Old Boys Association

Whats Happening

Regional Reunion dates and contacts

Notice of Old Boys Reunion  1960 – 65

Friday June 18th, Old Boys Lounge, Sacred Heart College, 10 am for Morning Tea. 
Everyone welcome.  Reminder invitations will be posted to Auckland addresses, all others please accept this as your personal invitation to come along to morning tea with your classmates.  Old photo albums and magazines from archives will be available to look through and tours of the College by senior students arranged.  RSVP to Lyn Luxton Ph 529 3743 or lluxton@sacredheart.school.nz

Love 1st XV rugby?  The 1960-65 reunion is the day before the BIG rugby match contesting the Ian Kirkpatrick-Sean Fitzpatrick Cup, played between Kings College and SHC, at SHC 19th June.  Sky TV will be here televising it live.  Out-of-towners, this could be a good weekend to visit Auckland!  A large crowd is expected at the rugby, so be early to get parking and settled into a good spot for the game.  Kick off at 2.30pm.

1990 Rugby Fans

From Left: David Anderson, Tim Foote, Jason Rutherford, Simon Hayden, Mark Piper, Feleti Sofele, Pat Brittenden, Kevin McMahon

Simon Hayden (1990) reports:

On Saturday May 1st a group of the 1990 leavers caught up at the Kelston v SHC 1st XV game.
Although the game had a disappointing result the reunion of Simon Hayden (1990), Pat Brittenden (1990), Feleti Sofele (1990), Mark Piper (1990), Kevin McMahon (1990) and Phil Larcombe (1990) had a good few laughs. The banter continued the same as it did when we were at school but after 20 years was based on the number of pies consumed and lack of hair amongst the group. After a stroll through the impressive school facilities and a quick beverage in the Old Boys Lounge we headed to a local establishment to conduct post match discussions with Tim Foote (1990), David Anderson (1990), Matthew Kelly (1990) and Jason Rutherford (1990).

It was great to see that although age had changed the ‘shape’ of the group, the general attitude and personalities of the guys had remained.

We’re planning to have a 1990 leavers table at the Annual Dinner on September 24th so extend an open invite to all others to join us. 

Rugby World Cup

Bede Brittenden (58) is looking for a couple of couples to rent his place in Hillsborough Auckland (8kms from Eden Park - there are 9 matches there and others nearby at Hamilton and Whangarei -  and 12 kms from International Airport) for the entire 6 week duration  of the RWC.  If any overseas old boys are interested or know of anyone who could be, please email him at brittenden@xtra.co.nz

ANZAC Memorial Mass

Held on Sunday 25th April in the Old Boys Memorial Chapel at the College, it was standing room only for some of the large number who assembled for the service officiated by Bishop Pat Dunn (1967), Monsignor Bernard Kiely (1978) Fr Jack Ward (1940) and Fr Stephen Berecz.  Also attending were Mrs Kitty O’Brien, whose husband, Dr Desmond O’Brien (1945), was a surgeon killed in Egypt, as well as current student Hamiora Leaf, descendant of Private Arthur Leef (1940) of the Signal Corps, Maori Battalion WW2, who died in Italy. Maurice McGreal (1936) laid the wreath. 

Sacred Brotherhood Premier – A Red Carpet occasion

The Auditorium was packed and buzzing with anticipation – three years in the making and involving long journeys to Belgium, France and England to find the final resting places of some of Sacred Heart’s fallen comrades.  They couldn’t come to us so we went to them, sang the College song, performed the College haka, and prayed for their eternal rest.  It was a moving and very ‘Sacred’ film, and it was obvious the pilgrimage was felt deeply by those students who were involved, and that it was something they would never forget.  Mrs Margaret Graham, Director of Years 7 & 8, was the driving force for this project, along with Kelsen Butler, whose  company, Sports Inc, supplied a lot of the resources needed to begin the process, in combination with the know-how and unstinting support of current parents Carmel and Ross Jennings.  The film was shown on Maori TV on ANZAC morning and was a resounding success for all concerned.

Library Display Case The SHCOBA purchased a display case for the Library from donations received from Old Boys  and a plaque is being attached naming it in recognition and honour of Br Stephen, one of SHC's most respected Teachers. The display contains works of prominent Old Boy authors including Dan Davin (1930) Professor Vincent O'Sullivan (1955) Gregory O'Brien (1978) Michael King (1959) Tony Waters (1946) Nicholas Reid (1969) Professor John Reid (1935) Peter Bush (1947)

Overseas Old Boys

Kevin Bernardo (2007), now living in Australia, achieved A and A+ passes in the Victorian Certificate of Education in 2009 and is now pursuing a degree in Software Engineering at Monash University. 

