Vol 49 / No 2Second Edition2011

The Official Publication of Marist College Ashgrove Old Boys Association Inc.

T H E A S H G R O V I A N

T H E A S H G R O V I A N

DATES TO REMEMBER 2012

PRESIDENTSean Harkin1972-1980 (Maria)51 Celia Street Ashgrove, Q 4060H: 07 3366 6270; M: 0401 137 048E: sjharkin@optusnet.com.au

VICE-PRESIDENTPeter Casey1966-1974 (Linda)8 Tilquin Street, The Gap, Q 4061M: 0438 325 863E: peter.casey@daimler.com

TREASURERChris Shay1985-1989 (Ann-Maree)GPO Box 736 Brisbane, Q 4001H: 07 3356 5728; M 0412 228 565E: Chris.Shay@Bri.crowehorwath.com.au

SECRETARYJim Gardiner 1972-1980 (Kath)14 Kauri Road, Ashgrove, Q 4060P: 07 33667005; M: 0410 565 800E: jcgardiner@optusnet.com.au

CommITTEETony Hogarth1971-1976 (Sandra)26 Whitehead Road, The Gap, Q 4061P: 07 3300 3420; W: 07 3224 0369M: 0419 643 597E: thogarth@mullinslaw.com.au

Stuart Laing1969-1977 (Louise)73 Oleander Drive, Ashgrove Q 4060P: 07 3366 5188; M 0428 709 733E: lslaing@bigpond.net.au

John O’Hare1964-1972 (Jane)3 Kenwyn Road, Red Hill, Q 4059P: 07 3369 4860; W 07 3366 3559E: jonnohare55@hotmail.com

Mark Kierpal1981-1988 (Martine)PO Box 361, Paddington, Q 4064P: 07 3352 5275; W 07 3118 0600M: 0400 517 745E: mark.k@dtsgroupqld.com.au

Jack Laracy1945-1953 (Karin)259 Payne Road, The Gap, Q 4061P: 07 3300 1622E: j.laracy@qut.edu.au

Dominick Melrose1985-1992 (Rebecca)46 Hawkes Avenue, Arana Hills, Q 4054P: 07 3851 2828; M: 0430 030 044E: dom@royalchefselection.com

Shane Harkin1969-1978 (Lisa)43 Mount Nebo Road, The Gap, Q 4061P: 07 3300 1920; M: 0408 198 318E: sharkin@bigpond.net.au

Anthony Collins 1973-1978 (Joanne)50 Banksia Ave, Ashgrove, Q 4060 P: 3366 0871; W: 3229 5448M: 0417 336 977E: collinsapj@bigpond.com

Friday 30 March Golf Day Saturday 19 May Old Boys Sport Day vs St. Laurence’s Come along and welcome back our 1st teams from 1952, 1962 and 1972Friday 17 August Vintage Blue & Gold Lunch for classes from 1940 to 1972Friday 5 October Reunion Mass and Evening function at The Cyprian Pavilion

Check the Old Boys website at WWW.MARASH.QLD.EDU.AU/OLDBOYS for further details.

T H E A S H G R O V I A N

PRESIDENT’S REPORT

As the year draws to the end the Old Boys Association has enjoyed another successful year.

At the Senior Graduation in November, I will again have the pleasure of welcoming the Class of 2011 as newest members of the Old Boys’ Association. Each graduating Senior will be presented with a certificate of membership, an Old Boys’ tie and the three violets badge. This evening will be even more special for me, as on a personal note, I will be welcoming my eldest son, Johnny, as a Marist College Ashgrove Old Boy.

At the end of this year the College will lose a long standing and valued member of the Leadership Team. Mrs Margaret Keetels is retiring. Margaret has been an integral part of the entire College community over many years which has ensured that the students have benefitted from her knowledge, experience and her personal assistance. Margaret’s passion for the College was always evident and this passion, I am positive, has contributed to the success that many young men from the College are now enjoying. I wish her all the best in her retirement.

The Old Boys’ Association has again been able to financially support students at the College in the form of bursaries. These bursaries provide assistance to those who may not be in the position to otherwise provide a Marist education for their sons. The Old Boys’ Association has also continued to provide assistance, financially or otherwise, to other projects in and around the College.

I have thoroughly enjoyed the last couple of years as the President of the Old Boys’ Association. The committee has been able to organise and support some marvellous events and functions. The continued support of former Old Boys and the College community will ensure that these functions will remain as permanent fixtures on the OBA calendar.

I would also like to thank Peter McLoughlin, Headmaster. Peter has always made himself available to the Old Boys’ Association and attended the functions. Peter is a tremendous supporter of the OBA.

My thanks also to Richard Ward, Michael Druce and other members of the College Leadership Team and Matthew Tarlinton and staff. Their assistance and advice contributed to the success of the functions

My personal thanks to the committee who have taken time to not only attend meetings but also attend (and work) at the functions held at the College.

Last, but certainly not least, the OBA would not be able to function without the commitment and assistance of Kay Wells. The behind the scenes work that Kay does for the OBA is central to OBA activities. Kay, many thanks for your patience (with me), advice and all you do for us.

I encourage anyone who would like to get involved with the OBA please do so.

I wish one and all a safe and Holy Christmas and New Year. I trust that 2012 will be just as rewarding.

Viriliter Age

Sean HARKINPRESIDENT

T H E A S H G R O V I A N

FROM THE HEADMASTERDear Members of the Old Boys’ Association

Two hundred Old Boys attended your Reunion night on 30 September. The age difference between the youngest and the oldest was over forty years! There was a great spirit of camaraderie and renewing friendships. Plenty of stories were shared.

I spoke to the boys at the College Assembly some five days later about how fortunate we are that our Old Boys care about each other and care about the College. I asked them if they wondered what it would be like to return to Marist for a reunion in 2056 just like the 1966 class did on 30 September. They found that hard to comprehend.

With regard to the stories being shared, it reminded me of Tony Parsons’ reflection, The Eight Decades of Man.

At ten years old he wants to be tough At twenty he wants to be cool At thirty he wants to be free At forty he wants to belong Atfiftyhewantstobefit At sixty he wants to be rich At seventy he wants to be healthy At eighty he wants to be alive.

As the 2011 year draws to a close, I would like to sincerely thank the members of the Old Boys’ Committee who have shown great commitment to the Old Boys’ Association. Special thanks to Sean Harkin who completes his second year as President of the Old Boys’ Association. Sean has been tireless in his efforts and I’d like to thank him on behalf of all of you.

Sincere best wishes to you all for a joyous Christmas and prosperous 2012.

