October - Edmund Rice

Volume 5 Issue 10 October 2012
PROVINCE 5 th BIRTHDAY
Celebrating our 5 th Birthday (1 October 2007 - 1 October 2012)
October 1 st marked the 5 th birthday of the Oceania Province. No longer an infant, the
Province has begun to develop characteristics which will mark its development as it grows
in the next five years to reach “double figures”.
Br Ted Magee, Coordinator Brothers’ Formation, Virginia, QLD, Monday 17 th September 2012
SUCCESS HONOURED
Br Bob Wallace in a recent address (extracts below) complimented Br Regis Hickey’s
success honouring Br Treacy’s educational achievements on the occasion of the
Launch of Regis’s book, ‘Br P A Treacy: Christian Brother, Enterprising Immigrant’~
I think that the reading of this book will help us understand and reinforce another
feature of the story of education in Australia - in fact - something that is yet to be
fully chronicled and know - this is the huge contribution to education made by
the various religious orders throughout Australia - clearly the many schools
started by Ambrose and the Brothers with him, but also examples such as - the
small groups of sisters who would go to the most remote locations ,often in just twos
and threes, and run schools.
This contribution, I believe, is a long way from being fully appreciated and known in
Australia generally.
One aspect of it in particular, is illustrated by the work of Ambrose - that
is the establishment of secondary schools in a time when it was thought
adequate to provide primary education only.
Not only was Ambrose way ahead of his time in the general community, but also
amongst his own order - especially the Irish part of it - as comes out clearly in Regis’
book … Given the times in which Ambrose worked, it was also remarkable
how he understood the national character of Australia - even before it was
formed … Ambrose effectively established a national system of schools … At this

time - when we have many non-Catholic students in our schools and seem to have
moved beyond a narrow sectarian view of what is a Catholic School - viz,
a Catholic School - or a school for Catholics … In Ambrose’s time - many
Protestant Clergymen had their children educated at the Brothers schools because
they could not afford the expensive non-Catholic ones, these were providing, of
course, for the wealthier of those times … there are many things to rejoice in from the
schools started by Ambrose and his brothers then - we can list many who have become
famous, leaders in society, in their professions, made significant contributions
to Australia, to social justice and so on … such, I
believe, was the contribution of this “Enterprising Immigrant” - Ambrose
Treacy so well and honestly chronicled by Regis - to whom we owe a great
debt for this valuable book.
THANK YOU
BR PATRICK WHITE will move to the Holy
Spirit Boondall Community, Nudgee (pictured) in
Queensland on 6 th November to join 13 other
Brothers. Announcing Patrick’s departure from
the New South Wales-Canberra Region Province
Leader, Br Vince Duggan said (Wednesday 22 nd
August 2012)~
I take this opportunity to thank Patrick for his enormous contributions to the previous
St Mary’s Province over many years, and more recently for his work as cluster leader
in NSW/ACT. Patrick embraced with enthusiasm the new role of cluster leader that
came into being with Oceania Province in 2007, and in many ways has helped us all
to define what the role is and to develop what the role can be. I’m sure that all in the
present cluster A of NSW/ACT will miss Patrick’s ministrations which he has
extended tirelessly for the past five years. We wish Patrick every happiness as he
moves to Boondall.
LEWISHAM NURSING HOME
Happy Birthday
RAY O'DONOGHUE at Lewisham Nursing Home celebrated his 88 th Birthday on Thursday
13 th September. Happy Birthday. Ray.
Visitors Welcomed
In residence with Ray are: BILL GREENING, STAN MCNAMARA, EUGENIUS O'CONNOR
Contact details of these Brothers are available from Dave Curtin ate-mail:
dm_curtin@yahoo.com
Those wishing to visit these Brothers go to the old St Thomas's Boys’ School site; from
Lewisham Railway Station you walk past the left-hand side of the church; continue down
the path on the left-hand side of the main school buildings and then follow the road
around to the right. The nursing home is on your left. You ring the intercom to gain
entrance and take the lift to wherever.
Ray
Bill
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Stan
Eugenius
Dave Curtin [Photos: courtesy Paul Corkeron]

