1963 ReunionThe Classes of 1963
30 November - 02 December, 2018
Attendees
Humphrey Archer
Paul Atger
Patrick Baker
Kevin Bennett
John Boyd
John Brandts-Giesen
Peter Brocherie
John Bunker
Peter Cameron
Robert Campbell
Gerard Clark
William Clayton
Vincent Costello
Roy Craddock
Christopher Cutler
Peter Davidson
John Downey
Raymond Dunn
Edmund Eccles
Peter Egden
Philip Farrell
Gary Ferguson
Michael Fitzgerald
Dennis Foley
John Gilbert
Anthony Gorman
Patrick Gregan
Paul Griffiths
Robert Hempseed
Patrick Hickey
Lawrence Hinton
Stephen Hoare
Raymond Hoare
Gerard Horgan
Simon Hubble
Bernard Johns
Robin Judkins
Brent Kelly
Dennis Kennedy
Andrew Kerr
John McAuliffe
John McDermott
Murray McLaughlin
Paul McMenamin
Bernard Miles
John Mills
Bruce Monaghan
Simon Murdoch
Peter O’Connor
Paul O’Sullivan
John Peters
John Petre
Herbert Preece
James Raleigh
Peter Reedy
Kevin Roche
Gerard Rogatski
Mike Ryan
Michael Ryan
Alan Scarlett
Mark Schroeder
Kevin Sepie
Gilbert Stace
Vance Stewart
Denis Stoddart
Anthony Thwaites
William Titulaer
Allan Turnbull
Christopher Ward
Anthony Whitham
Harvey Brown
Leo Brettkelly
Peter Cartwright
David Clarke
Bill Clayton
Brian Coakley
Anthony Cook
Paul Cosgriff
Gilbert Crotty
Mark Cunneen
Brian Dwyer
Mike Gibson
Greg Healy
Jeremy Hudson
John Keys
Mark Laming
Edward McGuinniety
John O’Sullivan
Denis Pilkington
John Roche
Joe Rosevear
Mike Small
Apologies
Christopher Boyer
Jeffrey Carpenter
Brian Currie
Kevin Garty
Wynton Hannafin
Robert Harte
Paul Johnson
Terence Kane
Michael Kelly
Andrew MacDonald
Brian Manion
William Massey
John McKee
William McTigue
Martin Mooney
Leonard Morrow
Graham O’Dea
Paul O’Donnell
Gordon Phibbs
Peter Radley
Stephen Ryan
Peter Small
Bernard Stewart
John Taylor
Kevin Ward
James Weir
Paul Wildbore
Brian Willcox
Michael Williams
Rest in Peace...
Programme of EventsFriday 30 November
Drinks at JDV (private bar) from 5pm.
Finger food provided.
Saturday 01 December
Tour of the college at 11am.
Lunch at the college at 12.30pm.
Pre dinner drinks at the Airport Commodore, 6pm.
Dinner (private room) at 7pm.
Sunday 02 December
Mass at 9.30am followed by morning tea.
Group Photos
Back Row: Pat Hickey, Bernard Johns, Damien Warren, Peter Egden, Rob Hempseed, Peter Cameron, Phil Farrell , Peter O’Connor, Bernard Miles, Tony Miles, Simon Garrett.
Seated: Tony Constable, Kevin Sepie, Vince Costello. Harry Eccles, Paddy Gregan, Peter Brocherie, Robin Judkins, John McDermott.
Back Row: Tony Whitham, John Boyd, Peter Cameron, Dennis Foley, Paul O’Sullivan, Ross Scarlett, John Brandts-Giesen, Simon Hubble, Pat Reedy.
Seated: Allan Turnbull, John McAuliffe, Steve Hoare, Gilbert Stace, Ray Hoare, Roy Craddock, Paul Atger, Humphrey Archer.
Back Row: Bruce Monaghan, Darcy Downy, Mike Ryan, Gerard Horgan, Brent Kelly, Tony Gorman, Tony Thwaites, John Mills, Kevin Bennett, Jim Kerr, Mike Ryan.
Seated: Mike Fitzgerald, Gerard Clark, John Peters, Gary Ferguson, Peter Davidson, John Higginson, Rob Campbell, Chris Ward.
As It Was, 1963-1967The Bedean magazines of the period 1968-1972 carried a number of informal photos as well as the obligatory team and group photos. The class photos of
1968 are reprinted as are a selection of informal shots.
FORM 3ABack row: D.J. Shine, T S Cross, J B McDermott, T S Spain, G P Horgan, M G Ryan, S J Ryan, B R Kelly, M L Gibson, S P Murdoch.Third row: B P Dwyer, W A Titulaer, H R Brown, M J Schroeder, J J Giesen, P F Small, P B McMenamin, R N Harte, P J Egden.Second row: P D Radley, J B Rosevear, B W Willcox, B R Monaghan, R G Campbell, G L Healy, K F Sepie, J J Weir, J R Peters, H E Archer.Front row: M J McLaughlin, S J Garrett, R A Judkins, D D Foley, M J Laming, J P Raleigh, B G Currie, T A Rose, J M McAuliffe.Absent: R A Smith, C K Weir.
FORM 3BBack row: W A McTigue, A W Thwaites, G F Rogatski, P L Jackson, M J Williams, B P Lange, P G O’Sullivan, P W Quirk, P J Farrell.Third row: P D Reedy, M J Ryan, P R Davidson, J H Taylor, P N Johnson, E P Stone, E H Eccles, J D Downey, P F Wildbore.Second row: R J Roborgh, R J Hoare, D A Kennedy, T P McCloy, S J Hoare, P G Cosgriff, W D Clayton, A J Macdonald.Front row: R F Craddock, D M Richardson, B J Manion, G D Phibbs, G L Ferguson, B J Miles, T Pierre, C L Cutler, J D Stevenson.Absent: M B Cunneen, W J Hudson, B N Stewart.
FORM 3DBack row: D J Stoddart, J E Keys, P F Clarke, M S Kelly, H P Sweeney, M P Howard, P J Brocherie, W B Massey, D W Warren.Third row: G J Crotty, K J Garty, P J Hickey, D G Clarke, K J McKee, A T Whitham, P G Brady, S L Hubble, J F O’Brien.Second row: A J Kerr, B A Johns, M F Mooney, D S Pilkington, P E Ray, L P Reynolds, P W Baker, R M Dunn.Front row: V W Costello, B P Coakley, A J Minehan, D G Luxmoore, P J O’Donnell, J K Carpenter, K J Ward, P J Atger, P G Casserley.Absent: M J Gregory, P R Griffith, T P Kane.