With every good wishYours in Jesus, Mary and St Marcellin

Peter McLoughlinHEADMASTER

T H E A S H G R O V I A N

CLASS OF 2011Zacary Adams, GSamuel Allen-Ankins, RBen Andrews, FSamuel Banister, GHarri Banney, DJames Barker, EMark Barnett, HMatthew Barr, EJesse Beikoff, FThomas Benfield, ETim Bethel*, HChristopher Bobbermen, ETom Bolger*, RJohn Bolton, IJed Brisbane, GArvin Brown, SJack Brown, HDaniel Burns, DMarty Busby, GMitchell Busby, GMitchell Butcherine, FMax Callaghan, ECharles Cameron*, DAidan Campbell, GAlex Campbell, RBilly Campbell, HDean Campbell, ERiley Campbell, ETom Campbell, RMatthew Capelo, DJustin Carlin, IHarrison Carnes, ERobert Casamento, DTom Casey, SGarrick Cash, GMatthew Coleman, IKyle Coombs*, DSam Cootes*, SJames Copley*, DClancy Cosgrove*, FNick Coughlan*, IBrad Cox, HNick Crotty, SChris Cullen, HAlex Curran*, IJames Currell, IMyles Darwin, DElliot Davies, SLuke De Michele, HThomas De Voss, SJames Den Elzen, FHarrison Dever*, GEdward Donaldson*, HJack Downes, FCameron Doyle*, DCian Duff, DJeremy Duff, RThomas Duncan*, GHayden Durre, HBrock Edwards, FBen Emmott*, HDane Eneberg, EJames Ferry*, G

Reuben Fon-Lowe, GKris Fracchia, RMitchell Fuller*, FJames Gatling, DJared Gelsomino, FBen Genis*, GJack Geraghty, RDennis Gibson, GRyan Glasson, ISebastian Gowing, RLiam Grace, HJosh Gray, SFraser Grehan, GOliver Grouhel, DEddie Guan*, EJames Hannan, IDave Hannigan*, DJack Harding, SMatt Hardy, RJohn Harkin, GAidan Harris, IJames Harvey, SJacob Hastings, IMatthew Hayes*, RJames Heales, DSam Heather, FKieran Hehir, EReece Herrick, RMax Herron-Vellacott, HBen Hislop, RRobert Hodge, DCharlie Hodgetts, ELuke Hodgkinson, SJoseph Hogan, FHarry Homan, HNicholas Howlie, DBen Hutchinson, INicholas Jabbour, GShaquille Jamnadas* DTomas Jeffery, HStephen Johnstone, RLachlan Jowitt, RJeremy Kelly, DHayden Kennedy, EThomas Kenny, GJonathan Kent, RHarrison King, FEthan Lamont*, DWilliam Lancashire, DOliver Lane-Porter, EBen Lardner, DPhi-Hung Le Vu, GRory Leahy, HTyson Lean, SSamuel Ledingham*, SHarrison Lee, SMichael Lee, SGene Lifu*, DZachary Lilwall, FKenneth Lopez-Loo*, HMatthew Low, SJordan Lynagh, ESheldon Mac Ruari*, I

Clark Maclean, GKieran Maguire*, FBen Manthey, IFrank Mara*, IRiley Marnane, EHarry Marshall*, RCampbell Mason, HOliver McCall, EAlexander McGuire*, DDaniel McKendry, ICallum McLauchlan, GJoch McLean*, EMatthew McLean, HJake McMahon, SLachie McRae, GConor McWhirter, ILachlan Menhinnitt, RDaniel Mitchell, RJacob Moloney, RHarry Moore*, FBradley Morahan, DJack Moran, RMatthew Morrell, SDeclan Morris, HAlex Mortimer, SSam Morton, GMatt Muller, DJack Murch*, ENoah Murphy, RIsaac Nation, GJames Neill, GConor Neligan, IAdam Nelson, IMitchell Neumann, EJackson Nobes, HAlex Notting, SJack O'Brien, HMitchell O'Brien, IZack O'Brien, IPeter O'Donovan, FJames O'Hara, GLachlan O'Keeffe, FMitchell O'Keeffe, GAaron Ormsby*, SDaniel Osborne, HLuke O'Toole, ENicholas Outram, DEmmerson Ovenden, DJ-J Pale, IDarcy Paton, HTimothy Peake, GTom Penny, FThomas Pirrone, SMarvin Pleintinger*, HHarry Podbury, SMatt Poutsma, HSeamus Power, RJacob Puryer, DElijah Rafter, I

Hilton Ramaccio Calvino, FJake Rector, HWill Redmond*, RBilly Renouf, IJames Rigby, DHayden Robinson, FJarryd Rogers, RNick Rogers, FNicholas Rossi, GJoshua Russell-Ahern, EEthan Scott, SRichard Sevil*, FLachlan Sforcina*, SBrendan Sheil*, RTyler Small, HDominic Smith, IJordan Smith*, ITim Smith*, IJens Springborg*, IOliver Stack, RRhys Steedman, FDuncan Stephens, RLuke Stevens, HSam Stevens, SJayke Stevenson, RJoe Stokes, GCharlie Strong, FBen Stubbings*, IMitchell Stubbings, STom Sue-Yek, SKevin Ta, FNick Tan, SLewis Teevan, EHamish Teitzel*, RMatthew Thomas, HTyronne Thomas, GWill Thomasson*, FLachlan Thompson, EHamish Thomson*, GHenri Thorsen, HTom Tobin, IMichael Toolis, ETim Tracey, IBowden Trott*, SRyan Underwood, DDominic Vidler, HMatt Villalba, FAleksie Villis, FThomas Visentin, EBilly Walters, DMorgan Warmington, FBenjamin Waters*, DNiall Watkins, EJack Watson*, SDaniel Wong*, EBenjamin Wood, EJoshua Wright, EAndrew Yong-Gee, RGeorge Young*, G

Key for Name List* beside name indicates boarder.Letter beside name indicates House, e.g. D=Ridley, E=Ephrem, F=Foley, G=Gilroy, H=Harold, I=Ignatius, R=Rush and S=Slattery

T H E A S H G R O V I A N

BAcK ROW: Max Callaghan, Tom Visentin, Chris Bobberman, Jordan Lynagh, Charlie Hodgetts, Hayden Kennedy

THIRD ROW: Riley Campbell, Oliver Lane-Porter, Matt Barr, Harrison Carnes, Dane Eneberg, Luke O’Toole, Eddie Guan

SEcOND ROW: Joshua Russell-Ahern, Tom Benfield, Ben Wood, Mitch Neumann, Niall Watkins, Dean Campbell, James Barker, Daniel Wong

FRONT ROW: Kieran Hehir, Josh Wright, Jack Murch, Jock McLean, Riley Marnane, Michael Toolis,Lewis Teevan, Oliver McCall

