.”
Pictured: left John Morgan, Leo Morgan and John Mullaly Pictured above left to right: Peter Horrigan, Matthew Horrigan, Kevin Horrigan and Br Julian WatsonVCE Premier’s Award
Simon Hearn (2011) was awarded the 2012 Premier’s Award for his success in Legal Studies by the Governor of Victoria, the Honourable Alex Chernov AC QC in June. Simon was one of 18,000 students who studied VCE Legal Studies last year and only four were awarded a Premier’s Award. The excellence of his achievement speaks for itself in those statistics. His teacher of Legal Studies, Ms Patricia Burke, spoke highly of Simon’s attitude and dedication to his studies in 2011. “He was rigorous and committed in all of his school work and pursued excellence all the way. I always knew that he would do very well and I was pleasantly surprised when he was given this honour.” It is also a great tribute to his teacher who led him to this pinnacle of success at the College.
Simon was a dedicated athlete as well, representing De La Salle in both Athletics and Cross Country. He was Captain of the Cross Country team and ran a commendable 2nd in the Open Division to lead De La Salle to 3rd position overall in the 2011 ACC Cross Country Championships. We congratulate Simon and we wish him well in his studies in Physiotherapy at La Trobe University.
Bringing De La Salle’s History to Life
then many of Nick’s family, including his three brothers, have all attended the College. Nick has worked for almost 50 years as a commercial photographer including stints as a photographer for the College’s yearbook, Blue and Gold. His co-editor Steve Stefanopoulos completed post doctoral studies in archives and records management (architectural history and conservation) and museum studies, and worked as the College’s Archivist for many years. He now works in a similar role heading up the Heritage Collection at Loreto Mandeville Hall. Steve was instrumental in the establishment of the Stonnington History Centre at nearby Northbrook House.
The book can be ordered online via the College’s web page at $50 each.
This year the College published a full-colour coffee table book showcasing De La Salle College’s 100 years of education in Malvern.
The 120-page book, With Faith and Zeal Resplendent, was launched by Br Gerard Rummery at St Joseph’s Church Hall after this year’s Founder’s Day Mass in May.
Edited by two Old Collegians Nicholas Quinn (1963) and Steve Stefanopolous (1987) the book draws on the extensive resources of the College Archives. Nick’s Uncle, Mr Maurice Quinn, was a member of the first class enrolled at De La Salle in 1912 and since
Building the De La Salle Community
The Malvern Brothers Today
College Headmasters from 1912: Br Dunstan Drumm 1912–1917, Br Patrick Cawley (1918–1920), Br Fridolin Blackwell (1921–1923), Br Donatus Flattery (1924), Br Leopold Laughlan (1925-1927), Br Benildus De Moulin (1928), Br Jerome Foley 1929–1946, Br Peter Duffy (1946–1952), Br Oswald Murdoch 1953–1958, Br Stanislaus Carmody 1959–1963, Br Edward Gehrig (1964–1969, Br Calixtus Cusack 1970, Br Damien Harvey 1971–1977, Br James Taylor 1978–1988, Br Peter Smythe (1989–1994), Br Garry Coyte (1995–1997), Br Tim Peter (1997–2004), Br Bill Firman (2005 –2009) Mr Peter Riordan (2010), Br Paul Rogers (2011–).
Staff – Then and Now
De La Salle Rhodes Scholar
Dr Peter McCullagh (1955) is currently a Visiting Fellow at the John Curtin School of Medical Research, at The Australian National University in Canberra. In 1962, he became the first De La Salle College student to be offered a Rhodes Scholarship to Oxford University. In this our Centenary Year Dr McCullagh spoke to Roll Call from his home in Bungendore, NSW.
What are your recollections of being a student at the College in the 1950s?
My earliest recollections of De La Salle are of the ‘scholarship’ class with Br Julian Watson. We were pushed to work hard — a change from my primary school days. I also remember seeing the younger Brothers catching the tram after school to go into Melbourne University to undertake their own studies. For us this was a great example of commitment to their vocation.
