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Cadet Golden Jubilee CelebrationOld Collegians 54-62 Reunion

Monivae College Hamilton - A Catholic Co-educational Secondary Day and Boarding College in the tradition of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart

February 2013 :: Issue 22

2. Monivae College

Plan for their future with a Bequest

MOCAWelcome Old Collegians to the first Dolphin for 2013. A special welcome must go to our newest Old Collegians, the class of 2012.I hope you are settling in to life after school. As a member of MOCA you have the opportunity to periodically get together with your former classmates and ensure lifelong friendships. You first opportunity to catch up will be on the eve of the Dunkeld Cup on Friday, 15th November. This will be a perfect chance for you to renew contacts and compare notes on life post-school.

The 2012 Reunions brought mixed results. While all those that attended their year’s reunion were not disappointed, it was with regret that the 10 year reunion was cancelled due to a lack of interest. As this reunion traditionally draws the highest attendances, let’s see if the class of 2003 can make amends. In contrast, the reunion of “old boys” from the years 1954 to 1962 saw an enthusiastic gathering on October 27. From all reports, the evening was a great success and thank you to all those that attended.

The weekend of the Golden Jubilee Cadet Parade was a highlight on both the Monivae and MOCA calendar. It began with a celebration dinner on Saturday October 27, with attendees travelling from around Australia for the evening. A special treat was a “fireside chat” between two Old Collegians that have gone on to achieve much success in their chosen fields, Age journalist Tony Wright (1970) and the Father of Reconciliation, Professor Patrick Dodson (1967). It was a privilege for all.

Another highlight was a speech by 2012 Adjutant Katrina Davis. Katrina spoke of the current Cadet Unit’s activities and its many successes. There are vast differences between cadets when I was at Monivae and today, but two stand outs are the Leadership Programs undertaken at Puckapunyal and that is possible for a female cadet to hold the unit’s highest rank. Katrina, a confident young woman, demonstrated that the Monivae tradition of producing high quality graduates continues.

The 50th Cadet Ceremonial Parade on Sunday October 28 saw a large turnout. As

a member of the Class of 1985, I was proud that the Reviewing Officer was my former class mate, Lieutenant Colonel Nick Floyd. It was also great to see Mick Dodson arrive just in time for the parade, after flying in to Tullamarine from overseas earlier in the day. The number of Old Collegians in attendance shows that Monivae still means so much for so many.

A reminder for those in the Classes of 1973, 1983, 1993, 2003 and 2012, that this is your Reunion year. Please ensure that Monivae has your latest contact details so you receive your invitation. Remember, you can keep up with MOCA news on the Monivae College Facebook page and Twitter. If you have missed any of the previous Dolphin issues they are now available on the Monivae website.

Wishing you a happy and safe 2013.

Merron Riddiford MOCA Chair

The Monivae Foundation Bequest Program, looks to continue the spirit with which the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart founded the College, that was, to ‘provide affordable education to those who sought it.’

Monivae College and the Monivae Foundation have worked together to provide this opportunity to families and students through the application of

scholarships and bursaries to help students who can not afford a Monivae education.

The Monivae Foundation Bequest program was established so that once Old Collegians, Friends and Benefactors had made provisions to take care of their family and loved ones, they could also support the Monivae Foundation to educate students through making a Bequest.

Monivae Old Collegians up to the Class of 1970 have been sent more detail on the Monivae Foundation Bequest Program. If you attended Monivae later than 1970 or did not receive your copy and would like more information then contact the Development Office on (03) 5551 1251, email smckinley@monivae.vic.edu.au or visit www.monivae.com/foundation

From the PrincipalAs I write this article on a hot mid January day I marvel at how the world and Monivae College has changed in so many ways in recent times.

The College’s Strategic Plan accepted by the College Board in late 2010 had Sustainability as one of its five major sections. The sprinklers are going flat out on the courtyard lawn outside to help the grass grow in the warm weather ensuring a full cover of lush growth. This water is recycled from the dam at the back of the MSC residence and pumped to the water tank on top of the main building where it is used as grey water for flushing toilets, watering our courtyard and supplying water for our outdoor water features at the entrance to the College and

the revitalised fountain in the courtyard in front of the library and study hall.

If one looks on the College intranet there is instant data available to staff, students and parents that indicates for the last hour Monivae College has been generating (via the solar panels installed last year on the Arts building) more electricity than we have been consuming. A rare feat but one that we hope will be a more common occurrence as students and staff become more aware of our energy consumption and the carbon footprint of the College and ways that we as individuals can help reduce these things.

However while there have been these and many other changes in recent times many things still remain the same. We still have many dedicated teachers, talented students,

and a supportive parent body. We have many proud Old Collegians as evidenced by the gatherings in October last year and 50 years on we continue to have a sizeable Cadet Unit that is a wonderful vehicle for leadership training for our students.

More importantly though is that the heart of what the College is about is the same as it has been since its inception. Monivae College exists to proclaim the love of God to its community and to encourage all in this community to share God’s love with others. It has been inspiring to meet the numerous Old Collegians who have this ethos as the core tenet of their lives whatever path their careers have taken since leaving the College.

Mark McGinnity Principal

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Cadet Golden Jubilee dinnerIn what was the largest gathering of former students and staff since the College’s Golden Jubilee in 2004, more than 200 former Cadets, Staff and those associated with the Unit over the last 50 years came together for a gala dinner to celebrate the Cadet Unit Golden Jubilee.