EDMUND HOUSE CHARINGFIELD: MORNING TEA
Some weeks ago, Gerard Brady
accompanied MR JEFF CROSER from
the Eastern Region Office of the EREA
at Rozelle to Charingfield for a
morning tea. The Brothers shared
L to R: John Loth, Gerard Brady, John Griffith, Myron Byrne, Jeff Croser,
Vic Bell, Bernie Magill, Jim Grovenor & Ted Davis,
Edmund House Charingfield
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some of their experiences as Brothers
and ministries they have been
involved in and Jeff shared some
exciting developments in the EREA
and something of his own family and
professional background. It was great for the Brothers to hear and feel a part of the
continuing EREA story and to recognize that what is developing comes on the 'back' of
their years of faithful and generous contributions to Catholic Education in Australia.
Paul Corkeron, article & photo, Wednesday 26 th September 2012
REST IN PEACE
Kath Cronin, Gerringong
Some Brothers might like to know that Gerringong Matriarch, KATH CRONIN, died on
Wednesday 12 th September and her funeral was after Mass at Gerringong, Star of the Sea
Catholic Church, on Tuesday, 18 th September.
Kath was mother of John, Michael - particularly known for his Rugby League exploitsand
Mary, and wife of Jack, deceased.
After Jack, Mick ran the Gerringong Hotel attached to which was a squash court that
many Brothers used free-of-charge when on holidays.
John and Mick attended CBC Wollongong, Kath faithfully travelling from Gerringong for
Parent meetings, etc. Vic Bell taught Mick, and discovered that he had fortuitously
attended the Nuptial Mass of Kath and Jack when he was holidaying in Gerringong, or its
area, back in the 1940s.
I think Kath was 91 and, until very recently, she was frequently at Mass on Sundays
and, in Kiama, on Fridays. She also attended many League matches of the Gerringong
Lions some of whom included younger Cronins. Mick's first grade Gerringong side (he is
coach) was involved in the grand final of Group 7.
Always alive, may Kath be gloriously so, now. Cheers and blessings.
Leonard Hanlon
Fathers Francis Clune & Joseph Conway
Brothers and readers associated with the Wagga Wagga Diocese were saddened to learn
of the deaths in September of FATHERS FRANCIS CLUNES and JOSEPH CONWAY. Fr Conway
served fifty years as a priest in the Wagga Wagga Diocese. We ask your prayerful
support for the bishop, clergy and people of the diocese as they grieve the loss of these
priests.
ADVOCACY
Some were able to attend Peter Harney's presentation
at Balmain on the work of Edmund Rice International
(Switzerland) and appreciate the importance of Advocacy
which is as relevant as ever, perhaps more so. We heard
that, even though we may be ageing, there are many
things we can do in small but significant ways to improve
the lot of marginalised. We are perhaps at a stage where
L to R: Gerard Brady, Cosmas Pulkapo, Peter
Harney & Myron Byrne, repast later, Balmain
we don't have the stamina for hands-on Service (as we
once did) but we have the wisdom and energy for
Advocacy.

Most encouraging was the number of men from Charingfield who made the trip across
to Balmain - truly inspirational to see.
And afterwards we enjoyed the hospitality of the Balmain community, made so
enjoyable by the fine catering style of their wonderful Leslieanne ably supported by Gary
Wellsmore. Thanks to Gerard Brady for organising the event.
And it was great for some of us to meet Cosmas Pulkapo (Papua New Guinea), who has
just taken up residence at Albert Road Community for the three-month course he
commenced last week. You are most welcome, Cosmas.
Patrick White, article & photo, Monday 17 th September 2012
COLLEGES CELEBRATE
Edmund Rice College, Wollongong
Edmund Rice College celebrated 50 YEARS of the College's relocation to Mt
Kiera Road and the 25 TH ANNIVERSARY of the Edmund Chapel. Year 12 Mass and
liturgy was celebrated by Bishop Peter Ingham followed by a meal on Wednesday
29 th August.
St Pius X College, Chatswood
St Pius X College celebrated 75 YEARS since the College's foundation in 1937.
A concert was held in The Concert Hall, The Concourse, followed by the Old
Boys' Mass in the parish church followed by drinks, nibbles and tours of the
College escorted by senior boys and dinner at Oxford Falls on Thursday 6 th
September and Friday 7 th September.
WELCOME
New member of the Edmund Rice Network! Congratulations to
STEPHEN COOPER [affectionately known to Edmund Rice Campers as
‘Scoops’] and APRIL, his wife, on the safe arrival of their first born -
OLIVIA JOY COOPER who was born on Sunday night, 2 nd September.
We join with them in their excitement and celebration of new life!
You may wish to send Steve a congratulatory e-mail-
SWCooper@edmundrice.org.
Patrick White
EDMUND RICE CAMPS
Over the past week of school holidays, we have been
running some Activity Days at Mulgoa (pictured). Instead of
a full week camp these holidays we have had some single
days jam-packed with games, laughter and fun which has
meant we are able to utilise the availability of our
volunteers. Both days saw 30 ppl take part, and enjoy a
day out at Winbourne playing soccer, dodgeball, twister,
crocodile and face painting.
Thank you from April and myself to all for the lovely
messages on the arrival of our daughter Olivia. She is
doing very well, happy and healthy, keeping us awake and keeping us smiling also, and
your support has been greatly appreciated. Kind regards
Stephen Cooper, Friday 28 th September 2012
Editor: Cluster Leaders (e-mail: dm_curtin@yahoo.com / 2 Thames St, (Private Box 154), Balmain, NSW, 2041
brianmurphy2002@yahoo.com.au) / PJWhite@edmundrice.org) T: +61 2 9810 3922; F: +61 2 9810 3033
Publication & Distribution:
John Roberts
Proof Reading:
Margaret Bourke & David Curtin
www.edmundrice.org
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