Roll Call - May 2016

A PUBLICATION FOR THE DE LA SALLE COLLEGE COMMUNITY – MALVERN – ISSUE NO: 40 – MAY 2016

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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Dear Editor,Congratulations to all associated with the latest Roll Call which I read with great interest. The Principal’s editorial expresses so well the vision of an all-round education which must include opportunities for music, drama and the arts – all of this without sacrificing the intellectual challenge of application and hard work. The whole edition simply confirms this vision. I’m sure many others associated with the College at various times will feel the deep satisfaction which I express.

Br Gerard Rummery

Dear Editor,Enjoyed the latest Roll Call very much.

Ralph Francione (1948) Bentleigh East

Dear Editor,I read with great interest the latest Roll Call. The wide range of talented Old Boys who have gone on to carve out impressive vocations was an inspiring feature. Even more than their professional achievement I was moved by the deep life values that drive them. De La’s role in that regard is plain to see, and most attest to that. The visit of Br Ricky Leguda to Malvern was rewarding to read about. Reaching out to those who live lives of great need seem to bring out a generosity both enthusiastic and practical in the staff and boys. Most healthy and inspirational indeed! Congratulations! Many other Lasallian schools are also helping make a huge difference in needy countries in the Pacific. But I believe it was a Malvern Old Boy and staff member, Br Denis Loft, (now helping to give hope to the world’s poorest country, South Sudan) who kicked things off years ago with his visionary “Coolies” venture in India. Wishing staff and students continued success in a truly rich and rounded Lasallian experience.

Br Paschal HagertyKensington, NSW

Dear Editor,I look forward to reading each issue of Roll Call, especially the “Where are they now” and the reunions. The only criticism I have is when pictures are published for the reunions, there are no names attached and as we know, we tend to change a little over the years and time does not help the memory any. It has been 38 years since I was at De La Salle and I have been to only one reunion (over 20 years ago) so I am hoping that there will be a another reunion for the group that I was at school with soon.

Jeff McGowan (1977)Oxenford, QLD

Editor’s Note: As much as we would love to be able to caption all of our reunion photos it is not always possible to record all the names during the event. The next reunion for the class of 1977 will be the 40th reunion next year. Details will follow in the September issue.

CONTENTS Letters 2

From the Principal 3

Ceremony and celebration 4–5

Four Houses — one spirit 6–7

Achieving your personal best – Business Breakfast 8

Greg Barns’ opinion piece 9

Barry Breen — The bounce of a lifetime 10

Hairspray 12

The alchemy of wine making 14

University of Melbourne’s newest professor 15

Top of his class 15

Paul Gelsumini — On the road with the 10 Tenors 16

Portrait of a judge 17

Mother’s Day Breakfast 18

From the President of the Old Colls’ Association 19

Class of 1966 Reunion 20



Old Colls’ Football Report 23

Where are they now? 24

Rest in Peace 27

Tribute to John Donegan 27

FROM THE EDITORWelcome to another issue of Roll Call. This issue is something of a special one for me and our production manager Jonathan Hewett as it marks my 10th year as editor and Jonathan’s 20th year behind the computer, so we hope you sit back and enjoy. The issue also marks another important milestone for one of our more celebrated Old Collegians, former AFL footballer Barry Breen. This year is the 50th anniversary of the one and only St Kilda Grand Final win in which Barry kicked the deciding point against Collingwood. As always the College is the centre of a range of academic and extra-curricular endeavours and pursuits which you can read about in this issue. There is news of the College’s new vertical House system and the academic achievements of VCE students as well as updates on the success of some of our Old Collegians. We welcome Mr Tony McIlroy who joins us in his role as the new President of the Old Collegians Association and feature lots of news and photos of Old Collegian reunions.

Editor: Kerry MartinProduction and photography: Jonathan Hewett

Cover shot: New House Captains (left to right) Michael Canny – St Austin’s, Liam Murphy – St Mark’s, Tim Fierenzi – Vice-Captain, Anthony Arceri – College Captain, Sean O’Callaghan – Vice Captain, Sri Kumar – St Edwin’s, Will Taylor – St Leo’s

DE LA SALLE COLLEGE LASALLIAN ROLL CALL 3

From the PrincipalWelcome to our first Roll Call for 2016. You’re sure to find plenty of material of interest which I hope will continue to enhance your appreciation of being part of our great community. It’s that theme of our Lasallian community which I’d like to explore in this edition. There is so much which goes on at De La Salle beyond the formal academics of the classroom and it is here where friendships, camaraderie, school spirit and enduring memories are truly made.I have been privileged to be part of a range of tremendous community activities and events in the past few weeks. I often tell our students being part of a community involves taking the opportunities provided, creating your own opportunities and participating wherever you can, particularly when it involves supporting peers and colleagues. This involvement leads to a stronger sense of identity and belonging, something so critical in our young men’s lives. I have been part of some great examples of this at our school this year and our Old Colls will no doubt have many fond memories of their times in various school activities.Some will have changed over the years but sport and ACC success are highly valued! This year alone the Swimming Team came second after being in Division 2 as recently as 2014, the 1st X1 won the ACC Cricket Premiership for the fourth time in seven years and the Athletics Team won the ACC Carnival for the first time in 14 years. Competition is fierce for places in all the sports, from footy to table tennis and everything in between and most of these have A and B teams in Years 7–10.In recent years we have also encouraged and provided greater opportunities for involvement in the performing arts. The standard and quality of music and the tremendous avenues opened up for performance and recital has seen a terrific development in participation and the overall quality. This year’s musical production was Hairspray, performed as part of our arts partnership with Our Lady of the Sacred Heart College, Bentleigh. The dedicated team of singers, actors, dancers and backstage supporters have had a wonderful time rehearsing, building friendships and enjoying being contributors to what really was a massive and very successful community production. Later in 2016 the Year 6–8 boys will

be involved in a production with Sacré Cœur.The cast were magnificent in their various parts and in the orchestra, but it was the willingness of the broader team to put in and have a go, just contribute and step in and support when needed which was so remarkable. As a keen observer and as their Principal I was so proud of the boys’ school spirit and obvious unity and dedication to the task at hand.On Friday 8 April I attended the Old Collegians Football Club Season Launch at the RACV Club. This is a terrific annual event, with 250 guests, the vast majority of whom are either Old Colls or have embraced our community and value what it offers. Our Strategic Plan 2015–18 emphasises the importance of the College’s connection with the Old Collegians and in attending this function, their first two games, the Old Collegians’ Business Breakfast in March and the 50 Year Reunion a few weeks ago it was fantastic to see these very important elements of our community providing that spirit of belonging and affiliation with the College.In other major community events, the annual Mother’s Day Breakfast was well and truly sold out, weeks in advance, with a record 490 attending. Ms Kaila Hutchinson, current De La Salle teacher and 1500m semi-finalist at the 2012 London Olympics, was our guest speaker. Our annual Mission Action Day walkathon on 24 March was another wonderful example of our community involvement. So many students sourcing sponsorship, walking the 12 kilometres and raising in excess of $100,000 for Lasallian charitable works adds up to a superb community effort once again

(pictured below are students on the walk).In April I attended the inaugural Lasallian Educators Conference from Sunday to Wednesday. With 170 delegates from Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Pakistan, Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, South Sudan and USA, the conference was a reminder of the healthy state of our Lasallian education community and the promise for what the future can deliver. The keynote speakers and the various workshops and seminars focused partly on what we do and where our inspiration and example comes from in the works of St John Baptist de La Salle, but crucially there was a strong strategic element. The future of education, the nature of 21st century learning and the future of work were common themes and creative thinking around how to meet these challenges as Lasallian educators brought some terrific ideas.I hope you enjoy reading the Roll Call and I look forward to meeting as many of you as possible at various College functions.

