ALUMNI NEWSLETTER - FEBRUARY 2020 Welcome to the first newsletter for 2020, and the start of another school year. (Which means another year since you left Dara.) In this edition we have all the “Dara News”, “Who’s been doing what”; “Sporting News” and more. So, let’s start with what’s been happening around the College. DARAMALAN COLLEGE NEWS FAREWELL TO THE MSC Sadly, last December saw the end of the MSC Community at Daramalan. After 57 years the our MSC numbers had dwindled to just two Priests and one Brother living at the Residence. Fr Harold Baker, who is 96 and Fr Jim Littleton (90) were just too old to be looking after themselves so the most sensible solution was for them to move to the MSC home at Kensington in Sydney. Br John Walker moved at the same time. minimal seating. Well, The Residence is now closed. all that changed mid- To say farewell, on the second Sunday in December February. many ex-students, teachers and friends came back to It now features Dara where we said goodbye the Community, with Br covered areas, trees, Barry Smith and Fr Michael Fallon, who both reside at modern paving and low Douglas Park in the Southern Highlands, coming down walls for space separation for this very significant event. and plenty of sheltered As yet there are no decisions as to what will happen chairs and benches giving to the building and the land it is on, with several the students plenty of proposals before the Fr Jim Littleton MSC, Fr Michael Fallon MSC relaxing choices. A most Board. As soon as an and Fr Harold Baker MSC attractive space and a outcome is decided credit to the designers and landscapers. upon I will let you know. ALL THE DARAMALAN YEARBOOKS NEW QUAD. ARE NOW ON-LINE We have now finished digitising all the Daramalan The original Yearbooks dating back to year one 1962. The books central Quad was can be found in upgraded over the two places; on the Christmas break National Library’s this year. Called the “Trove” website here McMahon Quad <http://nla.gov.au/ (or Year 10 Quad) nla.obj-773155481> it hasn’t really and are also changed since 1962. available for viewing Consequently, it and download on has been looking our Alumni website. fairly dilapidated Enjoy the and unloved with browsing! broken uneven surfaces, ineffective sun protection and DARAMALAN’S 60TH ANNIVERSARY 2022 will be the 60th anniversary of our school and soon we will start planning to commemorate this significant event. We are still in the preliminary stages but if you have any ideas you would like to see become part of our diamond jubilee year, then we’d love to hear from you. We are also looking for any energetic volunteers to join our Planning Committee. If you’d be interested in helping out – at any level – please drop me a line at [email protected] and I’ll add you to our list. Things will start rolling later this year so now’s the time to come on board. Any assistance will be most appreciated. The winning table featuring Bernie, Trish, Catherine and Emily JOE GUNNING’S LAD Carnevale The Australian Olympic boss Matt Carroll was in scholarship program. There were plenty of ex-students Canberra last December enjoying themselves on the night with the Carnevale attending a national table (Bernie (1972), Trish (1978), Catherine (2009) and summit to acknowledge Emily (2011) winning the night. how future generations Hosted by Corey Goodberg (2018) with able will spark change and assistance from George Southwell (2013) and Jo to help them become McGrath Weber (2017) handling the prizes. Thank you Olympic leaders in their to everyone who came along and we will be releasing own right. details of this year’s Big Event in April. Stay tuned! He sought advice and suggestions from 2019 YEAR 10 SOCIAL VISITORS twenty-six students across The 2019 Daramalan Year 10 event was held at Australia, all of whom Nicholls in December 2019. Ex-student Nick Kyrgios have been recognised as (2012) popped along to support his old school, along Olympic change makers. with George Southwell (2013) who was there in support The list included three of his younger brother Jeremy (Year 11 2020). Naturally Canberra recipients this called for a great photo opportunity! with 1978 alumnus Joe Gunning’s boy Aidan Nick Kyrgios and George Southwell (Year 12 2019) being picked from over 1000 nominations. Aidan went and presented the committee with recommendations on how the Olympic movement can affect change in equality, sustainability, engagement and (Top) Aidan Gunning at the Olympic Summit last December and above, empowering young Aidan at the College’s 2019 Award people. Very well- Day with mum and dad. deserved recognition. THE 2019 SCHOLARSHIP FUND-RAISER October last year