The
Oakhill Drive
Volume 22, May 2011
Oakhill College will officially turn 75 in August.
To mark this important anniversary, a number of
events and activities have been arranged.
The 75th Anniversary Ball will be held at the th
Sydney Convention Centre on Saturday August 20th
– invitations will be mailed in early June. This will
be followed by a Family Picnic Day at the College
on Sunday August 21st.
Founder’s Day this year will be celebrated with
a Mass at the Sydney Opera House and will be
attended by all current students and staff. Parents
have also been invited to this important event. At
the first College assembly of the year, all students
were issued a special commemorative badge,
featuring the 75th anniversary logo.
The inaugural Oakhill Cup will be awarded to
the winning House at the end of Term 3. This new
inter-house competition was introduced in Term 4
last year and has been embraced by the College
community.
Print Post Approved: PP255003/O5436
A new Honour Board for Alumni of Distinction
is also being inaugurated this year - further details
can be found on page 13. We encourage you
to nominate alumni you consider deserve this
accolade – the awards will be announced at the
Anniversary Ball.
This edition of the Oakhill Drives features a history
of the College – mainly presented in the form of
anecdotes – from 1936 to the 1970's. The next issue
will include a similar presentation of the decades
from the 1980's to today. Also included in this
issue – on page 15 – is a photograph of the art work
commissioned by Brother Ken to mark the anniversary.
A range of limited edition memorabilia has been
selected and is available for purchase. This issue
contains a catalogue of these items and an order
form. The catalogue and form can also be accessed
via the College website (www.oakhillcollege.com.au)
or the College’s Facebook page.
We hope that all alumni, parents and staff will
be able to participate in these events and help us
celebrate this milestone in the life of the College.
Celebrating Our Past – Building Our Future
1930’s
Early Days...
By Brother Amedy
To the best of my recollection the first pupils of Oakhill
College were four boarders who came towards the
end of 1936. There were George and Alex O’Hare,
the Funeral Director’s sons, Pat Leahy from out near
Bathurst and Gordon O’Grady from Cronulla. They
were looked after by Brother Stephen, an elderly Irish
Brother, now deceased.
The first community of Brothers was formed at the beginning of the following year and consisted of Brother Julian
Lennon, Director and Principal, Brother William McCarthy and myself, Brother Amedy Molloy. I can’t remember how many
pupils there were. I think it would have been about twenty boarders and half a dozen day boys. Peter and Paul Lippman
being two of the later.
For classrooms we inherited the three old fibro rooms which were near where the present administration offices are now.
One classroom housed the secondary students, Forms 1, 2 and 3 the second was for Grades 3 and 6, while half a dozen
“littlies” Grades 4 and under, occupied a small room at the end which had formerly been the Brothers’ Common Room. I
think that I spent the morning with the “littlies” and the afternoon with the secondary students.
The boarders ate and slept in Sir Owen Cox’s former home, generally referred to as “The Ship”, because of its large
“decks”, or enclosed verandahs on either side of the entrance. This was where the Brothers’ house was until 2006. The
circular lawn with the sun dial stand was directly in front of it.
Some of the boys had their own ponies and the school had a few, so a cavalcade would canter along Old Northern Road
on Saturday afternoons – it wasn’t the busy road it is today. During the week we generally confined our riding to the
paddocks where Damien Oval and the Soccer field are.
1940’s
First Impressions...
Ken Bevan
I was born in Quarry Road at Dural and have lived there
ever since. I was born in 1935 and commenced at Oakhill
in 1943. We came in by George Demon’s Glenorie bus
from the end of Quarry Road, along old Northern Road,
to the school – morning and afternoon.
My first class was second class in the lower fibro schoolroom. My length of stay at the school was seven years and there
were approximately 56 boarders and day boys through my early periods of attendance. The number of day boys was
approximately eleven, the balance being made up of boarders, about 70 percent of whom would have been country or
interstate pupils. There were very few boys from around this area or the Sydney area.
A normal day at Oakhill meant arriving at 9 o’clock and spending the rest of the day in the classroom. Castle Hill in those
days was very much like a farming community. Farms were all around this area. Even at Oakhill there were pigs, the
milking of the cows and they grew vegies. The College was very much in keeping with the local rural community.
Sport was rather daunting in those days because of our very low numbers. We had to play against schools like Ashfield
who had about six hundred kids, but we held our own very well in most sports in those days considering that we didn’t
have great facilities. All we had was the old oval at the training college. The swimming pool was the brown water dam
down the bottom. The running track was around the edge of the old oval over at the training college.
I had seen Brothers before going to the College because in those days we attended church over at the chapel. That was
my first sight and meetings with the Brothers. One of the Brothers here was Brother Cornelius McCaffrey and in those
days he tended to run the school. He looked after us during the lunch hours, all sports such as the football, tennis, cricket
and the athletics. He was the trainer and coach. Brother Cornelius McCaffrey gave me the impression that he organised
and ran every facet of the school. Obviously there were other Brothers in attendance, but the impression I gained was
that he was the one that organised and controlled the whole of the school curriculum.