Master of Ceremonies, Mr Graham Soawyer (Class of 1972) introduced Principal Mark McGinnity to welcome all to such a momentous occasion. Principal McGinnity spoke of the contribution of Monivae Old Collegians in our wider community and the part that Cadets has played in their development.

Wherever I travel I say to anyone who will listen, that Monivae Old Collegians punch well above their weight in the community, especially with their impact on the wider Australian community. Whether it be as leaders of learning, the law, military, the health services, business, industry, journalism, the arts, in the policitcal areana or in the Australian Indigenous community. From a relatively small town and school in Western Victoria, Monivae College is renowned for producing great leaders in all these areas. Over the last fifty years the Cadet Unit has in no small way been an integral part in developing the leadership qualities of our students.

Fr Paul Castley MSC, Officer Commanding 1969, spoke of the early days of the Cadet Unit, in particular the founder of the Monivae Cadet Unit, Fr Tony Prentice MSC.

In the early days the staff would gather in the room over looking the parade ground and gaze on this figure (Fr Prentice) in his immaculate battle dress, his belt shone to a bright blackness and the boots were so glistening that one would think that no dust would dare to settle on it. He oozed excitement and seemed to experience an adrenalin rush every Friday afternoon as his beloved Cadet Unit offered the boys a chance to experience discipline, leadership and responsibility, no matter how lowly their rank.

As Fr Castley regaled the audience of a time when the Cadets were in their infancy, the current Adjutant, CUO Katrina Davis spoke of the recent achievements that the Cadet Unit had attained. There were many polite enquiries leading into the evening from past Cadets, about the place that the Unit

holds in the hearts and minds of the current students, “does it mean as much to them as it did to us?” CUO Davis placed these doubts at ease and left all in attendance with no doubt that the passion for the Unit was as alive as ever, when she had concluded her speech.

We have had Cadets go to New South Wales to complete the National Adventure Training Award. We have had Cadets that have gone to Melbourne and been the best band on ANZAC Day. We have Cadets who are Battalion CUOs. We have Cadets who have conquered the Young Endeavour and won the title of Victorian Army Cadet of the Year. We have Cadets who have competed against all those in Western Victoria and won the Battalion Competition. We also have Cadets that have competed against all in Victoria and won. Your Unit. my Unit and our Unit is the best in Victoria.

Following an impressive dinner, the highlight of the evening was Guest Speaker Professor Pat Dodson, Adjutant 1967. Rather than asking Professor Dodson to prepare a standard speech, Tony Wright (Class of 1970), respected journalist with The Age sat with Professor Dodson on stage, and the two had a chat.

Tony Wright (T): I want to start at the start with you Patrick, obviously you have been introduced as the Father of Reconciliation in Australia, you’re known nationwide, but how did it begin, how did you come to Monivae in the first place, how did you come to be brought to Monivae if you like, you were in the Northern Territory, you had been born in Broome.

Prof. Patrick Dodson (P): It was an interesting story, because even to this day, even though there is ecumenism and those sorts of cross church kinds of behaviours, in those days it was far more sectarian and the notion of going to an Anglican boys’ boarding school in Darwin wasn’t acceptable. The alternative was to go to Charters Towers in Queensland which didn’t seem to be that exciting to me. There was a couple of the MSC Priests who had a fond regard for Monivae…….. The thinking was if we were going to go away from the Northern Territory we may as well go as far away as possible, and learn something useful like Aussie Rules. That is ultimately how I got sent down here.

T ….you found yourself as the first indigenous student of Monivae College as I understand it, you were a young boy a long way from home, what was the feeling when

you first arrived here? What are your vivid memories of being that boy?

P I must say, it was something like out of a Charles Dickens novel, like Oliver Twist or something, um there was porridge being served, there were ladles around the place, there was sharing of food and arguments over food, how you divided butter and made sure you got your best share, (laughter), whose round of toast you had inherited, so there was all this cadging and borrowing and bargaining that went on amongst the students as they always seemed to be hungry. I thought well this is a strange place and I knew nothing about knives and forks, or the array of knives and forks until Mrs Gartlan taught me about those things up at Koolomurt West.

But it was a strange place but on the other hand there were some really wonderful people……

T Monivae of course was a transformative experience for many of us who went to the school, and for you it was a massively transformative experience I think. There was a mid school prefect system in those days and you became one.

P Yes we ascended to the heights of fascism very early, (laughter), where we had these mid school prefects, that’s where some of my best mates came out of, Billy Condon and Johnny Moore and Stuart Murrihy I think it was…………………we were so zealous in this new office we had been assigned to we decided we would have a raid on the junior dormitory, just to see who had all the smokes. (laughter) Of course we were cautioned about our over zealousness, and we had to I suppose re adjust the notion of our leadership within the College. But it was a very important structural step I think into the College where you did not have to wait six years to become a leader or be recognised as someone with some responsibilities to help the leadership. It was very important that mid school, people who intended to go off the rails or intended to become more flamboyant because they did not have much to bear in terms of responsibility, so it was a good thing that was developed and as I say these are the fellas that I was associated with, life long friends.

T Did it weigh on you during those years, and we will get to the later years in a few seconds, that as you went through school you were a pretty serious sort of a character from what I can recall, (Patrick smiles), I’m sure that’s an overstatement because

4. Monivae College

nobody of that age is entirely serious, it seems to me that the expectations of the first indigenous student at Monivae College brought down from the far reaches of Northern Australia, did you feel that there were expectations upon your shoulders that you had to live up to and thus ‘became’ a leader?