FORM 3GBack row: C W Morgan, E J McGuinniety, A C Gorman, J C Stickings, A C Nottingham, M J Watson, W T Hannafin, B P Richardson, A J Ponsonby.Third row: G C Stace, M J Fitzgerald, C F McLaughlin, P J Lewin, J R Bunker, P J Powell, P C Meehan, R M Hempseed, T M Coffey.Second row: C B Ward, P J Cameron, M H McNab, J S Henderson, A A Turnbull, J P Roach, K F Roach, C A Boyer, J B Petre. Front row: J A Higginson, G P Hall, P R Cartwright, N E Slade, A M Cook, J J O’Sullivan, G W Clarke, G P O’Dea, L J Morrow.Absent: J L Boyd, P J Gregan.
Friday 30 November
Drinks at JDV
Pat Hickey, John McDermott and Darcy Downey.
Tony Thwaites, Gary Ferguson and Pat Hickey.
Gerard Clark, Simon Hubble, William Titular and Peter O’Connor.
Damien Warren, Harry Eccles and Bernard Johns check out the class photos.
Peter Reedy and Bernie Miles.
Pat Hickey, Gary Ferguson, Kevin Bennett, Darcy Downey, Robin Judkins, Tony Thwaites
and Gerard Clark.
Peter Cameron and John McAuliffe.
Chris Ward, all the way from Brazil is greeted by Tony Whitham. Kevin Sepie and John McDermott look on.
Jim Raleigh with Paul McMenamin and Rob Hempseed.
Steve and Ray Hoare.
Steve Hoare and Paddy Gregan.
Brent Kelly with John McDermott and Rob Campbell.
Tony Constable and Vince Costello.
Jim Raleigh, Paul Atger and Roy Craddock.
Saturday 01 December
Tour of College & Lunch
Chief Tour Guide Tony’s stories created much laughter at many of the stopping points.
Simon Hubble recalls the day he dressed as one of the priests.
Ray Hoare and Gerard Rogatski catch up. In the background, Darcy Downey, Greg Preece and Mike Ryan.
Gilbert Stace, Allan Turnbull and Kevin Roche.
Simon Hubble delivers the punch line to the delight of all.
John McDermott delivers the punch line to this story while John Gilbert defers.
The sign in the background says it all. Tony Thwaites, Darcy Downey and Ross Scarlett.
Group shot in front of the site of the new chapel.
Ross Scarlett with Darcy Downy and Tony Thwaites. John Peters with Simon Murdoch and Peter Davidson.
John Boyd explains something to Brent Kelly. Gilbert Stace and William Titular may not be agreeing.
Paul Griffith and Damien Warren.
Group shot at the back fields.
John McDermott re-enacts the night the bolts were removed from the dorm prefects bed.
Dinner at The Commodore
Proposing the toast to the class of 63. Celebrating at the end of the toast.
The Welcome - Peter Davidson
Welcome to the 2018 reunion of the
boys of 1963. That is a very big
welcome to everyone here tonight,
but especially to the wives and partners who have
come along here tonight to make sure that their
boys get home before they need the defibrillator.
Congratulations to all you girls here tonight . It
is pretty obvious that all of the boys who belong
to you, have done much better than we ever
thought they would, and to those who could
have, but didn’t bring their wives or partners here
tonight, it is because their wives have not been
told there is a reunion in town. Instead these
ladies have been told by their men that they are
away all weekend at a weekend retreat with the
Carmelite Nuns down Addington Road. Leaves
Donald Trump for dead !!
1963
• NewZealandhasapopulationof2,566,000
• ThePrimeMinisterisKeithHolyoake
• NewZealandhas80,000televisionlicenses
• CardiganBaywinstheNewZealandTrotting
Cup
• ShaunFitzpatrick&WarrenGatlandareborn
• TheBeatlesreleasedtheirfirstAlbum–
Please Please Me
• 6February:ElizabethIIarrivesinNew
ZealandontheRoyalYachtBritanniaforthe
1963RoyalTourofNewZealand
• NewZealandNationalAirwaysCorporation
Flight 441 crashes into the Kaimai Ranges,
killing all 23 aboard.
• BobCharleswinstheBritishOpen
• AuntDaisy(MaudBasham)-the‘firstladyof
radio’ - died in July.
• TheAllBlacksdepartedforatourofthe
British Isles, France and Canada. They played
36 matches during the four-month tour, losing
only once, to the Welsh club side Newport,
and drawing with Scotland.
• TheBritishOverseasAirwaysCorporation
(BOAC) began a twice-weekly jet service
betweenLondonandNewZealand.Thede
Havilland Comet 4 aircraft had a flying time of
37 hours and could carry between 74 and 81
passengers.
AND–151verygoodlooking,verybumptious,
and very testosterone enhanced young boys
started at St Bede’s.
And what was St Bede’s at that time;
• FrEvattwasRector
• Twentysixpriestswerethereasteachers,
amongthemwere:CreepingJesus,Sister
Cross, Corpse, Muttonbird, Bum, Nifty, Spill,
Butch, Boss, Monty, Jock, Johnny, Des,Tom
Dooley., and Claude. There were others.
In the Bedean Magazine you could;
• Saveupto3shillingsperLBonTeaatthe
Coffee Wholesalers Ltd
• BoardersUniforms..Youcouldbuynow…pay
later on a Beaths Budget Account
• AtReginayoucouldgetchocolatepineapple
Chunksin1shilling&2shillingbags
Other notes of interest were;
• MissComynsThomasM.N.A.T.D.(London)
M.N.X.F.T.D. taught us to dance
• PaddyThwaiteswascaptainofthe1stXV
• Therewere71sonsofOldboysattheschool
in 1963
• BernieTeenwontheCanterburySecondary
Schools100&200yardsChampionship
Sotherewewerethen….andherewearetonight,
well not all of us actually.
A number of our class mates, our friends, our
bedean comtemporaries have passed on.
Will you all please stand while we have one
minute’s silence to acknowledge all of them.
Thank you.
It would not be appropriate if we did not have a
couple of toasts at this point, particularly given
that we would not be here tonight if it was not for;
1. Adam&Eve
2. And St Bede’s College
Before I ask Simon Murdoch to Propose a 1963
Reunion Toast I would like to acknowledge the
former.
Here’s to Eve the mother of our Race
Who wore a fig leaf in the right place
And here’s to Adam the father of us all
Who was Johnny-on-the-spot in autumn when
the leaves began to fall.
Humphrey Archer and Simon Murdoch.
John McDermott with Gerard and Mary Clark.
Gentlemen and partners - tena koutu,
tena koutu, tena tatou katoa. Greetings.
Its both a privilege and a responsibility
to attempt this. Brian Dwyer did it brilliantly a
few years ago for the 2011 celebrations- and he
could tell the Boarding School stories that a Day
Boy can`t. So bear with me, you Boarders of 63.