1950’s
First impressions were different for some of the
Brothers. Some of these began their association with
Oakhill with prior knowledge of the school. This did
not always make the job more appealing as Brother
Damien Harvey found.
I was in a fortunate position of having been near the College as the person responsible for the juniorate from 1950 to
1955. I went to the second novitiate halfway through 1955 and when I came back was made sub-director of scholastics in
1957 prior to being made director of Oakhill in 1958. So I’d been able to observe the position over there from a distance
and I knew a fair bit about the boys and about the staff. It had always struck me that the place had been very much
under-staffed. Brother Julian Lennon had been director and then Brother Benildus de Moulin. Both men had not been in
the classroom very much and so it was left to other Brothers to do most of the teaching. In the afternoon the teaching in
the primary division was done by the scholastics under some supervision.
It must have been about 1954 that it was decided to make it a senior school. They had a few students in the senior classes
and they used to come across to the juniorate and study. They were all good boys and very good students. Some of them,
in particular, were brilliant students. However, they didn’t seem to have anybody supervising their homework at night
and that placed them at something of a disadvantage. However, I was in the fortunate position of having known Brother
Cornelius McCaffrey very well. He was there in 1950, 1951 and he left us at the end of that year. But he was a very good
disciplinarian and he was Prefect and seemed to run the whole place.
That was the state of things when I was asked to take over. I thought it was the most dreadful appointment that I’d ever
received because the school wasn’t in a very good position at the time but, as very often turns out, the ten years I spent
there came to be one of the most fruitful and pleasant periods of my life.
When I took charge, I thought that the school had great possibilities, but it was still out in the country. I remember
one day saying, “Well, we want to get the boys to have some sort of spirit,” so we organised a game against the Marist
Brothers, Randwick, I think it was, at our place at two o’clock so that we could take the whole school down and watch
them play football. I remember going down and hearing two kids saying to each other, “Now, which is our mob?” There
seemed to be nowhere to go but up, but there were tremendously good boys there and I learnt an immense amount from
them. I took the appointment as a challenge to try and build it up into something. It needed teachers first of all and, if it
was to be a demonstration school for the Brothers in the scholasticate, it needed to be a first class school. So I set out to
try and make it into a very good school.
The school was a very small one in 1958 but the district was growing. The facilities were pretty primitive. The boys used
to sleep in the dormitory of the junior school and the seniors used to sleep in the upstairs dormitory of the grey building.
The oval had been dug out and surveyed mainly through the efforts of Bede Ireland who was responsible for the planning
and building of the handball courts too; the fathers were responsible for the swimming pool.
The swimming pool was built before the main secondary school building was built. But really, in 1958, that three-storey
building held all the classes except the senior classes which were taught in the juniorate, and so it wasn’t such an
urgency. The fathers wanted to take on a project and they suggested the swimming pool. The farm was still there in 1958.
I hesitated very much over this but finally made an offer to the Provincial at the time to purchase the farm because there
was a shortage of Brothers to work the farm. I had ideas of turning it into playing fields because it was a very suitable site
for playing fields and, since we didn’t have the manpower to work it as a farm, it was often a source of distraction to boys
to be going down to the farm. The Provincial accepted the offer that I made to him and, at the same time, Bill Buxton and
Bede Ireland agreed to survey and do the engineering work necessary to make the fields. I’m eternally grateful to them
for their co-operation and their help. We didn’t have any playing fields prior to that one being carved out.
But above all, what the place needed was boys or students and a spirit among themselves: a spirit to do things together.
That was very good I found in the years 1958 to 1962, and from then on. I taught with Brother Pius Bardon who was subdirector and a marvellous man to live with. Brother Pius Bardon had a wonderful ability for being able to turn-off school
at four o’clock. He’d come into afternoon tea and he’d be full of whatever had been going on. There was no secretarial
service and I used to teach all day and then do the secretarial work at night and beside that run the domestic staff in the
place. Brother Pius Bardon was a wonderful help.
Building and Reconstruction
Oakhill passed the hundred students mark in 1953. This was the beginning of a new era of building and reconstruction,
one that is still continuing. Excavations began in the middle of the year for a new block, the present “College”. Work
had progressed far enough by April 1954 for the laying of the foundation stone, which ceremony was performed by
Archbishop Romulo Carboni, then Apostolic Delegate to Australia and a past pupil of our Brothers in Italy. This was an
important day in the history of the College. Nearly 2,000 boys from our Sydney schools marched, and several thousand
parents and friends were present. An indication of their generosity was the donation of 1,300 pounds collected at the
function. It was fitting that the ceremony took place on Anzac Day, as this section of the College was built to honour the
war dead among De La Salle Allumni of Australia.
