Welcome to Newman Being!

Edition 3/2024

In our last edition we mentioned how we enjoy sending our Alumni birthday cards (physical and digital) from the age of around 70 up. We love our interactions with our Alumni and, for some, this is their first contact since they left school roughly six or more decades ago!

Each card, email or simple phone message we receive in response absolutely makes our day, and we thought we'd share just a few of the wonderful messages received recently:

• "Thank you. Appreciate your message. Lots of great memories of SIC 😁😁"
• Thank you most sincerely for that great card of the Brigidine girls of 1954 and in the background is my beloved Mother Colombiere as I remember her. It's a beaut! ... I had a lovely time. I have a lovely family." 
• "What a pleasant surprise!! Thank you I did have a fun family day. Well done for creating and working this thoughtful birthday program."
• "Thank you ladies. What a splendid card ... I had quite forgotten 'Virtuti et scientiae'.”
• "I’ve just received your beautiful birthday card and good wishes for my 80th birthday, a huge surprise! The cover photo brought back many memories, particularly of Mother Colombiere, one of the teachers I remember well."
• "You ladies do wonderful and kind work to keep us old guys remembering happy days!"

These and other lovely messages of thanks were received from Mick Carren (1956), Richard Browning (1964), Maurice Dwyer (1966), Laurie Evans (1954), Kevin Murray (1967), Max Mayes (1969), Chris Cranley (1964), Patricia Taskunas (Murray 1953), Carmel Pace (Gentelli 1969), Tony Gauci (1964), Bianca Panizza (1966), Peter Jones OAM (1966), Frank Schwarzbach (1960), David Hynes (1966), Julie Dyson (Christian 1961) and John Bryant (1967).

Thank you for enjoying the results of what we do, as much as we love doing it!

Shannon Lovelady                                   Amy Devenish
Archivist, College Historian,                   Archives and Alumni Engagement Assistant
and Alumni Engagement Manager

Want to join the Newman Being mailing list or know someone who does? 
Email alumni@newman.wa.edu.au. 
Miss the first few editions? 
Catch them here: https://bit.ly/NewmanBeing.

Each Newman Being includes:
- A little history on one of our 'Antecedent Schools' (in this edition, it takes the form of
  our Farewell to Brigidine)
- Alumni Updates - what exciting things have you all been up to?
- Reunions and Catchups – recently held, and those upcoming
- Archives news and insights into some of the remarkable donations recently received
- Items of interest to our alumni, including Community News
- School events you, as alumni, are most welcome to attend

Farewell to Brigidine (Marian)

Friday, 14 March 2025, 4-6pm

Calling all Alumni from Brigidine College, Floreat, and Newman Junior School, Floreat 

Images above:
Left: St Joseph’s School, Floreat, staff, 1983 (the year before it became Newman College Junior School in 1984)
Back L-R: Jill Stinson, Dorothy Crock, Brenda Marks, unknown (Italian Teacher)
Middle: Sister Jean Linklater, Carmel Hynes, Barbara ?, Josephine Connell, Mary Lyons, Lyn Chrisp, Sister Denise Lewis
Front: Sister Gemma Hoban, Sue Wallace, Alma Ratacjzak, Sister Bernice Tonkin (1947; Principal), Angela Ravi, Bernadette Knuckey, Sister Dorothea Hickey
Middle: The five Brigidine Sisters on staff at Newman College Junior School, 1984
L-R: Sister Brigid McClements (1947; Assistant Teacher), Sister Denise Lewis (Music), Sister Gemma Hoban (Deputy Principal), Sister Dorothea Hickey (1955; Teacher-Librarian), Sister Jean Linklater (Assistant Teacher)
Right: Brother Tony Clark and Sister Jean Linklater, Newman College Junior School, 1984

Alumni Updates

We take great pride in the accomplishments of our Newman Beings and the scope of their achievements. While some have garnered worldwide acclaim in their respective fields, others may be known for their contributions to their local community or even within their own family. We celebrate and honour the efforts of all Newman Beings, from all of our 'Antecedent Schools'.

If you'd like to feature in our Alumni Update section, email alumni@newman.wa.edu.au.

Charles Mayne, the father of former Test Cricketer Laurie Mayne (1958), came out from England in 1929 as a ‘Ten Pound Pom’. After a stint clearing land around Southern Cross, he made his way to Westonia (halfway to Kalgoorlie, where the wheatbelt meets the Goldfields), roughly 300kms east of Perth. There he met Kathleen Lindley, whose parents ran Westonia’s Edna May Hotel. They married in March 1933, and Laurie was born in West Perth in 1942. 

For the first seven years of his life the family lived in Westonia, before moving to nearby Merredin. During his primary school days at St Mary’s Convent there, staffed by the Sisters of St Joseph, known as the 'Brown Joeys', his father had ideas Laurie might like to become a priest. Laurie was subsequently put forward, and accepted for a scholarship to St Ildephonsus College, New Norcia.

Laurie arrived there in 1954 with good grades, but remembers being full of apprehension. Placed in Stanislaus House, he did well at swimming and athletics, and really excelled at sport. He was, he says, “mad keen” on football (being in all junior teams in 1954-1956 and the First XV111 1957), tennis (College team in 1954-1957), handball (Under-16 Champion in 1956 and 1957), and cricket (Under-13 SIC Team 1954 and 1955, First X1 1954, 1956 and 1957). But hockey? No, thank you!

       “…. We started right from the word go by dominating the cricket competition.
       Laurie Mayne was the outstanding cricketer, his undisputed skill in this sport
       being often the difference between victory and defeat.” 

       “Fastish bowler with accurate, kicking deliveries. Was in devastating form in
       the Finals and saved the day in the Grand Final with 6 for 21, retrieving an
       almost hopeless position. Showed great improvement with the bat, continually
       attacking the bowling. Being a left-hander he had extremely powerful leg side
       shots.”
                                                                            Cricket report, 1957 SIC Yearbook

At the end of Sub-Leaving (Year 11, 1957) Laurie’s sporting records shone brightly, but he went home to Merredin with less than stellar academic grades. The local parish priest, Fr Bill Cleary, noted Laurie was sick every time he came home from New Norcia for the holidays, so suggested his parents stop sending him away. 

Laurie therefore, did not return to New Norcia, but started at the newly opened Merredin Senior High School for his Leaving Year of 1958. Though he failed his Leaving at that first attempt, he found the year life-changing, and determinedly applied himself to repeating in 1959, and passed with good marks in all subjects. 

Laurie spent 1960 and 1961 studying at Claremont Teachers’ College, where his parents were also caretakers, playing Pennant cricket for the ‘A’ Grade Claremont Cottesloe Club, and training with the State squad at the WACA. 

Having finished Teachers’ College, in January 1962 he received his first posting to Mount Magnet, a gold mining town in the Murchison. He was set to go but, because of an injury to fast bowling Club team mate Graham McKenzie, Laurie was chosen to play for Western Australia against a formidable NSW team at the WACA. At the end, there was no time for Laurie to drive to Mount Magnet, so education officials intervened and found a place for him at Bayswater Primary School. 

