Gentlemen,

     Welcome to the Summer edition, 2022, of the Blue & Blue.

We sincerely hope that this edition finds each of you and your families in good health and free from the ravaging effects of the viruses during this pandemic.

An apology is due for the delay in publication of this edition and you may find that some of the content is somewhat dated. Ever since we began posting content supportive of the democratic movement in Hong Kong and maintaining awareness of the sacrafices of those who perished in Tiananmen Square in 1989, we have had increasing numbers of cyberattacks, paralysing production for extended periods. Our resolve to support democratic struggles in China and elsewhere continues regardless.

Courageous young voices from Marist Canberra and elsewhere remain supportive of human rights, wherein our Marist legacy lies.

Deviating from our usual format to provide uplifting, humorous, challenging and informative information on ex-students and past teachers, we begin this edition with news of those recently departed, particularly with deference to a headmaster of Marist Brothers Darlinghurst, Br. Norman Hart, who resigned and passed the reins to Br. Paul Murphy, the last Principal of Marist Brothers Darlinghurst and biological brother of Br. John Murphy, who is the current Marist Director of Darlo Old Boys' Union.

"Love him or hate him", is a headmaster's legacy but nobody was in doubt of what a brilliant mind Br. Norman Hart had. [Anecdotes] Some have questioned whether the entity held a heart at all, after such cruel discipline dispensed (myself also included). That suggestion has been rebuffed, applauded, rejected and endorsed .... but would Norm have entertained it, even insisted on its inclusion in his legacy? I believe so.

Marists challenge Impossibility ...... again! Leadership is sometimes thrust upon those who seek it least.  

Just prior to Anzac Day about 250 year-9 Marist College students were shown firsthand what Anzac Day means as they participated in Defence initiatives across Canberra. As part of the college's Footsteps program, the students were engaged in an Australian flag laying ceremony at Woden Cemetery, Australian War Memorial, Soldier On presentation with returned soldiers in Gungahlin and a WWI presentation from the ACT Historical Society.

Student Oliver Fitje Du Preez, 14, said, “it means a lot that I can be included in remembering those who served to protect our country and I'm just very grateful for that." Similarly, schoolmate Oscar Allan said it was "very special that we're able to come and visit these places to show respect for those who had fought and died for our safety and freedom.”

 We have added “Reflections” to the Darlo War Records website. All are invited to review & contribute memories.

Warren Thomas Class of ’65) sent in a photo of old classmate, Warren Gray with Br. Norman & Joseph McCabe, aka Br. Bonaventure. “Wazza G. is out here from Prague visiting family. His wife works for the German diplomatic corps and moves around the world every few years.”

Robert Schiavuzzi (Form IV, ’68) writes that, before the last meeting of the Group of 8 (see below- Lost & Found) when they had a dinner together in Victoria St , Darlo, he and Phil Jones (Form IV, ’68) went to the Darlo Bar in Liverpool St for a beer.  “We meet a couple of times a year and are sometimes joined by Joe Fulton (Br Redmond), who taught all of us Latin, English, French , philosophy and so much more. Unfortunately, Joe couldn’t make it on Friday but I’m sure we’ll catch up with him next time.

Also, I caught Tony Zahra by surprise the other day. We’ve worked in Marrickville for many years, he in dentistry and me in medicine, and I only recently noted he was an Old Boy. He had no idea, nor could he have, that I was one too. We had a nice chat.”

Tony Smith (Class of ’64) fortunately caught Eric Mostowyj (Class of ’63) moments before he was about to leap out the window as his alter ego, Super Mos, fighting crime and corruption. In Darlo years, Mos was the fastest thing on 2 feet; so fast, in fact, that some of us suspected that he’d secretly grown another foot.

We heard from Vince Restuccia (Class of ’61) who went from Marist Darlinghurst to St Patrick’s College in the city, Harrington St. to finish his education. “Reflections”

Bill Akhurst (LC 1956) After 54 years in Forestville, Bill and his wife Helen have moved to North Balgowlah.

Bryan Griffin (Class of ’62) writes with “More escapades on the green – “ I have a story about Norm Fraser (Class of ’62) and me that you might enjoy.

The background to this is that I often sneaked on to the Australian golf club during my early teenage years with a couple of mates one of whom was Peter Dawson (Class of '63).  I mentioned this to Norm one time as he was also pretty keen on golf.

So when we were in the Intermediate year or thereabouts, during school holidays, we agreed to meet at the Gardeners Road corner of the club to start at the 6th tee and play as many holes as we could before being ejected.  We played the full course without being questioned so then decided to go across the road to the Lakes golf club.

As the second tee at the old Lakes course was behind a hill, we started there.  About half way around the greenkeeper challenged us and asked us what we were up to.  Norm told him that a family friend who was a member had said that it would be ok to play there in the holidays.  The greenkeeper was dubious about this story but let us play on.  