1960’s
First Female Teacher
Mrs Gloria Flynn was one of the many teachers to contribute to the culture of the College. A teacher at Oakhill, she was
killed in a motor accident on Windsor Road on 8th September 1969. Mrs Flynn came to Oakhill shortly after her two
sons, Greg and Chris, had finished their schooling at the College. She took responsibility over one of the sixth grades
and quickly became an integral part of the primary school. Her great skill as a teacher and her wide understanding of
educational methods and techniques made her an invaluable assistant to the principal of the primary area. Brother Nivard
Mitchell. She had an unaffected enthusiasm and sense of appreciation and yet a keenly critical mind. Devoted to her
teaching and viewing each child with personal interest and concern, Mrs Flynn was capable of drawing out the very best
in talented pupils, yet equally anxious that the less talented be allowed to develop at their own pace protected from the
strain of over-exacting standards.
Diary - Life of a Boarder in the 60’s...
Greg Cashel
We rise in the morning at 6.30am or 7.00am,
depending upon whether or not Mass is being
celebrated, take the desired requisites from the large
cupboard incorporated in each cubicle and proceed
to the wash room. Here the necessary ablutions
are performed (with the added convenience of hot
water). Beds are made, study books collected from
the built-in desk, and then we go downstairs for
morning Mass or prayer as the case may be.
After Chapel we adjourn to our respective studies for
half an hour before breakfast. Classes commence
at 8.50 and are dismissed at 3.20. From then until
five o’clock a sporting period ensues in which we
train for school competition or relax in a game of
handball, tennis, or any games which are organised.
Showers are available at five o’clock and this entails the use of the new shower block. Spacious lockers for sporting
equipment and ample room are features of this part on the new building (Liesse). From 5.30pm until 6.00pm there is
another study period which for some of the more serene souls is drastically reduced.
When the evening meal and night prayers are finished, we gather our books and betake ourselves to the night study. At
nine o’clock we have a break and then the Fifth Year boys continue on until 10.10 and “lights out” is at 10.20. During this
period before our nightly sojourn one can hear the heavy breathing of physical fitness fanatics as they complete a series
of push-ups and similar exercises calculated to improve strength and stature. Interestingly, John son of George O’Hare,
one of the first students to commence at Oakhill, attended as a boarder from 1968 to 1970.
The Prefects’ Dance
A good meal can be taken without seasoning, and
the end of a school term will stir up excitement
enough without the prospect of any extra attraction.
Yet the right seasoning improves the best of meals,
and an occasion like the Prefects’ Dance can make
the approach of the holidays doubly delightful.
Anticipation of pleasure transforms the dullest task
and if it is drudgery to prepare the hall for study, to
transform it into a ballroom is a delight. To record
one’s opinion of the mysteries of Macbeth can be
a painful effort, but to recall the joys of the school
dance is enough to tempt one to lilting prose.
But enough of this. The Prefects’ Dance, you must realise by now, was held on the last night of the second term and was
indeed a pleasant affair. The lovely young ladies whose presence seemed to make so much difference to the occasion,
were mainly girls from OLMC Parramatta, or sisters of the boys. We had met them before as a group, at debating and
had been charmed by their intelligence and wit, but now as we greeted them on their entry into the brightly lit hall we
were dazzled by their fashion and grace.
Here was an awkward moment! The pleasant music of Mr Flood’s orchestra was already mingling with the murmur of
conversation and inviting us to dance, but how to make the first step? But no! They were, after all, merely human – even
a little shy like ourselves, and there was the cheery voice of Mr Chigwidden inviting us to begin. In a flurry of movement
the first dance was under way and the night had begun!
The music played and our feet responded. The dancing lessons of the Mothers’ Association had not been wasted, after
all. Nor, when the time came, would we fail to do justice to the supper they were at this very moment preparing. Dances
were followed by pauses for conversation and here at last we found a practical use for the year’s study. What a useful
source it proved when the more obvious topics were exhausted. And so it went on. We dance and talked “…… - and
when Music arose with its voluptuous swell, Soft eyes looked love to eyes which spake again And all when merry as a
marriage bell”.
Fortunately we weren’t interrupted by any call to arms but merely by the delightful supper prepared by the mothers.
Supper, and an expression of our appreciation by Fred, then back to the hall. Mr Chigwidden got us under way again.
And now on hurrying feet the night passed all too quickly. Soon it was time to say good-bye.
The Prefects’ dance was over – ah, but yes, the holidays were only beginning.
Teaching Aids - Television
The ABC during 1965 presented direct teaching TV programmes in Mathematics and Science as well as programmes in
French, Drama, Music and Art.
Generous repeat transmission enabled most Science classes to view each week’s programmes on the College’s new
AWA TV receiver (kindly supplied by the Mother’s Club).