What were your achievements at De La?
As a student my achievements were mainly academic, sufficient to get me into Medicine at the University of Melbourne. At the College I didn’t take sport very seriously but later at University, I joined the University Athletics Club.
How did your College life help prepare you for your adult and professional life?
The Brothers were our role models and they were committed to work and manifesting a practical Christian commitment and this set me up for life. How were you chosen to be a Rhodes Scholar?
In 1962 I was in Sydney competing in the Australian Athletics Championships and was able to catch up for a meal with Bill Mullins (Br Frederick). He suggested that I should apply. At the time I was a junior resident medical officer at St Vincent’s Hospital with every intention of going into research. Fortunately, I was a very young for a first year student so I was still within the age requirement to apply for the Oxford Scholarship. The selection process sought broader involvement than academic results, which in 1962 usually meant sport. Fortunately for me I had good marks in Medicine and had won some State and Intervarsity championships.
Could you describe your experience at Oxford at the time?
I spent three years at Oxford undertaking research. I had intended to do cancer research but was advised by Florey to enter the new field of cellular immunology. My experience was probably not typical for a postgraduate student as I spent a great deal of time on the weekends competing in athletic competitions around England. I made many friends during this time and recall the chaplain at Oxford, Michael Hollings, who was one of the most impressive clerics I have met.
What set you on your career path?
My career was almost totally unplanned, it more or less evolved. My scholarship resulted in my going to Oxford. I intended to undertake cancer research but Florey changed that. I intended to return to Melbourne afterwards and apply for a position at the university. But after bumping into the head of the relevant Department at Heathrow I decided we wouldn’t be a good match, so I withdrew my application. Subsequently the Head of the Pathology Department at Oxford knew people at the John Curtin School of Medical Research and arranged a position for me there. I considered myself very fortunate to be in research but the way I got there in the end was not so much a plan but a series of events.
What are your most important achievements in both a professional and personal sense?
One of my personal and career highs happened in 1966 in London. In the course of a fortnight I was awarded my Doctor of Philosophy at Oxford, passed the entrance exam for the Royal College of Practitioners and won the British 10 Mile Championship. Professionally I consider my research and discovery of ‘suppressor cells’ in 1969 as a significant achievement. Up until then the belief was that immune responses against body ‘self’ tissues were prevented only by elimination
represented a new, unsuspected way of inactivating anti-self white blood cells. During the period 1980–2000, I was fortunate to have laboratory resources to undertake many experiments examining the development of the immune system and self recognition in sheep foetuses. This hadn’t been done before and is unlikely to be repeated as most of the labs working in the field have subsequently closed.
What advice would you give to De La students today?
My advice would be to appreciate, acknowledge and value the opportunities you are offered and commit to ‘putting something back’ in the course of your careers.
The Celebration of the Century
Almost 1000 guests filled the Palladium at Crown on the 18th of August for the long-awaited De La Salle College Centenary Dinner. Old Collegians from as far back as the 1940s and as far away as the United States, along with family, friends and staff past and present gathered to celebrate this historic milestone for the College. Br Paul Rogers, the Principal of the College, welcomed the official party including the Premier, The Honourable Ted Baillieu and his wife Robyn, the local Member for Malvern, The Honourable Michael O’Brien and Br Ambrose Payne AO,
of the Brothers’ Australian community, including three former Principals — Brothers Calixtus Cusack (1970), Peter Smythe (1989–1994) and Tim Peter (1997–2004), as well as former Principal and current Deputy Principal, Mr Peter Riordan. Other special guests included 19 former College Captains dating back to Mr John Gill who was the Captain in 1947 and the twelve 2012 College Leaders, led by College Captain Mr Nick Rodway. The keynote address was delivered by Br Ambrose Payne AO who spoke of the extent of change the College has undergone over the last 100 years. He said the greatest challenge affecting education in the future would be globalization. Br Ambrose presented Br Paul with a framed Papal Blessing, which no doubt will serve as a reminder to future generations who pass through the College of this auspicious event. The hosts for the evening, racing commentator Jake Norton (1980) and ABC Grandstand compare Matt Clinch (2001) kept the audience amused, making sure the evening ran smoothly. A special feature of the evening was a short film of the College’s Centenary produced and directed by Year 12 students, Darcy Conlan and Miles Fabris, who personally introduced their film. Later in the evening a roll call of former Principals and College Captains sang ‘Happy Birthday De La Salle’ accompanied by the La De La’s who entertained the guests throughout the evening. On these pages we feature some of the hundreds of photos taken on the evening.