In February 1965, in a moment as clear in his mind as if it was yesterday, Laurie was chosen to represent Australia against the West Indies. His Bayswater Year 5 class was so excited for him, they sent him a “mile-long” telegram as he played his first Test at Sabina Park, Jamaica, which he still has. 

The next year Laurie taught 50 Year 6 pupils - including three pairs of identical twins - at Nedlands Primary School. In 1967 he was a relief teacher, which enabled him to accommodate his State cricket commitments. 

In February 1968 he was a member of the victorious WA Sheffield Shield team and, in April that year, headed to Lancashire, England, to play professionally for Burnley in the Lancashire League. 

On 3 March 1869 Laurie married Jacqueline Whiers at St Thomas’ Church, Claremont. As they walked out, taking their first steps as man and wife, Laurie was told he’d been selected to play for Australia to tour Ceylon, India and South Africa. A double celebration!

The tour to Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) and India began in October 1969 and, on New Year’s Day 1970, the touring squad headed to South Africa. Due to apartheid, theirs was the last visit any team made to South Africa until 1991. At the end of the tour, Laurie and Jacqueline headed for Greenock, Scotland, where Laurie played professionally for two seasons.

While there, Laurie taught to supplement his income. At St Mungo’s Primary School in Greenock (1970-1971) his class of 48 Year 4/5 students had such an effect on him, and he on them, he is in contact with some of them today. On a reunion visit to Greenock in 1999, Laurie was delighted when his old class organised a dinner for him at a lovely local restaurant, and 28 of them turned up to greet him. It was made clear to him that night the reason they held him in such high esteem was because he took them out of the classroom (over the M8 into the local shipyards and the parks) as often as possible. He gave them experiences they’d never had, and appreciated it. They, on the other hand, gave Laurie insight into a depth of feelings he had never experienced in his teaching career in Australia. 

Back home in Perth in 1971, Laurie taught at Belmay Primary School in the Cloverdale area. In 1979 he joined the Catholic Education System and, because the Dominican Order could no longer supply a principal, became the first lay Principal of St Peter’s Primary School in Bedford. In 1987 he then became a “fixture” at Servite College until his retirement from teaching in 2003. 

The next ten years saw Laurie take on a completely different role as lawnmower, gardener and landscaper around the northern suburbs of Perth. 

Today, Laurie continues to be involved in cricket, at a WACA level, as President of the WA Past Players’ Association - a position he has held for the past 21 years, despite his many efforts to be relieved of it. He is a Life Member of the Claremont Nedlands Cricket Club, where he is regarded as a legend because of his 61 years at the Club. And, after 55 years, he is still happily married to Jacqueline (who usually calls him ‘Lawrence’, but Laurie when he’s in trouble) and they are very close to their three daughters - Alison in Perth, Catherine in Sydney and Stephanie in Melbourne. 

He looks forward to the Subiaco ‘Brew Ha’ gatherings of past pupils every three months, and enjoys reminiscing over old times at SIC. (See ‘From the Archives’.)

Images above:
Top left: Stanislaus House, 1955
Back, L-R: Michael Howe, Rex Sermon, Mick Cusack, Neville Moran, Anthony Donovan, Michael Jones
5th row: John McAuliffe, Thomas Kelly, Peter Willett, Frank McAullay, Michael Stanford, Laurie Mayne, Max Gazeley
4th row: John Roughan, Desmond Pauley, Victor Schwarzbach, Peter Barbetti, Gilbert Johnston, Francis Moran, Denis Horan, Fred Martin
3rd row: John Bradshaw, Tony Best, Peter Pullen, Oswald Hardy, Lance Durack (Captain), Michael Naisbitt, Barry Sissons, Burt Bieseman, Bob McAuliffe (Vice Captain)
2nd row: Geoffrey Brown, Michael Dillon, Peter Ross, Ronald Bastow, Paul Cornelius, Ivan Moro, Gerard O’Connor, Walter Moore, Patrick Gianoncelli, Geoffrey Burrows
Front: Barry Monks, James Tanner, Rodney Kersting, Dennis Halligan, Michael Johnson, Gerard O’Callaghan
Top right: First XI Cricket Team, 1957
Back, L-R: Peter Aram (Scorer), Victor Schwarzbach, Denis Thompson, Robert Reynolds, Alan McGee, Kevin Duck
Seated: Pat McManus, Bruno Sceresini, Peter Collins, Brian Hasson (Captain), Neil Wells, Laurie Mayne, Peter Burke
Front: Neville Moran
Bottom left: Newlyweds Laurie and Jacqueline Mayne at Burnley Cricket Club, 2 April 1969
L-R: Laurie and Jacqueline Mayne, Club Captain Roland Harrison, and members of the ladies' committee. Courtesy Burnley Civic Trust Heritage Image Collection, Image BE69ng42368
Bottom right: Laurie with students at St Mungo's Primary School, Greenock, Scotland, during a subsequent visit in 2002

Rhodes Scholar!

Eden Rigo (2015) was recently selected, from a field of six worthy candidates, as the 2025 Rhodes Scholar for Western Australia. Eden is our second Rhodes Scholar, the first being Dr Bronte Adams AM (1980), and we could not be more proud of her incredible achievement!

Eden, the younger sister of Gioia Rigo (2010), came to Newman College in Year 5. She loved her years here, and has many fond memories of teachers and other staff. In Romero Guild, she was in the ACC Athletics and Swimming Teams, and played Basketball, Touch Football and Volleyball. She set a near record for protractor throwing in Maths in Year 10, a new record for Shot Put in Year 11, was the Female Age Swimming Champion in Years 11 and 12, and Year 12 Drama Captain. Eden was also in Remar in Years 10, 11 and 12 (the faith in action group now known as Game Changer) which, she says, kick-started her love for community service.

Eden chose not go straight into university, instead taking time to travel. In doing so, she built a store of life experiences backpacking around Europe for eight months, living in Broome for six months, travelling through Indonesia and Malaysia for nearly five months, and teaching English online at a summer school. When not travelling she worked here in Perth, in hospitality, mostly during the summers.

She began her Bachelor of Urban and Regional Planning at Curtin University in 2021, aged 23, and is now completing her Honours. During her studies she has won several awards, including attaining the highest academic standing across her entire degree. She has twice attained Membership to the Vice Chancellor's list, recognising the top 1% of undergraduates, and received the Don Watts High Achievers’ Scholarship. She has also undertaken three New Colombo Plan Mobility programs, which have taken her to the Maldives and three Micronesian countries. When she graduates, her degree will have taken her to eight different Asia/Pacific countries, and twice to the United Nations – the second for COP29, the UN Climate Change Conference in Baku, Azerbaijan, as this newsletter goes to press.

In her spare time Eden coordinates the mentoring of a women's politics program and, as part of her activities with the Osborne Park Rotary Club (of which she has been a member for three years), arranges social gatherings for Ukrainian refugees. She has also held various leadership roles across political and student planning associations.

She has worked in the private sector, in the Community and Culture team at Element Advisory and, for the past two years, has been the Executive Officer of the State Parliamentary Labor Party at Parliament House.