Many Science programmes were invaluable teaching aids. Programmes on Biology – particularly on the structure
of the body, programmes on Geology such as the outdoor telecast on coastal topography from Long Reef and River
Development from the Tweed River proved to be of great value in the teaching of these topics.
Music programmes were designed to show the viewers the many parts of the orchestra, their history, their function and
how they are used.
35mm Films - A number of 35mm filmstrips in both colour and black and white were purchased from the Visual Education
Centre and used as teaching aids. Filmstrips covering selected topics in History, Geography and Science were amongst
those purchased.
1970’s
The Art Exhibition 1971 - written by...
C Davey, Fathers’ Association
Here, for the first time, under the soaring roof of Benildus Hall, set
in a beautiful Australian landscape, visitors were able to admire and
appreciate the work of many leading Sydney artists and craftsmen.
Never before in the Hills District has there been such a rich variety of
work for inspection and sale. Nearly two thousand people visited the
Exhibition, which was officially opened on Friday, 9th July by radio
personality Mr John Pearce. O.B.E.
Paintings by established Australian artists from well known city
galleries were on view along with those by artists from many
suburban art societies. The Argyle Arts Centre provided work by
contemporary artists and artisans in many fields.
Pottery, sculpture, hand enamelled copper, hand-crafted copperware,
pewter and fashion jewellery were eagerly purchased. Selection of a
painting became a combined affair as husbands discussed with their
wives the purchase of possibly their first original painting.
One of the highlights of the Exhibition was the display of art work by the boys themselves. Under the very versatile and
capable direction of Mr A Bark, the College Art Master, these boys showed just what talent can be brought to light by
encouragement in their efforts.
One of the prime objectives of the Exhibition was to stimulate interest in and appreciation of Australian artists and
craftsmen. The Fathers’ Association hopes that this interest will be maintained, as the show proved to be a most
stimulating and memorable occasion.
The College Becomes Co-Educational
The change of Oakhill from a boarding to a day school
represented a major break with the past. Consequently,
the College lost the group that most embodied the spirit
and tradition of the College and from whom the school
leaders had traditionally been drawn. Some time passed
before leaders emerged from the senior day students,
while the introduction of co-education to Oakhill in the
mid 1970’s compounded the magnitude of the change.
The two occurrences were connected. The phasing out
of the boarders had a severe impact upon the College
budget. Primarily to offset these adverse effects, the
Brothers took the decision to admit girls to the two most
senior years. Brother Peter McIntosh, who was appointed
Bursar at Oakhill in August 1975, succeeded Brother
Martin Blattman as Principal in 1976. His was the task of overseeing the re-invention of Oakhill College and its traditions,
and leading the College through these challenging times.
The first girls arrived in 1976. Most of them came from two regional schools – Catherine McAuley College at Westmead
and Our Lady of Mercy College at Epping – and through an arrangement with the Good Samaritan Sisters, some girls
were transferred from Mount St Benedict’s College. The sudden changes demanded adaptation and compromise from
all within the College community. It was not always easy, particularly for the girls who came into a very masculine
environment and were heavily outnumbered by the boys. The needs of the girls also made many demands on teachers
who were required to provide a broader range of subjects and extra-curricular activities. Yet there were many benefits to
the introduction of the girls. They brought a greater depth to the classes and a new dimension to drama and debating.
Judy Sparke had the honour of being appointed the first girl captain of Oakhill College in 1977.
Student Memoirs...
by Jenni Mashford (Attard) Class of 1977
Being part of the first year’s intake of girls into
Year 11 in 1976 was certainly an interesting
experience. After spending my earlier years at
OLMC, I moved across to Oakhill and became
a pioneer in the adventure that was to be the
start of a major change for the school.
My first impression of Oakhill was its size. It
was huge! There was so much land, it was
just like a farm.
I knew it would be very different to be among
a lot of boys, and that we girls would be really
outnumbered, but it worked to our advantage
to be a novelty. The boys really didn’t know
how to behave with us as a distraction. Most of them didn’t know what to say or how to treat us.
Being one of only 19 girls in the whole school I knew there would be some difficulties, such as being the only girl in the
school swimming team. I certainly taught some of the boys a lesson in swimming! However, delays to the construction
of the girls’ toilets meant that we had to use the boys toilets … that was certainly unexpected!
By the time we left in Year 12 the school had recovered somewhat from of the shock of having us there, as evidenced by
less frequent issues and teething problems. Having our own toilets really helped in this regard.
Being part of a small group usually allows you to identify closely with the others, and I formed enduring friendships with
some of the girls, and we still keep in touch.
Obviously having girls at Oakhill was deemed a success as the school has embraced the new structure, and has really
benefited from a more balanced social and academic education. Students, both boys and girls, now leave with a healthy
respect for each other and well developed social skills.
by Linda Mudge (Hourigan) Class of 1979
I have wonderful memories of my time at Oakhill in the late
1970’s. As only the third cohort of girls to enter the college, in
1978, it was with some trepidation that we began and no doubt
the staff and existing students were also still adjusting to having
a ‘co-ed senior school’. We needn’t have worried though – we
were readily accepted and welcomed and in those days even had
a ‘Girls’ Mistress’ to assist us with settling in.
