29

Rostrevor’s Heritage

From the 1923 Annual: From the 1939 Annual: From the 1966 Annual: From the 1966 Annual: Br David Gabriel Purton Br Ignatius Leonard Mackey Br Charles Alphonsus Mogg OBE Br Justin Linus Kelty

The naming of the Br Brian Clery Skills Committee, funds were raised which in his memory. With the wholesale re- Bourke’s commitment to Rostrevor over Centre adds to the list of buildings and facilitated the development of the first development of the building in 1998, 50 years and his work on raising funds facilities named after Christian Brothers purpose built classrooms (7 class- the new building undertook a name for the new pool the Parents’ and or people who have served the College rooms and 2 science laboratories). The change and became known as the Friends’ fittingly named it the Br JV well over many years. It is timely to rooms accommodated the entire school Rostrevor College Resource Centre Bourke Pool. Br Bourke attended reflect on those people and the roles (between 400 and 500 students) until incorporating the Ivor Davis Memorial Rostrevor College in 1927. He returned they had in the development of the the building of some Junior School Library. The original Ivor Davis as a teacher in the 40s and 50s and as Rostrevor we know today. classrooms in the late 1950s. Memorial Library plaque now resides Headmaster 1974-76. In that time he just inside the new building. presided over the building of the Mogg Possibly the first building named to Br Mackey is also well remembered for Labs. Upon retiring from teaching in honour a Christian Brother was the his generous donation of the funds to In 1975, under the Headmastership of the 1980s he set about writing the Purton Hall in 1970. Br David Gabriel build the Chapel. Rostrevor had a Br John Bourke, the federally funded history of the first 50 years of Rostrevor Purton was the founding Headmaster purpose built, if not temporary, Chapel Mogg Wing was opened. Br Charles College - ‘The Rostrevor Story’. He of Rostrevor in 1923. After that initial in 1923 which later became classrooms Alphonsus Mogg was on the staff from continued to be very close to the year, ill health saw him move interstate and then the Theatre. It was 1937 to 1942 as a teacher then as College up to his death in July 2006 at and upon recovery he served at demolished in 1998 to make way for Headmaster in 1943-45 and again as age 93. Nudgee, Ballarat and St Kevin’s. He the new Admin Wing. Headmaster in 1950-55. Br Mogg’s died aged 66 in 1948 in his 51st year as influence on Rostrevor is legendary. He During the Headmastership of Br John In 1937 the Province offered Rostrevor a Christian Brother and in Rostrevor’s was an outstanding entrepreneur and a Marks the Kelty Theatre was £5,000 for the building of a new 25th year. ‘Purt’ was born in St man of great pomp and ceremony. He commenced and completed under the Chapel. It is not evident in College Bathans, New Zealand in 1883 and was awarded the OBE in 1956 ‘for Headmastership of Br Kevin McMaster records if this money was forthcomiug went to study with the Brothers at the services to education in South in 1985. Br Justin Linus Kelty was but the 1939 Annual thanks Br Mackey age of thirteen. He was a scholar, an Australia.’ Br Mogg was a great Headmaster at Rostrevor from 1956 for his generous donation of a bequest excellent teacher and a visionary. fundraiser and he continually was able until 1961. When he commenced the from his father for the purpose of to raise the profile of Rostrevor College school population was 440 students, 9 By the late 1970s the Senior classrooms building the Chapel. The building and in the wider community. While no Brothers and one lay staff. When he left built in the era of Br Mackey (1933-38) its fit out cost in the vicinity of £6,600 great building projects were undertaken there were 600 students and 18 staff. became known as the Mackey Wing of which donations were received from during his tenures, the fabric of the Work began on the Rice Wing in the but precisely when the building parents and friends totalling £1,175. College as a school for young Catholic form of two downstairs Junior School assumed the name is obscure In 1972 Br Walter Hall presided over men was continually reinforced. Br classrooms in 1958 as well as a Dining (informed opinion on this is welcome). the building of the federally funded Mogg’s skills as an entrepreneur are Room to accommodate 200 boarders. In Br Ignatius Leonard Mackey is Library which was later named the Ivor evident in the numerous religious icons 1959 the Rice Wing proper was sometimes called the ‘second founder Davis Memorial Library. Ivor Davis gracing the College grounds, most of commenced incorporating two upstairs of Rostrevor’ because of his guidance joined the Rostrevor staff as the first which were solicited as gifts to the dormitories and downstairs classrooms during the Great Depression. In 1933 permanent lay person in 1956 and College during his tenure. as well as the Tuck Shop. Br Kelty’s the school was considered for closing when the library was completed he Headmastership raised the bar for During the Br Bourke era, funds were due to waning enrolments and became the Librarian for the secondary academic success and many of also raised for a new pool to replace burgeoning debt but through the work school. He died suddenly in 1975. In ’s leading professional men the original 1929 facility. To honour Br of Br Mackey and the Ladies’ 1979, Br John Marks named the library were products of this era. In 1966 he 30