As far as her Rhodes Scholarship, which will take her to Oxford University, Eden hopes to study a Masters in Philosophy in Development Studies, as she’s aiming for a career which is impactful for at-risk and vulnerable communities. She aims to learn as much as she can at Oxford so she can foster sustainable and thriving communities in future.

We wish Eden the very best with her studies next year, and in bringing her plans to fulfillment!

Image above:
Top: Newman College Year 12 Student Council, 2015
Back, L-R: Gabrielle Dal Busco, Ewan Potter, Olivia Pesce, Jenna Muller, John Ogilvie, Ben Chamberlain, Eden Rigo, Noah Diamond
Front: Keely Galvin, Olivia Roberts, Ms Clare Rose, Lawrence Drown, Sarah Durrant, Mr John Geekie, Elizabeth Loreck, Alicia McGrade
Middle left: Eden Rigo (2015), co-founder of Youth for Climate Justice. 
Middle right: Newman College Principal Andrew Watson with Eden Rigo (2015) in October 2024.
Bottom: Eden Rigo (2015), Western Australia’s 2025 Rhodes Scholar, courtesy Government House.

Daven Moldrich’s (1972) parents, Eugene and Gwen, migrated from Ceylon (Sri Lanka today) to Perth with their baby son, Louis, in 1952. Over the next few years two daughters and four more sons including Daven, Gary (1974), and Derry (1978) were subsequently born at St John of God Hospital, Subiaco.

The growing family lived in a modest three bedroom house in Doubleview, and all attended Holy Rosary Primary School. Being devout Catholics, the family spent a lot of their time helping the Church - even in the construction of Our Lady of the Rosary Church, Woodlands.

After primary school, the boys went on to Aquinas College at Salter Point, where Daven's brother Louis finished his schooling. In 1969 Daven’s uncle Br Justinian (a De La Salle Brother), convinced Daven’s parents to send their three younger boys to Marist College, which was much closer to Doubleview, in Churchlands. To his relief there were a few lads in his year group he already knew, like Stephen and Paul Cole, and Stephen Bogue, who lived nearby, and also attended Holy Rosary.

Daven remembers arriving at Marist in 1970 and meeting the Principal, (former) Br Tim McDonald:

       “On my first day I was welcomed. I felt an immediate connection with the School,
       and that I belonged, and was ‘home’. I spent my last two years of high school at
       Marist and they were, without doubt, the best years of my entire school life. The
       College itself was relatively new, the teachers were fantastic (especially Br Tim),
       and I made lots and lots of friends. I will always cherish my time at Marist. I left
       learning a lot about myself, an understanding of some key values around
       respect, kindness, and understanding.”

During those years Marist boys and Brigidine College girls held joint English Literature classes, which Daven says was an added bonus! And while he wasn’t a brilliant sportsman, his classmates helped cultivate his cricket and footy skills. He remembers having lots of fun spending morning tea and lunch at the cricket nets, and one footy game in particular, after which both Br Tim and the team captain recognised just how much effort he’d given, by rewarding him with a trophy. It’s a moment he still cherishes, as it taught him that while you may not be the most skilled player, hard work, enthusiasm and passion to better yourself, pays off. 

In 1973, after leaving school, Daven joined the Doubleview branch of the Bank of New South Wales (later Westpac Banking Corporation). At Aquinas, maths had not been a strong subject for him but, during his time at Marist, and with some very good tutoring, maths became one of his major strengths, which helped during his career in banking. 

At the Doubleview branch Daven met his future wife, Andrea. They married in 1976 and, after a stint in Wagin, returned to Perth. Here, he was transferred into the bank’s corporate area, becoming one of the bank’s youngest appointed corporate managers, looking after a number of WA’s major companies. He completed a degree in finance, followed by an advanced management programme at the University of Western Australia and, later, was sent to San Francisco to be accredited with teaching leadership. 

During his corporate time, Westpac set up a commercial division, looking after small, medium and large private companies. Daven was asked to become Regional Manager in the south of Sydney, looking after a large number of staff and their customers. By that time, he and Andrea had three children - Kelly, Christopher and Jennifer, all in primary school - and they made the move for what Daven thought would only be four or five years. His banking career however, took off, and they’ve now been in Sydney for over thirty years!

During Daven’s finance career his titles have been Regional Manager, Head of Human Resources, General Manager with a trustee company, Director in a private bank, Head of Sales for superannuation, and others. Throughout, the key values of respect, kindness and understanding stayed with him. 

After a 40+ year career in the finance sector, Daven had thoughts of retirement, but Westpac was keen to keep him on, given his knowledge and experience. He had always wanted to leave a legacy and say ‘thank you’ to an institution which gave him so much, so he decided to stay on part time and teach senior bankers how to develop good customer relationships. He has subsequently spent years teaching, coaching and mentoring bankers how to become better individuals themselves, as well as how to properly connect with their staff and their customers. It was extremely rewarding work and, though Daven is now fully retired, he still mentors a few key individuals.

Over the years, Daven has returned to Perth for work, and admits shedding a tear every time he touches down at Perth airport, as it feels like he has come home. Perth will always be home for Andrea and him, but their children – now grown - have found their lives and partners in Sydney, and they have six beautiful grandchildren they know are simply amazing. Their daughter Kelly is a Financial Planner who lives in Newcastle with her family; their son Christopher is a General Manager for Commonwealth Bank, living in Five Dock with his family; and their youngest daughter, Jennifer, is completing her Honours degree in Psychology (aiming at her Masters), working in marketing & events, and living with her family in Dee Why. Sydney is now very much home for all of them.

Daven still has his close friends from Perth who he tries to visit regularly. Whilst he and Andrea did initially follow the Eagles, they became members of the Swans, of which they’ve been members for over 30 years. They also have a little King Charles Cavalier Spaniel named Harry, who keeps Daven company on his daily 7km walk/run.

Every time he’s in Perth he goes past the site of his old Doubleview home (a new one now stands in its place) and attends Mass at Our Lady of the Rosary. He loved catching up with his old classmates at the 2022, 50 Year Reunion, at which lots of laughs and fantastic memories were shared. He says Mick Evans (1972) keeps him posted on what’s happening with his old classmates, and he’s looking forward to the 60^th Reunion in the future.

“Finally, thank you Marist for two very, very special years of my life.
It gave me so much in ways that is hard to understand and explain,
but that I will cherish for the rest of my life.”

Images above:
Top left: The seven Moldrich children with their parents Gwen and Eugene, 1960s.
Top middle: Daven at the cricket nets, Marist College, c1971.
Top right: A young Daven Moldrich (1972) embarks on life after school!
Middle left: Daven and Andrea on their wedding day, 1976.
Middle right: Daven and Andrea today, before one of their beloved Swans games.
Bottom: The Moldrich family celebrating a recent Christmas.

Margaret Robinson (Heron 1950), an only child, grew up on Cambridge Street, Wembley, and came to St Joseph’s School on Salvado Road in the years it was administered by the Sisters of Mercy. She was there at the same time as her first cousin
Mary Bell (Hodge 1949) and both stayed through its handover to the Brigidine Sisters in 1942. 