P There were certainly high expectations and high levels of responsibilities that were expected of people like myself and others, you have to remember that this was prior to the 1967 referendum, prior to a whole range of things, it was a time really when indigenous affairs was something that no one really understood. There was always the search as to who was going to be the ‘first’ of this and the ‘first’ of that as if that was going to be the only ever achievement in this country so there was all of those things. There was a lot of pressure on to the extent that I studied these crazy subjects in Matric, calculus and applied maths, physics and all those things……………..(laughing) never did very well at them.

T: ……….By the time you were in your final year you were recognised by everybody at that school as a natural leader…………there were almost five hundred boys who I understand………., we were very democratic, voted for you collectively to become Captain of the school. You were the Captain of the First XVIII because you were the best footballer around, you were appointed Adjutant, you got the diligence prize five times…………….this was 1967 and you just mentioned something very important, that is that there was a Referendum that year …………..it was the first national Referendum which we had had to do with the status of indigenous people in this nation. A lot of people still think it was the time when Aboriginal people got the vote, that’s untrue, they had had it since the 30’s and 40’s…………..in fact the outcome of that Referendum had an unexpected side, a disadvantage I suspect, and that was that from that moment the Constitution no longer mentioned Aboriginal people, gave no recognition whatsoever to indigenous people, and here you are all these years later, having worked as Co-Chair of the organisation set up to study how to get Aboriginal recognition or Indigenous recognition in the Constitution………….does it seem from this distance, and it seems like a long time ago now, in 1967 for an indigenous student from the northern Territory in a school in western Victoria to have the sort of recognition that you had, to be unusual?

P Oh absolutely, I’m not a lawyer, Mick’s the lawyer, I went and studied Philosophy and Theology, that didn’t help me much with the law……….the whole question of recognition is a very key matter and I wouldn’t mind saying something about that in a minute……….but the reality was that ’67 handed the Commonwealth Government power to make laws for the Aboriginal people. Prior to that, that power was held by the States and so all of the Aboriginal affairs policies were determined at a State level as opposed to the Federal level. In ’67 the power being given to the Federal Government meant that more resources could be put towards assisting Aboriginal people over many crucial things that we see today, health, housing, education, along with those matters. But the drafters of our Constitution in 1901 withheld that power from the Federal arena but also made it, um, they used the term ‘race’. In today’s global society, the word race is really outmoded, Section 25 of the Constitution, and the lawyers in the room will know that, it still prohibits people of race from voting in State elections. There is no real recognition of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander people in the Constitution so what our committee tried to do, which was co-chaired by Mark Leibler from Arnold Bloch Leibler, and a range of very interesting Australians, was to look at Section 51:26, which is what is called the ‘race power’, which was the result of the ’67 Referendum, and we recommend that that ought to be rescinded or repealed, and that a new section 51a be drafted which has a simple preamble or statement to it that would govern that particular section. You just can’t write a preamble to our Constitution, after so many

years the unintended legal consequences would just be so horrendous…………but anyway that’s what we recommended, that’s what is before the Parliament at the moment……………

T ……..Can I take you back to another subject before we move back into this area, when you left Monivae, you could have easily gone off and played VFL football, AFL they call it today, instead you became a priest, why?

P Well probably……well not because I didn’t like football, any boy that went to Monivae loved Aussie rules, or basketball or all the other sports, there were some marvelous, marvelous athletes and people who came out of the College….

It was fitting to see the assembled guests all rise and applaud Pat and Tony, as they had certainly kept everyone entertained and there is no doubt each person left the evening with a remarkable sense of what a truly inspirational person Pat Dodson is.

A full transcript of the talk can be found on the Monivae College website under www.monivae.com/cadets

2012 Officer Commanding Major Gary Simkin closed the evening with some words and presentations on behalf of the Unit, to former OCs in attendance and also to Reviewing Officers who were present. The thanks from all at the evening went to the organising committee Principal Mark McGinnity, Major Gary Simkin, Lt Terry Molan, Mr Tony Neeson, Mr Simon McKinley and Miss Olivia Stevens.

Professor Pat Dodson provides much entertainment in his interview with Tony Wright

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Cadet Unit Drum Majors

Pat Dodson, John Curtin, Gary Simkin and Tony Wright.

John Curtin Award winners Tom Hicks 2011, Katrina Davis 2012, Paul Rhook 2000 and Noah Bastock 2007, with John Curtin.

Invited guests enjoy the dinner

SGT Andrew Smith (RSM 1994) donates a new pace stick to OC Maj. Gary Simkin

Former Monivae Cadet Adjutants

Lt. Col. Nick Floyd, Ngaio Buck and Travis Faure Current Principal Mr Mark McGinnity with former Principals Fr Malcolm Fyfe msc (1969-1977), Fr John Mulrooney msc (1991-1995), Fr Denis Uhr msc (1978-1984) and Mr Peter Gurry (1996-1999)

6. Monivae College

Golden Jubilee ParadeFrom the OC

From the Reviewing Officer

Major Gary Simkin

The Golden Jubilee Cadet Parade was a culmination of a year’s training and a celebration of the achievements of 50 years of cadets at Monivae. The Monivae College Army Cadet Unit has a proud tradition and has had significant personal and unit achievements over the years. It was fitting that the cadets were presented with the Monivae Cadet badge to wear on their hat for parade. It has a tradition that dates back to the mid 60s and any past cadet who possesses one retain it as a treasured item. It was significant that Lt Col Nick Floyd was the reviewing officer. Nick is the highest ranked past student serving in the armed forces. Nick’s speech made many

references to the importance of leadership and the qualities of a leader. We also had many other visitors who were serving or had recently served in the military. These included Travis Faure, Ken Semmens, Andrew Smith and Tony Harman. We are grateful to Andrew Smith for donating a new pace stick for the parade.