Rostrevor’s Heritage

From the 1976 Annual: From the 1966 Annual: From the 1983 Annual: From the 1986 Annual: Br John Vianney Bourke Br H S Gurr Matron Monica Duggan Mrs Mary Fountain

was appointed Provincial Leader for St facility. In 1991 the building was 2001, the Christian Brothers chose to Hackett on musicals and whole school Patrick’s Province. He died in April officially opened and in 1992 a naming name the refurbished Music Building choir performances for Speech Nights. 2002. ceremony was conducted to name the the Mary Fountain Music Centre after The Rostrevor Pavilion was opened in facility Duggan House after and in the long-serving Music teacher Mrs Mary In 1987, under the Headmastership of 1996 under the Headmastership of Br presence of Matron Monica Duggan. Fountain. Br Kevin McMaster, the Junior School Dean McGlaughlin. The $1million Matron Duggan served as Matron to the Library and General Purpose Room Mary Fountain (nee Carey) served the project was funded by a loan and a Boarding House from 1949 for a period were built. The building was named Christian Brothers at Rostrevor for 65 fundraising drive heavily supported by of 35 years. In that time she cared for the Gurr Building after Br H S (Hec) years from 1936. In the early years she the old scholars. In 2000 a changeroom over 5,000 Rostrevor boarders as well Gurr. Br Gurr came to Rostrevor in was accompanist to the Choir and over in the building was named the Br John as the Christian Brother staff that 1925 and stayed for 27 years. He was the years her role grew to include piano Moylan Changeroom. passed through the College. For many an excellent teacher and over those instructor. Mary worked for 50 years as years Matron and husband Patrick lived In 1950 Br John Moylan joined the years taught composite classes of Years accompanist to the College in an in an upstairs room in Rostrevor House Christian Brothers from the Brothers’ Three, Four and Five. He was the unpaid capacity. It was only after the (currently a meeting room) while son school at Ovingham. After stints in Junior Dormitory Master over those death of her husband Pat that she Kevin joined the Boarding House. Later Melbourne and Collie WA, he joined years as well as the very successful began her time as a paid piano teacher the Brothers purchased a house for the staff at Rostrevor in 1965 to 1971 coach of the Under Thirteen A Cricket while continuing in her voluntary role them on Morialta Rd. The naming of and again from 1974 to 1984. and Football teams. Br Gurr loved as accompanist to the Chapel Choir, Duggan House summarises the esteem music and was the conductor of the Whole School Choir and the College The role of the Christian Brother in a in which she was held as a result of her Chapel Choir and the Junior Choir. At musicals. Mary’s eldest son, Fr Peter is far reaching and contributions to Rostrevor and the the end of 1951 he was transferred to Fountain graduated from Rostrevor in Brother taught a range of subjects, Edmund Rice ethos. Monica Duggan Sydney. No Brother in the history of the the early 60s and she has three other coached football, cricket and died at the age of 90 in September school was to have such a long children, Mary-Therese, Julian and swimming, managed a dormitory, ran 2002. association with Rostrevor. He died in John. the Tuckshop, conducted the choir, was 1965 at the age of 64. When Boarding was closed in 1984, the bursar, managed the picture theatre Mary continues to be a great supporter Senior Dormitory, originally opened in and coordinated debating and public With the closing of Boarding in 1984, of the College and was present at the 1941 at a cost of £5,300 was gradually speaking. In his holidays he would the dormitories were quickly converted Christian Brother celebration at the subsumed by the Music Faculty. In travel to country to classrooms and the College Convention Centre in August last year. 2000 it received a $500,000 upgrade, visiting boarding families and population swelled to 900. The closing most of the expense being the It is difficult to quantify such devotion prospective enrolments. of the Boarding School was challenged rebuilding of the roof which was found to a school and to the Brothers but all the way by Rostrevor connections However, he is most remembered for to be under-built after the repairs to the Mary’s direct involvement with the but the Province deemed it necessary an unparalleled, to that point in time, building from the 1972 Dormitory fire. school over those 65 years has mirrored in the interests of financial expediency. period of success for the 1st XVIII So what was planned to be a $90,000 the history of the College. She was the A groundswell of old scholar opinion Football team. In the five year period of makeover ballooned into a $500,000 accompanist at the first wedding in the supported by Rostrevor Christian 1978 to 1982 Rostrevor lost only 4 re-roofing project. The Rostrevor Chapel in 1939 and worked closely Brothers, eventually saw boarding matches and during his tenure as coach Foundation was called upon at short with Br Gurr in the 1930s and 40s. She reinstated in 1990 and a work program defeated Sacred Heart seven out of ten notice to finance the project and it was worked with Bros. McCabe, Greening, commenced to build a new boarding games. His teams were State Tobin, Shacklock, Moylan, Gibbons and completed towards the end of 2000. In Champions three years in a row. 31