the Governor General Quentin Bryce congratulating the Brothers for their “tireless efforts to provide opportunities for learning and teaching with professional skill and fine values and principles of service, dedication and compassion.” Br Paul introduced a video message form the Brother Superior in Rome, Br Alvaro Echeverria. The Prime Minister The Honourable Julia Gillard also sent her congratulations through Mr John Hogan (1950), whose recent Benefaction is featured in this issue on page 18, on behalf of the Canberra Chapter of the Old Collegians Association. The Palladium was aglow with the Centenary Candles, a feature of the table decorations, and the warm glow of hundreds of happy faces. Among the guests on the evening were 18
The Celebration of the Century
Centenary Blue and Gold Ball
This year’s Blue and Gold Ball was a particularly glittering occasion commemorating the College’s Centenary year. Gold balloons arranged into an enormous “100” adorned the Springvale Town Hall to welcome the 58 excited couples as they were presented to the Deputy Chair of the College Board, Mr Damien Nolan (1967) and his wife before more than 700 guests. The College Leaders greeted families and friends of the Presentation Set in the company of Penny Karahalios and the Saxophone ensemble, who provided an ambient welcome for the guests on arrival. It was a grand evening indeed and one befitting such a grand occasion. Special thanks go to the students for putting themselves forward and giving up their Sunday mornings for practice. Special thanks also to the parents and families who supported their sons on this important occasion. At the end of the evening each student paid tribute to their mothers with a ‘Happy Mother’s Day’ greeting. The Blue and Gold Ball has long been recognized as a prestigious annual event that makes its mark on the College calendar and is well known to surrounding schools. This year’s was a truly historical occasion.
By James Eraculous
Top left: from the Archives, a ticket to the 75th Anniversary Blue and Gold Ball Top and below: Debutantes and their partners at the 100th Anniversary Blue and Gold Ball.
Founder’s Day 2012
It is only appropriate that this year’s Founder’s Day Celebrations at the Kinnoull Campus would be a big event. And in keeping with the level of celebration at the Centenary events this year, students and staff were not disappointed. The Founder’s Day Celebrations started with a whole-school Mass in the College Gymnasium celebrated by Fr Michael Elligate, after which the sound of the Founder’s song rang out loud and proud. The student body then headed over to Kinnoull for the annual fair day, which this year included several big amusement rides and novelty events, as well as the signature event, the De La Gift, which was won this year by Daniel Anastasio of 11 Jerome by a nose hair. New students to the College were delighted to join in the celebrations with the older students more versed in the Founder’s Day traditions, and the spirit of the day was alive and well.
A record breaking MAD effort
Every year the student body at De La Salle College raises thousands of dollars at its annual Mission Action Day walkathon. Fondly known by the De La community as MAD, this year’s fund raiser exceeded all expectations with students raising more than $90,000. This is an amazing effort on the part of the boys and their families. The funds raised at MAD Day are donated to a number of charitable organisations including some of the Brothers programs in India, Africa, Papua New Guinea and Cambodia. This year, Year 7 Solomon led by Mr Chris Martin (1974) raised more than any other single class with a total of $4,000. Congratulations to the boys and their families and the hard-working team of staff led by Mr Ian Oliver and Mr Larry Evans for a record-breaking MAD effort.
