Ad Alta Virtute The St Joseph’s College Geelong Magazine VOLUME 27, NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2014
5000 students join in the TriUMPH Festival at SJC! News and highlights for 2014
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1935-2015 Eighty years of Catholic boys’ education in Geelong Concept for the Capital Works at the Newtown Campus
TWO YEAR CAPITAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM AT ST JOSEPH’S COLLEGE Dear members of the wider St Joseph’s College community, I write this correspondence to inform you all, of forthcoming capital developments during the 2015 and 2016 school years and to seek your ongoing support. The largest building project at the Newtown Campus in the history of our College will go to tender in October 2014. This will be a two stage project which is likely to cost approx $6.5 million. Stage one, which I hope will commence prior to Christmas, will consist of, at ground level, a student services centre, centralising staff providing a range of services including, counselling, educational support, careers and vocational education and timetabling. The building will include, on an upper level, provision for the daily organiser and a new staffroom. An elevator will be provided in stage one, to ensure appropriate ongoing access for disabled students. These works will substantially change the face of the College on the Aphrasia Street frontage. Stage one is due for completion towards the end of the 2015 school year.
WESTCOURT CAMPUS - CHAPEL PROJECT The new home of our Year 9 students enables us to provide a dynamic and engaging curriculum for middle school students. The building of a Chapel will commence in 2015 and will be located near the corner of Minerva Road and Douglass Street. It is hoped that this project will be completed towards the middle of the school year. The project has been made possible as a consequence of the generosity of a former student who has gifted $100,000. This contribution has been doubled by our Old Collegians’ Association who have gifted $250,000 to the project. Former student, Anthony Baldasso of Baldasso, Cortese Architects has designed the space free of charge and another former student, Adam Gleeson of A Gleeson Constructions Pty Ltd, will be the builder. Given the significant ownership of this project by the Old Collegians, if as a past student or supporter you would like to make a contribution, feel free to contact the newly appointed Development Manager, Mr Kristen Gleeson at the College. Email: kristen.gleeson@sjc.vic.edu.au or phone: 5226 8120.
Stage two will be less extensive and will involve the refurbishment of the former staffroom into administration offices and a reworking of the current reception area, to include an archival and student work display space. A bequest of $50,000 from the estate of a recently deceased Old Collegian, will help establish the archival space. If all goes according to plan, stage two should be complete by the end of the 2016 school year.
Design for the new Chapel at Westcourt
As the build gets underway, any Old Collegians who are tradesmen might be prepared to offer their services to Adam, which would be most appreciated. Please contact Kristen if you feel you are in a position to help. The space is expected to cost in the order of $600,000 and the College will fund the difference between pledges and the final cost. At the same time, further building works will be undertaken within the existing buildings. The former plant room will be converted into a staff study space, freeing an existing classroom currently used for this purpose. Both projects are planned for completion by the end Compassion Innovation Integrity
of the 2015 school year.
Some classrooms exist under trees
It is understood that buildings are only one part of successful educational institutions, nevertheless the College management team supported by the Board are committed to providing the best possible facilities for the education of those who attend our College. I ask current parents to make sure that they continue to pay their building fund donation each year. Many Colleges have deleted the building fund component from their accounts and have significantly increased school fees, in order to compensate for this. The current arrangements at St Joseph’s College ensures that all donations made to the building fund are tax deductible and in light of the extensive program in place over the next two years, I encourage every parent to support our College building fund. UGANDA, AFRICA In the spirit of Edmund Rice, our community has been supporting building infrastructure for many years in a variety of developing countries, as a consequence of our support of the Christian Brothers Foundation for charitable works. In addition to this support, in recent years with the cooperation of the St Bernard’s Parish, Belmont and the Cotton On Foundation, we have been directly involved in building some much needed facilities in Uganda. Our students, through their fundraising on Edmund Rice Day and our Parents and Friends, through their annual fashion parade, recently funded the building of a community centre in Kiziba, Uganda. It is hoped that funds from 2014-2015 can be directed towards the development of a struggling primary school in the Mannya Parish called St Joseph’s. Our aim is to commence a two year project to build classrooms for the students there. The current classrooms are
made of mud and the grade prep and one classes are conducted under a tree.The school has been identified by the Mannya parish as most in need of our support. As happens at many of the East African schools we currently support, we would also like to explore some way in which the students attending this school could be provided with a simple local meal at lunchtime. As College Principal, I am grateful and humbled by the support provided by our community at home and abroad and I look forward to the fruition of many of these works during 2015.Their respective openings will constitute an appropriate celebration of 80 years of Catholic Education of boys in Geelong, in the spirit of our founder Edmund Rice and the four touchstones: Liberating Education, Inclusive Community, Gospel Spirituality and Justice and Solidarity of Edmund Rice Education Australia. Thank you to each one of you, who have been part of the story of our College since its opening in 1935. I am confident the College is in a good position to face the challenges of Catholic education into the twenty first century and to continue to educate fine young men who can make a difference in our modern world. Finally I would like to take this opportunity to wish God’s abundant blessings on you and your families for the remainder of the year and the years beyond. Best Wishes, Paul Tobias - Principal
The Community Centre under construction
Community Centre in Kiziba, Uganda
Senior students at the TriUMPH festival raising money for Uganda with Father Emma who was visiting the College from Mannya
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Westcourt News staff members. The curriculum planning for this campus was undertaken by a group of staff members led by Mr Ashwin Pillai. The role of negotiation with contractors and the finance of the project has rested with our Business Manager, Mr Terry Fowler, and he has done an outstanding job in establishing the facilities that our boys enjoy.