Rostrevor’s Heritage

Br John Moylan, 2007 Elkin Reilly, 2007 Br Dean McGlaughlin, 2007 From the 1984 Annual: Br John Marks

In the year of his Golden Jubilee, 2000, he was deemed too ill to join the other and generous benefactor to Rostrevor’s Br John Patrick Marks graduated from (50 years as a Christian Brother), the children taken from their families and commitment to Indigenous Rostrevor College in 1952 as Head Rostrevor Old Collegians’ Inc. the doctor on duty that night offered to Scholarships and Bursaries. Prefect and Dux. He returned to established an Appeal to name the 1st care for him. Elkin was fostered by Dr Rostrevor as Headmaster, 1977 - 1984. In 2006, under the Headmastership of XVIII changeroom in the new Pavilion Pat and Betty Reilly, a loving couple, Mr Jeff Croser, the new Science and During his tenure as Headmaster he the Br John Moylan Changeroom. The who went on to have children of their Technology Discovery centre was presided over the construction of The Appeal raised $40,000 and the Naming own. completed. The Science Centre was Manual Arts Centre. Later it became Ceremony was conducted in May 2000. The ‘Reconciliation’ climate at the time named the Br Dean McGlaughlin known as the Design and Technology Brother Moylan continues to be close to and Elkin’s circumstances as a well Science Discovery Centre and the Centre. Other developments during his the College when not working as a known Rostrevor Old Collegian and Technology Centre was named the Br Headmastership include the Language Chaplain in France. national sporting identity provided a John Marks Technology Discovery Lab (upstairs Rice Wing), the Art The year 2000 was an era when the story that could be used to underpin an Centre. Rooms (upstairs Rice Wing), the Kelty wider community was informed and educational program and a fundraising Theatre, extensions to Purton Hall, and Br P D (Dean) McGlaughlin first educated on a number of issues appeal within the Rostrevor the Chapel restorations of 1983. His worked at Rostrevor from 1976 - 1982. relating to the traditional custodians of Community. In the same year but association with Rostrevor continued in He returned as Headmaster from 1992 - this land. It was in that year that Mr earlier, old scholar Richard Ryan came the early 2000s as the Province 2002. Howard refused to apologise on behalf forward to offer his support for an Leadership Team representative on the of the nation for the Stolen Generation indigenous boy to attend Rostrevor and During his tenure as Headmaster, in Rostrevor College Board. and the Reconciliation Movement was a scholarship for one boy from the NT conjunction with the Rostrevor Board, Three laboratories