Blue & Blue

Marist Brothers High School
Darlinghurst
Old Boys’ Union

President: ................................................. Warren Thomas - 9525 4260
Vice president:.............................................. Bill Cramsie - 9743 2255
Secretary: ...................................................  Mark Sinclair - 9524 9760
Membership Secretary:............................... Larry Hensby - 9528 3957
Treasurer: ................................................. Vince Hallinan - 9533 2237
Also: ..............................  John Chippendale, Colin Sullivan, Reg Scott,
.....................................  Br Charlie Aqualina, & Dominic Sidoti
Welcome to the August edition of the Blue & Blue.  Since last report we have had good feedback from the mailing list and have now over 150 financial members registered.  Nearly half of these members will receive the B&B by e-mail (that’s progress and a great cost saving over the long term).  For those who do receive this electronically, I can assure you the new format will read better if you print back to back and fold the report.

The major social activity of the OBU in 2003 has been the annual luncheon which was held in June.  A fair number of the older brigade turned out for what was a fine lunch at the Bowlers Club of NSW and it seemed to me that all present had a good reunion.  Wonderful to see Br Lucius Burnheim there and also Mark Trainor who gave such long service to your OBU over past years.

Further on the membership issue.  Your committee has considered what is by now only a marginal response from about 40% of those on our contact list.  In other words 200 have made no contact despite our sending two B&Bs to date to their last known address.  We consider it unreasonable to keep sending such correspondence out when we are not sure it is reaching the target old boy (not to mention cost of postage etc).  Therefore, the mailing list will be reviewed and culled at the end of the year – IF YOU HAVE NOT ALREADY DONE SO, PLEASE RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP.  See the attached form.

I would also like to reiterate the committee’s decision not to expect membership fees or luncheon/dinner ticket costs from any former Marist teachers at Darlo or any old boy members of religious orders.  Just fill out the form and let us know your intentions.

Thanks to Marist College Pearce, we have access to some items of memorabilia.  If you could indicate your interest in purchasing B&B ties/badges and the like on the attached form, we will make an order and supply them to you over coming months.

This issue also announces the up-coming annual OBU Mass and Dinner.  The date to note in your diaries is Thursday, 9th Oct 2003.  Tickets are available now and you are requested to give an early response using the attached form.  Mass will be at the usual time and venue – 6PM at St Patricks, Church Hill followed by dinner at the Bowlers Club of NSW, York St, City (7 for 7.30PM).  I don’t anticipate a further reminder so please attend to the booking now.

News from the members:

• Ron Yates (LC 1940) writes of the sad news of the passing of old boys Ken See, Tony Dignam & Ned McGrath. He is in fine fettle himself having just returned from London and Denver and presently on a trip to the Paris Air Show.
• Br Vianney (Denis) Dignam (LC 1941) also writes with stories of the above mentioned old boys, one of whom is his brother. Ned McGrath was well known for his account on the Darlo notice board in the publication by “Spectator” about the preceding days footy or cricket exploits by Darlo teams. Br has lots of stories which I will relay to you as space permits.

News from the members (cont)

• Geoff Burfoot (IC 1937) writes of his busy retirement with meals on wheels and other Church activities squeezed in between the footy (Roosters supporter) and attending the horse races. (both fine Darlo pastimes -Ed).
• Joe Hall (IC 1936) tells of the serious illness of his youngest brother, Ted, who you might remember in your prayers. He also mentions his continued involvement as Vice President of the Balmain UTS District Cricket Club (as a youthful 84 year old). He still attends Joeys and Eastwood Rugby matches on a regular basis.

• Denis O’Connor (LC 1964) and Joe Howard (LC 1947) are keen members of the Sydney Male Choir and have participated in recent performances in Southern NSW and both are off with the Choir in Sept for a series of concerts in far south NSW and Vic, including a tour down the Great Ocean Road. Anyone.interested in details of the up-coming engagements of the Choir may contact Denis through the OBU Secretary
• Kyran O’Donnell sends a photo which appeared in the last Darlo Blue & Blue of 1968. It depicts Br John Murphy walking away from our beloved Darlo for the last time. I will have our technology expert (Membership Secretary Larry Hensby) look at publishing a reprint of this in a future B&B.
•  
• Marie Hatton, wife of Bernie (LC 1941) informs us that Bernie is the last surviving of the 5 Hatton brothers who attended Darlo. Unfortunately he is now resident in a Nursing Home at Mona Vale. Bernie had a long career with PMG/Telstra and along the way he and Marie were blessed with 7 children.  Bernie enjoys staying in touch with OBU through the B&B.
•  
• Professor Des O’Connor (LC 1944), now living in Jandakot, WA, writes of the sad news that Peter Dignam has moved into a nursing home. Des is keeping well and is moving on to other interests after the last 7 years as Chairman of the WA Govt Advisory Council for Waste Management. He now has more time to devote to work with Amnesty International. Des is anxious to contact John Mortimer O’Connor, Robert Arthur Mostyn and William Crocker (all LC ’43). If anyone can help Des, please do so through the OBU Secretary.
• See you at the dinner…………………………..Warren Thomas