Old Boys News

The Annual Dinner takes place at the College on Friday 24 September, from 6.30pm.

We are also accepting Annual Subscriptions Updates.

Local elections
There are two Old Boys standing for Mayor in their Electorates - Bob SIMCOCK (61) - incumbent Mayor of Hamilton, and Adrain CATRAN (63) - Deputy Mayor of Thames-Coromandel.

Gerry MULLANE (60) Is keen to attend the Annual Dinner (24 September) to celebrate 50 years of his leaving SHC. Any Old Boys from the same year who would also like to attend please contact Gerry (email gerry1942@optusnet.com) or Paddy DAWSON (60) (email pamelad@xtra.co.nz).

Sean POLWART (two tries) and Tino Temani (one try) - both 2009 leavers - contributed to the scoreboard for Auckland Colts win over Northland Colts. Patrick LEAFA (07) scored two tries for Auckland B in its win over Northland B. Great to see Counties making a comeback and leading the ITM NPC - they are very well led by captain Jamie CHIPMAN (05)

Tony MCKENNA (68) will be lifting in the NZ Masters Olympic Weightlifting Competition. He is trying to break the 50-60 years U69kg records. He can lift the weights but struggling to get under 69kg weight limit. A couple of weeks on Boarders tucker and you will make the weight limit Tony!

Jonathan PILKINGTON (94) writes from the USA: I’m in New York pursuing art and commercial photography as a career, and live in Cobble Hill, Brooklyn. My experience here started by freelancing to many other photographers as a digital technician and assistant on major advertising and fashion campaigns. I am now starting my own enterprise as a photographer and have had some success with an international advertising campaign for Sony Ericsson, and many other smaller campaigns for local companies.

Lucas REMMERSWAAL (78) has finally got permission from Warren E Buffett to release his e-book called 'The Tale of Tortoise Buffett and Trader Hare'. Lucas calls this his “labour of love”, regardless, it may return him a nice reward for his labour. The book is designed to teach your children the pros and cons of making money by investment, and draws on the teachings of Buffett.

News from Marist RFC Auckland
Andy EVANS (81) writes: Marist was recently crowned the 2010 Auckland U21 rugby champions. In the past three years it has won two championship titles and was runner-up on the other occasion. Marist dispatched Ponsonby 24-6 at Cox’s Creek in a very hard fought semi-final and then beat Pakuranga, despite a late comeback, by 25-22 in the final at Eden Park. A number of SHC Old Boys played in the team, including Sam SHAW (captain), Josh FISI'IAHI, Sam CHRISTIANSON, Dan STROUD, Chris and Feleti PENITANI and Tino NEMANI. Several promising U19s featured throughout the season, including Tom HAUSSRER and Pat TAHAAFE. The U19 team was unable to repeat last year’s championship title, losing the semi-final to eventual winner, Grammar Carlton. The Marist side also featured plenty of SHC Old Boys and although they were obviously disappointed at the end result, they can be very proud of their season.

Marist has proven to be a real force in the U21 and U19 grades and SHC should take a lot of pride in that. Credit must go to their school coaches who prepare the boys so well to further their rugby careers after college.

The Old Boys may also be interested to know that Dave Dillion - the 1st XV coach - and Milton Ross, Head of Rugby, also pull on their boots for Marist after the school season has finished, playing for the Marist OT (Old Timers).

(Editor's note: a little bird told me that the crafty Andy Evans also pulls on his boots every Saturday and plays for one of the Marist teams.)

Former SHC cyclist Ethan MITCHELL (08) has been selected for the New Zealand cycling team to compete at the Commonwealth Games in Dehli in October. Ethan left New Zealand in June as a member of the training squad for the games. The buildup included training and competition in the United States and Europe.

Henare WELLS (08) has been chosen to represent Australia in the schools rugby league team to tour England, Wales and France in November. A squad of 24 was chosen from the national tournament in which Henare's Queensland team was beaten in the final. More information can be found on our footy.com website.

Henare is contracted with the Roosters NRL club and will play in the Toyota Cup in 2011.

Henare was also named player of the tournament at the Australia schools national rugby sevens tournament in which his school side, Keebra Park, won the national title.

Fr Pat WARD (50) (current SHCOBA Committee member) recently celebrated 50 years in the priesthood. Congratulations Fr Pat on a fine achievement.

Paul MICALLEF (52) writes: Our family of four arrived in New Zealand from Malta in 1951. By the end of the second world war, Malta was devastated after four years of daily air-raids. Indeed, it is still recovering from the collateral damage of those war years. Our four-week voyage to New Zealand ended with the worst Tasman crossing ever recalled - our ship, the
MV Wanganella, split its keel navigating the storm. Auckland also had its surprises. On the second day of our arrival, a typical 'six o'clock closing' spectacle in downtown Auckland sent us in a panic scattering for shelter. By next morning we were at Scared Heart College (Richmond Rd ) pleading for "a room at the inn". Our ultimate recourse, Bishop Liston, was very interesting. In his inimitable way, Bishop Liston fully understood our predicament. Without adding a word, he said: "Go back to the College and take this note with you to Br Leonard".

My stay at Sacred Heart College was short, but the comradeship and friendships there were of great support over my years of studies in Milan. Living in Milan was an ever recurring dream. The magnificent La Scala Opera House constantly beckoning with fame and fortune to come; hopeful voices ready to launch their talent at the world, (Pavarotti was one), all eager to claim their space in their world of opera, myself included.

