18 October 2019

Newsletter Articles

THINGS FRANCISCAN

Dear Paduans,

This has certainly been an historic year for Rugby League players - past and present. The Rugby League A.I.C. competition was introduced in Term 3, with one team in each year level. The Gala Day at Banyo saw us up against Marist Ashgrove. Many Old Boys were in attendance, with some of our greats introduced at half time.

Earlier in the year, our 1st XIII Rugby League squad competed at the Confraternity Shield Carnival at Bundaberg. The highlight was the team win over St Brendan’s. Down 18-0 at half time, then the typical Padua fight back to 18 all, and a win, because Padua had scored more tries than the lads from Yeppoon.

Back in August, the College was graced by the presence of Friar Dan Horan from Chicago. Dan is a world-renowned scholar and was here to lecture on the meeting between St Francis and Sultan Malik al-Kamil. This was an attempt by Francis, some 800 years ago, to put an end to the Crusading wars between Christians and Muslims. Dan spoke to staff and had some classes with senior students. He was also the key-note speaker at the Franciscan Schools of Australia Conference held here in Brisbane.

Currently, the friars of the Holy Spirit Province are holding their Provincial Chapter. Friars in attendance will come from Australia, Singapore, Malaysia, and New Zealand. Three of our local friars are in attendance - Steve Bliss, Mario Debattista, and Harry Chan. New Definitors will be elected at this Chapter. It is a challenging time for the friars as our numbers are dwindling, and many are now in need of aged-care, or in retirement.

The College has been busy preparing the boys for the new Senior assessment. Gone is the QCS ordeal, now to be replaced by internal assessment and public exams, and an ATAR score to replace the OP. For our Year 11 and 12 students here at Padua, the S.O.R will no longer be compulsory, but a Catholic Studies subject will be. The hope is that our graduating Paduans will be informed as to the Catholic and Franciscan heritage and become active members of a worshipping community.

Having just returned from our Year 11 Leadership Camp, I am pleased that the boys have taken to the new House names with great enthusiasm. It has prompted them to delve into the early history of the Franciscan movement, and to discover the values that set the first followers of Francis on their journey of faith and service. They have seen the five Paduan values - JOY, COURTESY, HUMILITY, SIMPLICITY and PEACE, lived out by the companions of Francis.

As we come towards the end of the year, I wish you all God’s Blessings, and for another year of grace, celebration and peace.

John Boyd-Boland ofm

THE RECTOR

“Great things are done by a series of small things brought together.” (Van Gogh).

As we move towards the end of the year, we become reflective of the events and the achievements of the year. Like the painter who makes many brush strokes in the creation of the masterpiece, so too do the collective of events and happenings, come together to create another exciting year in the life of Padua. Take the snapshot from our recent Bulletin that highlighted the many events that took place over the September holiday break – A surf Camp on the Gold Coast; a Staff delegation visiting our sister school in Timor Leste; staff on a pilgrimage to Rome and Assisi; boys training for the AIC Track and Field Carnival; our Rock Band competing at the Battle of Bands and finally, one of our Junior Space Design teams was awarded a top 5 finish in the Australian wide competition.

Considering these events took place when school was in recess, we can certainly appreciate that our College offers a range of opportunities for our boys that goes well beyond what many of us from past generations could only have dreamed. While we know that things have changed by way of opportunities, 2019 has also seen the return of some things from an early time at Padua that many of our Old Boys may remember. These include the return of Rugby League. Many Old Boys returned to the Banyo Playing Fields on September 7 for the AIC Rugby League game against Marist Ashgrove. We presented to the crowd some of the greats who have worn the brown and gold of Padua on the Rugby League field. While the final result in the First XIII went against us, the day was very successful with a good roll up of supporters and some wins in the younger grades. The return of the thirteen aside game has been well received and we hope that the two-year trial as an AIC sport continues as we clearly have a strong tradition in the game.

There would be some Old Boys who also remember the days of external exams in Queensland schools. This year has seen a return to the past practice of external exams with the Year 11 boys being the first group to begin the new Queensland Certificate of Education. Queensland’s system of senior assessment and tertiary entrance, commonly referred to as the “OP system”, has been in place since 1992 and it has been over 40 years since public (external) examinations were abolished. The introduction of the new QCE means that there will be externally set exams at the end of next year and the introduction of an ATAR (Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank) in line with other States. Maths and Science subjects have external exams worth 50 percent and all other subjects have external exam worth 25 percent of the final grade. We have supported teachers and Year 11 students as they have navigated the significant changes to the curriculum and the school-based assessment processes over the course of the year.

