NEWSLETTER OF THE OLD COLLEGIANS
THEGym PRESIDENT’S
Autumn 2014
report
Dear Fellow Old Collegians, It is my honour to have served as the President of the CBC Old Collegians’ Association in 2013. I am honoured to have served in this capacity since 2004. My resignation, as President of the Old Collegians’ Association, marks the conclusion of my association with CBC which began as a student in 1967 and for two brief periods from 1972-1976 and then again from 1994-1999, meaning an association of 47 years of my life. So for more than two-thirds of my life, I have a direct involvement and participation in the life of CBC Wakefield Street. So tonight is indeed a watershed moment in my life and it will feel extremely strange to not have a direct and programmed involvement with CBC from now on. As my blood is very much purple in colour, this will feel very strange indeed. At this time I am overwhelmed by a deep sense of gratitude to so many people who, in my association with CBC, have meant so much to me. First of all, I am very grateful to those men who formed me while I was a student at CBC and who gave me a great start in adult life, inspiring me to be the best man I could be. I would like to record my deep gratitude to the following Christian Brothers: Brothers Jim Daly, Basil Warner, Al Howard, Michael Coughlin, Pat Carey, Gerard Faulkner and Michael Flaherty. And then, when I rejoined CBC in 1977 as a teacher, my deep gratitude to the following: Brothers: Max McAppion, Al Howard, Jim Murray, John Webb, Warwick Bryant, Tex Hann, Terry Cant, Dominic McCabe, Peter Faulkner and John Marks. There were of course, many other Christian Brothers over the years who I remember fondly and with appreciation and gratitude for their support and friendship. I have been blessed by my association with a number of lay members of staff, who are too numerous to mention, although I would like to
A NOTE FROM THE
record my special regard and appreciation of the mentoring I received from: John Holland, Jim Coleman, Kevin Kenny, Noel and Dean Karcher. I made many friendships with the staff at CBC and will treasure these always.
2014 Academic year This year Christian Brothers College celebrates 136 years since the laying of the CBC Foundation Stone by Bishop Reynolds in 1878. From our humble beginnings with 68 students in 1878 we are now blessed with 1327 students across 3 campuses, from 42 different nationalities and 17 faith traditions. Our staff numbers are also at a peak with over 180. 2014 College Theme This year’s College theme Gathered as Many, Standing as One reminds us in the words of St Paul’s letter to the Ephesians 4:4 that there is one body and one spirit, just as you have been called to one ‘glorious hope’ for the future. The ‘glorious hope’ to which we aspire as a community in 2014 is best expressed in our College Vision Statement: As a learning community Christian Brothers College inspires excellence. We aim to be energetic and compassionate contributors to the world. Contemporary and dynamic educational programs provide the basis for life-long learning in a community where life, faith and family are celebrated. CBC is a College richly blessed by the history of its preceding staff and students as well as by the strength, innovation and extraordinary vision of its current community.
Official Newsletter of the
There have been many parents and volunteers at CBC who I have had the pleasure of knowing. I would like to, in particular, pay testament to Nell Kain, to the Teakle family, to the DuBois family, to Tony Maguire, David Wark and to Robin and Isobel Storer. Of course, once again, there have been many others, who have freely contributed to the welfare of the college.
Incorporated
I would like to pay particular thanks to Paul Logan, who asked me to join the Old Collegians when I was a member of the CBC Board, chaired by David Wark and while Pat Cronin was Principal. I would also like to pay tribute to John Brewer for his dedication over so many years that my own pales in comparison.
