ACK Yearbook Report 2006
Old Collegians Association
The year commenced with a meeting between President Kellie and myself welcoming the new Principal, Michael Kenny on a new era for A.C.K. and an undertaking from the association to assist and support him when and wherever he felt the need. The co-operation between College and the Old Collegians has grown in recent years and we are pleased to welcome Bernie Jephson to our committee as the liaison between the School and our association.
Over the past two years, the President of our Association was the second female to hold that position but became the first president to have a baby (her second girl) whilst holding the role of “Old Boys” president. Whilst Kellie Perkins created history, I cannot let time pass without complimenting her on her outstanding work.
Kellie has resigned as President due to family commitments but thankfully, she accepted a position on the Committee and, with the assistance of our Secretary,
Pauline Leslie, continues to work on taking our records into the modern era.
So far, we are going well with our database at the College (which was approved by Brother Fons) and we encourage all ex-students to forward their details to:-
ack.oldcollegians@yahoo.com.au as our e-mail address and contact point and we are in the process of establishing a web site and you can check its progress by going to… assumption college kilmore old collegians.
The work on this site is being done by an ex-student who was responsible for a lot of the computer works at the College.
One of our main aims in the future is to have as close to 100% of ex-students on the database, indeed a near impossible task, but we will press on as we continue to receive advice of school year reunions and the organisers have promised that all information received will be sent on and recorded for the future. If any person reading this item and having any connection with family
or friends who are ex-students, please urge them to get registered .
We shall try and get a “Newsletter” in the system but due to excessive cost of postage, it will be done only on the e-mail and “word of mouth”and will become the place to publicise future reunions, ex-student events and College functions.
During the year, Bob Ryan, celebrated 50 years as a member of the Committee and we thank him for his continuing work as a valuable part of ACKOCA.
Our Annual Dinner in May brought together the 1956 Matriculation Class and
1st XV111 as well as some “oldies” who rate special mention.
First we had Tom Dunlop (1928) who was 94 and asked the Treasurer if any of his other classmates were there and not to be outdone, we also welcomed
Leo Oswald (ex-Br. Evangelist—“Nick” 1946-1951 & “Rocky” 1961-1967)
who turned 90 years young the day after.
Leo expressed his thanks to those present for the outstanding singing of
“Happy Birthday” led by Bernie Curtin, and proceeded to give us a memory of
the great teachers he was with at Assumption. A number of times there was clearly dissent from the audience when he described some as good blokes.
Many laughs and fond memories and much discussion took place after his chat.
We were happy to also welcome Br. Oswald (Tom Maher—alias Bing) who celebrated his diamond jubilee as a Marist during June 2006 and he was with us in August at Numurkah for the North-East reunion.
Organised by Father Frank Jones (P.P.) with assistance from Tom Seymour and Leo Shannon, the August function commenced with Mass and was followed by lunch at Numurkah Bowls Club with over 60 persons present.
Once again lots of stories told, a rousing singing of the College song and our thanks to those involved as we continue the spirit of Assumption.
A note of interest to the ex-students from the southern parts of N.S.W.
is that for some years , the singing of the National Anthem at the Annual Municipal Conference in Sydney was done by the Mayor of Wakool Municipality, David Shannon (ex-ACK in mid-40’s). Dave recently retired from the Council and his dairy farm and moved to a new home in Barham.
How about this !!. The person who is to sing the National Anthem (or sang ) at the next Conference in keeping with the ACK influence in NSW Local Government is no other than Councillor Bernie Curtin of Berrigan Shire. Congrats to Bernie and keep up your great singing of “When Shandon Calls”.
Later in the year I received advice that another important gathering had an ACK flavour with the “Naval Association of Australia’s Citation of Excellence”
Dinner was being presided over by Bernie Fallet (’47-48), the current welfare officer of the Naval Association. Invited guests included Leo Oswald and Jim Gallagher (School Captain 1948) who were two people he remembered at ACK.
Leo wrote and told me how they were asked to stand up and be identified.
The Naval Association acknowledged the long and valuable contribution of
Father Frank Lyons (ex-ACK) as Chaplain for the Royal Australian Navy.
Leo was then give the honour of presenting the plaque to Father Frank who greatly appreciated the ACK presence. Father Frank was reminded of his return to the College for his post-ordination Mass and the “bushie” he and his fellow ordinates gained for the students of the time.
Father Frank has retired and is not in good health at this time and resides with the Little Sisters of the Poor at Northcote.
It is amazing the number of times we hear of the deeds of ex-students and the recognition gained in the community. You may travel far and wide across this great country but don’t be surprised if the person you are talking to has either been or has a family or close friend that went to Assumption.
On a sad note, we were concerned with the finish of the AFL season and the serious injury suffered by ex-student, Tom Lonergan, whilst playing for Geelong Football Club. Tom was one of the many students that have come from the area around Yarrawonga. We extend our best wishes to Tom for a speedy and full recovery and look forward to a bright and prosperous future for him.
We hope he will be able to join us in Old Collegian activities for a long time.
Finally, I am honoured to be elected as President of ACKOCA for 2006/7 but, as a student who attended ACK in 1945-1948, I would urge students from the 1960’s to the present to get involved in the Association. We are pressing ahead reasonably but as we are now well into the modern technology era, our need is for more of that expertise to be available for our continuing progress.
For sure, there is a need for the old heads but we would like some of those talented ones to come forward and share the load that our younger committee members are carrying as they go about modernizing our association.
On behalf of ACKOCA, I would like to wish all members of the College community, a very happy and safe Christmas and New Year and hope that all will be “seeking higher things” in 2007 .
Ron Forbes
President…ACKOCA.
posted by ACK Old Collegians Committee at 8:49 pm
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