After we finished the round, we went to the practice green where a couple of members gave us some putting tips!

Norm then caught the bus home while I went back to the Australian and played another 6 holes on my way home.  So Norm had played 35 holes and I'd played 42 (I had already played the fifth hole on my way to meet Norm) on two of the best courses in Sydney, all for free!

    Those were the days!

    NON-FICTION

    The amazing Flynn family – An article which Tony Baine (Class of ’61) kindly contributed an adapted version to the Maristian.

    The Davos proposal: The Great Reset.

Fr. John Anderson (Class of ’63) is a Parish Priest in Iquitos, Peru, on the banks of the Amazon River. The situation there has been horrendous with the pandemic. Any assistance, ‘greatly appreciated.

https://www.catholicweekly.com.au/sydney-priest-serving-on-the-covid-frontline-in-peru/ An online article gives an insight into life prior to the pandemic.

https://www.catholicweekly.com.au/the-sydney-priest-with-a-peruvian-parish/

Concert held in the Basílica de la Sagrada Família, Barcelona. Here the performer is Spanish, the music is Irish bagpipes, and the language is some kind of ancient Arabic, of which, no one can understand a word, and it makes goosebumps still! That’s the wonder of the power.

   In Memoriam

  Brian Oong (Class of ’49) passed away peacefully on Wednesday 21^st July, 2021.

   Vale Brian

  Dr. Gavan Young (Class of ’43), late of Lane Cove, passed away on 5/5/2021 aged 95. Adored  husband of Judy. Loving father to Gavan and father-in-law to Ket and grandfather of Ben, Bill and Tara.

  Vale Gavan

    Health

As reported by an Old Boy: Arthritic inflammation in the thumb joints was given as the cause of his thumb’s upward jerking and pain. “Cortisone injection works, sort of. With Voltarin Anti-inflamatory gel, it’s manageable. Fast forward to each time I use the Viagra (definitely NOT and anti-inflammatory) and the result is difficulty in using a PC keyboard with the thumb’s painful jerking, going beserk. All of which, gives rise (no pun intended) to the ‘No pain, no gain’ aphorism.”

John Gallagher (Class of ’67) continues to battle with serious health issues but it certainly does not impact on his humour. “Reflections”

Grahame Pomroy (Class of ’48) writes:

1. The inventor of the treadmill died at the age of 54

2. The inventor of gymnastics died at the age of 57

3. The world bodybuilding champion died at the age of 41

4. The best footballer in the world Maradona, died at the age of 60.

BUT

5. The KFC inventor died at 94.

6. Inventor of Nutella brand died at the age of 88

7. Imagine, cigarette maker Winston  died at the age of 102

8. The inventor of opium died at the age of 116 in an earthquake

9. Hennessey inventor died at 98.

How did these doctors come to the conclusion that exercise prolongs life?

The rabbit is always jumping up and down but it lives for only 2 years and the turtle that doesn’t exercise at all, lives 400 years.

So, take some rest, chill, stay cool, eat, drink and enjoy your life.

I'm sending my Nike trainers back for a refund.

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    Lost & Found:

We received word from The Group of Eight (Form IV of ‘68, Darlo’s final year) Peter Downey, Robert Schiavuzzi, Phil Modica, Jan Lech, Ray Gilmore, Steve Bacci, Emmanuel Prouzos and Greg Martin. Peter wrote that they are looking for other old classmates and one in particular, Bill Dudgeon, for their next get-together. Bill’s father, Don, was an ex-President of the OBU, however Telstra continues to thwart attempts to reach Don via the number in our records. All help appreciated.

Tony Smith (Class of ’64) went missing in this pandemic. ‘No phone response; no email response and, being an ardent traveller, we had him overseas, stranded in Europe and unable to get back to Oz. As it happened, however, he finally reappeared after an extended sojourn into the countryside, with his defective phone. He, as OBU Treasurer, has subsequently vowed to be more accessible, after he discovered that the OBU Gatekeeper -who had a history of almost flunking maths -was about to be appointed interim Treasurer.

We received news about Bernie Wimble (Class of ’48), celebrating his 90th. Classmates Brian McNally, Larry Hensby, Grahame Pomroy are all on or around that mark, becoming seriously senior citizens.

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    HUMOUR

THIS COULD HAVE BEEN RIGHT OUT OF A “BENNY HILL” EPISODE…BUT IT IS AN ACTUAL POLICE CHASE…AND THE DRIVER IS........................... A WOMAN!

    Coronavirus

    Fitness

    How to Use an Inhaler

    Anti-pollution initiative.

    Titanic

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To the nurses, doctors and wardspeople of hospitals throughout Australia and the world – we wish to join the multitudes, acknowledging your courage and dedication.

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

Servo fidem,

Kym Derriman

Gatekeeper

https://mbhsdarlinghurst.org

 eMail: darlo@6mins.com