From the Archives

Memories of Trinity College in 1962

As we celebrate 60 years at East Perth, three Old Boys – Chris (‘67), John (‘64) and Paul (‘70) Waddell – share their memories of the final years of CBC Perth and the early years at the new Trinity College. These men, and their brothers Denis (’74) and Brendan (’75) were from a large family of five boys and five girls.

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1. 1964 St Mary’s Cathedral Choir with John, Paul and Chris Waddell and Br Kelly 2. 1962 B Block facing towards Gibney Hall 3. Circa 1964 Cadets and Pipe Band on parade (from the Brother Kelly Collection) 4. 1962 view across oval from pavilion 5. 25 March 1962 Unveiling of the Foundation Stone by Hon Charles Court, then Minister for Industrial Development, Railways and North West

CHRIS WADDELL, CLASS OF 1967

As a student at Trinity College in 1962, ‘the day it began’, I am pleased to recall key aspects and impressions of its birth. Arriving at the College that first morning, I remember being amazed at its seemingly remote location from Perth City, adjoining the WACA and Gloucester Park. I remember the wondrous faces of staff and students as we felt the departure from, and closure of, CBC Terrace – an iconic city school. That year, 1962, Trinity began building upon its parent, CBC Terrace, with deliberate, conscious pride, purpose and distinction. There was the creation of a new culture at Trinity from nothing – with buildings new but bare – housing some 45 to 50 students in each classroom. There were two classroom blocks with toilets, a small reception, tuck shop, bitumen playground, hand ball and squash courts. There were Gibney Hall, the Chapel and the Brothers’ House. For us, the students, one of the best places was the tuck shop which adjoined the playground. It served curried and vanilla slices, enough to feed an army – which were ‘to die for’. The oval site was a sandy reserve – no lawn, no trees, or gardens. Brother Carrigg spent every moment after school planting and growing all these features – which took years to complete. The absence of sporting facilities on site meant we had to play sport at nearby Haig Park, Langley Park and Wellington Square. The three activities to supplement academic learning were ‘Aussie’ football, athletics under guidance from Brother Seaman, and choral singing under Mrs Kerr. Most students were members of the army or air force cadets. Students at Trinity had a special benefit as the College adjoined the WA Cricket Ground. This enabled us to see the best cricketers of WA and the world – through the open fences or in the practice nets. The best locals I saw were Barry Shepherd, Graham McKenzie, Tony Lock, John Inverarity, Murray Vernon and Des Hoare. The best internationals were Garry Sobers (the best of all), Rohan Kanhai, Frank Worrell, Richie Benaud, Alan Davidson, Doug Walters, Norm O’Neil, Bob Simpson, Ian Lawry and more. Dennis Lillee and Rod Marsh were emerging as state schoolboy champions in Trinity’s early years. Little did we know they would become two of the greatest cricketers in history, perhaps the greatest fast bowler and wicketkeeper of all. In 1962 the College confirmed its provision of boys to form St Mary’s Cathedral Choir, of which I was a boy soprano. It offered scholarships in so doing – which were awarded to my brothers John, Paul, Denis, Brendan and me. The choir involved a massive commitment from its students – rehearsing every morning from 8.15 to 9.15am; singing at weddings; 11.00am Holy Mass every Sunday; every day and most evenings of Holy Week – Midnight Mass to welcome Easter Sunday and Christmas Day. With that experience, it’s no wonder music became a central part of my family’s life. From its first year of fragile existence, the teachers at Trinity were required to commit to many extra-curricular activities. This developed very strong bonds between them and students, many of which still exist today, sixty years later. These teachers were the Brothers and lay teachers Mr Curtis, Mr Moloney, Mr Almond, Mr Martin, Mr Smith – and Mrs O’Connor, Mrs Rose, Mrs Smith and Mrs Kerr. With the leadership of Headmaster Brother Kelly and Brother Carrigg, the College began building its profile across the academic, sporting, musical and competitive sectors. It won most programmes of the Association of Catholic Colleges Sport, leading to Trinity College being invited to join the Public Schools’ Association (PSA) in 1967. A feature of enrolments at Trinity, from its creation, was the multi-cultural composition of students, giving a unique nature to its community. These students came from all over Perth – rich and poor, so the principles of the Catholic faith it professed were fully delivered. A curious factor with the advent of Trinity College was its alliance with Our Lady’s College (now Mercedes) and this enabled the boys to meet the girls – from which romance and marriage often arose. A classic example was when I met Philomena Brosnan in 1962 when I was twelve years of age (she thirteen) – leading to marriage in 1972 and still going in 2022.