CBC Old
I would like to pay particular thanks to Jacinta Weiss, Shaun Clarke, Alex Ly and Noel Mifsud for their support of me and their support of the work of Old Collegians’ Association. And so to those who have recently and currently supported me in my role here in the Old Collegians’ Association: I make particular mention of Filip Puccini, of Paul Della, Anthony Andolfatto, Andrew Maiese, Kevin Sheehy, Alex Mabarrack, Steven Connell, Josh Grant, Simon Cousins, Mark Roberts and Michael Moran. It has been a privilege to know you and to work with you and though I am retiring, to wish you every blessing and success in the future. Sincere best wishes, Mr Viano Jaksa Immediate Past President (1971)
CBC Old Collegians
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Collegians Inc GPO Box 2707 ADELAIDE SA 5001
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Christian Brothers College GPO Box 2707 ADELAIDE
principal
Dear friends of CBC
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SA 5001 Blessing of Boats Christian Brothers College has enjoyed a long history of rowing dating back to 1909. This term we christened CBC’s 32nd boat: ‘The Spirit of our Brothers’ (after CBC veterans who died in world conflicts). Distinguished guests at the assembly included: • Fr James Valladares, • Brothers Patrick Cronin and Br Barry Donaghue • Mr Bill Carey CBC Rowing Captain 1962 • CBC rowers past and present including CBC rowers from 1962-1964 • 2014 Rowing Coordinator Jarrad Schar, CBC Coach Beau Gora and Deputy Principal Shaun Clarke. • Mr Justin Wickens President of Water Sports Auxiliary and members of our Rowing and Water Sports Auxiliaries past and present. • Members of the CBC Old Collegians Rowing Club Staff News Congratulations to Mr Colin Curnow who will receive a Duke of Edinburgh Service Plaque from the Governor General as part of the Gold Award Ceremony, on 16 May. Mr Curnow has been the driving force behind the success of the CBC Duke’s program which has seen our College enjoy one of the highest participation and completion rates of any SA school.
Ph (08) 8400 4200 Fax (08) 8400 4299 www.cbc.sa.edu.au
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Print Post Publication No. PP533237 / 002
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principal
A NOTE FROM THE
Mr Shaun Clarke is representing the Oceania Province at the Christian Brothers Chapter in Nairobi, Africa. Shaun made a presentation on his work as part of the South Australian Associates which are a group of men and women dedicated to prayer and action using the example of Blessed Edmund who in turn modelled his life on that of Jesus. The College is immensely proud of Shaun’s participation in the Chapter as one of only 8 lay people worldwide to be chosen for this opportunity. Six members of staff will leave for China during the Term 1 break on a variety of projects under the auspices of the Federal Government Asian Literacy initiative. • Ms Toni Riccio and Mr Shaun Clarke are visiting China with our students as part of our languages immersion program. They will also visit our sister schools as part of their visit. • Mr Emmanuel Gaitaneris, Mr Lee Del Col and Mrs Scarlett Lucero will visit China as part of a teacher immersion program known as Build the Bridge. • Mrs Lucyna Zwolski and I are part of an educational leaders delegation for the Catholic Education Office and will attend a number of education forums and school visits. Old Collegian News Mr Michael Moran is working on a voluntary basis with CBC archives. I thank Michael for his generosity in undertaking this significant role and encourage any Old Collegians who require assistance with reunions, donations of memorabilia or bequests to contact Michael at the College on 8400 4200.
professional partners Aussie Ripper Roast to make this event such as success. Our volunteers comprise members from our College Board, Parents Associations, Old Collegians, current and past parents, and members of staff. In particular I wish to highlight the dedication and professionalism of event organisers Mr Frank Scali and Mr Graham Brink. The success of ‘Clipsal Week’ is due in large part to their experience, professionalism and sheer hard work. Conclusion As I put pen to paper I have just returned from an assembly. Red Cross representatives presented CBC with a trophy for the most amount of blood donated by a school in the City Schools Challenge. We have won this award every year since 2007. In accepting this award I shared with students the immortal words of Nelson Mandela who said: I’m not a saint unless you think of a saint as a sinner who keeps on trying. I am the master of my fate; I am the captain of my soul. I am proud to serve a community rich in history, cultural diversity and commitment to living the Gospel values. I thank each and every one of you for your continued support of the College. Please keep us in your prayers as we continue to ‘keep on trying’ to honour your memory and to live our lives to the fullest, in service of others. Mr Noel Mifsud Principal
Clipsal 500 On Sunday Mr Frank Scali, Graham Brink and I hosted a thank you lunch for our 2014 Clipsal volunteers. Clipsal 500 is our major College fundraiser and I cannot compliment or thank highly enough our dedicated team of College volunteers who work with our
2014 president
A NOTE FROM THE Dear Fellow Old Collegians
Welcome to this 2014 edition of the Gym which begins not only another year of publication , but also greetings from a new Executive Committee and President. At the recent Annual General Meeting , I was elected President, along with Simon Cousins Vice-President, Mark Roberts Secretary, and Andrew Maiese as committee member. I would like to thank, on behalf of the College and all of the Old Collegians the previous long serving President, Viano Jaksa, for his sterling efforts in guiding the Association through difficult times: the result of which is a more stronger and more vibrant group of committed members.