Brother Peter McIntosh was Principal and Brother Ken, a very
young English teacher.
No computers in sight then – in fact The Board of Studies was
only just allowing calculators into the HSC exams!
Sport was an integral part of college life and when the First XV
were playing on a school day, we were allowed out of class to
cheer them on. We girls had a reasonable chance of making/breaking athletic records as until then only a few other girls
had competed in sport carnivals.
The Drama Department and musicals were run by the late Larry Scheid followed by Di Herron with Bruce Rixon as a very
enthusiastic musical director.
As College Captains, Paul Clark and I were fortunate enough to be invited to speak on behalf of the students at a few of
the College Board Meetings, which allowed us some input into decision-making at Oakhill.
Oakhill College provided us with a well-rounded education, which balanced academia, religious and moral guidance,
sport and creative arts. In the meantime, we forged some lifelong friendships and very fond memories!
From the Lasallian
Foundation
In 2011 the Lasallian Foundation will
continue to create development opportunities
and through these identify capacity building
programs to assist the projects we support
reach self sufficiency.
We have already seen great advances in our
agricultural programs in India, Sri Lanka and Papua
New Guinea. The provision of a tractor and trailer
in the three countries has brought great excitement
and has helped keep the implementation of the
agricultural program on track.
The plight of refugee children on the Burmese/
Thailand border resulted in very successful
fund raising to build the Bamboo School,
catering to the very young and preschool lower
primary boys and girls. Since 2009 the number
of children has grown from 30 to 300 students.
The success of this program has led to further
demand and a higher standard of education.
Following our recent visits to Cambodia and
Vietnam we are encouraged to respond to the
new opportunities that have arisen. In 1975
in Vietnam all non-government schools were
taken over by the Communist State. In 2004,
the Brothers were granted permission to open
a primary school, which will be expanded in
2011 to accommodate more children.
In April this year a school will open in Phnom
Penh, Cambodia which will serve the children
from 24 very poor villages along the Mekong
River. This program is one that has taken five
years to come together. Part of the program
design is to have the parents understand the
importance of learning for their children.
The Foundation has equipped the school
with desks, chairs and other fittings necessary
to conduct classes.
Being an advocate for youth is a role
we take seriously and we welcome the
opportunity to be involved in the setting up
of the Child Friendly Court in Cambodia.
We are immensely proud that two of our
board members are primary persons in the
establishment of this vitally important pilot
program. To address this fundamental human
right of fair court procedures and appropriate
child sentencing is integral to the philosophy
driving the Foundation.
For information on donating to the
Lasallian Foundation please visit www.
lasallianfoundation.org or phone (03) 9832
3100. Your gifts are welcome and essential to
our continuance.
Thank you once again for your wonderful
support.
Brother Paul Smith
CEO
Gala Day Sponsors
Due to an editorial oversight, we neglected to
acknowledge the sponsors of the 2010 Gala Day.
Therefore a delayed - but genuine - thank you
to the sponsors listed below.
Raffle Prize Donors - Harvey World Travel
Blacktown. Voyages Hotels, Just For Him
Beecroft, Jim's Computer Services Baulkham
Hills, Waverley Estate Aged Wines Pokolbin.
Food Sponsors - Meridian Seafoods Girraween,
Sheltons Meats Castle Hill.
Donations, Stallholders & Signage - Lushcups
Cupcakes, Reckless Golf, Koala Park, Riverside
Theatre Parramatta, Jenolan Caves, Pancakes on
the Rocks, The Market Basket Co, Featherdale
Wildlife Park, Oceanworld Manly, Sydney
Aquarium, Castle Hill RSL, Reading Cinemas,
Football NSW, Kids Cooking World, Patch's
Gardening, PBQ Catering, Josie's Jams, Tiamo
Jewelery, TJM Designs, Pheonix Trading, Sno
Cone ,Hillsborough Trading Co, Cool Delights.
The Parents and Friends Association encourage
you to support these companies.
Volume 22, Page 9
Ex-Student News
Chris Ogilvie – Class of 1988
Chris writes, “Going back to Oakhill with my son brings
back many fond memories, even though the huge changes to
the school make it almost unrecognisable from the Oakhill
I knew in the 1980's. Since leaving in 1988 I am happily
married and have two great children, Laura and Tom. I have
gained an Economics degree and spend my work hours
managing and growing my Financial Planning business in the
Norwest Business Park.”
Chris is pictured with his son, Tom, who started in Year 7
this year.