Nick Guise (1990) was recently appointed Director of Sport at St Benedicts School, London.

Peter Graham Smith (1955), recently visited the College.  Known at school mostly as Smitty, Peter is married to a Canadian and lives in Canada.  While he was here he looked up two classmates, Bruce Beckett (1957), who he was able to contact, and Pat Thompson (1955), who now lives in Australia.

Cameron Clayton, Head Boy (1993) is married with two children and another expected shortly.  He lives in Georgia, USA.  His brother Michael Clayton (1994) resides in Sydney.

James Sowane (1989) is Managing Director of Pacific Destinationz, he writes:  Should any Old Boy need any assistance with their holiday plans or corporate meetings, conferences or incentive programmes in Fiji please feel free to contact me for assistance or advice.  Our company provides professional inbound travel management services in Fiji that include hotel accommodation, transport, tours etc.  james@pdfj.com.fj  

Leo Madigan (1956) writes:  It would be great to join the Sacred heart Old Boys reunion in London in June but I live on mainland Europe - in Portugal, at Our Lady's Shrine of Fatima, and find London just that little bit too far away. Anyway, I am taking the opportunity of the newsletter's encouragement to register my interest and to extend a welcome to any of the Europe-based Old Boys who might visit Fatima.
Leo’s contact is leomadigan@mail.telepac.pt

Justin Desmond (1982) writes from Brisbane:  After leaving SHC I returned to the BOP (Whakatane) and worked for Air New Zealand at the local airport as an aircraft loader and refuelling engineer, and then for Elders Pastoral as a stock and Station agent till 1986.  At that time I decided to try my luck overseas, first stop Queensland, where I worked in a number of resorts and hotels (Sheraton, Hilton, and Marriot).  After a few years of that I decided to return to university and graduated in three years with a Business and Computer Programming degree.  I moved to Brisbane and began my own company in computer programming and IT business support, which was successful and grew to 10 staff and offices across Brisbane.  In 1998 I married and in 1999 had a son (Austin, who is now 10).  I sold the business to a US company.  In 2004, I began work for a legal firm as operation and computer forensic manager - the role mainly dealt with computer fraud and industrial espionage.  I bought a 5 acre farm just out of Brisbane, farming Dexter cattle as well as the usual ducks and chickens. 

In 2006 I was divorced, sold the farm, left the legal firm and moved to my current address where I began working for the Department of Justice and Attorney-General as Manager of Operations and Integration (which deals mainly with Queensland agencies of Justice, Corrections, Police, Child Safety and Communities).  My son lives part time with his mum and part time with me, and goes to St Patricks Catholic Boys School in Brisbane.  In my spare time we enjoy camping and four-wheel driving on the beach and mountains, on my Yamaha 750 in great Queensland weather.

I return to NZ at least every year to see my parents in Tauranga and have wanted to attend an Old Boys function for ages - I will plan for that next trip. 

Justin has indicated that he would be interested in co-ordinating a Brisbane reunion.  Contact him if you would like to join in Justin.desmond@justice.qld.gov.au

In Brief

Paul Farrugia (1992) and Lucy de Villiers were married at the St Mary's Old Chapel on 28 November 2009.

Roger Gill (1961) advises he has taken up an assignment from the Ministry of Justice and has handed over all management of the High Court Wellington, except for probate work. 

Christopher Pongi (2009) has been accepted and enrolled to do the Certificate of Health Science at Auckland University.  He has also been awarded the South Auckland Health Foundation Scholarship.

Scott Thorburn (2009) is studying a conjoint Bachelor of Law and Commerce Administration Degree at Victoria University.

Gerard Curtice (1984) boarder, owns Silver-Ferns Landscapes and is part owner of Chapel Bar in Ponsonby – (the other owner is a past pupil of St Peters College hence the name!) and part owner of Sale St Bar. Check this out http://www.chapel.co.nz/default.aspx?page=dynamic&name=about%20us

Simon Fisher (1993) is Principal Sales Manager of Marsh Ltd.

Mike Simmons (Slurry) (1981), after 19 years in the Police, Mike is currently Project Manager for a Te Puke based building company.

Brian Bartram (1953) and his wife Robyn have moved from Taupo to live in Wellington.  Brian writes: due to health worries with Rob and the distance to reach Waikato Hospital if necessary, not to mention our family in Wellington with lovely grand children we hardly see at all, we decided it was time to move.

We have found a comfortable town house in Churton Park and moved down mid January 2010.  The other news is that now we have a grandson – Murdoch Charles, born 31 December.  With Ana-Jane turning four next month and Florence going to school in June, we have been enjoying our time with them all.  A sleep over with Nanna and Poppa happens often.  We are becoming quite good at using Trade Me – as we have had to downsize and we find we really did not need all the chattels we had.