Some Old Boys would also remember crossing the road to undertake classes at Mount Alvernia. This year we have over 60 students in Years 11 and 12 between the two Colleges, involved in our combined timetable offerings. Subjects like Hospitality, Ancient History, Digital Media and Economics are being run as shared classes offering students from both sides of Turner Road an opportunity for more subjects plus greater flexibility of subject choices. While some staff thought that this was a new idea, there were some who have a longer history with the College who can recall earlier days of shared classes in senior subjects.

Many Old Boys would also have heard the news that there has been a decision to change the House names. The decision to rename the Houses followed a period of consultation between the Franciscan Friars, the College Board and the College Leadership. This decision included advice from Fr John Boyd-Boland, and everyone involved, appreciated the wisdom of Fr John and the other Friars who have been involved in this process, including the selection of the new House names. This is certainly a return to the past, in this case a long way back, to the time of St Francis with the Houses from 2020 being named after the early followers of St Francis – Catanni, Leo, Masseo, Quintavalle, Rufino and Angelo. One thing that hasn’t changed, well not in the recent past, is that Mitchell House has again been awarded the Ed Nally Cup as the overall champion House in 2019. Our House structure and the connection the boys have to their House is significant. Next year will see us bring to life the stories of those who chose to follow St Francis many years ago, as we look for inspiration and guidance in our own lives.

While some of the ‘new’ things of 2019 have a past at Padua, I am sure that any Old Boy who visited the classrooms on our primary campus would certainly say the classrooms look nothing like their primary school classroom. After a period of consultation and staff training in 2018, this year saw the introduction of a new pedagogies and classroom design to our Year 5 classrooms. Technology and changes to our economy mean that the nature of teaching and learning is undergoing change. These changes create new priorities that require the development of a broader range of skills and attributes considered necessary for life, study and work in the 21st Century. Our classrooms of today need to teach problem solving skills, creatively, managing information, and communicating effectively in teams. The teaching and classroom design at our Greccio campus reflects these changes with newly created air-conditioned spaces being introduced in 2019.

As each year passes, our College changes and adapts in order to respond to the changing nature of schooling. This year shows that sometimes amongst this change, we have things that are repackaged to suit the new demands of schooling. The conversations about how things have changed were certainly a talking point last week at the annual Old Boys’ Mass. A night where we had the opportunity to come together to celebrate and give thanks for all that we have at Padua. At the mass we had Graduands attend ranging from 2018 all the way back to 1956. This connection with our past is a good reminder of the importance of our heritage as the College continues to grow and respond to changes. It was certainly clear that the education experienced by the Graduands from 2018 was markedly different from the memories of the men of 1956. However, while there were differences, there was also a connection between all who returned to their former school that is best explained in the Aristotle quote that ‘educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all.’ Things have changed in our schools, and some ‘old’ things have come back ‘repackaged’, but what hasn’t changed is the mission of developing ‘young men of wisdom, service and a quiet strength.’

My blessing as you reflect on your own year and I hope that the pages of this edition of the Old Boys’ Newsletter brings back good memories of your time at the College.

Peace and all good,
Peter

Old Boys’ Mass 2019

Padua College Old Boys attended a special Mass on Thursday, 10 October in their honour. It was wonderful to see so many present. Fr John Boyd-Boland celebrated Mass in Fr Mario’s absence.

Gold V Gala Day

It was great to welcome the return of Rugby League back to Padua College. The Gold V Gala Day was held on Saturday 7 September and was deemed a great success by all who attended. The Padua Team of the Century, Confraternity Shield, AMCO Cup and other teams, and all Old Boys who had played league for Padua were invited to attend.

Padua Vietnam Veterans

Vietnam Veterans Day was held on 15 August. The College held a simple ceremony in front of the flagpoles to honour the day and remember Paduans who were involved in this campaign. The McCormack Family and several of our Vietnam Vets attended to honour their comrades and especially, Dennis McCormack, who was killed at the Battle of Long Tan.

Padua College has added an extra name to our Vietnam Veterans’ Plaque, Ron Evans.

To explain briefly why this has occurred at this late date, Ron was overlooked by the committee in their original searches, due to confusion with Ron’s name on the Padua Roll.

