Volume 82 Past Students Newsletter of All Souls St Gabriels School September, 2022
PRESIDENT’S REPORT
Unfortunately, the annual Burry weekend this year was forced to be cancelled, but we look forward to an even bigger and more energetic turn up at the commencement of the 2023 school year. If you are looking for a social activity in January, we would welcome your help on this very important weekend. The projects undertaken and improvements made, however small, are very much ap preciated by the school community. Instead of this year’s Burry weekend, Robbie Peace organised a group of ten past students ranging in school years 1963 – 2019 to con
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ham cutting the ribbon to declare it open for all. Impor tantly, the building unifies the Junior and Senior school campuses by providing a path connection the two into ‘One School’. A hearty congratulations to all who were involved in every stage of the completion of this building. It is certainly a great opportunity for a greater choice of subjects for both senior and junior students.
One highlight for this year was the completion of the De sign and Technology Precinct, which has been many years in the planning and was officially opened with Chris Alling
Confraternity Carnivals were back to normal this year in Mackay, with Netball and Football teams participating in wet and cold conditions. Rumour has it the school was very well represented with a great effort displayed by our students. Well done teams!
Hello once again to the ASSG school community! After two years of limited school activities due to Covid con straints, I’m finally able to report on a number of events which have been able to proceed, albeit still modified in some ways. Following our successful 100 year celebration last year in July, we are now able to envision a return to normal with the Past Students reunions, which will kick off in October. I’m sure we’re all anticipating a fun and lively catch up, with much news to be shared. Activities will begin on O’Keeffe Oval under the lights so generously donated by the Allingham Family. I’m sure you have seen photographs of the inaugural cricket match played un der these lights. It would be remiss of me at this stage to not mention the generous donation of time, energy and school spirit that Andrew Symonds brought to that event. We will forever remember Andrew and our prayers and thoughts are with his family and friends. On this note, the year has seen the passing of several past students who shall also be remembered and missed. Rest in Peace our dear friends.
Association as Secretary. She replaces Glenda Lyon, to whom we are most grateful for her time, dedication and willingness to go the extra mile. Nothing was too much trouble for Glenda, and we thank her for her time spent on the committee. If you have an interest in becoming involved with the Past Students’ Association, we would be grateful for more members, so please get in touch for more information should you feel so inclined.
Kind Regards, David Muguira (79 – 83)
PRESIDENT’S REPORT
At this time, I would like to wish all associated with our school a productive and happy end to the year. I am per sonally excited to visit the school in October and take a trip down memory lane, which is always so enjoyable. As always, it is only partly the school surrounds and primarily the people who make the trip so invaluable. I hope that many of you are able to join us in October, and until then, stay safe and well.
Past Students & Current Staff helping with the concreting of the Junior School roundabout.
crete the roundabout in front of the junior school. There was an impressive range of ages joining Robbie in March to complete this job – from late teenagers who recently left school to the current Principal, who allegedly donned gum boots for the task. Thank you for giving up your Sat urday to support our school community. This is a great example of school pride.
Left to right: Shannon Lee (Current Headmaster), Dylan Hastie (2014), Ian Dietrich (Current Deputy & Academic Dean), Robert Peace (1987), Matthew Limkin (2001), Ryan Rankine (2012), Jake Bimrose (2011), Grahame Lyons (1963), Darby Godfrey (2018), Darcy Meehan (2018), Patrick Washington (2019), Deklan Knuth (2018)
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Speaking of our esteemed Headmaster, Mr Shannon Lee has recently become the 14th Headmaster of our school, and we welcome Shannon and his family to All Souls St Gabriels School wholeheartedly. It’s always wonderful to introduce new leadership and for the school to be seen with fresh eyes and energy. We are very pleased for Mr Lee to play a role in further growing and developing the school, and pray that his time in Charters Towers is greatly Weenjoyed.also welcome Breanne Peace onto the Past Students
Once again, our thanks to our loyal Gabes Old Girls for their continued support. Times are changing, and age and cir cumstances catch up with us all, but we are still here.