In Recognition of a Special Man
At a special ceremony in Parliament House in June this year, John Hogan (1962) was recognised for his contributions to the Lasallian mission in Australia with a Certificate of Benefaction awarded by the Provincial, Brother Ambrose Payne fsc AO.
John left De La Salle in 1962 and joined the Juniorate where he completed his secondary studies. He left the Brothers in 1966 but the impact of those formative years were to stay with him until today.
In the late 1970’s John established the ‘De La Salle Old Boys’ Canberra Group Mass and Dinner for alumni of Lasallian schools. In this venture he had the support of Br Aloysius Carmody (1933), and former Director of the Federal Catholic Education Office in Canberra. In more recent years the Canberra reunion dinner has been held in Parliament House, at the invitation of those members of Parliament who are Lasallian alumni. John Hogan has been an active member of the parish of St John the Apostle, Kippax where he is an acolyte and trains altar servers. He and his wife Cathy, are also active in the parish RCIA program. John’s benefaction citation reads: “In essence John, through his Faith and Zeal, has been, and continues to be a driving force of the Lasallian ethos in Australia’s
capital city. He truly epitomizes what it means to be a Lasallian partner. John Hogan is an integral part of the community of the De La Salle Brothers in Australia and a source of inspiration and enrichment for many in the wider Lasallian community.”
Dear Editor, I would like to take this opportunity to thank the organisers for the beautiful publication With Faith and Zeal Resplendent, recording those 100 years of service to young boys, their teachers and their families. As I have noticed, many of these pupils have shown themselves as worthy of the education they received. Hopefully there will be many more years to come of quality at De La, Malvern. I promised in an earlier letter that I would be with you on the day you all celebrate together. Unfortunately I cannot make it, but I will be there in spirit.
Your grateful pupil of the early 1950’s Fr Michael Jackson S.D.B.
Dear Editor,
With Faith and Zeal Resplendent is a pictorial history of Lasallian ethos at its best which, for the past century, has proven such a major contributor to the fabric of Australian society and Melbourne in particular. Congratulations to all those associated with such a splendid publication. Looking through the early section many happy memories returned, and some funny stories as well. Those photos will certainly serve to prime the conversation of the night of the 18th August.
Peace and Blessings
John Hogan, Canberra
Dear Editor,
I became a student at De La Salle College in 1948. I was not a Catholic but my mother enrolled us at the school because she liked the colour of the school blazer. We paid no fees for the first four years of schooling because my mother lied to Br Jerome by telling him she had no money.
This situation was never revealed to us until Year 11. This revelation was the cause of much anguish because my parents had more than enough to pay the school fees. The fact that we were “carried” by the school for four years in ignorance added further to the gratitude my brother and I felt for the brothers. I was in Year 8 when my mother was unexpectedly rushed to hospital and we were left alone in the house — the police rang Br Jerome who offered to look after us. We spent two nights at the brother’s residence.
The outstanding memories of this time were the kindness, huge quantities of food, and most interestingly, the laughter and “mucking around’ that came from the Brothers as they prepared for the day’s teaching. I could not understand the hilarity because I always regarded the Brothers as captives or prisoners in their huge house! Such was the strength of this conviction I would sneak around the back lane of the school long before school and watch, with incredulity, the brothers walking up and down in the garden saying their morning prayers. Fr Peter Hanson took my brother and me for instruction when we asked to be allowed to become Catholics. My father refused to attend our Baptism, Confirmation and First Communion, but the whole school did! I loved the brothers so much I told my mother I wanted to join them.
Another lasting favour the Brothers did for me was to re-admit me to the Matriculation year in July following a disappointing time spent as a cadet officer in the merchant marine. My teachers helped and encouraged me so much that I qualified to matriculate. I tried to return the Brothers’ act of gracious kindness by using them as a life model.
