 September 2020 

Dan McErlean Bryan McSweeney 12 Werona Street email:[email protected] Sunnybank Qld 4109 Dear Old Boys

The timing of the next meeting of the Sub-Branch of the (St Mary’s) Brothers Old Boys’ Association has still not been decided as we wait for further advice on the current COVID-19 health warnings.

News from the College is that our Principal Michael Newman has been appointed Principal of Ashgrove Marist Brothers Boarding and Day College for Boys and will be farewelled from St Mary’s College on the 18th September 2020. His replacement in 2021 will be Mr Brendan Stewart currently the Deputy Principal of St Ignatius Park College, Townsville. For the final term in 2020 Mr Stephen Monk our Deputy Principal will act as St Mary’s College Principal. Please remember in your prayers Old Boys & Friends of the College recently deceased; Rev Fr Tom Keegan, former P.P. of Holy Name Parish. Brian Bianchi (year 1980) husband of Andrea (Meehan), son of Darcy (RIP) and Clare, son-in-law of Shirley & Jim Meehan father & father-in-law of Josh & Jade, Emily, Luke & Nadine. Life Member Kerry Taylor (1950-1956) husband of Carol, father of Michelle and Christopher. John Bagget (1945-1954) husband of Janet, father of Sue, Paula and Karen, brother of Bill (dec), Joe (dec) and Paul. Cecil Hogan (91 years) husband of Marjory and brother of Jack & Darcy (both dec). Daphne (Martin) Quinn, wife of John (dec) mother of Elizabeth and Margaret, sister of Mavis, Brian and Nancy. Anne Mary (Hede) Wilson, wife of Life Member John, mother and mother-in-law of Christopher, Elizabeth and Kent, and David, sister of Dr John, Andrew, Damien and Paul. Vera (Evans) McErlean, wife of Dan, sister-in-law of Kevin(dec) and Maree, Bill (dec) and Marge, Justin and Yvonne, Teresa and Ben Sgalippa and Pat(dec) and Elizabeth, mother of Kathleen (Horne) dec, Anne (Page), Paul, Stephen and Carmel. Desley (Whitehouse) Byrne wife of Life Member Patrick and mother of Catherine, Austin and Annemarie, sister-in-law of Rev Fr James, Redmond, Elizabeth (Anne) and Mary Francis (Pappalardo). Betty (Murdoch) Goulding, wife of Arnold (dec) mother of Barry, Dale, Dwaine and Liza.

Also please remember in your prayers a number who are unwell or recovering from surgery: John Arndell, Tim Coonan, Brien Dunne, Colin Green, Gail (Rosenthal) Mahon, Wally Nugent, Joe Short, Bob Sullivan, Philip Stephens, Grahame Swenson, Kevin Garrett, Syl Stower, Jim Hannant, and Bevan Zeller.

Bryan McSweeney Dan McErlean Dan Reilly President Secretary Co-Ordinator Mobile: 0420 565 712 (07) 3345 4404 (07) 3395 1813

1

Annual Membership Fee ($10.00) for Calendar Year 2020 is now due / or Life Memberships are available (Fee $100.00) Cheques for Membership should be made payable to the “Toowoomba Brothers Old Boy’s Association” * * * Cheques as donations towards the Indoor Sports Complex should be made payable to ‘Br. Baptiste O’Sullivan Building Fund’.