The Evans family, including Ron Evans’ children, has been informed about the plaque.

We now have a total of 44 Vietnam Veterans from Padua.

Mike Willett

Back to Banyo

Padua 2019 Anzac Liturgy

Once again, our Padua College conducted a very dignified and moving celebration for Anzac Day.

Terry Thistleton, Padua Old Boy 1965, read the Honour List, and Ode.

Terry, Graeme Costin, John O’Keeffe, and Peter Cross, laid a wreath, one of four.

Photo of some of the guests attached, courtesy of Lona Costin.

From left, Peter Metcalfe, Nathan McCormack, Brendan Cox (guest for Anzac Day oration), Peter Cross, Mel McCormack, John O’Keeffe, Graeme Costin, Mike Willett, Ray Simon, Michael Stark, guest, Peter Stark.

I encourage you all to attend next year; you will be made to feel very welcome by the College and your mates.

Mike Willett

Coming events

Memorial Mass for Deceased Paduans

Following the suggestion of Jeff Ahern (OB 1964), Padua College warmly invites all family and friends of all deceased Paduans to attend a Memorial Mass in their honour on Wednesday, 6 November. This Mass will recognise all Paduans, Old Boys, former parents and staff alike. We hope to make this an annual event. Please contact oldboys@padua.qld.edu.au if you would specifically like a family member or friend remembered at this Mass.

2020 Events

Reunions

1989 Reunion

The Paddo Tavern played hosted to a once-in-30-years event – the reunion of the 1989 senior classes of Padua and Mt Alvernia Colleges. The culmination of many months in the planning, steered by Terry Johnston, Amanda Reilly and Matt Humphrys, the night was a magical mix of memories, mirth and madness.

As for the roll call...

there were pathologists and surveyors,
radiologists and bricklayers
those in the financial know, and the occasional golf pro,
architects and teachers, with greying hair features,
analysts, town planners and blokes who work with spanners
there were cops and pilots, but no shrinking violets.

Fabulous food devoured by the punters – thanks to Paul and his awesome crew; Music by ‘80s headliner Nik Phillips, of ye olde ‘Her Majesty’s fame. Lots of great stories, sporting glories and broken lavatories... (pretty sure that was Year 10 camp), this gathering of old friends made for an occasion to remember.

Dom Thurlow (OB 1989)

Old Boys featured, from left to right/Sonny Hooper, David Elliot, Barry Lillis, Danny Impellezerii/Adam Goddard, Michael Kraus/Ken Rogers, Bill Brassington/Chris Lindsay, Jeff Spence, David O’Regan, Jason Thaw/ John DeAngelis, Stuart Chambers/Michael Kraus, Myles Campbell, Tim Coutts

2009 reunion

Earlier this year, Michael O’Brien, Vice Rector Formation, took some of the 2009 cohort for a tour of the College prior to their reunion.

1962/1963/1964/1965

This group meet regularly for their Padua Mid-Year Coffee.

Attendees were Michael Stark, Peter Cross, Michael Bourne, Peter Metcalfe, Mike Vincent, Ray Simon, Mike Riley, Rod Brewer, George Smith, Neil Short, Mick Brosnan, John O’Keeffe, Rob Lynam, Mike Willett. Two debutants, Dare, Jones and John Kelly. Surprise guest, John Spinaze OB1963.

1984 Prefects reunion

A great email from Till Innamorati

I am a past student and was a Prefect 1984, a title I held quite high.

My son is at the College and following in some of my footsteps in football and has enjoyed his time greatly.

I thought I would provide an old image of the First 11 winning the Qld Metropolitan final at Perry Park. The team was very competitive in the few years leading up to this particular final. Also attached is an extract of Prefects of old in 1984. I was able to make contact recently with them all and got them together for a Prefects’ dinner. One past student made his way home from London for the occasion.

Till

Where are they now

Harris Andrews (OB 2014)

Joel Howley (OB 2009)

Huge congratulations to Joel Howley who recently became the 2019 Water Ski Slalom World Champion.

Peter Nowill (OB 1996)

The College’s special invited guest presenter at this year’s Padua Dash Race was Peter Nowill, Padua Old Boy ’96. The Padua Dash (Peter Nowill Shield) is named in honour of Peter, a world class representative in long distance running and Steeplechase, including representing Australia at the Athens Olympics, Melbourne Commonwealth Games, World Athletics Championships, World Cross Country Championships and World Cup. Peter’s notable achievements include 7 x Australian Champion - 3000m Steeplechase, Australian Champion - Marathon 2011, Queensland Record 3000m Steeplechase 8:22:85.