Front from left to right: Mr John Hogan, Mrs Cath Hogan, Br Ambrose Payne, Br John Mitchell, Br Tim Peter. Back row left to right: Br Gabriel O’Shea, Br Cormac (Frank) Brophy, Br Peter Gilfedder Behind: Br Peter SmythA Golden Jubilee for Old Collegians
In our 100th year, it is significant to celebrate the Golden Jubilee of their Robe-taking for four De La Salle Old Collegians: Br William Firman (1961), Br Bede French (1958), Br Joseph Gabel (1958) and Br Peter Heaney (1960). These four Brothers received the religious habit in 1962 and so 2012 marks their 50 years as Brothers.
In the company of relatives and friends and a large gathering of Brothers, each of them renewed their Vows in a special Mass at St Bede’s Mentone. The celebrant was Fr Chris Gleeson SJ, a special friend of the Brothers over many years and a colleague of Br Bill Firman when he was the Headmaster of St Bede’s in the early 1980’s and Fr Chris was the Headmaster of Xavier College.
The Provincial Br Ambrose Payne gave the occasional address in which he had this to say of each of the four men:
“It is appropriate for us to romanticise a little on this occasion. In a very real sense the time at which our four Jubilarians joined the Institute was a time many would regard as the “Golden Age” of the Brothers in Australia. There were Brothers everywhere. There were 300 of them in the mid 1960’s, and they were for the most part, young! Everyone in a Brothers’ school could be sure that there had been contact with idealists totally committed to their personal self-improvement and to generous selfdenial in favour of those in their care.
Just think of a situation in which the College Captain (Bill Firman), champion athlete, outstanding student, part of the school from Year 3, was joined by the demon fast bowler and outstanding ruckman who had spent a year working after he left school (Peter Heaney). If that was not amazing enough consider the gifts and talents of a young man (Joseph Gabel) who had arrived in Australia from Hungary without a word of English, who had overcome hearing problems and dire poverty with his father, and became totally proficient not only in the language, but in artistic and craft skills. And consider too that scion of a deeply religious family that had valued a Catholic education so much that all kinds of sacrifices were made to
ensure that the Faith of our Fathers and the Irish culture reflected in learning and in song would remain the heritage of their eldest boy — Bede French. And all of them were from the same school, a school that this year celebrates its centenary. Of all those who joined them at the same time, these four alone remain. All this is indeed the stuff of romance!”
Top: Old Collegians: Br William Firman (1961), Br Peter Heaney (1960) Br Bede French (1958) and Br Joseph Gabel (1958) Above: The Golden Jubilarians with the offertory gifts
Year 12 Revisited
Was it really only half a year ago that they finished Year 12?
A strong crowd of the Class of 2011 recently gathered in the Performing Arts Centre at Tiverton to catch up with teachers and fellow students from their graduating year. Br Paul Rogers welcomed the boys joined by teaching staff, including Ms Patricia Burke, Ms Kerry Martin, Mr Warren Walker, Mr Doug Esler, Ms Janet Holden, Ms Lucy Neale, Mr Kevin Hunter, Ms Karen Harding and of course the ubiquitous Roll Call photographer extraordinaire, Mr Jonathan Hewett. Thanks of course to Br Gabriel and Ms Trish Woodman for all their hard work on the evening.
Old Collegians Football Club Mid-season Review
The Old Collegians football club is again looking to fight it out for premierships with 5 of 7 teams firmly lodged in the final four. Season 2012 has seen a revitalisation of the fortunes of the football club under new President and Old Collegian Richard Williams. After last year’s horror run with injuries to senior players, the club has enjoyed better luck to its leading lights and is fighting on a number of fronts for premierships.
After 13 games the seniors, under coach Greg McLoughlin and led on-field by Old Collegian David Lowe, with a leadership group including Leigh Harrison, Jacob Gotch, Sam Williams and Tom Moloney, sit safely in 3rd position with a 10–3 win–loss record. The seniors have been boosted by the inclusion of several new players including current Under 19 captain and Old Collegian Sam Brooks along with 2011 alumni Jake Williams, a live-wire forward, and Harry Haley (2011) along with recruits Matt Hine and Jon Grifiths.