JOHN WADDELL, CLASS OF 1964

I have wonderful memories of both CBC the Terrace and later Trinity College. My first memories are of going to school in 1955 via bus from home in Joondanna to the city and then by tram to the corner of Hay St and Victoria Avenue. The tram ride cost one ha'penny. I remember the old school building so well: a traditional but magnificent brick and stone building quite similar to many CBC schools and orphanages built in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. There was a tennis court on the eastern side where the good tennis players like Alan D'Orsogna practised for hours (by the way, Alan was occasionally a ball-boy for Lew Hoad). I remember the oval/playground, and the pavilion on the western side that housed parallel bars, springboard and other sporting equipment. Also, the beautiful huge Moreton Bay fig trees. The handball courts were always a centre of activity. Many of the Brothers played after school and some were champion players. I also remember some of the Brothers playing kick to kick after school. Some of the kicking and marking was brilliant. As a member of the Cathedral choir, we had choir practice every morning from 8.15 until 9.15 and that meant we missed the first half hour of schooling. When I first started in 1955 the top singers were Rocco Isaia, Tom and Frank Moss and Ray Atkinson. Because of my diminutive size I was then referred to as ‘threepence’. I remember our wonderful teachers. In succession I had Miss Flanagan, Mrs Smith, Mr Maloney, Mr Hanrahan, Mr Hickey, Mr Laurie Smith, Mr Ed Martin and, of course, the dedicated Brothers. I remember the excitement of our move from CBC the Terrace to Trinity College in 1962. The new buildings and facilities were excellent though very basic compared to the College as it is now. Being right on the river, some of us took to swimming in the Swan after school. I remember there were times I accompanied Brother Drake in swimming to Heirisson Island and back. Back then the island was just mud and scrub. During my time at Trinity College I had the privilege of having both Brother Carrigg and Brother Kelly as my teachers. Brother Carrigg instilled in me the love of both history and literature while Brother Kelly encouraged in me the love of mathematics and music. These wonderful men have been the most influential people in my life and I remain eternally grateful.

PAUL WADDELL, CLASS OF 1970

I have many memories of the early years at Trinity from my Year 4 Class in 1962 to my senior years. My earliest memory is of the day I carried Brother Kelly's bag to a leaving maths class. I remember this because I was given a jellybean for helping him. I remember the teachers who did so much at both CBC and Trinity: Mrs O’Connor, Mrs Rose, Mr Ray Moloney and the Brothers. The class sizes of 45 upwards were a huge task for these teachers. Mr Moloney was the only teacher on day duty and had full control of the whole school. A special memory for me, and one that all the boys would have, was the wonderful aroma from the tuck shop – the curried slices, veggie cres and jam doughnuts. A school tradition of the time were the cadets and Northam army camps (in my later years). For sport we all went to Haig Park and Wellington Square and the cross-country runs were around Heirisson Island. One swimming carnival I especially remember, was held in the river next to the school. As a member of the St Mary’s Cathedral Choir I had a large commitment to weekday morning practise, Saturday morning practise, Sunday Latin Mass and Christmas/ Easter liturgies. What I really enjoyed were the choir picnics to Garden Island (on the Zephyr) and Point Peron. I especially remember the bus trips to and from school (Nos 74 and 11) and Paddy (the driver) who was always late.

Mrs Robyn Jennison

Trinity College Archives

1962 Official opening of Trinity College at East Perth