Most Reverend Bishop Long officially opens the Westcourt Campus Dancing from the ‘Celtic Thunder Trio’ at the Westcourt Opening
Our parents, as always, were supportive of this development, as were our staff, led by Campus Head, Mr Michael Timms and Deputy Principal Years 7 – 9, Ms Claire Brown. Claire will retire at the end of this year and she has been a key person in the development of the original idea. The students have embraced this space and the challenges of an innovative curriculum. I commend the Year 9 Program and these facilities to everyone and thank all those who have contributed to the development of this Westcourt Campus of St Joseph’s College.” We were indeed fortunate to have Bishop Long open and bless the facilities. Thank you to all those parents and supporters who attended the celebration. Paul Tobias - Principal
WESTCOURT CAMPUS OFFICIAL OPENING Wednesday 19 March was the feast of St Joseph and therefore a most appropriate day to formally open our Year 9 Westcourt Campus. The following extract is from my address on that occasion.
Students at the Westcourt Campus ran and participated in workshops with parents and visitors to the Campus at the Westcourt Expo
“Most reverend Bishop Long, distinguished guests, staff, students and families, It is fitting that today’s opening takes place on the feast day of St Joseph. Joseph like Edmund responded to God’s call. The naming of this campus Westcourt, as well as campus features such as New Street, The Waterford Centre and Callan Courts, are designed to encourage Year 9 students into a deeper understanding of the life of the founder of the Christian Brothers, Edmund Rice. We know that Edmund restored the dignity of poor boys in Waterford by educating, clothing and feeding them, and that Irish Nationalism evident in culture, dance, sport and language were some of the ways he achieved that. More important than any of those things however, was his commitment to evangelizing, so they experienced what St John describes as ‘having life and having it to the full’. The purpose of Catholic education has not changed over time. The Westcourt campus has been fortunate to have already established a strong working relationship with Fr Gerard Keith and Fr Mick Fitzpatrick from the Geelong Pastoral Cluster. The opening Eucharist took place at Holy Spirit Church Manifold Heights, as did the Eucharist on Ash Wednesday. Thank you Fr Gerard for your strong support of this venture. I would also like to acknowledge the level of cooperation and goodwill which exists between ourselves and Clonard College, evident in the joint purchase of this site. I am grateful to Mr Damian McKew, Principal of Clonard College for his ongoing cooperation in the interests of Catholic education. The negotiations with the State Government around the purchase of this site were complex and protracted, and Damian and I were pleased with the level of support we received from the Catholic Education Office Melbourne. I would like to thank the builders who have undertaken the refurbishment of these facilities, especially Old Collegians, Mr Adam Gleeson and his brother Chris, who is also one of our trade training Compassion Innovation Integrity
WESTCOURT EXPO We would like to congratulate the Westcourt students and staff on the very impressive Westcourt Expo held on Thursday 26 June. The Expo was planned to display and demonstrate what the Year 9 boys had achieved in their first semester. There was a real buzz around the Campus as parents and staff visiting from other schools went from subject areas where the students were running workshops, to displays where they were explaining what they did in the subject and why. There was a very strong sense of student engagement in and enthusiasm for their learning and great pride in their acheivements. Congratulations to the Year 9 students and Westcourt staff for a wonderful experience for all those who attended. Claire Brown & Paul Clohesy - Deputy Principals
