Autumn/Winter 2021

Newsletter Articles

THINGS FRANCISCAN

Dear Paduans,

The year began with a lessening in COVID restrictions, and life here is just about back to normal. There was an orientation day for new students, followed by our welcoming back all our student body. A.I.C began with an Ecumenical Prayer Service at Iona - who will, incidentally, host this year’s Confraternity. Cricket, Basketball and AFL season began in early March, and now we are into Football and Rugby.

I accompanied the Rugby and Football senior squads to Canberra. What a splendid experience with a group of talented sportsmen. Their behaviour was noted by so many - Paduans of courtesy, politeness and exemplary manners. They won all their games, as well as visiting Parliament House and the War Memorial. During the first term holidays there were Years 5-8 Rugby and Football clinics.

Liturgically, we celebrated a whole school Eucharist with our Minister-Provincial, Fr Phillip Miscamble ofm, and later our annual Anzac Day Memorial Service. House Masses continue, and we return to Mother-Son and Grandparents’ Eucharists. Our Friday Mass remains an important end of week assembly and we have as many as COVID restrictions allow in the Little Flower Church.

Just recently we heard of the sudden death of Fr Cormac Nagle ofm. He taught at Padua in 1959-1960. Subsequent to that he earned a Doctorate in Canon Law, was a Lecturer in Moral Theology at Yarra Theological Union, and was the Chaplain and Clinical Ethicist at Mercy Maternity Hospital, Melbourne. Also a onetime Minister-Provincial and General Definitor in Rome, he will be much missed by the many people who were pleased to know him.

Wishing you all the best for our 65th year of Padua,

Fr John

THE RECTOR

2020 – The challenges and the triumphs

The pandemic has impacted everyone in some way. For our seniors of 2020, it meant the loss, or at the very least, a scaling down of many of their significant events and rituals. We all like to have good memories of our final year at school, and as you read the old boys’ newsletters, you can probably remember some of the events and moments that marked the end of our time at school. Like you would expect, the staff and the graduates from 2020 worked through these important moments so that our Year 12s still got to experience many of the ceremonies and activities of Year 12. Below is the front page of the 2020 Paduan. The image from the Year 12 Vale Liturgy from 2020, on the last day of school for our graduating class, is a wonderful image of the Paduan community and a lasting memory of the triumph over the challenges of the pandemic. It captures our parents, students and staff all celebrating the end of school for our seniors of 2020 and in doing so, it reminds us all of the ‘miracle of the journey’. A journey from that nervous and awkward Year 5 boy to the confident and proud young man ready to make his mark in the world.

The seniors of 2020 were also the first class to graduate under the new Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE) system. There will also be a new way to rank students who wish to apply for university after school. The old ranking system called the Overall Position (OP) has been replaced with the Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR). Under this new system we see the return of external exams in all subjects marking a 42 year break since external or ‘public’ exams were last undertaken in Queensland. I am pleased to report our graduates did extremely well, navigating the many changes under the new system, on top of the other challenges of 2020.

Fr John Boyd-Boland 80th Birthday

We celebrated Fr John Boyd-Boland’s 80th birthday on May 28 at Padua (Birthday May 29) with Mass and a College gathering on the oval. The video in the link below was made by some of our students. It shows students from Years 5-12 and staff singing of ‘Happy Birthday’, a few whole school war cries, Birthday cake, and an extended lunch break. All of which made the day special for Fr John and the boys.

Fr John has also been nominated for a Spirit of Catholic Education Award as part of the upcoming Catholic Education Week in July. The award further recognises Fr John’s commitment to teaching and to the community of Padua.

Happy 80th Birthday Fr John

Fr John Birthday celebrations

Purchase of Council Stafford Depot Site

The purchase of the Council Depot Site is progressing well. The two college boards have appointed a Project Control Group to oversee the acquisition of the site. On Wednesday, 10 March from 3:30 pm to 5:30 pm there was a community consultation meeting about the purchase of the site. There is still a long way to go before we begin development of the site, but open communication with our neighbours is an important part of the development journey. Our early work is around planning for the first shared project with Mount Alvernia and these conversations have been around sporting facilities. We hope to have more detail about the proposed developments in coming months but needless to say there is a lot of excitement about the many possibilities this purchase offers.

We have also continued to progress our work developing the Padua College Master Plan and have had conversations around our educational vision for Padua. The purchase of the Stafford Depot site and the finalisation of the College Masterplan will see new projects and buildings in the coming years.

Back to Banyo 2021

It was great to see so many of you at Banyo. This event grows each year. Also, great to see some of you back at ‘Field 6’ at the end of the day.

The College is very proud to support Blue Hope at Back to Banyo.

Blue Hope is one of the few organisations of its kind in Australia, and around the world, that provides holistic, confidential care and early intervention for current and former police officers who may be experiencing a tough time with their mental health.

Save the date!
Gold V Gala Rugby League Day - 31 July 2021

This was a very successful event last year, so it’s back!

All former Padua Rugby League players are invited attend the 1sts game and some refreshments post-match at the playing fields at Banyo.

