Holding the trophies
Stockdale is a significant name in this area. The Darraweit Guim clan drew wide respect as did Kilmore’s Tony, Marlene, and children Craig and Trudy. Craig attended ACK with honours and has been successful in business.
Pictured here with daughter Maddie, each holding a cup at Flemington on the 2023 Melbourne Cup day. Without a fight, trainer Sam Freedman won the famous trophy and is Maddie’s friend. The father and daughter got to pose with the trophies. Craig is a fine person. He played first tribute for ACK and also played for Kilmore Cricket Club. He plays tribute to local cricket legend Laurie Boyd as ‘a fine mentor and guide.’
Craig’s daughter Maddie is a very talented soccer player.
Boarders thriving
The new boarding houses at ACK are fully occupied and the boys and girls, many from distant parts, are enjoying the aspects of their new lives.
Among the “residents” are Oscar Terry and his sister Ava, as well as Charlotte Durkin. The Terrys are part of a long line of a highly regarded family, some of whom were outstanding school principals in NSW. Assumption’s 1979 first XVII premiership captain Adrian Mitchellhill is a relative.
Charlotte Dunkin’s dad Kelly attended ACK and remains a pal of Kane Crawford – both were in the same year. Cousins Liam and James were at ACK, and Liam is editor of Gippsland’s major newspaper. The Dunkin name is linked to a potato growing for generations near Thorpdale in South Gippsland.
Storm’s coach the best
Melbourne Storm is sitting atop the NRL table. The side has won four titles and five minor premierships under coach Craig Bellamy, who has coached Storm for two decades. In his time, he has always had them at or near the pinnacle. Many believe he is the best coach of any football club in Australia.
Former ACK student Matt Tripp is the Club’s chairman. Storm has quite a number of keen followers in this area including Review’s general manager Richard Reid and former long-time St Patrick’s priest Peter Rankin.
New Assumption principal Paul Finneran is an avid Swan’s fan and is delighted with their form to date this season. At this point they look to be title favourites with the strongest challengers Collingwood and Carlton. Essendon and Brisbane look “best of the rest” and can’t be discounted.
Honor
Darren Martin, who attended ACK in the 80s is a King’s Birthday awards recipient for 30 years’ service, including two decades in a leadership role in the West Australian fire service. He is my late sister’s son – one of four children who were very young when she lost her cancer fight. Darren married a Ballarat girl, Rosey Toohey, and had twins Mick and Kate Rezey. Sadly, Rosey is having a serious health battle right now. Her working life has been as a Qantas flight attendant and schoolteacher.
I’m pretty sure Darren deserved his recognition for more than a couple of political leaders who got “gongs”.
AFLW Star
Chloe Molloy, 25, is a superstar of women’s football and one of the most influential players in the game. She has been an exceptional talent with Collingwood and now with Sydney Swans. There’s footy in the blood – uncle Shane Molloy played for Fitzroy. Chloe grew up in Whittlesea and attended Assumption where she excelled at basketball and was a popular student who contributed well to the college’s life and times.
She was number three pick of the 2017 draft. Six years in, the game have seen her win a rising star award. Named all-Australian three times, plus a Collingwood best and fairest, Chloe enjoys the Sydney lifestyle and environment – the only downside is being a plane ride away from her parents who now live in Beveridge.
Not So Cold
As we now endure a typical winter in these parts with often single digital temperatures, it was nice to get this postcard from a couple of friends travelling the Queensland outback, the scene is at Winton.
Their trip took them to the Qantas Museum in Longreach and the famous Stockman’s Hall of Fame. They found Charters Towers a place of great interest.