Darren Banks
– Class of 1982
Darren writes,
“After the HSC I
went to University
of Sydney where
I studied Medical
Science, graduated
with honours and
went into medical research for several years working in areas
such as cancer, multiple sclerosis and HIV. After completing
a business degree I moved into sales and marketing in
the healthcare/pharmaceutical industry for several large
multinational companies. In 2005 I started my own medical
device business where we supply a wide range of high tech
medical products to hospitals in Australia and New Zealand.
Married to Jo in 1992, we have three great kids; Joshua and
Jackson (13) and Mary (11).” Darren his pictures with Joshua
and Jackson who commenced at the College this year.
Ben Quilty – Class of 1991
Daren Barma
– Class of 1986
Following graduation
from Oakhill, Daren
attended university and
obtained a degree in
Civil Engineering. He
has been working in the
field of water resource
management over the
last twenty years both
within government
and the private sector
mainly focusing on water
sharing issues within the
Murray Darling Basin.
He now runs his own consulting engineering company. His
son Dylan commenced Year 7 at the College this year.
David Ashton
– Class of 1986
David writes, "After leaving
school in 1986 I spent my
initial working years travelling,
studying and working attempting
to find out what I wanted to do
for the rest of my life.
When I realised I wasn't going
to be a professional sportsman
earning millions of $, I chose
a career in Financial Markets.
I have had a variety of roles
at institutions in trading and
research positions, with the past
Volume 22, Page 10
13 years at MLC/NAB. Currently my role involves building
and delivering investment products to the Institutional market.
I have been very lucky to be married to Krystine for over 15
years and we have 3 fantastic, beautiful children, Kyle, Braden
and Abbey. We enjoy all sports, travelling and spending
family time together." David is pictured with his son Kyle who
started at the College this year.
Ben has won what is widely regarded as Australia’s most
prestigious art prize, the Archibald. Ben was runner-up in the
2009 Archibald and in the same year won the Doug Moran
National Portrait Prize.
Ben won the prize with a portrait of the artist, Margaret
Olley who Ben describes as a friend and mentor. A portrait of
Margaret by William Dobell also won the Archibald in 1948.
We congratulate Ben on this remarkable achievement.
of Customer Service Manager on flights, a role she says she
still thoroughly enjoys. Linda writes, “I'm a single mum with
three boys living in the Hills area. Angus is very excited to be
starting at Oakhill this year and its also exciting for me to be
back and remember all the happy times that I had while I was
there. If any of my classmates would like to make contact,
my email address is [email protected]. I am looking
forward to our time at Oakhill College.”
Mark Meehan – Class of 1982
John Eves – Class of 1985
When he left Oakhill College John secured a a job with the
Westpac Bank, where he stayed for 14 years learning about
Computers and IT Project Management. During this period he
played cricket and squash with the Westpac teams. In 2000,
John moved from Westpac to join Hewlett Packard where
his role is to provide project management expertise for HP
customers in the Asia Pacific Region. His position requires
travel throughout the Asia Pacific Region. John continues to
enjoy playing squash. He has very fond memories of his time
at Oakhill College and in particular remembers the influence
of Brother Conrad (Principal), Brother Lawrence King (Year
9 and 10 Dean) and Brother David Zande who was my
favourite teacher.
Mark writes, “I commenced Oakhill College in 1975 ( in
Year 5). I can even remember my home room teacher, Mr.
Lees. He was a wonderful teacher and gave us a warm
welcome to high school. It was at Oakhill I met friends that
I still have today. I also developed a strong passion for rugby
union, playing for many years after I left Oakhill, and even
now I coach two teams for Beecroft Rugby, and an Eastwood
representative team. I am married to Kerrie and have three
children . . . Bradley (year 7, Oakhill), Brittany (Year 9, Mt.
Saint Benedicts) and Luke (Year 11, Oakhill). I am currently
working as a contract construction manager for the elite
housing industry. Kerrie and I are very happy with all that
Oakhill has done to sculpt our boys into young men, and love
to watch them playing rugby for Oakhill College.”
Mark is pictured with his son, Bradley, who started in Year 7
this year.
John is pictured with his son Ryan who commenced at the
College in Year 7 this year.
Linda John
(nee Connell)
– Class of 1979
Since leaving school
Linda has worked for
Qantas Airways as
a flight attendant on
both international and
domestic flights. She
now has the position
C O M M O D O R E
Kitchens
Commodore Kitchens has been trading in the Hills District
for the last 25 years, as a family owned and operated business.
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within a state-of-the-art factory, producing high quality Australian
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of projects from new developments in spec homes, townhouses,
villas and resort style dwellings, as well as renovations to existing
dwellings. We also specialize in commercial joinery, including
medical centres, dental surgeries and office fit outs..
We look forward to making your project a reality.
Please contact Craig Exley to discuss your ideas.
A TRADITION OF QUALITY
Contact us for our comprehensive brochure
[email protected]
166 Arcadia Rd, Arcadia Ph: 9655 1919
www.commodorejoinery.com.au
Volume 22, Page 11
I am now the proud "Grandfather" of Jamie and his beautiful 6
month old sister Mary-Jane and love the responsibilities that being
a "GF" entails, especially handing them back at the end of a visit.