The Reserves, as the reigning reserve grade premiers, have continued on and sits atop the reserve table with a 12–1 win loss record with that loss coming on the opening day. They loom as the team to beat come September. Led by Dom McInerney and Lachie Walker and Old Collegian Peter “Georgie” Harrison the Reserves are taking on all comers as they head the table and look to go back-to-back. Good form has been rewarded with players like Ron Harris, Aaron Kneebone and Nathan Roberts all playing seniors after good form in the reserves.
The 3rds under the coaching of Old Collegian Liam O’Donnell are fighting to stay in touch with the top four and are playing virtual elimination finals each week. They remain a chance to play in September, and in Old Collegian Sam Morwood they possess the forward who can win games off his own boot such is his mercurial goal sense.
The Clubbies last year’s Club XVIII premiers have consolidated their position in the finals, but will be hard pressed to repeat the efforts of last year’s premiership where they came from 4th to win a memorable flag. Under the tutelage of Tom Kovarik, the Clubbies have been able to provide a game for over 45 players whilst maintaining a winning regime, and we look forward to their finals campaign.
The Under 19’s with two teams, both sit atop their respective ladders after 14 rounds, and the Blues coached by Old Collegians Michael and Simon Brown, along with support from College Director of Sport Peter Harte, are looking to avenge last season’s grand final loss by going one step further. The team has a mix of recent old Collegians along with current Year 12 students including Sam Harrington, Sefton McGraw and Charlie Haley, and we look forward to their assault upon the premiership in 2012 and their progress into senior football in the future.
The Under 19 Golds coached by Michael Hogan and assisted by Old Collegian Peter Harrington have been quietly going about their business and are sitting on top of the ladder. This is a fantastic achievement by the team as each week they play other teams (Under 19). Our boys are to be commended for their efforts as ours is generally a younger team with current and recent students making up the numbers, including Tim Shallue (2011) and Year 11 student Darcy Craig.
Season 2012 saw the formation of a new team at the Old Collegians football club with some very familiar names when we launched an over 35’s Super rules team. They may be a bit slower and less agile, but the silky skills still shine through… sometimes. Under the coaching of past premiership player Andrew Mackintosh, and organised by Peter Waldron and Mick Hegan, the Supers have brought back Old Collegians and past players such as Matt Ellis, David Rosman and Phil Brasher and despite just missing out on finals, the first year has been a terrific success.
As Roll Call goes to print, the Old Collegians are set to play their last home game against the juggernaut Old Xaverians. Keep up-to-date with progress on the website www.delafootball. com.au which is regularly updated and contains comprehensive information about happenings around the footy club.
By Simon HumphriesWhere Are They Now?
Ashton Agar (2011) recently represented Australia at the ICC Under 19 World Cup in Queensland and has recently signed a contract with the Perth Warriors. Ashton is currently studying Arts and Law at Deakin University.
Jarryd Lyons (2011) played his first AFL game for Adelaide Crows in the South Australian Derby against Port Adelaide. He previously played in the TAC Cup for Sandringham Dragons before being drafted to Adelaide last year.
Johnathon Molloy (1989) and his partner recently celebrated the birth of their first child Kenan Caleb. Johnathon is
Army Medical Centre in Hawaii.
Tony Coyne (1958) as a Toolmaker and completed a Technicians Certificate and Production Engineering at Swinburne.
John Coyne (1960) completed his Diploma in Mechanical Engineering in 1964.
Pat Coyne (1962) completed a Certificate in Mechanical Engineering in 1967.
Paul Lemin (1981) after 23 years in the navy is working as a Marine Surveyor for the Department of Transport in Western Australia.
Michael Bjork (Clarke) Billings (1964) recently retired from a career in education and industrial relations with the National Tertiary Education Union. He recently completed the Santiago De Compostela in Spain.