Kevin Walter Zeller (Dad) was born on 27th August accepted all the technical changes when computerised 1942. He was the third son machinery came to the Foundry. He was known as the to John and Isabella Zeller, “go to” guy when machines had faults or South Street Toowoomba. programming issues. One thing that always left us Dad was the 5th of 7 wondering was how could Dad come home from children – Jacqueline, work as clean as he was in the morning?? At his Terrence (dec’d), Marie retirement, Dad had farewell drinks at the Spotted (dec’d), Peter, Delores Cow and approximately 40 of his workmates came to (dec’d) and Beryl. say farewell. In total, Kevin had worked at the Kevin used to recall fond Foundry (Southern Cross) for 35 years and was memories of his childhood, extremely proud to be a member of the 25 year “Gold exploring the suburbs and trying to earn an income Watch” club and catching up with his old mates every doing whatever they could around the neighbourhood. year. We think it was more like they were “fleecing” their Dad loved cars and motorbikes but with that also elderly neighbours who didn’t know any better! He came crashing them. We often laughed at his story of would reminisce about climbing the tank stand in ruining his brother Peter’s brand new jumper after South Street to try to see the Nuclear testing in the coming off a motorbike in Ruthven Street whilst Pacific Ocean and playing in the local dump in trying to avoid a pedestrian. Yes, speed would have Llewellyn Street riding down the slopes of rubbish on played a factor in the accident, but Peter never had his sheets of Asbestos! As children, he and his siblings jumper replaced. He often spoke of his favourite car would walk to school from South Street to St being his Vagabond – which he also crashed…. In Saviours College and then later to St Mary’s Christian more recent times though, we can’t forget his Morris Brothers College. ute that he “pimped up” with a powered tip tray As a teenager he gained a part-time job delivering making him super proud on his drives to the dump. milk off the milk truck, which at the time was quite a Or, how can we forget the Camira that he dangerous job with the truck constantly moving. skidded off the road at the old (and infamous) Unfortunately for Dad, he had a fall off the truck and Goondiwindi “T junction” on our way to the Snowy fractured his leg requiring traction in hospital for Mountains. many many weeks with his knee then bothering him It was in 1960 when Dad and Mum met through a his entire life. He also enjoyed playing football in his friend. As Mum says, no-one ever called Dad Kevin teenage years playing in the back line for Souths and back then, he was only known as “Tard”. We believe Valleys. We are sure this is what led to his lifetime this nickname was the result of his mischievous love of rugby league and rugby union and the “King” behaviour…. I think Mum was the envy of all the Wally Lewis. single women in Toowoomba, we may be a little Kevin left school at the early age of 14. He tried his biased, but he was certainly a very sharp looking hand as a plumbing apprentice however he decided Man! that plumbing was not the career for him. He then In 1965 Mum and Dad were married at St Patrick’s gained a job with Qld Rail as a fireman stoking the Cathedral in Toowoomba and honeymooned on a engines and then in around 1964, he began his very road trip down through New South Wales in their long working career as a Fitter with the Toowoomba black and white Mark II Zephyr. Foundry. Dad was a truly dedicated worker and gave In 1968 they proudly brought Joanne, then Dean his all to the Foundry. He was highly regarded by his (1970 dec’d), Nicole (1971) and Debra (1973) into peers and most importantly he was respected. He the world. enjoyed the challenge of his work immensely and It does sound a bit cliché, but Dad was always fun to be with. Whether he was making up ditty’s such as