I look forward to meeting you at various functions during the year, and trust that you enjoy reading this issue of your College’s newsletter. I hope, as we approach the Easter celebrations, like the blind man we recently read about in the Gospel, we too will see the Kingdom of God in a clearer way. Sincere and prayerful wishes, Michael J Moran President, 2014.
I am also grateful for the willingness of the elected committee members to continue the pivotal work of building bridges between the Old Boys, the Association and most importantly the College.
Christian Brothers College
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Old Collegians Lunch This year the Annual Seniors Lunch will be held on
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Wednesday, 21 May at the Public Schools Club,
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Are you an Old Collegian rower? CBCOCRC is up and about and training twice a week on the Torrens River (6pm Wednesday night and 8:30am Sunday mornings) from the sheds on War Memorial Drive. Get in touch with your old rowing mates and get involved, contact James Corbett (040 331 0503) with any questions and like us on Facebook.
207 East Terrace, Adelaide, from 12pm onwards. The lunch will consist of an A La Carte menu, so that attendees may choose a meal of their preference. If you intend to come along please notify Michael Moran on 8276 9156 (home) or at the College on 8400 4269 by Friday 16 May.
FROM THE
archives
COMMITTEE
I have included a copy of an article that appeared in the 1945 issue of the College Annual describing in detail the original College Crest. There is a colour tapestry of this emblem in the foyer of the College. If you have any memorabilia which you would like to donate to the archival collection please contact me on ph: 8276 9156 or 8400 41269. Michael Moran Archivist
members
President Michael Moran............................. (08) 8276 9156 Vice-President Simon Cousins...............................0466 519 339 Treasurer Michael Moran............................. (08) 8276 9156 Secretary Mark Roberts............................... (08) 8462 1575 Membership Coordinator TBA School Liaison Michael Moran............................. (08) 8276 9156 Committee Andrew Maiese
getting your Purple and White. Log on to www.cbc.sa.edu.au/ organisations5.htm to download the latest edition of The Gym or send an email to publications@cbc.sa.edu.au with your contact details to subscribe to The Gym mailing list.
Stories for the Gym Have you got a story to share? A reunion you want to organize? Been somewhere special and want to share with the community? Send your photos and stories to the Editor (publications@cbc.sa.edu.au) and it may make the next Gym! For details contact Alex Ly on 8400 4263.
Condolences
It is with great sadness that an Old Collegian and College board member Emeritus Professor Robin Storer (Flinders University School of Chemistry, Physics and Earth Sciences) passed away peacefully on 23rd December 2013. A Mass in celebration of his life was concelebrated at St Paul’s Monastery with many of his classmates both here and interstate present. A detailed article about his life will be in a future issue of the Gym. Our prayerful sympathy goes out to Isabel and family. It was with equal sadness that Paul Logan’s (President 2001-3) beloved wife Janet died suddenly on the 26th February 2014. Paul and Jan were an integral part of College life for many years, particularly in the Parents and Friends Association and of course the Rowing Community. Our sympathy and thoughts are with Paul and family. As this issue goes to print the death of Father Bill Modystack, parish priest and author (ordained 1960) and an Old Collegian, was announced. He died peacefully on the 28th March 2014 at the Phillip Kennedy Facility, with a concelebrated Mass in celebration of his life held in St Rose’s Church, Kapunda on Wednesday 2nd April 2014.