ABSENT: Lachlan Thompson

WELCOME TO THE OLD BOYS’ ASSOCIATION

Year 12 Ridley House

Year 12 Ephrem House

BAcK ROW: Shaquille Jamnadas, Nick Howlie, Will Lancashire, Jeremy Kelly, Myles Darwin, Billy Walters, Charlie Cameron, James Copley

SEcOND ROW: Harrison Banney, Brad Morahan, James Gatling, Nicholas Outram, Alex McGuire, Matthew Muller, Dave Hannigan

FRONT ROW: James Rigby, Ryan Underwood, Robert Casamento

Emerson Ovenden, Robert Hodge, James Heales, Ben Lardner, Cameron Doyle

T H E A S H G R O V I A N

BAcK ROW: Joseph Hogan, Jesse Beikoff, Harrison King, Sam Heather, Nick Rogers, Zac Lilwall, Kieran Maguire

SEcOND ROW: Aleksie Villis, Richard Sevil, Rhys Steedman, Hilton Ramaccio Calvino, Mitch Fuller, Harry Moore, Ben Andrews, Lachlan O’Keeffe

FRONT ROW: James Den Elzen, Kevin Ta, Jared Gelsomino, Will Thomasson, Clancy Cosgrove, Hayden Robinson, Mitchell Butcherine, Matt Villalba

ABSENT: Brock Edwards, Scott Malolua, Morgan Warmington, Charlie Strong, Jack Downes, Tom Penny

BAcK ROW: Garrick Cash, John Harkin, Jed Brisbane, Isaac Nation, Lachie McRae, Mitchell Busby, George Young, Fraser Grehan, Sam Morton, Nicholas Rossi

SEcOND ROW: James Ferry, James Neill, James O’Hara, Tyronne Thomas, Callum McLaughlan, Harry Dever, Tom Duncan, Zac Adams, Nicholas Jabbour

FRONT ROW: Sam Banister, Clarke Maclean, Hamish Thomson, Reuben Fon-Lowe, Mitchell O’Keeffe, Dennis Gibson, Ben Genis, Joe Stokes, Tom Kenny.

WELCOME TO THE OLD BOYS’ ASSOCIATION

Year 12 Foley House

Year 12 Gilroy House

T H E A S H G R O V I A N

WELCOME TO THE OLD BOYS’ ASSOCIATION

BAcK ROW: Harry Homan, Billy Campbell

FIFTH ROW: Luke De Michelle, Henri Thorsen, Hayden Durre, Marvin Pleintinger, Mark Barnett, Declan Morris

FOURTH ROW: Kenneth Lopez Loo, Jackson Nobes, Darcy Paton, Jack O’Brien, Campbell Mason, Ed Donaldson

THIRD ROW: Liam Grace, Daniel Osborne, Rory Leahy, Jake Rector

SEcOND ROW: Jack Brown, Brad Cox, Matthew Mc Lean, Dominic Vidler, Tomas Jeffery, Luke Stevens

FRONT ROW: Ben Emmott, Tyler Small, Matt Poutsma, Chris Cullen, Tim Bethel

ABSENT: Max Herron Vellacott, Matthew Thomas

Year 12 Harold House

BAcK ROW: Jens Springborg, Nick Coughlan, James Currell, James Hannan, Ben Hutchinson, Ryan Glasson, Conor Mcwhirter, Zack O’Brien, Tim Tracey

THIRD ROW: Daniel McKendry, Alex Curran, Sheldon Mac Ruari, John Bolton, Aidan Harris, Mitchell O’Brien

SEcOND ROW: Matthew Coleman, Elijah Rafter, Ben Manthey, Dominic Smith, Adam Nelson, Tom Tobin, Justin Carlin

FRONT ROW: Conor Neligan, J-J Pale, Billy Renouf, Tim Smith, Jordan Smith, Ben Stubbings, Frank Mara

ABSENT: Jacob Hastings

Year 12 Ignatius House

T H E A S H G R O V I A N

BAcK ROW: Seamus Power

THIRD ROW: Stephen Johnstone, Brendan Sheil, Noah Murphy, Matt Hardy, Hamish Teitzel, Lachlan Menhinnitt, Tom Bolger, Stephen Duncan, Ben Hislop

SEcOND ROW: Oliver Stack, Alex Campbell, Jayke Stevenson, Jacob Moloney, Reece Herrick, Kris Fracchia, Harry Marshall, Sam Allen-Ankins, Jack Geraghty

FRONT ROW: Lachlan Jowitt, Will Redmond, Daniel Mitchell, Jon Kent, Matthew Hayes, Seb Gowing, Tom Campbell, Andrew Yong Gee, Jack Moran

ABSENT: Jeremy Duff, Jarryd Rogers

WELCOME TO THE OLD BOYS’ ASSOCIATION

Year 12 Rush House

BAcK ROW: Alex Notting, Sam Stevens, Matt Morrell

SEcOND ROW: Lachlan Sforcina, Tom Sue-Yek, Jake McMahon, Jack Harding, Alex Mortimer, Tom Casey, Matt Low, Josh Gray, Mitch Stubbings, Tyson Lean and Ethan Scott

FRONT ROW: Luke Hodgkinson, James Harvey, Michael Lee, Nick Tan, Harry Podbury, Harry Lee

ABSENT: Arvin Brown, Sam Cootes, Nick Crotty, Elliot Davies, Tom De Voss, Sam Ledingham, Aaron Ormsby, Tom Pirrone, Bowden Trott, Jack Watson

Year 12 Slattery House

T H E A S H G R O V I A N

RECENT REUNIONS

cLASS OF 1966

Well it all started with these blokes who walked into the Bar at the Cyprian Pavilion, some of them dressed more casually than others might I say. They were there to celebrate the reunion of their school year, heaps of them turned up from 1966, 1976, 1981, 1986 plus a big mob from 2001. Should have heard them, talking about tales from school like you had not heard before. Needed a set of ear muffs it was so loud.

There was Billy Andrews and Chris Healey from 1966 with a bunch of mates from their year, one of them nearly choked on his T-shirt for this year’s Rugby World Cup. From 1976 Mark Foley & Tony Hogarth had to call order amongst their rowdy crew. Trevor Graham had his version of events of their era with Damien Tehan building the excitement and John Orr suggesting there would be a story to write about this night out.

From the 1981 year group Darren Ray arrived sporting his original College tie which had either shrunk or he has grown considerably - would imagine the tie had shrunk. With full of cheer the stories overflowed with John Taylor laying the foundations of tales of yesteryear, and it was Leo Watts’ engineering the plans that would follow. There was Mick Frisby and David Stower with their electric recollections of events and no doubt Mr Ellison could take account of their actions. Just as well Anthony Collins and Mark Darwin were there to lay down the law.

Great work by Stephen Williams to get the 1986 group together. Champion effort in communicating with all and very much appreciated by his peers. It was Andrew Tipping who tried to get a grip on Paul Downs but not all goes to plan. By crickey these lads were having fun by the mischief they displayed.