College Production This year Students from St Joseph’s College, Sacred Heart College and Clonard have been taking audiences back to the year 1955 in America, performing the musical “All Shook Up” at GPAC from 1416 August. A “rock’n rollin journey’ with hits like “Jailhouse Rock”, “It’s Now or Never”, “Blue Suede Shoes” and “Don’t Be Cruel” being rocked out from the orchestra pit. All Shook Up is a wonderful mixture of characters finding their true love, their true selves and living to the music inside their souls. Year 12 St Joseph’s student Ryan Bentley was outstanding playing the charismatic Chad, a hip-swiveling, motorcycle riding, guitarplaying roustabout who rides into a dreary little town.Where, in the local garage, Natalie (Sacred Heart student Madi Dandy), a young mechanic, is dreaming of love and adventure. She doesn’t realize that her best friend Dennis (SJC Student David Van Etten) has a secret crush on her. What follows is a riot of excitement, laughter, rock’n and rollin and adventure. Will true love prevail? Will the power of music win the day? Will this small town in the Midwest survive getting all shook up? If you were one of the lucky ones who secured a seat – you will know how the journey ends! Thank you to all of the students and staff from St Joseph’s College, Sacred Heart College and Clonard College for your support. It has been a pleasure to work with such talented representatives from your communities. The students have all been impressive ambassadors, juggling studies and rehearsals. Thank you to our community, parents and families for supporting our cast of young men and women and encouraging them all to shine as brightly as they can. School productions are a wonderful opportunity for young people to work hard towards a common creative goal, and the friendships and memories are almost always fondly remembered in the years to come. Printed opposite is Colin Mockett’s review of the show:
Pure joy as Elvis meets the Bard This unusual melding of Shakespeare with Presley made for an evening of theatrical delight. From the unmistakable first chord of Jailhouse Rock to the all-on-stage big finale Burning Love, the 64-strong cast provided a night of refreshing, rocking, happy out-and-out fun. Shakespeare provided the show’s storyline, loosely-based on his genderswitch romantic comedy Twelfth Night, but transposed to a 1955 American small town. In practice, much of the Bard’s twisting plot was wrangled further in order to justify the insertion of 26 hit songs from the Presley catalogue, but that was hardly noticed in such a happy union. And the Elvis influence didn’t end with his music - the charismatic lead character Chad, played with hip-swinging self-aware distain by the excellent Ryan Bentley, had the ultra-cool look of an early Presley. So naturally he caused consternation in the small conservative society as well as flurries of female fluttering and fainting, not least from the crossdressed female mechanic played by tiny, talented and true-voiced Madi Dandy. And there were more delightful talents and voices on display, notably from (in their Shakespearian pairings) dorky David Van Etten and statuesque Emily Bourke; shy Sebastian Rawson and lively Jessica Nelson; raunchy Chloe Edwards and smitten Jack Callahan; pushy mayor Olivia Nicholls and her pet sheriff, Ryan Tracey. All sang, danced and delivered the show’s memorable musical numbers with panache and style, backed by a vibrant, colourful - and talented -ensemble. And though this was a school production - cast from drama and music students from (the all-boy) St Joseph’s College, with some excellent imports from (the all-girl) Sacred Heart and Clonard Colleges - this show’s presentation, production values, style - and its overall gloss -would stand easily alongside Geelong’s senior companies. Indeed, this All Shook Up has garnered six Virtual Oscar nominations, with this reviewer making no concessions for its all-student cast. As well as Ryan and Madi’s ‘best-lead’ performances, All Shook Up earned a ‘best production’ nomination, and more for it’s high-quality team of director Janine McLean, joint musical directors Michael Wilding and John Shawcross and vocal director Tania Spence. Michael and John and their 15-strong all-student band can take much credit for the show’s joyful musical drive, Tania for some delightful and unexpected harmonies - and Janine for bringing together such an enjoyable theatrical confection. — Colin Mockett Congratulations to the cast and all of the crew on a job well done.