In 1943 Brigidine Secondary School was established in an old weatherboard shed at the back of the convent. Immediately dubbed ‘the Cowshed’ (though there had never been any cows in it), Margaret was one of the original ‘Cowshed girls’. 

Margaret’s career in tennis began on the family court in Wembley, one of very few in the area, with her talent making the newspapers in the late 1940s, playing for both Subiaco and the Royal Kings Park Tennis Clubs. In 1950 she was selected for the Junior State Tennis Team in the Australian Championships in Sydney. The same year, she made her debut with her cousin Mary and an old Brigidine classmate, Naomi McClements (1949) who, to everyone’s surprise, later became a Brigidine Sister.

Tennis led to the building of a wide circle of tennis friends, an early, significant one being Bruce Robinson, who often played on the Herons’ Wembley court. Like Margaret, Bruce was coached by Max Bonner, and proved a talented young player; both had serious dreams of playing at Wimbledon.

After Margaret finished her Junior Certificate (Year 10 today) at Loreto, Claremont, in 1951 Margaret completed a diploma in modelling, and attended business college to become a stenographer. She then set about working hard and saving the money to get her to Wimbledon. 

Bruce attained his dream of playing at Wimbledon in June 1954. The next month Margaret went to London where she played in the qualifying at Wimbledon, and then travelled through Europe on an extended holiday. This made her the first female Western Australian tennis player to undertake a private tennis tour of England and the Continent. She travelled with Victorian and fellow Wilson Cup player Beth Ruffin, and arrived back in WA via Canada in May 1956.

Margaret and Bruce married in 1957. Five sons were born over the next 16 years (Mark, Paul, Kurt, Chris and Ben), during time which they set up a successful tennis coaching business, and Robinson Sports Land, their shop on the corner of Cambridge and Jersey Streets, Wembley. They later moved into the business of synthetic lawn tennis court construction, which is now run by their son, Chris.

Margaret says tennis has taken her around the world and given her a fabulous life! She began playing Seniors’ Tennis at 54. At 55, she went to the European Singles in Austria, which was also the first time they’d had an over-55 Singles, which she won. She has since won 26 Australian Tennis Seniors Singles Titles, 11 Australian Seniors’ Doubles titles, and four Australian Seniors’ Mixed Doubles titles. Margaret was awarded Australian Tennis Seniors’ Player of the Year in 2005 and, in 2019, was thrilled to be inducted into the new Australian Tennis Seniors’ Hall of Fame.

She has represented Australia in 22 Seniors’ World Championship Teams (17 of which she was Captain and Team Member No: 1). In 2013 she ranked World Number 1 in the International Tennis Federation (ITF) Seniors’ Singles and Doubles, and World Number 1 in the Seniors’ Mixed Doubles. She has won eight ITF Seniors’ World Championships.

Margaret still plays the occasional game of social tennis but mostly now plays golf at Cottesloe Golf Club. She and Bruce are both Life Members of Reabold Tennis Club, Floreat, and Margaret is still a member of the Wembley Downs Tennis Club. She has accepted she’s not going to be as good as she was, and has learnt two important phrases while playing: “Yours!” (meaning “You get that!”), and “too good!” (as in, “I can’t get that!”)

At 91, Margaret loves the friendships and atmosphere in tennis clubs which, she believes, is good for everyone, no matter their age. 

Images above:
Top: Margaret Robinson (Heron 1950) as inaugural inductee into the Tennis Seniors’ Hall of Fame, 2019. Courtesy ACEGirls, February 2019.
Bottom left: St Joseph’s School Ball 1939 Juicy Fruit 'Set' by Mrs Hodge (Margaret’s aunt)
Standing, back: Denis Gardener, Margaret Heron, Verna Chipper.
Kneeling, middle: Maureen Rule, Mary Hodge, unknown, Betty Kelly.
Front: Noni Tracey.
Bottom right: Verna Galbraith's (Chipper 1950) Birthday Party, McKenzie Street, Wembley, 1943
Standing, back L-R: unknown, Margaret Heron, Moira Hickey, Bobby White, Verna Chipper.
Kneeling, middle: Danise Gardener, Maureen Rule, Naomi McClements, Mary Hodge.
Sitting: unknown, Noni Tracey, unknown, unknown,
Very front: unknown.

Danny Green (1990) is the youngest of four siblings, including Narelle (1984), Sharni (1986), and Brendan Green (1988). 

Danny’s father Mal, who he considers an ‘absolute legend’, taught Danny the values he learnt growing up in the bush, and fighting his way out of really tough times. He was firm, fair, and raised his boys to never pick a fight or throw the first punch. 

Many will remember Mal, as he coached with the Marist Junior Football Club (MJFC) for 50-odd years, coaching AFL players like 'Spider' Burton (1987), Quenton Leach (1989),
Matt Connell (1989; current Mathematics and HPE Teacher) as well as Danny and his brother Brendan, who was a 1993 West Coast Eagles draft who played for Claremont before going to work with Danny. 

Growing up, Danny loved surfing and ping-pong - but really wanted to be a boxer. To that end Mal suggested Danny go into martial arts when he was about 12, around the time he came to Newman.

After finishing Year 11 in 1989, Danny entered into a carpentry apprenticeship, believing it's important to always have something to fall back on. After completing that, he was laser-focused on boxing.

In 1993, aged 20, he competed in his first amateur match and subsequently began to win title after title. In 1998 he won a scholarship to the Australian Institute of Sport and a bronze medal at the Liverpool International Boxing Tournament. He was selected for both  the 1998 Commonwealth Games and the 2000 Summer Olympics, and remains immensely proud to have represented his country.

In 2001 Danny moved to Sydney and turned professional, training under three-time world champion Jeff Fenech. Over the next 17 years he fought 38 times, winning 33 and losing five. His first loss in his professional career was not until his 17th fight against Markus Beyer in Germany in 2003. He lost to him again in his 21st match in 2005.

Danny's third loss was to Anthony Mundine in his 24th fight in Sydney, in 2006. At the time, the two were engaged in an ongoing feud, resulting in their fight being the most-watched pay TV event in Australian history. They went the full 12 rounds. Mundine won but, as difficult as it was to accept, Danny acknowledges Mundine was the better fighter on the night.

In 2006, director Mick Angus produced ‘The Fight Game’, a documentary about the early part of Danny’s boxing career, which Danny followed up with ‘Closed Fists Open Heart’, his biography published in 2008. That year he also retired from boxing and appeared in Season 8 of Dancing with the Stars. He was very light on his feet and he and his partner, Natalie Lowe, came second overall.

In April 2009 he came out of boxing retirement for eight years. He won all his fights except for two in 2011. His last was in Adelaide in February 2017, when he finally beat Anthony Mundine and retained the Australian cruiserweight title. 

Danny has broken many boxing records in his time, won many titles all over the world, and is the only Australian to win the World Championship four times.

In 2002 Danny married Nina, and they are tremendously proud of their two children, Chloe and Archie.

He still loves surfing and is often at the beach, for which at least one man is particularly grateful. In October 2006, Danny was out in some massive waves at Yallingup when he spotted someone being dragged out to sea in a rip. Danny grabbed him and paddled him safely back to shore, his actions that day resulting in him later being awarded a Commendation for Bravery.