And there was the 2001 year group, heaps of them. They were spilling out all over the room. These fine young men are still as close as ever and very supportive of the College. A sure sign of what the College does with its fine young boys going through the College system.

Many thanks to all those who supported the night. The Old Boys appreciate your support.

Stuart Laing

T H E A S H G R O V I A N

cLASS OF 1976

cLASS OF 1981

cLASS OF 2001

RECENT REUNIONS

cLASS OF 1986

T H E A S H G R O V I A N

T H E A S H G R O V I A N

Saint Marcellin Champagnat founded the Marist Brothers in 1817. He was a hard working and unpretentious man with a gentle compassion for the disadvantaged. The Marist tradition challenges us to be conscious of caring for people and their needs which our Founder insisted was central to his work and any good education.

The Champagnat Trust was established in 2005 for this purpose. It helps families in necessitous circumstances to educate their sons in the Marist traditions. Champagnat Trust bursary recipients are selected on the basis of financial need (they are Saint Marcellin’s ‘least favoured’).

Applications for assistance to board at Marist College Ashgrove in Years 10, 11 and 12 are invited each year.

We are inviting you as an Old Boy of our College to assist us in this endeavour by helping to raise the funds needed to further extend the bursary fund.

Donations to the Champagnat Trust are fully tax deductable

The Champagnat Trust is administered by the Foundation Board under the patronage of Old Boys, John Eales AO and Mathew Hayden AO.

We currently assist 12 families with Champagnat Bursaries. If you have any questions about your contribution please contact me 38584584. I look forward to receiving your donation form.

Kindest regards

Wayne Hansen Sean HarkinMarist college Ashgrove President Old Boys AssociationFoundation and champagnat Trust Manager Old Boy 1980Old Boy 1972

T H E A S H G R O V I A N

Earlier in the morning as a number of storms passed over Brisbane the Race Day was looking like it was going to be a wet affair. However, prayers were answered and the clouds parted and the blue skies appeared. Although numbers were down on last year’s day approximately 70 College supporters, including Headmaster Peter McLoughlin and members of the Brothers’ community, Br Ray Mulvogue and Br Roger Burke, again rallied at the “Laboratory” nestled in the old grandstand at Eagle Farm to enjoy the sophisticated surrounds.

The ample food complemented the atmosphere while those keen to make a name for themselves as “punters” studied their form guide and visited the TAB to place a wager or two.

There were many familiar faces of those who have patronised this event for a number of years and it was tremendous to see them back again, keen to enjoy the company of others and hopefully, back a winner or two.

The ladies were all stunning with the gents adding a touch of style to the fashions as well. There were some who managed to have a few wins and there were some, well they tell me, they will be ready for next year.

My special thanks to those who have supported this event for numerous years. The warm, friendly atmosphere and seeing people genuinely enjoying themselves makes this event worthwhile.

Hope to see you at next year’s Race Day.

Sean HarkinPRESIDENT

OLD BOYS’ RACE DAY - SATURDAY 15 OCTOBER 2011

Regular Race Day “goers” (left to right) Paul Martin, Petrina Martin, Lea Affleck, Greg Affleck, Tracy Edwards, Mitchell Edwards.

Enjoying the outside deck are (left to right) Anthony Richardson, Julian Harrison (1982), Daniel and Lisa Tonino and Wendy Richardson

Please pray for the repose of the soul of the following:

• Mr Ivor Solomon, father of Br Neville Solomon, Headmaster at the College from 2003 to 2008. Mr Solomon passed away at his home on Tuesday 6 September 2011, aged 84. Br Neville travelled back from France to be with his mother and family.

• Fr Basil Meaney (1943), who passed away at St. Vincent’s Hospital Kangaroo Point on 29 May 2011. See separate article in this edition.

PRAYERS PLEASE

T H E A S H G R O V I A N

“IT’S MORE THAN A GAME, A HISTORY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF QLD RUGBY UNION cLUB – THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS”

John O’Hare (72) with Peter Meares and Jim Meaney has co-authored “It’s More Than a Game, A History of the University of Queensland Rugby Union Club - The First Hundred Years.”

This book has been several years in production and was launched at the Brisbane Convention Centre as the final part of the UQ Club’s Centenary Celebrations on October 29, 2011.The 2 Volume, 600 page book is a chronicle of Brisbane Club Rugby Union and details the human side of the game as well as results.

Marist College Ashgrove Old Boys feature prominently with three UQ Club Wallabies - Paddy Batch, Nigel Kassulke and Pat Howard and many State and Club players. These include Bryan Kassulke, Mark Biltoft and Jack Laracy in the early 50s; Mick Talbot, Paddy, Terry and Brian Batch, Nigel Kassulke, Bill McDonnell, Aust. Schoolboy; David Barbagallo and David Meehan in the 70s and 80s; Pat Howard in the 90s; Ashley Elphinstone in the 2000’s and culminating with Uni’s 2010 premiership winning coach, Mick Heenan.

Contributions from Des Connor, Ted Heinrich, Alex Pope, David L’Estrange, Barry Honan, John Connolly, Brendan Moon, Michael Crank, Michael Cook, John Eales and Andrew Cole have added to the dynamics of the book giving it a richness and depth. Br. Cyprian’s contribution to the code in the early days has also been recognized and many Ashgrove Old Boys have been mentioned throughout the book as Marist College Ashgrove has played a very significant part in the success and growth of Rugby in Queensland.

This enjoyable book is available for order via the U.Q.R.F.C. website or email John O’Hare at jonnohare55@hotmail.com $70 for soft cover and $200 for hardcover edition.

Footnote: John was able to kindly present a copy to Mr Peter McLoughlin, Headmaster of Marist College Ashgrove at the Old Boys Meeting on November 1, 2011 for the College library.

John advised of the inspiration he drew from his teachers in particular Br. Alexis, Leo Slattery, Barry Honan, Br John McDonnell and Br John Maguire, family and schoolmates who provided the self-belief to attempt this enormous task.

JOHN O’HARE - IT’S MORE THAN A GAME

Old Boys Sport DaySaturday 19 May 2012

Marist college Ashgrove vs

St Laurence’s college

Come along and welcome back members of the 1st XV teams of 1952, 1962 and 1972 from both Colleges

Presentation of players prior to 1st XV match

LUNCH AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE BY ALL SUPPORTERS FROM THE MAIN CANTEEN

ALL VERY WELCOME

T H E A S H G R O V I A N

T H E A S H G R O V I A N

T H E A S H G R O V I A N

FORMER WALLABY PAT HOWARD HAS POINTED AcROSS THE TASMAN TO JUSTIFY HIS LEFT FIELD APPOINTMENT AS ONE OF THE MOST POWERFUL PEOPLE IN AUSTRALIAN cRIcKET DESPITE NO FORMAL BAcKGROUND IN THE SPORT.

