The East Avenue Advocate Incorporating The Cudmore Terrace Chronicle The Second Edition- Might Have One More In Me
Three weeks to the Big Event 29 July Preparations are well in hand for the reunion. If you missed Stephen’s email from last week let him know because there’s a few administrative details in there that are important, like letting him know you’re coming, the menu and the possibility of hiring a bus or two to get us back to the city. Don’t forget to bring your memorabilia for the Show and Tell. Instruments of torture must be declared at the door and rendered safe before you enter. Entertainment will be provided by yourselves so be prepared to talk briefly about your fondest or least fond memory. If you don’t want to talk perhaps you could write it down and get someone else to do it on the night for you or ….have one drink more than you should. That should do the trick. Eugene and Vincent are working on a show. A piano has been specially brought in for the night and Vincent says be warned! And remember to be on your best behaviour. Miss O’Connor will be there. You’ll recognise her easily. Just like us, she’s not changed much. The event will be captured on video and we’ll take a class photo of course. Photo above: 1965 National Park Belair The East Avenue Advocate
July 2011
A Funny Thing Happened on the Way Home from Alberton by A Boy in a Blazer
Eugene and I were cruising up the Port Road. He was in the driver's seat having very kindly offered me a lift to the city from the gathering in December out of which emerged the event on 29 July. He claimed to have had only one or two drinks all night but was very keen to make a diversion when we saw some flashing lights up ahead. We turned into West Lakes Boulevard and worked our way over the train line through Woodville West. Heading eastward through Woodville and Kilkenny our conversation changed. We both knew that just up ahead was a significant intersection. As we got closer and closer to East Avenue the car moved from the centre of the road to the right-hand lane. There seemed to be some overpowering force pulling us towards Beverley. Eugene said that it wasn’t his doing. We were in a ouija board on wheels. We decided to go with the flow of old-time energy. ‘‘Why don’t we go past the old place?” Eugene asked. I agreed. I was in no hurry and it was a nice night for a drive. It was dark but it was unmistakable. Like nothing had changed; it could have been 1966. There was the hall where we had our dancing lessons with Miss Joanne Priest. I've never wanted to dance with Robert Keane again. I saw myself climbing the ropes that hung from the roof. No health and safety then but I was always sure that two-inch foam mat would save me if something went wrong anyway. Continued on Page 3 Page 1
The St. Mick’s Surf Lifesaving Club By Tony (Frog) Nelson (With apologies to any persons omitted) 1967 was a year that we probably all remember well, some fondly, some maybe otherwise. I for example, was Goolwa 1970. Chris Robinson Carries the Flag the first year 12 student at Henley Beach to get the strap, (and I think the at Semaphore, Christies Beach and now, For the first year we operated from a tent only one that year) probably for South Port - Onya Olly! we set up each day before patrols. The smoking, but the details have faded following year we were given half a large with time and loss of brain cells. Within the next year or so we were joined tin shed by a local stevedoring company. by the three Loftus boys, John, Tom and I think a scouting organisation got the There was another aspect to my life the late Bernie, and the late Frank other half. Legend has it that we got to that happened that year and that was Sampson. the site first and took our half consisting the formation of the Taperoo Beach of two quarters, being both ends, Surf Lifesaving Club. It came about meaning the scouts got the middle half because a few lads from the which had no ends, but the truth has Semaphore SLSC wanted to form a disappeared in the mists of time, beer and breakaway club somewhere – and lies. Anyhow we reassembled it on the possibly anywhere because we wanted beach, put in a toilet and shower, to get away from the old fogies who installed an illegal septic tank, hijacked ran it. (They were probably in their water from a Council pipe and we were forties). Eventually we settled on away. Taperoo Beach as the location because in those days there could be up to In the early seventies, our main 2000 cars on the beach on a good day fundraising was from the running of
We did it because it was an excuse to wear girl's bathers. The only other way to do that legally was to join a religious order.