Virtual Tour

Rector’s Tours

Museum

We have already received some fantastic donations and loans for this project.

Do you have anything you could donate or loan to the Padua Museum?

Your assistance would be greatly appreciated.

Padua Old Boys & Memorial Mass 2021

Reunions

2010

The 2010 Old Boys started their gathering at Back to Banyo, moved along to ‘Field 6’ (All Inn Brewery) and then to the main event at Milton Common.

1971 - 50th Reunion

It was wonderful to welcome Old Boys from the 1971 cohort back to Padua for their 50th reunion. These men attended the Sportsman’s Dinner and toured the College.

Editor’s note: We regret to advise that reunion organiser, Tony Carden, sadly has passed away since this event. Our deepest sympathy goes to his friends and family.

1996 Reunion

Looks like a great evening

Firsts and Seconds Rugby League 1973 & 1974 Reunion

At the Prince of Wales Hotel, Nundah on October 2020. We were able to find all previous Firsts from 1973 and 1974 except for two. Six attended from each year but many couldn’t attend due to COVID travel restrictions. There was a lot of debate on which was the better team but 1974 was the obvious choice as the team was undefeated all year including wins over Kedron State High and Wavell State High.

Mark Dufficy

Padua Very Old Boys and St Anthony’s Morning Tea

This wonderful regular group met again recently at the Kedron Wavell RSL.

Where are they now?

John Mula (OB 1976)

Congratulations to John Mula who was recently awarded an OAM in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List for service to Catholic education. John was the Executive Director of Catholic Education in Tasmania from 2015 to 2019, during which time he worked incredibly hard to increase the profile of Catholic education both within Tasmania and nationally. John now works for Catholic Education South Australia.

David McLean (OB)

David is one of our outstanding Old Boys. He has volunteered for over 40 years of Surf Life Saving.

• In 1999, he was awarded the Queensland Volunteer of the Year
• Queensland Life Saver of the Year in both 2007 and 2010
• Also in 2010, he received the highest accolade of all - the Australian Life Saver of the Year
• In 2016 he was recognised in the Australia Honours with the Emergency Services Medal
• He continues to serve as a Sunshine Coast Club President

Will Barnes (OB 2020)

Congratulations Will!

Will was accepted for an athletic scholarship to play tennis at Judson University in Illinois.

Matthew Allen (OB 2006) Joe Allen (OB 2008)

The Allen Family has been very busy celebrating!

Matthew Allen married his partner Tayla Roxborough on the 21st of April up at the old Dairy, Maleny.

Joe Allen married his partner in a surprise wedding on the 2nd of May at Walkabout Creek for family and close friends before celebrating with the rest of their family and friends at the Triffid.

Lawson Creighton (OB 2015) Hudson Creighton (OB 2017)

Great to see the Creighton brothers in a recent promotion from Queensland Reds

Harris Andrews (OB 2014)

Here is a great article on Harris by Peter Blucher.

Lindsay Collins (OB 2013)

Roosters enforcer Lindsay Collins on track to join 'elite front-rowers', Sterlo says

Michael Wood (OB 2016)

Congratulations to Michael on his Super Rugby Debut with the NSW Waratahs.

Will Martyn (OB 2018)

Congratulations to Will Martyn on his debut with Richmond AFL Club.

Daniel Lilley (OB 1981)

Congratulations to Dan who has started a drone flying business, Lilley’s Aerial Drone Photography.

Tim Kehoe (OB 1988)

Since 1988 Tim Kehoe has completed a Bachelor of Business and been working for Toll Transport as a General Manager of several divisions since 2006. Currently Tim is Executive General Manager Commercial Development at United Petroleum.

Tim lives in Melbourne with his lovely wife Sharon and two girls. He is a passionate cyclist and recently completed a 900km ride in support of the Amy Gillett foundation.

Cosi DeAngelis (OB 1988)

Since graduating in 1988, Cosi DeAngelis has enjoyed an awesome career in Banking across three organisations and 2 states and is currently the General Manager of ANZ's Working Capital and Asset Finance businesses for Australia.

Whilst his role is Melbourne based he lives in Brisbane and spends a lot of time on a plane. During the last 30 years he also attained a number of tertiary qualifications including an MBA from the University of New England.

Vanessa & Cosi were married in 2000 and Olivia came along in 2003, Sophie in 2007 and Xavier in 2010. They have lived in Gordon Park for the past 10 years and really don't see themselves moving until all the kids have finished school.

The family have spent a lot of time (and money) travelling over the past 10 years having taken the family around the world in 2014. Most of their spare time is taking up with Kids sport with Sophie in the Brisbane City Girls Academy team and Xavier donning the butchers stripes at Brothers Rugby Union.

Joe Mula (OB 1963)

It was great to see Joe when he dropped in for a look around the College.

Harry Sweby, Lachlan White and Noah Taylor (OB 2017)

QUT Graduation (17/02/2021) of three past students of Padua College, Harry Sweby, Lachlan White and Noah Taylor. All graduated Bachelor of Fine Arts Film, Screen and New Media – with Distinction. Congratulations!