Also present were past OCs Fr Paul Castley and Gordon Harman. They were joined by many past Principals, Fr Malcolm Fyfe, Fr Denis Uhr, and Peter Gurry, Adjutants, RSMs, Drum Majors, Cadet Officers, Officers of Cadets, past cadets and support staff. A good turn out to celebrate this important occasion.

It was a great pleasure to have Pat and Mick Dodson present during the parade. Pat was Adjutant in 1967 and Mick was in 1969. The new Adjutant for 2013, Sarah Millard and the departing adjutant Katrina Davis were presented to Pat and Mick.

For many years we didn’t have trophies for the two most significant awards, the OC’s award for the “Most Outstanding Cadet” and the “Cadet Management Award” now known as the Lt Col Terry Walsh award. We now have two magnificent trophies to present to the appropriate winners. This year Mrs Margaret Gannon was invited to present “The Gannon” trophy to CDT Matthew Zuijdveld for the “Best Boy Recruit”.

Lt Col Nick Floyd

Lt Col Nick Floyd is a Monivae Old Collegian (‘85) and currently is the highest ranking Old Collegian in our Defence Forces. Lt Col Floyd is well known to Dolphin readers, having written the story on Terry Walsh in the previous Dolphin. Here is an excerpt from Lt Col Floyd’s speech to those who attended the Cadet Unit Golden Jubilee Parade.

To all who have been part of both the College and the Cadet Unit over its first fifty years; you should feel justly proud of your involvement in a Unit that this day has- without question- become an institution: a Unit with few peers and fewer that surpass it in scale, endeavour or accomplishment since 1962. This day is borne out of leadership and service that each of you have demonstrated over those years.

One of the aims of the Australian Army Cadets’ youth development philosophy is to provide leadership opportunities to young people. This is a worthy goal: but it is not gained simply through a smart turnout, and crisp drill and bearing- such is on display here today. These may be the hallmarks of the product of fine leadership, but they are not its substance- not its essence.

So what is leadership, and why is developing leadership in young people so important?

Leadership in a military setting may perhaps be characterised by daring feats of courage; by selflessness and personal example; by traits such as honour and integrity, charisma and discipline. Indeed, you will find these behaviours in leaders not only in the military, but in any walk of life.

• But leadership is about more than just any single individual: it’s about how we relate to ourselves and to others; and it’s also about following as much as leading.

• A leader is nothing without a group, a group that the leader understands and serves, and has empathy with;

• A group is nothing without a binding purpose, an idea that pulls it together for a common goal;

• A purpose is nothing without a context, a reason for existence, or rationale;

• And invariably, a worthy reason for existence will test us as its holder; will challenge us and our self-belief: and in the face of this challenge, each of us has need of a place of solace; a source of strength and refuge.

And so, as we think about what defines leadership, we can do worse than consider the notions of empathy, of purpose and of solace. Leaders are defined as much by those who follow and regard them, as by their own character. Each of us are followers at some time and for some purpose, no matter who we are; a daughter following her mother’s example, a footy supporter following their AFL legend- but who we follow, and why, in many ways defines us, who we are.

However, just as we are all followers, at other times and in other situations we are all leaders: as older siblings; as parents; as sports coaches; as members of a local community. Each time we make an independent choice to act, and others witness what we decide to do, and this in turn influences their behaviours, we are also leaders.

Equally, as a leader of others, we are judges- and should be judges: regrettably, effective leadership is not limited to those with a true heart and good intentions. An effective leader can lead others astray, as easily as leading them to greatness. So, leadership and being a leader is not just reserved for

a select few: it is part of everyone’s life and interaction with the world, and learning to be a better leader is a skill we can all develop.

A few weeks ago, I was speaking with an old schoolmate, and we were discussing our times in Cadets at Monivae; and we noticed that over those years, formal opportunities to be a leader were not extended to all; and indeed, there may have been some who were given formal leadership opportunities when others could have done equally well- or perhaps even better. But we agreed that this of course is something that occurs in all settings as we make our way through life. What is important here is that being a leader- and leadership itself- is not constrained by formal positions of authority, or badges of rank. And our time in Cadets gave us many more opportunities to lead than just those to which we were formally appointed.

As young men and women now fast becoming adults, your choices and decisions in life will continue to grow in number and in complexity. And in each case, you can decide to lead- in ways that may be great or small; famous or barely noticed beyond those whom you touch. But if you are clear-sighted in your purpose; if you understand and appreciate your fellow travellers, and serve them rather than thinking they serve you; and if you have your source of strength to hold true to leading your followers in the right direction, you’ll be successful. Regardless of any other personal traits, a leader needs all these to truly be effective.

And when your turn comes to move on and start your next chapter of life, I hope- and am confident- that you’ll be able to look back on your time at Monivae College and your experiences as part of the Monivae College Cadet Unit, and draw gainfully on the opportunities for leadership it offered you.

