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: chapelappeal@stbedes.school.nz

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