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T EN ES Volume 48 No. 2 2019 ET ON E TRADITI www.lisjclism.catholic.edu.au

View from the top of Mt Tempest, Moreton Island Six of our Duke of Edinburgh scheme participants spent four days Moreton Island. Two students Abby and Zara Butler were using this camp as the adventurous journey component of their Gold Award.

Michael Shay (64-69), Kent Shay (91-96) & Luke Shay (93-98) 2

House Captains Acting Bell Captains – Hannah Kelly and Charlie Scotcher. Principal’s Vice Captains - Holly Laverick and Jack Copeland Carroll Report Captains – Emerson Egan and Gabriel Taylor. Vice Captains – Portia Dostine and Luke Oates Kennedy St John’s is a vibrant that provides students with Captains – Jade Bates and Braith Keirle. an array of opportunities and 2019 has been yet another Vice Captains – Lydia Rose Miller and Jayden Whittle successful year. Our academic outcomes have been excellent. Segrief We have, in collaboration with the Catholic Schools Office and St Carthage’s Parish, provided students with a variety Captains – Scarlett Steward and Oliver Rojo. of faith formation opportunities. We have also provided Vice Captains – Amber Curtis and Eamonn Wilde numerous extra-curricular activities for students from overseas learning experiences, the South Passage Tall Ship adventure, SRC: Tournament of Minds, opportunities for students talented in President – Isaac Halliday, Treasurer – Luke Oates, the Arts and, of course, Woodlawn’s rich sporting tradition. Secretary – Ruby Doyle The College has a proud tradition of providing students and Committee – Annitta Boonrat, Hannah Kelly, Hannah Franey, staff with a strong sense of belonging and community. There Chloe Rudgley, Tully Somerville, Lee Pagotto and have been many changes over the last twenty years. Namely, William Miller. the move from a boys’ boarding school to a co-educational day school and the appointment of the College’s first lay Principal, Ex-Students’ Reunion Mr Glenn Roff, signifying the handover from the Marist Fathers’. The evening was held on Saturday 26th October, commencing However, the College continues to keep strong ties to the with a Mass in the College Chapel celebrated by Fr Paul Pidcock. Marist Fathers’ and the Marist Charism. Fr Paul has returned to Woodlawn several times throughout The end of 2019 will see the retirement of our current Principal, the year and it was pleasing to see him looking so well. The Mr Chris Comerford. Mr Comerford came to us from St Paul’s classes of 1969, 1989, 1994 and 1999 then proceeded to the Catholic College, Manly in 2012 with a wealth of experience Southern Cross University Deck and Lounge for dinner and to and expertise. His calm and wise leadership has allowed staff continue their celebrations. to grow professionally within a distributive leadership model. Mr Comerford will leave Woodlawn having made a significant Sport positive contribution over the seven years as our leader and The following are some of the achievements over the last 12 one year with the Catholic Schools Office. We wish him well in months. retirement. 2018/2019 - Lismore Diocesan Water Polo- Senior Boys, Senior Mr Aaron Beach has been appointed as Mr Comerford’s Girls, Junior Girls - Champions successor. Mr Beach is an experienced and renowned Principal within the Diocese, having been at St Mary’s Catholic College, 2018/2019 - Cricket Downie Shield Winner Casino for nine years followed by a year as Principal of McAuley 2018/2019 - NSW All Schools’ Cricket Finalist Catholic College, Grafton. 2019 - NSW CCC Cup Rugby League Runners up Holy Name of Mary and Transfer of Student Leadership 2019 - Len Diett Shield Rugby Union winners th On Thursday 12 September we celebrated the Marists’ Patron 2019 - Northern Rivers CRL Ladies League Tag winners Feast of the Holy Name of Mary. Our Mass was celebrated by Fr Bing Monteagudo and concelebrated by Fr Paul Pidcock. 2019 - Carroll Champion House Following recess, we celebrated the Transfer of Leadership from Lismore Colour Run 2019 the 2019 student leaders to those appointed to leadership positions for 2020. For the second year in a row the Lismore Colour Run, held at Woodlawn on Sunday 27th October, was an outstanding College Captains success. This event is solely organised and run by members Annitta Boonrat and Lee Pagotto of the Parents and Friends’ Association. The amount of work the committee put into the event was unbelievable. I would Vice Captains like to thank and congratulate Lisa Love, Sam Standish, Louise Tully Somerville and William Miller McKinlay, Louise Somerville, Leanne Copeland, Michelle Seccombe and Nicola Bilski for their dedication, initiative and community building at Woodlawn. Tenete Traditiones, Mr Michael Campbell 3 President’s Report