2

“Charlie McFoodle McFum” and “Starry ravos mosh his badge with pride every Anzac Day, he never nosh bee” or phrases such as “if you don’t eat you missed a Dawn Service or Gun Fire Brekkie. don’t poo and if you don’t poo you die” and how can He also loved the challenges that volunteering at we forget “wherever you may be let your wind go Food Assist brought with it. He spoke often of the free”. Or, if Dad didn’t know what something was people that he encountered there (both staff and called, he would simply make something up and we clients) and was always keen for a chat and to help honestly believed him. carrying boxes to people’s cars – even when he In 1978 they bought their house in Geoffrey Street. shouldn’t have. Joanne also joined in with Dad Over the years since they have spent a lot of time and volunteering at Food Assist when he needed an extra effort renovating the home and keeping their yard hand. Speaking of hands, poor Joanne’s knuckles pristine. Kevin was always so proud of his freshly have still not recovered from accompanying Dad in mown lawn. The dogs liked to show their the truck driving around town to collect food! appreciation too and provide Dad with a fresh More recently he volunteered at the Toowoomba RSL “memento” onto his lawn. He was like a painter who and was a proud supporter of their events. He loved just had his portrait ruined! There was a great deal of selling RSL merchandise and promoting their work. cursing when this happened. Before COVID, we attended a fundraising trivia night One of Dad and Mum’s proudest moments was in at the RSL, and you could see how well regarded 1995 when they paid off their home and owned it Kevin was with the members. His pride and joy outright. Yes, this called for a BBQ lunch, another however, was the recent installation of the flagpole in drink or two (or three) and a naming ceremony. his front yard. This was a generous Service provided Dad always loved to be with his family. He was often by the RSL. He was so proud of his Country and he the last to leave a family function and truly adored his loved to just sit there and watch his Australian flag Grandchildren and Great-Grandchildren. He never fly. He was cross when there was no wind around as turned down an invitation to watch them play sport or he couldn’t see his flag soar. to attend school for Grandparent Day celebrations or And how can we forget volunteering at the Lions even Great Grandparents Day. He had the biggest Club Christmas lights in the park, he was the biggest and softest of hearts and would do anything for us. He kid there. was always a great listener and happy to give you As a family we have spoken a lot about death over the guidance and support with whatever you were going years – not that Dad was wanting to go anywhere through. before he received a telegram from the Queen for his Dad and Mum spent a lot of their time with Pipe 100th birthday. Dad would always express his Bands. In the early days chauffeuring Nicole all over disappointment that people often never truly the country to competitions and parades. Dad was expressed how they felt about each other until they never prouder than on a Pipe Band trip with St were no longer with us. He was tired of hearing about Andrew’s to compete in the New Zealand National how great people were at their funerals, so we vowed Championships and we WON! not to do this and made sure to always tell Dad what a Kevin was an amazing volunteer. With his love of great bloke he was – and we did this a lot! cars, Kevin and Debra volunteered (after being Now that Dad is in Heaven, surrounded and loved by “lured” by Uncle Peter) at the V8 racing at both those who have already passed before him, we know Ipswich and the Gold Coast. They would return home that he will be watching over us whilst sitting back each time with more merchandise that we knew what enjoying a drink or two with his favourite brother in to do with – especially lanyards. They were renowned law Bert. Words just don’t seem to describe our for sourcing free tickets and had the knack of heartbreak, but we are immensely grateful for your “sneaking” people into the best vantage points. thoughts, prayers and support and sincerely thank-you Dad volunteered passionately at the Milne Bay for helping us today. Military Museum, helping the “blokes” out in the We are all so truly blessed for having Dad in our lives back shed with making and repairing things. He and our precious memories will remain with us enjoyed simply tinkering with the vehicles, displays forever. and solving problems. He was also a very proud member of the Rats of Association and wore Our thanks to daughter Nicole for this touching tribute to a “Great Bloke”, Kevin Zeller.