Howard highlighted the chief of the current rugby world cup, Martin Snedden, who is a former New Zealand opening bowler. “Martin Snedden is running the World Cup in a rugby mad country,” Howard told The Daily Telegraph. “This is not that unique.”

Captain Michael Clarke, the new head coach, chairman of selectors and centre of excellence manager will all report to Howard in his role as general manager of team performance.

At 37 he is just a year older than former captain Ricky Ponting.

The new position was one of the key recommendations of the Argus review in August, which has seen all the selectors and coach Tim Nielsen depart.

Howard will play a significant role in choosing the new coach and selectors before joining Cricket Australia in a full-time capacity. He will also have the huge task of trying to integrate national and state development programs in an attempt to produce better Australian cricketers.

Howard has an impressive rugby and business background.

After playing 20 Tests for the Wallabies he played in France, was a successful coach of the Leicester Tigers rugby team and with his sports science background was high performance manager with the Australian Rugby Union. His administrative experience includes being part of the panel which selected Robbie Deans as the current coach of the Wallabies.

A pharmacist, he also has commercial experience, including his current role as chief operating officer of Cromwell Property Group, and was a board member of the Rugby Union Players’ Association.

Howard jokes that the highlight of a very modest cricket career was sneaking on to the playing field to be 12th man for four overs during a Leicester County cricket match while he was coach of the Leicester Tigers.

“I have a great interest in cricket, I love the game, but at the same time I do have a high performance background and hopefully that will be complimentary to the captain and selectors.” he said.

ARU boss John O’Neill also endorsed the appointment.

“I have enormous regard for him,” O’Neill said.

“There is an element of left field about this selection but I think it can work. His skill set in elite player management is quite transportable.

[Taken from www.dailytelegraph.com.au]

The Old Boys’ Association congratulates Pat on his new appointment.

PAT HOWARD - OLD BOY 1990

T H E A S H G R O V I A N

ADRIAN TULLY - OLD BOY 19961996 OLD BOY ADRIAN TULLY PERFORMS WITH THE BERLIN PHILHARMONIc ORcHESTRA

The College has recently received the news that Old Boy Adrian Tully performed with the world famous Berlin Philharmoniker on the 25th August at the Waldbühne amphitheatre in Berlin, the home of the Orchestra’s Summer Concerts. With over 20,000 attendees, these are some of the most popular classical music concerts in the world.

After graduating from Marist in 1999 Adrian studied at the Qld Conservatorium, before completing his studies in Europe with Jean-Yves Fourmeau, Christian Wirth and Arno Bornkamp, gaining the Prix de Perfectionnement, Diplome d'etudes Musicales and his Masters of Music. Adrian is currently based in Berlin, Germany.

As soloist, Adrian performed the Dutch premiere of Thierry Escaich's concerto 'Le Chant des Tenebres' in the Concertgebouw, Amsterdam and has been laureate of several European competitions. He has also performed with the Queensland Symphony Orchestra and the Netherlands Radio Kamer Filharmonie.

While at Marist Adrian was a member of the Colleges Symphony Orchestra, Big Band 1 and Wind Orchestra performing on Saxophone, Flute and Oboe. The Berlin Philharmonic is recognised worldwide as one of the top classical orchestras. This is a tremendous achievement for Adrian of which the Old Boys are very proud.

congratulations Adrian.

Friday 19 August 2011 saw Peter McLoughlin, Headmaster, welcome members of classes from 1940 to 1971 back to the College. The day commenced with a tour of the College, including the new state of the art Br Alexis Turton Science Centre. Many guests had returned to the College for the first time, in a long time, and thoroughly enjoyed this experience.

Some memories of their time at the College included:

• A solid grounding for future life (Greg Moffat 1971);• Living in The Tower. Br Cyprian said it might be a good idea to play for the school against a GPS school side.

He tried to hide me in a scrum. I lasted one scrum. (Mark Biltoft 1952);• A raid by the sub-Seniors in the old dormitory with Br Hugh. Also looking out the back window and seeing an

older boarding student trying to ring the neck of a chook for food. (Peter Maloney 1962);• I have never forgotten my years here (1963-65). Lots of initiations and met many good people and Australia

classmates who invited me to their homes and helped me settle down. The Brothers were my mentors. I had a great time and a good education. (Robert Wong 1965).

It was a pleasure to be able to welcome you back to the College and look forward to seeing you again next year.

You might like to note next year’s lunch for classes from 1940 to 1972 will be held Friday 17 August 2012. Information will appear on the website and the next Ashgrovian.

Old Boys committee

VINTAGE BLUE & GOLD LUNCH 2011

This lunch is a wonderful opportunity for classes from 1940 – 1972 to hold their reunions. Should you wish to discuss this please contact Stuart Laing 0428 709 733 or email lslaing@bigpond.net.au

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Br Oliver was Headmaster at Rosalie (1944-45), and at Ashgrove in the immediate years after WWII (1945-46). One can only imagine the difficulties he had to face as he tried to re-start the College, which had de-camped to Tamborine during the War. Not only did Br Oliver carry a full teaching load, he was the religious superior of the Brothers who were colourful characters in their own right. Old Boys of that period will remember: Brother Claver (“Bull”) who looked like Friar Tuck on a bad day; Brother Chanel (“Charlie”) who smoked the forbidden weed and tootied around Brisbane on a motor bike; Brother Ferrer who was a little severe for us frivolous hobbledehoys from Ashgrove, Rosalie, et el.

I first fell under Oliver’s spell at Rosalie. He was a revolution! In the classroom and out! His predecessor, who will remain nameless, had made the study of Shakespeare transcendentally boring. Oliver changed all that. He made us see, in the eye of the imagination, what it was like to march with Coriolanus, and, most enchantingly, plot mayhem in the Dream. His Puck was mischievous, but his favourite character was Bottom the Weaver – hilarious! At Ashgrove his Lady Macbeth was terrifying. Once again, Oliver deployed a different voice for each of the characters. We students were transported!

Oliver also taught, or tried to teach, a course called Apologetics. This was a course in Church teaching. Even Oliver could not redeem the whole boring business! An honourable defeat! Determined to make us cultured hobbledehoys, Oliver would do things like escort us to the City Hall to learn about classical music from such brilliant teachers as Sir Bernard Heinze. To continue the intercultural process, he hired two women, Mrs Gilroy and her assistant, Valerie (whom we all fell in love with – in vain, because she would choose the great 5/8, John Brosnan).