With this year soon drawing to a close and Christmas just around Our continuing support of thirty scholarships for those in need the corner we look to the future and 2020. has been well received by the College and the families receiving the scholarships. We have also donated money to the Colour The annual Ex-Students reunion was held this year on 26th Run and a few other events and prize donations. October. I was unable to attend the dinner but took two of my children to the Mass which was in the College Chapel. Fr Paul We are always on the lookout for new advertisers for the performed the Mass and it was great to have him back for the Newsletter. If you are interested in advertising your business, occasion. I have heard the evening at SCU was a great success. please contact myself or Penny at the College. Special mention must go to the bloke who needed a nap after dinner! Thank you to Penny who organises the Reunion and I would like to take this opportunity to thank the College does the administration of the Association, chasing people for Principal, Chris Comerford for his support of the Association reports and chasing year groups for the reunion – not an easy over the years and wish him well in his retirement. task!! Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and a happy, healthy and We are seeing a good flow of new memberships from the prosperous New Year. graduating class with a letter being sent to parents suggesting their son or daughter join up to the Association as a Graduation Tenete Traditiones gift. If you are not already a member please consider joining, the Damian Price form is in this Newsletter or available on the College website. 4 Congratulations to:

Diamond Jubilee Celebrations This year Br Terry Garrett S.M. and Br Kevin Jackson S.M. both celebrated the Diamond jubilee of their religious profession as Marists. Terry was a student at Woodlawn in 1953-56 and was on the College staff 1971- 81 and 2002-04. He was Sports Master and taught Maths. Kevin was a member of the staff from 1989 -2018 where he did a wonderful job on College maintenance. He was a great help to Fr Tom Maloney S.M. when he was the Chaplain to St.Vincent’s and the Lismore Base hospitals. We thank and congratulate Terry and Kevin on their outstanding contribution and service they made at Woodlawn but also at our at Burnie, Geelong and Bellambi.

College Captains From left- Fr Bing Monteagudo, back row – Annitta Boonrat and Lee Pagotto, front row - Tully Somerville and William Miller

New Marist Provincial Former Secretary General of the Society of Mary Fr Anthony Corcoran S.M. returned from Rome in January this year to replace Fr Robert Barber whose term of office as Provincial had finished. Fr Corcoran was a student at Woodlawn 1956-1960 and Fr Barber was on the College staff from 1980-1987. Fr Barber is now on the staff of St.Patrick’s Church ,Church Hill Sydney.

PatTwo hill Designs Woodlawn 62-67 ARCHITECTS

Residential I Multi-Residential Commercial I Tourist I Institutional Phone 0439 796 264 E: [email protected] 6 Ivory Crescent, Tweed Heads, NSW, 2485 5

Fr Paul Pidcock S.M. OAM • Teacher, Spiritual Director and Musical Director, 1957-1971. • Organiser, St John’s College, St Vincent de Paul Conference. On the 16th May 2019, The Governor of New South Wales, Her Excellency the Honourable Margaret Beazley AO QC, presented • Involved with Lismore Soup Kitchen. Fr Paul Pidcock S.M., his Order of medal which he • Student Coordinator, Red Cross Blood Donors. received for service to the of Australia. Fr Paul • Coordinator, ‘The Eagle’ Yearbook and Newsletter. attended the investiture ceremony at Government House in • Chaplain, Grafton Correctional Centre, 2000-2013. Sydney, where mention was made of some of his activities - • Ordained Priest, Catholic Church in Australia, since 1956. Fr Paul also taught at Marist College in Burnie, • Committee Member, Fr Tony Glynn Australia-Japan Centre, “I’ve really loved my work and I’ve been very happy to work Southern Cross University, Lismore with the students. I’ve found them to be very generous and • Chaplain, St John’s College, 2000 - 2018. responsive especially in their work with the St Vincent de Paul and also as Red Cross blood donors and other things I thought • Member, St John’s College Executive, 30 years. were important.” he said. • Bursar, St John’s College, 1979-2000.