Mr Peter Houlihan Principal

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Ceremony and celebrationThe 2016 academic year commenced once again with the appropriate degree of ceremony and celebration. In Term 1 the College hosted ceremonies for its annual Investiture of Leaders, the 2015 Academic Awards and the Welcoming and Commissioning Mass, which was for the first time held at St Patrick’s Cathedral. The Welcoming Mass in February, which was overseen by the new Deputy Principal, Faith and Mission, Mrs Rana Brogan, welcomes new students and their families to the Lasallian community. An important part of the Mass is the formal acknowledgement of the 2016 College Leaders, who were blessed by Celebrant Fr Martin Tanti.

Above: Ms Lisa Harkin during the Eucharistic offering.Top middle: College Vice-Captain Sean O’Callaghan.Middle: Kyle Williams and Liam Ramirez during Eucharistic Procession.Far right: Scenes from Welcoming Mass.

College LeadersBack row: Liam Ramirez, Charlie Joseph, Kyle Williams, Liam O’Neill, Nick Leonfaritis, Will Wright.Middle row: Will Jones, Thomas Ponissi, Xavier-Joseph de la Masse Homsy, Michael Donnarumma, Stephan Kokkas, Liam Kelliher, Lachlan Bulman, Liam Moore, Sam Michael, Kieren Walsh.Seated: Michael Canny, Will Taylor, Sean O’Callaghan, Mr Peter Houlihan, Anthony Arceri, Tim Fierenzi, Sri Kumar, Liam Murphy.


Academic AwardsIn February the College welcomed back the top academic 2015 VCE Achievers. The 2015 College Dux Connor Rate was joined by fellow Class of 2015 Old Collegians with an ATAR above 90. Connor achieved an outstanding ATAR of 98.35, placing him in the top two percent of the state. “In addition to being an ambitious, highly organised and dedicated student, Connor has also been heavily involved in the wider life of the College, most noticeably as vice-captain and as a drummer in the music program,” Mr Houlihan said. Connor has enrolled in Engineering Aerospace (Honours) at Monash University.

Students with ATARs over 90The College 2015 Top Academic achievers featured right – Standing: Nigel Menezes, Nick Catrice, Marcus Karam, Liam Gava, Wyatt Bicknell, Stefan De Medio, Joshua BentonSeated: Nicholas Sinclair, Liam Bisognin, Raphael Canty, Connor Rate, Mr Peter Houlihan, Connor Byrne, Stefan Tsagaris, Elliot Fabris, Jayden Lee, (Matthew Mottola, absent).

1st XI ACC PremiersThe year got off to a strong start for the College’s First XI Cricket Team who took out the coveted 2016 ACC premiership against a strong St Joseph’s Geelong team. The final scores were De La Salle, 8/134 – St Joseph’s Geelong 10/55. Top run makers for the day were Michael Jakes 41 runs, Khy Horsnell 25 runs and best bowler for the day was David McCarthy with 2 wickets for 9 runs. An exciting win and well deserved for everyone in the team and the coach Mr Marty Rhoden, who took the team from third place last year to the prized first place this year.

ACC Athletics SuccessThe De La Salle ACC Athletics Team made history at Albert Park Stadium last month taking out the ACC Athletics trophy for the first time in 14 years. It was the most tightly contested carnival in many years, with three or four schools in contention going into the final events of the day – the 4 x 100 metre relays. Our relay teams got off to an indifferent start with fourth and sixth placings. However our senior teams turned it around, placing second in the Under 16s relay and then winning the Under 17s and Senior relays to seal our victory.Connor Rate with Principal Peter Houlihan

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This year all senior students at Kinnoull Campus are organised into four Houses — St Leo’s, St Mark’s, St Austin’s and St Edwin’s and a House Mentor Group comprising Years 10, 11 and 12 students. Over the course of three years, they have the opportunity to consolidate friendships with those they meet within their Mentor Group every morning. House Mentors have the immediate responsibility for the pastoral, academic and general needs of the students and are the parents’ first point of contact with the College.In just a short period of time it is incredible to see the way in which the students have embraced the vertical House system. The House spirit and sense of camaraderie at the recent House Athletics Carnival was palpable. In particular, the Year 12 Student Leaders were pivotal in building this spirit. They are acutely aware of the contribution they’re making to College life and of the legacy their work will leave. Seeing the Year 12 students encourage the primary students on the starting line, for me, captured the sense of brotherhood, the sense of family that we want to foster at De La Salle. As part of the College community at De La Salle, our boys join an impressive legacy of men who have been educated at our school since 1912. We take pride in helping our boys develop solid values that emphasise a deep personal integrity, a broader respect for their local community and an appreciation of the world around them. Today, we leverage this strength of tradition as we confront the myriad challenges of tomorrow.Our Lasallian tradition places particular emphasis on inclusion and the unique gifts of each individual person. Much of today’s fast paced, twenty-four hour media cycle highlights social inequalities and political instability on a local and

global level. Likewise, the digital divide mirrors a growing social divide between the rich and poor. A Lasallian education stands in direct contrast to this; it focuses on compassion, commitment and togetherness.Our Principal Peter Houlihan has said, “John Baptist de La Salle was himself an educator; a man of initiative and a man of action. He was not prepared to be a roadside spectator. John Baptist de La Salle could not be indifferent; it was impossible for him not to be involved. Most of all, he did not procrastinate.” In reflecting on his work in the classroom, St John Baptist once wrote, “Take even more care of the education of the young people entrusted to you than if they were the children of a king.” Today, we use John Baptist de La Salle’s instructive meditations as a guide for our work at De La Salle College.We know that our boys learn best when they are valued, have a deep sense of security and are supported to take

the risks that will help them to develop further. We want them to achieve their full potential always with a sense of challenge and fun. Our pastoral structure is integral to creating a sense of belonging in our students. We are energised and inspired by each other and find joy in our work, our learning and our community. Our work with the House system is deeply collaborative work; it is collaborative learning that complements our other learning programs and enrichment opportunities such as the newly developed personal development program. Ultimately, we are working to ensure our boys grow into driven, discerning and considerate men.

Four Houses — one spirit

The recent College Athletics Carnival at Albert Park saw the four Houses

competing in a spirit of good fun and good sportsmanship. This year’s carnival was

won by St Leo’s.

This year saw the introduction of a vertical House system at the College’s senior campus. The new Deputy Principal, Students, Ms Lisa Harkin, spoke to Roll Call about the importance of the House system in developing leadership in our students.

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The panel of high calibre speakers included former National Chair of the Australian Republican Movement and well-known barrister and human rights advocate, Greg Barns (1979); elite sports psychologist working with the Carlton Football Club, Anthony Klarica (1984) and Hawthorn’s Most Improved Player (2008) and Best Clubman (2010) and more recently Gold Coast Suns defender, Tom Murphy (2003).Drawing on a range of personal experience the panel, under the slick moderation of College Deputy Principal Tom Ryan, canvassed issues encompassing balancing stress, dealing with disappointment and juggling successful careers with life and family.The panel were unanimous in their acknowledgement of the College as a formative influence on their careers and their personal success. Barns, whose brother Gerard teaches at the College, attributed his deep sense of service to the College. “I have always had a deep sense of service which I learned at the College,” he said. Barns drew on his experiences in politics, law and the republican movement. Graduating from Arts and Law from Monash University he practices at the Bar in Tasmania and Victoria. He has worked for a number of federal and state premiers and ministers and in 1999 ran the Republic Referendum campaign with now Prime Minister, Malcolm Turnbull. In 2000

he became the National Chair of the Australian Republican Movement. Barns has always been an outspoken advocate for the human and civil rights and has occupied a number of positions including the National President of the Australian Lawyers Alliance and a legal adviser to WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange. He is a passionate advocate for asylum seekers and is a weekly columnist with The Hobart Mercury as well as a contributor to a number of other national and international publications and media outlets. “There are great lessons to be learned from working with asylum seekers and prisoners and the like,” says Barns. He has long represented the rights of young offenders and has been critical of Australia’s drug laws. “I hope I have helped young people such as young offenders who are at a crossroads move in a positive direction,” he told guests.Having been through difficult times himself Barns spoke frankly about balancing the pressure of work and a personal life. He is now an ambassador for Beyond Blue.Anthony Klarica has worked his whole life helping people achieve their personal best. He runs Elite Performance, which specialises in maximising sport performance. Anthony, who has worked with top athletes in many sports from Olympic Games to AFL and V8 Supercars, said excellence and success requires sheer hard work.