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TriUMPH Festival TRIENNIALLY UNITED TO MAKE POVERTY HISTORY As our name TriUMPH – being an acronym for “triennially United to Make Poverty History” suggests, our purpose for the event is to support the universal efforts to make poverty history. Specifically, we hope to achieve our goal of raising $50,000 to donate to schools and education in Railaco, a small East Timor village and provide financial assistance to a teachers’ college in Baucau on the north coast of East Timor as well as funds to Geelong Viqueque Friendship Schools committee. In 2008 and 2011, we hosted the first Tri-UMPH Musical Festivals, where many popular bands and DJs from all over Australia played to over 4,500 students and staff. We collectively raised just shy of $43,000 in the 2011 event. The successful music festival was heavily publicised in the region and was plugged on national news stations. On 5 September 2014, we were back bigger than ever. Playing host to 5,000 young students from Geelong Catholic colleges; St Joseph’s College, Sacred Heart College, Clonard College and Saint Ignatius College. We were graced by some of Australia’s biggest and best acts across 3 massive stages. We were extremely lucky with the weather for the TriUMPH festival.The behaviour of students from the four Catholic Secondary Colleges was outstanding and a significant amount of money was raised for our nearest and poorest neighbour Timor Leste. St Joseph’s students should be proud of the way they joined in the festivities with such a positive attitude and the way they showed respect to all visiting staff and students. The outstanding efforts of all the TriUMPH Committee also need to be acknowledged. Students from the four Catholic schools in the Geelong region spent a year organising the event and worked extremely hard to make the day the huge success that it was. The students were supported and led by a number of staff however we would like to particularly mention two staff members for all of their hard work and leadership of the students; Mrs Rebecca Westwood and Mr Simon Cahir.Without the efforts of these two staff members the event would not have been possible.
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WE CAME, WE SAW, WE CONQUERED!! What a day! The bands, performers, food and the weather was PERFECT! 5000 students packing Zampatti oval at St Joseph’s College was picture perfect, 5000 students, over 50 performers, 200 special guests and over 600 staff UNITED AS ONE to help MAKE POVERTY HISTORY. This TriUMPH festival - RUN BY STUDENTS, FOR STUDENTS. The committee was made up of 30 very passionate, dedicated and hard working students from the four Catholic schools, who have worked exceptionally hard over the past 12 months to organise this festival. These students showed professionalism way beyond their years and all their hard work paid off on the day. As a teacher, this is my proudest moment and a day and group of students I will NEVER forget. I want to recognise the following St Joseph’s students who were a part of the main organising committee, these students need to be congratulated on their outstanding efforts: Mitch Loughnan Jack O’Neill Riley Harman Charlie Purdy Macka Heard Sammy Rotiroti We would also like to make a big shout out and thank you to all our very generous sponsors and supporters. Rebecca Westwood
Heritage Highlights B BLOCK REPAIRS College buildings and grounds gathered into a comprehensive collection. It was hard to miss the large Knuckle Boom, REMEMBERED ON ANZAC DAY sitting on the Queens In respect and admiration of past students, Road side of the College I would like to share with you these Grounds. At the beginning photographs of St Joseph’s boys who died of the year, it was noticed in the service of their country during the that the paintwork on Second World War. These images were the spire was flaking and shared with current students at ANZAC after closer inspection, it Day commemoration this year. was discovered that the Flt./Sgt. Bernard Johnson I would also like to tell the story of Flight SJC 1936-40. structural timbers holding Killed in action 8 October Sergeant Bernard Johnson SJC 1936-40. 1944. the roof in place were rotten. ‘B’ Block otherwise ‘The Brother In 1939, at the age of 15, Bernard was the Howe Creative Arts Centre, is the College’s oldest building, dating College Dux of Matriculation. In the middle of 1940, he began from 1857. work for the State Bank of Victoria where he worked until he During its long life, the bluestone building has been used as a enlisted in the RAAF in November 1942. In December 1943, Dormitory, Brothers’ Residence, Boarders’ Dining room, Music Bernard finished his training after which he gained his wings as Rooms, Canteen, and Gymnasium just to name a few. The uniform an Australian fighter pilot. On 8 October 1944 at the age of 19, shop once had a home here, as did Careers. Bernard was killed whilst taking part in a bombing and strafing raid In the 1990s the building was extensively refurbished, asbestos on Noenfoor Island. In the memory of all of those who have died was removed and the building became the home for Creative Arts in Wars - Lest We Forget. including a Ceramics room, a photography darkroom and Systems Susan Belluzzo - Archivist Technology classroom. It was at this time that the building was The Heritage Centre is open to visitors on Tuesdays; dedicated to Brother Tom Howe who died in 1989. please phone 5229 1614 to organise your visit! The spire renovation works were months in the planning but the actual work was completed in just over a week. Let us hope that the new timbers will last for another 156 years. Past Men’s Association President Tony D’Andrea tells of the times they painted the columns by hanging on to the column with one hand while wielding the paintbrush with the other. Two of the old columns