One of the several human qualities that were on display in Oliver’s life was his sense of humour. When I asked him to write a reference for me, something I needed to be accepted by the seminary I was applying to, he threw up his hands in mock despair and cried out to the heavens: “Must I perjure myself?!” I was convulsed! This is not to say he didn’t have his faults, victim, like all of us, of Original Sin. I once saw him go berserk when he found one of the Juniors reading a scurrilous newspaper called ‘Smith’s Weekly’. Underneath that witty, charming exterior, obviously there lurked an explosive temper!

TRIBUTE TO BR OLIVER BY FATHER PAT CONNOR

Oliver went on, after two years at Ashgrove (“He could charm the legs off an iron pot,” said one Ashgrovian mother) to head up other schools. I visited him at New Norcia, Western Australia, where squadrons of flies tormented the monks and students alike – not to mention visitors! He also did a stint as Provincial of the Brothers. I reminded him that Thomas Aquinas had said: “It’s one of the tasks of the Religious Superior to raise the level of mirth in the community.” No problem there!

He spent the last years of his life as convivial company for the Marist community in Darwin, where I visited him in 2006. It was clear that he was raising the level of the mirth of the community! If I had to choose someone to make the last years of my life joyous, well, it’s pretty obvious, from the above, that I would choose ......Bottom the Weaver!

Written by Father Pat Connor, SVD, Bordentown, NJ, USA. Ashgrove – class of 1946.

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SPORTS RESULTS

AIc AGGREGATE PLAcINGS 2011

cricket 1st

Volleyball 5th

Rugby 1st

Football 3rd

Basketball 3rd

Tennis 1st

Swimming 1st

cross country 4th

Track & Field 4th

AIc 1ST TEAM PLAcING 2011

cricket 1st

Volleyball 2nd

Rugby eq. 1st

Football 1st

Basketball 6th

Tennis 1st

Swimming (opens) 3rd

cross country (opens) 7th

Track & Field (opens) 1st

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ALL PROCEEDS GO DIRECTLY TO THE MARIST BROTHER FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE KUYA CENTRE FOR STREET CHILDREN IN MANILA

OLD BOYS’ SUPPORT FORJOHN GILFOYLE’S LATEST BOOK

You'd Better Bloody Believe It!

What's it all about? With few exceptions, this new book contains previously unpublished stories about real people as well as stories from many of the characters encountered by the authors over the last 50 years. It's a record of the Aussie way of life. It's all true (well, nearly all!) and you are guaranteed to find a few laughs; maybe you'll shed a tear. There are poems about mateship and the Aussie spirit and you'll meet Br Paul Murphy and learn something about his work with street kids.

Early sales have already covered costs; from now on all proceeds will go direct to the Marist Brothers for the benefit of the Kuya Centre for Street Children in Manila.

For more information or to order - visit -

www.johngilfoyle.com

What they are saying:“This book takes readers back to another time and place … the joyous recollection of what has been.” Hugh Lunn, St Lucia.

“Well done. Great stories of true Aussie characters, their humour, mateship and fondness for ‘Taking the Mickey’. A wonderfully entertaining book.” Judy Ross, Belmont.

“Bugger you Gilly! I’m supposed to be planting spuds, fertilising the lawn and I’m also trying to find time to go down town and help sell some Legacy Badges. The bloody book is the problem; it won’t stay down - and you’d better bloody believe it!” Warwick Butler, Roma.

“Lloyd hasn’t stopped laughing since we got it!” Bobbie Harms, Kingsthorpe.

“My father-in-law, Gordon Weber, has read all your books. We give him a copy of the latest one for Christmas then have to drag it out of his hands so he can have his Christmas dinner.” Trish Weber, Mt Tyson.

“That bloody book got me in strife with my wife. Sue was asleep while I was reading in bed and the third time my laughing woke her up she burst out, ‘Aw give it a rest, Virgil; it can’t be that funny!’” Virgil Kenny, Rockhampton.

“Readers will enjoy reading about the unique character of outback Australians who have forged our Aussie spirit and sense of humour which, unfortunately, is fading away as we embrace social change and multiculturalism.” Alex Lubanski, casino

“It would be hard to find a more worthy cause, just as it would be hard to find a happier, funnier collection of Australiana.” Terry Oberg, catholic Leader, Brisbane.

Dressed appropriately, Peter turned out to be the special attraction at the annual street parade in clermont. Charged with a few sherbets, he was easily persuaded to don a cape, ascend to the second storey balcony of the Grand Hotel and with the cry, "Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it’s MIGHTY MOUSE!" he swan-dived into space as the parade passed by.

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THE cOLLEGE MOURNS THE PASSING OF OLD BOY (1943) FR BASiL MEANEy. MAy hE REST iN PEACE.

Below appears the article published in the Courier Mail 5 June 2011

Fr Basil Meaney dies aged 81

Priests in Brisbane archdiocese have paid tribute to the vision, hospitality, pastoral excellence and capacity for friendship of Fr Basil Meaney whose funeral Mass was to be celebrated in St Stephen's Cathedral on Thursday.Fr Meaney (pictured) died at St Vincent's Hospital, Kangaroo Point, last Sunday (May 29), a month short of the golden jubilee of his ordination to priesthood.

The 81-year-old priest was parish priest at Brighton from 1975 to 1983 and Tewantin (Noosa District) from 1983 to 2003 after which he retired to Bribie Island.

Fr Harry Bliss, whose friendship with the late Fr Meaney spanned 60 years, spoke fondly of long car trips together including one around Australia.

St Stephen's Cathedral Dean Fr Ken Howell, who ministered in his internship year alongside Fr Meaney and next as his assistant priest at the then parish of Tewantin, said the popular priest was a "great man of prayer" as well as action.

Fr Howell said Fr Meaney's ordination in 1961 with his brother, Missionaries of the Sacred Heart Father Adrian Meaney, had drawn one of the biggest crowds ever to St Stephen's Cathedral.

Fr Clem Hodge recalled him as a "gentle giant" and a mentor figure when he attended Banyo Seminary in 1955."He'd been in the workforce as an electrician and had done his senior studies in the seminary the year before, so the rest of us who had come straight from school tended to look up to him," he said.

Fr Bliss said he had first met Fr Meaney at a YCW leaders' conference at Indooroopilly and the friendship had flourished through their seminary years together.

"We would eventually go on two long car trips together - in 1978 going through places like Quilpie and Longreach and to Alice Springs to Basil's brother's parish and then onto Darwin," he said.

"In 1985 we travelled around Australia together in five weeks and three days, covering some seventeen-and-a-half thousand kilometres."

Fr Bliss recalled Fr Meaney as "a great hospitality man".

FATHER BASIL MEANEY

"Cooking was one of Basil's favourite hobbies," he said."He loved putting on a dinner for three or more."

Fr Howell said soon after being ordained, he had gone to join Fr Meaney as assistant priest in Tewantin (now Noosa) parish.