in the new Science active in a number of ways most was put in place. a building and facility Master Plan was facility are named after former notably the Harbour Bridge walk and conceived which heralded Elkin graciously consented to put his Rostrevor Science teachers. Br John subsequent walks of support around unprecedented capital development at name to an appeal to raise funds for Bourke, whose profile has already been the nation. Rostrevor College. Indigenous Scholarships and the expanded in relation to the Br John It was in this climate that the Director Christian Brothers approved the In 1996 the Pavilion was completed, in Bourke Pool. The naming of the of Development at Rostrevor, Mr naming of the Old Collegians’ 1998 the Administration and Student laboratory was funded by the Franzon Andrew Robertson, had a chance Changeroom in the Pavilion, ‘The Elkin Services Wing, the Resource Centre and and Lewis families. The second is Br meeting with Elkin Reilly who was Reilly Room’, as a permanent reminder the Computer Centre, in 2000 the re- Trevor Gibbons who worked at visiting the College with friend and of Rostrevor’s commitment to development of the Junior School and in Rostrevor College over two periods: fellow old scholar Ted Buckler. As Elkin Reconciliation. Since that time the 2001 the re-development of the Mary 1968-1974 and 1983-1985.He was a boarder from Minlaton in the Appeal has raised over $200,000 and Fountain Music Centre. Planning for the predominantly taught in the field of 1950s, Andrew had assumed he was a the school has accommodated over 30 Science and Technology Discovery Science over those years. YP Narrunga man but after some indigenous boys. Installed in the room Centre was at the concept stage when During his years at Rostrevor he was a discussion it was revealed that Elkin are Honour Boards acknowledging the he transferred to the Christian Brother Senior Dormitory Master, Athletics was born at Lake Nash Qld. and is of hundreds of donors to the Appeal. In Provincial Leadership Team as Executive Coach, Swimming Coach, Coordinator the Alyawarra clan. He was taken from 2006, 5 Indigenous boys graduated Year Officer of the National Governance of the College Brass Band and his mother in 1938 and delivered to the 12 at Rostrevor College. Mr Richard Group and he is currently Deputy of the Orchestra, conductor of the Massed Alice Springs hospital. It was here that Ryan AO continues to be an interested new Edmund Rice entity, Edmund Rice Choir and Leader of many Education Australia (EREA). 32

Rostrevor’s Heritage

From the 1974 Annual: Mary Meredith, 2003 John Evans, 2007 Bob Pridham, 2003 Br Brian Clery, 2007 Br Trevor Gibbons