I begin with a word of sympathy and support
to those of you affected by the earthquakes,
including Kaikoura. And the College itself- being
rebuilt in so many aspects but still , from the
Main North Road, looking much as it did back
then. As that old Irish tribute says, we do have to
hope that we will all be kept safe in the palm of
God`s hand.
Also at this point can I recall the staff of the
College-the priests, the lay teachers; the pastoral
andadministrativepeoplewhomadeacomplex
ecosystem-over 600 boys - work by day and by
night - 7 days a week and probably 300 plus
days a year. It may not have worked for all of us
individually, or at all times, but with hindsight,
we can at least say thanks to those who spent
themselves trying to make it work as a whole, and
as well as they could.
For me, St Bede’s meant two longish bus trips
- the first from Sumner and a quick sprint to a
change to the Midland service - and a lot of sprint
work to catch them home again, especially after
sports practices in the evenings.
We were a bit of a community on the 8.25
Midland of a morning - the beach suburb boys
from Sumner; the Bays and Brighton; Lyttleton;
Cashmere - represented by Thomas Acquinas
Rose; Sydenham - the O`Sullivans - Snip and
Bruiser; and sometimes Robin Judkins would
hop on at Bealey Ave. We passed lots of bikers
- especially as we got closer to Papanui. I
remember Si Hubble; Brent Kelly; Vince Costello;
Vance Stewart; my late great mate, Jamie Weir.
It was a generally well behaved bus, unlike the
Sumner one, it could get distinctly boisterous and
caused all of us, once, to be caned (either 4 or 6)
by the Rector for events involving an emergency
door and a Christ`s College boater hat.
Through all those bus trips from 1963-67, Rob
Campbell was my constant travelling companion -
those kinds of bonds are lasting.
Once inside the gates we were in another world.
Often the lunches carefully packed by our
mothers were scavenged by the Boarders who
were generally starving by 8.55. I know a couple
of guys who got their Mum`s to pack sandwiches
for the Boarders - that way they got to eat theirs!
The mornings at Bede’s were often very cold in
winter, and nothing was worse than Cadet Week
or the Cadet days with those khaki shorts. It was
almost a relief when the marching drills began.
I was a totally undistinguished member of the
ATC - until, by some stroke of luck, in my last
year, I was consigned to the quartermaster`s duty,
guarding the armoury in the huts by the tennis
courts. The ATC had a campout, and survival
training at Spencer Park- you had to build a
“bivvy” from the bush. Somehow in my bivvy in
the 6th form, after a full search and patdown
fromtheRNZAFsergeantsinchargeofus,Joe
Rosevear or John Marinovich made two bottles
of Barvarian Bitter appear. Buried during Bivvy
construction!
Recalling all those names reminded me of the
end - of year roasting-the awards - that the
Bedean Times used to bestow. Here are a few
that are in that spirit.
Firstit’stheYoungHoudiniMemorial-and
it goes to a group of 7th form boarders, and
day-boy accomplices who managed the amazing
feat of a secret car which they purchased and
stored behind the school somewhere, and used
for weekend outings. A vintage De Soto roadster,
it could at a pinch carry 11 travellers. They made
a triumphal visit to Sumner one Sunday - after
a spot of surfing, and no doubt girl - watching,
they majestically dropped by home - my mother
was pleased to offer afternoon tea, before they
returned clandestinely to Papanui. Needless to
say they went on to successful careers in such
professions as law; real estate; dentistry and
others. But their identities are still suppressed.
And a couple more;
- The Scientific Innovation trophy 1967 - for
the science lab assistants and the garbage
monitors who combined their assets and
their accesses so creatively to attempt a small
potato-based vodka distilling operation in a
roof space close to the old Science Block.
I think they shut it down after the results of
one or two overproof vintages and before the
law caught up with them.
- The Desperate Dating Testosterone Cup. It
goes to the guys who kept up the annual
A Toast to the Men of 63
Pat Ferguson, Gary Ferguson, Sharyn Cutler, Chris Cutler and Christine McDermott.
Mike Fitzgerald and Denise Shimanski.
Kathy and Gerard Horgan with Mike Ryan and Paddy Gregan.
Robin Judkins entertains Jim Kerr.
tradition of caving in that window of the
Boarders Study where the girls colleges
class photos were taped up 6 weeks before
the School Ball. It’s a wonder more serious
injuries weren’t sustained - in the maul!
- TheUnsungHeroesAward.Toallthe
Boarders who did Tuck Shop duties between
1963 and 1967. We will carry to our graves
the memory of the taste of a well-warmed
Stevenson’s Pie, and the sheer misery of the
days when supplies ran out.
Now to our toast - 1963 - what a time in our
young lives. Boys from all over the South Island;
some from the North; and a handful from the
island states of the South Pacific. Some to live
away from home and family for the first time.
We were there for an education that fitted us
for our future endeavours at work and in our
communities and with our families as adults
ourselves. But there was - and is-something else,
thatdidn’tcomefromourclassroomexperiences.
For some it came from the sports activities-pretty
narrow back then. “Boys who do not enrol for
rugby must do cross-country, unless they have a
medical dispensation”. So much better now - and
even a Hockey turf - Rob Campbell would have
loved that! And it makes money!
SBC can rightfully hold its head up as a
school which has produced its fair share of top
sportsmen - athletics, rugby, rowing, cricket, in
our time - but wider now. But also for instilling a
sense of the pleasure of team sports, and the fun
and companionship that being part of a team can
produce.
For others sports were an endurance. The school
is probably a better place today than in 1963 for
boys whose interests and talents lie in the arts,
theatre and less physical games. The debating
and oratory options were, however, available then
and well supported - and cause me to remember
with respect one priest in particular. Father Jack
Hogan - “Corpse” - the greatest nickname of
all in a tradition which bestowed some absolute
zingersonourmasters.Corpse,inhisex-army
greatcoat - shuffling across the wintry quad, fag
in his mouth, after a hasty lunch (did he eat?) to
run the Tuesday debating for the dayboys. I never
did thank him for that.
I now see, but couldn’t at the time, that for
boarders and dayboys alike, the something else
SBC offered was a moral education built around
a Christian tradition. By that I mean we began
to discover what it is to live together, with civility;
good humour; fairness, tolerance and respect for
the other person.
I like to think this, above all, is what our parents,
who sacrificed to send us to the school, wanted
from it. I can’t come back here myself without
thinking of my parents, and the support they
poured into me and my brothers, for everything
we did at the college. I am sure I am not alone
in that.
So, be upstanding, toast each other - the boys of
63 - the College, and those who choses to send
us there.