have been retained, one of which is on display in the staffroom. Staff members were very intrigued and thought it was a Paper Mache VCAL project. The other column is Pte. John Knights F/O G.A McKeown D.F.C L.A.C Daniel Ganley now in the foyer of the Heritage Centre and will form part of a SJC 1935 SJC 1937. Navigator SJC 1935-37 Killed in training Lancaster 622 Squadron, Died of illness on active future display about the College’s oldest building. operations 11 May 1942 service 12 February 1944 Bomber Command RAF England 1945 OLD GROUNDS Recently I have been hunting for photographs of Joey’s Cricket Clubrooms during the 60s and while I did not find any photographs of the The Poultry Farm clubrooms, I found many photographs of the College Sgt./W.A.G John McNeill Cpl. M.F Moran buildings and grounds, F/O James Boyd SJC 1939-40 SJC 1935-38 SJC 1935-37 spread through various Killed on active service Killed in action 2 Killed in action 18 January 11 September 1945 December 1943 1942 boxes and folders. These photographs are tangible The Dairy Herd at St Augustines evidence of the growth and development of the buildings and grounds from the time St. Augustine’s Boys’ Home occupied the site to 2004. These Harvesting photographs form an important part of records Flt./Sgt. Robert Callander L.A.C Hugh O’Rorke Flt./Sgt. Joseph Pender of the College history. I will share them with you in this and future SJC 1940-41 Missing, presumed killed as Missing, presumed a result of air operations, killed, as a result of air Heritage Highlights. I hope one day to have all photographs of the operations, October 1941
January 1944
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Reunions ANNUAL REUNION The Old Collegians’ Annual Reunion was held at two locations this year. Over 120 Old Collegians from the following year groups: 1969, 74, 79, 84, 89, 94, 99, 04 met at the College to reminisce and take a tour of the facilities. Year groups 2009 and 2013 met at Lamby’s and took the opportunity to catch up with old school friends and talk about what they have been up to. Once again the Parents and Friends did a fantastic job of providing catering for the event held at the College. Keep your details up to date with the College so you do not miss out on an invitation for your year level’s reunion! Email: kristen.gleeson@sjc.vic.edu.au to update. MELBOURNE REUNION 2014 saw the second Melbourne reunion that the Old Collegians’ Association has held at the Emerald Hotel. A relaxed Friday night catch up with past students for a few drinks and some tasty finger food was the ideal opportunity to share some memories as well as catching up with old school mates. Past students took advantage of a lovely venue close to the city. Keep an eye out next year for the Melbourne reunion and get some school mates to come along for a great night out, we would love to see this event grow and friendships be renewed with classmates in 2015.
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In Sympathy We pray for the following Old Collegians who have died and for their family and friends – Mr Brian Barrett (80 years), Old Collegian (1951), dearly loved husband of Margaret and father of 4 children and 3 grandchildren. Mr Brian Digby Old Collegian (1946), father of Brian Digby Old Collegian (1977), grandfather of Liam Digby (Year 8) and Joshua Digby (Grade 6) Chilwell Primary School. Mr Brian Dobbyn, Old Collegian (1949), father of Old Collegians Paul (1981) and Tim Dobbyn (1982). Mr James (Jim) Doona, Old Collegian (1976). Mr Max Foran, Old Collegian (1960), father of Mark Foran (1993) and past College Board member (1992 / 1993). Mr Brennan Houghton, Old Collegian (2013) Brennan passed away after an incredibly courageous battle with cancer. Brennan confronted his illness with extraordinary courage and selflessness. He was determined to attend school, which he loved, until the last stages. Brennan was a gifted student in terms of his academic performance and his intellect was matched with a wry sense of humour. His passing will be acutely felt by all who have worked with him. Our deepest condolences are with his parents Bernadette and Geoff, along with his older brother Patrick and all their extended family and friends. Mr Tim Howells (Queensland), Old Collegian (1985), brother of Michael and Richard Howells (1980). Mr Sam Keating, Old Collegian (2007), to Sam’s family, Robyn and Danny, Hayley, Shaun (2000), Edwina and all their extended family and friends we express our heartfelt sympathy. Sam’s love will live on in each of you always. Mr John Keavy, Old Collegian (1969). John will be sorely missed by Henry Hes, Frank Poneder, Carl Norton, Tony Stante, Paul O’Toole and Kevin Thomas who all had great times together through primary and secondary school with him. The class of 1969 has always had a proud brotherhood and now we number one less.Vale John, rest in peace. Mr Bohdan (Bob) Maczyszyn, Old Collegian (1961), father of Andre, Old Collegian (1991) and Catherine, Nicholas (1993) and Angela, Danielle and Nigel. Mr Tim Mulroyan (55 years), Old Collegian (1975), son of Valerie and John Mulroyan (1947), brother of Paul (1972), Phil (1978), Simon (1984), Rosemary Friend current staff member, Pamela, Margret and Christine. Tim had been unwell for some time with cancer, he fought a courageous battle and was surrounded by his loving family throughout this journey. To Tim’s wife Sue, children and their partners, Jenna and Scott, Leah, Caitlin and Daniel and all their extended family we offer our heartfelt sympathy and prayerful support. Mr Michael Timothy Taylor, Old Collegian (1949), formerly of Stonyford and Geelong. Our hearts go out to you all as we pray “That God will welcome these faithfully departed into His loving arms. And that precious memories will be of comfort to those left behind, knowing that their love will live on in their hearts forever.”
