Marist Brothers High School Darlinghurst
Blue & Blue
31st. July 2016
eMail:
darlo@6mins.com
Gentlemen,
It was a GREAT moment when Br. Joe McCabe (remembered as Br. Bonaventure) appeared! While sometimes it’s not easy to immediately recognize faces behind what half-century of life presents, Joe’s engaging smile transcended decades. Many had been keenly looking forward to his attendance and he shared himself with the many. We were privileged with Marist Brothers representation as Br. Joe joined Br. Paul Murphy and Br. Michael Curnow at the reunion.
Sometimes even the best-intentioned, like
Noel Reid [LC’47] who
encountered an accident en route to the reunion, are among those
casualties who experience the unexpected.
Peter Dawson [LC’63] assured
the ’63 contingent, “He’ll be here”, as the seat for
Grahame Howe [LC’63]
remained vacant for the entirety of the afternoon. Grahame also incurred
the unexpected and belatedly conveyed his apologies. Similarly
Warren Eggins [LC’55] found
himself savouring hospital food instead of enjoying delicious tucker at
the Rugby Club, as did Bernie
Walford [HSC’67] also. Apart from those previous acknowledged with
their apologies, we also heard from
Frank O’Young [LC’62] who
celebrated the day in China and sent his regards to all.
Paul Finnane [LC’49] was in
hope that his wife’s urging and his physio’s magic may have left him
well enough to travel but it wasn’t to be.
Michael Attard [LC’65] found
himself in Brisbane, particularly disappointed that he was unable to
meet up with Br. Joe McCabe.
Chris
Scott
who has been carrying the baton of the next generation, could not be
with us this reunion, as he’s done with the passing of his dad, Reg.
Drew Derriman joined us for
the first time and carried that baton of the next generation.
James McDonnell
[LC’60] was another casualty to the unexpected, heading off on a
European cycling tour. James reflected on OBU reunions with his Under
15’s MCC winning RL teammate,
Phil Findlay {LC’60].
Noel Reed [LC’47]
featured prominently in the last edition of the
Maristian
(p.35), where his tireless charity work through St Michael’s at Nowra
was acknowledged. Noel had a chance to reflect on the 1947 Darlo’s
athletics & rugby league teams, each winning the inter-school
competition. The Maristian thanked Noel for loaning his school blazer to
Marist Canberra (notably, in lieu of donating it). Clearly Noel, always
thinking ahead, is already preparing his wardrobe for
post-reincarnation.
Many thinking of attending reunions ponder, “Who will be there from my
class?” as opposed to awareness of the pleasure and appreciation that
each attendee’s presence brings to the many, when a face from yesteryear
appears. So in response to requests about who attends, a list of just
the last 3 years is published on the Darlo website:
Luncheon attendees
Many are regular attendees.
Br. Paul Murphy
brought back inspiration from Lourdes as he recounted numerous
experiences of faith personified. He also expounded on the development
of the
Kuya Center
in the Philippines, assisting disadvantaged children.
Dr.
Anthony Zahra O.A.M.
[LC’60] was about to head for Great Barrier Reef on his cruiser when he
received the invitation for the luncheon. He signaled his intent to cut
short his holiday, to fly back for the reunion. After fitting extra fuel
tanks just to make the voyage, that’s real devotion. Tony spoke the
importance of getting out there, enjoying life and taking on new
challenges.
We experienced a range of emotions with impromptu speakers, being taken
from chuckles to laughter to tears as
Kevin Fitzpatrick [LC’58],
Bill Barry [LC’55]
Tony Smith [LC’64], and a
number of others, recounted experiences. If there was ever an inspiring
delivery to be made in praise of what the Brothers of Darlo did for us
and meant to us, Tony Smith
[LC’64] delivered.
It’s always especially engaging when we see siblings attend, as the
McFall, McMaugh, O’Donnell and other clans have done over the years but
understandably with health and passing, numbers diminish. This reunion
saw the presence of the brothers
Grygiel, Chris and John. They were so warmly received as a special
entity and many shared their company. We are a Dying Breed, which is not
a negative comment but very much a positive one. We have the opportunity
to leave a lasting legacy, as a very special fraternity.
Shane Smallwood
[LC’64] finally got to spend more time with his classmates. He
spent 6 months of
1964 in hospital and missed out on finishing school in the normal way.
In 1944, the President of
the Marist Brothers Darlinghurst OBU, T. A. Herbert, was elected as the
President of the newly-formed
Federation of Marist Brothers Old Boys’ Unions. The concept at that
stage was to unite the Marist Old Boys’ Unions of NSW to provide an
extended fraternity and address moral and social issues; to provide a
forum for advice on post-school studies and vocations; and to encourage
Marist causes. The Darlo OBU continues to maintain that legacy at
www.maristalumni.org
In
keeping with OBU tradition and while pursuing the ideals of the
recently-formed
Marist Assn of St Marcellin Champagnat
,
about which Br. Norman Hart spoke at the July 2015 luncheon, the
OBU resolved to continue supporting the young Marist voice of 2009 (1miracle.org),
promulgating "The
Children's Manifesto".
The efforts in that regard to this can be followed at
www.marscom.org/news.htm
as the Children’s Manifesto continues to transcend borders and cultures.
The efforts of students from Champagnat College, Pagewood led an
historic charge into the new millennium to assist disadvantaged
children, when hundreds declared “The Children’s Manifesto.” That number
has already grown to thousands; one day to be millions.
With the OBU database in need of updating, we thank
Dr. Robert Schiavuzzi who
kindly advised of some medicos who had been overlooked for our
toasts. A correction to the last B&B edition is that Robert sat HSC at
Champagnat College Pagewood, not Marcellin, as previously advised.
We warmly welcome Bernard York
[LC’64] to the OBU Executive.
Lost & Found:
“Where is Rowley Mackay?” was heard. Ahhh, Neil Fraser & Rowley Mackay; what a half and five-eight combo for a younger kid watching, to have his football ambition launched into the stratosphere. If somebody has a contact for Roley, please ask him to beam up the OBU.
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Humour:
An interesting exchange between two geniuses ...
*Einstein to Chaplin: "What I most admire about your art... is that you
don't say a word, and the rest of the world understands you."
*Chaplin: "your glory is even greater. The whole world admires you, even
though they don't understand a word of what you say."
_______________________________________
Extract from primary schoolboy’s questionnaire: Q. What happens to
a boy when he reaches puberty?
Answer given: He says goodbye to
his boyhood and looks forward to his adultery.
____________________________________________
Fact:
Try it for free …
an excellent developmental tool for all, especially seniors: brain
training.
N.B. It’s lumosity, not luminosity.
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>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
We could not function without the donors because we try to break even on
the luncheons. Without you, we may be looking at fish & chips in the
park for reunions. So again, ‘our sincere thanks to each of you who have
donated whatever amount.
Servo fidem,
Marist Brothers Darlinghurst Old Boys’ Union
*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
Tony Morrissey
9311 4598
Secretary/Treasurer
Bill Halcro
9661 7710
Marist Executive
Br. Paul Murphy
0449 640540
Tony Smith
Asst. Treasurer
Philip Hogan
Asst. Secretary
Bernard York
Board Member
Sports Portfolio
Jay Robertson
All mail to:
The Secretary,
MBHSD_OBU
20 Paterson St
Matraville 2036
eMail:
Old Boys' Union