It just happened that a fair proportion of the lads who had the idea were St Mick’s students. These were Dave, Tony and Kevin Nelson, Gavan (Penguin) Farmer and John (Jaige) Gardiner. These were soon followed by our brother Peter, Kev’s mate Peter (Mouse) Allen, Jaige’s brother Paul, the late Paddy Critchley and Mick Scanlan. Chris Robinson also joined the first year and was soon Treasurer because he could add up a bit. Steve Durbridge and Graham Rowe also in joined the first year. Our esteemed Editor, Leigh Johnson, spent a fair bit of time at the club, but I reckon it was mainly for the girls that also hung around. And try as we might, we couldn’t coerce Richard (Dick/Olly) Olesinski to leave Semaphore and join us – hence his continuing success in Surf Lifesaving The East Avenue Advocate
Vaughan Martin was a neighbour of the Loftus family as was Mick Lyons and they soon joined as well. Donny Seymour was another St Mick’s boy who joined, later to become a very successful President of the club. Greg Palmer who was in Kev’s class also made an appearance and an impact as “Derro”. He is now a highly qualified classical guitar teacher. Others of that age group were Wayne Burt, later Treasurer and holder of other official positions and John (Slats) Slattery.
People’s Pier “disco” at the Largs Pier Hotel. This proved to be very successful in its heyday when we imported performers like Billy Thorpe, Jimmy Barnes, Daddy Cool, Spectrum and others. After a couple of years, we started another two venues, but by this time the gloss had gone, costs were up, profits down and controls a bit lax.
There were also negative effects, for example, we had almost become a promoting organisation with a Surf Club as a peripheral segment instead of the Penguin Farmer’s brother Peter also joined other way around. There was also the in later years and possibly Mick Scanlan’s influence of a certain herbal remedy that bro, John, but I’m not sure about him tended to be used by young folk in those because he floated between clubs like days. Legend has it that a certain club Semaphore and Chiton Rocks. He also member introduced that remedy to Ozzy swam between clubs because I remember Osbourne at a Myponga rock festival, one day he swam to Taperoo from Semaphore, said gooday, ate a pie or two Continued on next page. and then swam back.
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which is a story in itself. Anyhow the fame of the Pier through Jimmy Barnes etc was due in large part to the club, and in particular to Dave Nelson who was the mover and shaker. Inevitably, after a couple of years, the committee decided to close all of this down and get back to our core business of patrolling the beach and competing in surf carnivals. Importantly, though, we had raised enough money to enable us to build a new brick building near the old tin shed.
still competing in masters events at a local and national level and his wife, Elaine is the CEO of Surf Lifesaving in SA. And, you know, we weren’t exactly in Vung Tau riding Chinooks, but we were only seventeen.
Letters to the Editor Scarred for life by ice cream sticks
Editorial What a pleasure it’s been to produce the Second Edition of the East Avenue Advocate. Could have been more from you folk though. It seemed to me after I had put together the draft that there just wasn't enough colour in it. I do hope I haven't gone overboard!
Tony Nelson deserves a very special mention for his story on page 2. A slice of South Australian modern history. I The club was housed there for a few Andy Furman very kindly forwarded on to can't imagine a bunch of MySpace/ years until North Haven was Facebook/ twittering 17-year-olds who developed, along with its marina and me a copy of the East Avenue Advocate. can't lift their eyes off their iPhone for breakwaters. Because of the location Leaving aside his understatement about his two seconds to cross a road carefully of the new infrastructure, the club was daughter, Alicia who works for me, whom doing anything like that these days. forced to move. Consequently the organisation metamorphosed into The he should have described as beautiful and a Perhaps I’m just getting old. North Haven SLSC and it remains that rising star in Family Law, it was interesting to me because so many of the The photograph on page 1 is not mine. today. people who ended up being in the Class of