In 2009 he was part of the Sydney to Hobart team on supermaxi yacht Investec Loyal. Danny recalls the first night was horrendous! At one point he nearly fell off and thought for sure he was going to die. 

“Give me a fight any day,” he says,
“I thought I was tough, but those ocean racing sailors really are!”

In early 2013 Danny heard how young Daniel Christie (18), had been king hit in Sydney, on New Year’s Eve 2012. The punch knocked him unconscious, and he fell and cracked his head. His grieving family had no choice but to turn off his life support system 11 days later. 

Daniel’s story touched Danny deeply. Despising street violence, his disgust led him to launch the 'Stop the Coward Punch’ campaign, which changed how coward punches are now reported and perceived. It has had an effect on lowering the number of attacks overall, but it breaks Danny's heart to hear of one, saying people need to learn the difference between being tough, and just being a thug. The campaign, still going strong, and his anti-violence advocacy led to him being nominated as WA Australian of the Year in 2017. 

In 2014 Danny launched an online health and fitness program to offer everyday people the chance to embrace a healthier lifestyle. Working with him were the country’s top sports and exercise specialists, dietitians and nutritionists. Later that year, with Tim West, he launched a new kind of boxing gym, called 12RND which, as implied, has 12 stages/rounds, each of which takes just three minutes to complete. This revolutionary method means people are no longer bound to session times, and can do their rounds when it suits them.

The idea has since spread all over the world, with 90 sites around Australia, New Zealand and Singapore, with an estimated 15,000 members. In 2020 the franchise united under one brand - UBX (You Box), which is now rolling out across the US, UK and Ireland, making UBX the largest provider of boxing for fitness in the world. 

While Danny inspires everywhere he goes, with his energy, enthusiasm, and giant heart, he continues to inspire at Newman College too, where he is featured on one of five Alumni Inspiration Walls, in company with Prof Barry Marshall AC (1968), Dr Rosanna Capolingua AM (1976), David McAllister AC (1980) and Daniel Ricciardo AM (2006). Danny’s feature is at the entrance to the Weights Room in the Frank Ehlers Swimming Pool rooms where, every day, his words encourage students to pursue their dreams, no matter how wild. Danny's still busy, pursuing his!

Images above:
Top: Danny Green's (1990) Alumni Inspiration Wall outside the Weights Room in the Frank Ehlers Swimming Pool rooms.
Below left: Danny's Stop the Coward's Punch Campaign poster.
Below right: Danny at the beach, 2021, courtesy Danny Green.

Jenny Lindsay (Macauley 1972) is the oldest daughter of Tom and Mary nee Zencich, and attended Siena, Dominican Girls’ High School in Doubleview from Years 8-12, 1968-1972. Her sister Robyn Robertson (Macauley 1976) followed her to Siena, and her brother Wayne Macauley (1979), attended Marist College, Churchlands. 

Jenny discovered her call to be a teacher during primary schooling at St Dominic's; then one of the feeder schools for Siena Girls' High School. It wasn’t until she came to Siena in 1968 she recognised she wanted to be a high school teacher and, ideally, return to teach at her alma mater. In February 1976, after Teachers’ College, Jenny realised her dream, working alongside many of her former teachers who had inspired those dreams.

In 1977 Siena, Brigidine and Marist Colleges united to form Newman College, and Jenny has since seen Newman transform into the thriving co-educational school we are today. Over the years she has seen and done it all, and taught myriad subjects, from Speech and Drama to Religious Education. Just as she experienced when she was a young teacher starting out at Siena, some of her former students are now her colleagues. Many have also sent their own children to Newman, which has maintained the sense of connection and led to the profound experience of Jenny having taught the children of some of her former Year 9 students from the 1970s and 1980s!

Jenny’s family have been hugely significant in their support of her during the nearly 30 years she taught Drama at Siena and Newman Siena.  Her father Tom, husband David, and sister Robyn all helped construct and paint backdrops for productions whenever required, while her mother Mary joined the staff, making or serving afternoon tea or supper, during interval. Later, her daughter Rachel Heilers (Lindsay 1996) and son,
Adam Lindsay (2001) helped in all kinds of capacities backstage, including stage management. 

Aside from teaching, Jenny has also been a key driver of social justice initiatives, from organising Christmas hampers for Vinnies, to starting a student-led Social Justice group in 2006.

In 2019 Jenny retired from full-time teaching and was recognised with the ‘Outstanding Contribution to Marist Education Award’, honouring her decades of service. 

Throughout her years here Jenny has felt tremendously supported by the College community, which has seen her flourish from a student to a wife, mother, grandmother and, sadly, with the loss of her husband David in 2012, widow. 

Unfortunately Covid ruined Jenny’s 2020 plans to travel. Instead, she had both knees replaced and, since March 2021, has been working back at Newman as a relief teacher, continuing her significant contribution to our School as she has for nearly five decades.  

Images above:
Top: Jenny Lindsay (Macauley 1972) with her Leaving classmates and Sr Mary Albertus OP at Siena, 1972. Jenny is in the second row, second from right.
Bottom left: Jenny returning to Siena as a young teacher, 1976
Bottom right: Jenny with her Social Justice Year 12 students, 2017

Dr Ken Spillman (1976) is the son of Pat nee Smith and John Spillman (1949), who attended St Ildephonsus College, New Norcia, in the 1940s with his brother, Kevin Spillman (1953).

Ken came to Marist Junior College in Subiaco in Year 7, the year his family moved to Wembley Downs. He graduated from Marist Senior College, Churchlands, in 1976. His sister Lyn Spillman (1974) graduated from Siena Girls' High School, and his younger sisters Jan Spillman (1978) and Leane Spillman (1982) attended Newman. Encouraged to write while at school, Ken published his earliest work while still in his teens. For many years he worked as a literary critic and non-fiction writer on works such as ‘Identity Prized: a History of Subiaco’ (1985) before launching his first full-length fiction, ‘Blue’ (1999). He has since published more than 75 works of fiction aimed at both adults and children, and has been shortlisted for, or won numerous prizes. He has also written over 25 books of non-fiction.

Last year was a huge year for Ken, with the release of 13 new books (of which 11 were children’s books for Scholastic Asia), and the launch of a book published in 2022. He co-authored the other two books; one published by HarperCollins, ‘More Than I Am’, and another titled ‘Secret Agent, Unsung Hero’,  which he wrote with Hon Peter Dowding SC (former Premier of WA, 1988-1990). This is a biography of Peter’s uncle, Bruce Dowding, who worked with the French Resistance and was beheaded by the Nazis. Ken says the project gave him an intense immersion in the 1930s and 1940s, and took him back to the study of Nazi Germany in the Marist College classroom, where a very young teacher,
Frank Egan (1971), first excited him about writing history. Frank was a Marist College Old Boy and taught Geography, History, Social Studies and Religion at his alma mater from 1972 to 1983. In acknowledgement of Frank’s encouragement all those years ago, Ken sent him a copy of the book. 