Mitch Thompson (OB 2010)

Congratulations to Mitch on his recent marriage to Hanna in Townsville. The wedding was attending by a large group of 2010 Old Boys.

Andrews - Cameron Cup

Harris Andrews is a Padua Old Boy 2014 and Charlie Cameron is a Marist Ashgrove Old Boy. Both now play together in the Brisbane Lions team. As many of you will know, Padua College and Marist College Ashgrove have had a very healthy rivalry in all sports. The Andrews-Cameron Cup was born as a result.

AFL was officially introduced to the AIC in 2019 and has grown significantly in that time. Discussions are already underway regarding an expansion next year to include more teams. At Padua, AFL is a very popular sport with most of our players coming from Wilston Grange AFC, Kedron AFC and Aspley AFC.

Harris played in the Independent Schools Cup. He was also a member of our AIC Premiership winning 1st V Basketball team. Harris was a very likeable and friendly student who was respected by his peers and teachers. He has continued close ties with the schools having visited numerous times since his graduation.

Harris’ high profile at the Lions and the AFL has certainly helped us to grow the game at Padua. His story is an inspiration to many of our young players. A recent highlight was the College taking hundreds of students AFL 2019 Round 22 to support Harris when the Brisbane Lions defeated Geelong Cats in an epic one-point win to take top spot on the ladder.

The Andrews-Cameron Cup will become a highlight of our sporting calendar at Padua. The team, coached by Brent Moloney, took on Ashgrove at Sandgate AFC in the inaugural game, with a large band of supporters cheering them on. Marist took the win this year, but we look forward to 2022.

Congratulations Brandon McMorrow (OB 2018)

Brandon joins long standing goalkeeper Jamie Young (OB 2000) at the Brisbane Roar.

Kevin Short (OB 1988)

Kevin passed away last year. Friends and family were finally able to celebrate his life at a Paddle Out at Maroochydore Beach recently.

Peter Kowalski (OB)

2 RAR Battalion held a commemorative service for their fellow soldier Peter Kowalski on 8 Feb 2021 which marked the fiftieth anniversary of his being Killed In Action in Vietnam.

Peter was a Padua Old Boy from 1962 to 1965.

Programme Brochure courtesy Jim Doherty.

Keep connected with your community. Update your details here

Thanks to Paul Willett and the group of ‘very old boys’ for their contributions to historical images

The first Little Flower Church

The first Church was destroyed after a severe storm

Image of the second Little Flower Church after it was destroyed.

Where are their shoes?

Around the school

Academic Assembly

The following 2020 old boys were recognised for their achievements at the Academic Assembly in Term 1. Well done! It was wonderful to welcome you back to the College.

Water Polo success

Well done lads

Rugby Term 2 2021

Boxing prize

Josh McCulloch competed for the ‘Wide Bay Regional’ Title for his weight division in Bundaberg recently and won. It was one of his toughest fights to date.

This is his second title as he won the Qld Novice title in March this year in the same weight division.

Simon Tayler (OB 1993)

Simon worked with Testing Limits Together (TLT) and the Padua 2021 Frist XIII Team on a program of teamwork and leadership, as part of the preparation for this year’s Confraternity Carnival, which will be held over the June/July holidays at Iona.

Toowoomba Rugby Challenge Champions

Congratulations to our Year 8 students on a great win in the Toowoomba Rugby Challenge Championships.

War Memorial

Michael O’Brien (Vice Rector Formation) visited the Australian War Memorial and placed a poppy beside Dennis McCormack’s name on behalf of all of us.

Open Rugby and Football Tour to Canberra

Senior students were fortunate to be able to tour interstate given the current, on-going COVID-19 restrictions.

Sunshine Butterflies donation

When the year 12 camp was cancelled because of lockdown, food was donated to a local charity rather than it going to waste.

ANZAC Day

ANZAC Day was remembered at a special Assembly at School. A very large number of students, some parents and old boys represented the school at the Kedron Wavell RSL March.

Doug Sherwood Memorial Prize

Congratulations to Will Tozer on winning the Doug Sherwood Memorial Prize for 2021. He is pictured here with Doug’s parents Dale and Fiona.

School Clean Up Day 2021

Students were joined by State Member Jimmy Sullivan MP (OB 1999) on the recent clean up in local parks.

Jimmy also had a tour of the College and got to see the impressive race car being made by our students.

Apprenticeship

Congratulations to Fletcher Ruetschi on his signup for a school-based apprenticeship with Padua old boy James Briskie (OB 2012) from Briskie Construction group. Great to see our old boys supporting our students!

Swimming

We are pleased to announce that Chris Raleigh, former parent and swim club instructor has joined our team in the Swimming Club as Aquatic Coordinator.

Buddy Program

Thanks to David Shillington (OB 2000) from the Wellbeing Code for facilitating at a great session with the Year 5 and Year 10 students in their Buddy Program recently.