Unfortunately I don't recall exactly where ’67 were at one stage or another in my it came from. I have a feeling it might I assume that there have been many have come from Peter Keane over in the younger St Mick’s students who have class “the Class of ‘66”. UK a few years ago. I would be pleased been through the club in the last 44 I have been having a bit of a nostalgia to hear from anyone who has the answer. years, but I speak mostly about its attack recently caused by firstly reading early days. Of course there were Keith Richards biography, secondly The beauty of seeing it in PDF on your members from the local schools, Le organising a 40 year Law School reunion computer is that you can zoom in. There Fevre and Taperoo High, but there and thirdly having recently gone to the is a remarkable amount of detail in there. was an unusually high proportion of “Go Show Gold” concert to see the You can make out a large number of the St Mick’s lads. reunited Twilights etc. faces. My count makes it over 20 St Mick’s If it is not too much trouble, please put me I do hope you enjoy the issue. students (I use the term loosely for some lads) who were members of the on your mailing list and I may be able to I think a final edition after the event will club in its first few years. This would give you a few contact numbers or see the end of the Advocates’s run. have been about 25% of membership, addresses. and probably more than 50% when we With kindest regards, first started. DAVID BURRELL Amongst the club’s life members are Leigh P.S. My memory is of Dave Nelson, Tony Nelson, the late Brother Gregory, not a match A Funny Thing Happened on the Way and legendary Pat Critchley, Gavan tray but an ice cream stick Farmer, Don Seymour and Wayne bowl which he ceremoniously Home from Alberton Burt. Many of the other lads held (continued from page 1) down committee positions but I think smashed in front of the class due to his perception that I had at times in the really early days we done it in a big rush and badly. There was the overway between the new building had more committee positions than and the old. Memories flooded back; climbing those members. Gavan (Penguin) Farmer is stairs after assembly, the French oral examination in Goolwa 1970 the little room on the corner, Latin vocabs each morning on the overway and reporting up there to some Principal or other about some misdemeanour or Back Row: Peter Allen, unknown, other. And of course the chapel, science block (with the gas) and tuckshop down the other end. Gavan Farmer, Dear Leigh,
Vaughan Martin. I got a little misty or maybe it was just an insect that Holding back of reel: blew in through the open window on that balmy Dave Nelson, John night in December. Either way, we both agreed that Loftus. the diversion was well worthwhile. Middle of reel: Kevin Nelson and a If we’re taking a bus back on the 29th we must go Taperoo High bloke. that way. Holding front of reel: And that irresistable force? I think it was St.Maria Tony Nelson and Goretti, patron saint of youth having some fun with unknown.
us. The East Avenue Advocate
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Random Recollections
T
he last reunion provided many memorable moments, one that particularly stands out was splashing the boots with the "Weed". I was disappointed however not to run into Brother Gregory on the night. I’m sure many of us would have relished an opportunity to delve into the psyche of that somewhat troubled man.
to get a reference to go to the Seminary. I spent 2 years in Galong - the Redemptorist Seminary.
quickly we could get Critchely of the subject. Of course who could forget being herded into the hall to practice communal singing? And then there were the dance lessons with Joanne Priest.
When I decided the priesthood was not for me (discovered that celibacy and an early onset of an active libido were not compatible) my parents Jo Geracitano and Luigi Alvino were again took me to St Michael’s. This time I keen Elvis fans and organised their own was welcomed with open arms. Elvis jukebox at one of the Fêtes.
The first kid I met in 3rd Year was Stephen Jeisman. He spent some time explaining the “ropes”' and I was sat next to Kevin Horsell. First time in my life I met a kid who was passionate about trains.
Those ongoing fund raising exercises for a Holden car - we had to flog the raffle books or else.