3

Kerrian Denis Taylor (9/7/1943 – 6/8/2020) After a long illness, Kerry peacefully passed away on Known to all as Kerry, he was one of four children the 6th August 2020. In accordance with his wishes a born to Jack and Ursula (nee private funeral was held. May he rest in Peace. Loughlan) Taylor of Toowoomba. John Joseph Bagget (12/1/1937 – 13/8/2020) Kerry’s early education began at Popular Old Boy, Johnny Bagget, St Saviours and Our Lady of was born in Toowoomba on the Lourdes Convents. He was then 12/1/1937 to John and Teresa enrolled at St Mary’s College (Condon) Bagget and grew up at from 1950-1956 and finally 690a Ruthven Street. His siblings completed two years as a boarder at Downlands were Bill and Joe (both deceased) College. After leaving school, he trained and became and Paul. John’s Primary a radio and TV technician, spending many years in Education was at St Saviours the trade in Toowoomba and eventually in Southport. Convent and in 1945 he was enrolled at St Mary’s In September 1966 he married Carol (nee Flanigan) College in Grade 2. The teacher was Brother Bulter, at Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Toowoomba and World War II was still in progress, there was they were later blessed with two fine children – rationing, air raid shelters and John recalled passing Michelle and Christopher. He was a loving husband American troops in Laurel Bank Park as he headed to and wonderful father who was always very proud of the College. his family and home. Football and cricket matches were played at Holy In 1970 Kerry sustained a hand injury which Name or on the Railway Cricket grounds on Bridge necessitated a change in his career, and so as he was St. John was an extraordinary student and was top of always interested in cars, decided to try his hand at all his classes from Year (2) to Senior in 1954. selling. Known for his honesty and diligence, he was In 1955 he accepted a position with the New Zealand very successful and eventually went on to own his Insurance Co Ltd in Toowoomba and was transferred dealership in Brisbane (Springwood Mitsubishi). In to their office as Chief Clerk in Ballarat in 1966. In the prime of his life, he owned many fine sports cars 1963 John married Janet (Preston). A further and enjoyed driving and keeping them in Tip-Top transfer came in 1973 when John was moved to condition. Brisbane, as State Claims Supervisor, and the family Kerry loved to travel and believed in getting off the settled in Rochedale. The couple had (3) daughters beaten track to meet and learn all he could about Sue, Paula and Karen. people and their cultures. There were several John always had an interest in horse racing and enjoyable trips driving through many interesting elected to become a Penciller for Bookmaker, Alex countries. He possessed an enormous capacity to Christsen, full time from 1975 until he had a serious absorb knowledge and retain it, and was noted for his stroke in September 1984. Extensive rehabilitation ability to recall, or have a conversation on just about followed and in March 1987 he was appointed to the any topic. Accounts Branch in the Harbour and Marine It was after his move to Brisbane that Kerry Department, later absorbed into the Main Roads discovered the sub branch of the Toowoomba St Department in 1990; retiring there in July 2001. Mary’s College Old Boys Association and joined up John had a love of Rugby League which was spawned as a Life Member. He thoroughly enjoyed getting as a schoolboy following Club, InterCity and together with ‘The Boys’, especially when meetings Representative matches in Toowoomba and he has were held at ‘The Irish Club’. painstakingly recorded the history of Rugby League Life was always a learning curve for Kerry and he in Queensland and unearthed a lot of interesting and would always return from a meeting with some new valuable information speaking to players, supporters snippet of knowledge. and officials. Kerry will always be remembered for the kindness He recalled many times when talking of his extensive and respect he had for other people. A person who research” Everyone followed Rugby League and the always made a point of keeping a promise and his famous Toowoomba Clydesdales produced so many insistence on being punctual. great State and International players that we were all pleased to meet them and follow their careers”.

4

Always a stalwart of our Old Boys’ Association, and Brother Ted was a teacher on the Staff of St Mary’s in particularly so with our Brisbane Sub Branch, he was 1957 and 1958, then the inaugural Principal of St very close to his 1945-1954 Year Group and with Mary’s College Dalby, in the early sixties, and Justin McErlean organised a number of their between 1994 and 1996 the last Christian Brother to reunions. His sudden death on 13/8/2020 came as a be Principal of St Mary’s College, Toowoomba. result of a severe heart attack and John was buried in Toowoomba on 21/8/2020. In the 2020 Queen’s Birthday Honours list the son of Life Member Frank and Patricia (Dwan) Deighton, Michael Bernard Ledbury Group Captain Paul Deighton received the A Life Member of the Distinguished Service Cross Award. Toowoomba Brothers Old Boys’ Association, Michael Popular Old Boy Glen Thompson (1949-1959) and was born in Southport in his wife Adrienne have a change of address at 1938 to Arthur and Clare Hervey Bay. They now reside at Unit 58/No.99 Ledbury and was the older Doolong Road, Kawungan. Phone 0422 536 387. brother of Narelle, Carmel, Terry and Barry Coonan Bernadette. His father served in the Army during World War II and for a time the family lived in Townsville. Postwar Arthur secured a position with the Toowoomba City Council and the family settled in Harristown where he was very active in the newly established St Anthony’s Parish. Michael was enrolled at St Marys College, Toowoomba in 1947 and completed Junior in 1954. He moved to in 1960 and there met and married his wife Margaret in 1962. They were blessed with two children Danielle (O’Donovan) and Sean, grandchildren Emily, Jess, Tom, Sarah, Angus and Mathew and one great grandchild, Poppy Willow. For many years Michael was a stalwart of our Sydney Celebrating his birthday on 29/7/2020 was Barry group of Old Boys supporting Terry Murphy and Coonan, a member of the (1949-1958) Class. Michael Quinlan. He worked as a Draftsman, opening Until 2015 Barry’s working life was spent at various his own successful practice as a Professional Drafting saleyards in Toowoomba and Oakey. He still attends Consultant. He completed his last drawing at the age the Elders saleyards each Monday to catch up with of 80. old acquaintances. Michael had not enjoyed good health for sometime As well, he was a bookmaker for (50) plus years at th and died surrounded by his family on the 15 August the Clifford Park Racecourse., starting at the age of 2020 and was buried after a Requium Mass on (21). 21/08/2020 celebrated by Fr Sunny Abraham in the Now Barry enjoys life as a farmer on his Wellcamp Corpus Christie Catholic Church, St Ives, NSW. property with wife of (52) years, Roslyn.