“Successful people all have three things in common,” he said. “Clear goals, a good mentor and a lot of hard work.” Klarica recently moved from AFL Team Hawthorn, where was a consultant for eight years, to Carlton Football Club.Achieving success is also something that Tom Murphy knows a lot about. Tom was selected as the 21st pick in the 2004 AFL Draft and spent eight years with Hawthorn, winning Hawthorn’s Most Improved Player award in 2008 and voted Best Clubman in 2010. From 2012 to 2014 Tom played for the Gold Coast Suns, playing 18 games with them and taking his career games tally to 113, including nine finals games.Tom shared his experiences of dealing with disappointment in his career when he spoke about being dropped from the 2012 Hawthorn Grand final side. “That time was tough and I had to work through the disappointment of that decision.” “When you're at a strong club, there's pressure for spots – at the end of the day, it's our job – we're footballers, and we've just got to do our job.” At the time Murphy was praised for his professionalism and resilience. Murphy retired from AFL at the end of the 2014 season and now puts his talents into working for Melbourne based industrial real estate firm, CBRE.

Business BreakfastThe College’s recent Business Breakfast “Achieving Your Personal Best” attracted a strong, early morning crowd of Old Collegians at The Kooyong Lawn Tennis Centre.


Australia Day gong for services to dentistry

Dr Anthony John Dickinson (1973) was awarded a Medal in the Order of Australia in the 2015 Queen’s Birthday Honours in recognition of his service to dentistry as a practitioner and as an educator in prosthodontics and to professional associations.Dr Dickinson, who graduated from the University of Melbourne, has been a prominent leader of public dental administration in Victoria and is a committed teacher and community servant. He was elected to the Dental Practice Board of Victoria in 1990, the beginning of his leadership for change in dental practice over the next 15 years, and oversaw the creation of policy which led to the introduction of mandatory infection control procedures. As Chair of the Board, he also guided the adaptation of principles of advertising regulation that applied to plastic surgeons to the regulatory framework for dentistry. He created an environment that allowed for the objective consideration of regulatory policy, and allowed the Board to focus on community concerns. Dr Dickinson promoted the role of the Board as a strong protector of the public, especially through its focus on access to quality dental care provided by competent professionals. In 2012 Dr Dickinson was awarded the Branch’s Dentistry Achievement Award.

The idea that an Australian should be Head of State is not a radical one yet almost 17 years after the failed 1999 republic referendum we are still yet to make that idea a reality. It is time to do so.To put it simply, no person outside of the British royal family can be this nation’s head of state. The best that can be achieved is for an Australian to be the representative of the British monarch. Is that really the best we can do?Do we think that a nation which in theory at least is committed to egalitarianism should be satisfied with this incongruous situation?A former student of the De La Salle brothers, Paul Keating, rightly pointed out that if we want to be a nation taken seriously in Asia then hanging onto the apron strings of the UK through a constitutional tie is not the way to achieve it. Mr Keating as Prime Minister articulately presented the case for an Australian head of state and it was only the divisive and cynical scare campaign of his successor John Howard and a cobbled together motley crew of monarchists, conservatives and radical republicans who brought the idea of an Australian head of state to a halt.Some in this country say it doesn’t matter. Often these are the same people who think the Australian flag, a piece of cloth that patently discriminates against Indigenous Australians, is sacred. Well if the flag matters so does the Constitution of Australia and the person who is at the head of the structure set out in it.The British monarchy represents a set of values, if one can call them this, that are antithetical in the modern world. The idea that birth right and privilege ought to be a qualification for an important governance office is nonsensical and offensive. ‘But monarchies work so well’ say those who hang on grimly to “Buck Palace”. Actually that is a fiction. Yes nations like Denmark and Norway function nicely as democratic nations but that is because

of the political culture and values such as tolerance, not because of the commitment to a monarch.Until Australia becomes a republic we cannot truly proclaim ourselves a democracy. It is not a difficult change. We simply decide if we want to directly elect a head of state – a very successful system in Ireland – or we opt for a parliamentary process. There are some fine non-executive presidents in the world – Ireland, Germany and India have produced many over the past few decades. They are individuals who unite their nation and who sometimes rightly act as the conscience of the society.Until Australia becomes a republic the colonial outpost tag bandied around our region will rightly stick.

It’s time, againBy Greg BarnsWell known barrister, author, political commentator and former National Chair of the Australian Republican Movement, Greg Barns (1979) is a long-time advocate for a republic. In this issue he shares his views on the future of the republican movement with our readers.

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The bounce of a lifetimeFifty years ago Barry Breen (1965) kicked a wobbly punt that bounced through the point posts at the MCG to win the first grand final for St Kilda against Collingwood, and to this day, St Kilda's only winning premiership. To mark the anniversary of that historic match, St Kilda played (and won) a rare home game against Collingwood at the MCG last month in front of a capacity crowd and the surviving grand final team players, including Barry Breen (see right).Recently Roll Call spoke to Breen about his life at De La Salle College and his career in and after Australian Rules football.Barry Breen graduated from De La Salle in 1965 at the end of Year 11. “At the time I thought football was more important than education,” Breen said. He soon realised it wasn’t and subsequently completed his matriculation at Taylors College before going on to La Trobe University where he studied arts and economics.During his eight years at De La Salle Breen says he was more interested in playing sport than studying. “Cricket in summer, football in winter, athletics in between,” he said. Breen admits it was a thrill competing in ACC championships in those days at venues like Olympic Park and the new Olympic pool, conjuring up memories of the Melbourne Olympics. “Competing at those venues was a thrill so soon after the 1956 Olympics much like the MCG many years later.”His performances however were not exactly remarkable back then. “Swimming for the school at the new Olympic pool in the ACC Carnival. 25 yards Under 12. Not placed. Ross Thompson should have been in the team. He was a better swimmer than me. Running at Olympic Park in the ACC Carnival. Under 14, 100 yards again unplaced.”His love of sport was nurtured at the College. “The Brothers, especially Brs Celestine, Rupert, Sixtus and Cormac were all great educators who loved their sport.”

Breen’s love of football was ignited when his father took him to a St Kilda game at the Junction Oval when he was four years old. “That was it, I was hooked.”“My Irish family had a rich tradition of football – Gaelic and soccer. I was fortunate enough to get the footballing gene.”Breen’s grandfather was a talented Gaelic footballer with the Kerry Senior team, winning an All-Ireland Senior Football Championship medal in 1914. After playing Junior Football with Mentone, in 1965 Breen joined the Saints as a centre-half-at the age of 17. After only 12 months with the club Breen found himself playing in the grand final side. That historic game against Collingwood which St Kilda won by a one point margin would see Breen’s name go down in the record books forever. The deciding point came at the 27 minute mark of the final quarter when Ted Potter, after a tackle, managed to

pass the ball to Breen, who kicked an unremarkable bouncer through the behinds post to take St Kilda into the lead. Moments later the siren sounded, etching Breen’s name forever into the quintessential 'who's who' of football. Fifty years on, Barry still remembers that historic day and ‘that’ kick like it was yesterday. “I never imagined that 50 years later I would be responsible for a kick which awarded St Kilda its one and only premiership win to date.”“With the team we had I thought that there would be many more opportunities and there was but we just fell short.” “The seven point loss to Hawthorn in 1971, after leading by 23 points at three-quarter time still hurts.”