Dare I say, we look forward to a better 2023.
Nina Tooth (Kenyon), aged 96, sadly died in July. Nina as well as a past student and Richmond girl, was later also on Staff. I was honoured at Nina’s Memorial Service, to be invited by the family to speak on behalf of the Gabes Old Girls. Nina loved her school, and she enjoyed a close and meaningful association with the Brisbane Gabes Old Girls. History was a big part of Nina’s life and her love of the history of our school was invaluable when the School’s Museum and Archive building was completed. Her dedication and ongoing support of this project was greatly appreciated. Both Rowena and Nina, were Wall of Fame Recipients. They were exceptional women and will be greatly missed. Our 2023 lunches will continue in March, August, and November on the 3rd Thursday of the month at: The Garden Room Roma Street Parklands Brisbane 11.30 am for 12 noon
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Jacki Clayton 0447 766 765 Pat Pepper 0458 696 267
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Jacki
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This year of 2022, for Gabe’s Old Girls, has been not much better than last year. Lunches cancelled and the dreaded word Covid, just being thrown around too much. However, connections and friendships were maintained, and life went on. We are hoping that our November / Christmas lunch will go ahead and be well attended.
OLD GIRLS BRISBANE
The past few months have been sad for the Gabe’s Old Girls, with the deaths of two Old Girls and both were Richmond girls. Rowena Hart, just 4 weeks shy of her 96th birthday, died in June, with her funeral being held in Mackay. ASSG was represented at her funeral, and it was so special to see two present day ASSG girls in the funeral procession following the coffin into the church. Rowie would have loved it. Rowie, as Sister Rowena, was our much loved Sister in Charge in 1962, and was the final SSA Head of St Gabriel’s. Rowena also taught the 1962 Junior class for various subjects. We always called ourselves “Rowie’s girls. “ The girls adored her and we were so grateful that she was part of our boarding school life.
In my 2021 contribution for Servire Regnare, I mentioned the continued lack of recognition of St Gabriel’s in the School name. I wish to thank both our Headmaster, Shannon and Deputy Head, Ian for addressing this important matter. It is with joy that when I read publications, the name of All Souls St Gabriels School is used, as it should be. However, we must remain vigilant, especially at Inter School events, when announcers tend to use the “short cut of Souls.” They must be made aware by ASSG school representatives present, that the school is All Souls St Gabriels School.
of old St. Gabriel’s 1940 –1943. She was dux and Prefect in her final year and joined the Sisters of the Society of the Sacred Advent in 1950. She was among those chosen few who spent time living out at Richmond during the Second World War when the St. Gabriel’s campus was taken over by the U.S. Army Medical Department. She became the last Sister in Charge of St. Gabriel’s in 1962 and dedicated 19 years of her life to the SSA. She left us at the age of 96, having spent her final days in Mackay. Fittingly her funeral was attended by the Headmaster and current students who happened to be involved in Confraternity Shield Rugby League and Netball competitions held in Mackay during the recent vacation.
Andrew Symonds was born in the 2022 Commonwealth Games city of Birmington UK 1975 and was the son of Bar bara and Ken Symonds. (Ken was on the teaching staff of ASSG for some years). “Roy”, to many, was a past student 1987 – 1988. He was tragically taken from us so young in
Nina Tooth (nee Kenyon) also left us recently also aged 96. Nina attended St. Gabriel’s 1939 – 1942 and was a prefect with Rowena in the Royal Hotel in Richmond during WW2 in those trying though exciting times. Nina returned to the school as an assistant teacher at St. Ga briel’s from 1943 to 1948. Throughout her life she was involved in many community groups such as the Church of England Ladies Guild. She was the researcher for many historical groups including the compiler of history for the St. Gabriel’s School Old Girls’ Association – Brisbane. The Archives in our Museum contain many articles on the history of the School that are attributed to the detailed research made by Nina. History to this lady was a passion and our School is indebted to her for what she has left us. The last Headmistress of St. Gabriel’s Miss Elna Ker swell commended Nina “for her in-depth and continual research into the history of our School.”