I was assessed as a Puccini prospect. My first appearance was in La Boheme at Siena. I survived the ordeal with very satisfactory results and urged to build on my Puccini repertoire. By then I was married and little Paulus Micallef made his own grand entrance, to be followed by two cute little sisters.

As destiny always has its ways, priorities were changing, we were all wishing too hard to see New Zealand again. My parents had seriously declined. The family decision was to visit New Zealand for a while and revive my father's real estate business. It was the correct and proper family decision to make. 

 
My oldest grand daughter of 15, Polly has begun her operatic studies in Sydney. She will be a source of pride to us all.
Our family has extended to four grandchildren - we hope two will pursue their studies through Sacred Heart College. We look forward to their progress with much anticipation.

Denham SHALE (54) is thrilled that his grandson, Harrison Brook, will be attending SHC, commencing Year 7 in 2011. Denham left SHC (Richmond Rd) in 1954 to attend the Marist Brothers Juniorate at Tuakau. He remembers doing surveying work at the Glendowie site and working with Brs Leonard and Theophane. These days Denham has a small legal practice but is mainly a professional director, being vice president of the Institute of Directors and chairman of the Famers Trading Company. He is also a director of Oceana Gold Corp, South Canterbury Finance, Turners Auctions and several private companies. 

Both Denham and Paul Micallef say they are looking forward to this year's Annual Dinner at the College.

Paul MACLEOD (46) is living in quiet retirement with his wife in Belmont, a suburb of Geelong IN Victoria, Australia, but is always pleased to hear from other Old Boys of his vintage. Paul visited the old Richmond Road site (with Tony Waters as his guide) a few years ago, but everything had gone except the old infirmary where he spent some time with chicken pox. Even the Gully was no more. Paul spent his working life as a journalist in Australia, with occasional visits to New Zealand and Italy.

Neil 'Sandy' BARR (63), head of Perrendale Group, is seeking Council approval for a huge business development complex at Warkworth.

Ron RAAYMAKERS (09) has been included in the ITM Cup Counties rugby squad. He was also tipped in the Sunday Herald as “one to watch”.

Sean POLWART (09) and Kurtis HAIU  (02) are in the Auckland ITM Cup squad.

Three more ITM Cup players, James KING (05) and Ben AFEAKI (05) are playing for North Harbour and James BROADHURST (02) has moved north to join Taranaki. James is recovering from a shoulder reconstruction and had a run on the weekend for Harbour B. He came through that test ok and is hoping to get a start with the As.

Tom CHAMBERLAIN (04) ex North Harbour and Blues Super 14 this year, is moving to join Kevin O'NEILL (99) in the Melbourne Rebels Super 15 team.

Tony WATERS (45) SHCOBA Historian, is still supplying Confortare with Old Boys info. Tony has not been well for a few years, but still manages to work behind the scenes for his beloved Alma Mater. Thanks Tony from all of us - your work is most appreciated.

Fiji Reunion

Bula vinaka from Bede Brittenden. Bede will be in Fiji 21 Sept-7 Oct and wants to know if there is any interest in having a reunion while he is up there. Please contact Bede, brittenden@xtra.co.nz if you are interested.

Cafe des Amis was an appropriate venue for old friends to gather for the first official Old Boys Reunion in London. Held on 25 June, the event drew Old Boys from throughout Europe, including special guest Sean FITZPATRICK (81). Principal Mr Jim Dale, Paul Greaney, chairman of the Development Foundation, and Br Richard DUNLEAVY (49) travelled from New Zealand for the event. A full report will be in the July issue of Confortare. Click here for photos >>

The Swamp Foxes love their Old Boys gatherings and once again a good muster turned up at a local cafe. Willie Lynch was again active in rounding up the troops. Those who attended were David Keane (07), Brian Keane (79), Tom Keane (parent), Tom Handley (52), Dick McCoid (52), Des Jordan (46), John Jordan (61), Brian McPhail (58), Paddy Dawson (60 -Te Kauwhata), Lawrence Smith (51), Maurice Smith (47), Kerry Morley (63 - Auckland), John Shallue (65), Tuk Sheehan (67), Peter Cornelissen (71), Willie Lynch (61), Mike Dale (62 - Auckland), Liam Casey (00), Peter Casey (98), Michael Casey (05), Br Marcel (55).

 

Woody McPhail proposed the toast to Alma Mater and the highlight of the evening was Willie Lynch being made an Honorary Life Member of the SHCOBA for his devotion to the OBA for many years organising the Valley and Plains reunions. Well done Willie.

Max Downey (63) is recovering from a knee op. Max reckons former Headmaster Graeme Henry will be calling him up for the 2011 RWC. Yeah right! When back on deck, Max is a wool buyer and local funny man in Taumaranui.

 

Mike Spring (57) joined the RNZAF and after training was posted to Fiji. He left the RNZAF as a Group Captain in July 1990 and then served 17 years in senior appointments with the Government Communications Security Bureau. His final appointment was to Canberra 2003-2007 and is now retired in Tauranga.

 

Kevin O’Neill (All Black) has decided to pack his rugby boots and leave the Chiefs and head to Australia and play for the new Melbourne Super 15 team next season. Kevin’s 2010 season was marred with injury and he only played toward the end of it. We wish him well.

 

Ben Afeaki, also a Chiefs player, has made the NZ Maori team to play Ireland and England in June. Congratulations Ben - a well deserved selection.