Reid Family

The Reid Family gathered together at Sacred Heart for the funeral of their brother and uncle, Gerard Reid (1961).  Gerard and his wife Mary formed their own successful publishing company, Egan-Reid Publishing.  It was bought out by Pindar UK and Gerard remained as Managing Director until his illness.

Missing from the photo is brother Bernard Reid (1979)  who travels the world as a full time entertainer.

Major General Piers Reid (1950) (ret) CBE, D Litt, a former chief of staff of the New Zealand army and military attache to Washington DC, now Senior Lecturer in Defence Studies at Massey University.

Christopher Reid (1953) former  teacher, librarian and administrator in the Health Department in Parliament, now retired.

Godfrey Reid (1967), an engineer in the New Zealand Air Force and later at Air New Zealand.
Miriam Dunningham, Professor Reid’s daughter, worked at SHC for 22 years as the Fees Manager and the Director of International Students.

Dr Nicholas Reid (1969),  career in secondary school teaching, mainly in Catholic Schools,  film and book reviewer and currently a full time writer.  Nicholas wrote the biographies of Bishops Liston and Delargey. 
Miriam’s sons - Matthew Dunningham (1989), an analyst in business banking with ASB Bank, and
Jacob Dunningham (1991, Dux and Outstanding Boy), Physicist and  Associate Professor Leeds University, UK.

Matthew Dunningham wedding:

Matthew Dunningham (1989) married Jane Nixon, a former Baradene student, at St Michael's Remuera on 24 April 2010.  Jane is a projects manager at ASB Bank. 

Articles

Ivan Vodanovich (1940) awarded the Order of Australia Award.
Department of Attorney General legal consultant Dr Ivan Vodanovich (1940) has been recognised in the 2010 Australia Day Honours list for service to law through the reform of the criminal justice system in Western Australia, particularly in probation and parole.  In addition he also is honoured for his contribution to law spanning several decades, including involvement in the former Crown Law Department, Ministry of Justice and Corrections Departments and the present Department of the Attorney General.

After six years education by the Marist Brothers at Sacred Heart College Richmond Road, Dr Vodanovich served in the armed forces in WW 2 including overseas service.  Following his discharge he was involved in university studies at Auckland, Canterbury and Victoria University Colleges where he also attained three University Blues in rowing.

Dr Vodanovich was admitted to the bar as a Barrister and Solicitor in both New Zealand and Western Australia.  He has a post graduate qualification in social work.  He completed the New Zealand Staff College course and was awarded a United Nations Fellowship to study the treatment of convicted offenders and their families in North America, Europe and the United Kingdom.

Because of the successful offender treatment facilities that he introduced in New Zealand, Dr Vodanovich was approached by Western Australia’s then Under Secretary of Law in 1974 to introduce a new range of offender treatment programmes.

By 1989 having introduced and attained a new State wide response to the treatment of offenders in Western Australia, Dr Vodanovich’s services were sought to provide advice on selected projects in the State Solicitor’s Office, particularly because of his previous comprehensive research into child abuse for an LLM and research in criminal jury trials in Western Australia for a PHd. 

Stephen Healy (1973) elected President of Tennis Australia. Classmate Andrew Klaassen (1976) recalls:  “Stephen and his brother Vincent (1973) moved to Australia with their parents on work transfers.  Both were very good tennis players and I understand in the late 70s Stephen reached a world ranking in the 600s.  Stephen was in my class from Form 1. He’s a great guy and we keep in contact by email, but he is now firmly ensconced in Australia.”

Stephen Healy(1973) is a partner of Gadens Lawyers.  He heads their national property, construction and planning group responsible for core operations, profitability, staff management and client service and development.  His clients include:  AMP, Stockland, GPT, Australand, Harvey Norman and Brookfield Multiplex.

He has been a director of the board of Tennis NSW since 2002, holding the role of Vice President from 2005-2007, and President since 2007. 

As President of Tennis NSW, Healy has instigated and led a number of strategic changes.  He commissioned an independent review of the governance and structure of the organisation; appointed a new CEO; negotiated a tournament agreement for the Medibank International with Tennis Australia; led the development of a strategic plan; and eliminated 17 sub-committees and formed two new organising committees responsible for grassroots participation.

In 2008 he was elected to the Board of Tennis Australia.  During his time on the board, Healy has led discussion and debate on the role and responsibilities of Tennis Australia and those of Member Associations.  He has been instrumental in securing greater distributions from Tennis Australia reserves to Member Associations for the funding of community tennis.