DRAWN BY MYSTERY, DESTINED FOR LIFE Every six years the Congregation of Christian Brothers holds a Chapter to plan the future direction and vision of the congregation for the next six years. This year is the Thirty First Congregation Chapter in Nairobi, Kenya and I was fortunate to be one of eight lay people invited to attend the chapter on behalf of the Edmund Rice Network in the world. There were members of the Edmund Rice Network from South Africa, Argentina, Ireland, India, USA and Australia. At the First Chapter in his 1832 Rule Edmund Rice wrote: “That which is of the utmost consequence in a Religious Society, and to which, in every community, the greatest regard should be had, is, that all who compose the body be animated by its peculiar spirit; that the Novices labour to acquire it, and that those who have made their vows, make it their first care and chief concern to preserve and augment it in themselves; for it is this spirit that should give life to all their actions, and regulate their whole conduct. Those who do possess it not are to be considered, and should consider themselves as dead members, since they are deprived of the life and spirit of their state; and all should be convinced, that without it, it will be extremely difficult to preserve the grace of God.” He goes on to say, “The spirit of this Institute is that spirit of faith, which inspires its members to view nothing but with the eyes of faith, to do nothing but with a view to God, and to ascribe all to God.” The theme of the 2014 Chapter was, Drawn By Mystery; Destined For Life, and had as its logo Moses’ encounter with the Mystery at the Burning Bush. Everything that subsequently happened in Moses’ life was seen through the lens of this experience. It was here that he realised God was real! Living by faith means accepting that God is real! It is this Moses story that is calling the members of the Chapter (Brothers and others) to think differently, relate differently, love differently and reach out to those on the margins in our world. The Chapter occurs for a whole month, with the lay people involved in providing input for discernment for the first two weeks. A Chapter is seen as encompassing the following:
Christian Brothers have recently published a publication entitled, A Way Into The Future: Congregation of Christian Brothers – 2020. This publication outlines the vision of the Brothers for the next six years and focuses on building “Brotherhood and Community”, to be brothers for each otherand to reach out to the other in a way that is life giving for the giver and receiver. The two weeks experience at the Chapter gave me a wonderful insight into the challenges the Brothers have faced in the past and the importance of the congregation thinking anew as it moves into new directions to be with those on the margins in the developing world. While I was at the Chapter I was fortunate to have been involved in immersion experiences in the slums of Nairobi. I visited the Kibera slums which are home to over 1.2 million people. There in the slums is the Mary Rice Centre that supports children who are physically and mentally disabled. Prior to the centre the children were tied in beds and not allowed out of the home due to the stigma of having a disabled child. I met a woman who has nine children, three of which are disabled and now go to the centre to support her children. The African Christian Brothers are doing a wonderful job in very difficult circumstances providing not only education but feeding the children, providing therapy and skill development. Many of the young girls are victims of sexual abuse and the Brothers have sought support for these young women. The Chapter is a four week process of discernment, reflection and dialogue visioning a new direction for the Brothers for the next six years. The Brothers have elected a new Congregational Leadership Team based in Rome. They comprise of Hugh O’Neill cfc, Congregation Leader, Peter Dowling, cfc, Deputy Congregation Leader, Julian McDonald cfc, Councillor, John Casey cfc, Councillor and Richard Walsh cfc, Councillor. The program of the Chapter occurs in the following phases: • Forming a discerning community • Deepening our sense of the current • Creating the future direction
• Is an incarnational event that allows the divine to break through and touches an individual’s heart
• Discerning and electing leadership
• Is an ecclesial event that brings the experience of the Church, the World and Universe raising our consciousness in this changing time?