By Kerry Martin


Breen went on to play 300 games with St Kilda, kicking 308 goals. His career highlights include: “The premiership in 1966; playing in the most successful period of the football club; 301 games which was a club record for 20 years and the first St Kilda player to play 300 games; Captain; Hall of Fame; Team of the Century and the many friends that I have made over the years.”He also captained St Kilda in 1979 and is a former club games record holder. Barry puts his success down to luck but others describe him as the quintessential clubman – honest, hard-working, and utterly loyal.After leaving the Saints in 1982 he was appointed playing coach of Balmain and was successful in steering the team to their first Sydney Football League Grand Final since 1916.His next career move was to take on the job as Swans General Manager. He later became the President of the Tasmanian Football League where he remained until 1992 before returning to Sydney to take a non-football role at Valvoline Australia where he still works.Breen is a member of both St Kilda’s and Balmain’s official ‘Teams of the 20th Century’.These days in his time away from work he spends time at New South Wales Golf Club where he has been president for the past five years. “Golf is now my sporting passion,” Breen says. “Any other spare time is spent with my family and a bit of travelling, mostly for golf. Turkey most recently.”Breen often returns to De La Salle for reunions and has great memories of his time here. “The College has given me some great memories but you lose contact too easily, particularly living in Sydney. Life was far simpler in those days,” he said.

Facing page top: Barry and Kevin Neale holding the 1966 Premiership Cup at the recent anniversary match at the MCG.Facing page bottom: The 1966 Premiership team.This page top: ‘The kick’.Left middle: Barry in club coloursLeft: Official goal umpires’ record of the 1966 Grand Final.Below: Barry with fellow classmates Ed Larkin and Michael Frazer at their 40 year College reunion last year.Photographs courtesy of the St Kilda Football Club Heritage Museum and the AFL.

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This year’s College production Hairspray opened to packed houses at the iconic National Theatre in St Kilda last month. The production, directed by Bryan Smith, marks the second of the musical co-productions between OLSH and De La Salle Colleges.

Based on the film by filmmaker John Waters and set in 1960s Baltimore, Hairspray explores two important themes: racial segregation and body image. Hairspray was written at a time of significant racial segregation in American society, and when the musical version was being developed in the late

1990s, deep racial divisions were once again causing tension, and violence re-erupted in American cities.The issue of body image is as relevant today as it was when leading lady Tracy Turnblad forced her way into teen TV dance land and asserted that she had as much right to ‘shake a groove thing’ as anybody else. Waters has done us a great service by giving us the character of Tracy – a brash heroine who doesn’t fit the mould, but who is willing to grapple with the entrenched injustices around her.The production was a massive team effort between the two Colleges and would not have been possible without the support of the Principals, Miss Anne O’Loughlin (OLSH) and Mr Peter Houlihan. Working alongside the director, Musical Director Cindy Frost and Assistant Director Andrew Murrell, were dozens of dedicated staff, parents and students from both College communities who worked tirelessly to make the show a success – audiences were not disappointed.

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The alchemy of winemakingThey say hard work pays off and it has for Stuart Dudine (2004) who last year took out a Silver Medal for his first wine made under his own label, Alkimi.The 2014 Good Earth Syrah, which took out the medal in the Yarra Valley Wine Show, was the culmination of years and years travelling the world finessing his craft. Hard work indeed.After graduating from De La Salle, Dudine completed a Bachelor of Science (Winemaking) at Charles Sturt University before taking off to learn from the masters in Europe.His first overseas foray was to Piedmont in Italy on an exchange, learning about local winemaking styles. The experience was a positive one so he stayed on to complete vintages in Italy, as well as in Austria and France where he worked for some iconic producers such as Domaine Michelle, Stèphane Ogier and Châtueau Mont-Redon in France; and Weingut Emmerich Knoll in Austria. After years on the road he finally returned to Australia to take up a position at Henschke, South Australia, where he experienced for the first time the Rhone varieties and qualities of Syrah, Grenache and Mourvèdre displayed by Australian grown grapes yet handled with the finesse of the old world winemaking he had seen in France.After South Australia he moved his interests to Victoria and worked on a vintage at Yarra Yering, in the Yarra Valley. There he was further immersed in the traditions of European winemaking and decided the region was where he wanted to start his own label. Alkimi was born.Dudine says his experience here and overseas shaped his ideals of making wine. “It made me want to focus on how the characteristics of the vineyard can enhance the innate qualities of the

grapes in order to bring out the best in the wine,” he said. His 2014 Good Earth Syrah is testimony to this.Dudine said it was only natural that the drive of Alkimi would be to produce wines which pay homage to the old philosophy of winemaking. “Working in Europe, where tradition melds with the annual delivery of a vintage held in the hands of nature, means that consequence works together with synchronicity” he said. “It’s a fine balance between old and new, nature and science.”While the end result might be worth it, wine making is a major investment in both time and money. “It is a huge capital investment where you don’t see any returns for some time. Also, the market is saturated with suppliers, so you must make your mark and consistently produce outstanding wine.”“At Alkimi I can express my passion for the Rhône region by producing varieties which are typical to that region; as well as the Syrah I make Roussanne and Grenache Noir, I also do a cheeky Rosè.”“It’s a holistic job. You must juggle many

hats. A day’s work can involve creation, vineyards, winemaking, accountancy, sales, mechanics, philosophising, research and problem solving. The worst thing about being a winemaker is spending all my money on good wine.”“Releasing my first wine under my own label is my greatest achievement thus far. It made all the travelling to Europe to learn about winemaking worthwhile.”When he was at De La Salle, Dudine played a lot of basketball and remembers Br Jerry as an awesome coach. He also played guitar and played with a few mates in a small guitar ensemble, mostly playing jazz and funk.“I won’t name names, but there are a handful of teachers who I still remember today. Their classes were my most enjoyable ones,” he said.“I had a small interest in wine at school, and I studied a few science subjects in VCE. But I have really found my calling once I began working in wineries. De La Salle students left me with many legacies. I learned that I have the ability to achieve anything I want; life is what I make of it. It also left me with some great friends, whom I still see today.”


University of Melbourne’s newest professor

Top of his class

Tim Stinear (1985) was recently awarded a full Professorship at the University of Melbourne in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology.Professor Stinear started his academic career as a Post-doctoral Research Fellow at the Institute Pasteur, France in 2001. He returned to Australia to Monash University in 2004 as a National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Howard Florey Centenary Research Fellow, followed by an appointment as a NHMRC R. Douglas Wright Research Fellow. In 2009 he joined the University of Melbourne as a senior lecturer in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology in 2009. He was promoted to the position of Associate Professor in 2012. He was awarded an NHMRC Senior Research Fellowship in 2011 which was renewed again in 2015.After graduating from De La Salle Professor Stinear completed a BSc (Hons) Microbiology at Monash University and a PhD Microbiology, Monash University.Professor Stinear is at the forefront of using genomics to explore bacterial pathogenesis and antibiotic resistance. He decoded the extraordinary genetics of an unusual lipid toxin made by the human bacterial pathogen Mycobacterium ulcerans. His genomic research helped change the paradigm on the origins of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the causative agent of human TB. He has spearheaded application of the latest technological advances in DNA sequencing to understand the emergence of antibiotic resistance in hospital pathogens Staphylococcus aureus and Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci (VRE). He has made several important

discoveries including the mechanisms by which S. aureus develops resistance to last line antibiotics and a previously unrecognised pathway by which VRE arise. These studies have major impacts for shaping new strategies to stop the rising spread of these and other antimicrobial resistant superbugs.Professor Stinear has received a number of awards recognising his contribution to immunology including Dean’s Award for Research Excellence, Faculty of Medicine, Monash University (2005); CSL award, outstanding PhD student (2000); and the Professor Ed Westaway award, for outstanding Honours student (1995).Professor Stinear is also a member of both the Australian and American Societies for Microbiology.Professor Stinear has published over 108 primary papers, book chapters and review articles at an average of forty-five citations per paper. Several of the primary publications were published in generalist journals including Nature Genetics, Cell, Genome Research, The Lancet, PNAS, PLOS Pathogens, Clinical Microbiology Reviews and Nature Reviews Microbiology. The publications have a total of over 4,568 citations.

