Principal 27
Assumption College Kilmore, ACK, will welcome its 27th principal as it begins its 132nd year.
Paul Finneran will take the reins of the historic school.
From Sligo, Ireland, Brother Andrew Somers was the first to be at the helm way back in 1893.
The long line of Marist ‘bosses’ lasted from the long-ago beginnings until 2006.
Without exception they were fine leaders and splendid educators and countless students across the decades owe them a great deal.
From 2006 until the end of 2023, the long line of Marists was succeeded by lay principals Michael Kenny and Kate Fogarty.
Mr Finneran comes to Assumption with a wealth of experience behind him.
His most recent posting was as principal of St Paul’s College at Greystanes, Parramatta, NSW, with 1200 students.
He has a Bachelor of Education, a Master of Religious Education and Master of Educational Leadership.
Best wishes to Paul as he takes up his new role. I’m sure he will be warmly welcomed by staff, students and families and the ACK Alumni.
Tests are numero uno
Test cricket is the pinnacle of the sport. The names of it’s greatest players are timeless and immortal.
The legend of Victor Trumper from the sports golden age, 1890-1910, lives on more than a century after his death, tragically young. Half of Sydney’s population lined the streets as his funeral cortege passed by. Most had tears in their eyes.
Australia has played England since 1877. Ashes battles are at the peak of world sport rivalry.
When England comes to Australia the summer after next, crowds and interest will be massive.
It seems likely the English side will be younger, by quite a bit, than the Aussies under chief selector George Bailey unless he changes his approach and invests in some youth.
He is certainly not a bold selector, and many fans believe what he is doing to the game’s future in this country is a disservice.
I never thought roles would be reserved and we would be the ‘Dads Army’ and not the English.
Bush school
The compelling book ‘Bush School’ by Peter O’Brien is a nostalgic read.
Published recently, it is a memoir and the people, places and events in the book are recounted from 60 years ago. It is the result of the author’s memory of a time long past and a difficult world.
In 1960, newly-minted teacher Peter O’Brien started work as the only teacher at a bush school in Weabonga, two days’ travel by train and mail car from Armidale.
There was a bed, a timber floor, thin tar paper on one side for privacy from the nearby road but nothing else. The flimsiest of ‘walls’, no pegs or nails to hang even a hat, no door, no rug for cold morning bare feet, no bookshelf for a voracious reader, no bedside cupboard for a lamp or a glass of water, no light source – just a bed and a suitcase for the next two years.
Peter was only 20 years old and had never before lived away from his home in Sydney.
He’d had some teaching experience, but nothing to prepare him for the monumental challenge of being solely responsible for the education of 18 students, ranging in age from five to 15 years old.
With few lesson plans, scant teaching materials, a wide range of curious minds and ages to prepare for, Peter was daunted by the enormity of the task ahead.
Because of Weabonga’s remoteness, the students were already at a disadvantage, but they were keen and receptive and had been blessed with an enthusiastic and committed teacher.
Indeed it was the children and their thirst for learning who kept Peter afloat during the early days of shockingly inadequate living conditions, a deficient diet and the terrible loneliness he felt being isolated so far from family, friends and his burgeoning romance.
‘Bush School’ is an engaging and fascinating memoir of how a young man rose to a challenge most would shrink from today.
It tells movingly of the resilience and spirit of children, the importance of learning and the transformative power of teaching.
Times have since changed, most of all the ‘bush’ schools have disappeared across Australia.
History tells us the children were well taught, responded well to discipline, made the best of little, and benefited from parents supporting teachers wholeheartedly, also students were taught to love Australia.
These elements are not nearly so prevalent today. It is very sad to note the decline of standards.
Extras
Received a beautiful card from Edna Daniher for Christmas.
Mother of Neale and 10 others, she lives still on the remote family farm in the north Riverina.
Husband Jim died a few years back and youngest son Chris looks after the farm.
A stoic lady of great faith, Edna is truly a product of the real Australia, which is slowly disappearing.
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Among locals I briefly caught up with lately were long-time Kilmore residents Neville Jinnette and Kate Archer.
Neville is fighting bravely a health battle. He gave fine service for many years as the trainer for Kilmore Football Club and Assumption First XVIII – the type of volunteer thin on the ground today.
Kate Archer is a faithful servant of St Patrick’s Parish and friend to many. Glad to learn her daughter Mary, now in Geelong, is going well.