This year Ken is working on his third biography, about a man who came out to WA in 1849 with the Benedictines. (The Benedictines founded New Norcia and, a few years later, a second monastery near Perth which gave Subiaco its name.) Ken also generously hosted a table at our Year 12 Careers’ Breakfast earlier this year, and inspired some of our students considering a future in writing!

Images above:
Top: Marist College, Churchlands, Year 12 Group 2, 1976
Back, L-R: Shane McGurk, Martin Strong, Stephen Forte, David Graham, Geoff Dodd, Ken Spillman
3rd row: Phillip McAllister, Margita Chmela, Loretta D'Orsogna, Elaine O'Hare, Corrie Knowles, Deanne Phatouros, Rhonda Rechichi, David Smith
2nd row: Ray Valerio, Martin Sims, Michael Emrose, Tony Bullen, David Tucker, Andy Marshall, Shane Scott, Corrie Bridgeman, Craig McKie, Louis Davidson
Front: Anne Davis, Karen Watson, Rosa Monaco, Mrs Marlene McKevitt, Paula Hickey, Pip Cohen, Carmel Gerrans
Bottom left: The 13 books Dr Ken Spillman (1976) published last year!
Bottom right: Dr Ken Spillman (1976) during one of many speeches delivered in India. 

Pippa Williams (1994) grew up in Scarborough and, after primary schooling at St John’s, came to Newman in 1990 for Years 8 and 9 at Newman Siena in Doubleview, and then for Years 10 to 12 at Newman College, Churchlands. 

Pippa, who was followed by her younger sister Mia Fox (Williams 1997), loved her time at Newman. She bonded with an incredibly strong group of friends and they are still her closest friends today, 30 years later.

After school Pippa studied Physical and Health Education at UWA and, in her third year, completed a prac placement at the WA Police Academy in the Physical Training Department. At the time she had an inkling that being a PE teacher wasn’t perhaps the right fit, and liked what she saw at the Police Academy. Pippa finished her degree and then went to the USA where she worked at a summer camp and travelled for three months. On her return, aged 21, she joined the WA Police Force.

Pippa spent four years with the Police, but a conversation with Anna Wood (Georgiades 1994), one of her friends from school, changed the course of her life. At the time Anna worked for the Fire and Emergency Services Authority (FESA), now the Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) in Communications and Recruitment. She suggested that Pippa should have a go at applying for the Fire and Rescue Service as she thought she would really like it.

Pippa applied, but didn’t get in on her first try. The desire to become a firefighter took hold however, and on her second attempt in 2003, aged 25, she was successful and part of Trainee Firefighter School 53.

After graduating Pippa went to Perth Fire Station as a reliever, where she had the opportunity to work at many stations and with many crews across the metro area. After three years Pippa attained a position at Duncraig Fire Station where she worked for 14 years gaining experience in all operational aspects of the job including bushfire fighting, structural firefighting, rescue and HAZMAT.

Pippa has also completed  four secondments to the Communications Centre where she answered 000 calls, dispatched jobs to crews and communicated with crews at incidents as a radio operator. Over the past five years Pippa has developed a keen interest in training, and has spent time at the Academy instructing trainee firefighters in Breathing Apparatus and Internal Structural Firefighting. She has travelled throughout the state in her role including to Christmas Island to train volunteer firefighters in Breathing Apparatus, and leading a Taskforce in Exmouth for the Total Solar Eclipse.

After deciding to take the next step in her career progression, Pippa applied for and successfully completed the selection process for Station Officer training. After completing the course throughout 2020 she was promoted to the rank of Station Officer in November that year. Today she is one of three Station Officers at Daglish Fire Station on A Platoon, covering the Western Suburbs from Subiaco to the coast. 

With over 21 years of service Pippa still loves her career as much as when she first started. She enjoys knowing that the work she and her crew do is meaningful, and is helping to make our community a safer place. She also loves the camaraderie amongst her workmates and the opportunity her career has provided for the perfect work-life balance for raising her family (operating on two 10-hour days followed by two 14-hours nights, then four days off). 

As a Station Officer she enjoys the station management side of her role but also loves attending operational incidents, leading a crew. Whilst the work can often be under high pressure conditions, responding to critical incidents where members of the community are potentially having a very bad day, Pippa has found immense personal and professional growth in her role, dealing with the unexpected challenges and the opportunities to learn from every incident, every day.

We hope to have Pippa at a future Careers’ Breakfast to inspire our Year 12s to consider a career in the Fire and Rescue Service after they have gained some life experience in the years after leaving school.

Pippa’s partner is Shane Chester (1994) and they have three sons who have all come to Newman since kindergarten: Jaxon (2023), Luca (Year 10) and Griffin Chester (Year 7). Pippa and Shane chose Newman for their boys to have the same fantastic schooling experience they both had.

We weren’t surprised Pippa was one of the organisers of the 1994 Reunion in October and had a great time catching up with everyone!

Images above:
Top: Pippa Williams (1994) at work. Courtesy DFES.
Middle left: Pippa Williams (1994) with her boys (L-R) Luca, Jaxon and Griffin Chester (Year 10, 2023, and Year 7 respectively). Courtesy DFES.
Middle right: Pippa Williams (1994) with all her boys (L-R) Luca (Year 10, 2024), Griffin (Year 7, 2024), Jaxon (2023) and partner Shane Chester (1994). They’re at a Mother’s Day event at Optus Stadium a few years ago, celebrating female firefighters who were also mums.
Bottom left: Pippa Williams (1994) (left) at the Academy inside a training prop used when instructing compartment fire training or internal structural firefighting. Courtesy DFES.
Bottom middle: Pippa Williams (1994) and Anna Wood (Georgiades 1994), who encouraged Pippa to apply for the Fire Brigade, at Pippa’s Station Officer graduation ceremony in November 2020. 
Bottom right: Pippa Williams (1994) Duty Officer of Trainee Firefighter School 83, with Newman alumni (L-R) Shaun Bryant (2004), and Kevin Hogan (2005) on their graduation from the course in 2019.

John Lucas (1975) is a longstanding figure at Newman College, serving as our Sports Liaison Officer for much of the past four decades.

John’s schooling to Grade 3 was at Holy Rosary, after which he attended Marist Junior College in Subiaco to Year 7, and Marist Senior College, Churchlands, to his Leaving. During his years here, he was actively involved in athletics and various sports including soccer and cricket, and played First XVIII football, in which team he was coached by (former Br) Tim McDonald (Principal 1972-1977) and won an award as Vice-Captain of the 17B football team. He was also, of course, one of the many who helped dig the Frank Ehlers Swimming Pool, which opened in 1975!

He went on to complete a Bachelor of Business from Edith Cowan University and, in late 1978, began his career at Telecom (now Telstra) in the Country Accounts Division. By early 1983 John had realised a desk job wasn’t for him, and he spent several months travelling through Europe, reassessing his options. Returning in early 1984, he opened a video store in Scarborough, and ran it for a few years before again heading off to travel through Europe and the USA.