and/or Rowenaachievement.Hartwasaboarder
MUSEUM FROM THE MUSEUM
Only recently past student Jack Mann turned up with a collection of old football jerseys from the 1980’s which included house and combined Charters Towers relics. These are rare and it is hoped they can be displayed when the Museum acquires more mannequins. Sometimes we get visitors to the museum that give us a chance to source information that can be passed on to them for which they are most grateful. A recent visitor was able to verify that his father was at the School during the time of the first Headmaster, Reginald Halse. He went away with photocopies and various snippets of information that told him so much about his father’s time here. This further confirms how useful the facilities at the Museum are. Recently we had a visit also from a few past students of Blackheath and Thornburgh College who are hoping to develop such a facility at their school. They had many questions and we hope that they found the visit worth while. The preservation of history is we feel important in all schools and we were only too willing to share with them our experiences.
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The Museum continues to be cared for by the dedicat ed group helpers who give up their time every Tuesday – Hilary Grant, Joyce Burry, Phil Carter and Howard Lowe. Now that the School has such a facility anyone who comes across something on the campus that looks even remote ly historically valuable soon has it deposited at the School office. It then quickly finds its way to the Museum. Most of the time such finds are of importance even though it is sometimes difficult to determine the provenance of such memorabilia. On a regular basis too past students contact the Museum Care Group concerning memorabilia they have that is worthy of display or storage.
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Within the Museum is a display of all the past students who have been inducted into the Past Students “Walls of Fame”. This was an initiative that goes back almost twen ty years and recognises the achievements and/or service of specially nominated past students. Sadly this year we lost three members who are on these walls for service
with his cricketing prowess – an aggressive and talented run-scoring machine and a fieldsman extraordinaire – one of Australia’s finest all- round cricketers.
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The Honour Board of Green House has been tracked down, thanks to the efforts of Stu Norford (the last House Master listed) and Anton Booy (House Captain of 1979). Anton ar ranged for the Board to be brought up to date with names that were missing and kindly had it delivered to the Museum. This is a valuable addition to the Museum collection as mem orabilia for both Green and White prior to 1991 is rare. We thank Anton and Stu for their efforts.
Howard Lowe Vice President Past Students Association
MUSEUM
The Past Students Association has decided to cancel the Walls of Fame at this year’s reunion and resume the award next year. So if you know of any past students who are de serving of such an award please use the nomination form on the School’s web site and nominate them for next year.
a single vehicle accident. In one of his visits to the School up at the Halse Hall he answered many questions from the enthralled student gathering. The most common question he got used to answering was in relation to the ‘shoulder charge’ he inflicted on a ‘poor unsuspecting’ streaker who invaded the pitch during one of his international match es when Andrew was going well with the bat. His stock reply was “I got him a beauty, didn’t I!!” and the dining hall rocked with student laughter. Andrew gave so many of us, not just past students, so many hours of excitement
Valuable memorabilia keeps trickling back to our museum. In the past such relics would have either remained in the hands of a ‘collector’ or found its way to the town dump. Each of the boys’ houses has on display an honour board which records the names of both the House Master and the House Captain for each year. Feetham, Page and Ramsay have such boards. In 1973, with increased enrolments, Headmaster Fr Ray Greg ory decided to open a fifth House and called it Green House after the Green family, benefactors of the School. However in 1991 with declining enrolments and the decision to relo cate the girls to the All Souls campus, Green House and White House were occupied by the girls, no longer boys’ houses.
WHEN GREEN HOUSE HAD BOYS
At this stage, the revised publication date will be Reunion weekend 2023. As always, should you wish to con tribute to the publication costs, and augment the generous donation of the Stalley family, your contribution would be appreciated.