Kane Hooper (1997) was recently awarded the prestigious Brookes Scholars Medal for graduating top of the 2015 Masters of Business Administration class at Deakin University. Kane graduated with the highest GPA, of 91 percent, out of the 400 students who completed the program. Kane is currently the Chief Operating Officer for Fast Flow Management, a software development company. He is an experienced general manager specialising in business turnaround and crisis management. His expertise is in saving businesses on the brink of closure. Kane is a member of the Deakin MBA Advisory Board, President of the Golden Key Academic Society Deakin Chapter and Non-Executive Director of Grow Foundation, a charity for families of children with special needs.He further volunteers his time for Drug Free World, an organisation dedicated to the education and eradication of drug use. He is also author of the Business CPR series, books written to help SME business owners overcome business and financial distress. While completing the MBA Kane was a member of the Deakin Academic Board.Postscript: Kane has also taken out the Vice-Chancellor’s Award for the Best Post Graduate for the Faculty of Business and Law.

Pictured above: Jan Den Hollander Vice-Chancellor Deakin University, Kane Hooper and Andrew Brookes, a family member after whom the award is named.

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On the Road with the Ten Tenors

What year did you graduate from De La Salle?I started in the primary school and graduated in 2004.What were your passions and or extra-curricula interests whilst at De La?I loved playing basketball, debating, string ensemble and choir. What are your memories of your days at De La Salle?I recall the first choir teacher Kirsty Graham. She was the first teacher that allowed younger students to join the choir. This could have been due to a particular student wanting to join the choir, not sure who that student was though! What studies have you undertaken since graduating from De La Salle?I attended Monash University where I completed a Bachelor of Classical Music, majoring in Voice and Performance. After my degree I headed over to Tuscany, Italy to undertake one-on-one private vocal coaching with a Puccini Master. It was here that I started to become very passionate about the voice and performing abroad. After that I decided to undertake a dance/acting and music theatre course at APO Danceworld in South Melbourne where I obtained a Diploma of Music Theatre.

How did you get started in your professional singing career?It was through my first few auditions where I landed a spot with The Ten Tenors as an extra (swing) and after that first year I was appointed as the Touring Musical Director and Tenor. Timing wasn’t opportune as I also have a passion for teaching and at that time was half way through a Masters of Education at The University of Melbourne. Tell us about your life as one of the Ten TenorsLife as a Ten Tenor is simply quite remarkable. Apart from the intense work schedule and amazing work ethic of the group we are subjected to some amazing people, places and situations. A typical day would be to wake up in a new city after a flight or bus ride and then head into a hotel in a gorgeous town and then get straight into the theatre for rehearsals/touch-ups and then perform! What are some of the important projects you are/have worked on?I have enjoyed working on many television appearances globally from ‘Oprah’ to the FIFA Opening in Poland to Sydney’s ‘Carols in the Domain’ but I have been fortunate to record and co-vocal produce our last two albums,

Undoubtedly Australia’s greatest entertainment success of recent times, the Ten Tenors are currently selling out performances in Australia and New Zealand with their Power of Ten Tour. Paul Gelsumini (2004) is one of the members of the group and their Musical Director. He took time out of his busy schedule to talk to Roll Call about his life as a Ten Tenor.


On Broadway and Our Christmas Wish. I am particularly excited about t as this is an initiative that we have taken to not only share what we think is a beautiful album but to help a great cause that is The Lady Cilento Children’s Hospital in Brisbane. We are donating all the proceeds for each purchase to the hospital to help with research, family support and funding for new equipment to fight the battle of Meningococcal disease in children. What do you attribute your success to?I believe the nature of the Australian life and attitude is very helpful to our success. We are always trying to make the best impression and not tarnish what is already a great reputation that Australia has on a global scale. Our audition process also takes into account not only vocal performance but also personality and people’s skills. What have the highlights of your career been so far?The highlights are meeting some amazing people like Ricky Martin, Celine Dion, Morgan Freeman, Rod Laver, The Wiggles, Geoffrey Rush and I’m sure there are more but having the chance to talk to these amazing artists and hearing their stories is a once in a lifetime treat. Where do you like to spend your spare time?Definitely with family and friends at home. In any given year we can be on the road from 7–10 months so coming home for more than a few weeks is a real treat. For example this will be the third Christmas where I will be away from home so I guess you take the good with the bad. What legacies have your days as a De La Salle student left you with?The culture at De La Salle and more importantly the years I attended De La saw a very strong mate-ship with staff and students across all year levels, from Mr A and Mr C in primary to all senior staff. I have found that having the confidence to discuss and participate in conversation where staff treat students as young adults is a tool that is vital. Also having chosen to pursue music

A portrait of a judge

The Hon Bernie Teague (1953) is not one for sitting still but sit he did for Lewis Miller, the artist commissioned by the Law Institute of Victoria to paint his portrait which was unveiled at the National Gallery of Victoria in October. It took four sittings and the result is an affectionate, faithful take on a singular man.From polka dot bow tie to perched glasses to snowy white hair, there is no mistaking the framed legal identity.Miller said it wasn’t easy, however. “Mr Teague would talk. His glasses were broken. And the eyes and mouth proved challenging.” In addition the process was filmed, from first charcoal sketch to final unveiling, a new experience for the Archibald Prize winning artist. The entire experience was new to Mr Teague, but firsts are not uncommon for the 77 year old, the first lawyer in his family. There have been many other firsts, but the most significant is his October 1987 promotion to the Supreme Court bench, becoming the first solicitor in Victoria to be appointed a judge in the state’s highest court.The portrait will be on permanent display in the Law Institute of Victoria.Edited extract: courtesy of the Law Institute of Victoria.

Photos of Paul performing and below backstage with legend Rod Laver, before The Ten Tenors show in Palm Desert in California.

as a profession I can safely say that I was allowed opportunities to showcase and grow as a musician at De La Salle College.

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Mother’s Day BreakfastThis year’s Mother’s Day Breakfast attracted 490 mothers and sons to the Tiverton Campus. Principal Mr Peter Houlihan warmly welcomed the guests who were spoiled with delicious fruit platters and pastries throughout the morning. Mr Houlihan said the breakfast was fast becoming one of the College’s signature annual events. “The annual Mothers’ Day Breakfast is about welcoming members of our community on campus to share each other’s company and for our young men to say thank you to their wonderful

mothers.” The College Leaders, led by College Captain Anthony Arceri, kept the morning running smoothly. The guest speaker for the morning was Olympic athlete and now De La Salle teacher Mrs Kaila Hutchinson, who spoke of her own mother’s support throughout her long journey to become an elite sports woman and Olympian. Mr Houlihan also thanked the efforts of the many volunteers who helped make the morning such a success. Happy Mother’s Day.


I feel privileged to be invited to be the president of the re-established Old Collegians’ Association and to introduce myself through my first column in Roll Call.The association has been dormant for some years and the College Principal, Mr Peter Houlihan, is keen to reactivate it and provide an important link for the broader De La Salle community with the College.De La Salle is very much in my personal DNA. My father was in the class of 1929 alongside the highly respected Br Damian Harvey who went on to be headmaster of the College. I graduated from De La Salle in 1969 and my son Tom was vice captain in 2003. Tom’s twin sister Kate has been teaching at the College for the past six years. I am a proud life member of the Old Collegians Football Club and was a committee member for 10 years, seeing its rise to A Grade in the Victorian Amateur Football Association in the mid-1970s, and held the position of secretary in 1978 and 1979. I was also

involved in the Old Collegians Athletic Club for a similar period of time. I have had the opportunity to sit on the College Council and was chairman from 1999–2003 under headmaster Br Tim Peter. In this period I witnessed the significant redevelopment of the Kinnoull campus. After graduating from the College, I was called up for National Service, following which I completed a Bachelor of Business at RMIT. This year marks my 40th year in local government, commencing at the City of Melbourne. My most recent positions have been at the City of Camberwell, the City of Bayside and for the past 12 years as Chief Executive Officer of Benalla Rural City Council. I enjoy the best of both regional Victoria and metropolitan Melbourne maintaining my home base in Kew and a farm cottage where I live during the week in Benalla. I am married to Anne who is a teacher at Genazzano College where our three daughters were educated. I had the pleasure of attending the class of 1966’s 50 year reunion in February and those in

attendance certainly demonstrated that the De La spirit remains vibrant. I look forward to the year ahead and keeping you in contact with a rejuvenated Old Collegians’ Association.