Then there was the injustice - Peter Lawson being publicly humiliated I soon realised that St Michael’s was as because he had been seen in public with a brutal as the Marist Brothers had been. We girl - we all commented about the timing We must all remember that day in Grade 7 when, while bellowing in full had a brother who taught us French - I do - they waited until after the Athletics not recall ever getting the strap from him Carnival. flight to the tune of the familiar but even all these years later I am still "you crazy clown, you miserable angry at the way he would storm out - get I also recall Mark Trowse being picked wretch", Bro Gregory dragged Mick O’Leary by the neck out to the front of his strap and hit the bejus out of some poor on by all the teachers - no wonder he did kid. (See photo below Ed) not go beyond year 10. class and began to administer a dose of corporal punishment he wouldn’t For most of those three years I tended to forget. His misdemeanor in letting off What amazed me was the way all of you sit back and observe - kids like Pilko, a 3 penny bomb in Michael Willcox's just shrugged and accepted it. In Holland teachers would be sacked on the spot if Olly and Nelson who seemed to get more kit bag earned him 23 consecutive they hit a kid. I suppose I was still coming than their fair share of the strap but who blows with the old brutality strap. to terms with the cultural differences were brilliant at taking the piss. between Australia and Holland. Other fond/not so fond memories: By the way - I guess you all recall how, • Football with St Pauls - Raggs That cultural difference got me in trouble in 1966, we were all privileged to help was the man, • galloping Goof O'Connor and on more than one occasion. I recall having building Henley - I recall spending been invited to go to a debutants ball. The afternoons shovelling sand - good Larry Lawless. Dwyer boys were there and had just taught training for a life spent shoveling • Dean Titley's old man bullshit. (Or dog and cat shit….Ed) knocking the "Weed" off his me a brand new word "knackers" I loved the sound of it. We were all at this rather perch at morning assembly. posh house (think it belonged to the John Tons • Mr Toby's rather loose parents of the girl who had asked me her fitting bathers at the Henley dad was a lawyer.) Everytime I met pool, (Mrs Warbichler may someone I cheerfully said “How yer even still recall that). • Getting an A in English once. going knackers?” Eventually Michael Finishing year 10 and leaving school Dwyer took me aside and suggested that her parents did not enjoy being is one of my fondest memories. addressed as knackers. John Bracken
W
No doubt you will recall how, in our last year at Beverley, we all got rather excited with the new teacher - a Mrs Barker with huge knockers - many a wet dream was inspired by her. Or Paul Depasquale - we would watch him park in East Avenue, walk around his car to make sure that he was parked properly and then sit on his desk and put his arms behind his head so we could see his yellow armpits.
hen we arrived in Australia Father Hoy took us to St Michael’s to enroll me. Apparently my folks could not afford it (or they did not want me) so I ended up spending three years at Marist Brothers Thebarton. I was expelled for taking the cane of a Brother - I was sick to death of getting caned on almost a daily basis. I only went back In economics we competed to see how The East Avenue Advocate
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School tour to Somewhere, Early 1960’s Page 4
More on Tony Nelson and Olly's Brush with the Law I have a 1959 blue blazer and a Bro Gregory match tray to go with Leigh's leather brutality strap. Maybe we can have a collection of curiosities (I don't mean human ones) to display at the event. When Olly and I got stopped for hitching to the Prefects' Dance, the cop let us off at first and rode off because we looked so tough in our Bermuda jackets. So we stepped straight back on the road and that's where technology caught us - he had mirrors on his bike. So he turned around and said 'ullo,ullo, ullo what's all this... etc etc.
weird virus which led to his present Remember when Robert disabled position. Keane drove David Weston's new Scooter into a In 1967 you could have Ditch? Well he picked himself up and went on from been given six of the best for thinking this, six of the there….. best plus Saturday He left school begrudgingly having not attained Matric and went to Whyalla to do detention for writing it and expelled for doing it. the Technician Certificate/ Electrical apprenticeship combined at UniSA and ……….Now read on. Tafe (working for BHP whilst studying).
A Queensland farmer drove to a neighbour’s farm house in his Holden After graduating and completing his indenture, he wasn't overjoyed working at ute, and knocked at the door. A boy, about nine, opened the door. “Is your BHP and left to experience the world. Television advertising, insurance sales and Dad home?" asked the farmer. “No mate, he isn't; he went to town.” car sales followed in quick succession. Having had no success he returned to BHP “Well, is your Mother here?” the farmer asked. “No, she went to town with Dad.” as an Electrician for 6 years. the lad replied. “How about your brother, Howard; Is he here?” the farmer But again the eating of the red ore each enquired. “No mate, he went with Mum Anyhow, subsequently we received a day saw him venture into electrical and Dad.” said the young boy. The wholesale with Auslec, then GEC who summons signed by Sergeant Henry farmer stood there for a few minutes were later engulfed by the frogs Rexel. Hoffa (later worked for the Teamsters shifting from one foot to the other and Union, but that's another story). In the He recalls that these sixteen years were the mumbling to himself. “Is there anything fullness of time we got to Court and I can do for you?” the lad asked. “I know best working time he’d experienced the Magistrate obviously knew Olly where all the tools are if you want to working as Branch Manager for nine of because they smirked at each other borrow one or I can give dad a message them. and the Magistrate said “So it's you for you if you would like.” “Well” said again Mr Olesinski.” and Olly said the farmer uncomfortably, “I really Unfortunately, the powers that be closed “Yes Sir.” (cleverly spelling it “Cur” wanted to talk to your Dad. It's about down his branch and at 52 he found it in his mind) and the Magistrate said your brother Howard getting my daughter “What are you doing here this time?” fairly hard to get suitable employment in Susie pregnant.” The boy thought for a Whyalla where he and his wife Leeanne and Olly said “Two policemen moment. “You’d have to talk to Dad wanted to stay. brought me here.” And the Magistrate about that. I know he charges $500 for said “Drunk again?” And Olly said, He went back on the tools but was unable the bull and $50 for the pig, but I don't “Yes Sir. Both of them.” to do the job anymore in the conditions at BHP (OneSteel) and later succumbed to a know how much he charges for Howard." Now that's the truth no matter what Olly says about it. Fortunately our fathers were quite well off and they footed the $2 fine, but to this day we carry the burden of a criminal record. Tony Nelson
(Olly adds that Frog forgot to mention that the court costs were larger than the fine Ed).