student/parent Expeditions to the The foyers in each of the buildings children: Andrew, Stephen, Louise and career contribution to innovation and Outback. In 1974 he was Deputy were named after significant Michael (deceased). excellence in teaching”.Br Clery Headmaster to Br John Bourke. contributors to Rostrevor College. The continues to work at Aquinas College John Evans served on the inaugural Science and Technology Foyer was where he coordinates the Year 8 to Year Since 1985 he has worked in Aboriginal Board of the Rostrevor Foundation in named the L R Pridham Foyer. The 12 Retreat program. He has developed education in WA, in Sudan in Africa as 1987 and later as Treasurer. John and plaque in the foyer reads: the Senior School Retreats to explore a teacher and recently in Papua-New Stephen are Directors of the Rostrevor boyhood to manhood Christian rite of Guinea as Senior Science teacher at the This foyer has been named in Foundation. passage. The participants are Jubilee Catholic Secondary School in recognition of the contribution of Andrew graduated in 1974 and his son challenged to work outside of their Pt Moresby. He will soon be Lancelot Robert (Bob) Pridham to Matthew is currently in Year 10. comfort zone, and in so doing, develop undertaking a study sabbatical to the Rostrevor College. Stephen graduated in 1977 and his first their male spiritual dimension.’ USA. The naming of the laboratory was Bob Pridham was born in Lochiel, son Thomas graduated in 2003. Samuel financed by Gerard McCabe of Gerard Projects on the drawing board at South Australia on 2-11-1926. He is currently in Year 8. Louise’s son, Ben McCabe jewellers, an ex-student of Br Rostrevor over the next few years attended Rostrevor College as a boarder Wells, graduated in 2004. Gibbon’s in the early 70s. include additional Middle School from 1940 to 1943. Bob was a both a The Senior Science building opened in classrooms, an upgrade of the Purton The third is the Mary Meredith fine scholar and sportsman. In his final 1966 was refurbished in 2006 to Hall and possible development of Laboratory. Mrs Mary Meredith was on year at Rostrevor he completed Leaving become the Br Brian Clery Skills hospitality and catering facilities in the the Staff at Rostrevor for 29 years. Mary Honours and served as a Prefect. Centre. Text from the plaque unveiled Pavilion. The College looks to the commenced her employment at In 1947, Bob was awarded a First Class by Br Clery: school community to help finance all Rostrevor in 1975 as a Chemistry, Honours Degree in Science by the development projects at Rostrevor. The Physics and Mathematics teacher. ‘Br Brian Clery was on the staff at University of Adelaide. Rostrevor College from 1964 to 1969. Rostrevor Foundation raises in the At the time of commencing at Rostrevor, Bob married Marie Carroll in the During his six years at the College he vicinity of $300,000 annually made up Mary was the only female classroom College Chapel in 1953. They had five made a great contribution in all aspects of regular donations from parents, teacher on Staff. In 1977 she began her children, Helen, David, Mary, Richard of school life: in teaching, as a major gifts from old scholars, marketing long and celebrated career as a teacher and Andrew. dormitory master, on the sports field of the College’s resources during the of Biology to Rostrevor boys. In 1987 and in the Cadet Unit. holiday breaks and annual fundraisers David attended Rostrevor College in she was appointed Year 11 Coordinator such as the Waseda University High 1973, Richard from 1973 to 78 and He is one of the most popular Brothers and in 1991 Year 12 Coordinator. In 1998 School visit and the Spring Fair. Total Andrew from 1974 to1983. to have passed through Rostrevor and she was appointed Head of Murphy Foundation assets as reported at the will be long remembered by many past House. In 2002 Mary was appointed The Technology Discovery Centre Foyer Foundation AGM on November 29th pupils Acting Head of Senior School. was named the Evans Family Foyer. were $3.3 million. Two thirds of this In October 2002 Mary was diagnosed The plaque in the foyer reads: The Upon leaving Rostrevor, Br Clery worked amount is not able to be drawn upon by with cancer and, sadly, she passed Rostrevor College Board acknowledges at Clontarf Boys Home, Perth, Trinity the College at this point in time as it away in December 2004. The naming the generosity shown to Rostrevor by College, Perth, as Principal at the represents the ‘corpus’ of the Building of the Laboratory was conceived by the John Evans and his family with the Aboriginal College, Broome, and at Fund and the underwriting of College Staff of Rostrevor College as a tribute to naming of this Foyer. Aquinas College, Perth. loans. Mary’s long devotion to Rostrevor and John Evans graduated from Rostrevor in In 1998 he was awarded a National the boys in her care. 1950, married Joan and had four Excellence in Teaching Award for “his