I can be contacted at [email protected]. We have a
facebook page: Support After Murder Australia.”
Denis Slade – Class of 1988
Kristin Slade (nee Roese) – Class of 1988
Peter Rolfe – Class of 1959
Peter writes, “I am the founder and President of Support After
Murder Australia.
On the 2nd August 1994, my business partner of 16 years,
Stephen Dempsey, didn't arrive at work. He was missing for
5 months. In December that year a torso was washed up at
Towlers Bay, Pittwater. Although the police didn't think it was
Stephen's because it appeared the torso had only been in the
water for a month, they still did a DNA match with Steve's
parents and confirmed it was Steve.
After brilliant police work an arrest was made and the
perpetrator was also charged with the murder of a taxi driver
at Collaroy Plateau 3 months after he murdered Steve. He
received "Life meaning Life" He will never be released.
I founded SAM to support other families and friends through
the horrific processes associated with Murder. The Legal
system, the Court processes, the Court of Criminal Appeal,
the Mental Health Review Tribunal, the State Parole Authority,
Missing Persons Unit, liaising with the police, media, Office
of the DPP together with Law Reform.
Our organisation has a MOU with Victims of Crime
Assistance League "VOCAL" and Enough is Enough "EIE"
which enables all us to help all Victims of Crime.
My personal life has changed totally since Stephen's murder
and I might add that I am a member of Steve's Auckland
family…at their invitation…and I'm also a "Grandfather" even
though I have never married.
In 1997 I was asked to look after a lady whose son had been
murdered. I met her grandson James (then aged 10) who was
the son of her murdered son. I caught up with James over the
years and when he turned 17 he worked for me for the next
four and a half years. He met a lovely lady and 2 years ago
a beautiful baby boy Jamie was born. James and his partner
asked me if I would be Jamie's "Grandfather" which I agreed
to immediately.
Volume 22, Page 12
Denis attended Oakhill from
1981 (the last year 5 class)
through to 1988 and was
joined by Kristin in year 11
(1987). After completing the
HSC in 1988, Denis studied
electrical engineering
at UTS and is currently
working for a technology
company, manufacturing
environmental monitoring
equipment. Kristin studied at
the University of Sydney and
has worked as a Nuclear
Medicine Technologist at
various locations including
Royal Prince Alfred Hospital.
She is currently Tech in
Charge at Sydney Adventist
Hospital. Both Denis and Kristin have gone on to post
graduate study in their respective fields.
Denis and Kristin have remained locals since leaving school
and are currently living in Cherrybrook. Benjamin, who
joined Okahill this year, is the next in a line of relatives to
have attended Oakhill, including two uncles, an aunty and
both parents. He has a younger brother, Alex, in Year 4 at St
Agatha's, Pennant Hills.
Kevin McEwen – Class of 1978
After leaving school Kevin
completed a Commerce and
IT Degree. He has worked
in the Software Industry for
Australian and American
Software Companies. For the past
eight years he has run his own
Software Consultancy Business
and continues to live in the Hills.
Kevin’s son Thomas graduated
in 2007 from Oakhill and
Megan, the youngest of his
three children, commenced at
the College this year. Kevin is
pictured with Megan.
Michael Gracie – Class of 1982
Michael writes, “I left Oakhill in Year 10 - 1980 to join the RAAF
as a trade apprentice. After four year I graduated as an Airframe
Fitter. I went on to complete 20 years in the RAAF. In this time
I remustered to a Flight Engineer. I completed 2600 flight hours
operating C130 Hercules Aircraft based at Richmond. I am now
the Manager of an aviation workshop (AEOS) where I have
worked for ten years providing component support for Qantas
Link, REX, Virgin, Jetstar, etc. I am married with three children:
one daughter at Mount St Benedict and one daughter at Our
Lady of the Rosary in Kellyville, and Callum who started in Year
7 at Oakhill this year.”
Alumni of
Distinction
Honour Roll
Since the first issue of the Oakhill Drive was
published in 2000, recognition has been given
in its pages to the many contributions made to
society by past students. As part of the 75th
anniversary celebrations, the College will
formalise this process by inaugurating an
Alumni of Distinction Honour Roll.
Our purpose is not simply to list the “rich and
famous” but rather to acknowledge the many past
students who have made a significant contribution
to the community. Such contributions may have
been made though the nominee’s professional life
or through community-based activities. No matter
what area of life - the Arts, Religion, Education,
Sport, Health for example - we wish to record the
College community’s appreciation of
those contributions.
Jason Gray
– Class of 2002
After school, Jason studied
writing and English at Macquarie
University and travelled to
Mauritius, Europe and Africa,
and finally around Australia,
with family and friends. After
a stint in soccer journalism, he
now works as a TV captioner
and writes fiction, comedy and
children's literature on the side,
and will hopefully have a blog
soon. In 2011, he signed up
for Sydney Story Factory (http://
sydneystoryfactory.blogspot.com/).