Friends of SJC Colin Silcock-Delaney
Colin Silcock-Delaney is an interesting and remarkable man. Colin’s life story demonstrates success in achieving a lifestyle many of us would envy despite insurmountable, overwhelming odds. Colin did not experience a traditional family life; a lifestyle that many of us believe is the cornerstone leading to a pathway that regularly results in accomplishments, achievements and rewards. Born in1932 and growing up in a Geelong orphanage, Colin developed a love of sport and has run 100 marathons around the world including 25 Melbourne marathons and represented Australia in the Masters Games. He has been a volunteer in sport at St Joseph’s College for more than 30 years and a volunteer fire fighter for 40 years. Colin was born at the Royal Women’s Hospital in 1932, to a single mother. At this time, bearing an illegitimate child was a social taboo. So, Colin was placed in the St. Joseph’s Babies Home in Broadmeadows. On becoming a toddler, Colin was sent to St Anthony’s Babies Home in Kew, and then at age seven his home became St. Joseph’s Home in Surrey Hills. For his secondary schooling, in 1943, aged 11 he lived at St. Augustines Boys Home in Highton, Geelong, which housed over 300 boys. In 1949 at 16, he was sent to work as an apprentice grocer in Morwell. Colin lasted at this occupation for six months. Following this beginning of his working life, Colin was sent to Warrnambool and worked in the Warrnambool Woollen Mills for 12 months. He lived with the family who cared for him previously over the school holidays. At 17 he became independent and lived in a Geelong boarding house whilst working for a bakery as a bread carter driving a small van delivering bread. From 1954 to 1956, Colin was recruited for National Service at Puckapunyal. The training was intense and this ignited Colin’s interest in running. In 1958, Colin became involved with the Geelong West CFA, as a volunteer firefighter and he also became a runner with the hydrant and wheel, a CFA exercise. He contributed over 35 years service to the CFA. Other clubs he joined at this time were the Manifold Cricket Club, the Manifold Tennis Club and St Joseph’s Junior Football Under 18 Club, supporting his son’s recreational football. Colin was also made a life member of St Joseph’s Football Club. It was at this time in his life he met Nellie Briely with whom he fell in love and they married in November 1958. They moved into a flat and saved hard to buy a block of land. Colin built a home for his family and together Nellie and Colin welcomed Maria, who was born in December 1959. Maria was followed by Mark, 1961, Kelly 1963, Colleen 1964 and they adopted Paul in 1969. For 10 years, Colin drove taxis part time. Then he bought his own taxi, with Geelong Radio Cabs; his licence at that time cost him $20,000. Colin drove taxis for 50 years, meeting and interacting with a variety of people. A sad time in Colin’s life was when he split with
Nellie. Colin continues to have a very close relationship with his children and he is still very devoted to Nellie. Colin finally found his parents in 1979 - he had been searching for over fourty years. He found his mother, and learnt that his father [who had died sadly before Colin located him] had been a champion runner, footballer and cyclist. His father won many accolades whilst an athlete. Colin’s own athletic career is an impressive one. He proudly announces that he has been to every Victorian and Australian Masters event since their inception. He has a swag of medals from the Masters Athletics Track and Field Championships and the Victorian Police and Emergency Services Games. An impressive feat! He is also a foundation member of Geelong Cross Country which began in 1971. He competed in and won his first marathon in 1978 in the time of 2 hours 51 minutes; he ran three marathons over three years. Colin left Geelong Cross Country Club and started St Joseph’s Athletic Club, this club also making him a life member. In 2000 he was selected to carry the Olympic Torch through Port Campbell when it passed through Geelong. To add to his accolades, Colin has also become a life member of St Joseph’s College. Colin trained hundreds of boys over a period of thirty years, predominately during his lunchtimes, without receiving any payment. He also officiated at many athletic competitions and events, all without asking for a cent. Still to this day Colin is a familiar and welcome sight at the annual Athletics Day held at the College at which he proudly shakes hands, presents awards, gives encouragement and