He returned to Perth in mid-1988 and began working part-time as Secretary/Manager for the Newman Sports Association, managing the various sporting Clubs which now number eight. When the gymnasium was completed in 1990, Br Terry Orrell (1955; Marist Senior College Principal 1970-1975; Newman College Senior School Headmaster 1985-1992; Current Campus Chaplain) brought John on to manage the facility, and in 1996, he became Newman College’s official Sports Liaison Officer; a role he has now held for 36 years. His encyclopaedic knowledge of Newman’s sports programs and our facilities is second to none!

A particular highlight for John has been his involvement with the First XI Cricket team and the annual Marist Cricket Carnival, which celebrates its 50th Carnival this year. He began coaching in 1991 and, in 1992, led Newman’s team to compete at the Carnival, which was held in Bunbury that year. From 2002 Newman has been a regular participant, and John values each team he has coached and the camaraderie it has fostered. Other cherished aspects of his role are the connections he has made with Club coaches, students who always give their best, their committed parents and staff and, especially, the Brothers.

Beyond Newman, John still plays cricket, adding to the 400+ games he's played over the years. A few years ago he also took up marathon running, completing more than a dozen, including five major marathons in Boston, Berlin, Chicago, London and New York – with hopefully a few more on the horizon!

John is also in the midst of organising his year's 50th Reunion, necessitating a few catchup lunches in the doing!  

Images above:
Top left: House, Vice and Deputy Vice House Captains, 1975
In order, L-R: Salvado, Horan, Marcellin, Joseph, Benedict, Knox
Back (Deputy Vice Captains): Pat Rooney, Mervyn Sayers, John Lucas, Gary Scapin, Anthony Taylor, Wayne Horrocks
Middle (Vice Captains): Damian Peachey, Peter Kennedy, Brian Power, Michael Ridge, Cameron Crowe, Peter French
Front (Captains): Rocky Zamin, Kevin Cornwall, Phillip Lamb, Daniel Hogan, Dennis Medley, John Penniment
Top right: John Lucas (1975) at work around the Newman College Sports Centre.
Middle: John Lucas (1975) and Bern Willett (1976) with the victorious 2023 Newman College First XI Marist Cricket Carnival Team at the 49th Carnival at Marcellin College, Bulleen, Victoria. 
Below:  1975 Marist College lads got together for lunch at  to talk about their 50th Reunion next year! 
L-R: Jim Hunt, Pat Rooney, Mick Ridge, Steve O’Dwyer, Geoff Hay, John Myles, John Lucas, Mick Byrne, Ed Dermer, Mark Bowman, Jack Penniment (standing), Tony Dwyer, Chris Lawrence and Phil Murray

With thanks to our Registrar, Jo Dunn, for her invaluable contribution to this profile.

Reunions: Recent!

We offer our sincere thanks to current staff member and Marist College Old Boy Bern Willett (1976) who has taken each Reunion group on a tour of the campus.

Thank you, Bern, for so generously sharing your time and immense knowledge!  

The Class of 1994 gathered on Friday 25 October in the St John Henry Newman Learning Hub for their 30th Reunion!

Claire Hyman (Short) and Pippa Williams did a superb job of making sure everyone was tracked down in the months prior to the event, and lively ticket sales proved everyone's eagerness to get together. Belinda Fitzpatrick came over from Sydney and, for a handful of people, this was their first reunion in the 30 years since leaving School!

Several species of cockatoos worked hard during the day to liberally decorate Founders' Court with small branches from the gum tree overhead, and contribute to the laying of a welcome mat of leaves, to which the finishing touches were still being made when everyone arrived!

They were warmly welcomed by Principal Andrew Watson and Vice Principal Michael Chiera, after which they gathered for a group photo on the stairs (above) before embarking on a tour of the School led by their old teacher Bern Willett (1976; teaching staff 1983-present). After the tour more of their old teachers, Jenny Lindsay (Macauley 1972, teaching staff 1976-present) and Mike Diamond (teaching staff 1982-present) joined the happy crowd, which then settled in for a delightful evening catching up on the happenings of their classmates!

It was a great night. Everyone was really happy to be there and, with 90s music playing in the background, there was a really positive vibe in the room. Afterwards, a few kicked on, reliving their youth!

On Saturday, 2 November 2024, nearly 40 Marist College lads and five 1974 Brigidine College girls in Claudia Di Biaggio (Visintin), Robyn McDonnell (Phipps), Debra O'Mahony (Marchioro), Marita Somerford (Kenny) and Lillian Baster (Flavey), attended the 1974 Marist College 50 Year Reunion in our St John Henry Learning Hub. 

Some flew in from overseas and interstate, including Steve Kenneally from Thailand and Steve Yearwood from New Zealand, Bernie O'Dea and Peter O'Reilly from Queensland, Grey 'Ted' Morris from the NT, Prof Philip Dwyer from NSW, and Matt Wren, who interrupted his trip around Australia and flew in from Melbourne for 24 hours! Many also came from country WA for the event.

After being welcomed back to School, professional photographer Rob Baxter (1974) herded everyone onto the stairs before the light began to fade, and took a wonderful group photo. After that, most enjoyed a tour of the campus led by Bern Willett (1976) whose brother Greg is in the 1974 cohort. During the night a warm and heartfelt address all the way from Florida by (former Br) Tim McDonald (Principal 1972-1977; inaugural Newman College Headmaster) was presented. Tim lives uncomfortably close to the path of Hurricane Milton which devastated Florida on 9 October, but he was thankful not to suffer much damage. Only hours after the threat had passed, Tim recorded his message for these boys, which brought respectful silence as they listened, then laughter alongside happy memories, as well as the sober realisation an incredible 50 years had passed since he was their Principal!

Reunion organiser Richard Kildea (1974) showed a series of movies made in Drama classes at school (see From the Archives: Digital Accessions), and several contributed images which were added to a wonderfully evocative slideshow which, along with a fabulous playlist of music contemporary to their time, played throughout the night. 

The next morning several got together for a debrief where they hashed over what a great night it had been!

Images above:
Top: 1974 Marist College lads and 1974 Brigidine College girls on the steps of Founders' Court. Courtesy Rob Baxter (1974).
Middle, L-R: Enjoying the Reunion were Frank Fiorillo and Peter O'Reilly; Bernie O'Dea; Paul Sadleir and Evan Holmes. 
Below: At a coffee debrief the next morning. Courtesy John Van Kampen (1974).

Reunions: Upcoming!
(Save the Date!)

Calling St Ildephonsus Old Boys! 
Come along for a coffee!

SIC Old Boys from all years catch up for a casual coffee at 10am on the last Friday of February, May, August and November at Brew Ha in Subiaco (next to the Post Office) on Rokeby Road.

The next one is on Friday 29 November and all are welcome!

Come along, have a coffee, sit in the sun, catch up with old friends, and potentially make some new ones.

If you can't make this one, we'll hope to see you on 28 February 2025!

The Class of 2014, 10 Year Reunion is on 7 December!
Reconnect with old friends and catch up on a decade of what's been happening!

Tickets are free, but please RSVP! 

You can buy your own food and drinks at the bar, and if you want to play bowls, it's $5.50 per person.

Reunion organiser: Alicia Britton 
Email HERE to update your contact details or click HERE for the added bonus of accessing your yearbooks online! 