Daniel Gaudiello (OB 1997)

Daniel is a ballet dancer who performed with the Australian Ballet from 2004 until his retirement as Principal Artist in March 2016. Daniel and his father featured in a moving Great Northern Brewing Father’s Day advertisement. Link for this is here.

Barry Dunphy (OB 1975)

The College was delighted to welcome Mr Barry Dunphy when he addressed our Academic Assembly in August. Barry is a partner at top legal firm Clayton Utz. Barry gave an inspirational speech to the students.

David Stagg (OB 2000)

David Shillington (OB 2000)

John Kelly

The College was delighted to welcome John Kelly to an Assembly in June. John also always marches with the College students at the ANZAC Day parade to Kedron Wavell RSL.

Dom Prgomet (OB 2013)

Jason Pacey, Vice Rector Teaching and Learning, ran into Dom at Rosie’s in the city where Dom still regularly volunteers. He has just moved to Dalby after 12 months in Cairns and is a Speech Pathologist. He first volunteered with Rosie’s in Year 11 and 12 and joined them as a regular volunteer in 2014 and has volunteered with them ever since, even while he was in Cairns. Dom was the Academic Leader in 2013.

Oskar Baker

AFL debut for northside product

Oskar Baker in action for Melbourne. PICTURE: PAUL KANE/GETTY IMAGES

THE recent AFL debut of northside product Oskar Baker was a rich reward for a young man who worked tirelessly on polishing his skills away from organised training.

Wilston Grange president Matt Trewhella said he recalled Baker (now with Melbourne Demons) toiling away to better himself.

"He would have to be one of the most well-known identities at our club," Trewhella said.

"He absolutely loves footy and always worked harder than everyone else. He always had a footy in his hands and practising his skills."

When he debuted for Melbourne against West Coast Eagles, it capped a rise for the Padua College Old Boy who, in 2017, split his time between Wilston Grange seniors and playing midfield for the Hornets.

Asked did he have talent to go with his work ethic, Trewhella said: "His speed and skills were always a strong point especially as he developed.

"We worked on his two way running and defensive skills where he developed some aerial skills which improved his marking and spoiling impacts on the game.

"Oskar was always a slender junior but shot up in height as he approached under 18s. We played him in the seniors when he was 16 years of age and he had a standout year on the wing.

"He played QAFL state footy in 2017 along with a bunch of NEAFL games and was drafted later that year to Melbourne."

ANDREW DAWSON Northside Chronicle 4 July 2019
andrew.dawson@news.com.au

There was also a fantastic video from the Melbourne Demons, of Oskar receiving his jersey.

Michael Wood (OB 2016)

Old Boy Michael Wood played for the Wallabies U20 in May against the Junior All Blacks at Bond University.

The Australian team defeated the Kiwis 24-0. Michael was one of Australia’s best on the night.

Andrew Beattie & Chris Loth

Chris Loth (OB 1996) Australia Men's 45s coach and Andrew Beattie (OB1998) England Men's 35s player met up at the Touch World Cup in Malaysia in May.

AIC Football and Rugby Captains

A number of former AIC sporting captains generously returned to present jerseys to students at a Sports Assembly earlier in the year. Thanks to the following Old Boys for their support. The students were very appreciative of your time.

James Briskie – Rugby 2012
Lachlan Creighton – Rugby 2006
Jack Keily – Rugby 2010
Thomas Best – Rugby 2017
Liam Usher – Rugby 2016
Harrison Fox – Rugby 2018
Luke McKenna – Football 2002
Rhys West – Football 2018
Hamish Bell – Football 2016
Gregory Tortoriello – Football 2016

Heath Gabbett (OB 2014)

Heath represented QUT at the Padua Careers’ Expo in April.

Keep connected with your community. Update your details

Looking Back

Padua Radio Club 1964

Images courtesy of Mike Willet

Padua college v Iona College Rugby League article 1964

Around the school

Confraternity Shield was held in Bundaberg this year. Our boys performed very well and finished 4th in the Shield Competition.

We wish Casey Hoole well as he leaves Padua and goes on to pursue his Tennis dreams.

Father son breakfast

The annual Father Son Breakfast was a big success this year. The event sold out very quickly and has established itself as a favourite on the calendar.