saw our annual Beer & Cider Tasting & Trivia Fundraiser in McCowage Hall at the College. We had the pleasure of Laurence Kain from Capital Brewing present some of his finest brews along with 3 Sons Cider. Laurence is the son of ex-Dara boy Tim Kain (1968) who is now a national guitar virtuoso. The night raised over $7000 for the Daramalan 2019 REUNIONS 2020 REUNIONS. Thank you to everyone who came along to the Class of Plans are now underway for Reunions for the Six Form “Nines” Reunions last year. All the photos can be seen on Class of 1970, and graduating years from 1980, 1990, 2000 the Photoboard on the Alumni website. and 2010. As soon as details are finalised I will send you Here is a selection of images from the various events the information via the Alumni website, the Daramalan held during the year. Alumni Facebook page as well as the details being on the Daramalan website. THE CLASS OF 1969 THE CLASS OF 1979 1979 1979 1979 1979 Bill Wallace, James Johnson & Tony Maher Kieran Kirk & Chris Michel Paul Hinchy, Bernard Sheville, Glenn Dando & Gerard Leonard, Peter Gunning, Mark Crooks & Frank De Sinore Michael Taylor 1979 1989 1989 1989 1989 Darryl Taylor & (now Dara teacher) Vicki Meyers & Rebecca Davis Scott Gledhill, Rob Crowe, Sharon Oliver & Luke Laffan & Justine Molony Ruth Jarvis & Nic Culnane Colin Price Lilian Hathorn 1989 1989 2009 2009 Beth Amos & Margaret Hemsley Sean Palmer & Ben Digan 2009 2009 2009 2009 SO, WHAT’S OUR ALUMNI BEEN UP TO? JACK MCGRATH (1971) JEREMY KIRK (1987) If you want an 80s blast If you are owned a diesel from the past then look no Volkswagen in September further than this Facebook page 2015 then you’re likely featuring one of Canberra’s in line to receive approx. first pizza TV ads. https://www. $1400 as settlement in the facebook.com/thecanberrapage/ VW “dieselgate” scandal. videos/398152590822625/ Barrister Jeremy Kirk SC, This classic Jacko’s “Dial a who was acting for the ACCC, Pizza” production was created brokered the settlement outcome with Volkswagen and by our own Jack McGrath who if you think you are an “interested party” then you have still owns and operates his pizza until 10 March this year to lodge a claim. business. His son Trevor (1993) must also have wood-fired flavour ANTHONY GOODWIN (1988) in his veins as he pumps out At the AHA his own tomato and mozzarella creations at “Trevs” in Hospitality & Tourism Dickson. The family dynasty continues. Awards held late last year, “1882 Bar & Grill” GREG BAYLISS (1974) won the “Best Pub The revolving door at ABC Eatery” gong. This Radio Canberra was spinning great little oasis in Hall again at the end of last year is jointly owned by Anthony Goodwin’s wife Cindy-Lee with ex-Dara boy Greg Bayliss along with her sister Nikki. Congratulations to everyone leaving after 10 years and involved. another Daramalan protégée Dr Kim Huynh (1995) coming in to KELLIE STEPHENSON (1992) present the 2020 Sunday brunch. Ex Dara girl Kellie Stephenson (Toohey) is now FRANK BRENNAN (1975) Doctor Kellie Stephenson Ex-Daramalan student Frank and one of her key passions Brennan (1975) was awarded a is researching and improving Member of the Order of Australia the lives of those diagnosed (AM) for his significant service to with cancer. Late November palliative medicine in the 2020 she was the guest of honour Australia Day Awards. at a Women’s Breakfast at the National Portrait Gallery In 1971, his 11-year-old and spoke about changing the world one step at a time. brother Tom - also a Daramalan All power to you Dr Kellie. student – died of cancer and it was only then that Frank realised doctors did not always make someone better DAVID BURBIDGE (1992) and with this understanding, coupled with witnessing The ‘Shaky Isles’ are in Tom’s suffering, lead Frank to pursue a career in good hands these days with palliative care medicine. Frank began David Burbidge now heading his career in medicine, working up the Tectonophysics in both Sydney and South Africa, Department of GNS Science before he decided to study law, while in Lower Hutt New Zealand. continuing to practice medicine. David is a geophysicist He embarked on a brief legal specialising in earthquake career before returning to medicine and tsunami hazard assessment. as a GP at the Aboriginal Medical SIMON YANNOPOULOS (1993) Service in Redfern. Currently Frank divides his time between Sydney and For the last 20 years, a bunch of VERY fit people Canberra, as a medical officer at Calvary Hospital, where have been travelling to the Canadian Rocky Mountains he treats mainly Motor Neurone Disease and cancer to cheat death in the world’s toughest ultra-marathon, patients the “Canadian Death Race”.