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Acting CUO Sarah Millard leads Flag Party

CUO Katrina Davis receives the OC Award.

Lt. Col. Floyd inspects the Unit Principal Mr Mark McGinnity, Lt. Col. Nick Flloyd, 2013 Adjutant SGT Sarah Millard, 2012 Adjutant CUO Katrina Davus, 1969 Adjutant Michael Dodson, 1967 Adjutant Patrick Dodson, OC Maj (AAC) Gary Simkin

CDT Ellalise Harrison with CUO Nathan Lewis; Cadets begin March Past.

8. Monivae College

Our Cadets, Our History“It is of course obvious that Monivae boys come chiefly from farms and rural communities. The need of further development in responsibility, leadership, deportment and discipline has underlined the usefulness of some form of military training in the College.” – 1963 Monivae College Annual

In 1963, Fr Tony Prentice saw a need to establish some sort of organisation and discipline in the students. “From my experience here and elsewhere teaching in schools in the country, I thought country students needed organisation, discipline, self-control, lessons of team work, acceptance of responsibilities and duties, even though they be arduous and unpopular.

It was for this purpose I started the cadets here. There was never any intention of introducing any militaristic aspirations or unnecessary regimentation.” Convinced of the value of what he was doing, Fr Prentice ignored adverse comment and began the process of the establishment of the Monivae Cadet Unit.

The department of the Army was approached with a view to forming the Cadet Unit. Approval was finally given by Army Headquarters, Canberra on 30th April, after the Army authorities had made a thorough inspection of the College to ascertain potential Officer personnel, training store facilities and general background.

Major Simmonds of 23 Cadet Battalion Burnley arrived towards the middle of June and it was decided to begin that year with a small group who would be able to attend Junior Leaders’ courses the following January – the unit would then be able to go up to its full establishment of 121. The original suggestion that the small nucleus should attend camp in September attached to a Melbourne school was set aside in favour of the plan to raise 40 cadets immediately and proceed to camp as an independent unit.

Volunteers from senior classes who would be returning in 1964 were called for and over 120 applied. The first parade was held on Wednesday, 19th June when Fr Prentice outlined the purpose, methods and structure of a Cadet Unit. The first drill on the oval was watched with much amusement by the “civvies”. Towards the end of July uniforms were issued and the “guns” (as they were called for so long!) arrived. Rifles were the only contents of the Q store back in those early days.

On August 29th, two buses pulled out with 40 cadets on their way to their first camp at Puckapunyal. Fr. Prentice was in command of the unit, with Cadet Under Officer John Amor of Chevalier College Bowral agreeing to help with the training and instruction during the camp period at Puckapunyal

Now established, and with training under their belt, the rain held off long enough that on Sunday, 3 November 1963 the unit held its first Ceremonial Parade on the College oval. The Reviewing Officer was Major B. Colbert from the C.M.F. Unit in Ballarat. He was accompanied by Major L. Gallagher the Senior Catholic Chaplain of 3 RAR. In spite of the short time – merely four months – since the formation of the unit, the Parade under the command of Corporal Michael Byrne was a very creditable one. The large crowd present and the warm words of congratulation on their achievement by Major Colbert did much to encourage the boys for the future. Setting a standard that would remain over the coming years.

The student leaders of the unit in these formative years were Michael Byrne, John Curtin, David Kelly, Pat Dodson, and Frank Borbiro.

Michael Byrne recently remarked in a letter to the College “that by time I reached Form 5, a degree of non-conformity became evident and the relatively new Principal, Fr Prentice seized on it and suggested that Rusell Robinson and I become the first officers of the new Cadet Unit.”

It was also noted that “whilst the Cadet Unit interfered with Cricket at Monivae, it was never allowed to interfere with football.”

Each year there was a minor parade mid-year, and the major ceremonial parade inspected by a senior officer at year’s end. New ceremonial flags were presented to the unit in 1965 by the Sullivan family and are still used today. The Governor of Victoria Sir Rohan Delacombe reviewed the parade in 1966. He was enthusiastic about the standard of turn-out, drill and marching, and most impressed by the new unit badge. He said in his address, “I do congratulate you. Now these are not hollow words: I know perhaps it is customary to be complimentary, but I know what a standard is. It is not easy, on one parade a week, with an age variation of thirteen to eighteen, to produce the standard of turn-out, drill and

marching – particularly marching on grass, which we know is not easy – that you have just done. And I would like to congratulate the band and the corps of drums. Your turn-out, marching and drumming is impressive. Well done!”

1965 saw the band fully developed to a maximum of 27 bandsmen under the competent and reliable Drum Major, Peter Lane. The Cadet Band became an integral part of the Unit and was making a name for itself. In 1968 it went to the Victorian Cadet Brigade Band Competition and came back with the trophy for the best band and for the best Drum Major, CUO Paul Walker.

In 1969 Captain Paul Castley was the Commanding Officer, followed by Major Anthony Bolt for two years and Major Frank Fulton, before Major Terry Walsh oversaw his first Parade as Commanding Officer in 1973.

In 1971 the first event of the year that concerned cadets was a meeting of the staff members concerned with cadets, including the Rector. It was pointed out that Monivae had to accept or reject cadets as a part of the education, this lead to the decision that all senior boys, those from Form III onwards would be in cadets.