We would love to hear from any of our Ex-Students. Keep the Association and your old friends up to date in what has been happening in your life, family and work achievements. Send us a photo along with your letter and we will put it in the next edition. Hope to hear from you soon. Drop us a line either by mail - Ex -Students Association PO Box 6, Lismore NSW 2480, email - [email protected] or phone 02 6626 2602 6 2019 Reunion

This year the annual Reunion was held on Saturday 26th many awards and he is highly regarded within the industry. We October. We started with Mass in the College Chapel then went were all enthralled listening to Max. to Southern Cross University for dinner. We had a lovely group of The buzz in the room rose when an impromptu auction took Ex-students from 1963 - 71, 1989, 1994 and 1999. Seventy four place. It came down to two bidders for a polo shirt signed by Fr attendees in total. People had travelled from all over Australia Pidcock. Rodney Khoo from the Class of 1994 was the winner, to attend. Skerry Palanga and his wife Sepana had come all the donating $250 towards College scholarships for those less way from Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea to be with us. We fortunate. Thank you Rodney! were grateful to Fr Paul Pidcock for coming up from Sydney to join us. It was lovely to see him again. The evening concluded with the Boomeranga. Fr Paul was drawn into the centre with the leader of the war cry. The call Drinks and nibbles started the evening, with everyone excited went out and the chant began, the voices grew louder and the to see who had arrived. We then made our way onto the deck floor shook. What a scene, it was so wonderful they did it twice!! and were seated. There were a few speeches, one of which was given by the College Captains. Their presence at the dinner was Everyone spoke highly of the evening and what a great time they well received, with many Ex-Students talking to them about the had. Our thanks go to: Southern Cross University - Catering and new verses the old Woodlawn. Events team, Tammie Creary, Stuart George, Michael Campbell, Samantha Glasby, Grace McLaren, Jack Lindsay, Fr Paul Pidcock, After dinner we had a short presentation from our inaugural Max Walker and all who attended. guest speaker Mark (Max) Walker from the Class of 1989. Max has done amazing things in the world of television. He writes, Next year we will be celebrating the Classes of 1970, 1980, 1990, produces, directs and gets behind the camera. Some of the 2000 and 2010. If that is you be sure to follow the Facebook page shows he has worked on include; Australian story, Jamie’s (St John’s College, Woodlawn Ex-Students Association) or our Kitchen Australia, My Kitchen Rules, Grand Design Australia and Website (www.lisjclism.catholic.edu.au/ex-students) for more Who Do You Think You Are. He works with the ABC, BBC, SBS, Al information as the date gets closer. Jazeera, Nine and Seven. His work has been nominated and won 7

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Fr Paul accepting the Sacraments Mass in the College Chapel

Fr Paul in conversation

Some members of the Class of 1999 enjoying a beer

Finny and Daniel Nassif. The 89er’s catching up with Mark Finlayson, 10

Fr Paul and Rodney Khoo

Pre-dinner drinks

College Captains - Samantha Glasby, Grace McLaren and Jack Lindsay addressing the crowd

Max Walker

The Boomeranga MARIST PASSINGS 11 Fr John Jago S.M. 01.09.1932 – 17.07.2018 Extracts from the homily given by Fr Tom Ryan S.M.. John was born in Grafton, NSW, the first of the five children. After completing his schooling at St John’s College (45-49), he studied law at the University of Adelaide, then practiced law in Sydney for five years. In 1961 he entered the seminary. After his ordination in 1967 he studied Moral Theology at the University of Fribourg, Switzerland. He was asked to return and join the staff of Marist College, Burnie in 1971 and was the Principal there from 1973-78. John was appointed Provincial Superior of Australia and Japan for six years from 1979. From 1985 - 93 he served as Superior General of the Society of Mary based in Rome. From 1994 -1999 he was part of the community and ministry at St. Patrick’s, theology or the church. His letters as Superior-General reflected Church Hill. In 2000 he joined the Ashgrove-Herston community his grasp of trends and issues within the church and the broader where he undertook retreat, reconciliation and moral advice global and secular context. John was always a reader – books, work. John was diagnosed with cancer in 2005 and retired from journals, history and biographies. active ministry in 2006. John enjoyed community life and he had a wry, self-deprecating Twenty years of John’s life as a Marist priest involved public humour. It is perhaps captured from his time as Principal of leadership, in Australia and in Rome. In John’s mind, true Marist Regional College. In his interchanges with Sr. Cecelia leadership enabled and encouraged leadership in others – Bridgeman, he would sometimes end a memo to her with the at the local, community and individual levels. John brought letters YHAOS – “your humble and obedient servant.” his considerable ability but also a certain graciousness to his leadership. There was also an associated capacity for sensitivity Finally, I’ve left John’s Marist life to the end, deliberately so. and warmth in collaborative relationships beyond the Marist John lived very simply. He had clarity of focus and determination family, particularly, with groups of religious women. For that goes with character. He strove for daily, devoted instance, at Marist Regional College, Burnie, John and Sr. Cecelia companionship with Jesus who is “the way, the truth and the Bridgeman R.S.M. provided a very effective model of shared life.” Community prayer, the Eucharist, divine office, personal leadership – one, where they genuinely got on well together. space for being with the Lord – these were the basics, the non- That, in itself, set a tone, a model, for the staff and students. negotiables. Nothing spectacular. Very unobtrusive. Just turning He never lost interest in politics, current affairs, legal issues, up really – as he did with other aspects of community life.