• Taking the message home and closing ritual
• Is a paschal celebration that calls us to conversion, to seek new directions and to let what happened in the past die, and • Is a way of hearing the Word of God together through communal search, reflection and prayer? The 2014 Congregational Chapter touched upon all these elements providing time for dialogue, individual reflection, group presentation and discussion and time for prayer and the sharing of Eucharist. As a member of the Edmund Rice Network, not only were we observers at the Chapter but had the opportunity to share our vision and dreams of the network working in partnership with the Brothers not only in the Oceania Province (Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Timor Leste and the Philippines) but on a global perspective. All provinces from around the world such as Europe, India, Latin America, Africa and North America also presented on what is happening in their region. The
• Finalising the future As we enter the final phases of the Chapter we prayer for the Brothers and their success in creating a new direction for the Congregation and that our schools, as part of the Edmund Rice Network , play an important part in supporting the mission of the Brothers and ensuring we are authentic to the ethos of Blessed Edmund Rice. Further information on the 2014 Christian Brothers Congregation Chapter is available at the website: http:// edmundrice.net/chapter2014/ The Chapter calls us all to “Brotherhood” this is a special calling to a unique way of being Christian. It is a relational term that avoids any sense of hierarchy or privilege. We are called to be brothers to each other, and therefore equally deserving of support and affection and equally challenged to offer the same support and affection. Hidden in the word “brother” is the word “other”, indicating that the call to brotherhood is a call to reach out to the other in a way that is life giving for the giver and the receiver. As
Blessing of the Boat a College community we are also called to “Brotherhood” for each other. CHAPTER PRAYER God of mystery Your love draws us unceasingly. As we come to know your life within us teach us to find a mystical heart within. Jesus, help us find our way, with times of silence, with honest reflection on our fragility and trusting acceptance that we are not in control. Holy Spirit, during this special time of Chapter, when we find ourselves facing choices about our future, fill us with openness to the new possibilities you offer. Teach us to move beyond our limited worldview, and take away our fears of sharing your compassion. Amen. Shaun Clarke
Recently the College blessed the new Quad Scull boat “The Spirit of our Brothers”. Present were several Old Scholars who were also rowers. The photograph shows some of the original 1964 crew: Bill Carey (Capt), L Lippis, J Tonkin and S Kiernan, present. Peter Woods (a great supporter; President 198387) and his wife joined in the celebrations. Wilf Otten was unable to be at the blessing.
Gym
Clipsal THE
news
Official Newsletter of the CBC Old Collegians Incorporated
CBC Clipsal volunteers gather every year to support the College Clipsal Corporate function held at the Junior Campus. The volunteers that offer their services range from past Board Members, Parents, Scholars, and Staff Members. Volunteers experience the great atmosphere of Clipsal and offer their services in a range of areas such as Bar & Food Service, set-up of both the corporate areas and the Junior Campus afterwards, ticketing, and cleaning. Being a Clipsal volunteer can also provide opportunity for both volunteers and patrons to develop new contacts and friendships. The special reasons as to why CBC volunteers offer their time are numerous but when these reasons are all put together they are proud to be members of the CBC community that supports and contributes towards the College and the community that grows around it. Caroline Pullin
Old Collegian Brothers and Priests Visit CBC
Mr Noel Mifsud warmly invites you to the
Christian Brothers College
Open Day Sunday 25 May 2014 11am-2pm 214 & 324 Wakefield Street, Adelaide www.cbc.sa.edu.au
Finalising enrolments for 2015 and 2016. Limited vacancies exist in all year levels. For further information please contact Jenny Dunncliff on 8400 4210
CONTACT DETAILS
CBCOC Online Community Log on to www.cbc.sa.edu.au and find the link to the CBCOC Online Community. There, you can enter your details and your name will be added to the directory, allowing people from around the world to email you.
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All advertising, editorial material and correspondence should be directed to The Editor at Christian Brothers College GPO Box 2707 ADELAIDE SA 5001 Phone (08) 8400 4200 Fax (08) 8400 4299 or e-mail publications@cbc.sa.edu.au Please visit our web site at www.cbc.sa.edu.au