A Government directive in 1973 meant that no school could force a student to be a member of a Cadet Unit. All cadets were given the opportunity to leave, and a mass exodus was feared, yet only four cadets chose to avail themselves of this opportunity, highlighting the popularity of the unit amongst the students. The political turmoil surrounding cadets continued through the mid 1970s and wasn’t resolved until 1977 when full funding and support was restored to Cadet Units.

In 1979 the Cadet Unit and the whole of the Monivae Community was shocked when Brendan Gannon died as the result of a fall when a rock ledge he was standing on gave way. The cadets were on bivouac in the Grampians. The funeral mass was held in the courtyard and this tragedy is the darkest day in the history of the Cadet Unit. Brendan is remembered through the Gannon Trophy which was originally for the ‘Best Day Boy’ but currently recognises the ‘Best Boy Recruit.’

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10. Monivae College

Whilst long the domain of the boys at Monivae, the girls had been involved in Cadets since 1980. Whilst significant in its own right, the biggest shift came in 1981 when female cadets led three platoons. Cadets Ryan and Healy joined CUO Gustus, as the first females to lead platoons. There was also no mistaking the first three female Lieutenants with their ‘distinctive’ uniforms. Lieutenants Samuel, Tuckwell and Weber standing out in their attire.

At the 1982 Ceremonial Parade the Reviewing Officer for the occasion was Lieutenant Colonel N.L. Horn, R.A. Sigs. It was announced then that the O.C for the past ten years, Major Terry Walsh, had decided to step down as O.C of the Unit and that Lieutenant Gordon Harman would succeed him. Major Walsh is heralded as a very significant figure in the history of the Monivae cadets, pushing, urging, encouraging, threatening and yelling to get the outcomes he desired and thought that each individual could attain. He would return in 1988 for his second stint as O.C of the Monivae Cadet Unit.

1984 saw the Government again withdraw support for Cadet Units, with the annual five-day camp being held, at Monivae. Each platoon spending one night in the Grampians during the week. Despite this the unit was strong with 270 boys and 120 girls being involved.

The strong will of the female cadets continued to break down the barriers within the unit when in 1986, ten girls prepared to go on their first solo camp. On a solo camp, a cadet is dropped in the bush with basic equipment and is expected to survive, alone, overnight. Until this year, solo camps have been for boys only. So ten of them – Dymitha Hatfield, Stephanie Hann, Nicole Thomas, Kate Lourey, Kate Aley, Margaret Crowe, Jackie O’Brien, Susanne Coulson, Jenny Dillon and Paula Hockey organised themselves for the bush and their ordeal. As usual, it rained, but no other problem arose and next morning they all made their separate ways safely into base camp, triumphant that they had scored another “first” for the girls.

This was quickly followed by the first girls’ Annual Camp. Despite three of the girls being missing for eight hours after failing to return from an activity, the camp was

declared a success and set the tone for future years.

1987 saw the the Cadet Unit celebrate 25 years, with Fr Prentice, the original O.C, being asked to speak at the Parade, the success and rich history of the unit saw its numbers peak in 1988 at 460 students, 180 of whom were girls, making it the largest Cadet Unit in Victoria. In 1988 Lieutenant Colonel resumed O.C. duties taking over from Captain Gordon Harman who was O.C. from 1983-1987.

1989 must have contained a special group of Cadets, as Lieutenant Colonel Walsh stated that “the personal calibre of the Cadet Under Officers this year was outstanding, epitomized by the integrity and dependability of the adjutant, CUO Paul Welfare, and the RSM, WO1 Michael Donovan. This group of boys and girls was, perhaps, the best I have seen in the unit.” High praise from a man who certainly only gave credit where it was due.

Drum Major Sgt. Louise Chamberlin became the first female Drum Major of the Cadet Unit in 1991 and CUO Larissa Alexander was appointed Assistant Adjutant in the same year.

1995 saw Lieutenant Colonel Walsh at his final Parade as he retired from the unit. In recognising his service to the unit, Principal Fr John Mulrooney stated that “he has made the most extraordinary commitment to cadets through several decades. In this time he has really made his mark and has offered so many opportunities for our young men and women. As you know he is a strong personality and he has high expectations of young people. He knows what they are capable of and what they are able to achieve and hence he has influenced the lives of many young people for good.”

1996 saw Lieutenant Gary Simkin take on the Cadet Unit as O.C., becoming just the seventh O.C. in the history of the unit. In his first report as O.C. in the Annual, Lieutenant Simkin stated, “the longer I am responsible for the Monivae Cadet Unit, the more I am convinced of the importance of the program to the development and experience of young adolescents at the College.”

The late 1990s saw the cadets being a stable Unit, with Mr Ted Kenna, Victoria

Cross recipient, being the Reviewing Officer in 1998. In 1999 the Unit became fully supported, which meant new uniforms for all cadets, with the new uniforms forming the basis of what the current cadets wear.

In 2002 the Monivae Cadet Unit had been established for forty years, and annual activities like Cadet Camp, Bivouac and representing the College at local and Melbourne ANZAC Day events continued to be yearly highlights. Cadet Parade at the end of each year, even after forty years, remains the largest and most important of events

The passing of Leon Storer in 2006, a significant figure in the Cadet Unit history saw the Cadets form a Guard of Honour at his funeral and the Cadet Parade dedicated to his memory. The unit owed Leon a huge debt of gratitude for his dedicated service over many years. He was generous with his time, committed to his task, friendly, and interested in what people were doing. He will have had an impact on thousands of Monivae students during his involvement. Leon is remembered each year through the ‘Leon Storer Memorial Trophy’ for ‘Best Girl Shot.’