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At the time of writing (end of August), biographies of 32 “boys” have been completed and are now being edited (text and references). Both writing and editing are slow and involved tasks and I acknowledge the contribution made by Howard Lowe and Emilie Adlide in their unenviable position as editors!
ALL SOULS’
Roberta WW2HistoricalMcPhail-HoggResearcherProject
WAR MEMORIAL PROJECT
The past year has brought significant progress in our quest to develop the biographies of the 72 former stu dents who were casualties of WW2.
The more that is known, the clearer it becomes that this school had a pivotal role in the development of North Queensland, in the connections between the parents, as key figures in the economic, political and cultural growth of the region, and in the connections forged between students. It is truly humbling to trace that history.
PICTURED BELOW:
Wing Commander Alan Sisley, shot down over northern France, 1944, born in Winton, grew up in Winton, Isisford, Hughenden and Sydney. His father, Frank, managed the Bank of New South Wales in those locations. Image courtesy Alan Sisley.
PICTURED ABOVE:
Trooper Ian Wharton, ‘Runnymede’, Richmond. Trained as a railway engi neer in Sydney, joined Coastal Defences 1941. Transferred to 2/7 Armoured Regiment 1943, upskilled in gunnery, and finally as signaller (radio operator).
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Posted to Papua New Guinea 17 July 1945 and was killed 23 July, in the Ai tape-Wewak campaign against fierce Japanese resistance.
who has represented our school this year and we wish all students good luck as we begin to focus predominantly on our fi nal assessment pieces of the year. We want to wish everyone, both students and staff, success for the re mainder of the 2022 school year in all endeavours.
Accompanied by Inter-House events such as Rugby 7’s, Swimming, Tennis, Cross-Country, Athletics, Ac
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CAPTAINS’
Finally, as our time as students at this incredible school is coming to an end, we hope that everyone is able to have the opportunity and enjoyment we’ve had throughout our time at ASSG and thank every one who has contributed to that.
With all students happily settled back into dorms and classroom work, the year kicked off the many sporting highlights of 2022. Inter-School Swimming resulted in an overall close second. Taking home clean sweeps in the Inter School Cross-Country and Athletics Carnivals, major congratulations go to all members of our Inter-School teams. Following these events, many of our students gained selection in NQ and State representative team trials and sides.
BELOW: 2022 Captains & Prefects (Absent: Shakiah Stafford)
ademics, Offence-Defence and Capture the Flag, our involvement on a competitive sporting ground rip pled into the Inter-School seasons of, Netball, Rug by League, Touch Football, Cricket and Softball with many premierships being brought home.
With uncertainty building, the school community saw many unorthodox procedures, with the installa tion of both Mr. Lee, Captains and Prefects limited to Year 12 and Year 6 students only. The inductions were livestreamed to school classrooms and beyond to enable other students and parents to experience our traditional inductions and Chapel service.
Caitlyn Elliott and Ned Elliott 2022 All Souls St Gabriels School Captains
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The beginning of the 2022 school year was high ly anticipated by all members, new and old, of the All Souls St Gabriels School family. With the excite ment of a new year and a new Headmaster growing, that excitement was curtailed by a sudden surge of Covid-19 cases. In accordance with State Govern ment directions, the school year saw a delayed start for Years 7 to 10, and a week of online learning for Years 11 and 12.
FROM THE CAPTAINS
Thank you, All Souls St Gabriels School, for a memo rable and successful 2022!