Healy held an ATP singles and doubles ranking (1984).  He has a Bachelor of Economics and Laws from Sydney University.

This in turn led to him becoming a sole practitioner legal consultant. After 20 years, this spry and active 86 year old still finds this work exceedingly interesting and satisfying.

Plaque Blessing  – Sacred Heart College Buildings named and dedicated

For a number of years the buildings and classrooms around our school have been given the name of an Old Boy or significant person in Sacred Heart College’s 107 year history.  On Thursday 22nd April, a Mass was celebrated in remembrance of all they did for the school and afterwards, the plaques which bear their names were blessed in a simple and moving ceremony.  Year 11 – 13 students  along with Provincial, Br Carl Tapp, representing the Marist Brothers and members of the families of those significant Old Boys whose names hold a special place in our school attended a mass celebrated by  Fr John Allardyce (1956),and Br Richard Dunleavy (1946) gave an overview of the men named on the building plaques.

Br Richard Dunleavy (1956)

Delargey Hall Honours the memory of Cardinal Reginald Delargey who boarded at SHC from 1929-1931.  He was ordained in Rome in 1938, served as the dynamic Director of the Catholic Youth Movement in Auckland until he was appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Auckland in 1958.  Appointed Bishop of Auckland in 1970, he was then transferred to Wellington in 1974 to become Archbishop and Metropolitan of New Zealand.  He was made a Cardinal by Pope Paul VI in 1976.  He is revered in this country for his contribution to the New Zealand and universal Church.  Throughout his life he remained a grateful Old Boy and friend of the Brothers and students at Sacred Heart College.

Plaque Blessing Ceremony

Pompallier Block

Home of the Intermediate School (Years 7 & 8); built in 2003 and extended in 2009, it is named after, and recognises  Jean-Baptiste Francois Pompallier for his involvement in establishing the Catholic Faith in New Zealand. 

In 1836 the then Pope appointed a young French priest, Jean Baptiste Francois Pompallier, to be head of the Catholic mission to Western Oceania. He was only 34 years old and was placed in charge of a vast area. The story of his travel from France, his stopping off on various places on the way (in Tahiti, Tonga, Wallis and Futuna, Rotuma) makes fascinating reading.

He arrived early January 1838 in Aotearoa New Zealand and worked for thirty years to bring the Catholic faith to the people of this land. He was quick to learn both English and Maori, and founded missions in 16 different places throughout the length of our country.

He had a close relationship with many Maori leaders. Few New Zealanders, including Catholics, know about the contribution made by Bishop Pompallier at the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi. There he insisted that a clause be added which would guarantee the right of religious freedom for all.

After thirty years of hard work - old, sick and tired - he returned to France and was buried near Paris.
Because of their enduring affection and respect for Bishop Pompallier, Catholic Maori requested that his remains return to New Zealand. His remains arrived in January in Auckland, and are being taken, ‘hikoi’ style,  the length of the country from Dunedin back to the Hokianga. They were interred on 20 April 2002 in the Far North, near the site of his first mission station.

Maurice Auditorium

Honours the strong Marist leadership and teaching influence of Brother Maurice Russell, who in 1955-60 was the founding Director of Sacred Heart College on the new Glen Innes site.  Brother Maurice began teaching at SHC in Ponsonby in 1938, and became a key teacher and coach, winning both the 1st XV and 1st XI Auckland Secondary Schools Championshipe in 1945.  He held a number of challenging positions, including the task of establishing the campus at Sacred Heart and in the same role for the new St Peters College.  He then volunteered to teach at the Marist St Josephs College in Capetown, South Africa, during the difficult years just before the end of apartheid.  On his return to New Zealand in 1981 he returned to his beloved Sacred Heart College, giving himself wholeheartedly to working with the Old Boys Association and the care of the chapel, from where he was laid to rest in 2002 in his 92nd year.

The Kalaugher Wing

Wilfred Kalaugher, old boy from 1916-1921 was the first Sacred Heart student to be awarded the prestigious Rhodes Scholarship to Oxford University for his all-round academic, sporting and leadership qualities.  He was Dux in both 1920 and 1921, and at the age of only 15 he won first place in New Zealand in the National Public Service examinations.  He was equally outstanding at sport, being College Athletics champion and a key member of both 1st XV and 1st XI.  At University of Auckland he graduated MA Hons, played senior University rugby and cricket and won NZ athletics titles in hurdles and high jump.  He graduated from Oxford with a BSc, gained an Oxford blue in athletics, and achieved international distinction by being selected to represent NZ as a champion hurdler at the Amsterdam Oylmpics in 1928.   In 1931 he accepted a teaching position at Marlborough College in England where he was a highly appreciated Master until his retirement in 1969.  Wilfred Kalaugher retained a strong attachment to Sacred Heart College and his homeland New Zealand.  