Belated Birthday Greetings to Brothers Kevin has written to let us know that the th Tyhla Larkin Dwyer (95 years on 14 May) and Ted Walker (90 College have made the decision to cancel the th Old years on 25 February). Boys Mass scheduled for December this year. Brother Kevin, an Old Boy of the College, was one of Unfortunately, many events have been cancelled due the last Brothers on the Staff at St Mary’s College and to COVID-19. We cannot take any chances. We will is the author of the books ‘A Century On’ (1899- be sure to remember the Old Boys who have sadly 1999). passed away, at the College Assembly that week.

5

We thank John Forde, Philip Stevenson and David Retirement Village’ in Hope Valley, South McNab who have taken up Life Membership of our close to his daughter. His siblings were Tom and Association. Claude (both dec) Mary, Margaret. Ted and Mick.

John Forde commenced his education at St Mary’s Old Boy Sam Neale (Year 12 2019) has just added to in 1944 and remembers the erection of the handball his Trophy Cabinet with another statewide honour. court and boxing ring. The Toowoomba all-rounder was recently named He has clear memories of the College Boxing Queensland Cricket’s Most Improved Country Player Tournaments and tussles between Brian Gagen and for the 2019/2020 season. It was presented by QCAA Ray Dixon and lightweight duels between Greg Patron Ian Healy and QCAA President Kev Maher. Adamson and Bob Greaves and Peter Kenny and Sam was the youngest player in the open men’s Roy Arnell, coaches Brother Donohue and Bill Country side at the National Championships earlier Humphries. this year. He Averaged 28.67 runs with his bat and 11.5 with the ball throughout these Australian John joined the Railways Department. as an Country Cricket Championships. apprentice carpenter and played (24) games for the He is now studying Exercise and Nutrition Science at All Whites Club scoring (5) tries and was a member the University of Queensland and is playing for of that Clubs 1960 Premiership Team which included Norths in the Brisbane Cricket Competition in Internationals Elton Rassmussen (capt) and John 2020/2021. Sam is the great-nephew of the late Fr Gleeson and State representatives Frank Drake, Jeffrey Scully (1950-1959) Alan Gil and Kevin Lohman. In 1961 he played (3) games for Toowoomba in Bulimba Cup competition For successful Racing Trainer Tony Gollan (Year 12, and then became a Rugby League Player/Coach 1996) it was heart breaking for him to see his journeyman playing with (11) Teams across promising 3 year old Knight Mariner breaking down Queensland. He married Shirley Koopmans in after running second in the Winx Guineas at the Mitchell on 23/1/1965 and they were blessed with (9) Sunshine Coast on Saturday 11/7/2020 when it children. appeared he had the race ‘shot to pieces’. Tony’s two winners that day, Krone and Tullio saw John became a bookmaker and fielded for almost (60) the stable record 150 winners for the Season. He is years at races, trots and the Brisbane dogs. the first trainer in Queensland history to notch a century of metropolitan winners in a year. Philip Stevenson was one of seven children born to This was his 7th Metropolitan Premiership and saw Ernest Claude and Mary Elizabeth (Wotton) Tony set new benchmarks for metropolitan and State Stevenson. The family moved into Toowoomba in wins’ 1942 from Mitchell with Philip being enrolled in year (5) at St Mary’s College. Keen on football, he was a Rabbitohs second rower Ethan Lowe is likely to miss member of the First XV in 1946. the rest of the NRL season with a neck injury incurred After passing Junior in 1946 he like (4) other lads in the Club’s (20 v 18) defeat by Newcastle on from that Class # Leo Bailey, Dan Reilly, Syl Stower 18/7/2020. Ethan’s only option was to have surgery as and Frank Deighton, gained Commonwealth Bank it was an exacerbation of an old neck injury. There appointments. Philip commenced work in the George was pressure on the C4 and C6, so the surgeon St (Brisbane) branch before being transferred to the wanted to operate quickly, as these could be long- bank’s Brisbane Head Office, Rabual (PNG) for (4) term injuries and disabilities. years and then . Later Philip then took up a ‘Mr Whippy Franchise’ Old Boys’ will recall Ethan played in the Cowboys’ and went North to Townsville and Cairns as the 2015 Premiership Team and made a stunning debut in organisation set up outlets in these cities. Then he 2019 Game 3 of the State of Origin series. He was moved back to Brisbane to join the Ford Company also the Guest of Honour at the 120th Year Dinner at Accounts Branch before retiring and with his wife, the College on 19/10/19 at which the College history Elizabeth (Betty) Clarke, settled in Cairns until her book ‘Good Old Boys – Conversation with Dan’ was death. Philip now resides in the ‘Highercombe launched.