We therefore seek your assistance to nominate a
past student (who can be yourself) for induction.
Anyone can nominate, but nominees must be
past students of Oakhill. Those nominated will be
considered by a panel appointed by the Principal
and chaired by the Bursar. Inducted nominees
will be announced at the 75th Anniversary Ball in
August 2011. Applications close on 30 June 2011.
Forms can be obtained via the College website
(www.oakhill.com.au) or by emailing
[email protected]
Volume 22, Page 13
40th Annual Art and Craft Show
Well, what an event! Opening Night was
spectacular in the CSC auditorium from the
introduction by guest speaker, comedian and
ex-student, Dan Ilic (Class of 1999), to the
Gourmet Cocktail Menu, kindly supplied by
Year 7 parents (and served by Year 11 student
leaders), to the amazing performances by our
own talented Music students. Very impressive!
Almost 200 people enjoyed the quality art
exhibition and craft market. It was a great night
to kick off Art Oakhill 2011. The opening night
raffle prize from our feature artist Graham
Marchant, was won by a very special person,
Mr Doug Kiely, who just happened to be
President of the Fathers’ Association in 1971
when it all began.
Paul Macdonald, an art collector himself,
announced Dana Dion’s•”Winter Scarf” the
winner of the annual $500 and Under Art
Competition, proudly sponsored by the ANZ
Bank. The prize was presented by another
ex-student, Derek Hung (Class of 2002) on
behalf of the bank.
Checking out and packing up were done with
amazing speed thanks to the team of hard
working parents (and their children) who came
out of the woodwork. Thanks to all those who
helped to make Art Oakhill 2011 happen; from
the organising committee, parents who helped
setup, worked in sales, served or cleaned up,
students, College staff and sponsors, to all those
who came along and purchased something.
Your Parents and Friends Association and the
College thank you.
Brother Ken with Dan Ilic.
Saturday was busy in the Oaks Cafe and the
sales desk was running at full pace, capturing
NSW State election voters who were out and
about. A live digital painting demonstration
from Louis Green on the two big screens in the
CSC, was very impressive.
Sunday started with a bang as the Oaks
Café went into overdrive with many people
coming to the exhibition for the first time.
In the afternoon we also had a live painting
demonstration as well as a silversmith making
jewellery at the show.
Steve Molloy with Derek Hung.
MYSTERY PHOTO
Can you identify the people in this photo? A prize will be awarded
to the person who is the first to correctly name them.
Send entries to Steve Molloy at the College
or email [email protected].
The winner of the Mystery Photo competition in Volume 20 was
Ross Bellenger (Class of 1970).
(NB: College staff are ineligible to enter this competition!)
Volume 22, Page 14
75th Anniversary – Commissioned Art Work
As part of the 75th Anniversary
celebrations the College has
commissioned an Anniversary Art
Work. Last year Brother Ken began a
dialogue with Chris Tobin, a Durag
artist, to produce a work in an
aboriginal style depicting the life of
the College in the environment of
the traditional carers of the land.
Chris has produced a magnificent
work using ”The Living Water”
as an inspirational theme. This
theme has significant resonance
in both Christian and Aboriginal
communities. Chris expresses it in
this way: ”In respect to this I have
represented Christ as a spiritual
spring within the country of my
Ancestors; - not different or in
conflict with, but like the springs
and the waterways of the country, just different
channels through which the same life-giving
water flows and nourishes.”
Brother Ken is pictured with Chris’ work during
its inaugural display at the 40th Oakhill Art and
Craft Show.
Volume 22, Page 15
Home grown in the earth of the Hunter Valley
Exclusive offer to
Oakhill College Community
Buy a 12 bottle case of
Muddy Boot Estate wine
for only $150 (plus freight)
Four varieties available:
2009 Semillon
2009 Chardonnay
2008 Shiraz
2010 Merlot
To order email [email protected]
or phone Hugh 0432 426 556 (mixed cases available)
La Salle Motel
and Conference Centre
Operated by the De La Salle Brothers
La Salle Motel and Conference Centre offers you the gateway to
the tranquil, historic and spectacular Eurobodalla Coast. Whether
a holiday or conference location, you will find us close to the many
amenities that make this area so special. We are accessible by car or
bus as we are situated on the Princes Highway within walking
distance of the township of Narooma.
Experience the breathtaking grandeur of the whale during a guided
whale watching excursion, perhaps sample the wares at Tilba Valley
winery or simply treat yourself to a relaxing game of golf. Bush walk
through tranquil native forests, visit the Bega Cheese factory or
maybe do some fishing on one of the inlets.
Contact Rhonda at
[email protected] to make a booking
and mention your connection to Oakhill to receive a special deal!
Volume 21, Page 16