Athletics Carnival 1967. The Boys in the Band urge Tony Eliottt to the line The East Avenue Advocate
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Do you have some Memorabilia to bring on 29 July? This photo appeared in “Boomer - The Complete Guide for Over 50’s” in the Advertiser in April. You might not remember the bloke but the uniform is recognisable. He won't be attending. Paul Taylor was in Grade 4 when we were in Matriculation. The article described him as having attending "a Catholic school in the western suburbs". See more of him here. http://www.paultaylor.ws/ I’m pretty sure he’s wearing the wrong socks. And those boots! See adjacent photo showing model with correct uniform to compare! What can you bring? Tony Nelson says he’s got a blue blazer and is also bringing his match tray from Bro. Gregory’s craft classes. Leigh Johnson’s going to see if he can locate the leather strap (that some of you have already seen) which he borrowed from a teacher’s desk. He says he put it away in a safe place and all he has to do is remember where that safe place is. He said that he thought he had a knitted football jumper but can’t seem to find it. Probably in that same safe place he thinks. He said he’s prayed to St Anthony and then tried a few others; even St Maria Goretti but no one was listening. Little wonder I say. Latest word is that he’s found some other beaut stuff that none of us would have seen for a long time.
The “new hall” mentioned on page 9 (and 1) under construction
Come on…. photos, ties, caps, badges.
Did you know? Class photos did not include teachers in 1959. They were introduced in 1960 and then discontinued in 1963. We are fortunate that during that period Miss Mary O’Connor was our teacher and she was featured in our Grade Five class photo in 1960. See page 1.
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Then and Now Robert Keane
Peter Bracken
Vincent Plush Michael Trainor Reg Coutts
Leigh Johnson
John Tons
Paul Pilkington
John Slaven
John Bracken Bill Yeo
Stephen Jeisman Bruce Cottle
Eugene Ragghianti The East Avenue Advocate
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From the Archives‌1
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From the Archives‌2
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From the Archives‌3
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FromThe Archives 4
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From the Pages of The Maroon and Blue
SEVENTH GRADE 1962
1959
1960
1963 1961
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From the Pages of The Maroon and Blue 1964
1965
SECOND YEAR GOLD
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From the Pages of The Maroon and Blue
1966
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From the Pages of The Maroon and Blue
1967
Cudmore Confidential 1967
Wonderland Ballroom, Belair Rd. Tom Hart’s cousin Kathleen with an unidentified male person. It’s rumoured that they met in the midst of a lively discussion of the unresolved sexual tensions in the movie “Hud” starring Paul Newman and Patricia Neal (unrelated to the L F Neal mentioned in the adjacent invitation). It was at one of those movie nights at the Capri Cinema at Goodwood (with girls’ schools) that someone like, maybe Bro. Bernard arranged. She gave him the flick, quite rightly, a few years later because he was... ..well because he wasn’t. Sources close to the chest say he always had a soft spot in his heart (and a hard spot elsewhere) for St. Dom’s girls. The East Avenue Advocate
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Inside The Back Cover of the Maroon and Blue 1967 Feel the Love
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