The Tale of Wally Fagan
Some of the best stories are the ones that
only get unearthed much later on. This
is the Story of Wally Fagan. It goes back
some way.
Wally was at St Bede’s just behind us!
Wally was a bit of a character, to the point where
one day, he put himself in a non-defendable
position,…..orsowethought!!
The “incident”, as we shall call it, started at
7am in the morning when Wally was found
unconscious outside the open window of the
Priests dining room.
To make matters worse, Wally was accompanied
byalargesugar-curedcookedNewZealandham
which was lying in his arms in a sublime, but
highly suspicious crime-like scenario.
This ham had been seen entering the Priests
fridge the day before, obviously to be consumed
in the following few days.
It looked like Wally had seen it too !!
Wally was duly arrested after coming to, and was
called to the St Bede’s High Court to face the
charges, they being that he stole the large sugar-
curedcookedNewZealandhamfromthefridge
in the Priests kitchen !!
The bench of the High Court was presided over
by some of the countries most learned Judges,
theybeing:
• JudgeJohnBrandtsGiesen–apinstripesuit
wearing judge with a fertile mind, a sense of
courtroom theatrics, and a history of meeting
old school mates in Court more often than he
would like.
• DistrictCourtJudgeLawrieHintonwhoapart
from awarding a $140,000 claim to the Mr
AsiaLawyer,hasnothadalotofexperience
in ham or bacon product burglaries, even
though Mr Asia had been called a pig on a
number of occasions.
• EnvironmentCourtJudgeBPDwyer.Judge
Dwyer had made a number of rulings in
regard to animals in the environment, but not
too many around the travels of legs of ham in
the wide open spaces.
• Andfinallythelastmemberonthebenchthat
day was from the District Court, the late Judge
James Weir. He was of incredible reputation,
and as a portly Rotorua based Judge he had
avoidedanyexerciseregimeinthepast,lest
he strained a hamstring or had any hammy
problems at all.
The prosecution laid out their case stating quite
categorically that it was an open and shut case.
Here was Mr Fagan cuddling a ham outside the
priests window in a way that clearly showed Mr
Fagan was stealing the large sugar-cured cooked
NewZealandpigproduct.Hebackeduphis
argument by declaring;
• Thekitchenstaffreportedthehammissing
• Thehamdidnotgettherebyitself
• ThePriestsdidnotnormallystoretheirlegsof
ham outside the window
• MrFaganwasaBedeanofasomewhat
mischievous disposition, and frequently was
in trouble anyway
• Thetimeofthedaywasclearlyoutsideofhis
normal endeavors.
Enter to the Courtroom the counsel for the
defense. A man of considerable reputation who
valued any opportunity to support the underdog.
His name was none other than Mr Paul Brendan
McMenamin…….amanwhosemainclaim
to fame was propping up the Brewers Arms,
defending his other lawyer “chums” who fell foul
of the law, and having outrageous conversations
with other people about anything at all. While not
havinganyhamexperience,hehaddefended
some directors on matters relating to apples.
Hebegan:
“YourhonourmyclientMrFaganhasbeen
extraordinarilypaintedasalowlevelcriminalwho
deliberately stole a large sugar-cured cooked New
ZealandpigproductthatbelongedtotheMarist
fathers here in Christchurch.
Nothing could be further from the truth.
My client Mr Fagan is an honourable man of the
highestorder.Letmeexplain.
• MrFaganwasavictimofbeinginthewrong
place at the wrong time.
• ThatdaybeganforMrFaganat6.15inthe
morning when as a boarder he was required
to be an altar boy for an early morning mass
as was the boarders custom and duty.
Jan and Dennis Stoddart.
Simon Garrett, Dennis Foley and Murray McLaughlin.
• OnthatdayMrFaganhadbeendrawntobe
an altar boy for Father Corpse Hogan.
• FatherCorpseHoganhadareputationfor
being able to say a mass in record time.
• OnthatmorningFatherCorpseHogan
completed the Mass in 9 minutes and 35
seconds breaking his all-time record.
• MyclientMrFagan,beingonlyaladatthe
time was confused. His duty was to ring the
bells at important times in the Mass and also
to transfer liquid vessels of water and wine
to Father Corpse Hogan. The rapidity of the
latin Mass from Father Corpse Hogan meant
that Mr Fagan could not identify the pivotal
moments, and was turned back by Father
Hoganonsixoccasionswhenhecritically
stuffed up the wine and water delivery times.
His reaction then was to maintain a constant
bell ringing motion which did not tie in with
any of the important timings of the Mass.
• MyClientMrFaganlefttheMassashattered
man.
• Hewasinneedofsomespiritualguidanceto
get his composure back on track.
• Heheadedstraighttothechapeltopray…..
armedwithsixpairsofRosaryBeadshe
owned……includingonepairthathadbeen
blessed by the Pope (Pope Paul 6th a former
sheep shearer himself).
• Asheprayed,theGoodLordsaidto
Wally…..”WallyyouneedtofollowGodand
start walking”. So Wally did, and it lead him
downtothe‘DirtyMary’.Whenhegotthere
he saw an apparition. It was the patron saint
of bacon. The patron saint of bacon is Saint
Anthony the abbot. He’s also the patron
saint of swine herders, butchers, epilepsy,
amputees, gravediggers, hermits, lost items
and Canas Brazil.
• SaintAnthonysaid,“Wallywelldone.You
have found the Priest’s ham which went
missing at midnight last night. Take the ham
Wally and deliver it back to the priests dining
room and you will receive eternal salvation”.
• Wallydid,butashewasgettinginthrough
the window, he hit his head on the top sash
and fell unconscious into the garden still with
the ham.
• AndthatyourHonours,…isthetruth,the
whole truth, and nothing but the truth. I rest
my case.”
The Judges deliberated for 30 minutes (
including 2 tea breaks, a combined toilet
excursion,andasiesta)andthendeliveredtheir
verdicts.
Judge John Brandts Giesen
“Gentlemen, I am so relieved that Mr
McMenamin has clarified this story for us. This
was a man showing Faith and Works. Fide et
Opere.”
District Court Judge Lawrie Hinton
“Gentlemen, I have listened with a lot of interest.
I now think Wally Fagan is a man of God. I
cannot believe that Mr Fagan might possibly be a
thief,…..inotherwordsahamburglar”
Environment Judge B P Dwyer
“Gentlemen. The main part of this story that
worried me was, that a ham had escaped the St
Bede’s kitchen and was out compromising the
environment. Did the priests have a biosecurity
plan, should a ham escape from the fridge.......
did the priests have a resource consent to allow
their ham to roam without control?”