Tony McIlroy (1969)

From the President of the Old Collegians’ Association

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Class of 1966 ReunionOn a balmy February evening a sizeable group of gracefully ageing gentlemen gathered at the Elms Function Room at Caulfield Racecourse to celebrate the 50 year reunion of the De La Salle Matriculation year of 1966. The young faces of those days may have gotten older, the heads of hair may have thinned and gone a little grey and the waistlines expanded, but it was amazing how many were easily recognised.Addresses by the current College Principal Mr Peter Houlihan and President of the Old Collegians’ Association Mr Tony McIlroy were well received, but mostly the talk was amongst the Old Collegians as memories were awakened and tall tales,

but true, were swapped. Several of these stalwarts spoke to the gathering recalling their experiences at the College. The highlight of these was Bob Larkin recounting his co-curricula driving lessons in cahoots with Peter Di Maio and Ralph Poppenbeek.The familiar College ‘WAR CRY’ rang loud and the much loved Br Calixtus was honoured while past times were enjoyed.Teachers and their foibles were recalled; the Cadets were saluted (to a mixed response); the Matriculation choir was heard again; footballs were once again kicked in the schoolyard; handball was once more played in the courts and glasses were raised to the memory of

those who have passed on over the years.A fine night was had with fine food and drink in fine company and then it was over and like Brigadoon, the world of 1966 faded away, perhaps to re-appear in 10 years’ time. See you then.

Christopher Billings


1976 was a long time ago. I can’t remember any of the global or local news of that year, however, the memories of the daily activities and friends, especially those at De La Salle, are a lot easier to recall. There are many small things that come to mind; training at the Harold Holt pool, the No. 6 tram, HSC exams, the long-hair look, the blue n’ gold blazer, nicknames and playground and classroom antics. Roll on 40 years to Friday 15 April, now living in the western district town of Colac I drove to Geelong to catch a lift with ‘Marko’ (Mark Griffin) and ‘Murphs’ (Shane Murphy) to our 40 year reunion. On the trip to Melbourne we talked about the good old De La days;

what old mates would look like and if we would even recognise them. From a distance the reunion room appeared full with a lot of ‘oldish’ blokes. However, entering the front door was like going through a portal back to 1976. Although not good with names now, these ‘distant-memory’ names came rolling-out as I was greeted by the first group of Old Colls. Their nicknames, mannerisms and smiles were unforgettable. Unlike other gatherings no one was alone, all of us were in groups reminiscing and catching-up on each other’s news, sharing adventures, experiences and secrets others don’t or shouldn’t know. Advice was given and received with respect. True mateship in its purest

form. Late that evening, after reflecting on the reunion, I made a note to self: ‘A reunion is not just getting together, it is a realisation that bonds and special memories do live forever and are something to be treasured. Roll-on the 50th reunion!’

Greg Fletcher

Class of 1976 Reunion

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Class of 1986 ReunionThe year 1986 is now so far in the past that it seems like a different world. Bob Hawke was prime minister in 1986, John Farnham scored a number one hit with You’re the voice, Crocodile Dundee was released and Hawthorn won the premiership, which just goes to show that even over the course of three decades, some things don’t change.Another less widely recorded, but nonetheless very important, event occurred in 1986, when a group of young men completed their secondary education at De La Salle. The significance of this event was acknowledged at the Racecourse Hotel, Caulfield, on the evening of Friday 29 April. Thanks to the efforts of Trish Woodman, Kerry Martin, Jonathan

Hewett and John McIlroy, a group of about 40 Old Collegians gathered to take stock, compare stories and put names to faces after a gap of, in some cases, the full 30 years.It is a measure of the strength of the bonds that developed in school that guests quickly fell into animated conversation with former classmates as soon as they entered the venue. Career paths were discussed, numbers of children tabulated, some particularly memorable classes and teachers recalled. The night was characterised by sincere greetings, entertaining storytelling and bursts of laughter. Nametags helped with identification, although perhaps nicknames might

be used in future? The sheer genius of nicknames such as ‘Stork’, ‘Camel’ and ‘Mildew’ must be recognised at future reunions!The consensus of the gathering was that we had all weathered the trials of life surprisingly well. The most damaging effect of the years appeared to be the thinning, or in some cases, complete eradication, of hair. It was a thoroughly enjoyable night; a reminder that perhaps one of the most important roles of any educational institution is to allow young people to form friendships that can lay dormant for years but quickly, if all too briefly, be rekindled when the opportunity is provided.

Simon Conlan


The De La Salle Old Collegians Football Club entered 2016 full of optimism, and rightly so. After facing potential relegation at one win and eight losses midway through last season, the side rallied for an unbeaten run in the latter half of the year to make the finals. The momentum has continued as the club this season welcomed back some significant senior players in Sam Pickett, Dan Keely, Damian Rayson and Jake Williams. From a leadership perspective, the players and coaches recently elected their 2016 leadership group and this year Sam Williams has joined Matt Fieldsend as co-captain. Tom Humphrey has been appointed vice captain and joining them in the leadership group are Jake Gotch, Dan Keely and Sam Pickett.At the time of writing, the Dees have won their first two matches in dramatic style. Following a jam-packed Season Launch event for over 250 guests on the eve of the season, the boys notched a win over St Kevin’s Old Boys at T.H. King Oval in the opening clash of the year. Round 2 saw the club salute with one of the more inspirational wins in its history at Toorak Park under lights for a history-making night game against the touted premiership favourites Old Xavs. Down by four goals at quarter time, the Dees rallied in the second kicking five goals to none. They hesitated in the third as the Red and Black earned the lead at the final change, before De La came home

with a, literally, wet sail in the last as the rain fell – kicking behind after behind to claw back the lead and hang on by a point.The club is in an exciting phase both on and off the field. With four seniors teams, two Under 19s teams, an Under 18 Colts team and an Over 35 team, over 200 players are donning the blue and gold this season.Off the field, a series of major events are in store. The recent Season Launch at the RACV Club was a great success and is now widely recognised as the biggest season launch event in the VAFA. Our upcoming Blue & Gold Business Breakfast will be held at PWC Southbank on Friday 22 July, and the annual Blue & Gold Gala Dinner on Saturday 20 August at the Regent Plaza Ballroom will see upwards of 500 guests

Old Collegians Football report

celebrate together in true ‘De La’ spirit.Club memberships are open to all within the broad De La Salle Community and beyond and we welcome you to support the club at a membership level that suits your budget – all offer outstanding value. The opportunities for business with the club and its connected community are also plentiful given the reach of our passionate, engaged audience and the ongoing work of our commercial team to create mutual value.Contact the club via the website for further information on how you can get involved with the Blue & Gold Army as either a member or sponsor, at www.delasalleocfc.com.au.Go Dees!

Troy Buntine DLSOCAFC Committee Member

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La Salle Cross Country Team his goal is to complete the Vietnam Mountain Marathon 100km race in September. Brendan is married to Izumi and has a four year old son, Enzo. Mark Hennessy (1981) is a teacher of IT at Presbyterian Ladies’ College, Burwood.James Gow (2002) has been teaching at St Anthony’s Primary School Noble Park for the last seven years. Paul Jackson (1985) has been inducted into the ACC Hall of Fame for his work in theatrical design (pictured below with Mr Houlihan).

Robert O’Shea (1968) (Bob) is Associate Professor and Executive Dean of the Faculty of Business, Federation University Australia. Bob has six grandchildren from his three older children and a younger 15 year old son currently in Year 10 at St Patrick’s College. Bob is an external member of the St Patrick’s Education Board and serves on a number of other community boards. Michael Webster (1971) is living comfortably at Cabrini Residential Care in Ashwood.James Hansen (2005) is running JW Hansen Plumbing, an ever expanding maintenance plumbing company in the Eastern Suburbs of Melbourne.Steve Maccora (1965) is living in Yokine, WA after retiring from his role as State Manager (WA) Colonial First State. These days Steve spends a lot of time with his grandchildren, on the golf course and travelling. James Faraone (1992) completed a Bachelor of Arts at Monash followed by a Graduate Diploma of Education. He has worked in the Northern Territory for 18 Years, in Darwin and the Tiwi Islands.