chats with future athletic hopefuls. Colin has also been spotted volunteering at community events including Run Geelong, calling out to weary competitors with a few well placed words of encouragement and his wonderful smile. World Athletic Championships Colin has attended: 1979 Hanover, 1981 Christchurch, 1983 Puerto Rico, 1987 Melbourne, 1989 Eugene, 1991 Turku, 1993 Miyazaki, 1995 Buffalo, 1999 Gateshead, 2001 Brisbane, 2005 San Sebastian and 2013 Porto Alegre - which Colin says will be his last International Masters Championships. Oceania Games Colin has attended: Fiji, Western Samoa, Norfolk island, Tahiti, Rarotonga, Hastings, N.Z., Townsville and Canberra. At the XX World Athletic Championships held in Porto Alegre, Colin won silver medals for Australia in both the 5km track walk and in the 10km road walk. Colin now resides along the Great Ocean Road at Port Campbell where he magnanimously invites anyone in the area to stay. He is a very welcoming, kind hearted, friendly individual who has made his mark on the world. We at St Joseph’s feel very proud to count him as one of our lifetime friends to the College. Article adapted from February 2014 issue of ‘Footprints’ the Vic Masters Athletics Magazine, article by Heather Carr. www.sjc.vic.edu.au
Annual Golf Day ANOTHER GREAT DAY ON THE COURSE On Sunday 9 February the Annual St Joseph’s College Old Collegians’ Golf Day was held at 13th Beach Golf Links Barwon Heads. Just under 200 players took to the beautifully maintained Links course in an Ambrose-style team competition. In what were hot and windy conditions, many players made extremely hard work of the day. Overall a great day was had by all teams. Overall winners on the day were the team comprising of Alan Hogan, Josh Dempsey, Ryan Goosen, Cam Mernone and Paul Cumper. They won the playoff hole against the team from 63 degrees comprising of Simon Bryant, Jono Bryant, Adam Walters, Daniel Walsh and Grant Sutherland. The Annual Golf Day is a major fundraiser for our Old Collegians with all money raised generously going towards the St Joseph’s College Bursary Fund. Many thanks to all of the players and sponsors of the Golf Day.
St Joseph’s College in partnership with St Joseph’s Old Collegians’ Association
20th Annual
13th Beach Golf Links, Barwon Heads 6.45am for 7.30 shotgun start
Ambrose-style competition All skill levels accepted Great fun, great mates, great prizes! For booking information or if you are looking at sponsorship packages contact: Kristen Gleeson Ph: 03 5226 8120 or email: kristen.gleeson@sjc.vic.edu.au Compassion Innovation Integrity
Where are they now? LT COL BERNI WHITE (1991) LTCOL Berni White graduated from St Josephs College Newtown in 1991. He has two younger brothers who also attended St Joey’s; Derek (1994) and Phillip (2001). He joined the Army that same year as a Gunner on an M198 Howitzer in 38th Medium Battery, 2/10th Medium Regiment. He then attended the Royal Military College Duntroon in 1993 and graduated to the Royal
Australian Artillery. LTCOL White has served in every regular Artillery Regiment in the Australian Army, as well as the School of Artillery in Manly NSW, during his career. His postings have included 1st Field Regiment in Brisbane, ‘A’ Field Battery (Parachute) in Sydney, 16th Air Defence Regiment in Adelaide and Command of 131 Surveillance & Target Acquisition Battery, also located in Brisbane. Berni has also served in the 6th Battalion – Royal Australian Regiment in Brisbane, as a Recruit Instructor at 1st Recruit Training Battalion in Wagga Wagga and Tactics & Leadership Master at the Royal Military College - Duntroon. Since graduating from Australian Command and Staff College in 2008, he has held a variety of Staff Positions, including being responsible for the successful proposal for the new M777A2 Light Weight Howitzer and the numerous Command and Control Systems that support it. During 2011 he was the Military Assistant to the 2 Star General commanding Forces Command, and most recently he led the planning at that headquarters for the design of, and transition to, the new Army Combat Brigades under the PLAN BEERSHEBA initiative. LTCOL White’s operational experience includes OPERATION WARDEN (INTERFET) in East Timor in 1999 as an ‘A’ Field Battery Forward Observer and later Platoon Commander with the 3rd Battalion – Royal Australian Regiment (Parachute Battalion Group). Berni qualified as an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Operator and Mission Commander at Boeing’s Training Facility in New Mexico, USA. He then deployed on OPERATION CATALYST