Judge James Weir
“Gentlemen. I am prepared to make a quick
decision on this case. I find Mr Fagan not guilty
onthebasisthatheisnota‘taker”.MrFagan
has told me he wants to be a shearer, and today
he wanted to give the ham back to the priests. In
otherwords……..heisindeedsharer!Irestmy
case”.
And that ladies and gentlemen is the tale of Wally
Fagan.
MC Peter Davidson. Jim Raleigh.
Back in the Day - John Brandts-Giesen
Peter Davidson has just told the story of
the “courtcase” that followed Wally Fagan
being caught with the priest’s pork ham.
I am named as one of the four judges, the other
being class mates Jim Weir, Lawrie Hinton and
Haggis Dwyer. The case deserved a “full court”.
The facts should never get in the way of a good
judgment. I reasoned that Fagan, like the faigan
in dickens, was jewish, and therefore would not
eat the ham. He took it on a Thursday night so
that the good priests would avoid an occasion of
sin i.e. to eat meat the next day, a Friday. Fagan
would have returned it on Saturday when all risk
of harm was over.
I am surprised that I have been asked to speak
tonight. I am a simple immigrant boy with
English as a second language. I have never been
regarded as “a safe pair of hands” in Bedean
circles. I think it was Simon Murdoch or John
McDermott who described me as the Chief
Hater and Baiter of the House of Lords. I was
proud of that title as I was an admirer of Winston
Churchill, who maintained that he was a Son of
the Commons and would remain so rather than
be a member of the Lords.
This year is 100 years since the end of WW1.
Arriving and being at St Bede’s was a bit like
going to war. Boys coming from all sorts of
different places and backgrounds thrown in
together for a 4 or 5 year stint. Rules that were
sensible and some absurd. Little rituals, like
the de-nobbing of caps and baptism by near
total immersion in the Jakes. Some did well at
school, some loved it and yet others loathed it.
Enough time has passed for bad memories to
havemellowedandgoodonestobeexaggerated,
as happened last night. Some peaked at school,
and that is always sad as the downhill slope is a
long one. What we all know is that all of us have
peaked and that the decline is now shorter and
steeper.
As with a war reunion, we have to remember
those who cannot be here and especially our
class mates who have died.
ROBERT HARTE was an academically bright
student who, although affected by epilepsy,
took a full part in school life. He played among
the top rugby and tennis players. He was a fine
sprinter. Sadly he died from a seizure one night,
some 3 months after his, only child, a son, was
born. He was just 30.
STEPHENRYAN,atschoolandinhisearlyadult
life had it all. He was clever and kind, a fine
batsman, handsome and, like everyone from
Ellesmere, rich. He died leaving a widow and 2
young children. He was a little over 40 when he
succumbed to cancer.
BRIANCURRIEwastheconsummateacademic
whiz. Every subject he touched he topped,
not just at school but on the national stage.
ThirdinNZforUniversityJuniorScholarship
examinations.Afirstclasshonoursdegree
followed, but sadly he burned out. He too was
only in his early 40s.
BRIAN WILLCOX was one of those quiet
achievers. In everything he did he would always
be in the top 10% . He gained a law degree and
an MBA and went into business. He became
headofHousingNZandlatertheCEOofalarge
Swiss owned medical laboratory in Christchurch.
He too was taken after a long battle with cancer
in his early 60s.
JIM WEIR was a character. The youngest of a
large family, he started off in Primer One at St
Joseph’sPapanuiwithBrianWillcox,PatBaker,
Raymond Dunn and me. In those days Jim was
very much James. There is still standing at that
school a 3 foot wall over which he threw me
without warning when I called him Jim. He won
National titles in Table Tennis where he was as
fearsome as he was on the Bench for many years
as a judge in Rotorua. Some people might have
described him as irascible. He died aged 65.
STUARTCONNOLLYstartedayearaheadofus
but missed a large portion of his 6th form year
and so joined us when we reached the 6th form.
Stuartwasalwaysakeendebater….infacthe
was argumentative, a Temuka trait he shared with
Gerard Horgan. He went into insurance, then
management, and finally Law where he was a
respected barrister in Auckland until his sudden
death a few months ago aged 69.
I mention these men because they are not here
to tell their tale, or for you to tell them yours.
Most of them we cannot Google. It is right that
we remember them. Fate’s Fickle Finger will
ensure that we will all be added to that Litany of
their Names.
We have been the Lucky Generation. We were
one remove from WW2 and never suffered a
depression as cruel as the Great Depression. Our
educationwasinexpensive,bothatStBede’s
Corrie and Tony Gorman and Paddy Gregan.
Mike Ryan, John Gilbert, Darcy Downey and Chris Ward.
and later. We never had to go to war. We had
good teachers, and some less able. We were as
well prepared for the real world as anyone from a
boys-only school run by single clerics could be.
We were ready to leave, but that is how it should
always be.
St Bede’s dealt us a good hand. I have been
instructed that this is not a fund-raising dinner.
But I have Oppositional Defiance Disorder and
willjustsaythis:ifeveryoldboywouldgivebut
the equivalent of one term’s fees of any private
schoolinNZtoday,StBede’swouldberebuilt
in 5 years. Think about it. When asked, give
generously. Those from Australia can give in
Ozziedollars.ChrisWardfromBrazil:Ihave
checked out the state of the Brazilian REAL.
Youcanpayingold,orUSdollars.Youmarried
Regina, a queen. The only other Regina I know
is QE2.
Those who married for money, as well, as love
can pay twice.
Enjoy what remains of the night.
John Brandts Giesen (1963-1967).
Mike Ryan.
Simon Murdoch.
Rob Campbell, former NZ Hockey rep, capped.
Roy Craddock.
Ray Hoare.
Ross Scarlett saying grace.
Back in the Day - Darcy Downey
Half way through 1962 my father
announced at the dinner table one
evening that I would be going to St
Bedes.
“Why can’t I go with all my mates to St Marys
High School in Hokitika run by the Mercy
sisters”?
Because he responded “woman cannot control
adolescence boys”. He may have been correct
because a number of the boys I went to primary
school with were much brighter than me yet I was
theonlyonetogetUE.
I told Dad “send me St Bedes and I’ll run away.”
His reply was “Don’t run home because I will put
you in the car and take you straight back.”
We heard earlier this evening from Simon
Murdoch of how he had to catch two buses to
cross Christchurch to get to get to St Bedes. My
journey was an all day railcar trip from Hokitika
across the country.
I vividly remember that first trip. It was a Monday
morning. My mother was crying her eyes out as
that railcar departed Hokitika. How embarrassing
that was. I wanted to disown her. Thinking about
this traumatic day over the years I started to
realize the great sacrifices my parents made to
make sure I got a very good education and had
the finest of values embedded enabling me to
have a rewarding life. My father a postal clerk in
the Post Office was the sole family bread winner.