Welcoming Alumni from: 
   St Ildephonsus College, New Norcia (1913-1964)
   St Joseph's College, Subiaco (1954-1964)
   Marist Junior and Senior Colleges, Subiaco and Churchlands (1965-1976)

BYO everything: Food and drink of your choice, utensils, plates, cutlery, and glasses
Barbecues: Provided, and will be lit by 5:45pm
Identification Badge: Please wear if you have one, or obtain one at time of registration.
Registration fee: $5

Please register with SIC/Marist Old Boys' Coordinator Ambrose Depiazzi (1962)
by email or telephone: 0419 912 187 or 9387 1117

SAVE THE DATE!!
The 1975 Marist College, 50 Year Reunion
is booked for 22 March 2025! 

We hope as many of you can attend as possible, regardless of whether you came to Marist Junior or Senior College, or left in the years prior to Year 12!

Come along and catch up with your old Marist mates. Celebrate the friendships and bonds which are still standing the test of time.

Reunion organiser: John Lucas 
Email us to update your details to make sure you receive an invitation!

CLASS OF 1995 REUNION!

This will be a momentous occasion to celebrate the passage of 30 years since our school days! Time has flown by and we can't wait to get together and see old friends - whether we see each other all the time or have lost touch over the years. We're looking forward to catching up on where your life has taken you so far, and hearing about what you've been up to!

Update your contact information via email below, and put Saturday, 5 April 2025 in your diary! Invitations will go out in late February - make sure you're on the list to get one!

Didn't graduate in 1994, but were part of this year group for
Years 8 and 9 at Doubleview, or at some other point along the way?

Of course you're one of us and welcome to come along!

Spread the word far and wide to make sure everyone who might like to come along, knows it's happening. We don't want anyone to miss out, or find out afterwards and wish they'd known earlier!

Email Alumni Engagement to update your details to make sure you receive an invitation!

Reunion team: 
James De Leo - 0402 108 819
Ryan Hartfield - 0439 728 555
Nicole de la Motte - 0412 736 739

Reunions: Yours!

We offer a range of services (free to Alumni):

- Access to, and coordination of a selection of great venues for your Reunion, most with
  convenient onsite parking
- Design and distribution of Reunion invitations
- Digitisation of your photos to include in a slideshow
- Tracking down and reconnecting with fellow alumni, with whom you may have lost touch
- Design and production of nametags for the event - in suitably large type if preferred!
- An in-house, user-friendly ticket booking system (no need to handle money)
- Hosting of 'Welcome Back' drinks at the School before transitioning to your venue
- A guided tour of the School to explore the changes over the years
- The taking of a commemorative group photo

We’ll do our utmost to ensure your Reunion is unforgettable! 

If you'd like us to help you organise your Reunion, please email our Alumni Engagement Team on alumni@newman.wa.edu.au.

From the Archives

As the School year begins to draw to a close, you might think we are winding down - but the opposite is happening, and we couldn't be more pleased!

A flood of wonderful donations has come through, every single one of which captures and shines light on a unique part of our 112 year history. Now that we are settling into our wonderful new, larger space, we have room to store these incredible donations which are more than welcome! 

Sometimes it's a contribution of vital information, such as that provided by James van Kampen (1976), who identified the 8mm 1970s film of Senior students on a trip which we digitised and mentioned in our last Newman Being.

James reached out, saying he remembered the Year 11s going to the Abrohlos Islands in 1976, when he was in Year 12, so checked the yearbook and found the proof we needed. Thank you, James, that saved us a lot of time!

Colleen Dransfield (Coffey 1966), mentioned in our last edition, visited us recently to see the items she donated years ago, and brought with her a very special donation: her perfectly preserved Brigidine College summer Panama and 1960s enamelled pin (both below). It's the only Panama in our Hat Collection and we are delighted to have it!

Above: Brigidine College Graduation Ceremony, 9 November 1973. Fifty girls were in the final year; 13 of whom had been together since Kindy!  2024/24 Lindy Brophy (1974)

Christine Robinson (1973) via Dr Jane Klobas (Mazza 1973)
First Holy Communion pin (from about Year 4, c1965); 1973 Brigidine College Leavers’ Badge.  

Maree Gaffney (1973) via Dr Jane Klobas (Mazza 1973) 
Maree’s Brigidine College winter hat, tie, and blazer pocket (below).

John Lucas (1975)
1972 Annual Athletic Carnival Programme, Marist College, Churchlands.

Graeme Walsh (1972)
ANZ Bank mini calendars for 1965, 1967 (showing conversion from imperial to decimal currency) and 1970 (2); circular to parents re Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme offered by Br Ambrose in 1970; three school notepads from 1968-1972.

Mike Diamond, current staff
Mike’s son Xavier Diamond’s (2015) Leavers’ jacket.

Daphne Tenger via Shirley Muller (Mathematics Teacher, Secondary)
Karl Tenger's (1989) Newman College blazer.

Bern Willett (1976), current staff
A 1994 ‘Leavers’ top’ he produced for the Class of 1994; 31 never-before-seen slides of the 1994 cohort (below).

Digital Accessions

Susan Wood (Bridgeman 1973) via Jane Klobas (Mazza 1973)
Twelve images from Susan’s time at Brigidine.

Dr Jane Klobas (Mazza 1973)
The opportunity to scan two photo albums full of photos of Jane’s time at Brigidine; 50 Year Reunion Committee planning document.

Robert Baxter (1974)
141 images of Rob and his friends during his time at Marist and beyond (above left).

Paul Sadleir (1974)
Invitation to Marist Senior College Dance, 1974; 21 photos of 1974 Leavers (above middle and right).

Upcoming School Events
Alumni welcome to attend!

Each Thursday morning, students, staff, families and friends gather to celebrate the Eucharist in our Champagnat Chapel.

The liturgy, organised and run by students across our Primary and Secondary Schools, is a beautiful opportunity to come together to as a School community to pray and celebrate together.

Alumni are most welcome to join us for these special Community Masses.

Movie Night, by St Cecilia's and Newman College

Friday, 22 November 2024, 6:30pm
Newman College Champagnat Chapel

Buy tickets ($10) here!

Get set for our young cast to take you through the streets of New York in the 1920s and a roaring good time!

Step into the world of gangsters, flappers, and unforgettable tunes as our talented students bring Bugsy Malone, the Musical to life! Join us for the giggles, glitz and glamour, and songs which will have you tapping your feet all night.

This is a family-friendly show packed with action,
talent, humour, and charm. Put it in your diary!

Thursday to Saturday, 3-5 April 2025
Marist Auditorium

... STOP PRESS ...

Selfridges Christmas windows, in Oxford Street, London, are some of the most dazzling in all of the UK, and their magic has been captivating crowds for more than a century!

In October, our own Lana Dragicevich (1984), a talented professional quilter, received the incredible honour of contributing her quilted fabric for these iconic displays. To say she was surprised and proud would be an understatement! Sworn to secrecy, she was only able to reveal the news along with the windows, earlier this month.

"What an honour to be asked! I’ve just been working away at home
in my little business, just plugging away bit by bit and then,
all of a sudden, it’s something really big!”

Congratulations, Lana!

See Lana’s Instagram post on it here
Full news story here