6

John Denis O’Neill, a Life Member of our Association, was a key player in the College First XV undefeated Premier’s Rugby team in 1953. An excellent sportsman, he was St Mary’s CBC and Darling Downs Under 16 Swimming Champion in 1952 and College Swimming Champion in 1953. In 1952 he was the C.B.C. Senior Tennis Champion and Toowoomba Amateur Wheelers – Junior Champion. In 1955 John was a member of the Toowoomba Trades and Labour Council Rugby League side the undefeated winner of games by Toowoomba against Brisbane and Ipswich. He played (41) ‘A’ grade games for the All Whites Club scoring (7) tries for them between 1956 and 1960 and was a member of All Whites ‘A’ grade Premiership Team in 1956 – winner of the Newzico Shield.

While in the 11 National Service Battalion he was judged Best Shot – Rifle –LMG-OMG and in 1962 was the Squash Racquets Association – Toowoomba Champion. John began his working career as a Radiographer at Toowoomba General Hospital. After completion of study joined Qld Health and continued Radiography travelling throughout Qld with the Mobile Chest Unit. Due to health problems he resigned from the health service and travelled to England and with a colleague he introduced international Indoor Cricket with 3 centres opening in London, Peterborough and Ipswich. In 1992 he formed a joint venture with the Ministry of Health Jordan to construct a Hospital Beni Kanain Brigadier on the Syrian Jordanian Border. A further joint venture with Renfe National Rail of Spain followed in development of Plaza De La Paz in Seville for the forthcoming Expo. Returning home, John established Plastic Rotational Moulding a business he eventually sold to Nylex. John and Gail now live on the Gold Coast and John regularly travels up from there to attend our Brisbane Sub- Branch functions.

John Warrian – Australian Champion Motorcycle Racer – Part 2 In 1966 John teamed up with Brian Payne a renowned sidecar and speedway engineer. “I left the merchant Navy and started working full-time for Brian as a welder and fabricator. He taught me how to weld, fabricate, tune and to understand chassis technology.” John extensively modified the Bonneville engine and gearbox and then fitted it to a new frame designed by Brian. Two days after completing the modifications John entered the 1967 at the Surfers Paradise Raceway. In the A grade scratch race John came second to the legendary Bill Horseman. In the 10 lap unlimited Australian Grand Prix John won beating the best riders in Australia. Later in the day he won the Queensland Riders race again. “After practice, I asked Brian to have a look the bike’s suspension as under the Dunlop Bridge – the fastest bend on the track – the bike was moving around. Brian said to put in heavier front fork springs. We did and then the next day won the Australian Unlimited Championship. This was the only change we made on the new bike.”