Where are they now?Andrew Carrazzo (2001) recently announced his retirement from the Carlton Football Club. The 31-year-old has played 193 games in the navy blue jumper since making his debut in Round 21, 2004, against Melbourne. He was recruited to Carlton with a first round selection in the 2003 Rookie Draft, after spending two years on the rookie list at Geelong, where he won the Best and Fairest for the Cats’ VFL side. After arriving at Carlton, Carrazzo’s hard work and determination soon saw him elevated from the rookie list. In 2007, he won Carlton’s John Nicholls’ Medal as the Club’s Best and Fairest and the following year joined the Blues’ leadership group. Carrazzo has served as Carlton’s vice-captain and is also a Carlton Life Member.Terry Taffe (1950) retired early and spends 10–15 weeks every year travelling throughout South East Asia and the Pacific. Most of Terry’s career was spent working for the Commonwealth in Papua New Guinea and later in the senior public service in Australia.Tony Kerin (1970) is celebrating his second anniversary as Parish Priest of Greater Box Hill Parish after many years ministering in the western suburbs. He is also the Episcopal Vicar (Archbishop’s delegate) for Life, Marriage and Family in the Archdiocese of Melbourne.Ladislaus Boelckey (1960) (now Les) is the Managing Director of U.C.P. Australia (trading as United Pumps Australia) which he established in 1984 in Sunshine. He has worked in the oil and gas industry most of his working life and is married with three daughters and five grandchildren.Sam Akritidis (1997) is the Chief Civil/Structural Engineer (Victoria) Australia East Operations for Worley Parsons Engineering Services. In 1999 he captained the U19 Australian Lacrosse Team in the World Series held in Adelaide. He lives in Melbourne with his partner Erin and plays Lacrosse for Caulfield. Brendan Rake (1998) lives in Bangkok running equity sales trading for Macquarie Bank after stints in Hong Kong, Tokyo, Mumbai and Seoul. Still a lifelong runner after his days on the De

He is currently Head of Middle School and specialises in Indigenous education and completed his Masters of Education (Indigenous) in 2012. Tony Smith (1973) is retired on the Sunshine Coast. Previously he worked in finance for himself and the ANZ bank based in the Solomon Islands and around Australia. Tony has five children and four grandchildren. John Murphy (1958) is retired from teaching and he and his wife Monica live in Berwick. Their eldest, Ben, is also a teacher at their old school, St. Francis Xavier College Beaconsfield; daughter Bridget, another teacher, lives with her husband and five children in Inverloch; younger son, Rob, is Captain of the Western Bulldogs in the AFL.Richard Reid (1966) developed world leading software solutions for the automotive industry that were rolled out to 17 countries. He spent a season with the Richmond U19s and ran with the Old Colls Athletics Club for 25 years where he won the over 40s national steeplechase title. At that time he was running marathons under three hours and coaching a women’s triathlon team where three of the girls represented Australia. These days he has switched over to mountain bike riding and swimming and works in tourism, marketing a resort on the Great Ocean Road. He has a son Marcus and three grandchildren.Chris Fitzgerald (1994) lives on a 70 acre property in Moyston (near the Grampians) and owns a highly successful plumbing company which looks after many of the big wineries in the region. In 2014, Chris and his partner Tammy welcomed their first son Jack into the world. Scott Gullifer (1995) has recently returned to Australia after three years as Chief Financial Officer for IDS Medical, Vietnam. Scott and his wife have two children. His son Jack will be a fourth generation De La boy when he starts in 2017. His younger brother to follow suit in 2019.


Dr Mark Wilson (2004) is currently working in Burnie, Tasmania, as an orthopaedic surgical registrar. More recently, Mark has also combined clinical and surgical work at multiple public and private hospitals in Melbourne with a busy family life as the father of two daughters. He said working as a team doctor for the University Blues (VAFA) and Melbourne University as an anatomy demonstrator were particularly rewarding. Mark and his wife recently welcomed a new daughter Celeste, a sister to Miranda (pictured above).Angus Paxton (1990) is the operations manager with Honeywell and has been based in Brisbane for past 15 years. Angus is married to Tracey with three children.Angelo Krizmanic (1988) is currently living in Shanghai as the vice president – Asia Pacific for Pinkerton Corporate Risk Management. Bernie Hoy (1954) is married to Kaye and happily retired living in Bentleigh with 12 grandchildren who keep him very busy.Justin Hoy (1985) works at Canaccord Melbourne, a boutique investment bank. He is married to Felicity and lives in Brighton with their two sons and a daughter.Damian Hoy (1987) is a doctor working for the Secretariat of the Pacific Community managing epidemic outbreaks in the region. Damien is married to Anne and lives in Noumea.Brendan Hoy (1988) works as a financial consultant in the banking industry. He is married to Ann Maree and lives in Burwood with their five daughters.Stephen Hoy (1991) is working as director of an internet security company. He is married to Renee and lives in Ashburton with their three sons and a daughter. All five ‘Hoy Boys’ and their families still holiday together, having recently spent the summer at Narooma on the NSW South Coast. Also joining them on the holiday was Patrick O’Callaghan (1988), Stephen O’Connell (1998), Dan O’Connell (2000) and Michael O’Connell (2002) and their respective families. Dan O’Connell was also celebrating his recent engagement to Jo. The Hoys

are also regulars at the De La Old Colls football games.Michael Bjork-Billings (Clarke Billings) (1964) was in Dublin over the Easter weekend for the Centenary celebrations of the Irish Uprising in 1916. Michael’s interest in and love of Irish literature began with the encouragement of Br Gerard Rummery while in Matriculation at the College. Justin Bourke (1976) is a Melbourne based QC specialising in industrial and employment law.Greg Fletcher (1976) is a community services manager with the Colac Otway Shire where he has been working on the clean-up of the recent bushfires.Aldo Smarrelli (1976) runs his own hair salon in Kew. He is a national judge and the official hair stylist for Miss World Australia and a former Australian Hair Championship Judge.Keiran Rogers (1996) has started an independent book publishing company called Affirm Press, focusing on autobiographies, sport, gift books and quality Australian fiction.Bob Larkin (1966) has retired from the construction industry and is currently the president of the Caulfield RSL Club.Philip Mustey (1974) celebrated his 60th birthday in March with his family and friends, including his two young grandchildren. Among the guests were Ken Oliver (1974) and Michael Bohan (1973) who started in Grade 3 at the College in 1965. (Pictured below left to right are: Ken Oliver (1974), Michael Bohan (1973), Tim Houston (1974), Damien Cash (College Dux 1974), Phil Mustey (1974 and Marty Wilson (1974).

Ben Coolahan (1993) is living in Canada with his wife whom he met working on cruise ships about 10 years ago. He says the lifestyle of lakes in summer and great skiing in winter is hard to resist. He works for BCAA (the Canadian equivalent of the RACV). Michael Brudenell (1967) is a sports broadcaster in Detroit. James Buick (1976) works in arts and cultural facilities management.