2006 also saw CUO Mieka Van Rijn installed as the first female Adjutant to lead the unit by herself, followed in 2010 by CUO Tamzin Perkins.

The death of Terry Walsh in 2011, saw another significant figure in the history of the unit pass away. His funeral highlighted his impact at Monivae with many former students, most of them cadets, returning for his funeral mass.

Lieutenant Colonel Nick Floyd was the Reviewing Officer for the 2012 ‘Golden Jubilee’ Parade. Lieutenant Colonel Floyd finished his time at Monivae in 1985 as C.S.M.

The history of the Monivae Cadet Unit is rich and varied, and as Fr Prentice envisaged 50 years ago, it has provided leadership and opportunity to the students of Monivae.

Our Cadets, Our History cont.

11.the dolphin

12. Monivae College

1954-1962 ReunionThere was trembling at the College For the word had passed around that the colts from ’54 were coming back to town. (with sincere apologies to the Banjo).

The weekend of October 26th and 27th saw the celebration of the 50th Anniversary 2012 of the establishment of Cadets at Monivae, but on the evening of Saturday October 26th a more venerable and august event occurred with a reunion of students who commenced at Monivae from 1954 to 1962.

The following greybeards from 1954 attended, Jim Bullock, Leo Pye, Bryan Roberts, John May, Bruce Keene, Bob Healey, Arthur Annett and Rod Osborne. We were all greatly cheered by the presence of Bill Dalton. Bill was one of the three original Lay Brothers who did so much for us in the early years. Bill will be embarrassed to read this but the school would not have succeeded without the Brothers; even now Bill humbly says “It was all for the boys, they were important, we weren’t”. The warmth of the greetings showed our gratitude.

Some of us had not seen each other since 1955 when Old Monivae closed. Who would have thought we would meet 57 years later

speaking of grandchildren (Rod Osborne is the leader with 20 but, sadly, his wife died recently).

Bill Dalton is the sole survivor of the Brothers and Frs. Mooney, McMahon and O’ Carrigan who served us in 1954.

The gathering was not only for the 1954 students but the pioneers from 1956 to 1962 were there in numbers, even identifying that a Tennis Team photo carries the wrong date. The members of the early u/18 teams which competed in the Hamilton and District competition marked higher, kicked further and straighter as the night went on.

There were a total of 42 old boys, wives and partners from across the whole eight years. Michael Kennedy had not been back to Monivae since 1958. Jim Madden trained a winner at the Warrnambool Carnival this year. Jim Mahony is a civic leader at Beaufort. “Pinky” Franc is still the same effervescent person. (Fr. Mooney called him “the off red boy”).

There was some sadness and sense of inevitability. Eight of the 1954 students are known to have died and some have not been heard of for years. As Bill Dalton said “This will never happen again”.

The feelings of sadness were momentary- we all look in wonder at the success of

Monivae and the facilities available for today’s students. The Principal, Mark McGinnity, delivered a short address, the response was “Gee, he’s impressive, where did he come from?” If you can believe it, we listened to Mark in total silence.

There were no tears but there was a sense of wonder and amazement at what we started with 34 students, three Priests and three Brothers in 1954.

What do we share that brings us back together. It is much more than nostalgia and the meanderings of old men across the memories from down the years. There was no talk of who owned what, what position they held, what degrees they had obtained or what honours they had received. No, but there was an openness and acceptance of each other, recognition of each other as valuable human beings. There was no philosophising, but there is no doubt we were reliving the values and ethos which had been planted in us by the MSC Priests and Brothers.

Bryan Roberts – Class of 1960

Front L to R: Bruce Keen, Gerard O’Brien, Bill Dalton, Arthur Annett, Max Mallett, Peter Finn.Middle L to R: Adrian Franc, Jim Madden, Sam Pinzone, Jim Mahoney, Ian Young, Max Payne, Bryan RobertsBack L to R: Jim Bullock, John May, Rod Osborne, Brian Sharry, Michael Watt, Bob Healey, Noel Jones, Leo Pye, Michael Kennedy, Michael Farrell, John McIntyre, Tony Kennedy, Dale Park, John Sharry.

13.the dolphin

John McIntyre and Brian Sharry Max Mallett, Adrian Franc and Michael Farrell

Jim Bullock, Rod Osborne and Arthur Annett.

Jim Madden and Michael Farrell Leo Pye, Arthur Annett and John May

14. Monivae College

Finding OldCollegians

Reunionsfor 2013

Over the years for various reasons we unfortunately lose touch with our Old Collegians. We ask that you look at the Monivae website ‘Old Collegians’ and check to see if you know how we might contact any Old Collegians that are listed in your graduating year.

Class of 2012This year we will be having the first one year reunion for the class of 2012. This reunion will provide the opportunity for these past collegians to re-connect with class mates after only 12 months after leaving Monivae. This reunion will take place on Friday 15 November 2013 the night before the Dunkeld Races.