"He was a very effective pastor and always had the interests of the people at heart," he said.

"His twenty years at Tewantin were extremely productive including the renovation of two churches, at Pomona and Cooroy, the building of a new church at Tewantin and a school at Sunshine Beach.

"However, it was not necessarily Fr Meaney's achievements in initiating building projects that people remembered him most for ... rather it was his generosity and pastoral care."

A Vigil Mass for Fr Meaney was to be celebrated at Our Lady of Perpetual Succour Church, Tewantin, on Tuesday.

Reprinted with permission from The Catholic Leader

Vale: Fr Basil Meaney

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THE FOLLOWING APPEARED IN REcENT EDITIONS OF THE cOLLEGE NEWSLETTER. cONGRATULATIONS DENIS ON THE WONDERFUL WORK YOU DO. THERE WILL BE MANY OLD BOYS WHO WILL READ THIS ARTIcLE WITH FOND MEMORIES OF THEIR TIME AT THE cOLLEGE WITH YOU.

Hello to you all again. Our series on “special” people at MCA continues this edition with someone who has spent much of his life at the College as both student and teacher – Mr Denis Callaghan. Denis is at present approaching his 78th year – and still working!!! – so he’s literally seen much water flow under the bridge at Ashgrove, and is part of the fabric that makes up the College story…….

Denis was born in 1934, and had two sisters, Anne and Marilyn, and a brother, Philip. The family lived at Mareeba Road, Ashgrove, very near The Flats, (now Des Connor Park), so Denis as a boy from a Catholic background was destined to attend St Mary’s College, Ashgrove, as MCA was then known. That didn’t happen immediately, however, because the school had been evacuated to Eagle Heights, Mount Tamborine, from 1942 to 1944, owing to the wartime emergency situation. Denis attended Rosalie school in 1944 to do Year 4, and then when the College re-opened in 1945, he came to Ashgrove for Year 5. One of the childhood memories he recalls is VP (Victory in the Pacific) Day to celebrate the Japanese surrender : every child was given a commemorative medal, which probably didn’t mean much, and an ice-cream, which did……

Time passed quite happily for Denis at the College, but then came the big hurdle in 1947 of the Scholarship exam. Passing this exam was vital if further education was a student’s goal – a Pass meant the right to go on to secondary schooling; a Fail was a guarantee of immediate introduction to the workforce. The added attraction of a Pass from the point of view of Catholic schools was that, at this stage, they received absolutely no financial aid from the State: but those students who passed the Scholarship exam were given a “scholarship” grant from the government, regardless of religion. So Scholarship was taken very seriously by parents, students and Brothers, and an indication of this was that the Scholarship class at St Mary’s College had extra schooling – on Saturday morning!!! Denis remembers his teacher vividly, Brother Linus, a strict man of somewhat red-faced and potentially choleric disposition. (Brother Linus rejoiced in the nickname of “Tiger Bum” to his students, “Linus” proceeding to “Lion Arse”, then to Tiger Bum in typically schoolboy logic.) Another memory for Denis is of Senior boys disrupting Brother Linus’s lessons by deliberately dropping shot puts on the floor above the class. If their intention was to provoke Brother into near-apoplectic fury, Denis believes they succeeded admirably. Despite the interruptions, Brother Linus was a highly competent teacher, and Denis had no problems with the Scholarship exam, thereby gaining admission to his secondary schooling at St Mary’s College, Ashgrove, in 1948.

What has to be kept in mind is that St Mary’s College Ashgrove in 1948 was in no way the giant of a school that it would become; indeed nearly all classes were taught in a wooden building known as the Classroom Block. The only brick building on the property was the Tower Block; the recreation area had three concrete cricket pitches on it, but was otherwise bare dirt and rocks; of money for development there was little or

DENIS CALLAGHANnone. The roll call number for the entire school in 1948 was 276.

Denis was perhaps fortunate that the Director (Headmaster) during most of his schooling was the legendary Brother Cyprian Dowd, a man of Churchillian bulldog determination and grit, and a man convinced that St Mary’s College Ashgrove could advance by its own communal efforts and strength. All that was needed was that everyone contributed: Brothers, boys, parents and friends. It was Cyprian who gave Ashgrove its playing fields through his development of the Main Oval and The Flats: it was he who directed first boarders and then dayboys in “emu parades” to pick up the almost limitless stones on the fields near Enoggera Creek; it was he who set the example by labouring on alone after the boys had been dismissed; most importantly for our story, it was he and his fellow Brothers who were making a profound impression on the young Denis by just being who they were. Probably even without knowing it, he was becoming mightily impressed by the men who were his teachers, and it would alter the direction of his life………

Denis gained a solid pass in the Junior Public Examination (Year 10) in 1949, and so proceeded to his final two years at the College. Again, contrast the Ashgrove of his day with the present one: there were five (yes, FIVE !!!) teachers in the entire secondary school - Brothers Cyprian (Latin and English), Ferrer (Science), Justinian (French), Gildas (Mathematics), and Mr Connolly (Book-keeping/Accountancy). Denis remembers them as “a wonderful crew – tough, but great teachers.” Cyprian was responsible for two things that helped mould the boy into the man: he thought sport essential for all adolescents, so the College concentrated much of its efforts into organised games. “Good for me,” recalls Denis. “I was pretty shy and timid, and sport helped develop my confidence.” Cyprian also introduced Army Cadets to Ashgrove, and the immense popularity of the Ashgrove Cadet Unit meant that it, too, became a “must join” organisation. Perusal of the 1951 Blue & Gold reveals Denis as a member of the First XIII (Rugby League) team, the First XV (Rugby Union) team, and in all his martial glory as Cadet Lieutenant Callaghan, commander of an Infantry platoon in the Cadet Corps.

Following Denis’ final year at school in 1951 he was still unsure about the direction of his life after school…..but he found his admiration for the Marist Brothers growing as the year went on.