They went without some of the basic life comforts
we all take for granted today. It was not until I
had left school that they got a flush toilet and a
refrigerator.Unfortunatelyittookmanyyearsfor
me to realize how they must have made huge
sacrifices so I would be well equipped to face
life’s challenges.
St Bedes day one found all us newbies sitting
streaming tests. At the drinks last night a fellow
3Ber, Ginger Ryan from the Coast, recalled one of
the actual questions in the test and was beating
himself up as he had got the answer wrong
when he should have aced it. That question
was–nametheareainNZthathasthehighest
predominance of Catholics. Does anyone know
the answer? I hear Robin Judkins say the West
Coast. Well done correct answer.
Tests marked and lists appeared of the classes.
Now for a simple lad from the coast everything
was a bit confusing. Pete Davidson a good 3B lad
told us earlier this evening he was also confused
withthislabel.PeteIhaveapossibleexplanation.
3A obviously were top bright lads but surely 3B
werenotthenextbrightestasmynamewas
on that list. Sure enough that was the case. So
what I wondered did the B stand for? As classes
got under way and routines were established
Fr Bourke, I can’t remember if it was Christian
Doctrine or English he taught us, unraveled the
mystery classification 3B and in doing so showed
us the power of prayer.
If you recall at the start and end of class we had
prayers. Just a short prayer lead by the priest and
they would finish with
Immaculate heart of Mary ----- (to which we
responded) Pray for us
St Joseph ----------- Pray for us
St Bede the Venerable ------ Pray for us.
Well Fr Bourke would substitute St Joseph with
St Jude.
St Jude is the patron saint of, yes I hear a
number of you saying --- hopeless cases.
Thanks to Fr Bourke, St Jude and the power of
prayer 3Bers developed into fine young men.
Another teacher who springs to mind is Fr
Coulter.
Best known as a very fine athletic coach however
I remember him as a good book keeping teacher.
He would swoop into the classroom wearing his
running shoes, pace up and down the room
throwing imaginary discusses and putting the
shot. One day he was having difficulty getting
some of us to grasp the concept of double entry
bookkeeping. Now our class room was just inside
the back door of the main building and it faced
out onto the quad. It had huge windows. Well
this particular day Fr Coulter was pacing rather
frantically up and down the room imparting the
knowledge that you debit what comes in and
credit what goes out. Noticing the blank looks on
somefaceshisfrustrationlevelsbuilttotheextent
that drastic action was called for. He dashed to
one of the huge windows threw it open picked
up a desk and yelling debit what comes in credit
what goes out threw the desk out the window.
Most of us boys in 3B were boarders and this
helped foster bonds. Naturally groups develop
and seemed to along provincial lines. There
Ross Scarlett in a contemplative moment while saying grace much to the amusement of his table mates.
Lawry Hinton and Jim Raleigh. Robin Judkins.
were the Canterbury group of Tony Thwaites,
Gary Ferguson, Chris Cutler and Pete Davidson.
Another provincial group was The Coasters. We
made up around 20% of the class. If we had
roped in other Coasters such as Jim Raleigh and
Ross Scarlett we could have had our own class
–3WC
We were neither the overly academic types nor
top sportsman. Not many university graduates
came out of 3B.
We only had one, I think, 3Ber Harry Eccles
make the first 15 though the Hoare twins Ray
and Steve from Blenheim were tough rugged
forwards.
Being Coasters of Irish heritage we liked a punt.
One day Roy Craddock I think it was announced,
that he had met three senior boys (fifth formers)
who acted as the school bookies.
These seniors boys regularly ran a book on must
things.Racing,trottingandboxing.Thisstoryis
about a Clay/ Liston fight for the heavy weight
titleoftheworld.Boxingespeciallytheworld
heavy weight contests was very popular in the
sixties.FloydPattersonhadlostthetileanda
newyoungboxerCassiusClaywaskeentotake
it off Liston.
It was the second Clay/Liston fight and the
schoolbookiesranasweepstake.Youhadtopick
the winner and round. The memory can’t recall
theexactcostofabetortheamountoftheprize.
However it was probably something like one
shilling a bet and a prize pool of thirty shillings
to be split amongst those who picked the correct
result. This was a lot of money back then when
you consider that the poor boarders were only
allowed2shillingsandsixpenceaweekpocket
money.
I actually emailed one of the bookies this week to
get his OK to tell this story and reveal the names
of the bookies. His response was
“Not to stressed about names. They don’t
need to be mentioned but I am sure statute of
limitationslonggone.Youcannamethewinnera
punting Coaster.”
Well the fight was fought and won. It was a
surprise result Clay had won in the first round.
Only one punter had supposedly picked it
correctly so that was fine life carried on.
However thirty odd years later an interesting
fact came to light. I was having a beer with one
of the bookies and he told the true story on the
outcome of the sweepstake.
“We ran a sweep stake on the fight. To collect
you had to pick winner and round. If more than
one got it the pot was shared, after a suitable
rake off for the bookies of course, although this
bit was not advertised.
Everypossibilitywascoveredexceptone.Liston
was covered from round 1 to 15, Clay from round
2 to 15. Nobody had Clay to win in round 1 so we
got the lot.
However we paid our best customer of the year,
to say that he had won.”
The bookies went into a bit of a panic as they
thought if no winner was declared and they kept
the lot there could be a revolt by the punters and
someone may have reported them to the prefects
or priests.
Now the best customer for the year who they
paid to tell everyone he had won was 3Ber West
Coaster Johnny Gilbert.
To wrap up I return to Fr Bourke leading the
prayers to St Jude for the “hopeless cases”
of 3B. The power of pray to St Jude resulted
in 3Bers developing into fine young men and
maturing into the wise grey headed old men you
see before us today.
Thanks to all who have put in a lot of hard
work to make this weekend so enjoyable and
memorable.
The dining room.
Back in the Day - Chris Ward
Fellow Bedeans of 1963. I was given no
warning of this small presentation, but
wish to thank the committee who put this
weekend together, as we really appreciate the
opportunity.
IleftNewZealandin1975havingfinisheda
post-grad diploma at Lincoln in Ag-Science and
Farm Management.
I have been in Brazil since 1977, where I went
to work for an English company managing farms
in the interior of Brazil. I am married to Regina
and we have three Children. In 1984 I became
involved in a family project where we purchased
11.000 hectares of scrub land in the Mato Grosso
do Sul state. In 1986 I left the English company,
a great school of business ethics, and with my
family moved to the Mato Grosso to develop this
block of bush into farmland.
I started at St Bede’s in 1963 like all from
Addington Catholic school, I was in not an Ä”
student, but a good student. As the eldest boy of
9 we had all to do our chores and work. My father
after he came back from WW ll , was unable to
enter a higher education, but started out as an
apprentice carpenter, and went to night school.