in Iraq in 2006 as the Intelligence, Surveillance,Target Acquisition & Reconnaissance Battery Commander of Overwatch Battle Group-2. His sub-unit was equipped with Weapon Locating Radars, ScanEagle and Skylark UAVs. His UAVs, also commonly known as drones, flew over 2000 combat hours in support of coalition operations around Talill and over Basra in Iraq in 2006 and 2007. In 2007 LTCOL White led the planning and conducted the technical reconnaissance, in Afghanistan, to establish UAV operations based at the Australian Base in Tarin Kwot, as part of OPERATION SLIPPER. Berni is married to Liz, who until very recently owned and ran a Stand Up Paddle-board company in Sydney and they have three young children; Hamish, Bella and Ewan. They enjoy spending time at the beach as a family and especially any opportunity to go Stand Up Paddle-boarding and surfing. LTCOL White assumed command of the 16th Air Land Regiment on 14 December 2013. The Regiment is the only one of its type in the Army, numbering over 300 Officers and Soldiers. It is located in the Adelaide Hills in Woodside SA. His unit provides force protection for land forces against air and surface-to-surface fires through Ground Based Air Defence Missiles, a Networked Tactical Radar capability, Terminal Attack Control of Strike Aircraft and integration of Air and Land Command & Control systems. His Regiment has seen recent active service in Afghanistan, Iraq and East Timor and is equipped with some of the most advanced systems in service with the Australian Army today. http://www.army.gov.au/Who-we-are/Divisions-and-Brigades/ Forces-Command/6th-Brigade/16th-Air-Land-Regiment-RAA
ADRIAN BOURKE
(1993)
Adrian is the youngest of three brothers who began his time at St Joseph’s College in Grade 5 and finished in Year 12 (1993). In the period that Adrian attended St Joseph’s, it didn’t have much of an Arts curriculum and any involvement in school productions usually took place at sister schools Sacred Heart or Clonard. But there was enough at St Joeys (and with the encouragement of some of the teaching staff) to spark an Adrian at interest that helped to develop the London Adrian’s passion for the arts and Olympic subsequently forge a career in it. stadium After finishing at St Joseph’s, Adrian went on to complete at BA of Arts at the National Institute of Dramatic Arts in Sydney where he furthered his knowledge in the field of Technical Production in the theatre and events industry. Now based in London, Adrian’s professional career has taken him to an exciting variety of places and situations around the world including world tours of Tap Dogs, Gumboots and The King and I to name some of the productions he has been privileged to work on. Adrian has also been the touring Technical Director for Russia’s Bolshoi Ballet International dates touring throughout the US, China, Hong Kong and the UAE. 2008 saw Adrian became the Technical Director for both the Abu Dhabi Festival (a high end music and art festival in the UAE) and the Tuscan Sun Festival in Cortona, Italy where he worked with many leading artists including Robert Redford, Anthony Hopkins and Sting. In 2010 Adrian went to South Africa where he was the Production Manager of Staging for the FIFA World Cup Opening and Closing Ceremonies in Johannesburg. Following along the Ceremonies path he became Senior Operation Manager for Ceremonies for the London Olympic and Paralympic Games and Technical Manager for Ceremonies of the Sochi Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games. In between these last two, Adrian was based in Turkey where he was the Technical Director for Ceremonies of the XVII Mediterranean Games. Being part of working on major international events watched by millions of people has been a truly humbling and rewarding experience.There’s a great feeling of being at the heart of something. Adrian has just completed working as Technical Production Manager for the NATO Summit in Cardiff, Wales where President Obama, Chancellor Merkel, President Hollande and Prime Minister Cameron attended along with leaders and senior ministers from around 60 other countries. He lives in London with his wife (also from Geelong) and son and they are fortunate to be expecting their second child in March 2015.
Do You Have a Story to Share?
St Joseph’s College is proud of the acievements of its past students. If you have a story to share then we would love to hear from you! Contact Kristen Gleeson on 52268120 or email: kristen.gleeson@sjc.vic.edu.au www.sjc.vic.edu.au
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