Part of this admiration was based on the obvious sheer hard work the Brothers performed outside teaching hours, and well away from the classroom. It was Headmaster Brother Cyprian’s habit on Saturday afternoons, when his boarder workforce was

T H E A S H G R O V I A N

allowed the luxury of “going to the pictures”, to labour alone on constructing a fence around the playing fields of “The Flats” (now Des Connor Park). This involved a crowbar, a shovel, cement, and sweat. Denis and his good friend Mark Biltoft often volunteered to help Brother in his labours, which resulted in hard work for the boys and very little conversation from the taciturn Cyprian. When that day’s job was done, however, Cyprian would growl, “Ah, well, suppose you’d better come and have a cup of tea….”. They would go to the Brother’s kitchen, and in Denis’s recollection, “it was the very opposite of posh.” Certainly it wasn’t china cups, daintily held, and cucumber sandwiches!!! All the Brothers would be there, all in their work clothes, and all tired and dirty: in their “spare” time, they had been performing hard manual labour for the benefit of their College and their students. The tea was served in mugs, and the bread was half an inch thick….the kitchen itself was no ornament either. But what struck Denis was the obvious commitment of the Brothers to their calling, their humility and modesty, and the good humour and camaraderie that was so much a part of their community. Those late Saturday afternoon teas sowed a seed in the mind of young Denis that was not going to go away……

Denis duly sat for his Senior exam at the end of 1951, and did very well, winning a Commonwealth Scholarship to help defray the cost of tertiary study: this delighted Mr Callaghan Senior. Denis’s father, of country stock and an original thinker, had often advised Denis that what mattered in life was to be as independent as possible, and the best of all worlds was to “be your own boss.” That world had now opened up for Denis, at least in his father’s opinion. “Now you can become a dentist”, he told Denis. As a loyal son, Denis enrolled in Dentistry, but the enthusiasm was all on his father’s part – the son soon discovered that poking around in people’s mouths was not how he wanted to spend his life. Denis didn’t last until the end of his first year. Then followed a spell working in the Pathology Department at Brisbane Public Hospital, broken fairly quickly by Denis having to report for 6 months compulsory National Service, as was the case with all fit young males post World War Two. Denis elected to join the Air Force, and enjoyed himself immensely at Archerfield learning to fly Tiger Moth biplanes. At the same time, he became a member of Wests Rugby Union Club, which owed much of its foundation to the efforts of Brother Cyprian…..

And now the seeds sown by his schooling bore fruit; Denis had discovered what he didn’t want to do with his life. He decided he wanted to become a Marist Brother, and was given a grudging blessing by his father, if that was what he really wanted to do: (if Mr Callaghan wasn’t exactly disgruntled by Denis’s decision, he wasn’t entirely gruntled either…). So to the Juniorate at Mittagong in NSW Denis repaired in 1953, followed by the Novitiate, 6 months as a Postulant, and a year as a Novice. He remembers plenty of study of the rules of the Brothers, and plenty of hard physical labour: he was more than ever convinced that he had taken the right path in his life.

Denis began his teaching career at Kogarah in the Primary School in 1955, followed by 2 years at Ayr Primary. He was then sent for formal teacher training at Dundas, wryly referring to his first 3 years in the classroom as proof that he was “an unqualified success.” Following this, Denis taught at the primary level at Parramatta, Dundas and Mossman (Sydney).

He was posted to Dundas for a period as a trainer of teachers, then moved to his first secondary school at Randwick, followed by Pagewood, and finally the “bigtime” of St Joseph’s College, Hunters Hill. Here he prepared students for the all-important external exams which governed tertiary entrance in NSW, modestly recalling that he was “pretty successful” in his efforts. In the midst of this welter of teaching appointments, Denis managed to graduate as a Bachelor of Arts AND a Bachelor of Economics, neither of them a small accomplishment for someone in full time work……

Then, in the early 1970s, Denis began to seek something different – when he heard that sections of the Palm Island community off Townsville had requested that Brothers be based on the island, he asked for a transfer there. Arriving in 1974, he would stay for more than 6 years, and he quickly found that nothing in his experience so far had prepared him for living there. It was a culture shock of epic proportions, and would change the course of Denis’s life. He eventually concluded that he could do more good for the islanders by concentrating on social and community-based activities rather than on pure education, and so founded a Youth Centre for them. Facilities included a juke-box, pool tables, television, an outdoor picture theatre and a trampoline, as well as a motorbike for joyrides and a hobi-cat yacht for sailing. He also eventually helped found an Adult Education Centre on the island, which included a library and a regular newspaper.

After six years Denis decided to move on, and at the same time he came to the conclusion that he could no longer remain a Marist Brother. It was not a snap decision: to the contrary, it involved a great deal of soul-searching and deliberation, but the result was that Denis asked for release from the Order. In 1980 Denis went to live in Darwin, working for a while in Commonwealth Education with aboriginal students, then for a period in TAFE, and finally in a Real Estate firm. It was almost inevitable, however, that he would return to teaching, and again almost inevitable where that would be: in 1984, Denis was appointed as a Book-keeping/English teacher at Marist College Ashgrove, and has been here ever since.

Denis eventually became English Subject Master, then progressed to Mathematics, Economics, and finally to where he is today, in Junior Maths. He is much admired by both staff and students for his equable temperament, his dry humour, his unfailing courtesy, and his great store of accumulated wisdom: very much an Ashgrovian Mr Chips. He just seems to keep on keeping on: a presentation to him in his seventieth year (involving crutches, a catheter, incontinence pads etc) is now eight years past, and he still has enthusiasm for the classroom. As Denis puts it, after teaching for over 50 years, “I can honestly say, apart from exam supervision and playground duty, I have never been bored.” As a result of a holiday in China, he is now studying the language: he is one old dog not averse to learning new tricks. May the College be blessed with his quiet good humour and knowledge for many years to come…….

Dave cameron Archivist, Marist college Ashgrove

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T H E A S H G R O V I A N

JOIN THE OLD BOYS

i would like to be a: ____Life member of the Old Boys Association and receive the Ashgrovian electronically ($120.00) ____Life member of the Old Boys Association and receive the Ashgrovian via post ($150.00) Name:_____________________________________________________________________________ Postal Address: (within Australia)________________________________________________________

Phone (H):____________________(W):_________________________(M):______________________

Email Address:______________________________________________Years Attended:____________

It is great to see so many successful Class Reunions being organised and held. Many have commented on how wonderful it is to catch up with classmates from years gone by. If you wish to have a dinner/BBQ on the College grounds the reunion needs to be organized through the Old Boys Committee. This can be done by contacting Stuart Laing who will be happy to help with publicity, venue bookings or answer any questions which will help with the organization of this occasion.

Contact us today!

Stuart Laing M: 0408 050 117E: lslaing@bigpond.net.au

Looking to ORGANISE your next

CLASS REUNION?UPDATE YOUR DETAILSHave you updated your current details on our website?

www.marash.qld.edu.au Simply click on “Old Boys Association” in the “Quicklinks” menu on the homepage and follow the “OBA Join or Update” menu!

T H E A S H G R O V I A N

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Old Boys Tie - new design in blue & gold stripes $50.00 ______ _______

3 Violets Badge - $7.00 ______ _______ Marist Memories - Limited prints by Katies Edwards - contact the College TOTAL _______________

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After completing the above, please post to:

Marist Old Boys Association PO Box 82, Ashgrove QLD 4060

c My “not negotiable” cheque, payable to Marist College Ashgrove Old Boys Assoc. is enclosed. OR c Bankcard c Mastercard c Visa Expiry Date c c / c c

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OLD BOYS MEMORABILIA