The period from 1968 to 1973 was an important time in John’s career. His major results included winning the Queensland Unlimited Grand Prix in both 1968 and 1969, finishing second in the 1969 Australian Unlimited TT, third in the Australian 125TT and in first place in the 1970 Bathurst Production race. During this time ,John turned semi-professional and found himself very much in demand riding many different types of machine. In 1970 John moved to Sydney and was employed selling BSA motorcycles at Bennet and Wood in Zetland. This led to John racing and winning on the 750 BSA Rocket 3 in the Production race at Bathurst in 1970. Unfortunately, BSA ceased production and John moved back to the Gold Coast to manage a motorcycle shop and later started his own bike shop at Tweed Heads called “John Warrian Motorcycles.”

7

John continued racing the Tranzac winning among other races the Queensland TT. However, the Tranzac machine was becoming non-competitive and John and Brian had to move it on. Who’d of thought a few talented suburban blokes from Brisbane would run at the front of Australian racing on an Aussie built machine for seven long years?

In 1974 John rode a variety of bikes in a number of different races including the Superbike series which consisted of four rounds, each round consisting of four heats, each heat consisting of four laps each and one slowdown lap between each heat. He also competed in the Australian Grand Prix, The Surfers Paradise one hour, and the Castrol six hour. Again in 1975 John competed on a variety of machines and in a number of races including the Superbike series, the Six Hour both held at in Sydney and the Surfers Paradise one hour which he won.

In 1976 John tried two new bikes a Tranzac Cantilever Special with a Kawasaki 1000cc motor and then an RG 500 Suzuki Race Bike which he rode into third place in the Australian 500 GP at Bathurst.He also competed in the six hour race at Amaroo Park but his co- rider ran off the track into an earth bank and that was that.1977 was a year of mixed results for John. He achieved a third in the Queensland Grand Prix, a fourth in the Castrol six hour and a first in the three hour at Surfers Paradise. The highlights for John for 1978 was a win in the 500 Title and a third in the unlimited GP at Phillip Island.

This was followed by a third in The Queensland Grand Prix and then second in the Castrol six hour. 1979 was not a good year for John as he had a fall breaking his wrist and it took a long time for the wrist to heal properly. However, he competed as a co-rider in the Amaroo Park six hour as the co-rider’s original partner had a fall and was unable to compete. Despite John’s lack of practice ,the team finished eighth. Leading into 1980 John heavily modified his bike to keep it competitive with the newer models. The target in 1980 was to win the 500 Australian Road Race Championship. The first round was held in Tasmania in May where John came second. The second round was held at the Adelaide International Raceway later in May where John came in fifth. The third round was held at Oran Park in Sydney in August. John came in sixth. Round four was held at Lakeside in Brisbane later in August. John came in second. At the end of round four John was in second place 15 points behind the leader. The fifth around was held at the in . Again John came in second and kept his second place in the overall 500 championship. The sixth and final round was held at Sandown. Unfortunately, one of the riders blew his motor halfway down the fast straight and instead of pulling off the track continued to ride around turn one on the fast line. As John and the others arrived and started to peel off for the corner all hell broke loose - bodies and bikes went everywhere. John finished up with broken ribs and a punctured lung. However, he maintained his second position in the 500 ARRC. In 1981 John competed in the Australian 500 Grand Prix at Bathurst finishing fourth. On the drive back to Brisbane John decided it would be his last race. After 18 years of racing around Australia it was time to retire and concentrate on running his business.

This article is based on an in-depth article written by Jeff Ware for a magazine called Rapid Bikes. In the introduction, Jeff says of John “Sitting in the meeting room of his Brisbane warehouse office and sharing a coffee and biscuits with John Warrian it is very clear that this man is one of a very limited edition of motorcycle personalities. Quietly spoken, polite yet intensely passionate about our sport and industry, John Warrian is a rare find.”

This is but another story on one of our “Good Old Boys” and we thank John Warrian (1950-1956) and his former classmate Michael Quinlan who undertook the research for John’s story as it has appeared in our June and September Newsletter issues.

8