Fr John Thornhill S.M. 13.05.1929 – 28.07.2019 Fr John Thornhill came to Woodlawn as a student in 1943. He began his seminary studies at the Marist Fathers seminary in Toongabbie in 1948. He made his religious Profession as a Marist in 1949 and was ordained to the Priesthood in 1955. After his years in the seminary, Fr John studied further in Rome (Via Cernaia and Angelicum) with a doctoral thesis on Toynbee. He returned to work in the migrant parish in West Sunshine, Victoria. Then followed by sixteen years teaching in the seminary, six of them as Rector followed by six years as Director of the Aquinas Academy. The next eighteen years were at Villa Maria teaching theology at CTU. In 1980-85 Fr John was a member of the International Theological Commission – along with Joseph Ratzinger, keeping JP II on the straight and narrow. In the late eighties he served Fr John returned to Brisbane for his sunset years, reading several years in the Anglican- Roman Catholic International theology and history for fun. He remarked “I may have another Commission (ARCIC II). Serving on these commission Fr John book in me; I am working on a study of the thought of Christopher met some great minds. Dawson. At 79, I have never been so deeply contented.” He survived prostate cancer (1988), brain tumour (1994), After some years as a member of the Herston Marist community melanoma (1995), bowel cancer (1999). These health issues in Brisbane, Fr John moved to Sydney and lived in the Maryvale/ caused Fr John to move from being a professional academic to Montebel community before taking residence at Southern Cross grass roots work helping faith renewal in parishes. Working for a Aged Care Facility, Marsfield. He died there on July 28th 2019. few years in Perth, he made twenty DVDs on faith renewal in the spirit of Vatican II. From - maristfathers.org.au 12 Class of 1979

The Class of 1979 got together on the weekend of 1st September for our 40th reunion. As the class is scattered all over the country we centred the weekend of events in the area of the Gold Coast Airport. We held golf, lawn bowls and a lunch on the Saturday and had dinner at Rainbow Bay Surf Club and North Kirra Surf Club in the evenings. We had twenty-six guys in attendance with fifteen partners. Fr Gerard Hall also attended.

