Old Aquinians Association

As this is the first edition of Fish for 2020, I would like to welcome the graduates of 2020 to the Old Boy community and the new life-members to the Old Aquinians’ Association.

Business Breakfast

The Association commenced 2020’s social calendar with the Business Breakfast held on Friday, 28 February 2020 in the Hughes Dining Hall. The event was hugely successful with special guest speaker James McMahon DSC DSM (1981) speaking to a packed room of guests from across the Aquinas community.

James served in the Australian Defence Force from 1985 to 2007, including serving as the Commander of the Special Air Services Regiment (SASR), a special forces unit of the Australian Army.

James was named Western Australian of the Year in 2019. James was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for command and leadership in action in Afghanistan and Iraq and the Distinguished Service Medal for leadership in action in Timor-Leste. In his post-military career, James has served as the Commissioner for the Department of Corrective Services in Western Australia, Chief Operating Officer at Azure Capital, on various boards, and is currently the Chief Operating Officer at Australian Capital Equity.

James shared with the crowd many personal experiences from throughout his military and post-military career. James also briefly discussed his role as an ambassador for ‘The Fathering Project’, a not-for-profit organisation supporting fathers and father-figures. The Fathering Project attempts to inspire and equip individuals so that they can effectively engage with their children.

The audience appreciated James’ insight and candour, which clearly imbued the audience.

Spring Sundowner

The Association was delighted to host the Spring Sundowner at the Broken Hill Hotel in Victoria Park on Thursday, 15 October 2020. As many of the Association’s events earlier in the year were cancelled due to COVID-19, it was heart-warming to see approximately fifty us together, albeit socially distanced.

The crowd, including individuals from the graduating classes of 1954 to 2016, discussed various topics, including, of course, the COVID-19 experiences of themselves and their family and friends.

Many guests were thrilled to enjoy a conversation with Elliot Yeo (2010), a West Coast Eagles player who is a John Worsfold Medal winner and co-owner of the Broken Hill Hotel.

The Spring Sundowner served as a particular reminder to guests of the importance of and enjoyment of human connection, and the bond that past and present Aquinas College community members possess.

Thanks

The Committee and I would like to express our sincere thanks to James McMahon, Elliot Yeo, and Nichole Rowson (Alumni and Events Administrator) for the time they have devoted to the Association.

Alex Anile, OAA Committee Member

Cam proves a crowd pleaser

Test cricketer Cameron Bancroft was a big drawcard at the Old Aquinians' Association's annual dinner on August 21, which was one of the best attended for years.

Cam, who was at the college between 2006 and 2010, and captained the Darlot Cup team in his final year, spoke frankly about the ball tampering incident in South Africa in 2018 which attracted world headlines.

Cam, along with the Australian captain, Steve Smith and fellow opener David Warner, was suspended from Test cricket for his role in the event. He said in retrospect it had been a major mistake.

Cam was a member of the Ashes touring team in England in 2019, and said the home fans had given the side a hot reception. He brought the house down singing a few lines from a less than complimentary song which the crowds sang about the South African incident.

Cam fielded a wide range of questions from Peter Kennedy (Leaving Class 1959), and then from the audience. As with his batting when facing a hostile attack, he didn't take a backward step. this paragraph could go if space us tight:

He is the fifth Old Boy to represent Australia in Test cricket. The others are Ernie Bromley who made his debut in the 1932-33 Bodyline series against England, pace bowler Terry Alderman, spinner Brad Hogg and the current Australian coach Justin Langer.

The OAA wishes to thank the Dean of Development at the college, Peter Robertson, and Events and Alumni Administrator Nichole Rowson, for their meticulous organisation which helped ensure the success of the evening.

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Louis Moyser (’50) was wed in 1975 and fathered two daughters. After serving in the Australian Defence Force, Louis went on to become a specialist anaesthetist, eventually working his way up to the position of Head Director of Anaesthesia at Osborne Park Hospital.

John Salerian (’50) spent 32 years of his life as a farmer – 27 of which as a dairy farmer and the rest as a beef farmer. A further few decades were spent as a bus contractor before returning to his grazing property. John was blessed with four children, a son and three daughters and spent much of his free time volunteering for groups such as I.E, P&C, P&F, Hospital board, Peel Community Care, Community Resource Centre and his Shire Council.