Bill Thomas (1975) former College Captain was one of the Queen’s Birthday Honors in 2011. He was also awarded the Public Service Medal and the Prime Minister’s Environmentalist of the Year. In 2010 Bill was awarded the United Nations of Australia Sustainable Management Award and was the 2010 National Save Water Australian Achiever.
Tony Stewart (1971) was posthumously awarded the Presidential Merit of Honour by the President of East Timor.
Nick Roberts (2004) completed an AFL Traineeship at De La Salle College in 2005. Nick is currently working for G3 Events and Corporate Challenge running corporate cycling events.
Jacob Gooden (2010) is working with the Draftstar Leadership Camps program, set up by former Hawthorn ruckman Robbie Campbell.
Simon Windley (2010) has hit No.1 with his first single on the JJJ Unearthed Pop Chart. He is also listed at No.12 on the overall charts at JJJ http://www. triplejunearthed. com/simonwindley Christopher Windley (2008) Chris’ band recently won the Melbourne Fresh Battle of the Bands. Chris’ band competed against 400 bands winning a recording contract.
Spanish Hospitality for Callum Nugent
Callum Nugent (2010) is working at a Michelin restaurant in Spain as part of his Hospitality studies. Callum is spending 14 months at Arzaks in San Sebastian in Spain. Currently a second year apprentice, Callum has always wanted to be a chef. While at De La Salle College he won the VET Student Award and worked part time at Chateau Yering in the Yarra Valley under acclaimed chef, Matt McCartney. While at Yering Callum was recognised for his abilities and was encouraged to apply for an International Traineeship. Callum recently filed this report from Spain.
“One of the highlights of working at Arzaks was taking part in the XIV Congress Nacional de Hosteleria. I had the special honour of cooking at this spectacular dinner event which is the most prestigious culinary event in Spain. The team of 70 Arzak chefs travelled to the little beachside village of Aderia, about 40 minutes outside of San Sebastian for the event. After a 20 minute walk through town, we arrived in Museoa Balenciaga, which is like the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre. The chefs arrived at the restaurant at 6pm sharp to begin their preparations and plating up. Six hundred guests paid 600 Euros a head for the privilege of being part of this extravagant event. Guests were from all over Spain and included the most famous singer in Spain. Guests started to arrive around 10pm — everything in Europe starts much later! Each restaurant chef had to plate a particular dish that was chosen by their Head Chef. For Arzak it was a Yellow Duck dish, which was a crispy chip on a bed of caramelised onion and mushroom pudding. Once our course was completed and sent out, we got to help all the other restaurant chefs send their meals out. The night is one that I will never forget as there was such a wonderful vibe. Things moved so quickly and it was very exciting!” (Editor’s note: “Sounds delicious”).
Mark Brasher (1999) married Laura Donnell in Austin Texas in June. Mark met Laura, a Texan, seven years ago in Florence when he was studying at Prato University. He completed his Law Degree at Monash University, worked in Melbourne for a few years with Minter Ellison, and then headed to Texas to complete a Masters of Law in Global Energy and International Arbitration followed by The Texas Bar exam. Laura and Mark now live in Houston Texas. Mark’s wedding was attended by many past De La Salle students. In true Texan style there were ten bridesmaids and six groomsmen, four of whom were De La Salle boys including Mark’s brother Nick (1997), Joe Bowden (1995), Phillip Arbon (1999) and Tom Molan (2000). The MC for the wedding was Mark Lafferty (1999)
Nick Brasher (1997) married Zoe Warner at St Dominic’s, East Camberwell in February. Four of his groomsmen were from De La Salle. His groomsmen included Richard Ford (1997),
Peter Bowden, Nick’s brother Mark Brasher (1999). The Master of Ceremonies was Tim Fisher (1997).
Aaron McLay (2006) married Kate Tangney in March at the Werribee Mansion.