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Front Row: Danny Madigan, Fr Gerard Hall, Gary Buxton, Frank Fabrizio, Gavin O’Donnell, Sean O’Meara, Tim Payne, Brett Gleeson and Andrew Thompson. Rows behind (L - R) Miro Mitrovich, Michael Reedy, Mark Bolster, Brett Adam, Sam Thompson, Dean Rapp, John Kelly, Greg Oaten, Ian Goldspring, Bede McCosker, Peter Mahoney, Chris Smith, Tim Worner, Michael Hahn, Mark McLaughlin, Bradley Campbell, and Mick Mason. 14 Bereavements The Woodlawn Ex-Students Association extends its prayerful sympathy to the families of the following people who have died recently - Anthony Ford (62-65) passed away 25.04.2018. Fr John Thornhill S.M. (43-47) Passed away 28.07.19 - see article page 11 John Hinchcliffe (42-44) passed away 12.08.2018. Laurie Ahrens (63-68) Whom passed away recently. Daniel Moran (54-57) passed away 06.12.2018. Hugh Monaghan (40-44) Passed away 08.08.2019. Fr Jack Soulsby S.M. Staff 1970-71 and 1976. Died Brother of Phillip (40-45). in Brisbane 22.04.2019 John Fahey (43-48) husband of Barbara and brother John Bolster (44-45) College Dux in 1945, passed in law of Bill Dougherty (45-46) and Peter Dougherty away on the 16.06.19 aged 91. Loving husband (45-49). Father and father in law of Daniel (86- to Marie, father of Peter (64-69, dec), Bradley (68- 87) and Joseph (88) and Renee, Mary Anne and 73, dec), Sean (73-76), Paul (71-75), Mark (74-79), Duncan, Peter and Dee, Brendan and Kate, Andy Gregory (dec) and Brian (77). Proud “JB” to his 19 and Marina, died in Grafton on 27.08.2019. Brother grandchildren including Micheal (94-96) and 8 great to Barry (51-55), Brian (52-54), Kevin (53-57 dec), grandchildren including Shakarah in Year 11. James (60-64), William (62-65) and Michael (65-67). Peter McMahon (78-79) originally from Mungindi, A Woodlawn record: seven brothers from the one passed away in Melbourne on 13.05.2019. Sadly family, plus many cousins. In 1948 John was Head missed by his sister Joanne. Prefect, Captain of the First XIII rugby league team and recipient of the Blue Ribbon. Class mates of Fr Chris Austin S.M. Staff 1978-80, 1992-97, passed John, Fr John Dacey and Fr Paul Pidcock S.M. joined away 20.05.19. with the Grafton parish priest Fr Joseph Holloway in Laurie Owens (49 -50) previously of Tweed Heads, celebrating John’s Requiem Mass in St Mary’s church late of Casino, died 04.06.19. at Grafton. Arthur Bullman (39-43) Late of Murwillumbah. Patrick Walker (43-44) passed away peacefully Formerly of Lismore & Burringbar. Passed away 10.06.2019. Late of Mullumbimby, formerly of peacefully on 10.08.2019. Dearly loved husband of Manly. Beloved husband of Elaine and father of Carmel (dec). Loved father and father-in-law of Val Perry and Lisa. Sadly missed by all his grandchildren and Bernie, Bill (65-67) and Elaine, Gabby, Pat and and friends. Janelle. Grandfather and great grandfather to their John Byrne (43-45) passed away 15.06.19. children. Ken Mahony of Port Macquarie passed away Peter “Burringbar” Ryan (47-51) Brother of Patrick 26.06.19. He is the father of Peter (74-76, dec), Mark (44-48) late of Canberra, died 10.10.2019. Beloved (74-76) and Luke (74-76). Uncle to John (63-67), husband of Patricia, father and father in law to Collen Patrick (62-64) and Fr Paul Mahony S.M. (64-68). and Mark, Tony and Dianne, Daniel and Elizabeth. Loved by his many grand and great grandchildren. Bernard Clarke (46-49) Known as Taxi, passed away peacefully 13.07.19. Loved husband of Marcia. Patrick Rowe (62-67) Died 17.10.2019. Pat is survived Loved father and father in law to Robyn and Tim, by his wife, Wendy, and his daughter, Adelaide, who Alanna and Peter, Debbie and Mark, Lisa and Mark, live in Durham, NC. Where Pat ran a very successful Erin and Dennis, Chris, Melissa and Matt. training business. Vincent Schipp (44-45) Passed away 14.07.2019. Sr Patricia Morrisey In charge of the infirmary (61- 71) died on 05.10. 2019. Mother of Anthony (64-69) Brian Pidcock (1949) Passed away 23.07.19. Father and Cathy. Mother in law of James Dougherty (66-71). to Mark (76-81), Christopher (84-88) and Anthony G Commercial Insurance (81-86). Doreen Quinn passed away 10.11.19. wife of Kevin (dec), mother of Josephine. Sister of Fr Sydney G James “Jim” Burton (46-47) passed away Mitchell S.M. (33-35) (College Rector 59-64), Bill, Sr Domestic Insurance 26.07.2019, surrounded by his wife, 4 children and Teresa, and Norm who all predecease her. Sister to G 12 grandchildren, in Springwood N.S.W. Sr Josephine and Paul. Life/Risk Insurance ...and those we may not be aware of. G Financial Planning Is your household receiving multiple copies of the newsletter? 15 Would you like to view the newsletter electronically? If you would like to make any changes please contact me on 02 6626 2602 or email [email protected]

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