Richard Fox (’60) earned a Doctorate in Physics from the University of Oxford and spent the next few decades dedicated to scientific and medical advancement – working as a Scientific Assistant and the Institute of Cancer Research in London, a Lecturer at the University of London and then, after returning to Australia, as Head of the Department of Medical Physics at Royal Perth Hospital. He continued to lecture at UWA as a Professor of Physics. Currently, Richard is a visiting Professor at Curtin University and an Emeritus Consultant for Royal Perth Hospital. Among this illustrious career, he became a Fellow of AIP, FInstP(London), ACPSEM, IPEM(UK), fathered two children, volunteered at Scitech, swam with the Claremont and Mandurah Masters swimming clubs and was the two time President (and life member) of the Rottnest Voluntary Guides Association.

Jim Gherardi (’60) studied medicine at UWA and served the Fremantle community as a General Practitioner for 40 years. He fathered three children, with his two sons following in his footsteps as students at Aquinas College. A proud dad, he readily brags of their achievements in Environmental Science, as a wine maker in Margaret River and as a Primary School Teacher. Nowadays, Jim likes to spend his time playing lawn bowls at the Spearwood Bowling Club.

Gerard Tonks (1960) now boasts FCA and FCIS at the end of his signature. These additives were earned through a career spanning 11 years in banking, 13 in public accountancy and 25 in commercial accounting in the mining industry. Gerard owned his own accountancy practice in Kalgoorlie and lectured at Notre Dame. A proud dad, Gerard has been blessed with two grandsons in recent years.

Brendan Parker (’60) spent his career in animal health and sales and marketing at a national level, as well as raising four children. All of his sons attended Aquinas and his grandsons to his daughter are also current students. Nowadays, Brendan is enjoying the life of a retiree in Denmark – fishing, surfing and kayaking.

Graham Mahony (’61) earned his Doctorate and served a fulfilling career as a chartered professional engineer (CPEng) both here in Australia and overseas. He is proud that his wife and all of his four children also earned tertiary qualifications – and his eyes are now set on his six grandchildren.

1951, 1960 and 1961 Reunion

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Sidney Herrington (’09) has been painting houses around Perth while taking a year away from his engineering studies at Curtin University. Sidney made his mark at the College as a high jumper, using the "Fosbury Flop" style to win the open event as a member of the successful Inters team in his final year. His best leap is 1.92 metres, just above his own height (1.89 metres).

Sidney has also had success in martial arts which he took up as an 8-year-old. He has won silver medals in the Muay Thai division - which employs fists elbows, knees and shins - in the past two national titles. He's aiming to go one better next year and earn the right to represent Australia in international competition.

Tom Dempsey (’20) has been accepted into The Australian Volleyball Academy (AVA) and will be joining the AVA athlete cohort in Canberra for 2021.

Thomas Horton (’83) was recently nominated for two BAFTA awards and a US Producer Guild Association Awrads for his work on “Emerald City” and “A Series of Unfortunate Events”. Thomas is currently residing in London.

Ben O’Connor (’13) stole the show when he took out his first stage win in the Giro d’Italia. He conquered 203-kilometres of mountainous road from Bassano del Grappo to Madonna di Campiglio, which featured four categorised climbs.

Josh Gammon-Carson (’06) was nominated the WA Police Officer of the Year (’19) after a star-studded career, working with the Detective's Office, running an operation targeting juvenile offenders - finding ways to divert young people away from crime and the court system.

Joshua Cribb (’14) and his company released the first fully Australian built electric plane and the world’s first electric ducted microlight aircraft in 2020. The team are pioneering the development of electric flight by focusing on the key enabling technology - the propulsion system.

Ben O'Connor

Cliff Owen (’59) has been the driving force behind the building of Two Skiffs on his property and their launch last year in Augusta. Cliff is now a regular morning rower in the skiffs and a founding member of the Augusta Community Rowing Association.

Joshua Cribb - 1st on the left

Josh Gammon-Carson