Marist Brothers High School Darlinghurst

Old Boys' Union

  Blue & Blue                            

  April, 2014

www.mbhsdarlinghurst.org

Gentlemen,

I trust each and all celebrated a blessed and enjoyable Easter.

As the next luncheon, May 6^th at the Rugby Club approaches, Fr. John Doherty (LC’63) has confirmed his availability to celebrate Mass at St Patrick’s Church beforehand, starting at 10.30am

There are only a few days left to register for the luncheon, so any late-comers, now is the time to get your responses in.

Again we have the opportunity to reflect upon all who served and serve and upon those who paid the ultimate sacrifice, including those from Darlo, to whom we owe our freedom.

May I refer you to the following links: . http://www.6mins.com/mbhsdarlinghurst/WW2_Honour_Roll.htm

Scott Coleman’s Historical Contributions

I would like to thank all of you who responded by email or letter, offering your proxies on the matters of incorporation and the change of our constitution. Your response was simply overwhelming. The proxies were unanimous, apart from two abstentions (religious included). In light of your response, the motion to incorporate has been withdrawn and the organisation registered in 2011 as Marist Brothers Darlinghurst Alumni Association Incorporated will be dissolved, paving the way for unity once again. We are all indebted to those involved in this process of unity.

Br. Paul Murphy is still on sabbatical in Arizona and writes, “All is well in Arizona - no bites from rattlesnakes yet but they are around. It is just a picture in Spring with all the cactus blooming .... rugged colour. Big canyon walked planned for tomorrow.”  

Others are carrying on Br. Paul’s work with homeless children in the Philippines at Kuya Center, which the OBU continues to support. Want to help? http://www.kuyacenter.org

Peter McMaugh offers his “congratulations to those whose special efforts have at last put to bed the friction of the factions to once more unite the OBU and see it functioning again as the fraternity it has always been.  I will certainly be at the AGM to support the propositions to be put.

 I also was pleased to see the mention of a fellow Ag graduate from Sydney Uni among the Old Boys.  There can't be too many of us as Darlo wasn't exactly a rural scene.  From our '52 year there were two, the late Colin Driscoll who was professor of plant breeding at the Waite Institute in Adelaide and myself but with a gap of seven years in our graduation dates.

 Knees also seem to catch up with a lot of us.  Mine are wearing out too.”

You’re certainly in good company with your knees, Peter.

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    Legends

Bill McFall (LC’60) writes, “A little bit of news about my brother Jim ( Jim McFall LC’55). May 2013 Jim had a stroke and collapsed at home, he managed to crawl to the phone and soon after was admitted to the Prince of Wales at Randwick. Some weeks later Jim sufficiently recovered was released. During his time in hospital Jim pestered the docs. with " Will I be able to do the City to Surf in August"?  Jim walked the 14 kms and thus continued being a LEGEND of all 44 City to Surfs. He's done them all, I think there are about 30 Legends.

Soon after that he was called to the Prince of Wales and presented with a certificate for the achievement of doing the event after suffering a stroke. Jim also completed several marathons, his best in just under 3 hours. Today Jim is keeping well but sticks to walking. I think it was a great effort to do what he did. Just a little note to add between Jim and myself, we have done 45 City to Surfs, all you maths gurus, figure that one out.

Regards Bill McFall”

 That has to be a Gold Medal in anybody’s language. Congratulations Jim, from all at the OBU.

Colin Gay (LC’51) now residing with his computer-savvy wife, Noelene, at Camden in a 500 acre retirement village shared some reminiscences of his stunned, first encounters at Darlo. Joining Darlo in 1^st year from Penshurst, Colin saw classmate, Harry Lawry, claim the closest desk to the spiral stair entry. To his amazement, Colin would watch Harry, not once per day but with considerable regularity, slip out and down the stairs during lessons, for a smoke, often returning with a smouldering butt to be kept under the desk.

Colin was there on the day that Ray Lindwall returned to Darlo to address the school and cooly declared a half-day holiday, a practice normally reserved for returning Priests and Brothers. Cheers were none the less passionate.

Colin notes that an old Darlo boy, Gorden Fetterplace used to be Mayor of Camden.

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Len Owen (LC ‘38) of Dalmeny is 92 this year and is currently in respite care. His mobility is compromised but he is still good for a discussion on matters past and present.  Past copies of the “Blue & Blue” attest to his sporting ability.  He was a contemporary of Don Dudgeon and Ray Lindwall.  Len was a widely travelled “trouble shooting” engineer for Burroughs business systems. 