Class of 2003 10 Year Reunion - Saturday 19 October 2013

Class of 199320 Year Reunion - Saturday 24 August 2013 *Please note change of date

Class of 198330 Year Reunion – Saturday 13 July 2013

Class of 197340 Year Reunion – Date TBC by letter and in May edition of Dolphin

If you have not received an initial letter for your scheduled reunion please contact smckinley@monivae.vic.edu.au

Class of 1982 Tony Roach, Damien Van Der Korput, Robert Kenna, Paul Ryan, Chris Rickard, Ian Testro, David Plush, Tony Fowler, Bronwyn Paulson, Marita Dunn, Gillian Payne, Benny Brownstein, Sally Darling, Jacquie Floyd, Sue Adamson, Karyn Roads, Angela Schurmann, Tony Reader, Tony Height, Donna Beks, Martin Deacon, Cindy McCall, Angela Struthers, Maree Collins, Lorette Monaghan, Mary Kenna

Class of 1972 Bernard Melican, James Preece, Tony Neeson and John Higgins

Class of 1992

Photos from all our reunions can be found at www.monivae.com/alumni or like us at www.facebook.com/monivaecollege

15.the dolphin

Where Are They now?Peter Norton - Class of 83

My first year at Monivae was in 1978 as a Form 1 boarder. Whilst I lived with the other boarders on Ballarat Road I studied in town at the Junior School. 12 years old is young to be away from home, but it gave us the opportunity to develop our independence and with that we quickly learnt how to ‘think on our feet.’

Br Frith was one of my boarding teachers and it was he who welcomed me to the small team of students that would set up and run the projectors for the Saturday night movies inside the dining hall. I enjoyed the tasks associated with having a successful film screening and it was these skills that would help me secure my first real job and lead me into my career.

I left Monivae with a confident and curious mind and I travelled up north in search of opportunity. In Byron Bay I came across a documentary filmmaker who was screening the film ‘Northern Trekabout.’

I was offered a job, as I had learnt at Monivae a unique skill set, I knew how to operate the projectors. For the next two years, I traveled the summer months throughout Victoria and New South Wales showing the film in town halls and RSL clubs.

During the winter I got to join the film crew up in the Northern Territory where I quickly developed a passion to be behind the lens of the camera rather than operating the projector with the finished product.

My next endeavor was to purchase a camera and begin my journey as a cameraman/career. I worked for a photo shop, then a newspaper, then a television production house, then my first job as a TV news cameraman for Btv-6 Ballarat. Interesting enough I was told that I did not cut the mustard and was not offered employment beyond the 3 month probation. I was very upset by this and forced to give in but i would never give up within a few months I secured employment at NQTV Cairns.

While up in Queensland, I met my wife to be - Kathy from Minnesota. Our bond endured the distance and when I went to visit her in Minnesota 23 years ago. I never left.

We married in 1991 and now have two children - Nicole 11 and Jack 9. I’m so lucky to have such a beautiful family that loves me.

My first work in the States was with a documentary company, then local TV News and in 93 I purchased my first TV camera.

Now celebrating 21 years in business our company Rumjungle Media provides HD camera crews and satellite transmission to National TV Networks and Fortune 500 companies.

I have had an amazing life as a Television news cameraman. I cover a lot of disasters with my no worries attitude including tough assignments like Hurricane Katrina, 9/11 in New York and the earthquake in Haiti.

I enjoy covering Politics and each election cycle keeps us busy. I’ve become a member of a small group that covers the President when he travels - its official title is Network Pool Photographer, a long way from the projector on a Saturday at Monivae.

Stanley Chang - Class of 74

I arrived at Monivae from Kuching Malaysia with Ambrose Chan in the summer of 1974. There we met two other fellow Malaysians Phillip Wong and Thomas Kiu. All of us had come to Australia in search of a better education.

Our Matriculation year in Monivae was a cultural and educational experience. The initial period adjusting to life away from home in country Victoria was tough on all of us. I clearly remembered Rector Father Fyfe counseling two of us in his office on home sickness. Nevertheless we all left with good memories. We met new friends like Mark Nelson, Mary-Lyn Ross, Christine Dunstan, David Brownstein and Alex Choy. Our teachers like the ever smiling Father

Chan all taught and prepared us well and we all went on to complete our undergraduate degree at Melbourne University.

Ambrose, Phillip and Thomas all became successful accountants. Ambrose returned home to Malaysia on graduation where he still lives with his family. Phillip and Thomas both made Melbourne their home.

For me, I have been practicing as a General Surgeon in Melbourne where I live with my wife Sue and two daughters.

I would be delighted to hear from any Monivae friends. My email is resscom@hotmail.com

An unexpected guest. Phil Mapleback - Class of 87

Principal Mark McGinnity received a call from the CFA in January asking if we could accommodate members of the CFA to help battle fires in South West Victoria, within several hours trucks from CFA Strike Team 0802, made up of members from the other side of Melbourne began arriving at Monivae.

An unexpected guest arrived with them in the form of Old Collegian Phil Mapleback, who attended Monivae in the 80s via a stop at Xavier College. It has been a long time since Phil had been to Monivae and unfortunately Phil didn’t finish at Moniave at the same time as his fellow classmates. Phil detailed his time at Monivae to his teammates and certainly noted the changes that had taken place since he left.

Not one to miss an opportunity, on the morning of their departure, Principal McGinnity presented Phil with his Old Collegian tie, much to the delight of Phil and the rest of Strike Team 0802.

Monivae thanks the members of Strike Team 0802 for their service to the community of the South West.

Peter Norton films US President Barack Obama.

www.monivae.com