“Ted&Trish”,workedhardandraisedafamily
on good Christian values, and sacrificed their
own lives for their family, both reached their mid
eighties.
Our parents, were a special breed of post
war parents, who had very few economic
opportunities, but a great desire to advance the
education and opportunities for their children. As
theeldestofsixboysweallwenttoStBede’sas
day boys, as the best catholic school at the time,
some us, for their whole secondary school life ,
some just until School Cert and others until year
seven.
I remember our family life as a happy time,
where our upbringing and sacrifices made by our
parents taught us the lessons to be successful.
All of us, have been successful, due to the
exampleandeducationreceived,byourparents
and in my case, St Bede’s, through sport, cadets,
greatteachersandrespectforothers.Luxuryfor
us was a new bike, or some records, (vinyl) which
we purchased with the money earned during
our weekend, holiday and after schoolwork.
(Delivering newspapers, and mowing lawns). We
rode a bicycle to school which was a 14km round
trip to Spreydon.
Today I consider the facts in retrospect, the
education that taught us, respect, team work,
faith and honesty, is the basis of a successful
career and a position in any Society where the
“Kiwi” background and the School we represent
make us proud to have been a Bedean.
Peter O’Connor, John Bunker, Peter Egden, John McDermott and Harry Eccles.
Loreto Colvin, Jacinta Gardner, Tony Witham and Peter Brocherie.
Kevin Bennett, Harry Eccles, Murray McLaughlin and Simon Murdoch.
Poem - If Only!St Bedes would not be proud today, of the class of 1963.
A mottly sort, who came up short, of what we were sent there to be.
Notmodelstudentswhotickedalltheboxes,orwhowerethereforthediningroomfeasts.
But a saintly group, who our parents had thoughts, that we all might become holy priests.
And so into the training ground on the first day in Feb, the potential clergy were catapulted.
But sadly over time, despite the prayers and altar wine, not a single one has resulted.
Lawrie Hinton came close, but on a dark stormy night, the warning bells they sounded.
God sent his legal-angel back to earth, saying Mr Hinton’s not suitably well-rounded.
John Mills applied from Pukekohe, but when the news arrived, his heart sunk.
The Marist fathers said “No hair Mr Mills, well that’s a shame, you’d make a better monk”.
MG Ryan thought about the clergy job too, but just when the priesthood felt right.
He met Sue at the Carlton, and after two jugs beer, changed his mind on a heavenly full-moon night.
Ross Scarlett looked a sitter, he most surely would have looked the part.
But his sermons they said would have gone on for 2 hours, so HE didn’t even get a start.
Joe Rosevear could have been a kindly priest, had he made the lurch.
But Joe would have sold the whole Parish, including the bloody church.
Brian Dwyer could have been a teaching priest, his loss is possibly the saddest.
But how could you survive in an all boys school, when you’re known as Father Haggis.
Denis Foley had the brains and the manner, his demeanour they could not falter.
But he was disqualified,..early on, when he couldn’t quite reach the altar.
Simon Murdoch made out he had a religious intent, but his methods were rather sinister.
He would say “I do God’s work in Wellington all the time, for a prominent leading minister”.
JohnGiesonmadenosecret……thatFatherManningwasthewayandthelight.
But HE took all the wrong courses, and only got the “Judge” bit right.
Brent Kelly entered the seminary, to apply for the Te Awamutu parish post.
But he had to resign, when he became gluten free, and couldn’t eat the communion host.
I myself was a prominent priest prospect, so looking forward to the love and the joy.
ButItook13yearstopasstheexams,andthatwasjusttobeanaltar-boy.
Murray McLauglan said bravely one day in the chapel, “I’d like to be a priest”.
Untilheheardthepay-rateforthejob,wasnought,thesameifaliveordeceased.
Pat Hickey saw some merit in being a priest, he would model himself on Corpse Hogan.
But wearing a full length black coat all year round, made him feel too much of a bogan.
BernyJohnswantedtohearconfessions,hewouldbeunderstanding&totallyconcessional.
But he had a few gins, confessed his own sins, and disappeared forever in the confessional.
RobCampbellsawhimselfasadormitorypriest,caningboarderswithsixontheirbums.
But with his cricketing style in the dormitory aisle, the first boy cleared the grounds for 6 runs.
Pat Baker could have been a jolly priest, his laughter swept every church area.
Dismissedfromtheseminaryinonlyyeartwo,theysaidhewascausingtoomuch‘Mass’hysteria.
Then Simon Hubble unloaded amongst us today, when a photo he did deposit.
That he’d cross-dressed once, in priestly attire, and today was coming out of the closet.
So I’m not quite sure what we all did wrong, it was a question that had to be asked.
So I sent my research team to ask the Pope, did the 63 team reveal a checkered past?
Theproblemhesaidwasnotofourmaking,therewerenovacanciesatthattimein‘God’sFlock’.
ThelambofGodhadbeentaken,theother‘sheepnames’hadablock.
So we asked who were the last ones selected,
andwhynoshepherdsfor‘Godsflock’fromafar.
He said “boys, the last two positions, with money from the missions,
wenttofathers‘Fleecy’and‘Sheepy’Mahar”.
Peter Davidson
Peter O’Connor and John Bunker.
Kevin Bennett and John McDermott.
Gerard Horgan with John McAuliffe, while John Brandts-
Giesen smiles.
Sunday 02 December
Mass & Morning Tea
Fr Allan Jones SM greet to group.
Sign of Peace: Tony Murdoch and Tony Gorman.
Rugby centurions, Canterbury’s Vance Stewart and Buller’s John Gilbert.
Prayers of the Faithful. Simon Hubble, Roy Craddock, Mike Fitzgerald and Mike Ryan.
The Rector, Justin Boyle.
Mike Ryan, Simon Murdoch and John Gilbert.
“A Little from a Lot”Our Fundraising Campaign
Progress to Date
$250,000 $500,000 $750,000 $1m $1.25m $1.5M
To donate to the new chapel in memory of a lovedonepleasegoto: www.oldboys.stbedes.school.nz/chapel-appeal
Giving in Memory
Toviewthecampaignvideopleasegoto: www.oldboys.stbedes.school.nz/chapel-appeal
Watch the Video
To make a donation...
Online Payment - please go to: www.oldboys.stbedes.school.nz/donate
Please go to: www.oldboys.stbedes.school.nz/chapel-appeal
The options available for giving are detailed on the website. If you would like to receive the campaign booklet please email or call and this will be posted to you.