Kyran O’Donnell (LC’52) writes, “I gather that you were in recent contact with Bryan (Smoky) Dawson (LC ‘50) of Moruya Heads and have an understanding of his health difficulties. Our wives are in an embroidery group.  Old Boys are thin the ground on the Far South Coast but I keep my eyes peeled.”

Luncheon Apologies have been received:

Mark Trainor (LC’48) who will be holidaying with his wife, Lynn, advises, “We are travelling to the USA and then sailing around the Baltic.” Bon Voyage Lynn & Mark.

Fr. John Anderson (LC’63), will be in the parish of St. Rose of Lima in Iquitos, Peru where he has been parish priest for 25 years. God bless, Fr. Juan.

Jay Robertson (LC’59) is again involved in the World Blind Golf Championship being held at Nelson Bay. May the Force be with you, Jay.

Barry Lewis (LC’63) will be visiting friends in Mudgee. They say a good dose of country air adds years to your life. You’ll make 100, Barry.

In a recent issue of B&B, we made reference to Kevin Torpy, who was a classmate of Br. Fabian (Geoff Hynes), John Lee, John Musgrave and Laurie Macinante, all pharmacists. Another classmate, also a pharmacist, was kind enough to write in with that advice, in regard to the passing of John Musgrave. Although the advice was included, I neglected to add the contributor’s name, which I have misplaced. My apologies and a request to please contact us again.

Jill Hynes kindly replied on behalf of her husband, Ted. I am Ted (Edmond Harrison ) Hynes' wife Jill.
It is with regret that I write to let you know that Ted is in full time care at De Paul Villa ,Ashmore. This facility is owned and run be the Southport  Catholic Parish here on the Gold Coast.  He is the later stages of Alzheimers.
His brother, Rev Br Fabian (Geoff) Hynes died last year so there will be no one from the family to attend your meeting.  However I know that Ted in particular would have wanted the Old Boys to continue as they have been all along.

The mention of pharmacist Kevin Torpy rang a bell to John Gallagher (HSC’65) who has commitments at Port Botany and also sends his apologies. John writes, “ My old Mum had a fairly serious medical condition which required daily medication. We lived at Villawood in the mid 50s, my Dad ran a General Store opposite the Migrant Hostel.

 The local Chemist, who my Mum had a high regard for, was called Kevin Torpy, a fairly young man at that time, maybe 30ish.  I wonder if he was the Darlo, Kevin Torpy?

It must have been him, John. I had a similar experience which was resolved at the Centenary luncheon when Des Donovan arrived down from Queensland. Des was our local pharmacist in Lexington Place, Maroubra, when my brother and I attended Darlo.

Both Bill Sheehy (HSC’65) and Peter Clarke (HSC’65) are unsure at this stage and both have sent apologies in the event that they cannot make it, so we’ll be keeping 2 seats warm, just in case.

Bernie Woods is also a possible, so that makes 3 warm seats.

Also sending apologies are:

Bill Akhurst; Peter Derriman; Brian Fitzpatrick; Graham Jones; John Kaine; John Kennedy; Duane Norris; Jim O’Brien; Kim O’Brien; Grahame Pomroy; Laurie Portelli; Michael Saul; Alf Silvester; Kevin Riolo O.A.M. and Ronald Young.

Bill McMaugh also sends his apologies but celebrates 70 years since leaving Darlo.

Maintenance & Repairs

About a year ago on the beach at La Perouse, I stepped on something sharp and raised my foot, only to find a hypodermic needle hanging out of it. I was later diagnosed with Hep C. Once there was no cure but now, fortunately, there is. After a year of being jabbed with so many needles that I rival a pin cushion, I’m free of it. So, there is a cure for Hep C for some, but not all, who have been unfortunate enough to get it.

Beyond Blue continues to provide support for anxiety and depression, providing resources for recovery, management and resilience. www.beyondblue.org.au

Thanks for donations especially from those who are no longer with the OBU but who donate in memory of loved ones. The phone calls, letters and emails of gratitude to the OBU Committee for organising the luncheon & getting out the B&B are, as always, very much appreciated.

Please continue to send in your anecdotes and photos.

Servo fidem,

Kym Derriman

mbhsdarlinghurst.org

*LC Year refers to those who sat the LC or HSC in that year and also to their classmates who left school in earlier years.

President, OBU

Kym Derriman

9311 3344

Vice-President

Mark Sinclair

95249760

Secretary/Treasurer

Bill Halcro

9661 7710

Marist Executive

Br. Paul Murphy

0449 640540 

Social Media Portfolio Tim Martin

Sports Portfolio

Jay Robertson 

Sub-Committee

Philip Hogan

Kyran O’Donnell

All mail to:

The Secretary,

MBHSD_OBU

20 Paterson St

Matraville  2036

eMail: darlo@6mins.com