Legends of the Nepean Brother Jeff Regan
Brother Jeff Regan By Noel Rowsell
B
rother Jeff Regan has lived a life of service, both to God and to the community. When the former St Dominic’s College Headmaster was diagnosed with Coronavirus and fell critically ill, the shockwave could be felt throughout the Penrith District and beyond, given his history of tireless service to so many people, causes and his faith. He would spend a total of 6 weeks in Nepean District Hospital, with 3 weeks in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and 2 of those weeks in a coma. The day he was released from hospital brought joy not only to the Nursing Staff at the hospital, who cheered him on his way out, but to the entire community. Now well on the way to a full recovery, whilst convalescing at home in Mulgoa, Brother Jeff is working diligently at building up his fitness and strength so he can once again move back into full community involvement and for the Brothers of the Oceania Province. Born in 1950 in Sacred Heart Hospital, Moreland, Vic to parents Joyce and Norman Regan, Jeff would commence schooling at St Vincent’s Strathmore, then attend St Monicas for years 4-7, St Kierans to work for Secondary Scholarship, Years 9-11 at St
Bernard’s, initially located at Moonee Ponds before a move to its current site in West Essendon. In 1967, Jeff went to the Juniorate at Bundoora to complete his HSC, then on to more formal Christian Brothers training. He became a novice in Lower Plenty, then served his 2nd year at Treacy College, Parkville before achieving his Scholasticate (teaching diploma) at the Teacher’s College Box Hill, where he would work as a ‘Prac’ Teacher at both Ringwood and Warnnambool. Brother Jeff’s first mission was at St Kevin’s Toorak, then to St Joseph’s Technical College Abbotsford. Here at Abbotsford, he primarily taught both mathematics and science. He was also Sportsmaster for the four years, in addition to running the Army Cadets for 2 years, before the Government abolished them. In these early years the Brothers were required to engage in formal part time studies and while Jeff engaged in various subjects and courses successfully, none really captured his imagination or the permission of his superiors (especially Art). So on the side he began work in a new Physical Education degree and ultimately this was accepted so that in
1977, he was given a full-time year, living with other student Brothers at Treacy College, Parkville. Having not quite finished the degree and wishing to pursue some Honours subjects, Brother Jeff went to St. Vincent’s Boys Home in South Melbourne, where he also helped supervise the boys and engage them in sports. This short time at St Vincent’s taught him about the profound effect on the young when they feel unloved. Brother Jeff was asked to move to NSW for two years under an exchange program and he has been a Sydney-sider since. He began in Sydney at Christian Brothers HS Lewisham from 1979-82, teaching Mathematics and PE, being Sportsmaster in charge of the PDHPE department and also Year 8 coordinator. In 1983, Brother Jeff moved to a new challenge at Rosary College, Tamworth from 1983-89 and holding various positions there including Sportsmaster, Curriculum Coordinator and Deputy Head and teaching Maths, Science and PE. This would be a new experience, living in the home of Country Music and working in a co-education environment. He moved on to Xavier College Albury (199094) as Campus Director, where he also started the
Final Profession 1975
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