Wes Agar (2014) was selected in Australian World Cup U/19 cricket squad earlier this year. He had already represented Victoria under 17s. He has already made some runs and taken wickets for Australia. Wes has accepted an offer to join the South Australian senior cricket squad and has really impressed in the highest levels of cricket in SA so much he’s earned his rookie contract at the SA Redbacks. He will be following in the footsteps of older brother Ashton (2011) who plays regularly for Western Australia and made the famous 98 runs and world record partnership with Phillip Hughes (RIP) in England during his first ever Test Match for Australia in 2013. (Photo courtesy of FOX SPORTS)Shane Murphy (1976) was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2003 after a horse riding accident. He is currently undergoing deep brain stimulation at Monash Medical, where he reports some success. Shane keeps active and is on the Board of Parkinson’s Victoria.David Bray (1967) Started De La’s first band, “Aftermath”. He still plays regular gigs around Melbourne with a band called Albatross. (pictured below centre back row with “Jug Banned”)

Jim Barritt (1976) lives in Ballarat where he runs the Begonia Motor Inn.Neil Pinto (1976) is an orthodontist in Wagga Wagga.Paul Bergin (1976) is a project manager for Cara IPM.David Lloyd (1967) has worked for Nissan for a number of years, in Japan and now in Australia.Peter Hubacek (1976) is a company director for Surf Coast Tennis in Torquay.Brendan Kennedy (1976) is a professor of chemistry at the University of Sydney where he has lectured since 1988.

Photo courtesy of FOX SPORTS

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Paul Ferrari (1976) is a mechanical engineer currently based in Western Australia with Wren Oil.

Alan Hubbard (centre) taught history at De La Salle College in the early 1970s. Two of his former De La Salle students, Michael Cooke (1973) (left) and Dr Edward Duyker (1972) (right), recently caught up with him for first time in 42 years. Since retiring, Michael has served as an election monitor in Sri Lanka and once in East Timor and has published a biography of the Sri Lankan revolutionary Lionel Bopage and another on Christianity, Islam and atheism. Edward, now a grandfather of two, currently has a six months’ residency in the Australia Council’s Keesing Studio in Paris and is researching a biography of the French explorer Lapérouse. His most recent book, a biography of yet another French explorer Dumont d’Urville, was published in the United States last year and was a runner up for the 2015 Frank Broeze Maritime History Prize. Matt Lyons (1990) married Jenny Owens in Berry, NSW on 27 February. His bridal party included Jeremy Comarmond (1990), and Ben Tyson (1998). Matt and Jenny met skiing. Matt was the Australian Institute of Sport Ski Cross head coach and Jenny is a three time Olympic ski champion. Matt now works at the AIS in performance coaching & leadership, having retired from active coaching.

Damian (1989) and Anthony (1984) Giacomantonio celebrated their parents’, Domenic and Maria’s, 50th wedding anniversary in December. Maria worked in the College Office for more than 20 years, retiring in 2008. Anthony works in marketing while Damian runs his own garden and outdoor maintenance business.

William (Billy) Dwyer (2005) has been recognised as a Corporate Rising Star at Clarendon Lawyers. Nominated by clients and peers, the recognition is for expertise in mergers and aquisitions and capital markets. Andrew Woodman (2000) married Kate Johnson in September 2015 in Chicago, USA. The photo below was taken at the reception showing his De La connections. Andrew and Kate are seated in picture, and standing from left

to right are Brendan Woodman (2003), Trish Woodman (De La Alumni Officer) Daniel Stafford (2000), Andrew Pereira (2000), Gavan Smith (2000), Glen Mcleod (2000), Julian Farrell (2000) and Pat Dunne (2004). Andrew works as an accountant for Deloitte US, and he and Kate have bought a house in Chicago. He is a Chicago Cubs, Bulls and Bears fan but his allegiance to AFL remains strong. He still follows the Melbourne Demons, and has recently been appointed Coach of the Chicago Swans AFL team.

Andrew Tang (2007) happened to be on the same trek in Huascaren National Park in the middle of Peru when he met up with De La Salle teachers Brodrick and Hewett. He approached Mr Brodrick and reminded him that he was in his Homeroom in 2007. Small world.

City of Port Phillip remembers Tony Stewart on Balibo Five 40th AnniversaryOld Collegian Tony Stewart (1971) was honoured recently at a tree planting ceremony at the St Kilda Botanical Gardens to mark the 40th anniversary of the deaths of the Balibo Five.The College was represented by several Year 10 students who attended the ceremony in memory of Tony, who as a 21 year-old sound recordist working for Channel 7, was killed with four other journalists while filing reports about Indonesian incursions before the 1975 invasion of Portuguese Timor (now the Democratic Republic of Timor Leste).Mayor of Port Phillip, Amanda Stevens, said the ceremony was fitting as the Stewarts had called St Kilda home for three generations. “This peaceful retreat is the perfect setting to reflect on the bravery of this young man, and his journalistic colleagues, who sacrificed their lives to tell this important story,” she said.Paul Stewart (1978), Tony’s younger brother, said Tony would have loved the idea of the tree planting. “It’s fantastic, the whole family, including the new generation can visit it. It’s also an important reminder of what happened 40 years ago. People have been talking about that tragedy for 40 years and will still be talking about it 40 years in the future.”Paul Stewart, a veteran musician who formed the Dili All Stars band to highlight the plight of the Timorese people, encouraged Australians to assist them through initiatives including the local Friends of Suai/Covalima group. As part of the ceremony The Media Entertainment and Arts Alliance announced it was establishing a scholarship for young East Timorese journalists to receive journalism training in Australia. (Paul Stewart pictured second from right at the ceremony with family and guests).

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Rest In PeaceRichard Hellard 1947Bishop Ronald Mulkearns 1947The Hon John Hedigan QC 1948Patrick Wright 1957Gary Tapscott 1963Denis Flynn 1971Stephen Daniels 1984Bryce Felstead 1999Matthew Weereratne 2001Conor Tolson 2011

Reunions

Tribute to John Donegan

Eighteen of De La Salle’s distance runners from the 1960s gathered recently to pay tribute to their legendary coach, John Donegan (1944). From 1963–73 John trained the College’s distance men in an era when they dominated the Catholic schools’ annual carnivals at Olympic Park. At the reunion at Richard Reid’s (1966) home, guests mingled and chatted as they inspected a photo display of our youthful heroics. Remarkably, our times of 50 years ago improved dramatically as the afternoon unfolded!John, 89, is now wheelchair-bound and in failing health, but he smiled broadly as his old charges teased him about the torturous Friday night runs from his East Malvern home and the notorious hard laps he dished out at Caulfield Racecourse.In a formal toast, Richard Reid spoke emotionally of John’s valuable life-long lesson. Maurice Gaul remembered the Donegan era as a time of excellence, inspiration and mateship. Then Tony McIlroy (1968) spoke warmly in memory of much-loved Mrs Kath Donegan.After the toasts, group photos were taken as Auld Lang Syne’s haunting notes rippled in the background. Guests then formed a circle and took turns

holding a symbolic baton (blue-and-gold, of course!) and sharing colourful memories from our running days.Lou Ferrari (1969) remembered Friday night runs and Martin Dalton (1966) ruefully recalled Olympic Park’s concrete-like cinders track, and Tony Smith (1973) admitted the older runners were once role models. Then the room erupted as Chris Smith (1966) jogged in wearing his blue running shorts and

gold singlet from 50 years ago.On a magical day, it was wonderful to reconnect with long-lost mates. But even better, it was a pure joy just to be there to say: “Thanks, John. We’ve never forgotten.”

Maurice Gaul (1966)

Back: Peter Donegan, John Eddy, Bernie Dunn, Barry Lyons, David Whitelaw, John Whitelaw, Tony McIlroyMiddle: Frank Flynn, Vin Peile, Richard Reid, Martin Dalton, Chris Smith, Frank Whitelaw, Peter KelleherSeated: Tony Smith, Maurice Gaul, guest-of-honour John Donegan, Rob Sayers, Lou Ferrari

Class of 1996 7:30 pm Friday 27 May Prahran HotelClass of 2006 7:30 pm Friday 17 June Racecourse HotelClass of 2011 7:30 pm Friday 22 July Racecourse HotelClass of 2015 5–7 pm Friday 26 August Peppercorn Café, KinnoullMOFS Dinner 7:00 for 7:30 pm Wednesday 7 September venue tbc

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De La Salle College1318 High Street Malvern 3144 Victoria AustraliaT: +613 9508 2100 www.delasalle.vic.edu.au

Roll Call - May 2016

Documents

Transcript of Roll Call - May 2016