Fergus Wing

Br Fergus Gilbert MSc  was one of the great science scholars and teachers of Sacred Hearts history.  He entered the Marist Brotherhood in 1893.  Between 1905 and 1927 he taught science and maths, as well as being a renowned debating and sports coach.  He was the first SHC coach to win the Auckland Secondary Schools 1st XV championship in 1906, and was also a member of the Auckland Rugby Referees Association.  While fully engaged in his duties at the College he gained his MSc from Auckland University.  Some of his original research is still consulted today.  He was the founder of the college magazine, the Catholic Students Newman Society at Auckland University.  He was asked to assist the Marist Brothers in Capetown, where he became Principal of Marist colleges in Uitenhague and Capetown from 1933-1941. On his return to New Zealand he retired to Sacred Heart where he remained until his death.

The Reid Wing

John Cowie Reid attended the college from 1929-1931.  He became a widely admired Auckland University Professor of English, and prolific author and arts critic.  He and his wife Joyce had seven children including six sons who were also students at Sacred Heart College and his daughter was a member of staff for 22 years.  At the heart of Professor Reids personal and professional life was his strong Catholic faith, and he frequently shared his religious and literary expertise as a spokesman for the Church on the wider academic and religious stage of Auckland and beyond.  John Reid remains for Sacred Heart College a model of academic, family and church commitment and success and of our motto “Confortare esto vir”.

The Borgia Administration Wing

Honours the invaluable contribution to Sacred Heart College by Brother Borgia Coughlan.   Br Borgia joined the Marist Brothers in 1894, and his brilliance and enthusiasm as a superlative scholar, innovative educator and Marist leader were renowned throughout the first 60 years of Sacred Heart College.  He rose to become Principal of Sacred Heart in Richmond Road for 2 periods, 1922-28 and 1938-1945.  His excellent religious and professional qualities saw him appointed to other positions of high responsibility in the Marist world, in Australia, Europe, and as Provincial Superior of the Marist Brothers In South Africa, and later of New Zealand and the South Pacific.   He was closely involved in the final planning of the opening of the new Glen Innes campus but died in December 1954, just before it opened in 1955.

George Cole was a foundation student at Sacred Heart (1903-04) who later became one of the most energetic supporters and fundraisers that Sacred Heart had ever known.  Elected President of the Old Boys Association in 1945, he threw himself wholeheartedly into raising funds throughout New Zealand for the transfer and construction of Sacred Heart College at its new site in Glen Innes.  He then led the collection of funds to erect the present chapel as a permanent memorial to Old Boys who had given their lives in various world wars. A plaque in the chapel records his special contribution and his was the first funeral of an Old Boy to be held there.  The naming of the Library after George Cole is a practical tribute to this loyal and generous Old Boy.

Development Foundation Trust

The Development Foundation has been ringing in the changes.  Br Sean Hanaray resigned as a trustee at the end of 2009.  As a founding member of the Trust, and its first chairman Br Sean has given many years of service as the Marist Brothers representative on the Development Foundation.  Peter Coakley also resigned in February 2010, after a 10 year stint on the Development Foundation Board.  Peter’s sons had long since left the College, and as his business life grew more and more hectic with overseas travel Peter decided it was time to move on. 

Two new trustees have been appointed –  Kelsen Butler (1983) and Mark Peterson (1979), both Old Boys and current parents.

The enthusiastic 2010 team for the Development Foundation are:

Paul Greaney - Chairman
John Molloy (1964) Trustee
Chris Klaassen (1979) Trustee
Chris Arbuckle (1974) Trustee
Kelsen Butler (1983) Trustee
Mark Peterson (1979) Trustee
Jim Dale – CEO
Lyn Luxton - Foundation Manager

Support the College

Annual Giving – building an Endowment Fund - download donation form 

Bequest Programme – remember Sacred Heart College in your Will and help secure the future of the College

Marist Scholarship Fund – provides assistance for those who would like to come to the College but are financially unable, or who experience hardship during the course of their education at the College

Contact us:  Phone (09) 529 3743 or shcdf@sacredheart.school.nz

IMPORTANT NOTICE TO ALL PHILANTHROPISTS
New Zealand now has one of the most generous charitable tax rebates in the world.  Individuals can claim a 33 1/3 tax rebate for donations, up to a maximum claim equal to their annual taxable income, when donations are made to a registered charitable organisation.  Sacred Heart College Development Foundation is a registered charity.