Off the field, our involvement in Rural Activities and the Arts saw many great achievements throughout multiple shows and events, with awards, titles and accolades representing both areas. Debating this year, hosted by ASSG, was a success for all involved, however unfortunately the points saw us come a close second to Blackheath and Thornburgh College for the overall Congratulationsshield.toeveryone
HEADMASTER’S REPORT
It was an honour to share my Headmaster’s Installation with the 2022 School Captains and Prefects. It was fitting I think given this was the last group of students my wife Rebecca and I took on Year 7 Camp before we left for Bris bane in 2017. I was inspired by our student leaders when they were presented with the option of delaying their in stallation or live streaming it, knowing that the celebration would not be as they had planned. In this way they placed their responsibility to lead the School over their own vision for how that day would be.
It is a great privilege to give my first Headmaster’s Report. I am excited to be back and I believe we are in good Whenshape.thetopic
In March we opened the Design Technology Precinct. It was a wonderful celebration with Chris Allingham (Past Student 1972 - 1978, Chairman of the Board of Governors 20002012 and current board member) having the honour of cutting the ribbon. This project represents almost a decade of vision, planning and collaboration with the assistance of ASSG Limited, A S S G School Inc and the Building & Grounds subcommittee. This has enabled the school to offer better facilities for our students to learn and develop their skills in wood and metal work. The School will be offering Engineer ing as a subject in Term 4 and additional classes in Industrial Technology Skills. New subjects will be introduced to the curriculum for our students entering Year 11 in 2023, these include Legal Studies and Social & Community Studies.
HEADMASTER’S REPORT
ABOVE: 2022 Headmaster’s Installation
of past students comes up with other Heads it is usually to discuss how a school might go about reengaging with their past students, numbers are usually low and attendance at reunions is often lacklustre. For us it is one of the key pillars of our history and existence. I have enjoyed the support of David Muguira as Past Student Association President, Jacki Clayton (St Gabriel’s ASSG Old Girls Association) as well as Howard Lowe and his weekly crew in the museum, working hard to keep our story alive.
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The beginning of 2022 was a bit of a false start with the Premier delaying the commencement of the School year for most students. Unfortunately, in line with the Premier’s announcement we were unable to hold the annual Burry Work Weekend. I look forward to this important weekend returning in 2023. I am grateful for Robert Peace and some more recent graduates who were able to complete the works on the roundabout at the entrance to the Junior School. These improvements have definitely improved the safety for our pickup and drop off zone in the Junior School.
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ABOVE: Design & Technology Precinct Opening
Senior players in both teams were excellent leaders and role models for their respective teams and a number of younger players stood out as future leaders of the team.
While most students were spending the first week of their June-July holidays reconnecting with family and friends, our First Netball and Rugby League teams were in Mackay representing the School at the QISSN and Confraternity Carnivals. I was filled with pride throughout the week as I supported from the sidelines. Both teams experienced the full range of emotions associated with sport and won with humility and accepted defeat graciously throughout. The week was epitomised by good sportsmanship and competitive spirit.
ABOVE: Clean sweep in the Senior School & Junior School Inter-School Cross Country.
You will be pleased to hear that the Inter-House spirit is as strong as ever. The Swimming and Cross-Country Carnivals were keenly contested on either side of the Easter break after the swimming was postponed due to the delayed start of the School year. Becket and Feetham were victorious in the pool and Chad and Page were comfortable winners in the Cross-Country. Alban and Ramsay were winners of the Junior School nterHouse Cross Country. Junior School is looking forward to participating in the Inter-House Swimming Carnival in
The most significant achievement for 2022 has been the development of the Strategic Plan 2023-2027. Fol lowing widespread community consultation with students, staff and parents, the Senior Leadership Team and Board of Governors worked collaboratively to develop our guiding map for the next 5 years. It will be my pleasure to share this with you at Reunion Weekend.
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Cross-Country dynasty continues in the Senior School and for the first time in quite a few years the Junior School won the Aggregate and Average Shield. It appears we have strength coming through the ranks.
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HEADMASTER’S REPORT
Shannon HeadmasterLee
TheNovember.Inter-School
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Tickets for the 2022 Reunion are to be purchased online. Head to the ASSG Website for more information & for the link to purchase tickets.
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