Go to the Website
The estimated cost of the new chapel is $3.5m. The Chapel and Fundraising For the Future Campaign has an immediate goal of raising $1.5m. As in the past, this fundraising appeal is being made to Old Boys, parents (past and present), staff, students, and the wider Bedean and Catholic community. The Society of Mary has generously donated $1m and the Board of Proprietors another $1m. In the latter case, these funds derive mainly from the insurance payout on the old Chapel.
The Chapel CampaignOld Boys
The Society of Mary
Staff & Students
Board of Proprietors
Friends of the College
Parents
Funds Secured
Funds Required
$2M
$1.5M
The campaign to raise funds for a new chapel
was launched in October 2017. In the period
since almost $700,000 has been either donated
or pledged. Our campaign is based on the
concept of “A little from a lot.” The response to
date has been outstanding.
For all who came to the reunion the College,
without a chapel, is incomplete. Our boys need a
place of worship.
The campaign video may be viewed at
www.oldboys.stbedes.school.nz/chapel-appeal
Take the time to watch this, the silences say more
than a thousand words and the request from our
boys captures the need for a new chapel.
Please give consideration to making a donation
either on a personal level or in memory of a loved
family member or friend.
“A Little from a Lot” - PledgeThe Chapel & Fundraising for the Future AppealIndividual Donor
Yes I wish to contribute to “A Little from a Lot” for
St Bede’s College.
A donation of $10 per week for:
3 years 5 years 10 years
Or I wish to make an annual payment of $520.00 for:
3 years 5 years 10 years
Starting: ______/______/______
My payments of $________________ will be made:
Weekly Fortnightly Monthly
Other __________________
Donor Details: Individual / Family / On behalf of / Company
Name:
Address:
Home Phone: Mobile Phone:
Business Phone:
Email:
Recognition of your Donation
I am happy for my name to be included in publications.
I am happy to have my name on the display
in the new chapel.
I wish my donation to remain anonymous.
Payment Options
Direct credit (A/C 02 0816 0062298 00)
Cheque enclosed to the amount of $________________
Payroll Giving (staff only)
Credit Card: Please charge my credit card the amount of $_________
Visa Mastercard
Card Holder Name:
Card No.: CVC No.:
Expiry Date: Signature:
Relationship to the College
(select as many as applicable)
Current parent Past staff
Past parent Friend of St Bede’s
Old Boy Staff
Passing on a Name(s)
You may have contact with Old Boys who may wish to donate.
Please provide contact details and the office will follow up.
Name:
Address:
Email:
Phone:
Further Information
Please send me further information on the following
Making a major donation to the Chapel Appeal
Endowing a scholarship
Making a bequest to the Foundation
Naming rights to a building
Supporting students in need
Please detach and return in the enclosed envelope to:
The Alumni & Community Development Office
St Bede’s College
Po Box 5380, Christchurch 8542
Email: [email protected]
Online Payment - please go to: www.oldboys.stbedes.school.nz/chapelappeal
Messages of Thanks
Thanks Loreto and many thanks to
you, Tony and all others involved
in making an enjoyable and
memorable experience.
Sincerely
Paul McMenamin
Team first of all I wish to congratulate the organizing committee for a job well done.
Chasing children is sometimes a hard Job, but rounding up us old fellows, is like “herding Cats”.
The professionals discrete efficiency,of Tony, Jacinta and Loreto, must be complimented, as they had many other responsibilities outside the group of “63”.
Regina and I made a last minute decision to come, as the last few months with Regina’s mother in Hospital, and intensive care, were exhausting for her, Regina needed a rest. The encouragement from John Mc was also a deciding factor. We found the weekend went too quickly, and many “63’s”, I failed to have a good chat.
Let’s hope in five years time, and a few more grey hairs, we will be able to make it, John Mc has been nominated chairman.
I wish those who need a contact in Brazil, or do visit and I can be of help please send an email, or ring. I have enclosed our contact details for those interested.
Thanks one and all, as the past experiences in St Bedes were very important in molding our lives.
Kind regards, Chris
Thank you to all who made the weekend
so much fun & memorable.
Cheers
Mike Ryan
Congratulations to Tony, Loreto, Jacinta, John, Humphrey, Peter & all as i enjoyed the moment thoroughly.
I would expect that slow moving chart to graphically jump before Christmas.
All welcome for a beer or dinner or the futon here anytime.
Well done.
John McAuliffe
Hi Loreto, Tony and John,
Many thanks to your Team of organisers. The time spent was thoroughly enjoyable and I was very pleased my failing memory did not let me down completely, thanks to the name tags and the large print.
Great to catch up and recant the many shred memories.
I look forward to the photos etc.
Regards John
Thank you all and the committee
for all the hard work that was put in.
The weekend was most enjoyable
and i reckon a great success. Many
thanks.
Cheers
Pat Baker
Messages of Thanks
Hello Tony. I’m so glad you somehow
made contact with me earlier. We feel
we’ve just enjoyed the most wonderful
Reunion.
I was extremely nervous walking up the
JDV stairs on Friday evening (what do
you say to folks you haven’t seen for 51
years?) but that quickly didn’t matter.
There’s Mark Schroeder! And Robin
Judkins. Dennis Foley. Paul McMenamin.
And so on. I was delighted to meet Simon
again, and learn of his stellar career - if
only I’d known he had been in Canberra,
twice!
It was a fine get-together, expertly
organised and curated. Many, many
thanks to Jacinta, Loreto and yourself.
Jim Raleigh
Hi Loreto,
Just a quick note of thanks to you, Jacinta and to Tony for the 63-67 cohort reunion. These happy events don’t happen without a lot of hard work. Please also pass on my thanks to the organising committee. They did a first rate job tracking us all down and bringing us together.
It was a super event and great to catch up with many “unfamiliar” faces.
The key thing I got from the occasion was that 5o years ago I may have left St Bedes but St Bedes has not left me.
Thanks again for all the hard work of those involved.
Cheers, Darcy
May I congratulate you and your team for the stunning reunion weekend that you and your
colleagues arranged for us. Quite simply it was marvellous for all former students from the 1963
intake to have such an occasion put on.
The camaraderie shared within a short space of time by the 1963 group during the Friday
evening get together after so many years was magical and the Saturday tour of the College led
so well by your good self brought us together once again as boys now grown to mature men who
shared so many memories both good and bad and ridiculously funny.
The Dinner was amazing. Over 44 years of practising law I have been brilliantly bored at Bar
Dinners. Saturday nights Dinner surpassed all such Dinners by a million miles.
The speakers were without exception brilliant in their recollections of the similar shared
experiences of every boy entering for the first time into the St Bedes Community.
Such a wonderful weekend and my thanks to the organising committee who must have spent
so many hours tracking us down and to you Tony and your colleagues for then putting on a
fabulous weekend for us.
Thank you, Brent Kelly